Brand USA invites travelers to discover the magic, excitement, and joy of America's theme parks

With unique and thrilling roller coasters and state-of-the-art attractions that transport guests to magical, faraway places, America's theme parks offer thrilling fun and the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime.

“Theme parks have a special way of sparking pure joy, no matter your age,” said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA. “From the thrill of a brand-new roller coaster to the allure of a park steeped in generations of history, these experiences are part of what makes visiting the U.S. so memorable. Right now, parks across the country are buzzing with energy, new attractions, and big anniversaries—and we’re excited to welcome travelers from around the world to be a part of it.” 

Universal Opens Something Epic in Orlando 

The biggest news in the U.S. theme park world—and really across the planet—is the debut of Universal Epic Universe, slated to open May 22. This highly anticipated new park, the fourth at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, will offer guests themed lands filled with jaw-dropping attractions, including Dark Universe, which pays homage to Dracula and other classic Universal monsters. Plus, guests will travel back in time for an unforgettable adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™; mythical creatures will soar through the sky in How to Train Your Dragon–Isle of Berk; and video game favorites will come to life in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.

Nearby at Walt Disney World, the new Disney Starlight Parade: Dream the Night Away will fill Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom with dazzling, light-filled floats starting this summer. Disney's Hollywood Studios will feature two new shows, including Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, featuring Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, and other iconic villains, and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.

Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

Elsewhere in the theme park capital of the world, guests can soar over the Arctic in a new flying cinema-style attraction and then get up close and personal with beluga whales, walruses and other animals when Expedition Odyssey opens this spring at SeaWorld Orlando. Interacting with marine life is also possible at the new SEA LIFE Florida aquarium, opening May 23 at LEGOLAND® Florida.

Beyond the parks, there's plenty to discover in and around Orlando, including airboat rides and other outdoor activities, as well as a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. Sugar-white beaches abound in nearby Tampa Bay, along with the cosmopolitan appeal of the city centers of St. Petersburg and Tampa.

Disneyland Resort Celebrates 70 Years (and Other Parks That Have Stood the Test of Time) 

When Walt Disney created the original Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, seven decades ago, he set the template for the modern theme park and ushered in a new era of experiential entertainment. This legendary park will present a spectacular celebration of its 70th anniversary and begin “celebrating happiness” on May 16. The Tapestry of Happiness spectacular will revisit Disneyland’s rich history; a character cavalcade will weave through the park’s grounds; and the Paint the Night Parade and Wondrous Journeys shows will dazzle at dusk with sparkling lights, animated projections, and fireworks exploding over Sleeping Beauty Castle. At the adjacent Disney California Adventure, the nighttime World of Color Happiness! spectacular, the newest version of the production that combines multi-colored fountains, lasers, and a massive water display, will mark this milestone anniversary. Additionally, Walt Disney–A Magical Life will debut at Disneyland's Main Street Opera House on July 17. The show will feature an animatronic version of the company's founder, a pioneer in robotics technology.

“Known as 'The Happiest Place on Earth,' we've welcomed guests from around the globe,” said Sybil Crum, vice president of marketing and business strategy for the Disneyland Resort. “This once-in-a-lifetime event will celebrate seven decades of happiness we've shared together, brimming with joy, new experiences, dazzling entertainment, festive décor, and much more.”

Dollywood, the park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, founded by iconic artist and Smoky Mountain native Dolly Parton, is also celebrating a milestone anniversary. Its 40th season will include a series of festivals, abundant live music (as you'd expect from the renowned singer-songwriter's park), spectacular roller coasters and other attractions, and Dolly-themed spaces like the new Dolly Parton Experience, which immerses guests in her celebrated career and personal life. The region is brimming with places to explore, including the majestic Great Smoky Mountains, the most-visited national park in the country; the mountaintop adventure park Anakeesta, which offers activities like alpine coasters and the enchanting Astra Lumina multimedia night tour; and The Island in Pigeon Forge dining, shopping, and entertainment district. 

