Leaderboard

Y'all are soft. Soft! Minebuster is an airtime speed machine on both halves. The helix is the best part, just like The Beast. It might be a little rough and tumble but it's a wood coaster, they're supposed to be. Christ, you young'ns would have died in the 90s...

It's nice to see a new classic area not filled with dumbass superhero crap.

Sounds pretty lame.

As my work trip neared its end, I used my remain mid-evening breaks to explore a little more, starting with The Jewel at Singapore Changi Airport. While I had planned to spend a little time here before my departing flight, due to the timing of that flight, I knew I wouldn't have a chance to see the place at night unless I made an earlier visit... The Jewel is super accessible in regards to the rest of the airport, but it is much easier to navigate without having to worry about bringing (or paying to check) your luggage while you explore. I can't say I ever expected to be able to see this up close. But the experience is definitely worth it! Very EPCOT-like vibes! And at night, they do a projection show on the waterfall! Exploring the rest of The Jewel means seeing some great shops and enjoying some dining along the way. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Pokemon Center in the mall. I had to be very good about not buying a ton of this. I was VERY tempted to buy this Slowpoke plush. It is very similar to the other Pokemon Center locations I'd been to in Japan. And they (kind of) have a Disney store here too. Tons of Singapore-exclusive Disney merchandise here. The most American meal I had the entire was this dinner at Shake Shack in the Jewel, as it was one of the few things still open by the time I finished roaming. The next evening I explored a little more of Sentosa beyond the main area nearest Universal. They have their own SkyHelix in Sentosa, similar to the one found at Area 15 in Las Vegas. Elissa had recommended that I try out the Singapore Luge if I had time. As it turns out, this is operated by the same company that I had experiencing luging with at Mont Tremblant, Canada a decade earlier. The complex consists of four trails of varying lengths and difficulties, but they all overlap along the way. You sit in a luge cart wearing a helmet for safety and control your luge by steering these handlebars. Pulling back releases the brake/increases the speed and releasing the bars/tilting them forward increases the brakes. After each run, you end at a station at the base where you return to a chairlift that can bring you back to the top for another round. From the chairlift you can see some of Sentosa's other attractions including this scary-looking bungee jump tower. They have a Madame Tussauds here as well. Back on the Luge they had this neat light tunnel. Once I was done with the four courses, I decided to keep roaming on foot to see what I'd find. The complex is absolutely huge. Neat to see an iFly here. I've experienced this several times over the last few decades in Orlando and it is always a good time. Sentosa is full of neat art installations that come to life at night. Several of these structures lined one of the walking trails... Each one had their own elemental experience, whether it be water... Nature... Light. Or a combination of all of the above in the finale. And somehow the path led me back here. I worked up an appetite with my adventures in Sentosa and figured I'd finish up my evening break with another round at my favorite food stop of the trip. Did I go back here for more wings and satay? That would be a yes. When in Newton Food Centre. Did I come back to try more seafood while there? That would be a resounding... YES! You'd think these were lobsters based on the size but in reality these are black pepper crawfish and they were delicious. But there was no way I was going to leave here without another round of BBQ stingray. Absolutely incredible.

Universal Studios Hollywood has shared new looks at the upcoming Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot experience exclusive to this year's Universal Fan Fest Nights! https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us/things-to-do/entertainment/ffn-scooby-doo-universal-monsters It’s Universal Monsters, Mayhem, and Meddling on the Backlot’s Biggest New Mystery Yet! Get ready for Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot, a new interactive whodunit only at Universal Fan Fest Nights! Become an extra in a movie gone wrong as iconic Universal Monsters are unleashed on the Universal Studios Backlot. You must join Scooby-Doo and gang to solve the case and save the shoot. With immersive sets, character encounters and cinematic chaos, this is one mystery you won’t want to leave unsolved. Lights. Camera. Chaos! Four suspects. One masked mastermind. Help Scooby-Doo and gang solve the mystery and come face-to-face with Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula and other iconic Universal Monsters! Hop off the tram to explore Little Europe including the Court of Miracles on Universal Studios Backlot—where the original monster movies were filmed—and meddle in the mystery of The Phantom Director’s true identity. Work together with Daphne, Shaggy and the rest of Mystery Inc. to save the day. Scooby-Doo Meets Universal Monsters Meets Yummm Fuel up like Scooby and the gang with a frightfully fun menu! Scarf down Scooby Snacks™ and indulge in tasty bites inspired by your favorite Universal Monsters. It’s a deliciously immersive way to keep the fun going between meddling and mystery. Universal Monsters, Meddling & Must-Have Merchandise Commemorate your mysterious, monstrous experience with merchandise featuring Scooby-Doo and Universal Monsters. Think You Have What It Takes to Crack the Case? Team up with Mystery Inc. as you uncover clues to solve an original case and come face-to-face with the Universal Monsters who roam the Universal Backlot. It's only at Universal Fan Fest Nights! Universal has also released new information regarding the new Forbidden Forest: Search for the Hippogriff experience along with other Harry Potter offerings exclusive to Universal Fan Fest Nights. https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us/things-to-do/entertainment/ffn-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter A New Forbidden Forest Adventure Awaits Enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Fan Fest Nights for an all-new immersive walkthrough experience. When your evening on the Hogwarts grounds goes awry, you’ll venture into the Forbidden Forest and face thrilling challenges, encounter magical creatures, and put your spell skills to the test. Will You Help a Hippogriff in Need? From mischievous Pixies to dangerous Devil’s Snare to giant Acromantula lurking in the shadows, it’s up to you and your fellow witches and wizards to aid a Hippogriff in need. This new adventure—Forbidden Forest: Search for the Hippogriff—awaits you in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Fan Fest Nights. Savor Every Spellbinding Bite Tuck in for a tasty meal at the Three Broomsticks™ in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, then toast the evening’s magic with a delicious Butterbeer™. Get Items to Add to Your Magical Collection Bring a little enchantment to your life with a collection of magical creature-inspired merchandise from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

