THRILLSEEKERS can only get their hearts racing when a theme park ride has features that take them by surprise.
Adrenaline junkies spent the past year in search of new experiences that went higher and faster than ever.
A panel of experts nominated their favorite theme park rides across the United States, with USA Today readers giving the final vote on how they should be ranked.
Despite over 22 million visitors to Universal Orlando Resort annually, the park failed to make the list.
You might also want to reconsider booking a trip to Disney as it failed to achieve a spot in the top three.
The most impressive amusement ride was seven years in the making and combines sudden drops with the nation’s love of gaming.
Here, we reveal the must-visit attractions that have left visitors longing to ride again.
10. TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom Park – Lake Buena Vista, Florida
TRON Lightcycle / Run opened at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park in April 2023.
The ride was inspired by the sci-fi movie Tron, which made history in 1982 as the first production of its kind to mix live action with computer-generated visuals and backlit animation.
Riders are given an immersive experience when they are sent speeding along more than 3,000 feet of track illuminated by brilliant colored lights.
9. Serengeti Flyer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – Tampa, Florida
Serengeti Flyer became the world’s “tallest and fastest” swing ride when it opened in February 2023.
It isn’t for the faint-hearted as it swings 135 feet in the air with a speed of up to 68mph.
Riders have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter admitting they had to conjure up bravery to go on it.
“Would you ride this? I did, I was being brave for my son, but I did not enjoy this [laughing],” one tweeted.
“Serengeti Flyer is probably the best S&S Screamin Swing I’ve ridden so far and that’s just with the milder experience, really fun flat ride that also has nice views depending on where you’re facing!” another said.
8. Spinvasion at Kennywood – West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Visitors to Kennywood have gone wild for the first multi-action spin ride of its kind.
Spinvasion opened in May 2023 with the theme of going against space invaders in a mock battle to save Pittsburgh.
Riders are strapped in for an intense experience that goes up to 30mph.
7. Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
This steel roller coaster became the longest coaster at Dollywood when it opened in May 2023.
It features a whopping 3,990 feet of track alongside sharp turns and a top speed of 48mph.
Big Bear Mountain is described by the theme park as being a family-friendly coaster featuring onboard music and announcements from Benjamin Bear’s caretaker Ned Oakley.
6. Whispering Pines Haunted Hotel – Saco, Maine
This interactive dark ride spooks riders out with a story from a professional curse eradicator, before navigating through the hotel.
Lively animatronics, strobe lights, and synthetic fog are used to enhance the terror.
Whispering Pines Haunted Hotel opened in August 2023 as a fun experience for the whole family.
5. Zambezi Zinger at Worlds of Fun – Kansas City, Missouri
Zambezi Zinger is a wooden hybrid rollercoaster that opened at Worlds of Fun in June 2023.
Having been inspired by one of Africa’s longest rivers, there are 2,428 feet of track and speeds of up to 45mph.
4. ArieForce One at Fun Spot America Atlanta – Fayetteville, Georgia
Fun Spot America Atlanta debuted ArieForce One in March 2023 as a thrill-seeking addition to the classic attractions it was known for such as its Ferris Wheel and go-kart tracks.
Its 154-foot lift hill and exhilarating 64mph speed make for a heart-pounding ride.
“I got to ride ArieForce One on opening day. I rode 5 times, was about to leave and walked back for ride number 6. It is THAT good!” one person tweeted.
3. Pipeline: The Surf Coaster at Seaworld Orlando – Orlando, Florida
Riders are given the opportunity to feel what it’s like to surf waves with this standing rollercoaster which opened in May 2023.
It goes up to 60mph and reaches heights of 110 feet for a jaw-dropping experience.
2. Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark – Hershey, Pennsylvania
Wildcat’s Revenge opened in June 2023 as a contemporary take on their first ever rollercoaster The Wild Cat.
It features an 82-degree drop and multiple inversions for a thrilling ride.
1. Primordial at Lagoon Amusement Park – Farmington, Utah
The 40mph attraction opened in September 2023, featuring sudden drops and a shooting game.
The interactive steel coaster includes eight media-based scenes and a story with alternate endings.
“Primordial is pushing the boundaries of the dark coaster concept,” Triotech President and CEO Ernest Yale told Theme Park Insider.
“We’ve included interactivity, pushed the immersion to an astonishing level and most importantly, we’ve included alternate paths as well as multiple different story twists.