In Branson, Missouri, is Dollywood's sister park, Silver Dollar City. This park transports visitors back to the 1880s with thrilling rides like the revitalized Fire in the Hole indoor coaster, artisan demonstrations using period techniques, and tours of Marvel Cave. The Ozark Mountains city also has plenty to offer, including a variety of live entertainment, such as the dinner cruise aboard the Showboat Branson Belle, and notable attractions like the Titanic Museum.

You can enjoy historic rides like the newly renovated, original 1927 Wildcat roller coaster at Lake Compounce, the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, located in Connecticut. At Kennywood in Pennsylvania, classics like the Jack Rabbit wooden coaster and the Old Mill boat ride, dating from 1920 and 1901, respectively, are still in operation.

Also in Pennsylvania, Knoebels Park—free to enter and open since 1926—features acclaimed rides like the Phoenix and Twister wooden roller coasters. In Utah, Lagoon Park also preserves vintage rides, including a 19th-century carousel and a 1921 roller coaster. However, this park has also been modernized with modern experiences, like the Primordial indoor/outdoor themed coaster.

Parks with a Waterfront View 

New York City's famous Coney Island is one of the birthplaces of the amusement park industry. Visitors can still enjoy some of its iconic and venerable rides, such as the Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel, and stroll along its charming waterfront boardwalk. To the south, several amusement parks line the New Jersey shore, including Morey's Piers and Playland's Castaway Cove. 

The 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel at Chicago's Navy Pier is a tribute to the original wheel that debuted at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This Great Lakes pier is also home to several other attractions, as well as restaurants, shops, sightseeing cruises, and more to explore. On the Texas coast, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is packed with rides. Similarly, you can ride a carousel, roller coaster, and other attractions at Pacific Park on Southern California's Santa Monica Pier. Located near Hollywood, this popular park has been featured in dozens of movies and television series. Elsewhere in the Golden State, classic roller coasters and more can be enjoyed at San Diego's Belmont Park, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025, and the beautiful Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which has thrilled and delighted visitors since 1907.

Would you dare to try these new roller coasters? 

When it comes to thrills, few experiences compare to Cedar Point, the historic amusement park in Ohio that juts out into Lake Erie. Among its impressive collection of 17 roller coasters, two new ones are among the most extreme in the world. When it opens this summer, Siren's Curse will be the first tilted coaster in the Western Hemisphere. It gets its name because its trains climb a 160-foot-high hill and stop on a dead-end section of track that then tilts down to connect with the rest of the ride. But that's not all: the 420-foot-high Top Thrill 2—the tallest roller coaster in the world—reaches a dizzying speed of 120 miles per hour.

Other new coasters include Wrath of Rakshasa at Six Flags Great America near Chicago. Known as a “dive coaster,” it will ascend 180 feet and pause on a cliff for a few agonizing seconds before releasing riders into a beyond-vertical drop, followed by five complete inversions. At Kings Dominion, Virginia, Rapterra, a “wing coaster,” just opened, where riders ride with their legs dangling from cantilevered seats (or “wings”) on either side of the track, ascending 145 feet. At Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, magnetic launches will propel riders forward and backward on The Flash: Vertical Velocity, North America’s first “Super Boomerang” coaster. In its fourth season, Lost Island Theme Park in Iowa will debut Fire Runner, a high-speed, single-rail coaster that will leave riders reeling with its acrobatic maneuvers. And in 2026, Universal Studios Hollywood will debut Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a high-speed, spin-filled coaster that will plunge guests into a chase through the streets of Los Angeles as audacious and relentless as the film series itself.

Weather-Proof Water Fun 

You won't have to worry about rain or bad weather ruining the fun on the slides if you book a stay at a resort with an indoor water park. There's always a warm and friendly atmosphere at these climate-controlled parks, packed with lazy rivers, wave pools, and other attractions.

Source: Brand USA.