SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. has announced 11 new rides and attractions will open in its 10 parks in 2022, the largest number of new attractions ever introduced in a single year by the company. The new thrills include some of the steepest, tallest, fastest, coasters of their kind in North America and the world. In addition to new attractions, a new park is set to open on the West Coast in March – Sesame Place San Diego.

“We have an ambitious goal of creating something new and meaningful in every one of our parks,” says Marc Swanson, CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. “These new rides and attractions are part of that commitment and as we look ahead to 2022, we have what we believe is our most significant and exciting lineup of new rides, attractions, events, and upgrades in our history.”

Most notably, SeaWorld’s efforts will see the opening of the new seven-hectare Sesame Place San Diego, the second Sesame Place location in the country and the first located on the West Coast.

Highlighted by the Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets ride, the park will feature an interactive Sesame Street Neighbourhood complete with the iconic 123 Stoop, where kids can play in a world that plays back through immersive physical and digital character experiences. By summer, guests will be able to splash through 11 water attractions including a one of the largest wave pools in Southern California.

Here’s a sneak peak at what else happening in the SeaWorld universe:

• Steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida: SeaWorld Orlando’s new Ice Breaker roller coaster will feature four airtime filled launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida – a 28-m. spike with 100-degree angle. The addition of Ice Breaker ensures SeaWorld will have the most coasters of any theme park in Orlando.

• The tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in all of California: SeaWorld San Diego’s Emperor roller coaster will open for thrill seekers just in time for Spring Break. Riders plunge 90 degrees and soar up to 100 kph through exhilarating loops on this Emperor penguin-inspired adventure, feeling their feet dangle above the track on the state’s only floorless dive coaster.

• North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Iron Gwazi roller coaster takes thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 62-m. peak into a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 120 kph.

• World’s fastest multi-launch roller coaster: The record-breaking Pantheon roller coaster in Busch Gardens Williamsburg harnesses the speed and strength of five of the greatest Roman gods – with a top speed of 120 kph, and featuring a 95-degree, 55-m. drop, four launches, 15 air-time moments and two inversions.

• The biggest screaming swing in the world: Tidal Surge is a breathtaking new attraction set to open in SeaWorld San Antonio. It will feature two pendulum-like arms, seating a total of 40 riders, that will soar progressively higher and higher with each swing. Starting slowly and progressively flying faster and higher, the ride will reach a height of 41 m. at its peak.

• World’s first duelling saucer water slide: Two new attractions will be making a splash at Adventure Island Tampa, now open year-round. Guests can race down an all-new duelling water slide, Rapids Racer, featuring the world’s first dueling saucers. Wahoo Remix, formerly Wahoo Run, will also re-surface as a new experience, with exciting first-of-its-kind ride elements for Tampa’s Island Paradise.

• New thrills at Aquatica: Reef Plunge will open at Aquatica Orlando, sending guests on a splash, twist, and turn adventure through more than 106 m. of eye-catching translucent cut-outs and rings. Guests can zoom past a dynamic new underwater habitat that’s home to an array of marine life, including Commerson’s dolphins, leopard sharks, sardines, and other cold-water fish.

• Heart-stopping duelling waterslide: Opening at Aquatica San Antonio, guests can slide into excitement with the new Riptide Race, a splashy duelling racer that pits teams against each other in a splash to the finish line.

• New sensory special effects show: Aquazoid Amped, opening at Virginia’s largest water park, Water Country USA, is a full sensory immersive ride experience that includes an all-new special effects show, pulse-pounding music, and dynamic lighting effects. Riders plunge down 263 m. of fully enclosed twisting tube on this iconic attraction with vibrant new enhancements.

• Family-friendly fun: Big Bird’s Tour Bus ride will open at Sesame Place Philadelphia as an oversized, red double-decker bus that moves around and around, and up and down in a fun, surging motion with Big Bird and his furry friends.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment venues include SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, Sesame Place San Diego, Sesame Place Philadelphia, Aquatica Orlando, Aquatica Texas, Adventure Island Tampa, Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Water Country USA.