A.J.

2021 Top 25 Wooden Coasters El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure (even) Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City (+1) Wildfire - Kolmården Wildlife Park (+2) T Express - Everland (even) Phoenix - Knoebels Amusement Park and Resort (+1) Voyage - Holiday World (+2) Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce (even) Colossos Kampf der Giganten - Heide-Park Resort (+1) Balder - Liseberg (+1) Dauling Dragon - Happy Valley Wuhan (new to top 25) Mystic Timbers - Kings Island (+3) Goliath - Six Flags Great America (even) Wooden Coaster Fireball - Happy Valley Shanghai (+2) Ravine Flyer II - Waldameer Water World (-3) Coaster - Playland (at the PNE) (-2) Renegade - Valleyfair (+2) Shivering Timbers - Michigan's Adventure (even) Tremors - Silverwood Theme Park (+1) Mine Blower - Fun Spot America Kissimmee (-3) GhostRider - Knott's Berry Farm (even) Gold Striker - California's Great America (+1) Cú Chulainn - Tayto Park (-1) Troy - Toverland (even) Wodan Timbur Coaster - Europa Park (+1) Prowler - Worlds of Fun (new to top 25) 2021 Top 25 Steel Coasters Lightning Rod - Dollywood (new to top 25, changed from wooden coaster) Untamed - Walibi Holland (-1) Skyrush - Hersheypark (even) Twisted Timbers - Kings Dominion (+3) Maverick - Cedar Point (even) Twisted Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain (+3) Expedition GeForce - Holiday Park (-3) Steel Vengeance - Cedar Point (-6) Fury 325 - Carowinds (+2) Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion (+3) Helix - Liseberg (-1) Taron - Phantasialand (even) Wicked Cyclone - Six Flags New England (+3) Zadra - Energylandia (new to top 25) Hyperion - Energylandia (+9) Millennium Force - Cedar Point (-2) Taiga - Linnanmäki (new to top 25) Jurassic World VelociCoaster - Islands of Adventure (new to top 25) Ride to Happiness - Plopsaland De Panne (new to top 25) Twisted Cyclone - Six Flags Over Georgia (-2) Hakugei - Nagashima Spa Land (new to top 25) Lech Coaster - Legendia (new to top 25) Superman The Ride - Six Flags New England (-1) Medusa Steel Coaster - Six Flags Mexico (-18) Nemesis - Alton Towers (new to top 25)

Hey everyone! We are happy to announce that the results for the 2021 TPR Coaster Poll are now IN! https://coasterpoll.com/ The Theme Park Review Coaster Poll is an ongoing effort by myself (A.J.), Chase (Comeagain?) and Robb (robbalvey). We're continuing to work hard to develop THE definitive annual ranking of the world's roller coasters! The reason why this poll exists is because the Mitch Hawker poll, which was considered by many to be the quintessential roller coaster poll for nearly 20 years, had kind of fallen into a black hole leaving few polls or awards that exist that we would put real faith into the results. Theme Park Review is proud to have been the first website to hold a "Hawker-style" poll since the original Mitch Hawker poll ended, with the first TPR Coaster Poll being held in 2017. We are also proud to say that this year, we received over one thousand ballots for our poll! We would like to thank everyone who participated in what is the best year in the TPR Coaster Poll so far! The way the Hawker-style poll works is that instead of being a “popularity contest” of “he who gets the most votes wins”, it actually ranks and weights people’s real life riding experience against each other. It takes into account how many coasters you’ve ridden and how those rankings compare against others with similar experiences. It also means that no matter if you’ve ridden 50 or 500 coasters, the results are “fair and balanced.” There have been two significant changes to the poll listings this year. They are as follows: Despite RailBlazer at California's Great America and Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas being "prototype" models for the Rocky Mountain Construction Single Rail Coaster, their layouts are similar enough to Stunt Pilot at Silverwood that we will be classifying all three together as a single clone entry. We are doing this to allow for more diversity in the top rankings and we will not be entertaining any questions or complaints about it. More significantly, Lightning Rod at Dollywood was given a major re-tracking by Rocky Mountain Construction for the 2021 season, which replaced the majority of the existing Topper Track system with I-Box track. The Roller Coaster Database now considers Lightning Rod to be a steel coaster. As such, Lightning Rod is now classified as a steel coaster on our poll. Unless more coasters begin to adopt this method of renovation, we will strictly be keeping the poll to wooden / steel / combined. We will not be adding a "hybrid" category at this time. As a refresher, these are the rules: To qualify for the poll, a coaster has to be the size of a wild mouse or larger, with a select few exceptions To receive a numbered ranking, a coaster must have been marked "ridden" and ranked by at least 12 (twelve) people; any with less than that are given a provisional ranking and not included in the "top" lists Individual installations of roller coaster clones (Vekoma SLC, Mack Blue Fire, etc) do NOT count in rankings; Instead, their votes are all averaged together, and they are ranked as a single entry; A clone is defined as any coaster with three near-identical installations or more Any coaster that is standing but not operating (SBNO) is not ranked To qualify for the poll, a coaster must have operated for the majority of the previous operating season (in this case, 2021) Theme Park Review reserves the right to make any exception(s) to these rules. Are you excited yet? Here come the results! 2021 Complete Results 2021 Wooden-only Results 2021 Steel-only Results 2021 Top 25 Coasters Overall El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure (even) Lightning Rod - Dollywood (even) Untamed - Walibi Holland (+1) Skyrush - Hersheypark (+3) Maverick - Cedar Point (+1) Twisted Timbers - Kings Dominion (+3) Wildfire - Kolmården Wildlife Park (+3) Steel Vengeance - Cedar Point (-5) Twisted Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain (+7) Fury 325 - Carowinds (+7) Expedition GeForce - Holiday Park (+1) Helix - Liseberg (+1) Taron - Phantasialand (+6) Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion (+6) Wicked Cyclone - Six Flags New England (+8) Zadra - Energylandia (new to top 25) Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City (-12) Phoenix - Knoebels Amusement Park and Resort (-4) Millennium Force - Cedar Point (-1) Ride to Happiness - Plopsaland De Panne (new to top 25) Taiga - Linnanmäki (new to top 25) Hyperion - Energylandia (new to top 25) Jurassic World VelociCoaster - Islands of Adventure (new to top 25) Hakugei - Nagashima Spa Land (new to top 25) T Express - Everland (-17)

