What's New at Theme Parks and Amusement Parks?

There may not be the bounty of new rides and attractions that parks have debuted in other seasons, but in these austere times, there are nonetheless a bunch of new coasters, shows, and other goodies to discover at parks. Find the new fun that awaits in the Ride Guide '09.

When the last strain of "Happy Birthday to You" ends and you blow the candles out on your birthday cake, do you actually make a wish? If you wish upon a star, and you long to visit a Disney theme park, your dreams can come true--in 2009 anyway. As part of Disney's "What will you celebrate" event, Florida's Walt Disney World and California's Disneyland Resort are offering free park admission for birthday boys and girls of all ages.

• What You Need to Know about Disney's Free Admission on Your Birthday Offer
• Disney's What will You Celebrate? Video

With the stock market gyrating wildly, the economy taking a nosedive, and our rickety nerves taking a beating over the money woes, it's no wonder that pundits and headline writers often use roller coasters as an analogy for our troubled financial times. As the global economy goes on a roller coaster ride, how has it affected actual roller coasters? It turns out that, despite the troubling financial dips and turns, there will be quite a few new coasters debuting this season. Read about Terminator: The Coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Prowler at Worlds of Fun, the Carolina Cobra at Carowinds, and plenty more new thrill machines on tap in the Coaster Ride Guide 2009.

There are new coasters (including Terminator: The Coaster, a woodie, coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain) and other fun planned for Six Flags' 2009 season. But, in these austere times, the focus is more on the deals the park chain is offering. See what new stuff awaits bargain-seeking Six Flags park-goers this year in the 2009 Ride Guide.

The economy may have taken a plunge, but you and your family might still want to take a plunge--at a nearby water park. About.com's Slide Guide 2009 is your ticket to all the new, wet fun, including new outdoor water parks, new indoor water park resorts, and new water park rides.

In summer 2009, SeaWorld will up the thrill quotient with Manta, a themed flying coaster. What's a flying coaster, you ask? Passengers will be harnessed in a near-prone position under Manta's trains as they soar through the air and skim along the water.

Universal Studios Florida will take ride interactivity to new heights when Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit debuts spring 2009. The 167-foot tall, 65 mph thrill machine will give passengers the ability to control the attraction's soundtrack, and will allow them to "rip" a take-home memento of their wild coaster experience. Read about the new coaster's unique X-Car seats (they have no over-the-shoulder restraints, despite the ride's inversions and high speeds) and more at the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit preview.

Kings Island has a lot of wonderful roller coasters, and is especially regarded for its legendary woodie, Beast. For its 14th thrill machine, however, the park will be filling a void in its ride arsenal by uncoiling Diamondback, a steel hypercoaster in 2009.

The economy may be tanking, but that doesn't mean Florida theme parks will be keeping their wallets closed in 2009. Hoping to attract new and repeat visitors, even during difficult times, Florida parks are investing in their properties and will be debuting some impressive new features this season. The highlights include a couple of wild coasters and an attraction based on "American Idol."

Despite the roller coaster economy, there'll be plenty of attractions debuting at California parks in 2009--including a roller coaster. Let's take a park-by-park look at all of the new fun, including Disneyland's What will you celebrate? event, Legoland's new 4-D attraction, Universal's campy new musical, and Six Flags Magic Mountain's new Terminator-themed coaster.