exciting

AS the year comes to a close, most theme parks across the UK have shut up shop for the season.

But theme park fanatics have plenty to look forward to in 2026, as both thrillseekers and families with young children can expect new favourites.

2026 is set to be a huge year in the world of theme parks and attractions – here are the most exciting new rides and rollercoasters set to open next year.

Bluey Ride, Alton Towers, UK

Alton Towers will welcome the world’s first ever Bluey coaster next year.

The new addition will sit inside of Alton Towers’ CBeebies Land, home to rides like the Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure and Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop.

As well as enjoying a brand new ride, Bluey fans can take part in the popular Heeler family interactive show, and stay to meet Bluey and Bingo afterwards.

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As well as this, superfan families have the option to book a sleep over in the CBeebies Land Hotel’s Bluey-themed bedroom.

“We’re keeping the exact details and launch date under wraps for now” said Vice President at Alton Towers Resort, Bianca Sammut.

“But Bluey’s limitless energy is sure to be reflected in our new junior coaster.”

The junior coaster is set to open in Spring 2026.

Frozen Ever After ride, Disneyland Paris

Excitement is building as Disneyland Paris prepares to open their World of Frozen land in Spring 2026.

The new land will see the introduction of a new ride at Disneyland Paris: Frozen Ever After.

The ride is inspired by the popular version at Disneyworld’s EPCOT in Florida.

Boarding this boat-themed ride will take visitors on a journey through the familiar scenes of Disney’s Frozen.

Fans can sing along to Frozen tunes as they look out for the movie’s popular characters in animatronic form.

Frozen Ever After will be less of a fear-inducing ride and more of an immersive experience.

It is a slow-moving journey with descents down short waterfalls – so bare in mind that you might get wet!

Visitors will also be able to stroll through Arendelle, as well as meet Anna, Elsa and Olaf.

Frozen Ever After, and the World of Frozen land, is set to open on 29 March 2026.

Drakon and Vild Swing, Paultons Park, UK

Paultons Park in Hampshire are due to open their first ever inverting rollercoaster, as well as a Wild Swing ride in the spring of 2026.

The amusement park is home to the famous Peppa Pig World, but new coaster Drakon is set to thrill an older crowd.

Drakon riders can expect to coast their way up a vertical lift hill before plummeting into a beyond vertical drop.

The terrifying drop means that riders will hang over the edge at an angle greater than 90°, or steeper than falling straight down.

As well as this, visitors can expect to regularly ride upside down, due to the inverting design.

The inverting coaster even intertwines with Raven – the new name for the park’s Gerstlauer Bobsled ride previously named Cobra.

As well as Drakon, the park will be introducing the ‘Vild Swing’ ride.

Vild Swing is a 12m-high ART Wild Swing ride, the first of its kind to land in the UK.

The family-friendly ride is a free-swinging gondola with no rollovers, therefore it will be more of a gentle thrill than Drakon.

The rides will be part of the theme park’s brand new Viking-themed world: Valgard – Realm of the Vikings.

The new themed area cost roughly £12m to build, and is set to open in May 2026.

Spider-themed ride, Gröna Lund, Sweden

Gröna Lund (or “Green Grove”) in Sweden is Stockholm’s oldest amusement park.

It’s located on Stockholm‘s Djurgården Island, and has over 30 rides.

The park is home to a mix of both thrilling coasters and family-friendly rides, and is now set to open a brand new thrill ride: Spindeln (The Spider).

Spindeln will be a Super Jumper ride – the first of its kind to arrive in Sweden.

Created by the Italian SBF Visa Group, the Super Jumper is made up of multiple arms which rise and fall quickly, designed to look like the spider’s legs.

This creates a bouncing effect as the central tower rotates, meaning riders can expect plenty of spooky sudden jumps and spins.

The thrill ride has space for 42 riders, and is ideal for older and younger guests alike.

Spindeln will be the first Super Jumper in the world to allow younger children to ride, with a minimum height requirement of 100cm when accompanied by an adult.

The coaster is set to open to the public in Summer 2026.

Raiponce Tangled Spin, Disneyland Paris

March 2026 will see Disneyland Paris open up not one, but two brand new themed worlds.