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has announced that Pantheon will open on March 25! https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/roller-coasters/pantheon/ Pantheon™, the world’s fastest multi-launch roller coaster, is officially launching at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg on March 25, 2022. Members will have exclusive opportunities to ride starting March 4! Harnessing all the speed and strength of five of the greatest Roman gods, this record-breaking coaster stands 180 feet tall with a top speed of 73 mph, and features a 95° drop, 4 launches, 5 air-time hills and 2 inversions. One of the world’s most anticipated coasters of 2022 will open in the park’s Festa Italia village, elevating Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s portfolio to eight world-class coasters that are sure to delight even the most daring thrill-seekers.

SeaWorld San Diego has announced that Emperor will be opening on March 12th! https://seaworld.com/san-diego/rides/emperor/ Emperor, the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in all of California, will open on March 12. Get ready to plunge 90 degrees and soar up to 60 miles per hour through exhilarating loops on this exciting Emperor penguin-inspired thrill ride, feeling your feet dangle above the track on the state’s only floorless dive coaster!

Voting in the 2021 TPR Coaster Poll is now closed! We'll be compiling the results over the next few weeks... We have great news to share. Thank you for participating!

No, it's not too late! Since I believe there is indication it will be back, we'll mark it as SBNO for now. Thanks!

People still love Psyke Underground and it got a linear motor retrofit and new trains from Gerstlauer. Montezooma's Revenge will be fine.

If you haven't voted in the poll yet, you have a little bit more time to do so! The voting period has been extended to Monday, January 10th at 11:59 PM Eastern! We especially could use your vote if you have ridden Kondaa at Walibi Belgium, Hakugei at Nagashima Spaland, or Monster at Grona Lund! Happy voting!

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Finally, here is some info on some additions and changes for 2021! Brand-new coasters for 2021 Abyssus - Energylandia Boomerang - Luna Park Sydney Boomerang Hyper Coaster - Trans Studio Cibubur Blu Power - Tetysblu Theme Park Decepticoaster - Universal Studios Beijing Dragon - Legoland New York Dragon Slayer - Adventureland Fighter Jet - Fanta Park Glorious Orient Ningbo Fighter Jet - Fanta Park Glorious Orient Jiangxi Flight of the Hippogriff - Universal Studios Beijing Jersey Devil Coaster - Six Flags Great Adventure Jurassic World VelociCoaster - Islands of Adventure Krampus Expedition - Nigloland Kondaa - Walibi Belgium Legendary Twin Dragon - Chongqing Sunac Land Light Explorers - Energylandia Monster - Grona Lund Namazu - Vulcania Orochi - Parc du Bocasse Phoenix - Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park Ride to Happiness - Plopsaland De Panne Space Factory - Yomiuriland Stag's Gauntlet - Oriental Heritage Taiyuan Storm Chaser - Paultons Park Studio Tour - Movie Park Germany Stunt Pilot - Silverwood Theme Park Rockin' Blu - Tetysblu Theme Park Wooden Dragons Roller Coaster - Jinan Sunac Land Valkyrie - Gyeongju World Coasters scheduled for opening in 2021 but have not yet officially opened, and will be excluded All Speeds - Sunac Land Chengdu Big Dipper - Luna Park Sydney Some notes on the poll this year: During this off-season, Lightning Rod at Dollywood was given extensive refurbishments that changed the majority of its track to steel I-Box track. As a result, and based on the RCDB's own classifications, Lightning Rod will officially be re-classified as a steel coaster on our poll. We will not be listening to any further discussion on this and any requests to change this will be ignored. Despite its slight layout differences, we are counting Stunt Pilot at Silverwood as a clone of the Rocky Mountain Construction Raptor Track. It will be aggregated along with Rail Blazer and Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster, and the three will be ranked as one entry in the results. Jersey Devil Coaster's layout is unique so it will not be in this group. We are doing this to allow for more diversity in the top 25 coasters. Any requests to change this will be ignored. Coaster poll protocol for standing but not operating (SBNO) coasters: If a roller coaster that was previously listed on the poll goes into a standing but not operating (SBNO) state, and it's assumed that the coaster will operate again eventually, you will still be able to rank it like any other coaster. However, during any season(s) where the coaster is SBNO, it will not be calculated in the final ranking and will not show up on the final results. Any coaster that is SBNO as a result of an upcoming conversion, such as with wooden coasters being re-made by Rocky Mountain Construction, will be eliminated from the poll entirely as the "old" coaster is effectively defunct. We will be adding Harpy, Hydro Racer, and Storm Rider at Xishuangbanna Sunac Land in China to this list for 2021. Please help us out! If you see a coaster on the poll that has closed and shouldn't be there, or if you see a roller coaster that was re-named and it's not reflected, please let us know! coasterpoll.com And, as before, please let us know if you have any questions!

