AS the year winds down, most theme parks across the UK and Europe have locked up for winter.
But 2025 is set to deliver a fresh wave of thrills, whether that’s white-knuckle attractions or family-friendly fun.
From dual racing coasters to interactive dark rides and one-of-a-kind water flumes, here’s the biggest rides and roller coasters slated for opening across the UK and Europe in the year ahead.
Paultons Park, best known for Peppa Pig World, is gearing up to debut its latest attraction, Ghostly Manor, in spring 2025.
Replacing the park’s old 4D cinema, this family-friendly ride promises interactive fun as visitors help renowned ghost hunter Dr Kinley recapture escaped ghosts.
Armed with “phantom phasers” guests will zap spirits as they explore the spooky manor.
Work is already well underway, and the ride is set to be a hit with younger thrill-seekers and families when its doors swing open on May 17.
Known for its great value and short queue times, Paultons Park has also teased a Viking-themed land opening in 2026, replacing the current log flume and karting track.
Fans of Alton Towers could soon see the return of a much-loved classic in 2025.
A new planning application submitted by the resort sparked speculation that Ripsaw – the iconic topspin ride that spun riders upside down while soaking them through – might be making a comeback.
According to the plans, the new attraction will be returning to the same spot in Forbidden Valley, and will reach heights of 59 feet, which also matches the height of the original Ripsaw.
The similarities between the proposed ride and the original Ripsaw have fans buzzing, with many speculating this could be “Ripsaw 2.0”.
And to make things even more exciting, the queue line will reportedly be positioned right next to a “Ripsaw Café”, which is currently undergoing a major restoration.
The original Ripsaw was a guest favourite for years, offering adrenaline-pumping flips and soaking splashdowns before its removal in 2015.
While Alton Towers hasn’t officially confirmed the ride’s return, the park’s ongoing efforts to restore its magic using nostalgia – like they did with the popular Nemesis coaster remake – have fuelled the rumours.
Holiday Park in Haßloch, Germany, is set to open a new family thrill coaster in summer 2025, forming the centrepiece of a new 100 per cent Wolf-themed land.
The coaster, based on the popular animated adventure film, is said to feature a vertical spike, offering younger riders a more thrilling experience while still catering to families.
Park officials have also described the addition as closing the gap between their indoor children’s roller coaster and their high-thrill attractions.
The ride will be Holiday Park’s fourth coaster, joining the line-up as part of its ongoing expansion.
The new themed area is just one part of Holiday Park’s ambitious plans. A €40million standalone water park is also under construction at the park as it attempts to broaden its appeal to all types of visitors.
France‘s sci-fi theme park, Futuroscope, is set to open Mission Bermuda in 2025, its first-ever flume ride.
Themed around the Bermuda Triangle, the ride will reportedly combine water flume elements with roller coaster dynamics – the first of its kind in the world.
As part of Futuroscope’s €300million 2025 plan to expand the park, the attraction will replace the Jardin des Énergies at the park entrance.
Riders will board eight-person boats for a journey starting on Bermuda Island, passing through rocky passages, jungle environments and an indoor cave with immersive scenes.
The adventure will build to a climax as the boat is lifted 15 metres in an elevator before plunging into a splash-filled finale.
Dutch theme park Walibi Holland is going all out in 2025 with a double racing roller coaster featuring a bizarre name.
Called Yoy, the ride will be Europe’s first-ever duelling single-rail coaster when it opens in 2025.
Pronounced “joy”, it was unveiled at a press conference in September with the tag line, “ride the other side,” as the coaster features two distinct tracks: one a more gentle family-friendly affair and the other packed with adrenaline-fuelled thrills.
While the two tracks, one green and one blue, offer different experiences, the duelling design meaning riders can race each other.
Walibi Holland bosses say YoY is the first of its kind in the world, as no other single-rail coaster features a duelling layout.
While an exact opening date is yet to be confirmed, construction is moving fast, with both tracks now visible in the park.
