Beto Carrero World teases SpongeBob Coaster as apart of R$2 Billion Plan

The Southern Hemisphere’s most expensive roller coaster is on the way.

Beto Carrero World in Santa Catarina, Brazil has announced an investment of approximately R$2 billion ($383.3 million USD) over the next four years. Chiefly the park seeks to include new areas and accommodations as apart of its evolving identity.

Much is changing in the region. Hopi Hari is turning a new leaf after years of debt and mismanagement, with major renovations underway. Thermas Dos Laranjais — the second-highest attended waterpark resort globally — has been cranking out massive new attractions as well as even purchasing land for another location. And the Cacau Show chocolate retail giant is pouring money into a theme park the likes of which Brazil has never seen, currently on track to open next year.

Beto Carrero World is no slouch either. Widely regarded as Brazil’s premiere theme park, they’ve invested heavily into major IP’s, upgrades, and attractions in recent years. But the park suffers from overwhelming demand and a ride lineup that is somewhat outdated in comparison to others around the world. There is of course room to grow.

Who Lives In a Pineapple Under The Sea?

Waves are being made with a dedicated SpongeBob SquarePants themed area, which has been under development for the past three years. Nickelodeon has always been extremely generous with allowing Bikini Bottom into theme parks; the privilege is currently held by groups like Triple Five, Parques Reunidos, and soon even Universal. Beto Carrero World themselves have so far just hosted character meet’n’greets.

More significant however is that the area will include a major roller coaster, billed as double the cost of anything built domestically and overall the most expensive coaster in the Southern Hemisphere. If accurate, the latter claim would outdo expenditures for recent larger Australian coasters (DC Rivals, Steel Taipan, Jungle Rush), which without adjusting for inflation cost a little over $20 million USD each.

A Case for Bolliger & Mabillard?

There may be a clue for who could be manufacturing the attraction. About two years ago, a connection was made to the park through a LinkedIn profile on B&M’s sales team. Historically they’ve been extremely exclusive, delivering coasters to only the largest theme park conglomerates in the world. South America is not among these, or not yet at least.

Beto Carrero World hasn’t received a coaster since the late 2000’s and none of their current notable collection was produced after the 1990’s. A significant new coaster — regardless of the manufacturer — will absolutely be a game changer for the park. Other companies can’t be ruled out but if anybody in Brazil could warrant adding a B&M, it is them.

Further Investments

It’s unclear how soon SpongeBob will surface. In the meantime the park is working on other new experiences to flesh out the plan. This year will hatch the new Galinha Pintadinha kids area, valued at $R50 million ($9.4 million USD) and themed after the Brazilian YouTube series. Another unknown children’s attraction has also been promised.

Accommodations will also round out what is likely the lion’s share of that R$4 billion. Planned are three towers with 200 rooms each, in addition to potential joint ventures with other hotel brands. There’s no shortage of places to stay near the park — many of which are quite affordable — but the park is determined to feature their own options.

Beto Carrero On a Roll

Of course a long list of improvements have been underway. In the past few years Beto Carrero World has opened new areas and attractions based on Nerf Guns and Hot Wheels. Last November saw the debut of the country’s largest — and world’s only Wild West themed — Pizza Hut. Madagascar Crazy River Adventure was also just modified to include larger boats, in effect doubling the capacity of an extremely popular water ride.

The park was founded in 1991 by the late Beto Carrero, who’d long toured Brazil with a circus of acrobats and animals. Wildlife preservation remained at the theme park’s core for decades, leading up until the abrupt closure of its zoo in 2024. Many suspect that this vacant land will allow the relatively landlocked park to expand with its new areas and flagship coaster.

As of this posting there remains scarce information on a timeline or even details regarding the new attractions. Regardless this represents an immensely optimistic evolution of Beto Carrero World’s identity — and a stronger case for visiting Brazil.

Have you ever been to Beto Carrero World? Let us know in the comments below.