Theme parks banking on new thrill rides

During one of the world's worst recessions since the great depression, theme parks are banking on new thrill rides to boost attendance. Seaworld is hoping that their new flying roller coaster Manta will jump-start business during a stalled economy. Manta, the newest ride was just opened last Friday.

Seaworld's management is cautiously optomistic that theme parks will have a successful summer despite the slowdown. Busch Entertainment Corp. owns SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens, and Aquatica.

Not only does Seaworld hope to boost traffic at it's theme parks but Universal is also desperate to open it's new coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit this summer. Tourism executives are expecting Seaworld's Aquatica which opened last year, to draw additional tourists during the hot summer months.

With consumer confidence low this memorial day week, theme parks will have to create special deals to motivate park-goers this summer.