WeSalute Review: Theme Park Travel Guide 2025

Fans of amusement & theme parks are once again jumping into their favorite time of year, where breathtaking rides and fascinating attractions are drawing millions to these popular destinations through summer and expected to continue into fall.

Some of the nation’s largest boast incredible new offerings, as your WeSalute Membership gets you there with significant savings & convenience. Drawing on WeSalute’s 25+ years of experience advising members on military discounts, this WeSalute Travel Guide is designed to help you find affordable and great travel experiences for the whole family! If you are new to WeSalute, start by creating a free account to gain access to hundreds of offers and if you want even more benefits, including exclusive discounts you can’t find anywhere else, sign up for WeSalute+ today!

Major theme parks have made multimillion-dollar investments in new attractions and expansions opening throughout 2025 to help continue strong attendance numbers. Industry experts express a renewed sense of excitement for the 2025 season, with parks continuing to innovate and expand their offerings.

Some parks are close enough by car for an impulse weekend getaway, while others offer great weather locations that are bound to attract visitors all year round. If you are traveling by car why not take this opportunity to save on your next rental with Avis? WeSalute+ Members enjoy significant benefits on rentals globally, including up to 35% OFF car, truck, and SUV rentals. Members also receive a complimentary annual upgrade to Avis Preferred Plus status, enhancing savings and the overall travel experience. As a WeSalute+ Member you unlock a full package of daily savings, including this Avis offer and other exciting travel discounts you’ll find below. Your membership also includes exclusive access to a Personal Benefits Specialist for dedicated support, to ensure you maximize these benefits as A Real Thank YouⓇ for your service and that’s just the beginning!

Ready to dive into the magic and movie thrills of Southern California?

At Disneyland Resort, 2025 marks the start of a year-long 70th Anniversary Celebration. Highlights include the all-new "World of Color Happiness!" and the return of "Wondrous Journeys" nighttime spectaculars (enhanced with fireworks on select evenings). You can also enjoy the returning "Paint the Night" parade and the "Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration" parade. The highly anticipated “Tiana's Bayou Adventure", replaced “Splash Mountain" in November 2024.

Further exciting developments include an expansion of Avengers Campus with new attractions like Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, a "Coco" attraction, and the debut of the first-ever Walt Disney audio-animatronic at the Main Street Opera House. Don't miss the updated "it's a small world" with new "Coco" dolls and décor, and seasonal events like Season of the Force and Plaza de la Familia. The Downtown Disney District also continues its transformation with new dining and retail. If Disneyland Resort is something you have been dreaming about, why not save 10% when you visit and make that dream a little more obtainable?

Just across town, Universal Studios Hollywood continues to thrill. While the new "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift" roller coaster is slated for 2026, the park is hosting the "Universal Mega Movie Summer" from June 13 to August 10, 2025, featuring new character meet and greets, splash-filled attractions, and cinematic anniversaries. The critically acclaimed Super Nintendo World, which opened in 2023 with the groundbreaking Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, remains a massive draw. Other popular attractions include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Studio Tour, Jurassic World: The Ride (featuring a new Indominus Rex), and The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash. The "Fast & Furious—Supercharged" Studio Tour attraction closed March 10, 2025, paving the way for a new experience to be announced in the future. Don’t forget to save when you visit these stand out attractions and more at Universal Studios Hollywood!

Do military and veterans receive travel discounts at SeaWorld locations in California, Florida, and Texas?

Yes they do! Where else can you challenge thrill-a-second rides one minute and discover fascinating marine life the next? Take your family below the surface, above the waves, and beyond your expectations and save up to 35% at SeaWorld parks.

SeaWorld San Diego is unveiling the much-anticipated "Jewels of the Sea: A Jellyfish Experience" in 2025, an immersive and interactive aquarium. The park's first coaster, Journey to Atlantis, has also been reinvented for 2025 with a refreshed storyline and new visual effects.

SeaWorld Orlando launched a revolutionary new immersive experience “Expedition Odyssey” in Spring 2025, taking guests on a breathtaking journey to the top of the world and beneath the sea.

At SeaWorld San Antonio, young guests can explore the all-new "Rescue Jr." hub, a kid-friendly, hands-on adventure zone focused on animal rescue efforts. The park also features the "HydroPower: Xtreme FX" waterski show and the "ImaginOcean" black-light puppet show musical adventure.

Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Steals the Show in 2025

The biggest news in the theme park world for 2025 was the grand opening of Universal Epic Universe on May 22, 2025. This brand-new theme park transports guests to five incredibly themed worlds: Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. This significant expansion makes Universal Orlando Resort an even more expansive vacation destination.

Beyond Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure continue to offer unforgettable experiences for every member of your family, from riding the movies to exploring epic adventures in lands like Marvel Superhero Island, Jurassic Park, and the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas.

How About New Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides at Busch Gardens and Coney Island?

Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 with the grand opening of "Return of the Wolf," also known as "The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge," North America's longest inverted family coaster. Also, adjacent Water Country USA debuted its new multi-level interactive play structure, "High Tide Harbor," for 2025. WeSalute Members can save when traveling to Busch Gardens, too! If you are not already a member, start by signing up for free!

In Brooklyn, N.Y., Luna Park at Coney Island, which originally opened in 2010, kicked off its 2025 season with opening weekend celebrations for the Coney Island Cyclone's 98th anniversary and some park upgrades including refreshed retail and dining areas. Join in the celebrations this travel season with savings to Luna Park!

Six Flags is Filled with Thrills

Six Flags America outside Washington, D.C., introduces "Wrath of Rakshasa" for 2025, touted as the steepest and most inverted dive coaster in the world, promising a thrilling new experience. Save up to 40% and check it out for yourself!

What other parks across the nation continue to offer exciting new additions?

Darien Lake: For 2025, the "Mind Eraser" suspended looping coaster has been newly improved with a profiled track, new paint job, and updated trains.
Dollywood: Updates for 2025 include a new Wilderness Pass Restaurant, a refresh of The Village and Country Fair areas (with a new splash pad), the reimagined Imagination Playhouse, a new paint job for the Tennessee Tornado, and a refurbishment of Blazing Fury.
Dorney Park: Exciting waterpark enhancements are coming in 2025, including the reimagined Lightning Falls & Cascade, a new bar experience called 21° and Colder, and an updated shopping area. The park also debuted the thrilling Iron Menace dive coaster in 2024.
Holiday World: "The Nerveless Nocks" will bring a thrilling new act to the park for 2025, featuring a Sphere of Fear and other daring performances. The park also recently introduced the popular Good Gravy! family roller coaster in 2024.

Kings Island: The Soak City Water Park has debuted first-of-its-kind thrills in 2025 with "RiverRacers," the first and only dual-racing water coaster in Ohio, and "Splash River Junction," seven new kids' water slides.

LEGOLAND New York Resort: Opened its fifth season on April 10, 2025, with the launch of the "LEGO DUPLO PEPPA PIG Playground," bringing the beloved preschool series to life for young guests.

WeSalute is here to help you plan your next adventure! Not a WeSalute+ Member yet? Now might be the time to ensure you get the deepest savings available to you! And for even more savings on a wide range of products and services, be sure to explore the WeSalute Marketplace.