A Look at 2014’s New Theme Park Rides

By Legacy User

May 22, 2014

3 minutes to read

Are you a thrill-seeker? Then feast your eyes on the following photos and videos of new theme park rides and slides opening this year across the country — one is at Six Flags New England.

The following text is by Tamara Lush from the Associated Press. Read her full story.
New England SkyScreamer at Six Flags New England in Massachusetts

At Six Flags New England in Springfield, Mass., the SkyScreamer is billed as the world’s tallest swing at 400 feet.

Watch the video.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley at Universal in Florida

Universal Orlando Resort opened its second Harry Potter-themed area this summer, called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley. On opening day, folks waited up to seven hours to experience it. The zone’s centerpiece is a ride called Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, which takes visitors into Gringotts bank to help retrieve a magical object. The original Potter attraction is at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, while the new one is at the adjoining Universal Studios Florida park. Guests must buy a two-park ticket to visit both Potter areas, but they can travel between them on the Hogwarts Express train, which will offer views of characters and magical creatures from the book. Among them: Hagrid on a flying motorbike, the Weasley twins on brooms, and the Knight Bus in London traffic.

Watch the video.
Banshee at Kings Island in Ohio

The Banshee recently opened at Kings Island north of Cincinnati. The steel coaster, named for a wailing mythological messenger from the underworld, includes a 167-foot lift hill and a 150-foot curved first drop. Riders also experience a zero-gravity roll and speeds up to 68 mph.

Watch the video.
Verruckt at Schlitterbahn in Kansas

Schlitterbahn in Kansas City, Kansas, is scheduled to open Verruckt in June. It’s been certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest water slide; four people at a time will plummet 168 feet in a raft. The raft is expected to reach a top speed of 65 mph.

Watch the video.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem at Universal in California

New at Universal Studios Hollywood are the “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem’’ 3-D motion-simulation ride and a new ‘‘Despicable Me”-themed play area called Super Silly Fun Land.

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FireChaser at Dollywood in Tennessee

Dollywood’s FireChaser Express opened in March, and takes riders forwards and backwards — and close to a shed of exploding fireworks.

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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Disney World in Florida

At Disney World, the unveiling of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride May 28 will complete the New Fantasyland area that opened in December 2012. The ride is charming and exciting at the same time: Visitors will enjoy animatronic dwarfs singing ‘‘Heigh-Ho’’ in an underground-themed gem mine, then experience the thrilling anticipation of the roller coaster as cars climb a steep hill, before plunging down a mountainous landscape.

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Thunderbolt at Luna Park on Coney Island in New York

At Luna Park on Coney Island, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the Thunderbolt will soon open. The steel coaster is named after a now-demolished and once-beloved wooden roller coaster. (Side note: a wooden roller coaster, also named Thunderbolt, still exists at Six Flags New England.)

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Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey

There’s nothing tame about Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The drop tower is perched on the face of the Kingda Ka coaster — and it will lift riders up 415 feet in the air and plunge them downward at 90 mph.

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Goliath at Six Flags Great America in Illinois

Six Flags Great America just outside of Chicago is showcasing Goliath, touted as the world’s fastest wooden coaster with the tallest and steepest drop.

Watch the video.