This week Cedar Fair announced exciting additions and improvements for six of its twelve amusement parks! The 2023 additions mark some of the largest chain-wide investment we’ve seen since Covid-19 put a damper on the amusement industry. We’re excited to see Cedar Fair continue to invest in their parks and look forward to experiencing many of these offerings next year.
All verbiage and images are courtesy of their respective parks unless otherwise noted.
California’s Great America
California’s Great America Plans Expanded Lineup of Events and New Attractions for 2023; Will Be Open for Weekends All Year
As part of the expanded calendar and additional operating days in 2023, the park is planning a full slate of new and returning events:
- PEANUTS Celebration (select dates in April) – New in 2023, the PEANUTS Gang comes out to play in a big way with this limited-time, special event where Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang will take over the entire park. Fans of all ages are invited to join the excitement with new live shows, Instagrammable moments, and activities for guests to play and interact with the PEANUTS Gang throughout the park.
- Friday Nights at Great America (select Fridays, March to November): Returning for another season, guests can enjoy the best night of the week with live bands, amazing food, tasty drinks and favorite rides.
- Red, White & Brews (Select dates in June to July 4th): Join this hometown celebration of Americana food and fun as Great America’s Hometown Square comes to life with live entertainment, gourmet food and locally sourced beer and wine. And there will be plenty of games and activities for the whole family.
- Carnivale at Orleans Place (Select dates in July): Immerse yourself in this larger-than-life New Orleans festival featuring bold Cajun flavors, Big Easy Live Bands, and ending with the Spectacle of Color Parade featuring a host of Mardi Gras floats. A dance party and spectacular fireworks high over Orleans Place finish off the evening. Let the good times roll!
- Tricks and Treats (Select dates in September and October): Halloween at Great America is as spook-tacular as ever. Tricks and Treats features all the Halloween fun and no fright. Guests of all ages will find ghastly great things to do as they choose their own path to follow through the lands of Icky Ville, Spooky Spires, Everfall and Sweet Tooth Acres. We invite the whole family to dress up for costume parties, play game shows, dance with spooky characters, and enjoy boo-licious food and drinks.
- WinterFest (Select dates in November and December): The Bay Area’s most immersive holiday event returns this year, sparkling brighter than ever before. WinterFest brings holiday cheer to California’s Great America as the park is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and holiday festival.
In addition to this full calendar of fun events for 2023, park guests can also enjoy the recently expanded and upgraded All-American Corners area. It includes The Corner Notes musical song and dance show, expanded food options and two classic rides. Liberty Twirler is a brand-new spin on a classic midway ride that has been thrilling guests for decades. Long-time guests of Great America will instantly recognize Orbit, which spins back into action as part of the expanded area.
Park-goers will continue to enjoy the value of two parks for the price of one when they experience the thrilling slides and refreshing splashes of South Bay Shores waterpark – included with park admission. Featuring exciting water attractions, diverse and delicious food locations, premium cabanas and shaded lounge areas, South Bay Shores reflects the unique character of the South Bay region.
“California’s Great America is in the business of delivering fun and lifelong family memories. With our expanded operating calendar in 2023, guests will have more opportunities than ever to experience all that Great America has to offer,” said Barb Granter, general manager. “Between our exciting and expanded events lineup, thrilling and family-friendly rides, and everything our guests love about South Bay Shores waterpark, there’s something for everyone.”
Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland is inviting guests to buckle in for more thrilling adventures in 2023 with the addition of a giant 360-degree spinning swing ride – the only one of its kind in the world – and an exciting launch roller coaster for children and families in Planet Snoopy.
Soar high above Frontier Canada on Tundra Twister, a giant looping ride with rotating gondola arms that will have guests spinning, twisting and twirling 360-degrees, upside-down, at heights of 47 metres and speeds of 75 km/h. This mechanical marvel is the only attraction of its kind in the world and promises a unique thrill experience unlike any other.
Snoopy’s Racing Railway will be the park’s 18th roller coaster and will take guests on a wild railway adventure in Planet Snoopy next year. This family launch coaster accelerates from zero to 50 km/h in a matter of seconds before zipping through dips and turns as your train narrowly avoids the traps set by Woodstock and his Bad Seed Gang!
“We’re committed to providing exciting experiences for guests of all ages, and these two attractions are unique additions for thrill seekers and families alike,” said Norm Pirtovshek, general manager at Canada’s Wonderland. “The Tundra Twister will be a sight to behold, swinging and spinning guests high above the midway and nearby Yukon Striker, while Snoopy’s Racing Railway is sure to become a family favourite among our collection of children’s rides.”
Carowinds
On March 31, 1973, Carowinds officially opened to 6,000 guests amid great fanfare. The grand opening marked the culmination of years of formulation, planning and development by founder E. Pat Hall, a Charlotte businessman. Built at an estimated cost of $70 million, Carowinds was named for a combination of the surrounding Carolinas and the winds that blew across the two states. The park included original attractions such as Carolina Skytower, Snoopy’s Junction and Carolina Goldrusher – still in operation today. Five decades later, guests will experience the iconic border between North Carolina and South Carolina anew when Carowinds celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023.
