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I have made it to Oktoberfest this year . My friend mike is meeting me tomorrow to start an achterbahn und bier trip. i started a week earlier and went to the drinktec convention and we will spend some time in munich before heading out to freiburg for europa park, mannheim for holiday park, home of expedition geforce, stuttgart for tripsdrill and the cannstatter wasen fest before returning to munich to finish off. I saw part of the opening parade lots of horse drawn bierwagons and brass bands. I have confirmed that olympia looping is still one of the most awesome things on the planet i got on the third train and it was great You must stay hydrated and the paulaner hefeweizen booth nearby offers a nice view. alpina bahn was running well too. It is my first time trying the new trains. I got a middle seat for some mild airtime. There are no headrests and at the bottom of the first drop there is a janky little curve that will keep chiropractors in business. Anybody else here, feel free to reach out. It is hot today at 30C but an awesome time. Maybe some night rides would be good. i was last here in 2014 and rode olympia looping 15 times. My goal itls to do 20 this year. Tickets are 14 euro bit still less than the airfare and more legroom than lufthansa.

Waking up for our final day onboard the Disney Treasure meant a packed day ahead with food, beach fun and lots more to take in across the ship. It's always the best day on a Disney Cruise when you're able to get Churro Mickey Waffles. Our final day of the cruise was marked by a visit to Disney's Castaway Cay. Daisy was out front to greet us! Look at this stuff! Isn't it neat? A look at the ship's aft design... Hi Bob! So much room for activities! The first of many captains I'd see today! Classic pose in a classic spot. Tis the reason for the season! Hiya pal! Howdy Goofy! One of my favorite vantage points of the ship on the island. This one as welll! Pluto was out meeting guests in front of Mt. Rustmore. The Maui shirt is pretty great. After some time at the beach (no photos, just relaxation) it was time to head back to the ship. That night would be our final meal in Plaza de Coco with the evening's theme and show being set around Dia de los Muertos. This Beef Birria Empanada kicked off the meal on a high note! Hector and Mama Imelda join Miguel in a celebration of the Day of the Dead that feels like a direct extension of the film Coco, in the best way. As the dinner and the show carries on, the restaurant's decor changes to match the spirit world vibe. These Red Chicken Enchiladas were amazing! So many great flavors to choose from and we loved them all (especially the Blistered Poblano Pepper)! My wife loved the Cappucino Creme Brulee Cheesecake. It isn't a Disney Cruise without at least one sundae consumed... This one featured dulce de leche ice cream, banana bread, cinnamon fried tortillas and whipped cream. Oh, and I was surprised with a birthday celebration onboard. Plaza de Coco is a great venue and a fantastic tribute to the film Coco. Roaming the ship on the final night as I always do, I had a chance to admire much of the art found in the stairwells and stateroom deck lobbies... I really like this display themed to Onward. They now have one of these for the Disney Wish and for the Disney Treasure. The hallway of Diseny heroines. The path leading to the Wonderland Cinema... I might have bought a print of this from the Art of Disney on Demand... I might have. I love how much this ship embraces 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea! Proper Enchanted Tiki Room representation found! The carpet in the stateroom deck lobbies matches the motifs of decor found in the staterooms... Proper Jungle Cruise representation found! A great piece inspired by Encanto. I was even surprised to find some Treasure Planet art onboard! I'm not crying, you're crying. The hallway lamps each project character designs around them in cute ways... These lamps also match the motif of the staterooms they neighbor. I would eventually end up buying this for home... Our final show in the Walt Disney Theater was Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorites across all of the fleet. As per tradition, on the final night of a Disney Cruise, there is a "farewell moment" that allows guests to say goodbye to the many characters they've encountered through their cruise. Oh Captain, my Captain! On the Disney Treasure, this farewell has no shortage of characters who fill the Grand Hall. Genie stops in and brings with him some confetti! Bilge-rats from Captain Hook's crew interrupt to represent the fun that was had on Pirates Night. Spiderman swings by for a brief goodbye! Captain Minnie, Captain Mickey and friends say "See Ya Real Soon!" one last time... And our storytellers Sage and Coriander, having found the fabled Treasure, set off to retell this story to new audiences... More love for 20,000 Leagues and I'm not going to complain! I popped into Scat Cat Lounge to check out this Aristocats-inspired venue. Some fancy, feline glassware going on in here. Can't stop staring... Won't stop staring. Ok, last one... I promise. I found it but I'm not going to tell you where! I do love that the ships' horns are visible and themed on the Disney Wish and the Disney Treasure! A look at the Concierge Tower Suite and the Toy Story Splash Zone at night. Love this! So much fun in one shot! We woke up the next morning back in Port Canaveral and it was time to drive (sadly, not sail) away... Another amazing cruise had finished, and this time, we had a new ship that's vying hard for consideration as one of our favorite ships in the fleet!

I had no idea Six Flags purchased this park, too.

