Cedar Fair, the US-based operator of regional theme parks, will invest US$90m (65m euro, £56m) in upgrading its 17 parks for the 2012 operating season.

New rides for next year include the US$27m Leviathan roller coaster at Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, Canada and the Stinger coaster at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania, US.

Built by Bolliger & Mabillard, the 306ft-tall Leviathan will reach spends of 92mph and will increase the number of coasters at the attraction to 16.

Meanwhile the Stinger, a 138ft tall steel coaster designed and built by Vekoma, will become Dorney Park's eighth coaster when it opens.

Matt Ouimet, president of Cedar Fair, said: "We have a strong philosophy of reinvesting in our parks.

"Our goal is to provide each and every guest who visits a Cedar Fair park with a best-day-of-the-year experience. We realize people have choices, and by adding new rides and attractions we are committed to keeping the parks relevant."