^^ Yeah, that. It was quite a while ago when we went. However, I still remember Carowinds being a much nicer and more clean park. Six Flags Great Adventure gave us the Magic Mountain affect of poorly maintained aesthetics combined with a non cohesive park feel. The rides were great, and it stopped there. I remember the strong smell of weed and empty liquor bottles in the parking lot gave us a great initial impression. It didn't get much better from there.

Topper track?

Beto Carrero World is planning a new SpongeBob SquarePants themed area with two attractions, plus a new roller coaster and three 200-room hotels in a wave of expansion to transform the park into a resort destination. The roller coaster is claimed to be "super-technological" and slated for a 2028 opening. https://en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br/Beto-Carrero-prepares-a-giant-event-with-R%242-billion--a-new-SpongeBob-SquarePants-themed-area--and-a-super-technological-roller-coaster.-MHBB01/ Elected the second best theme park in the world in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2025, Beto Carrero World announces a new investment cycle: a SpongeBob SquarePants themed area with two attractions, a super-technological roller coaster planned for 2028, and a hotel complex with three hotels of 200 apartments each, in Penha, SC. Beto Carrero World, in Penha, on the North Coast of Santa Catarina, opened a new chapter of expansion with an investment of $ 2 billion, promising to shake up the tourism landscape and solidify the park as a complete entertainment destination. Recognized as a leader in Latin America and identified as second best theme park in the world No. Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2025, Beto Carrero They want to keep the spotlight on new themed areas, large-scale attractions, and a strong investment in on-site accommodation. Expansion of R$ 2 billion: what changes at Beto Carrero The plan announced by Beto Carrero combines expanding experiences at the park with infrastructure to accommodate visitors for longer periods in the city. The proposal involves new thematic areas, new attractions and the creation of an adjacent hotel complex, with a structure planned to increase the length of stay of visitors in the region. The park's management defines the move as a "new investment cycle" to support the constant reinvention of the business and reinforce its position as one of the most relevant names in entertainment in Latin America, with a special focus on families. SpongeBob SquarePants gets the biggest area in the world featuring the character and arrives in 2028. Among the new features, the one that attracts the most attention is the thematic area of Sponge Bob, developed in partnership with Paramount. The estimated delivery date is 2028, and the promise is that it will be the world's largest area inspired by the character. The project should include two major attractionsAnd the park states that one of them will be a landmark: The most expensive and technologically advanced roller coaster ever purchased in the Southern Hemisphere.. The goal is to combine popular appeal, international scale, and cutting-edge technology to keep Beto Carrero among the most sought-after amusement destinations. The Little Spotted Hen (Galinha Pintadinha) is coming to the park with an immersive area later this year. Besides SpongeBob SquarePants, another promising addition is a Brazilian icon: The Painted Chicken It will gain a fully immersive area, with toys, encounters with characters and The premiere is scheduled still for this year and joins in the celebrations of 34 years of the park, expanding the offerings aimed at families with young children and reinforcing the strategy of having experiences dedicated to different age groups in the same destination. Teaser for another international character on the park's radar. The CEO of Beto Carrero World, Alex Murad, he indicated that the package of new features doesn't stop there. In addition to the SpongeBob SquarePants and Little Chicken themed areas, the park also works with... another thematic area featuring an internationally beloved character worldwide., with an announcement promised "soon". The message from the command is one of long-term planning, looking ahead to the next steps. 5 and 10 years ...and reinforcing the idea of continuous updates to keep the park always attractive for first-time visitors and returning visitors alike. Three hotels within the complex: each with 200 apartments. Beto Carrero's investment isn't limited to attractions. The plan includes the construction of a hotel complex attached to the park with three hotels, and each unit will 200 apartments. The proposal also includes integration with other hotel chains, designing a new lodging and leisure hub directly linked to the park experience. The strategy aims to increase the length of stay, provide more comfort to visitors, and strengthen the local economy with a more stable flow of tourists. Penha as a tourist hub: more time in the city, more economic activity. With hotels connected to the park and more attractions on the calendar, the idea is for Penha to move beyond being just a "day trip" destination and become a complete destination, combining accommodation, leisure activities, and programs for different age groups. The park itself highlights comfort as a central part of the experience, arguing that investing in accommodations was already on the radar to create a more well-rounded package, in which visitors can sleep close to the attractions and extend their trip without depending on long journeys. Constant reinvention: what Beto Carrero has already delivered in 2025 The billion-dollar expansion comes in a context of recent developments. 2025Beto Carrero inaugurated the Hot Wheels Turbo Drive, an attraction that allows children and adults driving a full-size car on a track inspired by the world of toys. In the same year, the park opened the largest Pizza Hut unit in Brazil, the only themed one installed inside a theme park, with cowboy setting and exclusive flavor in honor of the founder. This package is adds to releases like the show "In the Rhythm of Trolls"the area NERF Mania and Cowboy country, which houses the extreme attraction Fuss. With so much change on the table, do you think that the Beto Carrero Will it be able to transform Penha into an even bigger tourist hub and become a world reference point for lodging within a theme park?

