I Challenged Myself to Visit 12 New Theme Parks in a Year – Here’s What Happened!

“One New Theme Park a Month” and why it changed my life …

The idea was simple: once a month, I’d visit a theme park I’d never been to before. 

Not a “someday” dream. 

Not a “when life calms down” plan. A real, on-the-calendar commitment.

At first, it felt exciting… and scary. 

Like walking up to a giant coaster and thinking, Why did I choose this while going through a divorce? 

But month by month, it became this beautiful rhythm: plan → go → learn → glow up. 

Some trips were big and bold. Others were quick little weekend wins. 

Every single one reminded me that I’m capable of creating joy on purpose.

Something I need to say to keep encouraging myself during this difficult time in life.

And honestly? 

The challenge didn’t just give me theme parks. 

It gave me confidence, courage, and proof that I can build a life I love…one adventure at a time.

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Why I Started This Journey 

I started it in August of 2025 at a time when I needed something that was mine, a monthly promise to myself that life could still hold wonder, even when everything else felt heavy.

And if you’ve ever thought, “That sounds amazing… but I’m on a budget / I’m too nervous to go alone / I don’t even know where to start,” I’ve got you. 

By the end of this article, you’ll have a simple game plan to start your own challenge, even if you’re on a budget or a little nervous to go alone.

And do keep in mind that I am 5 to 6 months in so I will be continuously updating this article as I discover new parks this year.

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Step 1: Choose Your Parks

The easiest way to start is to build a “mix and match” list with some local and some destination locations. 

Start with two categories:

You don’t need twelve bucket-list mega trips in a row. You need momentum.

Tips for Making Your “Tier” List:

This is how I planned my trips for this “12 new theme parks in a year” list:

• Make a “Tier 1” list (closest + easiest)
• Have a “Tier 2” list (2–6 hours away)
• Don’t forget about the “Tier 3” list (requires flights, hotels, or a full weekend)

HIPSTER POWER TIP: If you’re nervous, start with Tier 1. From my experience so far, your confidence will level up fast (at least that’s what it did for me).

Parks I’ve Been to so Far:

Before I get into step two, I want to list all of the parks that I’ve conquered so far from August 2025 to December 2026.

• August 2025: Wild Adventures (Valdosta, Georgia), Six Flags Over Georgia (Austell, Georgia), and Fun Spot Atlanta
• September 2025: Carowinds (South/North Carolina)
• October 2025: Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
• November 2025: Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri) and Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
• December 2025: King’s Island (Mason, Ohio)

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Step 2: Set Rules for Your Challenge

Now that we have the basics covered, let me go over the rules with you. 

The rules aren’t here to restrict you, they’re here to make the challenge feel doable and personal. Think of them like your park map.

Example rule options (pick what fits your life):

• Solo only vs. “solo most months, and one friend month”
• Budget cap: for example, $150 day trip / $400 weekend / $800 destination
• Driving only for the first 3 months and flying for the next 3 months, then repeating this travel option
• One “new” park means: never visited ever (or “haven’t visited since childhood” counts)
• Ride rule: “I must try one thing that scares me” (coaster, show, talking-to-camera, etc.)

HIPSTER POWER TIP: Make your rules supportive, not punishing. If your budget gets tight or life gets chaotic, adjust the rules and keep the promise.

Step 3: Plan Like a Pro

Planning is the difference between “iconic day” and “why am I sweaty, broke, and lost?” Your theme park planning trio should include:

1. Crowd Calendars and Off-peak Dates

• Aim for weekdays
• Avoid holiday weekends if you can
• Shoulder seasons are your best friend

2. Tickets + Parking Math

Before you go, be sure to price out:

• Tickets
• Parking
• Lockers (if needed)
• Food budget
• Souvenirs (be honest with your budget here my dear Hipster bestie, lol)
• Lodging and Transportation

3. Create Your “Must-do” List

If you know me, then you should know that I love a short list that keeps the day fun (especially here on ThemeParkHipster). Here’s what you list should include:

• 2–3 must-ride attractions
• 1 show or experience
• 1 food item I have to try
• 1 “quiet moment” reset spot

HIPSTER POWER TIP: If you can swing it, travel when other people can’t during times such as the mid-week and during non-holiday weeks. Also, make sure that you arrive early with that “rope drop energy”.

Step 4: Make it Fun and Meaningful

This is where your challenge goes from “cool idea” to “main character season.” 

In this step, I recommend picking a “quest” each month with something that makes each new park feel like its own story.

Here are some quest ideas I love:

• Conquer a Coaster: first hyper coaster? first inversion? first wooden beast?
• Foodie Mission: the best cinnamon bread, best BBQ, best park dessert, etc.
• Self-care Day: slow morning, comfy outfit, photos, no rushing
• Content Challenge: one vlog, one reel, one blog post, or one journal entry
• Confidence Challenge: eat at a table alone, ask a stranger to take your photo, talk on camera in public

HIPSTER POWER TIP: Choose one quest that feels fun and one that feels growth-y (like you’re pushing past your level of comfort). That combo is magic.

Step 5: Budget for Your Trips (how to afford it)

Let’s talk about money because the dream is cute, but the budget is real.

Ways I made it work:

1. Annual Passes and Memberships

If you’re near certain chains, an annual pass can pay for itself fast and that’s exactly what I did for the Six Flags/Cedar Fair parks and Dollywood. 

