Coaster101’s 2025 Year in Review

Believe it or not, we’ve finally reached the end of the roller coaster of a year that was 2025. Every December we take a look back and reflect on all the ups and downs of the past year. Members of the Coaster101 team will share a few of their favorite coasters, articles, moments from 2025, and plans for 2026. Then be sure to add yours in the comments below!

Coaster101’s Year in Review

Nick

Parks Visited in 2025: Blizzard Beach, Columbus Zoo, Cedar Point, Canada’s Wonderland, Kings Island, Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Epic Universe, Epcot

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: Siren’s Curse, Snoopy’s Racing Railway, Iron Gwazi, Cobra’s Curse, Phoenix Rising, Tigris, Penguin Trek, Stardust Racers, Mine Cart Madness, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Curse of the Werewolf, Cosmic Rewind, Air Grover (14 total)

Favorite “New to You” Ride of 2025: Oh, man. So many good ones! For roller coasters, I gotta go with Stardust Racers followed very closely by Siren’s Curse. For dark rides, Monsters Unchained at Epic Universe.

Top 3 Highlights of 2025:

#3: After riding Siren’s Curse at Cedar Point seven times in four hours during the charity event benefiting Prayers From Maria and one time on opening day, I can firmly say that I love this ride. It’s the complete package and everything you want in a roller coaster: a unique element, butter smooth, airtime, inversions, audio, re-ridable, and more. Read our full review here.

#2: Surprising my kids with tickets to EPCOT on Christmas Day. It was nowhere near as crowded as I thought it would be. We got to experience everything that we wanted to, 18 attractions in total, including my first ride on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.  If you already love Living with the Land, just wait until you see the “Glimmering Greenhouses” version with Christmas lights!

#1: Visiting Universal Epic Universe for the first time with my twin sister on our birthday and getting to ride every ride. Part of me yearns to return to Epic Universe but the other part of me says there is no way we’d have a better day than we did.

2026 Plans: I am a Six Flags passholder and now a first time United Parks passholder, so my goal is to visit as many of those parks as I can. If you’re a roller coaster enthusiast or theme park fan, Texas is where it is going to be happening at in 2026.

Shane

Parks Visited in 2025: Epic Universe, HersheyPark, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, WDW parks, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, Discovery Cove, Funspot Kissimmee.

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: Wildcat’s Revenge at HersheyPark, everything at Disneyland/DCA, Epic Universe, and Knott’s. Plus a few random Funspot credits and state fair credits to set me up to hit my 200th at Epic Universe.

Favorite “New to You” Ride of 2025: For brand new rides, I’ll say Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at Epic Universe. “New to Me” would be Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure.

Top 3 Highlights of 2025: 

1. Epic Universe opening day is one of the theme park days I know I’ll always remember. I followed the rumors, planning, announcements and construction of the park so to get to be there on opening day as an Orlando resident was a really cool full circle moment. It felt like I was part of a momentous occasion, and all the rides having little to no wait was great too.
2. My first Disneyland visit was supposed to be in spring 2020, but due to Covid I never got the chance to go. Finally, almost six years later, I got to visit Walt’s original park and check out all the classic and modern attractions. I’m already eager to go back, this resort has a feel that’s totally unique and feels like home.
3. Discovery Cove is one of the most underrated parks I have ever been to, most people don’t even know it exists or they may assume it’s a typical water park. This place is one of the most unique themed experiences you can have, and the fact that it’s in the middle of Orlando is almost surreal. I’ve never had an experience like this, swimming with real animals while enjoying relaxing ambience and unlimited food and drinks is a must-do when in Orlando.

2026 Plans: My priority for next year is getting on Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood, I’ll get there as soon as I can after opening. I’d also love to finally get to Silver Dollar City and back to Ohio for Cedar Point and Kings Island.

Erik

Parks Visited in 2025: Canada’s Wonderland, Santa’s Village Ontario, Six Flags Great America, Mount Olympus, Indiana Beach, Little Amerricka, La Ronde, Pays des Merveilles, Sommet Saint-Sauveur, Granby Zoo, Super Aqua Club, C.J. Barrymore’s, Universal’s Epic Universe, all four Walt Disney World theme parks, SeaWorld Orlando, Screamland Santiago, and several other smaller venues.

