IAAPA Expo 2026 is almost here, and things are already getting interesting! With the annual attractions industry gathering returning to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, IAAPA has revealed a packed schedule of press conferences featuring new roller coasters, ride vehicles, immersive attractions, and major partnerships. And judging by the lineup, there’s going to be plenty to talk about once the show floor opens.
Taking place November 16–20, this year’s Expo will be the largest in IAAPA history, bringing together more than 1,350 exhibitors across over 630,000 square feet of exhibition space. Press events begin Tuesday, November 17, with additional presentations scheduled throughout Wednesday, November 18. Manufacturers and park operators are preparing to give industry professionals and theme park enthusiasts an early look at projects that could shape the next generation of attractions.
Roller Coaster Fans Have Plenty to Look Forward To
If there’s one thing that always gets coaster enthusiasts excited about IAAPA Expo, it’s seeing the latest ride vehicles and learning about future projects. This year’s press schedule certainly doesn’t disappoint, with Intamin teaming up with Lagoon Amusement Park to reveal the Hot Racer vehicle for its upcoming 2027 attraction, while Vekoma and Six Flags Magic Mountain will introduce the ride vehicle for Thrill Glider.
Mack Rides is also preparing several appearances, including a vehicle reveal for Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s upcoming Cannonball! water roller coaster and a first look at the front car of Silver Dollar City’s new roller coaster. Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain Coasters has an announcement planned, and Gravity Group is preparing to unveil details of a record-setting indoor wooden roller coaster.
Perhaps one of the more intriguing presentations comes from Maurer Rides, which is scheduled to announce a new U.S. project featuring its Spike Coaster technology alongside an unnamed attractions operator. With the company recently introducing its Spike PM360 transportation concept, it’ll be interesting to see what else Maurer has planned. However, the scheduled coaster announcement is a separate project from the already revealed people mover.
And we certainly can’t overlook Zamperla, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the introduction of Hypnosiz, or S&S Worldwide, which plans to showcase the RailRyder vehicle for its first North American customer.
Dark Rides and Immersive Attractions Are Getting Attention, Too
Beyond the roller coaster announcements, several companies are preparing to show off new ways to bring themed entertainment to life. Sally Dark Rides and Doha Quest will introduce Guardians of the Hidden Chamber, the first installation of Sally’s Mini dark ride concept, combining interactive gameplay, animatronics, and cinematic storytelling.
DOF Robotics is promising one of its biggest presentations yet, with five new attractions and a collaboration involving Transformers. Falcon’s Beyond and VAI Resorts will share an expanded vision for Mattel Adventure Park in Arizona, while Zero Latency VR is preparing to launch Jumanji: The Lost Levels.
Other presentations include new interactive entertainment concepts from Immersive Gamebox, virtual reality experiences from vrCAVE, and character-based inflatable attractions involving Angry Birds and Sonic from Magic Jump.
It’s an interesting mix of technology, storytelling, and recognizable entertainment franchises, showing just how much themed entertainment continues to evolve beyond traditional rides.
What’s Next for United Parks & Resorts?
Another presentation worth keeping an eye on comes from United Parks & Resorts, which has two appearances scheduled for Wednesday, November 18. The company will join Brogent Technologies to announce a new family immersive attraction coming to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, followed by a separate showcase featuring its Design & Engineering team.
That second presentation will highlight upcoming attractions and experiences across the company’s parks while introducing new opportunities for fans to follow the creative process behind its projects.
For those of us who enjoy following developments at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, this could be one of the more interesting sessions of the Expo. Of course, we’ll have to see which projects the company chooses to highlight before getting too excited about anything that hasn’t been officially announced.
Water Parks and International Projects Join the Spotlight
Water park manufacturers are also preparing several announcements, with WhiteWater teasing new attractions and a world-first slide, while ProSlide is promising another reveal involving its water ride technology.
OpenAire will discuss Kalahari Wisconsin Dells’ Aquadome and an upcoming partnership involving Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks. International projects will also receive attention, including Mack Rides and VidantaWorld sharing more about Delia’s Adventure in Mexico, and Zamperla joining Brazil’s Cacau Park to reveal its WingZ interactive attraction.
With so many developments happening around the world, IAAPA Expo continues to provide a fascinating look at how different parks and destinations are approaching the future of entertainment.
IAAPA Expo 2026 Press Conference Schedule
With so many announcements planned across the exhibition floor, keeping track of everything could be a challenge. Here’s a look at the scheduled press events, featuring participating manufacturers, attraction operators, and their anticipated presentations.
Here’s a look at the press conferences scheduled for IAAPA Expo 2026, including participating companies and what they’re preparing to reveal. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Source: IAAPA Expo 2026 Press Conference Schedule, Version 3.
Times, exhibitors, and locations are subject to change.
Visit the official IAAPA Connect+ app for the latest schedule.
The press schedule includes both confirmed attraction presentations and announcements where companies are keeping some details under wraps. Event times and locations are subject to change, so attendees should refer to IAAPA’s official schedule and Connect+ app for the latest information.
More Than Just Press Conferences
Beyond the major manufacturer announcements, IAAPA Expo 2026 will feature several additional opportunities for industry professionals and media representatives. Tuesday’s Opening Ceremony will help kick off the exhibition, followed by a special ribbon-cutting celebration recognizing the expansion into the West Building.
The event also includes educational sessions covering future industry trends, attraction safety, and operational practices. Participating content creators will have an opportunity to explore the expanded West Building during a special Wednesday morning showcase, featuring exhibitor demonstrations, food and beverage experiences, and a walkthrough of the Haunting Grounds.
With the additional exhibition space and growing range of experiences, this year’s IAAPA Expo is shaping up to offer plenty to discover beyond the press announcements.
Keeping an Eye on What’s Coming Next
One of my favorite things about following IAAPA Expo is seeing ideas and concepts that could eventually become the next big attraction. Some announcements may reveal projects already under development, while others introduce technology that could influence theme parks years down the road.
And with companies like Intamin, Vekoma, Mack Rides, Zamperla, Rocky Mountain Coasters, Sally Dark Rides, and United Parks & Resorts preparing presentations, there’s certainly no shortage of things to watch.
While I won’t be attending IAAPA Expo in person this year, I’ll be keeping an eye on official announcements, manufacturer updates, and coverage shared by industry professionals and creators throughout the event. That should give us plenty of opportunities to explore the more interesting reveals as they happen.
IAAPA Expo 2026 takes place November 16–20 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, with the exhibition floor opening November 17.
You can read IAAPA’s official press event announcement and review the Press Conference Schedule (PDF) for additional event information.
With so many announcements scheduled over just a couple of days, one thing is certain: we’re going to have plenty of attractions industry news to unpack!