It’s That Time of Year Again…
2019 has been here for a few months now, which means it’s already time to start speculating what new attractions will be coming to theme parks in 2020. Similarly to the past couple years, I have compiled a list of all my predictions for what I think different theme parks will be receiving next year. Keep in mind, all of these predictions are a mere combination of guessing and hoping. Even though I think something is going to happen next year, doesn’t mean it actually will.
As usual, this predictions post will also double as a list of confirmed announcements for theme park rides in 2020. I’ll be sure to update this page with new predictions/announcements for new attractions at all of the parks. It will constantly be evolving, so be sure to check back once and a while for new updates and information.
To follow tradition, we’ll kick these predictions off with Six Flags.
Six Flags
Magic Mountain – After receiving their 20th roller coaster in 2019, I wouldn’t expect too much for this park in 2020. That said, Magic Mountain is arguably the flagship Six Flags park, so I still think they will get something substantial. For 2020, I predict that Magic Mountain will receive a Sky Screamer, perhaps record breaking.
Great America – My home park has recieved a lot of attention lately. In the past 6 years, we’ve received 3 new roller coasters, including Maxx Force in 2019. Each year I predict that Great America will have an off year and focus on a water park expansion, and each year I’m wrong. Still, I think I’ll keep that prediction for 2020.
Great Adventure – I feel like this park should have gotten a new coaster for a while now. It is one of Six Flags’ top tier parks, and the last coaster it received was a 4D Free fly clone back in 2015. So what the hell. In 2020, I predict that Great Adventure will receive a ground up RMC hybrid coaster.
Discovery Kingdom – The park just received a 4D Free Fly in 2019, so I definitely think that 2020 will be more of an off year. Since the park has a wildlife part to it, I think we’ll see some sort of smaller addition in the form of a new animal show or an animal-based kiddie ride.
St. Louis – I know this park isn’t anywhere near the top tier Six Flags parks, but it still NEEDS a new coaster. Because of the success of the RMC Raptor at Fiesta Texas in 2018, I was expecting St. Louis would get one in 2019. Since that didn’t happen though, I am going to give my same prediction of an RMC Raptor (with a different layout than the first 2) in 2020.
La Ronde – The park just received a Super Loop this year, and isn’t necessarily considered one of the best Six Flags parks out there. I expect 2020 to be another smaller year for them. Probably a small flat ride of some sort. I don’t know specifics.
Mexico – Six Flags Mexico just received 2 decent kids areas in 2019, and a 4D free spin before that. Therefor, I think we can expect the park to get a thrilling flat ride, somewhere along the lines of a tourbillion thrill ride like Cyborg Spin at Great Adventure.
New England – This park got a small Cyborg-themed spinning dark ride in 2019. Although this ride was a cut above a normal spinning ride, it still wasn’t much. They also haven’t received a new coaster since 2017. Because of this, I’m going to go out on a whim here and say that New England will get an S&S air launch coaster similar to Maxx Force at Great America.
America – Because Maxx Force is opening at Great America in 2019, I think they will finally decide to remove V2, the parks other launch coaster. Instead of just scrapping it, I think the park will move V2 to Six Flags America for it to operate there.
Over Georgia – Over Georgia received a pendulum ride in 2019, and an RMC the year before that. I think it’s about time they focus on the kids again, so I think we’ll see another kids ride or two here.
Over Texas – Over Texas has always been a tough one for me to predict. Each year they seem to receive a ride that other parks get that same year. They also have a pretty decent coaster lineup already. It’s also tough because this park doesn’t have a water park to expand upon. I guess if I had to guess, the park will get some sort of medium-sized thrill ride here, but I’m unsure of what.
Fiesta Texas – This park received a new coaster in 2018 and a new thrill ride in 2019. They also got a new water coaster in 2017, so I think that rules out the water park expansion option. They do seem to be lacking in the kiddie ride, department though, so I think it’s possible we’ll see an entire new kids area at this park.
Great Escape – This parks primary focus has always been the water park, and they just got a decent sized expansion in 2019. They also haven’t received a roller coaster in a really long time, but I doubt they’ll get one in 2020. That said, I don’t think it will be a complete off-year. I predict that Great Escape will receive a larger pendulum thrill ride in 2020.
Darian Lake – 2020 will be Darian Lake’s second year as a Six Flags park. The park actually received a new coaster in 2018, and Six Flags put in a larger flat ride sky screamer in 2019. That said, the park does still seem to be lacking in flat rides. I think Six Flags will put in a pendulum thrill ride in 2020, perhaps themed to DC if they want to start using that theming at the new park.
Frontier City – I honestly think this newly-acquired Six Flags park will replace Great Escape as the runt of the Six Flags litter. They don’t have a lot of competition, so they’re in no dire need of a huge expansion. The park received a new kiddie area in 2019, so in 2020 I expect the park will receive some sort of family ride or two to continue to appeal to their “family” market.
