Major Theme Parks Unveil New Attractions for 2026

Franchises like SpongeBob, Bluey, and Frozen lead the wave of family-focused expansions and openings.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Theme park operators are gearing up for 2026 with a mix of new openings and major expansions, focusing heavily on family-friendly intellectual property and large-scale immersive lands. While only a small number of brand-new parks are scheduled to open, most of the activity centers on new lands and headline attractions inside existing resorts, including Universal Kids Resort in Texas, LEGO Galaxy at LEGOLAND parks, World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings at Paultons Park, Bluey the Ride at Alton Towers, and World of PAW Patrol at Chessington World of Adventures.

Why it matters

Theme park operators are leaning into family-focused intellectual property and large-scale immersive lands after several years of delayed projects and phased investments. The 2026 slate reflects a shift toward younger audiences, recognizable franchises, and destination-driving expansions rather than a wave of entirely new parks.

The details

Only a small number of brand-new parks are scheduled to open from the ground up in 2026, while most activity centers on major new lands and headline attractions inside existing resorts. Universal is opening Universal Kids Resort, a standalone theme park designed specifically for families with young children, in Frisco, Texas. LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California are both opening LEGO Galaxy lands, anchored by new space-themed attractions. Disneyland Paris is debuting World of Frozen inside the rebranded Disney Adventure World. Paultons Park in England is launching Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, featuring a new inverting roller coaster. Alton Towers Resort is opening the world's first Bluey-themed roller coaster, and Chessington World of Adventures is bringing World of PAW Patrol to life.

  • Universal Kids Resort is scheduled to open in Frisco, Texas in 2026.
  • LEGOLAND Florida Resort opened LEGO Galaxy in March 2026, and LEGOLAND California Resort will debut a matching space-themed land later in 2026.
  • World of Frozen will open on March 29, 2026, at Disneyland Paris, coinciding with the renaming of Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World.
  • Valgard: Realm of the Vikings will open at Paultons Park in Hampshire, England on May 16, 2026.
  • Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! will open at Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire, England on March 28, 2026.

The players

Universal Destinations & Experiences

The company opening Universal Kids Resort, a standalone theme park designed specifically for families with young children, in Frisco, Texas.

Merlin Entertainments

The company behind LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND California Resort, which are both opening LEGO Galaxy lands.

Disney

The company confirming the opening of World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, inside the rebranded Disney Adventure World.

Paultons Park

The park in Hampshire, England that is launching Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, featuring a new inverting roller coaster.

Alton Towers Resort

The resort in Staffordshire, England that is opening the world's first Bluey-themed roller coaster.

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What they’re saying

“This first-of-its-kind park was designed through a child's eyes.”

— Molly Murphy, President of Universal Creative (Universal Destinations & Experiences)

“LEGO Galaxy is more than a new attraction.”

— Fiona Eastwood, CEO of Merlin Entertainments (Merlin Entertainments)

“March 29, 2026, will mark a historic milestone for Disneyland Paris.”

— Natacha Rafalski, President of Disneyland Paris (Disney)

“We can't wait to welcome Bluey fans and young families from all over the world.”

— Howard Ebison, Vice President of Alton Towers Resort (Alton Towers Resort)

The takeaway

Theme park operators are doubling down on family-friendly franchises and immersive lands to drive visitation and loyalty, signaling a shift toward younger audiences and destination-defining expansions rather than entirely new parks.