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Pointed out in the Valleyfair Facebook group, the Halloween event note in the season pass isn't there anymore. I know James Harthi has repeatedly said that parks that had Halloween events will still have them but Facebook is freaking out over everything (not a surprise) and I do hope Enchanted Parks is able to cement some of their plans and get that information out to the public.

I’m encouraged by the recent efforts by United Parks to plus some of their legacy attractions to make the experience better. And Busch Gardens Williamsburg seems to be on a roll with giving love to attractions that could use it (first Loch Ness Monster and now Verbolten). Thanks for sharing this behind the scenes look with us!

I thought the 2026 passes were activated when you purchased it. Did you upload a photo or chose take one at the park? You may need to contact the park to see if they can activate it. I didn't need to activate my Knott's pass before using it but I also uploaded a photo when I purchased it. I just added the pass to the app and it worked. I couldn't find it on the SFStl website but the Michigan's Adv site has it in the FAQ that the 2026 SF passes will be honored. I don't see anything mentioned about meal or season fastlane plans so who knows on them. So they take them but can't answer any qustions about them. https://miadventure.enchantedparks.com/park-info/faq/

Behind the Scenes at BGW’s Verbolten: Forbidden Turn Changes are brewing in Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest. The park gave us a peek at Verbolten: Forbidden Turn--the updated version of their popular launched coaster Verbolten. This “hard-hat tour” took place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. While the basic ride itself will remain the same, the storyline is new. In the original version, guests “rent” a car from Gerta and Gunther’s Tourist Center and take an ill-advised detour into the mysterious Black Forest. This journey involved one of three different stories: Storm, Spirit of the Forest, or Wolves. Much twisting, turning, and plunging ensued. While the twisting, turning, and plunging remain, Gerta and Gunther have mysteriously disappeared. The Tourist Center is now under the management of Frau Hexel and her associate Brüme. Frau Hexel just might be a witch. Her operation of a fleet of “enchanted” cars could be a tip off. These cars are supposed to keep guests safe--provided they turn left instead of right and avoid entering the Black Forest, where she has been working some magic on the trees. I think you can guess what happens. By the way, Brüme is indeed a broom--another hint that Frau Hexel might be a witch. BGW is installing new theming elements in the queue and the show building to help the story along: A fully animatronic Frau Hexel in the queue’s “ticket booth” will admonish guests not to take that wrong turn. She’ll be in the Black Forest, too. An animatronic Brüme in Brüme’s closet (formerly Gunther’s office in the queue). There was a bit of intrigue about the voice of Brüme. The park wouldn’t reveal who voiced the character. Make of that what you will. A huge, evil-looking enchanted tree, which menaces riders as they speed through the Black Forest. There are other tricks and treats coming, too. It looks like a very good upgrade to the original ride. Theme Park Review thanks Busch Gardens Williamsburg for inviting us to take the tour. Because I know someone will ask, the ride is still scheduled to open this spring. Here’s a look at what’s been going on in Verbolten: Forbidden Turn. Just look at the sea of blue and black hard hats. Park president Kevin Lembke welcomes everyone to Verbolten: Forbidden Turn. I'm pretty sure that you'll see that Black Forest billboard right before you make that forbidden turn. Call it a hunch. We're going to the Black Forest? Isn't that verboten? The evil enchanted tree is going to be installed in the next few days. The ride's layout will remain the same. Sketches and blueprints show where the new theming elements belong. Speaking of theming elements . . . Watch out for that blue lightning as you negotiate the ride's twists and turns! Hey! What's that old lady doing up there? Here's a closer look at Frau Hexel--who just might be a witch. Good luck installing the giant evil tree! This is to let you know what you're getting yourselves into. Richard Smith of Guernsey Tingle tells about the new storyline and theming. Guernsey Tingle is a local architecture and design firm (they also worked on InvadR). Frau Hexel will be in the ticket office. I like the concept art. Should be much better than the Gerta video they used to run here. This will be Brüme’s closet. More concept art. As you can see, all of Gunther's gear has been removed, but there could be some Easter eggs referring to the original ride somewhere. Here's a closer look at the mysterious Brüme. The station will retain its old look, but Frau Hexel and Brüme will appear here, too. Pay attention to those "windows" in the queue (see the upper right of the concept art). See you later, Enchanted Blue Train. You'll exit via Frau Hexel's house, which by a strange coincidence also contains a gift shop. We also sampled some of the new food for this year's Food & Wine Festival (starting April 23). Here are the Caesar Salad (Italy), Mofongo Casserole (Puerto Rico), and Bourbon Pecan Balls (Scotland). One last look at Verbolten: Forbidden Turn. Thanks for reading!