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding the poll. How does the poll work? The way coasters are ranked is based on whether riders prefer one coaster over another. The more that one coaster is preferred over all other coasters, the higher its individual rank is. It's not just about how many votes a coaster gets. How did you decide which coasters to include on the poll? Generally, any coaster that is the size of a wild mouse or larger is included on the poll. However, there are exceptions - a few smaller coasters are on the poll, and a few larger ones aren't. Selecting the cutoff based on size means that we can be objective about which coasters are included. In addition, we require that coaster has to have operated for the majority of the season to be considered. Are large traveling coasters such as Olympia Looping included on the poll? Yes! Search their names or find the park called "Traveling". I've ridden so many coasters that I don't feel like individually ranking them all. What happens? You can rank your coasters in batches if you want! For example, you can give your "best" coasters all tied ranks of #1, then your "awesome" coasters all tied ranks of #10, "good" #20, and so on. Or, you can just choose not to rank coasters you consider as "okay" or "average". Or, you can rank your top 50, and then give your "middle" coasters all tied rankings, and then rank your bottom 10. It's up to you! The poll cares about how coasters compare to each other, not just which ones are ranked first or last on peoples' lists. I can't recall which of the Vekoma boomerangs I've ridden is the best. Does it matter? For "cloned" coasters such as Vekoma boomerangs, B&M Batman inverted coasters, and the like, we have "aggregate" entries. You can search for the word "clone" and they will all show up, or you can rank a cloned coaster individually. All the appropriate entries will be averaged together and the aggregate entry will be the one that gets ranked in the final results. We have done it this way so that casual users can search for the Hersheypark Sidewinder without knowing that it's a Vekoma boomerang, for example. My favorite coaster is missing! Why is that? We've gone to great effort to include every major coaster on the poll, but we may have missed one. If it meets our "rankable coaster" guidelines, and there is enough of a desire to include it, leave us a comment or a reply to the TPR Forum thread and we'll look into it. Will I be able to see other peoples' ranking lists? No, we won't be making any users' ballots visible. We understand that previous polls have done it this way, however, we value privacy. If you want to publicly share what your top coasters were, great! However, we won't force that on anyone else.

Hey everyone! The TPR Coaster Poll is back once again for 2021! coasterpoll.com We have over ONE THOUSAND coasters that you can rank on the poll, so whether you've been on every Intamin coaster in the world, or only have been on the coasters at your "home" park, your vote matters! As always, we're taking steps to promote the poll on Theme Park Review's social media channels. If you're one of TPR's followers on social media, and you're reading this for the first time - welcome! Please read this post and all that directly follow in their entirety! So how do you vote? Follow these steps! 1. Go to coasterpoll.com. That's the easy part! 2. Click the green "Sign Up" button at the top right of your browser window. This will be your login so that your vote will be counted, and your rankings will be saved for next year. If you are already a member of the TPR forums, we kindly ask that you give yourself the same username that you have here. 3. Search for parks and coasters that you've been to! You can use the search bar at the top right to search for a specific coaster, or use the "Coasters" link at the top left to see the the full list. When you're viewing the full list, you can use the "Change List" button to sort or filter the list out. You can view all of the coasters at one particular park, or all the coasters by one manufacturer... It's up to you! 4. IMPORTANT - Mark the coasters that you've ridden. Next to every single coaster is a green "ridden" button. If you've ridden a coaster, click that button and it should turn to a solid green color. You need to do this for every coaster you want to rank! 5. Rank your ridden coasters! When you click the "Ranking" link at the top left, you'll be taken to a listing of all the coasters you've marked as ridden. Now, you'll want to assign each coaster a number rank. You can either drag and drop each coaster to the order you want, or complete your ranking in a spreadsheet style. It's up to you! You can also give coasters tied rankings if you want, like if you can't decide what your favorite Vekoma SLC is! 6. If you voted last year, make sure you click the yellow "Not Done Yet" button to "release" your rankings so you can add the coasters that you've ridden in 2021. 7. IMPORTANT - Click the green "Done Ranking" button! When you click this button, you're all set! If you ride a coaster between now and the day the poll closes, you can go back to your ranking and click the yellow "Not Done Yet" button and adjust however you please. Don't forget to click the green button when you're done. Just like other enthusiast polls, you will find that not every roller coaster is included, as that would be impossible, but we have included as many relevant ones as possible. See the next post down (the FAQ post) for more info on our selection process. Voting in the 2021 TPR Coaster Poll has officially CLOSED! Thank you for participating! The other thing that would really help us out... Please SHARE this link as much as you can! On your social media, on your blogs, in any videos you might produce, etc, getting as much data as possible will allow this poll to get better and better! This is a continued team effort by Chase (Comeagain?), Robb (robbalvey), and myself (A.J.). We appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing the results as much as we're sure you all do. Have fun, and happy ranking!

