Best New Coaster is Epic's, Dollywood keeps Family Coaster award

Deciding on the Best New Roller Coaster is tough because year after year, parks and manufacturers continue to up their game. Factor in any delays, and the ripple effects can be significant.

All things said, a clear winner emerged for 2025. Stardust Racers and Universal Epic Universe shine at the top.

Built by Mack Rides and bedazzled by Universal Creative, the mesmerizing attraction features racing trains that intertwine in fascinating ways. Add in the cool factor with night lighting and Stardust Racers is a masterpiece in Universal’s portfolio.

“It is a huge honor to be named Best New Roller Coaster, and we’re so excited that Stardust Racers has earned this recognition,” said JC Loward, assistant director/executive producer, Universal Creative. “Our team set out to create an ‘out-of-this-world’ dual-launch coaster that feels like you’re riding aboard a comet, and to see the positive guest reactions since we’ve opened has been amazing. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet, Stardust Racers is definitely a must-do for any thrill seeker visiting Epic Universe.”

“Stardust Racers was in development for several years — a true passion project,” added Maximilian Roeser, Mack Rides. “The fusion of our launch coaster system with Universal’s spectacular design is simply stunning. The attention to detail and immersive theming make this coaster a benchmark for what’s possible when great engineering meets visionary storytelling.”

At No. 2, AlpenFury had a delayed opening, but it did so to rave reviews once riders climbed aboard. Wonder Mountain, the iconic centerpiece of Canada’s Wonderland, now explodes with bright, wintery blue track that captivates onlookers upon arrival at the park.

Built by Premier Rides, the new-for-2025 thriller features two launches — one inside the mountain and a following boost to burst trains skyward into the daylight — and then soar through seven fluid inversions.

AlpenFury is the anchor to the reimagined Alpenfest area of Canada's Wonderland's themed lands.

Never before has a park had two finalists in this category. Cedar Point has done that with Nos. 3 and 4. The debut of Siren’s Curse had coaster fans paying close attention. Built by Vekoma, it is the first tilt coaster to debut in North America. Cleverly themed to tie in with the park’s Lake Erie setting, reviews have been nothing short of spectacular praise for the ride.

Owing to its delay from last year, Cedar Point’s second entry made for a solid one-two punch for park guests this season. TT2 and its terrifying backward spike and 120 mph speeds had riders cheering. The re-imagined ride wows visitors with slick trains and a new ride system from Zamperla.

When playing into a beloved attraction, Busch Gardens Williamsburg not only paid homage but thematically pulled it off in grand fashion. Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge (No. 5) flies through the German village as the original did, with even more theming and décor. Built by Bolliger & Mabillard, the new version features two lifts just like the original and is suspended below the track. The glowing eyes on the front of the train give it a distinctive touch.

Best Family Coaster is one of Amusement Today’s more recent categories, and it acknowledges the revived importance of major attractions aimed at families. For a time, roller coasters referred to as “family coasters” were simple, smaller attractions. Now the industry sees the importance of significant investments in which the whole family can ride.

Attractions in this category do not feature extreme speed or intense elements, do not go upside down, nor are they in the dark.

For the third year, Dollywood takes the Golden Ticket with Big Bear Mountain. When it debuted in 2023, it was the largest investment in any attraction at the park. Even though its target audience is families, it is the longest roller coaster in the park’s collection, just shy of 4,000 feet.

“Big Bear Mountain has quickly become a favorite for guests of all ages because it offers something for everyone — dynamic thrills for coaster enthusiasts, immersive theming that captures the imagination, and the kind of re-rideable fun that keeps families coming back again and again,” said Pete Owens, Dollywood VP of marketing and public relations. “It’s an honor to see our team’s hard work recognized, and we’re proud that this attraction continues to be one that adults and their kids can enjoy equally as a family.”

Noted for its three launches, tangled layout and smooth execution, Big Bear Mountain is a product of Vekoma.

Universal Epic Universe is on the charts again in this category. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (No. 2) has received universal (no pun intended) praise for its ride experience. Families love it, and the thematic overlay to Intamin’s ride system is a real crowd pleaser.

The twisted and tangled course has multiple launches, and riders encounter animatronics and thematic scenes while also diving through and under Isle of Berk structures.

The Bobcat at Six Flags Great Escape is No. 3. It debuted last year and was a hit with the park’s family audience. Built by The Gravity Group, the ride stands 55 feet tall and delivers a minute-long ride of snappy curves and pops of airtime.

Two rides tie for the fourth position.

Mecalodon is a new-for-2025 attraction and is already on this list, a feather in the cap for a new coaster. This triple-launch coaster contributes to an entire retheme of an area at Walibi Belgium. Built by Gerstlauer, the roller coaster sports a shark motif on the front and much of the ride’s layout is over water. Operating with three trains, the coaster stands at a height of 49 feet and reaches 40 mph.

With the exact same points, Wooden Warrior at Quassy Amusement Park ties for No. 4.

Built in 2011 by The Gravity Group, Wooden Warrior put Quassy on the map as the park’s first “big” coaster, featuring an elevation difference of 45 feet. Since then, the park has continued to maintain the exhilarating experience, and its strong presence has fueled the park’s momentum in growth.