Defiance Glenwood Springs roller coaster
Defiance Glenwood Springs roller coaster

Many amusement parks have been forced to put their new roller coasters and attractions on hold due to the pandemic. Some of the rides had been ready before lockdowns began in March 2020.

As lockdowns have eased, these much-anticipated rides are now ready to debut. The rides range from the adrenaline-type rollercoasters to a new Disney World story-based roller coaster, and a Peppa Pig theme park, and a Sesame Street theme park.

Here is a list of new roller coasters and attractions to expect at amusement parks nationwide in 2022.

Iron Gwazi

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida

Iron Gwazi is a redesign of an older wooden ride that has now replaced its track to be made of steel as well as wood. This ride was scheduled to open in 2020. It will finally be ready for its first new riders in March.

This ride will be the world’s fastest, steepest, and tallest roller coaster made of wood and steel. It will have a top speed of 76 mph and has a 91-degree, 206-foot drop.

Pantheon

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

Pantheon will be the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster, which means it will have four different magnetic launches. It stands 180 feet tall, has a 95-degree angle drop and has a top speed of 73 mph. The ride can invert riders twice.

ArieForce One

Fun Spot America Atlanta

ArieForce One will be “the largest zero-g stall in America” meaning it will hold riders upside down and higher up than any other zero-g coaster. It will reach a top speed of 64 mph. The ride has a price tag of $13 million.

Wonder Woman Flight of Courage

Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California

This ride will be the tallest and longest ride to feature ride manufacturer RMC’s patented single-rail track and goes upside down three different times. It reaches 131 feet tall and is 3,300 feet long. It has an 87-degree drop.

Emperor

SeaWorld San Diego

Emperor will first climb 153 feet high and then drop riders at a 90-degree angle to send them into three different upside-down turns. It was originally ready to go before the pandemic but has been on hold since.

Dr. Diabolical's Cliffhanger

Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio

This ride is similar to Emperor and will drop riders from 150-feet high at a 95-degree angle and also send them into two different up-down turns.

Defiance

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park at Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Defiance starts off by dropping riders further than vertical at 102.3 degrees, meaning it will dip inwards when coming down. It is also placed on top of Iron Mountain which is 1,300 feet above the Colorado River. This ride offers insane views of the river and Rocky Mountains. It is set to open in summer of 2022.

Ice Breaker

Sea World in Orlando

This ride is a multi-launch coaster that goes back and forth until it reaches a high enough speed to climb up a 100-degree spike and then come back down to up a 80-foot tall tower. It has been on hold since the pandemic and is scheduled to open in February.

Palindrome

Cotaland in Austin, Texas

Palindrome will go upside down twice in an infinity pattern to eventually climb a dead-end spike, then roll backwards through the inversions. Its location is held in the same place as the Austin Grand Prix Formula one race.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Epcot Center at Walt Disney World, Orlando

This new Disney World “Marvel film” story-based attraction will also be a roller coaster. It will be considered the world’s longest enclosed coaster. The ride will navigate passengers through a series of physical scenes happening around them.

Volkanu: Quest for the Golden Idol

Lost Island in Waterloo, Iowa

This new attraction at Lost Island will become the park's focal-point ride. It will include animatronics, projected media, special effects, interactive gameplay and intricate ride vehicles.

Pirates of Speelunker Cave

Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas

This attraction and ride and will be a combination of a roller coaster and water ride, it will also have an array of animatronics and projected imagery.

Mattel Adventure Park

Crystal Lagoons Island Resort, Glendale, Arizona

This new “toy brand” themed park will include indoor and outdoor attractions like a hot wheel roller coaster and Thomas the Tank Engine train ride.

Peppa Pig Theme Park

Legoland Florida Resort, Winter Haven, Florida

This new park addition to Legoland in Orlando will include multiple Peppa Pig attractions like Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster and Muddy Puddles Splash Pad and will be the first of its kind.

Sesame Place San Diego

This new theme park will be aimed at younger children and will feature Sesame Street character attractions like Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets, along with waterslides.