As well as introducing the brand new World of Frozen, the land previously known as Walt Disney Studios Park will become Disney Adventure World.

The park revamp also sees the addition of a brand new ride, Raiponce Tangled Spin.

Visitors will be able to climb aboard a small gondola that gently turns under sparkling lanterns, just like the famous scene in the film Tangled.

The glowing lanterns illuminate ceiling paintings inspired by those made by the princess in the popular movie.

This will be the second standalone Tangled themed ride across Disney parks worldwide, alongside Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea.

The gentle ride is suitable for all ages, and will open alongside Frozen Ever After on 29 March 2026.

Aviktas, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, UK

Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach is known for its rides such as Valhalla, Big Dipper as well as its Nickelodeon Land.

And now the amusement park have invested £8.72m into a new ride, set to be the tallest of its kind in the UK by almost double.

Aviktas will be a Gyro Swing ride – a giant spinning pendulum seating 40 visitors.

Riders will face outwards to sea as they swing 120°, reaching a maximum height of 138 feet.

The Gyro Swing ride is “one of the most exciting flat rides in existence” said CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE.

“It’s dynamic, fast, and incredibly high, as well as being completely weightless at the top”.

Aviktas is currently under construction, and due to open in 2026.

The amusement park also recently revamped their Launch Pad ride.

The shot tower ride had its cylinder replaced and reopened in May of 2025.

This made for more powerful launches, intense g-force, and moments of weightlessness.

“This is a great re-imagining. The ride has got back its ‘oomph’” said Scott Bickerton, owner of YouTube channel Your Experience Guide.

“You can really feel the g-force and there’s a great moment of airtime at the top. It’s amazing to have this ride back.” 

Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz Fletcher shared a festive farm update just days before Christmas

Kelvin Fletcher has unveiled a “transformation” in an exciting farming update.

The former Emmerdale star and his wife Liz are known for their appearances on Fletchers’ Family Farm with their children Marnie, Milo, Maximus and Mateusz.

On Friday’s (December 19) episode of ITV’s Lorraine, the couple opened up on their festive plans for their 120-acre Peak District farm in a pre-recorded segment.

“Christmas is around the corner and we’ve got a lot to do. We have to decorate the entire farm for a magical Christmas at the farm,” Liz explained, with Kelvin adding: “It always starts with me and Liz bringing our ideas to life, so yeah, we’ve got quite a busy few weeks coming up.”

The couple began by reusing an old wooden pallet to make a welcoming Christmas sign. Kelvin chose black paint for the lettering, with the star jokingly admitting: “If it’s bad, I’m going to say the kids have done it!”

Liz then quipped: “I don’t think Meghan Markle will be getting you on her show, Kelvin.”

She added: “I’m supposed to be the creative one in the family, but it is really therapeutic to do and I can always tell Kelvin, although he’s like, ‘Yeah, you get on with that,’ he always wants to get involved. As you can see, he takes it quite seriously.

“When I met Kelvin, he was a proper lad’s lad. Drinking beers out with the rugby lads. Look at him now, taking painting a pallet really seriously.”

The pair then turned their attention to transforming the farm for an upcoming Christmas event, with “tonnes of decorations” being prepared to bring some festive cheer.

Kelvin said: “We’ve got a Christmas event coming up soon, so I think it’s going to be quite key for that. It’s a nice welcome notice. And then we’re going to transform the whole farm into a winter farm wonderland, if you like. There will be fairy lights galore and snowmen, it’ll feel very Christmassy.”

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Liz added: “We got a tonne to decorate and it feels like we’ve not even started.”

Kelvin then went foraging for holly, before Liz created a stunning wreath for their front door using Christmas tree stems, baubles and other decorations. “I like to have a wreath that’s already made and go quite big with it, or you can start from scratch,” she said.

“My favourite thing about Christmas is it’s the only time that you’ll get your brothers, the wives, the cousins, the aunties all together. You’ll have tables at all different heights because you’re using all the emergency tables, all the emergency chairs. But you’re all there, and that’s what I love. I love seeing all the children together with their cousins, that’s what’s special.”

If you’d like to see more of the Fletchers over Christmas, you can stream an exciting festive special called Fletchers’ Country Workshop on ITVX, which sees Liz showcase her newfound passion for upcycling, crafting and interior design, just in time for Christmas Day.

Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV1 at 9am, while Fletchers’ Family Farm is available to stream on ITVX

FROM family-favourite theme parks to popular junior coasters – there have been some sad attraction closures in 2025.

But not all is lost as there are some terrific, and of course thrilling additions coming next year from world firsts based on beloved cartoon characters to rides that will be 138-foot tall.

Starting with the closures, there have been some big losses in 2025 from favourite attractions to whole parks…

Leisure Island Fun Park, Canvey Island

In Essex, the Leisure Island Fun Park closed its doors for good in February of 2025 – much to the shock of locals.

The popular park was on Canvey Island and particularly popular during the half-term and summer holidays.

It had been open for 20 years but suddenly announced it would be closing permanently earlier this year.

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The news was announced through a Facebook post thanking visitors for their support over the last two decades.

In a few hours the post had gained more than 1k reactions and over 500 comments.

One said: “Oh sad times. We loved spending days up there in the summer. My children loved the rides and we have so many good memories. Wishing you all the best in the future.”

Some of the most popular attractions included the Go Gator coaster, the Snake ride, Orbiters, trampolines, and the classic Crazy Golf.

Oakwood Theme Park, Wales

Oakwood Theme Park, the biggest in Wales, closed in 2025.

It was home to a swinging pirate ship, flume, rollercoasters and mini black taxi carts.

Earlier this year, there had been rumours for plans for a reopening it this year – these however have been scrapped.

In May 2025, hopes were reignited to reopen the park after a new leisure company called Richens Leisure Projects (RLP) stepped in to not only save the attraction but also make it bigger through a £250million project.

Those hopes were short-lived as the entire project was scrapped a few weeks later. And owners Aspro Parks, revealed they had no intentions of selling the site.

Postman Pat Parcel Post ride at Alton Towers

In summer 2025, one popular attraction was closed at Alton Towers – the Postman Pat Parcel Post Ride.

Found in its CBeebies Land, the ride had first opened in 2014 as part of the land’s launch – so it’s safe to say it has been a classic for any visitors with young children for years.

It closed to make way for a new ride coming in 2026, the new Bluey-themed junior rollercoaster.

Smaller Rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

In February 2025, Blackpool Pleasure Beach announced the closure of five of its rides.

It said on its website: “We’ve made the decision to close some of our smaller, less popular rides during the 2025 season: Eddie Stobart Convoy, Alpine Rallye, Thompson Carousel, Gallopers and Red Arrows Skyforce.”

The decision to close some of the smaller rides at the park however, is to make way for new ones – or to redesign them.

For example in 2024, the park’s ride Ice Blast closed and will soon open as Launch Pad.

It said: “Launch Pad promises to be more thrilling, immersive and dynamic than ever before as riders shoot to the clouds at high speed.

“We’re confident that once you’ve ridden it you’ll agree that its temporary downtime was worth the wait.”

Now for the more exciting news – what’s coming up in 2026 from whole new theme park lands and worlds to one-of-a-kind rides.

World of Frozen, Disneyland Paris

You might have heard that a movie-inspired land is coming to Disneyland Paris, and it’s all based around the hit film, Frozen.

It will open on March 29, 2026 with a new attraction called Frozen Ever After where visitors will bob through the North mountain to Elsa’s Ice Palace.

Of course Elsa and Ana will be around the land as will Olaf and even the troll, Mossi.

There will also be a new restaurant called Nordic Crowns Tavern, the Arendelle Boutique shop and the Fjord View Shop.

The World of Frozen is part of the newly reimagined second park, Disney Adventure World.

Read on to find out more about the World of Frozen from Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski, who went for a behind the scenes look in November.

Realm of the Vikings, Paultons Park

Family-friendly theme park, Paultons Park has revealed plans for a new £12million attraction set to open in May 2026.

The park be park which will be named Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, will be a viking-themed world with Paultons Park’s first inverting rollercoaster.

Called Drakon, it’s set to become the park’s most thrilling ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists that will take riders upside down.

There will also be Vild Swing that swirls riders 12 metres in the air, two brand new thrill rides, retheming of Cobra – a famous ride at Paultons Park, into a bobsled adventure.

