According to Tripadvisor, 85% of travelers agree that experiences matter when building a vacation budget, with one-third of respondents prioritizing amusement and water parks.
Quite simply, families want to invest appropriately in their travels, and theme parks top their list of must-dos.
To entice families to return annually, theme parks nationwide add new attractions to their lineup. The headliner ride for 2024 exists at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in Orlando in June and will open later this year in Anaheim. However, families will find many new attractions beyond the Disney parks.
This year’s newest offerings cater to all ages, with the youngest family members in mind. New roller coasters strike the perfect balance between thrill and fun, while multiple theme parks also debuted entertainment and walk-through attractions. Travelers looking to find the latest top-quality amusement without paying top dollar for resorts like Disney possess many options in 2024.
Coasters for All Ages
Roller coasters dominate the theme park landscape, reigning as some parks’ most popular attractions. Thrill seekers travel the world to experience the fastest and tallest coasters, but family-friendly versions promise thrills for young enthusiasts.
Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, reimagined its long-running indoor family coaster, Fire in the Hole. The original version opened in 1972 and ended its historic run at the end of the 2023 operating season while crews readied the upgraded version in time for the 2024 season.
“Silver Dollar City has struck lightning in a bottle” with the ride, says theme park and travel journalist Carly Caramanna. “It takes the familiar storyline and heart of the original attraction but plusses it times 10.”
Caramanna says the new Fire in the Hole does not disappoint die-hard fans. “They have managed to keep the integrity of this historic attraction intact while seamlessly infusing new technologies, honoring its longtime visitors while bringing in new fans. This speaks to the park as a whole, as it feels both timeless and cutting-edge.”
SeaWorld Orlando’s attraction options grow with Penguin Trek’s July 7 opening. “It’s not often we see back-to-back attractions opening at a park, but SeaWorld Orlando is living up to its name ‘Coastal Capital of Orlando.’ The highly anticipated Penguin Trek is an instant family favorite,” says Caramanna.
Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, takes the cake with its Thanksgiving-themed Good Gravy! family coaster. Sticking firmly to the park’s motif, Caramanna says the new family boomerang coaster is a must-see. “The park’s Thanksgiving land offers full Thanksgiving meals, a mind-boggling turkey-themed blaster ride, and now: a gravy-themed roller coaster.” From the gravy boat-themed train to the giant cranberry sauce can that riders soar through, Caramanna says, “It’s truly something you have to see to believe!”
Family-Fun Entertainment
This year, theme parks deliver more than just coasters; immersive entertainment and other interactive attractions provide ample opportunities for families to enjoy parks beyond the biggest, fastest rides.
Universal Orlando debuted multiple new entertainment offerings this summer, including Mega Movie Parade, the resort’s largest daytime parade, with performances through November 14. Caramanna highlights the park’s latest must-see, late-night show. “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular is hands down their best nighttime show to date, combining fireworks, drones, and projections to bring to life our favorite movies,” she says.
In addition to the new shows, Universal Orlando opened DreamWorks Land in the summer. The area prioritizes young families. Caramanna says, “We may have to wait for the opening of Epic Universe, but that doesn’t mean the mega Orlando resort is resting on its laurels in the meantime.”
Further north in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood debuted an attraction dedicated entirely to the life and career of namesake Dolly Parton. “The Dolly Parton Experience is giving fans exactly what they want: more Dolly!” says Caramanna. “This state-of-the-art exhibit is a journey through her entire career. It’s just one piece of Dollywood’s unprecedented period of growth.”
Experts project unprecedented amusement park growth will continue through 2025, and passionate theme park fans and families stand to benefit the most. The long-awaited Universal Epic Universe, first announced nearly five years ago and delayed following the COVID-19 pandemic, will open at Universal Orlando Resort next year.