Dollywood has announced their new attraction, "NightFlight Expedition," an indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride. This new experience will open in 2026 in the Wildwood Grove section of the park. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250917317294/en/Dollywoods-Newest-Attraction-Revealed-NightFlight-Expedition-Soars-Into-Wildwood-Grove-in-2026 Eager Dollywood guests no longer have to wonder what’s taking shape inside the sprawling new building in Wildwood Grove, as officials today announced NightFlight Expedition, a more than $50 million attraction coming to the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park in 2026. It is the largest attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts. “I’m just so proud that Dollywood has grown so much in its first 40 years that we’re able to add a ride like NightFlight Expedition. I have no doubt it’s going to be a huge part of Dollywood’s next 40 years," said Dolly Parton prior to the event. NightFlight Expedition, the first attraction experience of its kind in the world, combines four unique features into one groundbreaking thrill ride sure to delight guests of all ages. Created and built by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios and esteemed manufacturer Mack Rides, the custom-designed amphibious ride vehicle interacts with vivid multimedia projections, dynamic onboard and offboard audio, as well as special lighting effects, to immerse guests in an extraordinary Smoky Mountain adventure. Mack Rides recently won the 2025 Amusement Today Golden Ticket for Best New Innovation thanks to the ride system utilized in NightFlight Expedition. Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton and Herschend President and CEO Andrew Wexler made the announcement on Wednesday morning at DP’s Celebrity Theater. Park namesake Dolly Parton—who had a last-minute conflict and was unable to attend the announcement—sent her best wishes and shared her excitement via video. As the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, NightFlight Expedition takes Dollywood guests on an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation’s most-visited national park. During the 5 1/2-minute experience, guests soar on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies, enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a mysterious shimmering lake by boat. “I’m just so proud that Dollywood has grown so much in its first 40 years that we’re able to add a ride like NightFlight Expedition,” Dolly said about the attraction. “I have no doubt it’s going to be a huge part of Dollywood’s next 40 years. We’re always trying to take the natural beauty of the Smokies and make it part of everything we’re doing in the park, and they’ve definitely been able to do it with this ride. “A lot of people ask me about my favorite season in the Smokies, but no one ever asks me what my favorite time of day is. Our new ride sends you out into the mountains at night, which is the time that I think they really come to life! Obviously, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for the synchronous lightning bugs, but I also love to just sit and listen to the owls calling or the frogs croaking, and I love to see the stars sparkling like rhinestones up in the big old sky. It’s pure mountain magic.” Naughton expects the ride’s distinctive nature to generate significant excitement, positioning it as a must-see attraction for families and theme park enthusiasts alike. “NightFlight Expedition is truly exceptional, combining cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling that stays true to the heart of Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains to deliver an experience unlike anything else,” he explained. “As the largest addition in our history, it not only represents a major milestone for our company, but it also sets a new standard for guest offerings. “The attraction is designed to engage families with its vivid storytelling and to delight thrill-seekers with its innovative elements. This expansion underscores Dollywood’s ongoing growth and evolution, and we’re proud to be considered among the best theme park experiences in the world. NightFlight Expedition allows us to celebrate our rich Smoky Mountain heritage, while creating a ride that helps us deliver on providing a world-class experience.” NightFlight Expedition—which features a 39” height requirement—is located inside a 44,000 sq. ft., temperature-controlled facility, allowing it to operate independently of the Smoky Mountain weather. At the heart of the ride’s adventure is the search for Secret Lake, the water source thought to provide Wildwood Grove’s Wildwood Tree with its colorful glowing canopy. Guests set out on their expedition to find Secret Lake with the help of twin scientists, Cora and Jasper Oakley, who just happen to be the niece and nephew of Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, Ned Oakley. The twins, who work out of a hangar at Hidden Hollow Aviation, have invented the Bioluminator, a device designed to detect and amplify bioluminescence, the biochemical emission of light by living organisms. Cora and Jasper mount the device onto their family’s one-of-a-kind amphibious aircraft to illuminate the Wildwood Tree’s glowing roots and follow them to Secret Lake. NightFlight Expedition is anticipated to open in Spring 2026, so adventurers should begin preparing early to join Cora and Jasper on their journey. In recognition of their loyalty, current 2025 Dollywood season passholders can purchase a 2026 season pass now, the earliest time ever in the history of the park. Current passholders who renew now will be given the opportunity to experience NightFlight Expedition before it opens to the public. Non-passholders interested in a 2026 season pass can pre-register now through Oct. 5 at Dollywood.com/NewPass. Pre-sales for those registered begin Oct. 13. Season passes go on sale to the public on Nov. 1. Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season continues with the Harvest Festival presented by Humana (now- Oct. 27) which celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood. Several headline artists visit the park during the festival including Triumphant Quartet (Sept. 15-19), Keith Anderson (Sept. 20-21), The Grascals (Sept. 22-24), Lee Roy Parnell (Sept. 28), Sidewalk Prophets (Sept. 29- Oct. 3), Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (Oct. 5-7; Oct. 13-14), Emily Ann Roberts (Oct. 8-12) and Dailey & Vincent (Oct. 15-19). The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 4, 2026)—concludes the park’s 2025 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year. For more information about Dollywood events, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app. For more information about NightFlight Expedition, please visit Dollywood.com/NightFlightExpedition.