Okay, here we go: Dragon is out but Wild West Mine Train will remain for 2021. Blue Streak has been marked as SBNO, Cheetah is now out. X has been renamed, and Primeval Whirl is now (finally) out. Thanks everyone!

Thanks for noting those! Wicked Twister will stay because it operated for this season, but it will be removed for 2022.

https://coasterpoll.com/ Hey everyone! The TPR Coaster Poll will be back for 2021, as it is every year! And like every year, we are currently going through the process of making sure everything is up to date for when voting officially begins! With that in mind, we are looking for feedback from the TPR Forum community! Here's what we are looking for: Coasters that are not included on the poll but that should be / should have been. The rule has always been that any coaster that is larger than a standard-sized Wild Mouse (Mack compact mobile, Zamperla Twister Coaster, etc) qualifies, and we intend to keep that rule in place. Coasters that have closed or gone standing but not operating (SBNO) during calendar year 2020 or early in calendar year 2021, unrelated to recent world events. Any coaster that operated for the majority of the 2021 season qualifies for the poll, even if it closed at the end of the season. Coasters that have reopened during calendar year 2020 or 2021 after having been previously SBNO, unrelated to closures surrounding recent world events. Coasters that have been renamed, rethemed, or relocated during calendar year 2020 or 2021. We have put a lot of effort into making sure every qualified coaster is counted, but we always miss a few! So we appreciate the community's efforts in spot-checking our work. We're looking forward to seeing the results in early 2022! Thanks a bunch, and please comment if you have questions or concerns!

More entertainment offerings are returning to Walt Disney World, including the Town Square Theater, Princess Fairytale Hall, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! More Live Entertainment, Disney Character Experiences, and Indiana Jones Returning to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/10/more-live-entertainment-disney-character-experiences-and-indiana-jones-returning-to-walt-disney-world-resort-this-fall/ It’s an exciting time to be at Walt Disney World Resort! We just launched The World’s Most Magical Celebration, with dazzling new EARidescent experiences in every corner of our world. Of course, our cast is at the heart of everything, and since the reopening of our theme parks, Walt Disney World Resort is proud to have returned more than 50,000 cast members to work. Now, more than 65,000 are working across the resort, and we are hiring hundreds more each week as we continue to open more resorts and guest locations. Today, I’m thrilled to tell you we’re bringing back more entertainment cast members this fall, as we relaunch some favorite live entertainment experiences at all four theme parks and beyond! Some of our atmosphere entertainment resumed Oct. 1 with the start of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration. Early birds at Magic Kingdom Park are now starting their day with “Let the Magic Begin” on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage, and we’ve welcomed back the ragtime piano player at Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A. Over at EPCOT, World Showcase travelers are dancing to the Canadian rhythms of Alberta Bound, laughing at the antics of Sergio in Italy, and experiencing the majestic percussion of the Taiko drummers of Matsuriza in Japan. Next week at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, guests visiting Asia can once again enjoy the music of Chakranadi, and Kora Tinga Tinga returns to the streets of Harambe in Africa. And you can look for the Tam Tam Drummers to come back to Africa in early November. Performers will also soon be captivating guests strolling along the waterfront at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, and the inimitable Yeehaw Bob will have his audience in stitches of fun starting October 14 in the River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Over the past year, beloved Disney Characters have been popping up in cavalcades, motorcades, flotillas, and surprise sightings, much to the delight of our guests, and I’m pleased to tell you many of those experiences will be continuing. Although the environment is not right just yet for hugs and autographs, you’ll soon be able to have individualized time with some of your favorite characters, getting to visit with them in a themed location and snap a photo or two. Look for the Disney Princesses to return to Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom Park. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll soon find Minnie Mouse at Red Carpet Dreams and the stars of Disney Junior in Animation Courtyard. And when you stop in to see Mickey Mouse backstage at Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A., he’ll be sporting his all-new EARidescent look designed just for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration! Each of these locations is planned to start welcoming guests in November. Nov. 7 also marks the return of “Disney Movie Magic,” the cinematic nighttime experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrating Disney’s live-action film legacy, and when this projection show resumes, it will feature a new sequence from Disney’s epic adventure, “Mulan.” And be sure to mark your calendars for Dec. 19, when the cast and crew of “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” bring back all the comedy and thrills of that action-packed show.

