Every New California Theme Park Ride Opening in 2026

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If you've been tracking California's 2026 theme park calendar, you've probably noticed the dates keep shifting. A coaster that was opening in June wasn't. Another one missed its own media day.  

The good news: some real additions are already open and worth a trip. The not-so-good news: two of the year's marquee rides are still in that murky "coming soon" zone with no confirmed date.  

This is organized by what you can actually ride today versus what you're still waiting on. 

Open Now 

LEGOLAND California: Galacticoaster & LEGO Galaxy 

Opened March 6, 2026 

LEGOLAND California's first new coaster in roughly 20 years anchors LEGO Galaxy, a space-themed land in Carlsbad. Galacticoaster is an indoor family launch coaster hitting around 40 mph; riders customize a virtual spacecraft before boarding and are greeted by an animatronic Minifigure called Chief Engineer Biff Dipper.  

The land adds two smaller attractions, a Junior Astronaut Training Zone, dining and play areas. Combined cost with its Florida twin: roughly $90 million. 

Disneyland: Millennium Falcon — Smugglers Run Update 

Debuted May 22, 2026 

Not a new ride. Disneyland's existing Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run got a new Mandalorian-themed mission featuring Din Djarin and Grogu. Riders now choose from three destinations: Bespin, Endor wreckage or Coruscant. Hardware unchanged, a ride overhaul, not a new attraction. 

Six Flags Magic Mountain: Looney Tunes Land 

Opened June 6, 2026 

Magic Mountain's real 2026 story is a family area, not a thrill coaster. Looney Tunes Land replaces Bugs Bunny World with four zones: Taz-Mania, Road Runner Ridge, Bugs Bunny Play Park and Camp Duck Amuck, plus family rides and the Road Runner Express coaster. The park's expected thrill coaster was pushed to 2027. 

SeaWorld San Diego: Fin Shui / Shark Encounter 

2026 reimagining 

SeaWorld San Diego is reworking its longtime Shark Encounter under the Fin Shui project. Parent company United Parks confirmed it as a 2026 attraction in SEC filings: an immersive reimagining with new shark species and additional marine life. A reimagined exhibit, not a new ride. 

Delayed / No Official Opening Date Yet 

Universal Studios Hollywood: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift 

Guest technical rehearsals underway; no official opening date 

The marquee new roller coaster California 2026 enthusiasts have been tracking. Hollywood Drift replaces Fast & Furious: Supercharged and is Universal Studios Hollywood's first high-speed outdoor coaster: 72 mph, roughly 4,100 feet of track, Intamin vehicles rotating 360 degrees to simulate drifting. A June 26 date leaked and was pulled.  

Soft opening began late July, though team-member previews were curtailed and noise complaints from nearby Toluca Lake became part of the public record. Universal's official event guide still lists it as coming in 2026 with no grand-opening date set. You may be able to ride during technical rehearsals, but availability changes without notice. 

Knott's Berry Farm: MonteZOOMa — The Forbidden Fortress 

Delayed from July 20; now in guest previews 

The original Montezooma's Revenge, open since 1978, was the last flywheel-launched shuttle loop of its kind in the U.S. and holds American Coaster Enthusiasts landmark status.  

The reimagined Knott's Berry Farm MonteZOOMa, a roughly $20 million overhaul, replaces that launch system while keeping the shuttle layout and 360-degree loop, now at around 55 mph through a 76-foot loop and 148-foot tower. Knott's postponed the July 20 opening for additional maintenance work.  

Don't Plan Around This One: Coco at Disney California Adventure 

Disney California Adventure broke ground on a Coco boat ride in 2026, but guests won't be riding it this year. It keeps showing up on roundups because the announcement was big, but Disney has never said it opens in 2026.