IAAPA Expo 2026 in Orlando: new coasters and rides to watch

The theme park industry’s biggest trade show opens its floor Nov. 17 with a new building at the Orange County Convention Center. The public can’t go, but the rides revealed there will show up at parks families visit in 2027.

IAAPA Expo 2026 lands in Orlando next week, and the reveals are already lined up. Attractions Magazine on Wednesday published 10 things to watch, from a suspended Six Flags coaster to a water coaster in Santa Claus, Indiana.

The show floor runs Nov. 17 to 20 at the Orange County Convention Center, with education sessions starting Nov. 16. For the first time, the expo adds the convention center’s West Building, IAAPA says.

IAAPA’s site lists more than 1,100 show floor exhibitors. Attractions Magazine puts the count above 1,350 and calls it the largest IAAPA Expo in Orlando’s history.

When and where is IAAPA Expo 2026?

• Education: Nov. 16 to 19, 2026.

• Show floor: Nov. 17 to 20, 2026.

• Where: Orange County Convention Center, 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando. The expo uses the North, South and new West buildings.

• New this year: The West Building adds food and beverage, haunt and first-time exhibitor areas, plus chef demo stages. The South Building holds games and arcade, inflatables and family entertainment.

IAAPA also lists more than 170 education events and a Connect+ app for finding sessions and booths.

Can the public go to IAAPA Expo?

No. The expo “isn’t open to the general public,” Attractions Magazine reported. It’s a trade show for people who build, buy and run attractions.

So no, you can’t take the kids to test-ride a coaster car on a convention floor. The good news: several rides on this year’s list are headed to real parks as soon as 2027.

What new rides will be revealed at IAAPA 2026?

Here’s Attractions Magazine’s list, trimmed down:

• Thrill Glider, Six Flags Magic Mountain: A suspended Vekoma coaster planned for 2027. The ride vehicle debuts Nov. 17.

• United Parks (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens): A Nov. 18 presentation with expected updates on 2027 projects at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Brogent will also present a new family attraction for Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: A new immersive experience revealed Nov. 17. Veteran NASA astronaut Winston Scott is expected to take part.

• Miner’s Mountain Express, Silver Dollar City: A MACK Rides family coaster in Branson, Missouri, opening in 2027. The lead car will be unveiled.

• Cannonball, Holiday World: A MACK water coaster for the Santa Claus, Indiana, park. The vehicle design will be shown Nov. 17.

• Mattel Adventure Park, Glendale, Arizona: Falcon’s Beyond and VAI Resort will share a bigger plan that pairs the park with themed hotels.

• Guardians of the Hidden Chamber: A first look from Jacksonville’s Sally Dark Rides and Doha Quest.

• BON Luxury Theme Park, Mexico: Rides from MACK and Garner Holt Productions for a park due in 2027.

• Personal ride audio: Sanctum Audio and EDC Acoustics will show seat-by-seat sound, so riders can pick a language or volume without headphones.

• Video games turned attractions: Sega’s The House of the Dead: Reawakened, a Jumanji free-roam VR game from Zero Latency and a Miraculous game from Chuck E. Cheese.

Bonus: Maurer will show a PeopleMover-style ride with self-leveling cabins that can climb steep and even overhead track.

Are Disney and Universal at IAAPA Expo 2026?

Not on Attractions Magazine’s reveal list. Neither company has a ride announcement on it.

They’re still around the edges. IAAPA has teased signature sessions with Disney Legends, storytellers and global executives. Attendees can also sign up for IAAPA Celebrates: Universal Epic Universe, a limited-capacity event with exclusive park access.

For Orlando families, the closest-to-home reveal may be Kennedy Space Center’s new experience, about an hour east of the theme parks.

What is IAAPA?

IAAPA is the global trade group for amusement parks and attractions. Its Orlando expo is where ride makers, park owners and suppliers show off what’s next, from coaster cars to arcade games to churro machines.

We’ve been tracking several projects likely to come up next week:

• Kentucky Kingdom is building what it calls the world’s largest indoor wooden coaster, opening in 2027.

• SeaWorld Orlando’s SEAQuest slid to 2027, and United Parks’ attendance fell 4.7%.

• A new dinner dark ride serves a three-course meal while your table moves.

We’ll have the biggest reveals once the show floor opens Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Attractions Magazine (Nov. 11, 2026), the 10 things to watch, exhibitor count and public access

• IAAPA (Nov. 11, 2026), expo dates, venue, West Building, exhibitor and education counts, Epic Universe event and Disney Legends tease

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.