Disney has announced all the details about Disney Merriest Nites, Disneyland's Christmas ticketed event for 2021! Disneyland Resort Introduces Disney Merriest Nites, an All-New, After-Hours Separate Ticketed Event at Disneyland Park on Five Nights from Nov. 11-Dec. 9, 2021 Mickey Mouse and his friends will host the first after-hours holiday party at Disneyland Park. Princess Tiana, Lilo & Stitch, Queen Elsa, Buzz Lightyear and Miguel from the Disney•Pixar film “Coco” join Mickey Mouse to host six themed parties within one giant celebration Event includes ‘A Christmas Fantasy’ Parade viewing, unique character sightings and themed photo opportunities Tickets for Disney Merriest Nites go on sale Sept. 14, 2021, for limited-capacity holiday fun Magic is here with Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, and this year Mickey Mouse and his friends are hosting Disney Merriest Nites, the first after-hours holiday party at Disneyland Park. For family fun with limited capacity, the all-new Disney Merriest Nites holiday party will be offered as a separate-ticket event at Disneyland on five select nights in November and December. Disney Merriest Nites tickets will be sold for events on Nov. 11, Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 9. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Sept. 14, 2021, no earlier than 9 a.m., on Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app. At Disney Merriest Nites, Mickey Mouse has invited his friends to help host six themed parties within one giant celebration throughout Disneyland park. Families and guests of all ages who are attending this event can enjoy enhanced holiday décor, seasonal entertainment, and specialty food and beverage offerings themed to each party during the event. As the host of the party, Mickey Mouse will welcome guests on Main Street, U.S.A. in Victorian flair, and Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and their friends join in the fun, traveling in a special coach with Christmas carol sing-alongs, Muppet antics, and a few chickens! Over in New Orleans Square, Princess Tiana will welcome guests to celebrate Noel with a bayou-inspired celebration. Guests visiting Frontierland will see Miguel from the Disney•Pixar film “Coco” wishing everyone Feliz Navidad for a jolly fiesta. Three more character-hosted holiday parties await guests with a tropical party hosted by Lilo & Stitch in Adventureland, a wintertime celebration with Elsa in Fantasyland, and Buzz Lightyear taking the holidays to new heights over in Tomorrowland. Special event merchandise will be available in Disneyland Park. Additional seasonal merchandise will be available throughout the Resort. Guests may add to their holiday wardrobes with seasonal attire and accessories, and find novelty items such as pins, plush and decorative items to continue the festivities at home. For guests looking to taste the treats of the holiday season, multiple food and beverage locations will offer specialty items for purchase as well as party-themed offerings. At Disneyland Park In addition to the parties being hosted by Mickey Mouse and friends, guests also will enjoy the classic sights, sounds and flavors of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. Upon entering Disneyland guests will be greeted by a magnificent 60-foot-tall Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments. The classic tree is an iconic symbol of Holidays at Disneyland Resort, as well as an ideal location for holiday photos. At the entrance to Fantasyland, the holiday magic will shine brightly each evening when Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle begins to sparkle with light and music fills the air illuminating the night in an enchanted wintertime spectacle. Returning for the season, guests will again see “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade * and some favorite Disney characters and princesses throughout the park, dressed in their seasonal finest – with a few surprises this year. Additionally, seasonal transformations will once again resonate holiday cheer at “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday. Highlights of Disney Merriest Nites Entry to Disneyland Park before the party. The parties start at 8 p.m. PT and guests will have the opportunity to play in Disneyland three hours before each party begins Experience six parties in one. Six parties in lands throughout the park are uniquely themed and hosted by Mickey Mouse and his friends Unprecedented access to Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. Guests at these themed parties can experience many attractions with lower wait times due to a limited number of guests. This includes the seasonal transformations of “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday Seasonal entertainment. Guests will be immersed in the spirit of the season with seasonal entertainment, such as “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade and seasonal musical performances Spectacular holiday décor and lighting. From a glistening castle and enchanted lands that sparkle to festive wreaths and garlands galore, the holiday season is visible throughout the park. Access to attractions within these lands: Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, New Orleans Square and Frontierland during the party Themed photo backdrops and unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the night are included with admission to Disney Merriest Nites. With the help of Disney PhotoPass photographers located throughout the party, it’s easier than ever to capture holiday photos – with the whole family in the photo. Holiday treats and eats specially curated for the event.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has announced that Pantheon will be opening in March 2022! PANTHEON AND 2022 MEMBERSHIPS LAUNCH WITH EPIC THRILLS AND BENEFITS AT BUSCH GARDENS® WILLIAMSBURG WILLIAMSBURG, VA. (September 8, 2021): – Busch Gardens® Williamsburg is thrilled to announce that its highly-anticipated, record-breaking new coaster, Pantheon®, will open in March 2022. Pantheon features two inversions, four launches, five air-time hills, a 95 degree drop, a height of 180 feet, and a record-breaking top speed of 73 miles per hour. This all-new coaster incorporates five mighty gods, including Pluto, Mercury, Jupiter, Minerva, and Neptune, with an aspect of the track reflecting their respective powers. “Pantheon will be an incredible addition to our world class coaster lineup, and showcase our dedication to bringing innovative, exciting new rides to the park,” said park President, Kevin Lembke. “As with so many others, we faced unprecedented challenges over the past two years, resulting in delaysto the scheduled opening. We are so grateful for the excitement and patience of our guests, as the March 2022 opening of Pantheon marks an exciting new page in the story of Busch Gardens.” NEW 2022 Membership Plans Feature Unlimited Visits & Unbeatable Benefits Busch Gardens is launching another incredible year for membership as the BEST VALUE annual theme park pass in Virginia with amazing benefits, ranging from no blockout dates, up to six free guest tickets, and access to NEW exclusive preview events for 2022. Plus, Busch Gardens members will be among the first to ride Pantheon in spring 2022! Membership is organized in easy-to-use tiers and includes one-park and two-park Busch Gardens and Water Country USA® memberships, allowing gueststo choose the membership, benefits, and parks that are the best fit. Additional benefits include FREE parking, FREE friend tickets, specialsavings on merchandise, food and beverage options, and ride quick queue, among other perks. Membership starts at an affordable $11.75 per month, plus tax, with no down payment required. For a full overview of the membership lineup, visit: buschgardens.com/williamsburg/annual-pass/ NEW Amazing Monthly Rewards: Busch Gardens shows appreciation and love to our members year-round with extra rewards every month. Including all of the amazing benefits, members have access to special monthly discounts, offers, and rewards throughout the year, like extra samples during festivals, exclusive member merchandise, member ride nights, special giveaways, and more. For a sampling of upcoming 2022 offers, visit: buschgardens.com/williamsburg/annual-pass/monthly-offers/ NEW Passport to Thrills: 2022 members will be treated like VIPs as they are among the first to ride and experience Busch Gardens’ all-new, record-breaking multi-launch coaster, Pantheon, opening in March 2022. In addition to member exclusive first-to-ride preview days, members with at least three visits to Busch Gardens Williamsburg between September 10 and December 31, 2021 will receive their invitation to an exclusive Passport to Thrills Celebration, featuring Pantheon. This exclusive VIP event will include special entertainment, refreshments, and more. Details and enrollment information can be found here: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/annual-pass/passport-to-thrills/ Events All Year Long: Members also have the opportunity to experience the park’s year-round line-up of events and festivals that are included with a membership, including immediate access to the upcoming 2021 events like Howl-O-Scream, beginning on Friday, September 10; the Count’s Spooktacular, beginning on Saturday, September 25; and Christmas Town, beginning on Friday, November 12. Busch Gardens’ 2022 event lineup features special family-friendly events all year, from Summer Nights and Christmas Town to fan favorites like Howl-O-Scream, Food & Wine Festival, and Bier Fest. NEW for 2022, the Food & Wine Festival adds more dates for even more opportunities to sip and savor all there is to enjoy, plus expanded experiences for the newest events, Winter Weekends, Mardi Gras, and St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. For a calendar of upcoming 2021 and 2022 events, visit: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/

