5. Calico River Rapids

Image: Knott's Berry Farm

Location: Knott's Berry Farm
Video: Calico River Rapids POV

After years of trampling the park's history in favor of behemoth steel roller coasters, new leadership at Cedar Fair has been reorienting the ship at Knott's Berry Farm in recent years. Their biggest committment yet was the complete revitalization of two of the park's historic dark rides: the Timber Mountain Log Ride and the Calico Mine Ride (which directly influenced Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, respectively).

Their latest show of dedication was in retooling the park's existing Big Foot Rapids and wrapping it into the "world-building" of the two dark rides. Now, the Calico River Rapids carries guests past scenes of simple animatronic wild life with a real sense of place. Admittedly, it's got a better "story" than either of Disney's U.S. rapids rides – Grizzly River Run or Kali River Rapids! 

6. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Image: Disney / Lucasfilm

Location: Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios
Video: Smugglers Run POV

It's here. Well, in California at least. While the Floridian version of the ride won't open until August, the Internet is already buzzing about Smugglers Run, the supporting ride of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Admittedly, reaction to the new simulator has been mixed thanks in part to its inherent design: groups of six (in other words, you and probably a few strangers) take on roles in the cockpit of the legendary Millennium Falcon and head out on a smuggling mission for Hondo Ohnaka.

While concept video showed the Falcon gloriously flying around the natural wonders of Batuu diving into the planet's canyons and slaloming around its petrified spires under blue-sky daylight, the ride actually takes place almost entirely on an urban city-planet at sunset, dodging skyscrapers and traffic amid wild and seemingly random flashes of gunfire and brake lights – probably more "Star Wars" than the former, but admittedly less freewheeling fun. It's absurdly chaotic – by design! – as Hondo Ohnaka chatters over the intercom, cursing you for slamming into obstacles with laser fire illuminating the deck.

Two pilots control the ship (up and down, left and right), two gunners press buttons to fire turrets, and two engineers press buttons as they light up to repair damage caused by the other four. Half simulator, half video game, the ride reacts in real time and praises or scolds you for your performance (or, more likely, the performance of the complete strangers you're likely riding with)! While some find the ride endlessly reride-able and sensational, others dislike the gaming elements, the ability to "lose," and the pressure to "win" as strangers cajole you, sort of sapping the wonder of being behind the wheel. How will it translate to Orlando, its once-in-a-lifetime visitors, and its significant non-English-speaking visitors? We'll find out...

7. Kaleidoscape

Image: Elitch Gardens / Meow Wolf

Location: Elitch Gardens
Video: Kaleidoscape POV

The best new dark ride of 2019 is perhaps the world's strangest. Meow Wolf is a Santa Fe-based immersive, art collective whose best known installation is a 22,000 square foot exhibition in which guests explore a Victorian home being torn apart by interdimensional portals. Guests can climb, slide, touch, and crawl through trippy landscapes, otherworldly environments, and more. A new Meow Wolf is earmarked for Denver, so to get locals primed, the entertainment company took over the existing Ghost Blasters dark ride at Elitch Gardens amusement park.

Swapping (and in some cases, simply stripping and re-skinning) the classic Sally dark ride of blacklight ghouls and cutout ghosts, Kaleidoscape is a mind-bending trip through digital dimensions, psychedelic jungles, and abstract landscapes. The Ghost Blasters guns are now "Conglomatrons" able to condense objects into infinitely small shapes. It's all an excuse to sail through absolutely surreal landscapes and watch as objects morph through light and sound. It's an experience you have to see to believe.

8. Finnegan's Flyer

Image: SeaWorld Parks

Location: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Video: Finnegan's Flyer POV

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been voted the world's most beautiful theme park for 29 consecutive years, and it's easy to see why. Lush villages themed to European countries are set within the dense forests of Virginia, all centered on the beautiful Rhine River that carves a valley through the center. New for 2019 is Finnegan's Flyer, an S&S Screaming Swing. With two massive arms that swing counter to each other, this massive flat ride looms over the bridge leading to the park's Killarney Village. Brilliantly, riders are positioned so that each swing dangles them over the "Celtic Cliffs" to the waterway below. Finnegan's Flyer caps off a two-year refreshing of Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Irish-themed Killarney Village (coming a year after the world's first VR simulator, Battle for Eire – a dizzying race through Irish folklore in search of the legendary Heart of Eire).

But some of the year's BIGGEST openings await on the last pages...