Intamin has officially announced that they will manufacture Beto Carrero World's previously-announced new roller coaster themed to SpongeBob SquarePants. The coaster will feature several record-breaking elements along with 18 total airtime moments throughout its 1.4 kilometer layout! https://www.intamin.com/2026/03/24/new-intamin-coaster-beto-carrero-world/ Intamin is proud to reveal that Beto Carrero World, Brazil’s renowned theme park, has officially announced a brand-new roller coaster in partnership with Intamin. This cutting-edge attraction will form a central part of the exciting SpongeBob themed area and is slated to open its doors to guests in 2028. The ride is a masterpiece of engineering designed to break records in the family coaster segment. The new rollercoaster will boast an impressive 1.4 km of track and includes a signature indoor immersive effect, which will hold a few surprises for you. Unprecedented technologies and record-breaking features Zero gravity: The layout will feature 18 airtime moments, delivering that floaty, weightlessness sensation. Signature indoor element: Mid-ride, guests enter a fully enclosed animated scene that immerses you in a dynamic, surprising, one-of-a-kind effect where the rules of “up” and “down” are scrambled! Dynamic Fast Switch: The first Intamin Fast Switch in Latin America provides an innovative and surprising ride experience while maintaining capacity on a high level. Dual-level seating: For the first time in Latin America, guests will be seated side-by-side on two distinct elevation levels. High capacity: The attraction will feature a dual-loading station and five trains operating simultaneously. Interwoven experience: The rollercoaster will be interlaced with a second high-end attraction in the area, creating dynamic visuals and kinetic interaction that make the area feel alive. A Major Investment in Brazil “The SpongeBob-themed Area is the most audacious project in our history. We’ve spent more than five years planning to ensure that families experience something absolutely astonishing. It’s not just an expansion — it’s an unprecedented immersion, executed by top tier professionals to bring the underwater world to life. We are delivering something unique, something that unites generations and firmly places Santa Catarina at the top of global entertainment,” says Alex Murad, CEO of Beto Carrero World. For Marie Marks, SVP Global Experiences, Paramount, the partnership has reached a level of global excellence: “We are thrilled to bring this extraordinary experience to Brazilian audiences. What Beto Carrero World is developing reflects a clear commitment to excellence and places the park in strong alignment with leading destinations around the world. We are pleased to collaborate on a project that brings the globally beloved SpongeBob universe to life with a high level of creativity and immersion. Guests can look forward to experiencing Bikini Bottom in a truly exciting new way. For Intamin, the project is a milestone: “It is a privilege to debut a roller coaster of this caliber in Latin America, setting a new benchmark for the region. We are introducing a distinguished concept to Brazil, an attraction that rivals the excellence of the world’s leading theme parks”, says Lukas Spieldiener, Chief Commercial Officer from Intamin. He added, “Challenging the standards of its category, this high-octane coaster promises Brazilian guests a breathtaking new level of excitement.” The Intamin team sincerely thanks Beto Carrero World for their long-standing partnership as well as trust placed in us and looks forward to many more years of successful collaboration. Stay tuned to Beto Carrero World and Intamin online channels for more updates about the project.

Latest pics from Six Flags Over Texas which show loading station construction progress.

Den of lost thieves at Indiana Beach

Yukon Striker has an almost identical element. Front row, right side is especially terrifying on the brakes because it shimmies like a son of a gun.

Hoping to get back to the park (at least) one more time, before The PNE officially opens (Sat.Aug.16~11 am) That said here's a PNE Photo Blast from The Past .... Here's hoping Santa (a/k/a Steve) will be back, grillin' ribs during his "off season." (PNE 2023)