Change is inevitable, especially in the amusement industry. Year after year, parks across the globe build new coasters and, unfortunately, remove older coaster. The causes of coaster removals vary — decreasing popularity, maintenance issues, the need for additional space, etc.
With over 300 amusement and theme parks operating in the US with at least one roller coaster (according to RCDB), I found the number of parks that have never removed a coaster to be larger than expected. Below are 21 amusement and theme parks that have never removed a coaster since they opened. Note that smaller family entertainment centers (FECs) and parks with alpine coasters were omitted.
1. SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, FL)
Opened: 1973 (first coaster opened in 1998)
Current coaster count: 7
The SeaWorld parks have an impressive track record (pun intended) of keeping their coasters open. SeaWorld San Diego would have been included as well had it not removed the new-for-2019 Tidal Twister in 2023.
2. SeaWorld San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)
Opened: 1988 (first coaster opened in 1997)
Current coaster count: 6
SeaWorld San Antonio’s first coaster, Great White, a clone of the popular Batman: The Ride Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) coaster found at Six Flags parks across the country, opened in 1997, making it the oldest coaster at a SeaWorld park in the US.
3. Magic Kingdom (Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Opened: 1971 (first coaster opened in 1975)
Current coaster count: 5
As the busiest theme park in the world (according to the 2022 TEA/AECOM Theme Index Report), Disney has done a great job keeping the park’s five coasters in operation, two of which are 40+ years old.
4. Nickelodeon Universe (Bloomington, MN)
Opened: 1992 (first coaster opened in 1992)
Current coaster count: 5
Formerly known as Camp Snoopy, Nickelodeon Universe hasn’t lost a single coaster in its 31 years of operation. This includes its longest coaster, the sprawling Pepsi Orange Streak coaster, which weaves throughout the indoor theme park.
5. Nickelodeon Universe (East Rutherford, NJ)
Opened: 2019 (4 coasters opened in 2019)
Current coaster count: 5
The second Nickelodeon Universe in the US has kept all five of its coasters operational, which is a good thing since the park has only been open for 4 years.
6. Disneyland (Anaheim, CA)*
Opened: 1955 (first coaster opened in 1959)
Current coaster count: 4*
Disneyland is still home to all of its classics. *However, much of Space Mountain’s track was replaced during a significant refurbishment in 2003-2005. But because the layout remained the same as did some sections of the original track, I don’t count this as being a coaster that was truly removed.
7. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park (Glenwood Springs, CA)
Opened: 1999 (first coaster opened in 2005*)
Current coaster count: 4
Photo © Glenwood Caverns
Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers some of the best views of any park in the US. Hopefully it adds more in the future while keeping its current roster.
*The park’s first coaster was an alpine coaster.
8. Little Amerricka (Marshall, WI)
Opened: 1991 (first coaster opened in 1993)
Current coaster count: 4
Photo courtesy of Little Amerricka
Three of Little Amerricka’s coasters opened in 1993. In 2007, the park purchased and rebuilt the Little Dipper wooden coaster from the now-defunct Hillcrest Park in Lemont, IL.
9. Tropic Falls Theme Park (Foley, AL)
Opened: 2017 (all 3 coasters opened in 2017)
Current coaster count: 3
Photo courtesy of OWA
After six years in operation, Tropic Falls (formerly known as the Park at OWA) is still operating with its three original coasters.
10. Fun Spot America (Orlando, FL)
Opened: 1997 (all 3 coasters opened in 2013)
Current coaster count: 3
White Lightning at Fun Spot America (Orlando)
Fun Spot America in Orlando operated for 16 years before adding three coasters in 2013. And it was worth the wait, especially for the White Lightning wooden coaster from Great Coasters International (GCI).
11. Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, PA)
Opened: 1963 (first coaster opened in 1992)
Current coaster count: 3
Dutch Wonderland is a classic family amusement park. It operated without a coaster for nearly 30 years before opening Kingdom Coaster, a Custom Coasters International (CCI) coaster, in 1992.
For more Dutch Wonderland, read our Small Park Showcase here.
12. Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City, CA)
Opened: 1964 (first coaster opened in 2004)
Current coaster count: 2
Photo © Universal Parks & Resorts
Universal Studios Hollywood operated for 40 years before opening Revenge of the Mummy in 2004.
13. Lost Island Theme Park (Waterloo, IA)
Opened: 2022 (2 coasters opened in 2022)
Current coaster count: 3
Lost Island is one of the newest parks in the US. However, its two major coasters were relocated from other parks. Read about and see photos from our recent visit to Lost Island Theme Park here.
14. Castles n’ Coasters (Phoenix, AZ)
Opened: 1980 (both coasters opened in 1992)
Current coaster count: 2
Photo courtesy of Castles n’ Coasters
Castles n’ Coasters is going strong with its two coasters that opened 31 years ago.
15. Legoland New York (Goshen, NY)
Opened: 2021 (both coasters opened in 2021)
Current coaster count: 2
Legoland New York is one of the newest theme parks in the US, so it’s no surprise that its two coasters are still in operation. Read our “brick-by-brick” review of Legoland New York in its inaugural season.
16. Enchanted Forest (Turner, OR)
Opened: 1971 (first coaster opened in 1983)
Current coaster count: 2
Enchanted Forest may only have two coasters, but its 1983 Ice Mountain Bobsled coaster is one of the most unique coasters you’ll find at an independent park in the US. The park is also home to a rare E&F Miler Industries log ride water coaster.
17. Disney California Adventure (Anaheim, CA)
Opened: 2001 (both coasters opened in 2001)
Current coaster count: 2
Disney California Adventure has kept its two opening-day coasters in operation, although both have undergone name and theme changes. As part of the California Adventure overhaul of the 2010s, the Mulholland Madness wild mouse coaster was rethemed to Goofy’s Sky School in 2011 and California Screamin’ was rethemed to Incredicoaster in 2018.
18. Gilroy Gardens (Gilroy, CA)
Opened: 1977 (both coasters opened in 2001)
Current coaster count: 2
Photo courtesy of Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens has a teacups-style ride themed to garlic. I don’t even need the park’s two coasters, but I’m glad the park has kept them in operation.
19. Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Lake Buena Vista, FL)
Opened: 1989 (first coaster opened in 1999)
Current coaster count: 2
I think we can all agree that Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ two iconic coasters — Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Slinky Dog Dash — are here to stay.
20. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Powell, OH)
Opened: 1896 (first coaster opened in 1956)
Current coaster count: 2
Columbus Zoo operated as Wyandot Lake from 1896 to 2006. The park’s Sea Dragon wooden coaster (formerly known as Jet Flyer) has been in operation since 1956.
21. Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA)
Opened: 1981 (first coaster opened in 1998)
Current coaster count: 2
Sesame Place’s Vapor Trail coaster celebrated its 25th year of operation in 2023. It was joined by Oscar’s Wacky Taxi in 2018, and the pair have been entertaining families ever since.
For more information, learn about why parks typically remove coasters here.
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