Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Disney has been the leading theme park operator since Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, but is that era coming to an end?
In recent years, a wave of immersive, high-budget, IP-driven parks has surged onto the global stage. Stretching from the U.S. to Asia and beyond, the theme park landscape is rapidly evolving, with challengers poised to rival – and perhaps surpass – Disney’s legacy as the ultimate park operator.
Credit: Disney
While outdoing Disney in terms of revenue may be outright impossible, the next decade’s lineup of theme parks is certainly set to challenge its supremacy in delivering unforgettable themed entertainment. Here are some of the highlights in the pipeline.
Epic Universe (2025)
By sheer geography, this is Disney’s biggest rival. Universal’s Epic Universe promises to redefine the theme park experience, offering a sprawling new destination in Orlando from May 2025. This ambitious project will feature four immersive lands, each brimming with cutting-edge attractions, dynamic storytelling, and beloved characters.
Super Nintendo World takes center stage, immersing guests in the colorful worlds of Mario, Donkey Kong, and their iconic companions. A How to Train Your Dragon-inspired land whisks visitors away to the legendary Viking village of Berk.
The park also introduces Dark Universe, a thrilling Universal Monsters area where legendary creatures like Dracula and Frankenstein come to life in dark, atmospheric settings.
Credit: Universal
Universal Orlando Resort’s third Wizarding World of Harry Potter land will also feature in the park, this time inspired by the Ministry of Magic. Guests will embark upon an adventure in the British Ministry on the day of Dolores Umbridge’s trial, with Imelda Staunton reprising the role for the occasion.
Mattel Adventure Park (2025)
Mattel Adventure Park, originally slated for a 2024 debut, now aims to open in 2025, promising an unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers and families alike.
Credit: Mattel Adventure Park
Located in Arizona, the park will immerse guests in the worlds of legendary Mattel brands, with adrenaline-pumping rides like Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: The Ultimate Ride and a dreamlike Barbie Beach House attraction.
Six Flags Qiddiya City (2025)
Six Flags Qiddiya City is the first Six Flags theme park beyond North America and, just like its American counterparts, is set to feature an array of record-breaking attractions. Leading the charge is Falcon’s Flight, an awe-inspiring roller coaster that will break records as the tallest and fastest in the world, offering riders an adrenaline rush as it seemingly propels them off the edge of a cliff.
Credit: Six Flags
In total, guests will be able to enjoy 28 rides and attractions, with other standouts including the wooden roller coaster Colossus, the pendulum ride Gyrospin, and the fast tilt coaster Iron Rattler. A new standard for thrill parks worldwide.
Universal Kids Resort Frisco (2026)
Universal’s branching out from its usual fare with Universal Kids Resort Frisco. The Texas resort will be strictly kids-oriented, and while we don’t yet know what will inspire its attractions, the concept art seems to suggest that everything from the Shrek franchise to SpongeBob Squarepants is on the cards when it opens in 2026.
Credit: Universal
While the park will be much smaller (much, much smaller) than its closest counterpart in Florida, it’s expected that Universal Kids Resort Frisco will draw more of a regional clientele – and perhaps, in the future, inspire similar small parks.
American Heartland Theme Park and Resort (2029)
Much has been made of the $2 billion park heading for the heartland of Oklahoma. In October 2024, its opening was pushed back by at least three years, to 2029 at the earliest.
Credit: American Heartland Theme Park
When it finally opens, Amerian Heartland will feature six lands, each capturing a unique slice of American culture and history: Liberty Village, Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, and Electropolis.
The park will also bring the beloved Charlotte’s Web to life with a barnyard adventure that’s one of (if not the only) IP-driven projects at the park—a refreshing change compared to Disney’s past decade.
Universal Great Britain (Unknown)
Whether you call it Universal Studios Great Britain or Universal Studios United Kingdom, the bottom line here is that Universal has bought land to build a park in Bedford – about 40 minutes outside of London – and, should it happen, we’re sure it’ll be spectacular.
Credit: Inside The Magic
For now, it seems like political interest is leaning in the park’s favor. Should it happen, fingers crossed the park goes all in on its homegrown franchises.
Dragon Ball Theme Park (Unknown)
Saudi Arabia is making major strides in theme park development, with the Dragon Ball Theme Park set to join its ranks at some point. Like Six Flags Qiddiya City, this will form a part of Qiddiya Investment Company’s sprawling entertainment complex – one with the potential to one day rival Orlando with its offerings.
Credit: Qiddiya Investment Company
The park will immerse fans in iconic locations from the legendary saga, with over 3o rides set in iconic Dragon Ball locations such as Kame House Island, Capsule Corporation, and Beerus’ Planet. Watch this space for more updates.
Which of these theme parks are you most excited to see?