The ride will be renamed Raven to complement the Viking village experience.

Valgard also features a themed high-capacity restaurant and new playground for younger visitors to enjoy.

There’s even more to look forward to in 2027, where a ‘water-related experience’ will be added.

Aviktas, Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Heading back to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, it has announced that it’s adding a new Gyro Ride to the books.

At the cost of £8.7million, the amusement park is set to build a 138-foot swing ride.

Called Aviktas, it will be the ‘tallest of its kind’ in the UK, according to the park.

The ride will feature a giant spinning pendulum that will swing 120 degrees and seat 40 riders at a time, making people feel like they’re flying.

There some other swinging pendulum rides in the UK – but Blackpool’s will be higher.

Bluey Junior Coaster, Alton Towers

A new Bluey Junior Rollercoaster will launch in spring 2026 and be the first of its kind in the world.

It has been announced that the new coaster will open in the park’s CBeebies Land.

Along with the new ride, there will be a Heeler family meet-and-greet and a new live stage show.

Some Bluey experiences have already opened in the park, like the themed accommodation where the Bluey theme song plays from speakers around the rooms.

PAW Patrol, Chessington World of Adventures

Alton Towers isn’t the only spot launching a world first, over in Chessington, the amusement park will open UK’s first and only PAW Patrol-themed land. 

The new immersive land will delight children who are a fan of the PAW Patrol pups.

There will be four new rides across the land including a brand new ‘my first rollercoaster’ for the littlest of visitors.

There will also be photo opportunities and themed bedrooms for the ‘ultimate sleepover’ first opened in 2025.

Pirates’ Plummet, Crealy Theme Park & Resort

Crealy Theme Park & Resort is celebrating its 25 years since the opening of Devon‘s first rollercaoster with a new addition next year.

The rollercoaster called Pirates’ Plummet is a family thrill ride and will open in 2026.

Few details have been released on the ride so far, but there will be no doubt more updates in the New Year.

We went behind the scenes of the upcoming Frozen land at Disneyland Paris…

Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski went for an exclusive look at the World of Frozen earlier this year…

“A SNOW-capped mountain towers behind an ancient clock tower, its frosty peak protruding a whopping 36-metres into a cloudy sky.

“At its foot, a wooden-rimmed postbox is waiting to receive a bundle of postcards, Arendelle’s first ever mail, while a magnificent snowflake-shaped fountain sparkles in the centre of the street.”

“I was taking an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the much-hyped area of the theme park, scheduled to open on March 29 next year with a bundle of new rides and activities based entirely on the animation blockbuster.

“Visitor postcards sent home from the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, over which Frozen characters Elsa and Ana rule, are just one small part of what makes this land so special.

“The immersion goes beyond what’s been seen at any Disney park so far, from the ornate-framed paintings of characters to the ultra-modern technology that places Disney fans actually in the story.

“The clock tower, complete with mini Ana and Elsa figurines, sparks into song every 15 minutes and flickering lanterns dangle from pastel-coloured buildings.

“There’ll be a whopping 13 other dining venues in Arendelle alone, including food stalls serving sticky cinnamon rolls and the grand Regal View, World of Frozen’s character-dining venue.

This spot is impressive enough without the meet-and-greets. Disney Princesses have been painted into fresco-like murals across the walls and curved chandeliers dangle from the ceiling.

“And of course, no trip to Arandelle would be complete without a visit to the kingdom’s impeccably dressed Elsa and Ana.

“And the duo won’t just appear on the street; they will dramatically sail across the lake via a huge wooden vessel, preparing to greet their fans at the “Royal Encounter” in the castle.

“A lifesized and hyper-realistic Olaf will make an appearance, too. But unlike every other character at Disneyland Paris, Frozen’s star snowman has been built using clever robotics that allow the character to talk and even waddle away on his stumpy snow feet.

“The highlight will most definitely be the lands boat ride, Frozen Ever After, which will carry riders through the snowy forest towards the Valley of the Trolls and Elsa’s sparkling Ice Palace.

“Animatronics promise to bring scenes to life as riders approach Arendelle Bay which will be showered in snowflake-shaped fireworks.”

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