Also lots of neat flat rides with cool lighting The mist made them glow

Monday was cooler and rainy so we went to the deutsches museum. Really cool. Then a little refreshment at the hofbrau haus where we met new friends Then off to the weisen It was misty foggy and agreat atmosphere for some night rides And then finished off with an upside down beer to review olympia looping. not sure how to make this right side up: maybe turn phone upside down. we are going there today and will check our the oide wiesen the old oktoberfest.

They don't look new. Just repainted.

Those costumes look great. How do the new trains ride compared to the older ones? Thanks for sharing.

And last, but not least.......

I was there on a Saturday night during a concert many years ago and they actually ended up keeping the stuff close to the center of the park open at least an extra hour. Fahrenheit, Storm Runner, Skyrush, etc were all walk ons because they didn't really tell anyone they were staying open late. Most of the lot had cleared out by the time they finally closed. Last year I went on a concert day to use my preview night and it took almost 2 hours to get to Troegs from the highway. That was miserable.

New white Titan train!

I'm going to be cautiously optimistic although not having too much of an expectation for how good it might be. Another dark ride will be good for something else to do when it rains.

SeaWorld Orlando has announced "SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep," a new suspended dark ride opening at the park in 2026. https://seaworld.com/orlando/rides/sea-quest/ SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep A Deep Sea Adventure Like No Other Prepare to dive into an unforgettable journey beneath the waves on the world's first-of-its-kind suspended dark ride. Opening in 2026, SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep takes families on an awe-inspiring voyage into the ocean’s most extraordinary realms. Step aboard a state-of-the-art submersible and discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder. SeaWorld Orlando’s Next Big Adventure Surfaces in 2026 Following the 2025 debut of Expedition Odyssey, SeaWorld Orlando is pushing the boundaries of family thrills once again. On SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, guests will embark on a vibrant submersible adventure through dazzling undersea ecosystems, where they’ll encounter extraordinary lifeforms, breathtaking environments, and inspiring stories of the sea. This groundbreaking attraction plunges explorers into an environment of awe and mystery, guided by the SEA Collective’s Adventure Team. From an immersive feel and advanced special effects to a spectacular finale launch that celebrates the ocean’s resilience and beauty, SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep fuses science and spectacle into an extraordinary family adventure. Annual Pass Members will be among the very first to ride when this bold new attraction surfaces in 2026.

It would depend how Six flags allocates it's budgets. Rides are a capital expense. Known as capex. I imagine that when they create their budgets for the next fiscal year, they do take park management requests into consideration. It would be silly not to, otherwise why else would you have a park manager if not to advocate for the park?

I will be attending the official announcement of our new record breaking Dive Coaster next week! Stay tuned for more updates as we will soon know everything about this incredible new coaster, including an official POV!

Thanks for all of the pictures.

giga coaster lol

Anyone know the real details regarding Spinsanity? Down all season, what's the deal? And hopefully Tsunami Soaker gets removed soon. it's beginning to rival the old Barrell ride SBNO status. This is the type of thing that makes SFSTL look bad. SBNO rides and empty lots surrounded by fences.

Your dreams are not in question. Corporate dreams, on the other hand, may be slightly smaller than yours.

I used to have dreams like that years ago, but truthfully, I'd LOVE something like AlpenFury... something along those lines would be great for our park, but I'll be holding my breath for a long long long long long time

I have big dreams for our park. I prefer to think I could see it happening. The ROI is probably on the lower end and would take more time to earn back. It's probably why it hasn't happened yet.

100%. The person I was with also has not seen any of the series and loved it. That being said it probably wouldn't hurt to look up a quick rundown of the series and the various monsters. Also general warning to everyone, there are points where you have to crouch and crawl. If you are not comfortable with that, just tell the workers at the entrance and the "tour guide" in that room. There are ways around said parts. I wouldn't want anybody to skip the attraction because they think they *have* to crawl.

Toxicity is a cool Halloween themed show at the Southern Palace. It features acrobatic performances.

Fright Fest Begins!!

Staging area is filling up fast!

So last post about the food on legacy SF memberships until I simply try it out sometime next year and see if it works. I was as an ACE event at SFSTL and asked management at the lunch. One person flat out told me he had no idea if it was carrying over or not. The other (a very long time employee of the park) simply repeated the "all pass add ons" will be usable at all parks. Problem being this isn't an add on. It was included as part of the membership upon purchase of the membership. I know for a fact not everyone with a membership has the same food offerings, it depended on when you bought it, so.............that's where I think the confusion is. I really don't think they know and it will be a matter of just waiting to see if it is accepted or not.

That’s great, but not to be that person… They still need to get Kumba back online, Iron Gwazi back to a two-train operation and the rest of the park back to an operational standard that justifies the cost of admission, or the schlep of a drive for a passholder… Because right now, the park is a far cry from the quality experience for which it used to be prided.

Did the Moose out front tell you?

ProTip: If going to Hersheypark on the night of a sold-out show at the Stadium, which is likely to let out right at Park closing, leave earlier. I've moved maybe one car length in the last half hour. Ugh LOL. Update: It took me just over an hour to get out of the lot.

Someone who was on the ride with him said in an interview it looked like his leg was also broken and there was a large piece of metal hanging from his seat