New rides and shows kick off the summer vacation season

May 24, 2024, 2:00 PM · It's a huge day for theme parks around the nation and the world today, as multiple parks are opening new attractions in advance of the summer vacation season.

Let's start in Theme Park Insider's home of Southern California and make our way east.

Tonight will see the return of the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! to Disneyland.

Fantasmic!

Down the road in Carlsbad, Legoland California will debut its first-ever Lego World Parade.

In San Diego, SeaWorld is opening its new Shamu & Crew Together Again stage show, BMX Blast! stunt show, and Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove show, as well as its So Much More to SEA 60th anniversary parade.

Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove at SeaWorld San Diego
Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove at SeaWorld San Diego

Flying out to the Midwest, Kings Island today officially opens its Camp Snoopy expansion, including Snoopy's Soap Box Racers.

Heading south, The Dolly Parton Experience exhibit opens today at Dollywood.

In Florida, the Rhythm of Nature ice skating show debuts at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Rhythm of Nature ice skating show

SeaWorld Orlando is premiering its Xceleration show and So Much More to SEA parade.

So Much More to SEA parade
So Much More to SEA parade

The new Disney Dreams That Soar drone show debuts tonight at Walt Disney World's Disney Springs.

And across the Atlantic, the new Hyperia roller coaster officially opened at Thorpe Park.

Then, tomorrow, the Potato Smash bumper cars debut at Kennywood. And Six Flags Great Escape has announced that its new Bobcat roller coaster will open June 1.

If you are visiting any of these new attractions this weekend, please share your review in the comments.

For a list of more upcomimg attractions at theme parks around the world, please see our What's Under Construction page. And to keep up to date with more theme park news, please sign up for Theme Park Insider's weekly newsletter.

Replies (2)

May 24, 2024 at 2:12 PM

I’m really surprised SWSD is using the S-word. SWO has obliterated the word Shamu from everything and anything. Different park, different views, obviously?

May 25, 2024 at 7:47 AM

Disney Dreams That Soar is a great addition to Disney Springs. They went the extra mile for this drone show by adding additional themed lighting to the Saratoga Springs side of the lagoon and a special musical score. What makes these even better, it’s Free.

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