Author: Arthur Levine, Special to USA TODAY

You may not have heard of Santa’s Village, Story Land, Knoebels or Gilroy Gardens, but these amusement parks are filled with fun and surprises.

The success of Disney’s Soarin’ has inspired The Flyer — San Francisco, which takes visitors on a tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and more.

From the Millennium Falcon to Jedi Mind Trick drinks, see what’s in store when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disneyland this summer.

Bumper cars have been essential attractions from the earliest days of amusement parks to the present.

In addition to the two new Star Wars lands at the Disney parks, there are plenty of cool things coming to parks in 2019 .

Here are the most-anticipated new roller coasters, including West Coast Racers and Maxx Force at Six Flags and a Harry Potter ride at Universal Orlando.

One way or the other, riders aboard SeaWorld Orlando’s Infinity Falls river raft ride are bound to get soaked.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge isn’t expected to open until the fall, but there are many other cool things on the way at Disney World.

Virtually every Branson theater and attraction, including Silver Dollar City, remains open throughout November and December.