NEW YORK — It's a big year for fans of theme parks and roller coasters all over North America. The long list of new attractions includes the rock 'n' roll-themed Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C.; the Nickelodeon-themed park at Minnesota's Mall of America; Toy Story Mania! at Disney; The Simpsons at Universal; and enough new thrill rides to literally make your head spin.

The coasters include Behemoth, Canada's longest, fastest and tallest coaster, opening at Canada's Wonderland near Toronto; Fahrenheit at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, and The Dark Knight Coaster at Six Flags in New Jersey and near Chicago, based on the upcoming Batman movie "The Dark Knight." There are also new Tony Hawk-themed rides opening at several Six Flags, a water ride at Dollywood where you shoot giant soakers at other riders and interactive targets, and new children's areas at SeaWorld, Cedar Point and other parks.

While theme-park admission can be pricey for a family of four, David Mandt, spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, mentioned a couple of ways to save. Tickets bought online are often cheaper than at the gate; parks sometimes offer deals or discount coupons on soda cans, milk cartons or other items; and some employers offer theme-park discounts as a benefit.