Cedar Fair
Cedar Point – Confirmed! Cedar Point will begin to celebrate its 150th anniversary by adding a variety of different attractions, events and food-offerings to the park that will harken back to the park’s earlier years. One of the major highlights will be a new boat ride similar to Paddlewheel Excursions, a now defunct boat ride that used to operate at Cedar Point.
Kings Island – Confirmed! The park will be receiving Orion, a B&M Giga Coaster. It will stand 287 ft. tall with a 300 ft. drop. It will also reach speeds of up to 91 mph. Find out more here.
Kings Dominion – Confirmed! Kings Dominion will be adding 3 new water park experiences in 2020, titled Coconut Shores, Lighthouse Landing and Sand Dune Lagoon. Lighthouse landing will be the main attraction, featuring over 200 interactive elements and 8 slides.
Carowinds – Confirmed! Carowinds will receive Boogie Board Racer, a mat racing water slide that will be the longest in the Southeast. It will feature 6 different lanes and a 360 degree horizontal loop.
Canada’s Wonderland – Confirmed! This park will be receiving two new attractions. The first is Mountain Bay Cliffs, a water park attraction that allows guests to experience cliff jumping. The second is Beagle Brigade Airfield, a kiddie airplane “Flying Tigers” ride that will be located in Planet Snoopy.
Knott’s Berry Farm – Confirmed! In order to celebrate their 100th anniversary, Knott’s Berry Farm will add “A Knott’s Family Reunion” 100 Year Celebration, a summer long event that will reflect on the history of the park.
California’s Great America – Confirmed! Great America will be rebranding their water park into South Bay Shores. The new water park will feature 7 new water attractions, new food and merchandise locations, premium cabanas, and a sandy beach.
Dorney Park – Confirmed! Dorney Park will be adding Seaside Splashworks, an interactive water park play structure featuring 6 water slides, water canons, a net bridge trail, and a 317 gallon tipping bucket.
World’s of Fun – Confirmed! A new slide titled Riptide Raceway will be coming to Ocean’s of Fun water park. It will be the longest mat racing slide in the Midwest and will feature 4 different lanes.
Valleyfair! – Confirmed! Valleyfair will receive Grand Carnivale, a celebration featuring a parade and nighttime dance party. There will also be various unique food offerings during the event.
Michigan’s Adventure – Confirmed! This park shocked everyone this year by actually getting something! Michigan’s Adventure will be receiving a Planet Snoopy kids area, complete with a repurposed family coaster and 5 other kiddie attractions.
Disney Parks
Disneyland – Since Disney’s main California park is opening up Star Wars Land in 2019, I suspect that they will focus on the DCA Marvel Land for 2020. That said, it isn’t entirely out of the question that the original park will get something too. For 2020, I think we’ll see some sort of new show or firework spectacular at the park.
Disney’s California Adventure – Semi-Confirmed! Disney’s California Adventure has stated that it will be adding new Avengers and Spider-Man experiences to the park in 2020, in what is assumed to be a new Marvel Land that will take over the old Hollywood area. It will also replace Bugs Land, which closed in 2018.
Magic Kingdom – Because the park is building Tron: Lightcycle Power Run for 2021, I highly doubt it will get anything big in 2020. That said, I’m sure we’ll start to see preparations for the 50th anniversary celebration.
Hollywood Studios – After Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land, and the Runaway Railway, I think it’s pretty clear that 2020 will be an off year for Hollywood Studios. That said, maybe we’ll start to see preparations for a Marvel land?
Epcot – Semi-Confirmed! We know the park is adding a Ratatouille dark ride sometime in the near future, and construction is underway. Some people think that this ride won’t open until 2021, but personally I think it will be ready by 2020. Only time will tell.
Animal Kingdom – If we were seeing a big new attraction here in 2020, Disney would have announced it already. Besides, the park is still coasting off the success of Pandora: The World of Avatar. It would be cool if they decided close down Everest and fix the yeti this year though.
Universal Parks
Universal Studios Hollywood – Confirmed! A Secret Life of Pets dark ride is slated to open in 2020. The ride will be a family attraction that uses an omnimover car system. Instead of using lots of screens, the park is opting for more animatronics for the ride.
Universal Studios Orlando/Islands of Adventure– Semi-Confirmed! From what I understand, Nintendo Land is slated to open at the park this year. This will include at least a Mario Kart ride and a Donkey Kong roller coaster. The opening date could be pushed back to 2021 though.
Other Parks
Busch Gardens Tampa – Confirmed! An unnamed RMC hybrid coaster is coming to the park in 2020. It will be North America’s tallest hybrid coaster, and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world. It will be built using some of the structure from the parks defunct wooden coaster, Gwazi.
. . . . .
Want to stay up to date with our latest theme park plans, reviews, and more? Be sure to follow us on Twitter @limitless_park and Instagram @Limitless_Park!
Limitless Park 
2 comments