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I am hoping to be very wrong about the relocations for the coasters. I really think the spinning mouse and the kiddie coaster are the only ones moved within the chain and maybe the only one moved period. I could see Firebird or the SLC going to somewhere random like Brazil, I guess, but I wouldn't bet on it. The woodies are done. Superman is too big both in terms of cost to move and trying to fit the footprint anywhere. Nothing with an LIM launch is getting moved in 2025, nor is a Vekoma Flying Dutchman. Sad days ahead as these all get scrapped.

Too early to start 2026 addition discussions?

I was there from opening to around 5:50, having gotten off Wild One as my final ride at the park around 5:20 after a 2-hour-and-18-minue (!) wait for front row. After grabbing a few photos and videos, I went over to catch the curtain call for the final stunt show. I'll reserve my comments about this park in general out of respect to the locals, but it was sad, especially seeing the show staff pour their hearts into the final performances (which I saw and recorded for the Steam Heist stunt show and the Half-Dead High dance show) and the speeches they gave at the end. My only rides of the day were Roar (8 minute wait for front row, right at opening, and it wasn't terrible), the Capital Railways train, Pirate's Flight (hoping this rare flat makes its way back to KD), and Wild One. I thought about going back to Superman after the Wild One ride, but seeing what happened I'm glad I didn't. I honestly didn't set foot on the far side of Wild One even once today. I did to go the park back in May when the closure was announced and got rides on Wild One, Superman, Joker's Jinx, the SLC formerly known as Mind Eraser, Ragin' Cajun and the kiddie coaster (the last two were my only missing credits here), so I was satisfied with my visit tonight. I was even able to score what might have been the last piece of SFA-branded merch in the place at the end of the night (a picture frame with a broken desk stand)! Full report coming eventually.

This

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced Edge of Africa's Lion & Hyena Ridge, their largest animal habitat expansion at the park in over a decade. https://buschgardens.com/tampa/zoo/animal-experiences/lion-and-hyena-ridge/ Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge Coming 2026 to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay With the debut of Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge, the largest and most immersive animal habitat expansion at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in over a decade. This awe-inspiring new experience expands the beloved Edge of Africa area by 150 percent and introduces all-new state-of-the-art habitats, enhanced guest experiences, and unforgettable up-close animal interactions. What Guests Can Look Forward To: A grand new entrance into Edge of Africa, complete with a serene water feature and naturalistic Kopje rock formations Four shaded glass viewing structures offering 270-degree views of the habitats Up-close animal interactions and enhanced educational experiences with zookeepers Immersive, ever-changing environments that give animals the freedom to explore, interact, and thrive A Habitat Designed for Exploration & Wellness Spanning nearly 35,000 square feet, Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge features two expansive, multi-functional habitats crafted to support the physical, social, and mental well-being of each animal. The design includes: Kopje-style rock formations and naturalistic terrain Multiple enrichment zones offering variety and choice for the animals Rotating spaces that allow for dynamic social groupings and behavioral variability As always, animal care is a top priority. The habitat is built to meet the highest standards of wellness, giving our animals the freedom to choose how and where they spend their day. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime Pass Member, this is a must-see evolution of one of Busch Gardens' most beloved animal areas.

Nutcracker!

