CDI Built 3 of 18 USA TODAY 10Best Aerial Adventure Park Entries for 2026

CDI Built 3 of 18 USA TODAY 10Best Aerial Adventure Park Entries for 2026

When people vote for the best aerial adventure parks in the country, they usually see the fun first.

The zip lines. The bridges. The views. The nervous laughter before the first step. The big smile after someone finishes something they were not sure they could do.

But behind every great aerial adventure park is something guests may never think about: the design and build work that made the experience possible.

That is why this year’s USA TODAY 10Best Best Aerial Adventure Park contest is such a meaningful moment for Challenge Design Innovations, also known as CDI. Of the 18 entries featured in the contest, CDI designed and built 3 of them:

■ Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures
■ Flying Rabbit Adventures
■ Wildwater, Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours

That is not just a nice number. It is a sign of trust. It shows that strong design, careful construction, and deep industry experience can lead to courses that stand out on a national stage.

And this is not a one-time moment. Multiple CDI built courses and at least one course built by CDI has been a USA TODAY 10Best winner every year since the awards started in2019.

For a company that has spent decades helping parks, camps, schools, resorts, and outdoor programs bring adventure to life, that kind of pattern says something powerful. Great courses are not accidents. They are built with purpose.Article

Recognition Matters

Aerial adventure parks are no longer a small niche. Families, tourists, school groups, corporate teams, summer camps, and outdoor lovers all look for experiences that feel active, social, and memorable.

People want more than a ride. They want a story.

They want to say, “I did that.”

That is where course design matters. A strong aerial adventure park does not simply put obstacles in the air. It creates a journey. It helps guests move from curiosity to confidence. It gives them choices. It gives them challenge. And it gives them a reason to come back.

USA TODAY 10Best recognition matters because it reflects what guests value. These parks are being noticed not only because they are exciting, but because they create experiences people remember and want to share.

For CDI, having 3 of the 18 entries in the contest points to something deeper than visibility. It shows that the company’s work helps owners create parks that can compete among the best in the country

The 3 CDI-Built Entries in the 10Best Contest

Each of the 3 CDI-built entries has its own setting, audience, and personality. That is part of what makes this achievement worth noting.

These are not copy-and-paste parks.

One sits near the coast in Florida. One brings outdoor adventure to Greenville, South Carolina. One sends guests into the mountain canopy of the Nantahala Gorge in Western North Carolina.

Different locations. Different experiences. Same foundation: thoughtful adventure design.

A Pattern of Award-Winning Course Design

One award is exciting. One strong year is worth celebrating.

But repeat recognition tells a stronger story.

At least one CDI-built course has been a USA TODAY 10Best winner every year since the awards began in 2019. That kind of consistency is hard to ignore.

It suggests that CDI’s work holds up across different years, different markets, and different kinds of adventure experiences.

That matters for anyone thinking about building an aerial adventure park, zip line tour, challenge course, or ropes course. You are not just buying lumber, cable, platforms, and hardware. You are choosing a partner to help shape the guest experience, the staff experience, and the long-term success of the attraction.

A strong course can become a signature draw. A weak one can become a daily headache.

That is why the builder matters.

Consistency Is the Real Story

In this industry, consistency is not flashy. But it is everything.

A park has to work on busy weekends. It has to work for school groups. It has to work when a nervous guest needs support. It has to work when staff are moving people through check-in, gear-up, ground school, and the course itself.

A good course design supports all of that.

It helps traffic flow. It helps guides see what they need to see. It gives guests enough challenge without creating bottlenecks everywhere. It gives the owner a better chance to run a smooth operation.

That is why repeated recognition matters. It points to something more useful than hype. It points to experience.

What This Means for Future Park Owners

For anyone thinking about building an aerial adventure park, this 10Best recognition offers a simple lesson: the right design and build partner matters.

Your course is not just an attraction. It is a business asset. It is a guest experience. It is a staffing system. It is a risk management responsibility. It is a brand statement.

That means the early decisions count.

Where should the course go? How many people should it handle? What age groups should it serve? How hard should the challenges be? Should it include zip lines? Should it include a kids course? How will groups move through it? How will staff supervise it? How will it grow later?

These are not small questions.

And they are much easier to answer with a team like CDI that has built many kinds of courses in many kinds of settings.

FAQs

1. What is the USA TODAY 10Best Best Aerial Adventure Park contest?
   

The USA TODAY 10Best Best Aerial Adventure Park contest highlights top aerial adventure parks across the country. Parks are selected for public voting, giving guests and fans a chance to support their favorite adventure destinations.

1. Which 2026 10Best entries were designed and built by CDI?
   

CDI designed and built 3 of the 18 entries: Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures, Flying Rabbit Adventures, and Wildwater's Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours.

1. Why does it matter that CDI built 3 of the 18 entries?
   

It shows that CDI’s work is connected to several nationally recognized parks. For future park owners, that is a strong sign of experience, quality, and industry trust.

: 4. Has a CDI-built course won before?

Yes. At least one course built by CDI has been a USA TODAY 10Best winner every year since the awards started in 2019. Each year, 3-5 of CDI built courses are nominated.

1. What should I look for in an aerial adventure park builder?
   

Look for a builder with proven experience, strong design knowledge, clear construction standards, and an understanding of how guests and staff will use the course every day. A good builder should help you plan for safety, flow, challenge level, maintenance, and long-term business success.