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: Sixty-one different coasters across two fairs and nearly all of the parks above.

Favorite “New to You” Ride of 2025: Monster’s Unchained at Universal Epic Universe

Top 3 Highlights of 2025:

1. Visiting Walt Disney World for the first time since 2011, on a mere double-digit budget… tickets, transit, and accommodations were all generously covered by various persons’ employee benefits, so in return I provided food where I could.
2. My first solo road trip was to Montreal in August, where I had the opportunity to check out some of Canada’s best waterparks as well as a zoo, campground, Hot Air Balloon festival, and even a concert!
3. Attending opening days on back-to-back Saturdays for two new coasters on home turf… AlpenFury and Yeti Trek!

2026 Plans : I intend to visit the parks in Eastern Pennsylvania as its the sole region within a reasonable driving distance I’ve yet to visit. I am additionally looking at spending a weekend in Dallas and returning to Cedar Point for the first time since 2018. Trips are easy to justify when you have friends everywhere!

John

Parks Visited in 2025: SeaWorld Orlando, Six Flags Over Georgia, Dollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, Six Flags Great Adventure, Michigan’s Adventure, Six Flags Great America, Hanayashiki, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tokyo DisneySea

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: 

• Pipeline, Ice Breaker, Mako and Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando
• Georgia Gold Rusher at Six Flags Over Georgia
• Wonder Woman Flight of Courage and Road Runner Express at Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Grover’s Alpine Express, Pantheon, Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, DarKoaster and Invadr at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Great Pumpkin Coaster, Twisted Timbers, Tumbili, and Rapterra at Kings Dominion
• Flash: Vertical Velocity, Dark Knight, Batman: The Ride, Nitro , Jersey Devil Coaster, Runaway Mine Train, Medusa, Skull Mountain, Superman: Ultimate Flight, Harley Quinn Crazy Train and El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure
• Wolverine Wildcat, Shivering Timbers, Mad Mouse, Corkscrew, Woodstock Express, and Zach’s Zoomer at Michigan’s Adventure
• Wrath of Rakshasa at Six Flags Great America
• Roller Coaster at Hanayashiki
• Gadget’s Go Coaster and Big Thunder Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland
• Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster and Raging Spirits at Tokyo DisneySea

Favorite Coaster101 Articles in 2025: Since I wasn’t able to visit Epic Universe it in its inaugural season, I enjoyed living vicariously through Shane’s many reviews of the park, including its attractions, portals and resort hotels throughout the year.

Top 3 Highlights of 2025: 

1. Tokyo DisneySea has been near the top of my theme park bucket list for many years — finally see it in person was a surreal moment, one that I will never forget.
2. I’ve wished for years that Six Flags Great America would build a B&M dive coaster in the exact space where Wrath of Rakshasa opened this year. Riding a coaster that (I tell myself) I manifested was a highlight of my coaster-enthusiast career.
3. Seeing Dolly Parton will always be a highlight of any year. I was able to see her speak at the kickoff to the park’s 40th anniversary season. The warmth she brings to a room is palpable. An honorable mention highlight goes to our podcast episode featuring Dollywood’s Pete Owens.

2026 Plans: I’m hoping to visit Epic Universe in 2026 as well as venture further into Texas (I’ve only been to Six Flags Over Texas). I’m also planning a family trip to Ireland, so I hope to sneak away to Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park).

Eric

Parks Visited in 2025: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, Hanayashiki, Phantasialand, Efteling, Lotte World, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, Regular Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, King’s Dominion, Six Flags Magic Mountain, California’s Great America, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: Everything at Phantasialand, Efteling, Lotte World, Ocean Park, Hanayashiki, along with the newest coasters at BGW, KD, and SFMM.

Favorite “New to You” Ride of 2025: Oh man, hard to pick. For coasters, probably Taron at Phantasialand, one of my favorites ever. For non-coasters, its either one of the dark rides at Efteling — Danse Macabre, maybe? — or one of the Fantasy Springs rides at Tokyo DisneySea, probably Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival.