The 2023 operating season marks the beginning of “50 years of Carolina fun,” a limited-time special event that brings plenty of new rides and attractions, exciting entertainment, enhanced food and beverage offerings, nighttime spectaculars, and other immersive experiences. Additional details regarding the anniversary activities will be available in the coming months.
At the center of the 50th anniversary celebration will be Aeronautica Landing, a tribute to the Carolinas’ spirit of invention, exploration, and aviation, where guests can immerse themselves in the history and future of flight. Construction is now under way in the Crossroads areas of the park, which will be completely renovated and renamed as Aeronautica Landing, complete with the introduction of five new themed attractions opening in 2023 as well as a retheming of an existing ride, for a total of six rides.
Opening in the spring of 2023, Aeronautica Landing is the fourth rethemed area to be introduced at Carowinds since County Fair in 2017, and most recently, Blue Ridge Junction in 2019.
In addition, Aeronautica Landing will boast two new and one upgraded dining venues. This includes a new restaurant featuring a craft beer bar and patio, alongside the refresh of an existing location and other new snack locations. This family-friendly area with immersive décor will feature a game zone complete with four new midway games, including an innovative acrobatic challenge, and the retheming of a classic basketball challenge.
Cedar Point
The excitement and nostalgia of Cedar Point’s classic lakeside experience will be celebrated in a whole new way in 2023 when the park opens The Boardwalk, a new themed area just steps away from the very Lake Erie shoreline that made Cedar Point famous. The Boardwalk is a modern interpretation of the Cedar Point of yesteryear. New ride, dining and entertainment experiences for the entire family will round out the improvements coming to the former Lakeside Midway.
More than an amusement park, Cedar Point continues to expand its attractions, signature events and festivals, year-round overnight accommodations and multi-day offerings, giving families so many reasons to explore the park and create new memories while solidifying their annual traditions.
“The Boardwalk is our vision of what the classic Cedar Point Boardwalk would have felt like long ago: the sights, the sounds, the electricity of the experience – this new area captures it all,” said Carrie Boldman, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “Lakeside attractions have always been a part of Cedar Point’s 153-year history, and that tradition lives on. We can’t wait for our guests to enjoy this stunning new centerpiece of summertime fun.”
Wild Mouse Roller Coaster
Cedar Point’s legacy of roller coaster thrills continues with the addition of the Wild Mouse roller coaster. A nod to the park’s original Wild Mouse coaster, the modern version will provide a ride experience the original couldn’t – its cars will spin 360 degrees as they navigate the ride’s 1,312 feet of bright orange track.
The spins, dips, drops and hairpin turns of Wild Mouse will thrill coaster lovers young and young-at-heart. Standing 52 feet tall, the Wild Mouse ride experience is an unpredictable game of “cat and mouse,” complete with six mouse-themed cars and one cheese-themed car. The coaster’s free-form spinning action changes with the number of riders aboard each car, providing one-of-a-kind experiences with no two rides being exactly the same.
Riders must be at least 42” tall to ride with a supervising companion, or 48” tall to ride alone. Wild Mouse is manufactured by Zamperla® and joins Cedar Point’s unmatched ride collection as the 18th roller coaster at America’s Roller Coast®.
Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion
Serving as the anchor to The Boardwalk, Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion commemorates the park’s original Grand Pavilion entertainment space, which made its debut back in 1888.
In 2023, Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion will take many cues from the original. The bi-level complex will be home to a new restaurant featuring culinary items not found anywhere else in the park (plus many traditional favorites), a lake view bar for relaxation and conversation, indoor and outdoor seating plus viewing decks with unparalleled panoramas of Cedar Point, the Cedar Point Beach and the Lake Erie shoreline.
More Family Fun
Guests will be immersed in the evocative nostalgia of The Boardwalk with a full collection of family rides that are quintessential Cedar Point. Two existing family attractions, Matterhorn and Scrambler, will be relocated to The Boardwalk with Scrambler receiving a refresh and new name: Atomic Scrambler. The Tiki Twirl spinning ride will also be refreshed and renamed as former park classic Calypso. These rides join Wild Mouse, Giant Wheel, Troika, Dodgem, GateKeeper and WindSeeker in the park’s new hub for a full range of pint-sized to giant-sized thrills for the whole family.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm and the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel are proud to announce major changes debuting in 2023. Inside the park, Fiesta Village is being refreshed to further celebrate all the Hispanic cultural influences present in Southern California. The unveiling of the new Fiesta Village includes a reimagined Montezooma’s Revenge. The historic coaster will be renamed MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress, with an immersive storyline and new surprise thrills for its riders. And next door to the park, every aspect of the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel — from the front desk and lobby to the guest rooms and hotel restaurant — will be transformed with brand new theming based on the theme park and its founders.
