Regional theme parks like Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, and Kentucky Kingdom are having their moment in the sun. Not only are these parks often more affordable for families to visit, but they also offer a range of attractions, from thrilling rides to gentle kiddie rides, ensuring everyone in the family can have fun. In 2026, regional theme parks around the United States will open new attractions and shows, hoping to lure in new and returning guests. Even better, there’s a completely new regional theme park dedicated to the youngest theme park enthusiasts opening in Texas.
If you’re already in the thick of planning your 2026 vacations, you should keep a regional theme park at the top of your list, along with things like beach getaways and all-inclusive resorts. Keep reading to learn more about what new experiences are coming to regional theme parks around the country, and which ones you can’t miss.
Dollywood
Dollywood will have one of the most exciting openings of 2026 with its new attraction, NightFlight Expedition. The ride will be located in the Wildwood Grove area of Dollywood. It will be the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater raft ride. The total experience time is about five and a half minutes long. NightFlight Expedition is anticipated to open when Dollywood opens for the season on March 13, 2026.
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Additionally, Dollywood is hosting its first race weekend, dubbed Run Dollywood. The event takes place on April 25 and 26, 2026. Runners can enjoy a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon, and kids can participate in a one-mile fun run. The race will go through the park and the surrounding areas, and finishers will get a Dollywood-themed medal.
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City is my favorite regional theme park. It’s got a great mix of high-speed thrills and family-friendly attractions (my must-do is Fire in the Hole). The park is set to have another big year with the opening of its very first resort hotel in late 2026. The Silver Dollar City Resort will have 262 rooms, door-to-door transportation to and from the park, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service restaurant, and the ability to get cinnamon bread delivered right to your room.
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And if you love the holidays, Silver Dollar City is the place to be. Next year, the park will debut an all-new parade called Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade featuring beloved characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and even a visit from Santa Claus. This is in addition to the park’s millions of lights, incredible holiday shows, a massive Christmas tree, and more.
Six Flags Over Texas
For the ultimate thrill in 2026, you’re going to want to make your way to Six Flags Over Texas, where Tormenta Rampaging Run is going to open. It’s the tallest, fastest, longest, and only gig dive coaster in the world. The biggest thrill comes in a 95-degree beyond-vertical drop going down 285 feet, plus plenty of loops and inversions. The coaster can reach speeds of 87 miles per hour, and the tallest vertical loop is a whopping 179 feet. For those who may be too intimidated by this coaster, there’s plenty of other things to do at the park.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND California Resort
If your kids love LEGOs, then you’re going to want to make your way to LEGOLAND Florida Resort or LEGOLAND California Resort for their newest attraction, Galacticoaster. The indoor space-themed roller coaster has nearly 1,500 feet of track. The ride is set to open in early 2026, but no official date for either park has been announced as of publication. I love the ride vehicles, which look like space ships built out of LEGOs, and I’m sure there’s going to be plenty more LEGO fun when the ride opens, like LEGO spacemen and even aliens.
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Kings Island
Families who love a spooky dark ride, then look no further than Kings Island, which will debut Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare in April 2026. The new ride is a nod to the original Phantom Theater attraction that was at the park from 1992 to 2002. The zany attraction will feature two beloved characters, No Legs Larry and Maestro, who are ready to welcome guests back in Phantom Theater for a pipe organ performance. Things go awry when the music notes for the performance go missing throughout the opera house. Guests will go through 26 interactive scenes looking for the music notes before showtime.
Kentucky Kingdom
There’s a new family inverted roller coaster, Flying Fox, coming to Kentucky Kingdom. This will be the park’s sixth coaster, and its first new roller coaster since 2019. The ride is just over a minute long with 1,380 feet of track. It will hit top speeds of 37 miles per hour and a max height of 65 feet. As you walk through the adorable red barn queue and see hand-painted murals, you’ll be reminded of Kentucky’s agricultural heritage.
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Universal Kids Resort
One of the biggest openings of 2026 is going to be Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. This new regional theme park is designed with the littlest theme park fans in mind, from toddlers to pre-schoolers. The resort will feature an entire park with seven themed lands based on Trolls, Jurassic Park, Shrek, Minions, and more. And there’s going to be an on-site hotel, making coming and going for nap time easy. What I love most about this new park is the dedicated sensory gardens and green spaces throughout, which allow kids to explore and interact with other children while adults relax and enjoy the warm surroundings.