Lagoon has announced plans for a new S&S Screaming Swing ride called Nutcracker coming to the park in 2026! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPpfgp_gVoe/ https://www.ksl.com/article/51388482/lagoon-unveils-plans-for-new-screamin-swing-thrill-ride Thrill seekers will have a new reason to visit Lagoon next season. The amusement park unveiled plans Friday for a high-flying swing ride called the Nutcracker, set to open in 2026. Park officials say it aims to be one of "the most innovative and daring rides" in Lagoon's long history. Engineered by S&S Worldwide, the Screamin' Swing ride will stand over 100 feet tall and catapult swinging riders at speeds up to 68 mph. "As you swing, you won't just see the sky, you'll hang with it," said Julie Freed, Lagoon's director of special events. Riders will fly up nearly 150 feet above the ground, putting them at the same height as the Sky Coaster, according to Freed. Lagoon has partnered with industry leaders to bring this vision to life. S&S Worldwide is responsible for the ride's innovation and fabrication, Big D Construction is building the foundations and support structure and 3dxScenic is crafting the Nutcracker icon, the amusement park said. Seating 1,200 passengers per hour, the ride features g-forces "greater than an astronaut's launch," according to a park press release. "Next year, a 50-foot Nutcracker icon will proudly stand guard, ready to welcome every guest to join the fun. The best part, this icon will be dwarfed by the sheer size of the ride itself," Freed said At its most dynamic swing height of 135 feet, the Nutcracker will come in just short of the Cannibal's tallest loop at 140 feet. Shane Dustman is a frequent Lagoon visitor and pass holder. The ride enthusiast shared his excitement about the working relationship between Lagoon and S&S Worldwide. "They (Lagoon) worked with S&S in the past ... they did the Rocket with S&S, so I knew it was a swing," Dustman said. When comparing the Nutcracker to other swing rides at Lagoon, such as Tidal Wave, Dustman said, "This one is way bigger — about the same size as the Twizzling Twister at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania." Masen Curtis and Mei Gregory are high school students who visit Lagoon frequently. "I'm actually really excited for the new ride. I think it's a new opportunity for people to get more excited about Lagoon, especially since they've been making new rides. For people who like more extreme rides, it's going to be more fun, because I feel like that's what Lagoon is going for," Curtis said. "I go to Lagoon basically every year," said Gregory. "I've been so many times I know it's like the back of my hand." "My favorite ride by far is Wicked. I also really like Samurai. It's a classic. For the new ride, that looks freaking awesome, I am so excited," she said. Celebrating 139 years of family fun this year, the amusement park has been Utah's only amusement park for well over a century. The park features 55 rides, a water park and other features that make it a unique experience for attendees. Lagoon's newest ride is part of the park's ongoing commitment to refreshing the visitor experience and offering more extreme attractions, park officials said. As excitement grows, fans such as Curtis and Gregory are already planning to be among the first to experience the latest thrill. The Nutcracker is the first new ride at Lagoon in three years. The park introduced Primordial, a fantasy-themed roller coaster, in 2023. Lagoon has also announced the retirement of Jet Star II, the park's classic Schwarzkopf coaster at the end of the 2025 season. To give guests a chance to give the ride its final farewell, the park has added two bonus weekends to its operation. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1209930647827008&id=100064302537105&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=xbEnG2wwmZKNA0dv# ONE LAST RIDE: Jet Star 2’s Final Countdown! Since its thrilling debut in the Summer of 1976, Jet Star 2 has provided a generation of thrills at Lagoon. The 1,900-foot coaster isn’t just a ride; it’s a piece of #Utah history, and one of the park’s most popular attractions for nearly five decades. Lagoon will be retiring Jet Star 2 following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Join us to celebrate the incredible legacy of Jet Star 2 and take one last unforgettable ride. The park will be open TWO BONUS WEEKENDS: October 31st - November 9th, 2025*. Don’t worry- the park is planning a worthy successor! *Park Hours: Weather and other factors permitting.

Are you sure about that? Seems to me, especially here in STL, most Park improvements/additions seem like an afterthought.

We went to europa park for day one of two here. we started the day with the can can coastter, formerly eurosat, they refurbished it in 2017 and rethemed it as the moulin rouge in belle epoch Paris. The queue line themeing is great with the occasional nod to eurosat. Most importantly it rides great. It has a spiral lift hill with a rotating center column that pulls the train up the hill. It has parisian scenes and an eiffel tower as you get to the top. The trains have onboard audio synched to the ride that keeps pace. Scenery lights up as you go by including a winking moon from jules verne. Not too scary but really fun. Rode silverstreak, a b&m with great airtime. It had been mercedes themed and now is monacco grand prix themed. Not sure if it was suppodes to be a poke in the eye but they had a vintage Daimler owned by prince Ranier of Monaco. I have heard tpr sing the praises of the aquatrax and had to take the opportunity to try the one in the greece area here. Since it was drizzling and we were already a bit wet, why not. It was fun and exceeded expectations (which had been set low) Voltron was new last year and was awesome. We enjoyed the electricity themed queue line in the rain which felt disconcerting. Amazing themeing and ride with a statue of Nicholai keeping watch. pirates of batavia , having been restored from an elecrrical fire (on a water ride) was great. The queue line had some great stuff including the requisite topless mermaids. We tried out the food loop restaurant. You order your food and it gets sent out along coaster tracks including loops and helixes. The kitchen and bar send food up to a central dispatch area who distribute it to the correct table. There are special holders for drinks and food in pots down stainless steel tracks to circular tables. Each seat has a number and you get your food delivered by the food loop. Pretty fun and the food was good too. I had chicken breast on spätzle which was delicious. We finished the day in the rulantica waterpark with the ride and slide package. The indoor/ outdoor swimup bar came in handy and their wave pool is one of the most intense i have been to. It has a really bizarre lazy river that goes through caverns below the indoor waterpark with crazy themeing. They let you go around as much as you like and we finished the day with 4 more laps. it is not well explained but you can take a shuttle from the hotel in the spanish section to rulantica for free. You can take the large monorail from the front gate there.

my go to is Spider Roll (soft shell crab). . . but I like most all rolls and Nigiri (and Sashimi)