Summer Brings 200 New Attractions to North American Theme Parks

Roaring Spring Water Park is one of many theme parks to add brand new attractions this season.

Summer: sandy feet, melting popsicles, day camp, family trips...and the debut of nearly 200 new rides and attractions at theme parks across North America. That's according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, who keeps track of this sort of thing!

What can theme park-loving families look forward to? The IAAPA says:

"Trends identified from the massive list of new attractions for 2013 include new and even more thrilling wooden roller coaster experiences, expanded and refreshing water park additions, and increasingly immersive experiences designed to take guests into new worlds for unique adventures."

Some new attractions that stood out to me on the lengthy list include Knott's Berry Farm's "Surfside Glider," which allows guests to pilot their own aircraft nearly 30 feet above the boardwalk, "Critter Tales" at Jungle Island in Miami, where guests get a behind-the-scenes look at snakes and lizards (and even get to feed an alligator), the "Cliffhanger" at Idaho's Roaring Springs Water Park, a six-story water slide that drops riders at a nearly vertical angle (not for me!), and, of course, the new Legoland Hotel at Legoland California Resort! 

Intrigued? Check out the full list. A true case of "what will they think of next?!".