10 New Dark Rides Theme Park Fans Should Be Excited About in 2026

If you’ve noticed theme park fans talking less about the tallest coaster and more about the ride with the best story, you’re not imagining it. Dark rides and immersive attractions are having a real moment—and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years yet. Across the U.S., Europe and beyond, parks are rolling out new experiences that blur the line between ride, movie and walk-through world, with Disney, Universal and several regional parks all leaning in at once.

So what exactly is a dark ride? At its core, it’s an indoor attraction where the experience is driven by sets, animatronics, special effects and storytelling rather than raw speed. Think boats drifting through Frozen’s Arendelle, trackless vehicles dodging monsters or cars gliding past scenes that unfold like a movie—often with music, dialogue and increasingly sophisticated technology doing the heavy lifting. Some are gentle and family-friendly, others intense and spooky, but the goal is the same: immersion.

Part of what’s driving this moment is what’s coming next. Universal’s Epic Universe has upleveled expectations for immersive storytelling, and Disney has been openly teasing its long-awaited Villains-themed land at Walt Disney World, even though that project is still a few years away. That ripple effect is being felt everywhere. Kings Island, now part of Six Flags, is reviving its locally beloved Phantom Theater universe after years of fan demand, while Dollywood is pouring $50 million into NightFlight Expedition, a fully enclosed, one-of-a-kind attraction built around new ride technology. Even SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks are threading dark ride elements into family coasters and hybrid attractions, signaling a shift toward experiences that parents, kids and teens can all enjoy together.

All told theme parks are betting on rides that people talk about long after they exit the vehicle. With new systems, smarter storytelling and a growing appetite for shared, all-ages experiences, dark rides are no longer just filler between coasters—they’re becoming the main event. Here are 10 of the best new dark rides and immersive attractions scheduled to open in 2026, and why they’re already on fans’ must-watch lists.

1. Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare

Kings Island
This long-awaited revival brings back Kings Island’s cult-favorite Phantom Theater characters in an all-new interactive dark ride from Sally Dark Rides. Guests can expect modern animatronics, projection mapping and flashlight gameplay that rewards repeat rides. Opening April 2026.

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2. SeaQuest: Legends of the Deep

SeaWorld Orlando
This suspended dark ride uses rotating vehicles to simulate a submersible journey through ocean ecosystems. It’s designed to feel slow and cinematic rather than thrilling—more exploration than adrenaline.

3. NightFlight Expedition

Dollywood
Billed as the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater raft ride, this $50 million attraction blends track motion with a controlled wet/dry ride system. Everything is housed inside a massive show building to fully sell its magical Smoky Mountains setting.

4. Frozen Ever After

Disney Adventure World
Part of the new World of Frozen expansion, this boat ride mirrors the Epcot favorite while incorporating updated effects and Audio-Animatronics. It’s designed to be a marquee family attraction for Disney’s growing Paris resort.

Related: Disneyland Sets Opening Date for Frozen Land and Adventure World

5. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Electric Mayhem takes over this high-speed indoor coaster, turning it into a chaotic musical road trip. It also marks the first time Muppet animatronics appear in a full-throttle thrill ride. Opening summer 2026.

6. Rapunzel’s Tangled Spin

Disney Adventure World
This family-friendly spinning dark ride recreates Tangled’s lantern scene with glowing effects and gentle motion. It’s built to be visually stunning rather than intense and opens March 29, 2026.

7. Mine-Cart Madness

Universal Epic Universe
Set in Donkey Kong Country, this “boom coaster” blends dark ride scenes with coaster moments that appear to jump broken track. The illusion-heavy ride system makes it one of Epic Universe’s most talked-about attractions well into 2026.

Related: Universal Studios to Open a New Park in the U.K.

8. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Universal Epic Universe
This intense trackless dark ride uses a robotic KUKA-arm system to maneuver riders through Frankenstein’s catacombs. Expect close encounters with classic Universal Monsters and some genuinely startling moments.

9. Into the Deep

Six Flags Qiddiya
This interactive dark ride from Triotech combines gameplay with large-scale sets and screens. It’s part of the ambitious debut lineup at Six Flags’ new Saudi Arabia park, opening December 31, 2025.

Related: Six Flags to Open New Park With World’s ‘Longest, Tallest, Fastest’ Coaster

10. Enchanted Greenhouse

Six Flags Qiddiya
Developed by ETF Ride Systems, Jora Vision and Alterface, this nonstop interactive ride focuses on layered storytelling and repeatability. It offers a lighter, more whimsical counterpoint to the park’s thrill-heavy lineup.

Related: Six Flags’ New First-of-Its-Kind Coaster Is Already Making History