Disney has announced this year's holiday offerings for the Disneyland Resort! Holiday Magic is Coming! Beloved Seasonal Traditions Return to Disneyland Resort as Holidays Begin Nov. 12 https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/09/holiday-magic-is-coming-beloved-seasonal-traditions-return-to-disneyland-resort-as-holidays-begin-nov-12/ The Disneyland Resort will once again transform into a merry and magical place as guests return to enjoy their holiday season here, Nov. 12, 2021. You’ll have three more days to celebrate the Holidays, too, because we’re extending it through Jan. 9, 2022. As you visit to make new memories this year, many beloved traditions are back that will provide you with cheerful entertainment, yuletide treats, specialty merchandise, sparkling décor and seasonal transformations of select attractions! At Disneyland park, nostalgic holiday magic shines brightly with the glistening Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle and a 60-foot Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A. Both make wonderful photo locations for that cherished memory of your Holiday visit. Entertainment making a comeback this year at the park includes “A Christmas Fantasy” parade where beloved Disney characters join Santa Claus for a merry musical celebration down Main Street, U.S.A. You may also see Santa making other stops within the parks throughout your visit. For the perfect kiss goodnight, you will be treated to “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular and magical snowfall over portions of Main Street, U.S.A. Additionally, seasonal transformations will happen once again at “it’s a small world” Holiday and the 20th installation of Haunted Mansion Holiday. At Disney California Adventure park, create new memories during Festival of Holidays and discover the sights, sounds and tastes of a diverse season of celebrations during this festive time of year, including Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. Friends and families are invited to celebrate with “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” as Disney characters host a fun street party featuring Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, giant mojiganga puppets and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their fiesta best! At Paradise Gardens, you’ll enjoy festively themed food and beverages, live music and dance, and later in the holiday season, Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming film “Encanto” will make her park debut. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for information on Mirabel’s arrival! Over in Cars Land, the four-wheeled residents will be pulling out all the stops with their holiday décor. From the snow-covered billboard at the entrance all the way to the hubcap-studded tree at the courthouse, you will see automotive ornamentation at its finest along Route 66. And for a little more festive magic two popular attractions will transform into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. Also around the resort, traditional holiday décor and carolers bring the holiday spirit to Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Over at the lobby inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, you’ll want to discover all the fun, new details on the giant gingerbread house this year. With so much to do at the Disneyland Resort, where will your merry making begin? For more details, continue to check back on the Disney Parks Blog where additional information about Holidays at the Disneyland Resort will be shared.

