The previous page includes what's new for the 2006 season at theme parks in U.S. states from Arkansas to Massachusetts.
The third page includes theme parks in U.S. states from Pennsylvania to Washington plus Canada.
MICHIGAN
Michigan's AdventureMuskegon (near Grand Rapids)
Grand Rapids
The circular rafts of the 1,500-foot-long river ride, Grand Rapids (you gotta love the name), will navigate through a rock canyon with rapids, geysers, waterfalls, and other gotchas designed to soak passengers. The park will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this season.
MINNESOTA
The Park at Mall of AmericaBloomington (near the Twin Cities)
Nothing new this year, but the indoor park will no longer be called Camp Snoopy and all Peanuts references have been removed.
Valleyfair
Shakopee (near the Twin Cities)
Xtreme Swing
The compressed air-launched swing ride will consist of two 84-foot arms attached to a 103-foot tower. Each arm will swing two rows of ten seats back and forth and reach heights of 125 feet. The contraption will hit 60 mph and deliver some powerful positive and negative G-forces.
MISSOURI
Silver Dollar CityBranson
The Grand Exposition
The new land will be themed to the world's fairs of the late 19th Century, and the area will feature ten new family rides, including a five-story Wave Swinger, the swinging ship attraction, Galleon, a Tea Cups ride, and a junior roller coaster.
Six Flags St. Louis
Eureka (near...come on, you know what city it's near)
Bugs Bunny National Park and Superman Tower of Power
A new area designed for younger kids to enjoy with their families, Bugs Bunny National Park will include spinning tea cups, a miniature train, and other rides, plus an interactive water fountain and tree house play structure. Superman Tower of Power is a 230-foot drop tower ride imported from the shuttered Six Flags Astroworld.
Worlds of Fun
Kansas City, MO
Patriot
A 149-foot-tall inverted coaster, the ride will fairly scream "U.S.A., U.S.A." with blue cars coasting on a red and white track supported by blue columns. Like turbo-charged ski lifts, inverted coaster trains hang from the track and leave riders' legs dangling. Patriot will jangle nerves as it dangles thrill-seekers through four inversions, an inclined bank curve, and an s-curve at a top speed of 60 mph. To be built by Swiss coaster designer par excellence, Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride should be ultra-slick and glass-smooth.
- Patriot Overview Video
- Patriot Front Seat Point-of-View Preview Video
- Patriot Camera Fly-Around Preview Video
- Patriot preview photo gallery
NEW JERSEY
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson, NJ
Plaza del Carnaval featuring El Toro and Bugs Bunny National Park
Click for more info about Six Flags Great Adventure's new wood coaster, and new themed areas.
NEW YORK
The Great EscapeQueensbury (near Lake George), New York
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark
Read more about the new indoor water park resort.
Martin's Fantasy Island
Grand Island (near Niagra Falls and Buffalo), New York
Cannon Bowl
A raft bowl ride opens in the water park.
Seabreeze Amusement Park
Rochester, New York
The Helix and The Banzai Pipeline
The park's Raging Rivers water park gets a raft bowl ride (The Helix) and remakes its speed slide, now to be known as The Banzai Pipeline, by enclsoing riders in a translucent tube and sending them speeding down at a steeper angle.
Six Flags Darien Lake
Darien Center (near Buffalo), New York
Big Kahuna
The water park gets a 700-foot-long family raft ride.
NORTH CAROLINA
Paramount's Carowinds
Charlotte, NC
Boomerang Bay
The park is expanding and renaming its water park.
OHIO
Cedar Point
Sandusky, OH
Skyhawk
The extreme swing ride will consist of two 84-foot arms attached to a 103-foot tower. Using a compressed air system, each arm will swing two rows of ten seats back and forth and reach heights of 125 feet. Skyhawk will hit 60 mph and deliver some powerful positive and negative G-forces. Also, the park is reducing its rates this season.
Geauga Lake
Aurora (near Cleveland), OH
Tidal Wave Bay
The Wildwater Kingdom water park expansion conitnues with a new wave pool this season.
Paramount's Kings Island
Kings Island (near Cincinnati), OH
Nickelodeon Universe
18 new rides for younger kids, including an Avatar family roller coaster, a Plankton (of SpongeBob fame) freefall ride, and an interactive water play area.
Next Page: The 2006 Ride Guide continues with parks from Pennsylvania to Washington plus Canada.
