Texas is about to get a lot more thrilling with a new theme park opening soon.
©Cotaland
COTALAND, the long-awaited theme park built into the grounds of Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, has officially confirmed its opening date of September 26, 2026 — and with it, a full lineup of 34 rides and attractions for guests to enjoy on day one.
A Theme Park Built for Speed
COTALAND sits trackside at COTA, tucked between turns 19 and 20 of the Formula 1 circuit, giving it a motorsports identity unlike any other park in the country. The roughly 30-acre park blends classic amusement park staples — carousels, log flumes, swinging ships — with racing-themed thrills that lean directly into its location next to a world-class raceway. Guests can expect heavily shaded pathways (COTALAND has reportedly planted hundreds of trees around the grounds), themed lands like a jungle-set Safari Adventure and a butterfly conservatory, and a mix of full-service dining and grab-and-go snack stands serving Texas comfort food alongside international flavors and sweets.
©Cotaland
The Headliner Coasters
Two roller coasters are drawing most of the buzz ahead of opening day:
- Circuit Breaker is Texas’ first tilt coaster and only the second of its kind in North America. Riders climb to the top of the track, pause at a 90-degree tilt facing straight down toward the ground, then release into a high-speed run through drops, tunnels, and inversions.
- Palindrome is the country’s first infinity shuttle coaster, and the only steel coaster in the U.S. built to soar over an active roadway. It sends riders through its course forward, then backward, for a genuinely one-of-a-kind layout.
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The Full 34-Ride Lineup
Here’s the complete list of what’s opening, organized by thrill intensity, along with each ride’s minimum height requirement.
Max-Thrill Rides
- Burn Out – A fast-spinning, high-energy thrill ride built for riders who like it loud. Height Requirement: 51″ (75″ maximum)
- Circuit Breaker – Texas’ only tilt coaster, featuring a dramatic 90-degree pause before the drop. Height Requirement: 48″ (80″ maximum)
- Downforce – A launch ride delivering high-speed motion and intense G-forces. Height Requirement: 48″
- Hot Lap – An add-on experience where guests ride shotgun in an actual race car around the COTA track. Added fee; no minimum height listed.
- Palindrome – The nation’s first infinity shuttle coaster, running forward and backward over an active road. Height Requirement: 48″ (77″ maximum)
- The Accelerator – A launch coaster that goes from zero to full speed in seconds. Height Requirement: 59″ (75″ maximum; 51″ with a supervising companion)
©Cotaland
High-Thrill Rides
- Cloud Flyer – A towering swing ride that lifts riders roughly 150 feet above the park for sweeping views of the track. Height Requirement: 47″
- Cosmic Glider – A side-by-side aerial ride that dips and dives over the park’s water features. Height Requirement: 48″
Moderate Thrill Rides
- Buck’s Silly Soakers – A spinning water ride that leaves riders splashed and cooled off. Height Requirement: 48″ (36″ with a supervising companion)
- COTA Karting – Full-size go-karts on a 15-turn outdoor track. Added fee; Height Requirement: 58″ (drivers must be 16+ with a valid license; younger guests may ride with an adult)
- Medusa – A multi-armed spinner that whips riders through fast, sweeping rotations. Height Requirement: 51″
- Retro Rambler – A Texas-themed family coaster with quick turns and sudden drops. Height Requirement: 42″
- Smugglers Curse – A swinging ship ride that lifts riders high before swaying back and forth. Height Requirement: 54″ (75″ maximum; 48″ with a supervising companion)
- Soggy Logger – A classic log flume that ends in a big splashdown. Height Requirement: 55″ (75″ maximum; 47″ with a supervising companion)
- Spin Out – A fast, unpredictable spinning ride. Height Requirement: 55″ (44″ with a supervising companion)
- Spindletop – A twisting drop ride themed to Texas oil-boom history. Height Requirement: 51″ (47″ with a supervising companion)
- Turbo’s Tilt-N-Twist – A souped-up take on the classic Tilt-A-Whirl, riding in turtle-shell cars. Height Requirement: 47″ (36″ with a supervising companion)
©Cotaland
Mild Thrill Rides
- Baby Buccaneer – A gentle swinging ship ride sized for younger riders. Height Requirement: 36″ (30″ with a supervising companion)
- Checkers’ Sky Flyer – A breezy aerial swing ride offering light thrills. Height Requirement: 47″ (77″ maximum; 36″ with a supervising companion)
- Doggy Dash – A playful themed ride featuring spotted-pup vehicles for young explorers. Height Requirement: 42″ (32″ with a supervising companion)
- Kiddie Karting – Junior go-karts on a kid-sized track. Added fee; Height Requirement: 36″ (ages 5–11)
- Lil’ Logger – A scaled-down log flume with gentle dips for younger riders. Height Requirement: 32″ (48″ maximum)
- Mission Blasters – An interactive dark ride where riders shoot at targets for points. Height Requirement: 47″ (39″ with a supervising companion)
- Soaring Eagle Zip Line – A zip line roughly 180 feet above COTA’s main straightaway. Added fee; Height Requirement: 48″
- Super Drift Challenge – A ride-along drifting and spinning experience. Height Requirement: 42″ (36″ with a supervising companion)
- Tree House Bounce – A family-friendly ride that bounces guests up into the treetops and back down. Height Requirement: 36″ (75″ maximum)
- Turn N’ Burn – A classic, easygoing spinning ride for younger guests. Height Requirement: 42″ (36″ with a supervising companion)
- Victory Wheel – The park’s Ferris wheel, offering panoramic views of COTALAND and the racetrack. Height Requirement: 42″ (accompanied riders under 42″ allowed)
- Wacky Worm – A colorful, twisting family coaster aimed at first-time thrill-seekers. Height Requirement: 47″ (78″ maximum; 39″ with a supervising companion)
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Gentle & Family Rides
- Fang’s Flight – A soft, swinging aerial ride for guests of all ages. Height Requirement: 32″ (59″ maximum)
- Grand Carousel – A traditional hand-carved carousel experience. Height Requirement: 42″ (accompanied riders under 42″ allowed)
- Mini Golf – A 27-hole themed mini golf course. Added fee; no minimum height listed.
- Safari Adventure – A slow-moving off-road ride through a jungle-themed habitat with animal figures to spot. Height Requirement: 41″ (accompanied riders under 41″ allowed)
- The COTALAND Express – A miniature train ride winding through a garden setting. Height Requirement: 30″ (accompanied riders under 30″ allowed)
©Cotaland
COTALAND opens to the public on September 26, 2026, with park hours currently listed from 4 to 10 PM on opening day. Craving more theme park news? Follow us at Disney Food Blog for the latest news, reviews, and updates from Disney parks and beyond.
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