Favorite Coaster101 Articles in 2025: Like John, I enjoyed living vicariously through Shane as he covered everything Epic Universe since I haven’t made it. And the most fun one to write was my 30th anniversary celebration of WaterWorld: A Live SeaWar Spectacular, partly because it’s one of my favorite theme park attractions anywhere, and partly because I got to talk to the original Deacon, Greg Dolph!

Top 3 Highlights of 2025:

• Like most of us, the C101 trip to Virginia in May. Getting to cover the media day for Wolf’s Revenge with all my pals, and then also spend a bunch of time at two of my favorite parks. Hard to beat!
• I checked off two of the overseas parks that were at the top of my list to visit, Efteling and Phantasialand! Two of the best parks I’ve ever been to, and very different from each other. I loved both and can’t wait to get back to them (and start checking off more European parks).
• I’m never not happy to go to Tokyo Disney, and this time going with John and visiting Fantasy Springs for the first time!

2026 Plans: Not a lot of firm plans yet, but getting to Epic Universe is top of my checklist to do this year. Hopefully in the “offseason” early in the year.

Evan

Parks Visited in 2025: Knoebels, Dorney Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, Lake Compounce, Dollywood

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: Phoenix, Flying Turns, Twister, Black Diamond, Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, DarKoaster, Dragonflier, Great Pumpkin Coaster, Impulse, Phobia Phear Coaster, Rapterra, The Flash: Vertical Velocity

Favorite “New to You” Ride of 2025: Phoenix at Knoebels — an absolutely unhinged airtime machine where my expectations were not only met but exceeded

Favorite Coaster101 Articles in 2025: Like most of us, a trip to Epic Universe seems to be high up on our bucket list of parks for 2026. Thankfully, Nick wrote out Riding Every Ride at Universal Epic Universe in One Day which gives me a solid game plan for when I make the trip! I love seeing how coaster enthusiasts make the most of their time in theme parks without any signs of slowing down, a task not fit for the weak.

Top 3 Highlights of 2025:

1. The Coaster101 trip in Virginia to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Kings Dominion, it was so awesome getting the group together to experience some amazing parks and coasters.
2. Experiencing Knoebels for the first time, such an underrated and wholesome park that gets skipped over for other parks in the area. The food, rides and staff are incredible (also can’t beat free parking!).
3. Attending The Flash: Vertical Velocity Media day back in March, the weather was freezing but being able to cover the new attraction and experience a ride before the public is something I’ll never take for granted.

2026 Plans: I just became a Six Flags pass holder (thanks VIP sale) and am looking forward to returning to Cedar Point and hopefully making it out to some west coast parks like Magic Mountain. Epic Universe is also top of my bucket list for U.S. parks, can’t wait to get a visit down to a Florida.

Andrew

Parks Visited in 2025: Carowinds, Six Flags Over Georgia, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Frankie’s Fun Park (multiple), Funplex New Jersey, Six Flags Great Adventure, Schnepf Farms, Castles N Coasters

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: 12. Not the busiest year I’ve ever had, but you try getting a puppy and traveling. Georgia Gold Rusher, Spinning Coaster at Frankies Columbia & Greenville, Rapterra, Snoopy’s Racing Railway (Carowinds), FunCoaster, Batman The Ride (SFGAdv), Flash: Vertical Velocity, Jersey Devil Coaster, Gravity Roller Coaster, Desert Storm, Patriot.

Favorite “New to You” Ride of 2025: It’s gotta be Flash: Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Great Adventure. That stall was otherworldly, and there were other reasons I’ll get into below!

Favorite Coaster101 Articles in 2025: Less articles, and more podcast episodes. Had some incredible interviews on the podcast last year and got to interview people who have long been on my interview bucket list – Pete Owens, Jeffrey Siebert, and Marcus LeShock among them – along with returning visits from Dave Cobb, Nik Walker, Adam Sandy and more!