Walt Disney World is revamping their Annual Passes, starting on September 8! Details below: New Walt Disney World Annual Passes Available Sept. 8, Just in Time for 50th Anniversary Celebration https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/08/new-walt-disney-world-annual-passes-available-sept-8-just-in-time-for-50th-anniversary-celebration/ At Walt Disney World Resort, being an Annual Passholder brings a special kind of magic – the kind that lets you visit our theme parks again and again so you can revisit the spots where your favorite memories were made. And as the countdown to our 50th anniversary celebration continues, the magic is calling: We’re excited to share that beginning Sept. 8, 2021, we will once again invite new Walt Disney World Annual Passholders to be a part of this beloved program! We are introducing four new Annual Passes offering the flexibility and choice to meet guest needs, each designed based on Passholder feedback. These passes will help our biggest fans experience all that’s to come during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” – from new attractions and nighttime spectaculars to dazzling decorations at all four theme parks and more! Here are some highlights of our new Annual Passes: Hold More Park Reservations: Depending on their pass type, Passholders may now hold up to five Disney Park Pass reservations at a time. We’ll also be adding “bonus reservations” to the calendar from time to time, so Passholders can make an additional park reservation without it counting against their applicable reservation hold limit. Plus, when Passholders stay at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels, they will also be eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their stay – in addition to the reservations you can hold based on your pass type! Customize Your Pass: Choose different add-on options based on your preferences – from the Water Park and Sports option to Disney PhotoPass downloads. These add-on options will be available for purchase with any of our four new passes. Access a New Integrated Calendar: Planning will be easier with enhancements to our reservation system, including a new integrated calendar that lets Passholders quickly see blockout dates for each pass type, view available days and make, modify or cancel a reservation all in one place. Enjoy Passholder Perks: Passes will continue to offerbenefits you know and love including the Park Hopper option, standard theme park parking and discounts on merchandise and dining. And, there will be a few special surprises throughout the 50th anniversary celebration! -- Now is the perfect time to be an Annual Passholder with unforgettable experiences coming during the 50th anniversary celebration. Soon, you’ll be able to check out two new nighttime spectaculars with “Disney Enchantment” and “Harmonious,” each set to debut on Oct. 1! Also beginning Oct. 1, guests can experience our newest attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT (soon offering Passholder previews for those who registered!). Every morning, we welcome guests from all over the world to Walt Disney World Resort – some for the very first time, others for the first time in a while. And then there are those who visit more often, those who can no longer keep count of the days and nights they’ve spent at the parks. For these guests, a day at Disney brings a special type of magic unlike any other – Passholder magic – and that’s why we cannot wait to welcome Annual Passholders during this unforgettable 18-month event!

SeaWorld San Antonio has announced Tidal Surge, the largest installation of an S&S Screamin' Swing! SeaWorld San Antonio Welcomes World's Tallest and Fastest Screaming Swing https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seaworld-san-antonio-welcomes-worlds-tallest-and-fastest-screaming-swing-301360640.html SeaWorld San Antonio is proud to announce the all-new, world record breaking, high-thrill attraction – Tidal Surge. Opening in Spring 2022, Tidal Surge will be the World's Tallest and Fastest Screaming Swing and will take riders on a journey above the clouds to feel the sensation of flying high above the park. Tidal Surge will seat 40 riders and feature two pendulum-like arms that will soar progressively higher to a staggering height of 135 feet at its peak. The dueling arms will alternate sides and sway back-and-forth at 68 mph, creating multiple airtime moments that levitate guests out of their seats with each heart stopping swing. Riders' legs will dangle and hang as they soar over the waterski lake and take in the beautiful views of the park, while reaching multiple negative G moments before plunging back towards the earth. The colossal Tidal Surge will mark a major addition to SeaWorld San Antonio's thrill ride portfolio, which currently includes four thrilling rollercoasters, a high swing, two animal rescue adventure experiences and a fun-filled family coaster perfect for families with younger children. With this new addition, SeaWorld San Antonio will feature even more adrenaline-pumping experiences, spanning a range of ages and thrills.