I’ve also upgraded my United Parks pass so that I can visit other SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks across America.

Just make sure that you look for annual pass sales and nice perks such as: free parking, free guest tickets, and food/merchandise discounts.

2. Plan Your “big months” Early

For destination trips:

• Book hotels early when possible
• Watch for airfare dips
• Use points if you have them
• Split trips with a friend if you want, but don’t feel like you have to

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3. Eat Strategically

You don’t need to buy every snack… but also, you deserve a treat.

4. Look for Deals and Discount Trackers

• Bundle tickets when available
• Check for resident deals, hotel deals, student deals, vacation packages, AAA, Groupon deals, Viator, authorized theme park ticket dealers, flight deals, and car rental deals.
• Follow parks on social for flash sales
• Sign up on my email list for monthly theme park deals

5. Have a Tiny Side-hustle Fund

Even a small goal helps:

• “Theme park envelope” or “Piggy Bank” (set aside $25–$50/week)
• Sell unused items around your house
• A few extra freelance gigs or content bonuses (if you create)

Just know that your challenge doesn’t have to be expensive. It only has to be intentional with your clear goal in mind.

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Step 6: Track Your Progress

Tracking turns the challenge into a memory bank you can revisit anytime you need joy. I’ve had fun looking back at my blog posts, pictures and videos that have documented my fun amusement park adventures.

HIPSTER POWER TIP: And if you’re doing this as part of a healing season? Journaling hits different. Even just a few sentences can remind you later: I kept going.

My Favorite Parks I Unlocked on The Challenge

Now that you know how to make this park dream come true, I want to go over that parks that have changed my life so far on this venture:

Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)

To me, Dollywood felt like a warm hug and a hype squad at the same time. 

The Smoky Mountain scenery, the southern charm, and the comfort-food energy all felt so welcoming. 

One of my favorite “new park” moments was realizing I could move at my own pace, stop for shows, and just soak in the atmosphere without feeling rushed. 

Dollywood made me fall in love with the idea that a theme park can be thrilling and cozy. 

I went at the best time of the year, my birthday, and there were so many moments where I wanted to cry because I was finally living out my dreams.

Lesson from Dollywood: You don’t have to go fast to go far. Sometimes the magic is in slowing down.

Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)

This park gave me that “I can’t believe this is real” feeling. It was like stepping into a postcard where coasters and craft demonstrations somehow coexist perfectly. 

The park has this immersive, old-timey charm that makes the day feel like a full experience, not just ride hopping. 

I remember having a moment there where I thought, Wow… I’m really doing this. I’m really building a life that feels adventurous again. It made me so thankful and grateful for the life that God has allowed me to have.

Plus, my night ride on Wildfire woke me up from a hazy daze that I was in and I felt free!

Lesson from Silver Dollar City: Planning pays off. When you map your day well, you have more energy for the fun stuff and you can sneak in a few mountain coasters on your Branson trip.

Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania)

My trip to Hersheypark was pure joy with a side of “oh, we’re doing BIG rides today!” 

There’s something about a new park that makes you feel like a kid again, and the candy theme is basically happiness marketing in real life. 

My favorite moment was that mix of excitement and nerves before trying something new, then walking off the ride like, “Okay… who do I think I am? Because I am BRAVE.”

It was the only park so far on my adventure where every ride was a 10 out of 10!!!

Lesson from Hersheypark: Courage isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s just you saying, “I’m going anyway.”

The MOST Underrated Moments (the ones that surprised me most on this journey)

• Building up the courage to ride super scary rides such as Fury 325 at Carowinds
• Discovering my new number one roller coaster (Arie Force One…a surprising hit!)
• Asking someone to take my picture and realizing people are usually so kind
• The loving Hosts at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City who made me feel so special
• Sitting on a bench, people-watching, and feeling completely at peace
• Taking a last minute trip to Kings Island at the end of 2025, looking up at the Eiffel Tower with Christmas lights all around me, and crying because this life that I wanted so bad was finally here
• Falling in love with wooden coasters
• Realizing that I’m an air-time girlie
• Discovering incredible parks in America that are just as good (if not better) as the Disney and Universal parks
• Meeting new theme park buddies with groups such as the Blusiasts
• Leaving a park tired but proud…like I’d proven something to myself
• Finally finding Nikida again and living out my dream of visiting every theme park in the world

Those are the moments that quietly changed me for the better…

Biggest Lessons I Learned

• Budget: You don’t need luxury trips. You need a plan and a “next step.”
• Energy: Pace yourself. Hydrate. Take breaks. Your body is part of the itinerary.
• Planning: A little strategy gives you a much better day.
• Courage: Going alone gets easier the more you do it. And it’s empowering in a way that’s hard to explain until you feel it. But don’t feel bad about inviting a friend or two on this amusement park journey.

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My Final Encouragement to You: why you should start your own challenge

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to do something just for you… this is it!

Start small. Start local. Start nervous if you have to. You don’t need perfect timing or a perfect budget. You just need a decision: one new park, one new month, one new version of you.

Because the real reward isn’t just checking parks off a list. It’s the way you’ll look back after a few months and realize: I kept showing up for my own life.

Now tell me, what park are you picking for Month One? Let me know in the comments section below.

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

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