Top 3 Highlights of 2025: 

1. The Coaster101 Trip to ACE Spring Con in Virginia – it wasn’t the entire team, but it was great getting together with a bunch of us, riding some new coasters, and hanging out with other enthusiasts. Shoutout to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for accommodating like 5-6 of us for media day for Big Bad Wolf: Wolf’s Revenge because it was the same day as the ACE Event!
2. When I visited Six Flags Great Adventure earlier this year, I got to ride Flash: Vertical Velocity for my first time ever with Park Manager Mike Fehnel – in what he claimed was his first-ever ride as well. Proving I’ve been doing this for far too long, I’ve known Mike since he was VP/GM at Carowinds and led us on a Fury 325 construction tour in the winter of 2014. Love his passion for the parks he works in, and that he was willing to share his first-ever ride on Flash with me!
3. This is a highlight that probably won’t resonate with as many people – but honestly, my favorite coaster ride of the year might have been the most random coaster I rode in all of 2025. I visited Schnepf Farms, about 40 minutes outside of Tempe, Arizona this fall. They have a coaster that only runs during their festivals – and in this case it was the Pumpkin & Chili Festival. The Gravity Roller Coaster is an old Miler coaster that dates back to the 1950’s – the model is the world’s largest portable roller coaster, but this one doesn’t travel. A chill was in the air, 90s hiphop was blaring from a bluetooth speaker, and a traditional cycle was 3 laps unless the ride op, who looked like Jack Black, missed the handbrake to stop the ride. I got 5 laps during my one ride. That place was a VIBE.

2026 Plans: There are always plans, but more often than not, random coasters that aren’t on my radar at the end of the previous year always seem to pop up, determined by work travel. My goals for next year outside of the usual suspects of Carowinds and maybe a Virginia park or two, are Epic Universe, Six Flags Over Georgia, and Six Flags Over Texas. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine!

Larry

Parks Visited in 2025: Cedar Point, Six Flags Great America, Michigan’s Adventure

New to You Coaster Credits in 2025: More info for m year in review below but went on Wrath of Rakshasa, Top Thrill 2, and Siren’s Curse in one day!

Favorite “New to You” Ride of 2025: While my trip list was short this year, I will have to mention Top Thrill 2 was worth the year-long wait, since I stared at it nearly every day during the 2024 fall season since I was a Ride Operator at Power Tower. The new comfortable Zamperla trains and swing launch I loved significantly more than Top Thrill Dragster’s “one and done” launch.

Favorite Coaster101 Articles in 2025: As mentioned above by the other guys, seeing Epic Universe open up through Shane’s reports gave a good look into how much amazing details Universal put into that park.

Top 3 Highlights of 2025: 

1. My 2025 season started out this year by taking an opening day trip up to Michigan’s Adventure to get a ride on Shivering Timbers and Wolverine Wildcat with their brand new track upgrades. Going into the park, I had no idea Wolverine Wildcat was going to receive more Titan Track. I’ve rode those two coasters nearly my whole life and they’re at the top of their game. Who would’ve thought that this small park in the Six Flags chain would treat their wooden coasters so well after all these years!
2. This is both 2 and 3 for me: I alluded to this earlier but the weekend that Cedar Point was going to have pass holder previews for Siren’s Curse, I decided to do a very ambitious cross-state trip all in one day, going from Six Flags Great America to Cedar Point to get 3 brand new credits. First spent a few hours at Six Flags Great America to get a ride and take some pictures of Wrath of Rakshasa, the brand new dive coaster. I will say, it’s very impressive and fits perfectly into the park. Then take the drive to Cedar Point to then get on Top Thrill 2 and Siren’s Curse. Siren’s Curse took about 2 hours for me to get on due to a weather delay, but it was well worth it because it allowed me to get on a night ride with it with its awesome lighting package. While it was a long day, I rewarded myself by staying the night and going to Cedar Point again then next day and getting some beautiful pictures of those two new coasters.

2026 Plans: While I don’t have any concrete plans for 2026 yet, I’m hoping to get a few new-to-me parks in this year, including Kennywood, the Texas parks, and potentially Dollywood. I’ll have to see how 2026 shapes up but expect me to take full advantage of my Six Flags membership.

That’s it for our 2025 Year in Review. Now we want to hear from you! Comment below with your favorite Coaster101 article of the year and your favorite personal coaster highlight of 2025.