The S&S vests have a bit of give to them... If I were to guess, a potential outcome for this might be for the vests to be modified to lock like Wild Eagle's or a B&M flying coaster's, to prevent people from turning around.

Walt Disney World has put out fresh new details on the Enchantment nighttime spectacular coming on October 1! ‘Disney Enchantment’ – An All-New Spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park – Debuts Oct. 1 for Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/08/disney-enchantment-an-all-new-spectacular-at-magic-kingdom-park-debuts-oct-1-for-walt-disney-world-50th-anniversary-celebration/?fbclid=IwAR2xZVZH39d1H-g-brLX0o6kVegY0vMH4kGXBrh9L10MEjLGggeIyUTQ44Y s we previously announced, “Disney Enchantment,” an all-new nighttime spectacular, will debut in Magic Kingdom Park on Oct. 1, coinciding with the launch of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” Today, I’m excited to share more details about this remarkable new show. This all-new spectacular inspires everyone to believe in magic, with captivating Disney music, enhanced lighting, immersive projection effects that extend for the first time down Main Street, U.S.A., and an emotional original song, entitled “You Are the Magic,” by seven-time GRAMMY-winner Philip Lawrence. And throughout the show, stunning fireworks fill the sky, providing a great experience for guests throughout the park and neighboring resort hotels. “Since opening day in 1971, dazzling fireworks shows have provided that perfect exclamation point at the end of a fantastic day at Magic Kingdom Park,” said Mark Renfrow, Show Director, Disney Live Entertainment. “From ‘Fantasy in the Sky’ and ‘Wishes’ to holiday spectaculars and ‘Happily Ever After,’ each new show has raised the bar, and the best is yet to come! I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’re creating with ‘Disney Enchantment.’” In “Disney Enchantment,” we join dreamers like Tiana, Miguel, Rapunzel, and brothers Ian & Barley from “Onward,” and we set out on an incredible journey with adventurers such as Moana, Raya, and Judy Hopps. Joe Gardner from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” takes us into “the zone,” where we discover a whimsical world inspired by the style of legendary Disney artist Mary Blair and filled with beloved characters from classic stories like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Alice in Wonderland” to contemporary tales including “Luca” and “Wreck-It Ralph.” Everything builds to a climactic moment, as Tinker Bell takes flight, spreading shimmering gold pixie dust and empowering us all to believe in ourselves and the magic all around us. “Disney Enchantment” features characters, moments, and music from dozens of Disney and Pixar animated films. The show takes us beyond the ordinary to a land of magic, where we’re swept up in a world of wonder filled with friendship, love and fun. Through it all, we’ll discover we only have to look within to find the power to believe and make dreams come true, because the magic was inside us all along! “Disney Enchantment” debuts October 1 at Magic Kingdom Park as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” Keep reading Disney Parks Blog for more details about the show and all the other exciting things coming for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Disney has formally announced the Genie service, replacing FastPass, FastPass+, and MaxPass! Disney Genie Service to Reimagine the Guest Experience at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/08/introducing-disney-genie/ We’re almost ready to let Disney Genie out of the lamp! Coming this fall to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, Disney Genie is a complimentary and convenient new digital service designed to create your best Disney day. We’ve been listening to your feedback – you want planning to be easier, you want more flexibility and you want better tools to help you make the most of your visit – and that’s exactly what Disney Genie is here to do. We’ve made significant investments in this cool new technology, which guides you through our theme parks with tips that can help you reduce time in lines, discover magic around every corner and take the guesswork out of “what’s next.” Built right into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, Disney Genie service will maximize your park time, so you can have more fun. It includes a personalized itinerary feature that will quickly and seamlessly map out an entire day. From specific attractions, foodie experiences and entertainment, to general interests like Disney princesses, villains, Pixar, Star Wars, thrill rides and more – just tell Disney Genie what you want to do and it will do the planning for you. -- For even more convenience and flexibility, there are two other options for enjoying our theme parks, through a queue we are introducing called the Lightning Lane entrance that also saves you time in line: Disney Genie+ service (available for purchase): For the price of $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort, choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences using the Lightning Lane entrance. You can make one selection at a time, throughout the day – from classics like Haunted Mansion to thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and newer favorites like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (attractions subject to limited availability). This convenient option is the next evolution of the fan-favorite Disney MaxPass service from Disneyland Resort. Disney Genie+ will also include Disney parks-themed audio experiences and photo features to capture your memories – augmented reality lenses for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort and unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from your day if you are visiting Disneyland Resort. Individual attraction selections (available for purchase): Schedule a time to arrive at up to two highly demanded attractions each day using the Lightning Lane entrance – like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Park and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure park (subject to limited availability; attractions not included with Disney Genie+). Pricing for this option will vary by date, attraction and park and will be announced closer to launch. Lightning Lane selections will be made on the same day of your visit and can be used across multiple theme parks, great for those who love the Park Hopper option. Attractions continue to offer a traditional standby queue, or a virtual queue at certain attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – to maximize flexibility.

Confirmed to be slow for me as well. Windows 10 running Chrome.