The UK theme park season is a matter of weeks away and there’s a whole heap of brand new attractions set to open this year. So, let’s unravel the 2026 season’s brand-new rides and attractions.
The majority of images used within this blog are press-released images & owned by the parks themselves.
World of Paw Patrol – Chessington World of Adventures;
It’s the UK’s first reserved to Paw Patrol land aiming itself at the family market by bringing to life Adventure Bay through theming, character meet & greets and ride experiences alike. This area will be opening a brand new first rollercoaster for little ones known as Chase’s Mountain Mission. Alongside that will include a flat ride for the family called Skye’s Helicopter Heroes, Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue, Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure & Rubble & Rocky’s Play Zone. A mixture of rides, play zones, meet & greets, food outlets and a dedicated shop too. Alongside the opening of the area is a brand new all-ready-to-experience themed room at the Chessington Hotel.
Opening Date: Spring 2026
Aviktas – Pleasure Beach Resort:
The tallest & most thrilling flat is set to hit the UK by storm costing £8.72 million to build and reaching heights of around 138ft high, swinging rides up to 120 degrees with outward seating. It’s Aviktas the Gyro Swing. Adding to the already thrilling and picturesque skyline providing exhilarating views from within and outside of the park and thrills like no other.
Opening Date: Unconfirmed Currently.
Pirates Plummet & Rotor- Crealy Theme Park & Resort:
The South West’s Tallest ride, a brand new drop tower is set to open at Crealy for the family-thrill audience will be known as Pirates Plummet. Alongside this brand new flat ride is another and it will be the South West’s first inverting ride to open and will then be known as Rotor. Appealing to the broader range of family and thrill-seekers alike these rides will be the immaculate addition to an already brilliant theme park experience.
Opening Date: Exact Date Unconfirmed just 2026 opening.
Valgard: Realm of the Vikings – Paultons Park:
A whole new £12 million themed area is set to open at Paultons Park with older children, teens and adults as the targeted audience. Within this area you can expect; Drakon a custom layout Gerstlauer Eurofighter with a vertical lift hill & 2 inversion. Vild Swing sitting at 12m tall the first flat ride of its kind within the UK providing a fierce swinging action. Previously known as Cobra has seen a re-theme to Raven to entwine itself with the new themed area. Alongside the rides within this area is a Nordic-themed dining Hall and Viking playground.
Opening Date: 16th of May.
Spinning Racer – Lightwater Valley:
A brand new family spinning rollercoaster is set to open in 2026 at Lightwater Valley. The ride manufacturer will be Maurer Sohne. This ride experience is predicted to give guests a family-friendly ride experience with unforeseen spins as it freely rotates around the track.
Opening Date – Unknown Currently.
3 New Rides – Pleasurewood Hills:
After undergoing brand new ownership at the end of the 2025 season. It was then revealed that 2026 will see three (potentially 4) brand new rides open. Although the details are yet to be realised on the ride types it’s come alongside a significant revamp for 2026. The iconic Cannonball Express is also set to be relocated & brought up to date as part of this overhaul plan. Moving away from the rides aspect the overall park experience is set to be enhanced as well.
Reopening Date – 28th of March
Bluey: The Ride Here Comes The Grannies – Alton Towers
Taking the once-occupied space of Postman Pat’s Ride is the brand new Bluey: The Ride. A rollercoaster for those younger guests and it is the world’s first Bluey-themed rollercoaster. Based around the iconic “Grannies” episode this rollercoaster with feature a train that includes Bluey & Bingo dressed up as “Grannies” and will feature soft drops, low height restrictions & designed so children & parents can enjoy alike. The opening of this ride comes alongside themed rooms to be explored within the CBeebies Land Hotel and meet & greets.
Opening Date: Spring 2026
Lion Coast – Flamingo Land Resort:
After the prolonged refurbishment of the formerly known Lost River Ride. It is now understood this attraction will be known as Lion Coast with the elevated Superflume system, integrating surrounding animal exhibits, 360-degree b 3D film projection, 4D effects, physical platform drops from the motion base & dynamic lighting within the enclosed tunnel section. By incorporating the two key characteristics of Flamingo Land Resort into one adventure this is set to be a brilliant experience for all guests.
Opening Date: Unknown Currently.
Honourable Mentions:
Legoland Windsor Turns 30:
This season sees Legoland Windsor celebrate its 30th birthday. After opening in 1996 and provided families with countless memorable days out with endless investments across that period. With 200,000 bricks used to build a large 13ft tall Lego Birthday Cake as the beginning to celebrate this milestone, 2026 is going to be one extended birthday party with new live entertainment, new character meet & greets and special entertainment across the park too.
Pleasure Beach Resort’s 130th Anniversary:
As one of the senior amusement parks in the world Pleasure Beach Resorts will mark their 130th anniversary. A place that houses so many brilliant attractions and award-winning rides with many records broken within this amusement park too. The opening of their brand new ride; Aviktas ties in beautifully to celebrate this ultimate milestone.
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Thank you for reading & I hope it’s helped to plan for your 2026 adventures.