The New Fiesta Village
The new Fiesta Village will reopen in Summer 2023, showcasing enhanced themes and beautiful décor across three new zones in the area. Walking down El Camino Real and entering Fiesta Village, guests will step into brand-new food locations, an updated stage and a redesigned marketplace. The Fiesta Plaza stage will be refreshed to an even grander scale, with theming to match the attached restaurant and new bar. Casa California will be transformed into a completely different dining location with a menu featuring Mexican food items such as made-to-order tacos and burritos. Across from the brand-new eatery is Papas Mexicana, where guests can enjoy fan favorites like carne asada fries and other delicious offerings. The former La Papa Loca location will become Cantina Del Sur, a one-stop shop for specialty beverages. Also in this new zone will be an open street market inspired by the likes of Los Angeles’ Olvera Street. At Fiesta Mercado, guests will find an assortment of merchants and retailers selling items perfect for guests to commemorate their visit to the new Fiesta Village.
As guests leave Boardwalk and head into Fiesta Village, they will enter a zone filled with magical alebrijes. These brightly colored mythical creatures will take over the landscape and transport guests to a dream world inspired by Mexican folklore. While enjoying the scenery, guests can also fulfill their Mexican street food craving at the new taco stand-influenced location Taqueria Fiesta.
Montezooma’s Revenge Reimagination
Opening in 1978, Montezooma’s Revenge was the first flywheel-launched roller coaster in the world and the oldest shuttle loop roller coaster still in its original location. Montezooma’s Revenge has launched millions of guests through Fiesta Village into a gravity-defying single loop track and back again. For 2023, Montezooma’s Revenge is being reimagined and rethemed with exciting new thrills added to this coaster classic. New updates allow guests to be completely surprised by the direction the train will take them at the start of each ride. The randomized launch sequence will make it impossible for anyone to know their destiny until it is too late to escape the clutches of Montezooma. To reach the station and try to escape with Montezuma’s gold, guests will find their way through the fortress protecting the treasure but must beware of the countless boobytraps within. The grounds leading to the temple will resemble a macabre history exhibit as treasure hunters’ remains from throughout the ages line the walls. Now that the traps leading to the gold have been cleared, only those brave enough can make it through the final challenge and find themselves at the home of the hidden Aztec treasure in MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress.
Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel Renovation
Steps away from the thrills of the theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel offers accommodations perfect for families ready to unwind after a full day of fun at the park. In 2023, the property will be unveiling a major renovation. The multi-million-dollar investment will incorporate all-new theming with a storyline centered around the park’s founders, Walter and Cordelia Knott. The theme park continues its extensive theming to the resort hotel by creating a space that will honor the love story of the family and their historic roots in the community. Every aspect of the hotel will be transformed, from common areas including the lobby and the pool area to conference rooms and a newly refurbished outdoor event space designated to elevate the experience for both corporate and leisure groups alike. The renovation is set to commence later this year, starting with a complete transformation of all 322 guest rooms.
Worlds of Fun
Join us in 2023 as we celebrate 50 years of fun, life-long memories and cherished traditions, while also embarking on a new, exciting journey that will take guests on incredible adventures for years to come.
Zambezi Zinger
Welcome back Zambezi Zinger like you’ve never seen before! This beloved coaster is reimagined for 2023 as a thrilling new ride that delves into the heart of the African Serengeti. Embrace memories of the original Zinger as you revel in the new experiences served up on this galvanized steel and wood hybrid coaster.
As guests travel through Africa, south of the Serengeti, they arrive at a smalltime safari company offering exciting tours to adventurers and thrill seekers who have traveled from near and far to experience the Zinger. Zambezi Adventure Safaris went out of business just before the turn of the century when the Zinger was thought to have gone extinct. They recently reopened their doors after new evidence suggested the Zinger had returned to the area. The company now takes guests on thrilling excursions to explore these famously hallowed woodlands so travelers may once again experience the legend of the Zinger!
The new Zambezi Zinger roller coaster will take guests on a thrilling journey above its galvanized steel and wood hybrid frame, dropping guests from an iconic spiral lift hill into a low-to-the-ground track that races through the trees and terrain of the African Serengeti. Packed with several moments of airtime, banked turns and quick transitions, riders are connected to the feeling of an epic safari chase and fast-paced adventure! The original Zinger was one of the park’s most popular rides – and one of three coasters – when Worlds of fun opened in 1973. Beloved by adults and kids alike, it had cars configured in a bobsled style that dashed through the trees for a fun and exhilarating ride. The new Zinger is sure to delight a new generation of guests while providing a nostalgic nod to the past.
50 Nights of Fire
Relive some of your favorite Worlds of Fun moments through original, live shows and exciting entertainment such as “50 Nights of Fire” created just for the celebration. This amazing spectacle will make you want to celebrate non-stop featuring a lively stage show and a finale filled with pyrotechnics that will kick up the heat!
Worlds of Fun Is Your New Passport to Adventure
Worlds of Fun becomes your passport to adventure as you are taken on an all-new immersive journey throughout the various regions of the park in an exciting new way. With all new theming, storylines and entertainment throughout the park, guests will be taken on an immersive journey as they explore the various countries, continents and lands in 2023 and beyond.
What Cedar Fair announcement are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
