originally posted on 6/30/2025
A children’s roller coaster themed to “Paw Patrol” will debut in 2026, followed by a new land with an indoor coaster in 2027.
Photo: courtesy Chessington. View full-sized image.
Chessington Worlds of Adventure to Open New Land — and Coaster — in 2027
Obtaining approval from the proper authorities to build a new land, Chessington Worlds of Adventure (Surrey, England) is teasing what is to come. It appears that the new land will be a transformation of an existing one. Wild Asia has been officially closed, and work will begin this year in the long reimagining of the space, which is set to open in 2027.
The park is saving one ride in the area, an attraction known as Kobra, a Zamperla Disk’o Coaster. The attractions announced sound very family friendly and are geared toward kids ages 6 to 12. Among them is a new coaster reported to have indoor and outdoor sections.
In the meantime, plans are underway for a “Paw Patrol” children’s roller coaster for 2026.
Queen City Stunt Coaster.
Photo: courtesy Kings Island. View full-sized image.
Kings Island Renames a Coaster … Again
When the park was known as Paramount’s Kings Island (Mason, Ohio), the movie company-owned park introduced rides based on its films. The Italian Job intended to bring certain scenes from the movie “Italian Job” to life while riding the coaster.
Following the purchase of the former Paramount chain by Cedar Fair in 2006, the coaster’s name separated itself from the film intellectual property by becoming Backlot Stunt Coaster in 2008. This season, the park has renamed the coaster once again. Now called Queen City Stunt Coaster, the attraction has city landmarks from Cincinnati sprinkled into the layout.
The Beast.
Photo: Scott Rutherford. View full-sized image.
Speaking of Kings Island — The Beast
Fans of the world’s longest wooden roller coaster noticed some specific differences as the 2025 season opened. The second hill on The Beast now has a more parabolic shape, which delivers airtime — and the brakes are gone! Also, the turn into the long brake shed has been reshaped to swoop up and give a slight pop.
The average guest may not notice the differences, but ACEers who love the ride will.
Disney Yas Island.
Photo: courtesy Disney. View full-sized image.
Disney Yas Island?
Most likely many would agree that Abu Dhabi seems like an odd place for a Disney theme park. But it’s happening.
According to the announcement, the park will be the most technologically advanced and interactive of any Disney property. Its location along a waterfront will allow creative interpretations for telling stories that most of the Disney properties are not able to do. The resort is a partnership between Disney and the Miral Group, an Abu Dhabi-based company that specializes in leisure destinations.
No specific attractions have been announced, but the iconic castle is said to be much more modern than the one in most Disney parks.
Disney CEO Bob Iger said, “The new property will blend wonderful Disney stories and characters with the cultures and tastes of the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East.”
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be the seventh Disney resort location.
Tremors.
Photo: courtesy Silverwood. View full-sized image.
Tremors Shaking It Up With New Track and Trains
Tremors at Silverwood Theme Park (Athol, Idaho) is no longer a wood coaster. With the 2025 season, the ride has been completely converted to steel with Rocky Mountain Construction’s 208 RetraK.
In addition, the ride now operates with two trains instead of one. Two new Millennium Flyer trains from Great Coasters International, Inc. have been purchased.
Talk about a seismic change!
El Diablo.
Photo: courtesy PortAventura. View full-sized image.
PortAventura Park Goes AR on El Diablo
The whole virtual and augmented reality technology seems to be in the rearview mirror — and opinions were certainly mixed. But PortAventura Park (Salou, Spain) still seems to be looking into the concept.
El Diablo – Tren de la Mina was built by Arrow in 1995. For the 2025 season, augmented reality headsets have been added to take riders into imaginative adventures.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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