A new year means a slew of new attractions at theme parks across the country. But will they be enough to get the industry growing again?

Disneyland has not announced any major new attractions in 2022, but it will be bringing back its top night-time shows, including Fantasmic!, World of Color and the Main Street Electrical Parade, as the resort continues its recovery from the pandemic. Meanwhile, work continues on transforming Mickey’s Toontown for the arrival of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in 2023.

Universal Studios Hollywood has not announced an opening date for Super Nintendo World land and its real-life Mario Kart ride. Based on construction progress, the back half of 2022 remains possible. But California theme park fans definitely will be getting something big in 2022 with the transformation of the old Aquatica water park into Sesame Place San Diego in March.

One month before that, another beloved children’s franchise will be getting its own park. America’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park opens in February next door to Legoland Florida, which is debuting a Pirate River Quest attraction next year. Other new parks scheduled to debut in 2022 include Lost Island Theme Park in Iowa and a Mattel Adventure Park at the Crystal Lagoons Island Resort outside Phoenix.

Walt Disney World in Florida will open its Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser two-day, interactive, role-playing hotel experience in March, while Epcot will welcome its first roller coaster, the indoor “story coaster” Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, next summer, just in time for the park’s 40th anniversary in the fall.

Six Flags Over Texas is calling back to its history with a revamped Pirates of Speelunker Cave boat ride, while Monterey’s Cannery Row is getting Treasure Hunt: The Ride, an interactive attraction from Sally Dark Rides that will be themed to real-life California “pirate” Hippolyte Bouchard, according to Sally.

Back in Southern California, Six Flags Magic Mountain sometime in 2022 will add to its record coaster line-up with its first Rocky Mountain Construction single-rail coaster, Wonder Woman Flight of Courage. In March, SeaWorld San Diego will open Emperor, California’s first Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster, featuring a 143-foot, face-down, 90-degree drop.

Elsewhere, Six Flags Fiesta Texas also is opening a Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster in 2022 with Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger, while Busch Gardens Tampa will debut Iron Gwazi, a Rocky Mountain Construction rebuild of its former Gwazi wooden coasters. Sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg has turned to Intamin for its new multi-launch coaster, Pantheon, while SeaWorld Orlando is opening Ice Breaker, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket model. All are scheduled to open in the spring.

Finally, the Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 race track in Austin, Texas has announced a Gerstlauer Infinity shuttle coaster called Palindrome for its Cotaland amusement park.

There will be plenty of new attractions to entice fans in 2022. But with COVID-19 variants remaining a threat, how many will show up to enjoy them?

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