The 25 Most Significant Theme Park Rides This Century

2020–2024

F.L.Y., Phantasialand, 2020

Some roller coasters are innovative, others are remarkable, and few are both. That brings us to the next ride, F.L.Y. at Phantasialand.

F.L.Y. is a next-gen flying roller coaster manufactured by Vekoma. Like previous models, this new-for-2020 coaster positions riders beneath the track in a flying position, but its modern design improves the experience in every way.

F.L.Y. was the first launched flying coaster, soaring nearly 50 mph along the world’s longest layout for this ride type. It flows through graceful elements, such as its two inversions, that feel more like a flying sensation rather than old-school roller coaster intensity. Every aspect of this coaster, including its streamlined boarding system, is a technical achievement.

Beyond being a fantastic coaster, F.L.Y. is the centerpiece for one of the most impressive theme park areas ever created. The ride acrobatically twists around the Rookburgh section of Phantasialand, a kinetic area layered with pathways, coaster track, and even a hotel. The whole attraction and its surrounding steampunk area are a masterclass in theme park design.

F.L.Y. reinvigorated Vekoma’s flying model, opens new possibilities for future coasters, and elevates what’s possible in theme park design. With all it has accomplished, F.L.Y. has taken off as one of the century’s most significant rides.

Jurassic World: VelociCoaster, Universal Islands of Adventure, 2021

The theme park industry has evolved, and ride types like Intamin multi-launch coasters lead the pack in innovation and thrills. They are some of the best coasters around, and the standouts deserve special recognition: Taron at Phantasialand, Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Toutatis at Parc Astérix, and Batman Gotham City Escape at Parque Warner Madrid. Not all of those coasters could make the list, however, so only one was chosen to represent them all.

In 2021, Universal Orlando Resort unleashed, arguably, the most notable Intamin multi-launch, Jurassic World: VelociCoaster. Orlando theme parks typically have some of the best themed coasters, but not always the most thrilling; VelociCoaster accomplishes both.

This attraction fully leans into the Jurassic World theme, featuring realistic raptor animatronics in the queue and a rocky paddock setting in the first half of the layout. It’s as detailed as any other Orlando attraction, but with the coaster intensity dialed up to a world-class level.

VelociCoaster does not hold back, launching 70 mph through a combination of forceful inversions and strong airtime. The layout pounces through tight rockwork before charging up the 155-foot top hat and finishing with the signature Mosasaurus Roll that skims the lagoon—secured by nothing more than a lap bar.

The coaster has bite. Considering this is in an Orlando theme park, it might be the most intense coaster general parkgoers will ever experience. VelociCoaster is the complete package and deserves a spot among the most significant rides of the century.

The Ride to Happiness, Plopsaland Belgium, 2021

Spinning roller coasters are usually limited to wild mouse- or family-style rides, but Mack Rides pushed it to the extreme. Mack innovated the once-mild ride type by introducing launches and inversions with its Xtreme Spinning Coaster model, first introduced in 2018. By 2021, Mack had maximized the potential of that ride type and debuted, possibly, the most renowned roller coaster in the world, The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland at Plopsaland Belgium.

As the second Mack Xtreme Spinning Coaster, Ride to Happiness is the best possible version of the ride type, so much so, the lead designer considered it as the limit. Its five inversions, or six by some counts, are the most on any spinning coaster—starting with a curved Jojo roll out of the station and whirling through the legendary double-inverting dive loop.

Ride to Happiness is a whirlwind of punchy launches and disorienting airtime swirled with free-spinning motions. The unpredictability, paired with perfect flow and pacing, leaves riders wanting to go again and again.

Unlike most coasters, Ride to Happiness has a euphoric, non-intimidating vibe, being themed to the Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium. The coaster’s peaceful setting, garden-like entrance area, beautiful architecture, and on-board soundtrack make it a true ride to happiness.

Ride to Happiness pushed the limits of roller coaster design, set a new standard of what’s possible, and has been one of the most significant rides this century.

Jurassic World Adventure, Universal Studios Beijing, 2021

Next is the final true dark ride on the list, Jurassic World Adventure at Universal Studios Beijing.

Opening in 2021, this next evolution of the Universal’s Spider-Man ride system is a dynamic experience. Its dense practical sets amplify the sense of danger with a blend of media to extend scenery, but that’s not what makes the ride so special.

On Jurassic World Adventure, riders encounter realistic, large-scale dinosaur animatronics with fluid motions, especially considering the size. The figures engage with the advanced ride system, most impressively when the Indominus Rex chases the moving vehicle. That scene is an incredible display of creativity and technology.

Jurassic World Adventure put everything that’s great about the Jurassic series into a ride. From the convincing queue to the white-knuckle scenes, Universal went all out on this attraction. It combines an all-time great ride system with equally great show elements to create one of the most intense dark rides ever—and one of the most significant of this century.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, EPCOT, 2022

Back in 2006, Walt Disney World’s $100-million Expedition Everest was the world’s most expensive roller coaster by a wide margin. Disney has since quintupled that mark with the current record-holder, the $500-million Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Opening in 2022 as EPCOT’s first roller coaster, Cosmic Rewind is significant beyond its half-billion-dollar price tag. This coaster’s advanced ride system, produced by Walt Disney Imagineering and Vekoma, features controlled rotation motions for storytelling and thrill elements.

The indoor coaster experience starts with a reverse launch as the cars spin through a seamless layout, like floating through space. Cosmic Rewind is a captivating combination of smooth coaster sensations, crisp media, and an energetic soundtrack.

The attraction has incredible technology, including a breathtaking transportation effect in the pre-show, which would be the highlight of many other rides; for Cosmic Rewind, it’s just the pre-show.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a blockbuster roller coaster. It’s the best Walt Disney World has to offer and is within the ranks of the most significant rides of this century.

Voltron Nevera, Europa-Park, 2024

The final ride on this list is an electric one, Voltron Nevera at Europa-Park.

This Stryker Coaster by Mack Rides showcases what the manufacturer is capable of. Opening in 2024, Voltron is an inventive coaster design with high-tech dark ride elements.

The layout was engineered to perfection, fusing together airtime, hangtime, and seven inversions at speeds of up to 62 mph across 4,500 feet of track. Voltron features several launches, including a reverse launch into a swing launch, but the most impressive is its beyond-vertical launch of 105 degrees, the steepest in the world.

As for the dark ride elements, the coaster starts with a bounce track, which hydraulically moves the rails vertically like a motion simulator. The turntable and overall scenic elements amp up the experience.

The queue is just as impressive with its water vortex, Nikola Tesla animatronic, and experiments of electricity. It is a combination of creativity and science as the Tesla coils generate melodic hums of electricity to make music.

The entire attraction feels like a science project, continuing Mack’s track record of premier coasters. On this list, Voltron also represents other Mack Rides masterpieces such as Helix at Liseberg, DC Rivals HyperCoaster at Warner Bros. Movie World, Beyond the Cloud at Suzhou Amusement Land Forest World, Hyperia at Thorpe Park, and Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe.

If any roller coaster could be described as “sophisticated,” it is Voltron Nevera: one of the most significant rides of the century.

Summary

Those are just 25 of the many attractions that have shaped the theme park industry so far this century.

For those curious, here’s a closer look of the list by the numbers. Of the 25, 17 were roller coasters, and eight were non-coaster dark rides. To break it down by park, seven were at Disney parks, six within the current Six Flags chain, four at Universal Studios parks, and 10 at international destinations outside the U.S.

All together, these 25 roller coaster, dark ride, Disney, Universal, regional, and international attractions have been significant to the world of theme parks this century.