Australia's "Aussie World" amusement park aims to expand with the conditional approval of a new water park build adjacent to the existing theme park. https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2026/03/10/aussie-worlds-60m-waterpark-expansion-approved/ The Sunshine Coast is set to be home to a new waterpark after Aussie World’s proposal to build a $60 million facility was given the green light. The plan to build the waterpark on privately owned land to the north of the existing Palmview attraction was approved, subject to conditions, by Sunshine Coast Council on March 6. Aussie World’s parent company Timevale Pty Ltd initially submitted the development application in June 2024, with the concept design featuring 16 waterslides for all ages and numerous pools and waterplay areas. The waterpark is also set to include food and beverage outlets, a pool bar, sun lounges, cabanas and souvenir shop. The council issued a request for further information in July 2024, with Aussie World responding via town planners Project Urban in June last year. Further advice was provided by council in July, with the applicants replying in December. The council’s approval includes 105 conditions and has a currency period of six years. The waterpark would be to the north of the current Aussie World theme park. A minimum of 655 car parking spaces must be provided, with a two-storey car park to be built along Frizzo Connection Road, more than doubling the current capacity at Aussie World. The conditions also include measures to minimise impacts on residents of the Palmview Forest estate to the west, with the advice from council noting it had received a petition with about 300 signatures expressing concerns. “The residents raise residential amenity concerns, in particular about the proximity of the proposed rides and potential noise impacts,” it said. The conditions say any buildings, excluding waterslides, are limited to a maximum height of 15 metres. All slides must also be set back at least 50 metres from the western boundary, and any within 70 metres of that boundary are not permitted to exceed 35 metres. “Retention of a 30-metre-wide vegetated area (which will continue to contain mature trees) will also assist in visually screening the proposed development from nearby residences,” the documents state. Project Urban notes Aussie World also conducted a survey, with about 91 per cent of 765 respondents indicating support, and that some adjustments were made to the initial proposal in response to setback concerns. “The overall extent of the waterpark has been retained. However, rides have been relocated within the development footprint,” it said. An Aussie World spokesperson said the theme park was cautiously excited about the milestone. “The Sunshine Coast Council’s approval of Aussie World’s proposed waterpark is a very positive development and an encouraging step forward for the project,” they said. “However the approval comes with 105 conditions that we need to carefully review before we can progress any further, and this will take time. “After an initial discussion with consultants, it appears there may be several conditions that could be challenging to meet in their current form and it is likely we will need to return to council with a proposal seeking modifications to some of these conditions. “We remain optimistic and will provide further updates as we progress.” The site plan for the waterpark, with the two-storey car park at the top left. The existing theme park is to the right. Architectural plans by Future Design World provide more details about the plans for the waterpark. “The overall theming treatment for the Aussie World Water Park is based on nature and native Australian flora and fauna,” it says. “Area treatments will feature native animal names, topiary and themed elements such as life-size animal sculptures. The architecture sets a backdrop for generous native landscaping, feature trellises, terraced rockwork and passive solar design based architectural treatments. “The buildings are intended to create a subtropical open-air indoor/outdoor vernacular using classic Australian building materials including corrugated iron roofs and cladding as well as natural timber elements. “In conjunction with the architectural theme, the waterpark will be nature and native Australian animal-themed with lush subtropical landscaping endemic to the Sunshine Coast. The waterpark will have Australian animal-based attraction names, signage and theming opportunities that appeal to both young and old while continuing the Aussie World celebration of everything Australiana.” The plan also includes clearing about 2.9 hectares of vegetation, some of which Project Urban notes has previously been disturbed and is currently used for skirmish. The clearing will be offset through financial contributions and a rehabilitation plan. A bus set-down area, passenger loading zone and bus-only lane, as well as upgrades to the intersection of Frizzo Connection Road and Pignata Road, and the northern access to the site from Frizzo Connection Road, are also required. Aussie World has previously said the waterpark will draw an estimated 780,000 annual visitors by 2031, generating $15.2 million to $30 million towards the local tourism economy and up to $39 million through the three-year construction period. It will create employment for 193 full-time staff during the peak season and 87 full-time staff during non-peak periods. “The waterpark will continue to strengthen the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as the tourism capital of Queensland for families and young adults, adding to the already exceptional line-up of tourist attractions across the region,” general manager Jenny Howell said in 2024. Aussie World has been operating on the site since 1989. The approval says the waterpark can operate from 7am-7pm Sunday to Wednesday and public holidays, and 7am-10pm Thursday to Saturday. It is expected to have a maximum capacity of 1800 patrons per day.

This is great for the coast , sunshine, water and fun, it's what we had on the coast, pacific waterslides at Alex, black hole at Curramundi the fun has been taken away and this has been spoken about for many years, about time, let's just hope it's not a long process in getting it up and going

This is pretty much how I feel about all top tier coasters. For anyone who loses appreciation, I recommend riding less frequently. I have so much more appreciation and get an actual thrill experience out of riding one or two coasters at a park. The other 95% of my day is being with our five-year-old and having a blast screwing around or riding bullshit rides with her. My appreciation for MF revolves around the setting and pure sensation of speed. For me, not every ride needs a lot of forces. I love The Beast, and most of that is just high speed cruising through the woods. I oversaturated my life with roller coasters and parks at one point pre-kid, where I remember calling great rides like Valravn and Cheetah Hunt boring. I have probably averaged as few as 10-15 roller coaster rides a year, with the exception of my 40th CP birthday trip. I love enjoy them all at this point. Yet, none of them are as fun to me anymore as riding a junior roller coaster with Eve.

This is how The Beast was created. I see no problems.

So disappointed to see the news of restructuring (again) and the return of park presidents to some of the big parks (SFOG & SFOT included) but absolutely crushed to hear that Six Flags and Jeffrey Siebert have parted ways. A huge loss to Six Flags regardless on which side the separation initiated from He did SO much to improve not only SFFT in his years there as park president - but so much to improve the regional properties in the past year he will be truly missed and I wish him the best in future endeavors