Mariyam MuhammadAkron Beacon Journal
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As we race from spring to summer, theme parks and amusem*nt parks will slowly open their gates to thrill-seeking ride goers. Every year, these parks construct new roller coasters, competing to see who has the tallest, fastest and riveting ride ever.
Regardless of who wins this competition, riders will have the opportunity to experience brand-new rides and rollercoasters at amusem*nt parks in Ohio and across the Midwest, as well as other parks around the country. Here are some roller coasters and other thrill rides opening this season (in no particular order).
1. Top Thrill 2at Cedar Point
- Opening day: May 4
- More info: Cedar Point website
Sandusky's favorite theme park will be opening the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch strata coaster, according to Cedar Point’s website.
The park will open to patrons for the April 8 solar eclipse, but Top Thrill 2 will carry its first passengers when the park opens for the season on May 4.
Cedar Point season passes for summer 2024 are available now.
2. Snoopy's Soap Box Racers at Kings Island
- Opening day: April 20
- More info: Kings Island website
Cincinnati's Kings Island is opening its first family boomerang coaster, which takes riders not only forwards, but backwards, adding in twists and turns in between.
This ride will open sometime late spring in the park's Camp Snoopy section. More information about the ride can be found here.
3. Good Gravy at Holiday World
- Opening day: May 4
- More info: Holiday World website
Similar to Kings Island, Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, opened a Thanksgiving-inspired ride for the whole family.
This ride begins by pulling riders backward up an inclined spike before sending through a themed course on a quest to save Thanksgiving dinner. The ride then completes the course — backward. Are you ready to be a holiday hero? Find out more here.
4. The All American Triple Loop at Indiana Beach
- Opening day: May 11
- More info: Indiana Beach website
With speeds up to 56 mph, this steel coaster brings its three mind-bending loops, including back-to-back vertical loops, to Monticello, Indiana. This ride has operated at other parks in the past, but this is the first year it will thrill riders as The All American Triple Loop at Indiana Beach’s first ever ride.
This ride will open sometime during the 2024 season. More information about the ride can be found on this website.
5. Sky Striker at Six Flags Great America
- Opening day: April 20
- More info: Six Flags Great America website
Six Flags Great America in the Chicago area will open a high-flying pendulum that soars up to the clouds. The Sky Striker will take you up to 172 feet in the air at speeds of 75 mph while taking riders to near-vertical position before plunging back down again -- all while the seating area slowly spins!
6. Potato Smash at Kennywood
- Opening day: April 20
- More info: Kennywood website
A new bumper car attraction inspired by our favorite starch will plant its patch in Kennywood theme park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The 42-inch height requirement on this ride means nearly everyone in the family can experience the starch-smashing good time!
7. Fire in the Hole at Silver Dollar City
- Opening day: March 28
- More info: Silver Dollar City website
A bit off the Midwest in Branson, Missouri, Silver Dollar City will come out with their new ride, Fire in the Hole. According to the park, this ride will be “the Heartland's largest indoor coaster” and “biggest investment in a single attraction” to date for the park.
The park will hold a grand opening ceremony for Fire in the Hole on March 30, just days after Silver Dollar City opens for the season.
8. Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Opening day: March 1
- More info: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay website
Ohio roller coaster enthusiasts should feel right at home at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Phoenix Rising is the park's 10th coaster,
This legend-inspired ride is an inverted family coaster (track above as riders sit in seats suspended below it) with a 42-inch height requirement and speeds reaching up to 44 mph.
9. Penguin Trek at Sea World Orlando
- Opening day: March 1
- More info: Sea World Orlando website
This family launch coaster will become Sea World's sixth when it begins operation.
The park describes it as "an unforgettable family launch coaster adventure through the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica." Riders board snowmobile-styled trains and race through a themed course at up to 43 mph.
A 42-inch height requirement means thrill-seekers of nearly any age can ride Penguin Trek.
10. Trolls Trollercoaster at Universal Orlando Resort
- Opening day: Feb. 8
- More info: Universal Orlando Resort website
Universal Orland Resort opened in February, but DreamWorks Land and the Trolls Trollercoaster is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024.
According to the park, riders will "hop on board the caterpillar Caterbus ... to join Poppy, Tiny and the twins Satin and Chenille as you try to make an escape from spooky spiders."
