Austin has welcomed a new 30-acre amusement park, COTALAND, which boasts thrilling roller coasters, exciting drop and swing rides, a Ferris wheel, carousel, and a variety of shows. The park officially opened its doors over the weekend, situated adjacent to turns 19 and 20 of the Circuit of the Americas racetrack, and features more than 30 attractions catering to both adrenaline seekers and families with younger children.
Griffin Tendler, the vice president of marketing for COTALAND, emphasized the park’s design, which aims to keep families together. “Where there’s one thrill ride, there’s three or four kids’ rides right next to it,” he explained. “You get to experience the whole park as a family.”
The park’s major attractions include the Circuit Breaker, touted as Texas’ first tilt roller coaster, and Palindrome, a unique coaster that operates both forward and backward over an active roadway. However, the Circuit Breaker experienced two unplanned stops during the opening weekend. Fortunately, all riders exited safely, and no injuries were reported.
In a unique offering, COTALAND is the only amusement park in the country where visitors can take a ride on a real Formula 1 track. The Hot Lap experience allows guests to ride in a sports car alongside a professional driver, with prices starting at $175, in addition to general park admission. Single day tickets are priced between $39.99 and $75, depending on the day, with additional charges for parking, certain experiences, and premium line-skipping passes. Annual passes are available starting at $199.
Beyond the rides, COTALAND features various attractions such as arcade games, dining options, shows featuring park mascots, and fireworks on select nights. The Cloud Flyer swing ride takes guests soaring 150 feet above the park, providing breathtaking views.
The opening of COTALAND represents significant opportunities for the local community, as noted by George Morales, Travis County commissioner for Precinct 4, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The park is set to create approximately 1,300 jobs and aims to attract 1.5 million visitors annually.
Years in the making, COTALAND’s plans were unveiled in 2021. However, the opening was delayed due to weather and shipping issues. While some attractions had previously been available to visitors of the Circuit of the Americas, this weekend marked the official launch of the park.
Although the park was largely operational during a media preview day, construction materials were still visible in certain areas, and several attractions featured “coming soon” signs.
Later in the weekend, reports surfaced about the Circuit Breaker ride stopping mid-ride, leaving riders suspended at a steep angle. COTALAND confirmed that the coaster experienced an “unplanned stop” with 19 riders onboard on Saturday. They remained safely secured for about nine minutes before being assisted by ride attendants to exit. A similar incident occurred on Sunday, lasting two minutes.
In response to concerns, COTALAND emphasized that the Circuit Breaker is equipped with numerous safety sensors and systems designed to monitor operating conditions. If any required condition is not met, the ride automatically halts to ensure rider safety while attendants follow established protocols to resume operations.
Earlier this year, a lawsuit was filed against COTA and a roller coaster manufacturer for over $1 million by a park visitor who claimed he and a friend were stuck on the Circuit Breaker for over an hour in December 2025, causing serious injuries. COTALAND stated that it is reviewing the claims but cannot comment further due to ongoing litigation, reiterating that guest safety remains its top priority.
COTALAND is part of a broader expansion of the Circuit of the Americas, which aims to enhance the entertainment offerings beyond racing. The 1,500-acre venue regularly hosts concerts, the Peppermint Parkway holiday event, and bike nights for cycling enthusiasts, with plans in place for a hotel and convention center.
The opening of COTALAND comes just a month ahead of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, adding to the excitement surrounding the venue. For the latest operating hours and information, guests can visit the park’s official website.
