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Hong Kong Disneyland has announced the return of "A Disney Christmas" featuring special experiences for the holidays throughout the resort! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/06/a-disney-christmas-returns-to-hong-kong-disneyland-resort/ As we celebrate all things merry and bright during Halfway to the Holidays, we’re thrilled to share that “A Disney Christmas” returns to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort from Nov. 2022 to early Jan. 2023. We can’t wait to deck the halls at Hong Kong Disneyland with Disney characters, magical snowfall, and festive experiences. Duffy & Friends are ready to welcome guests to their all-new snow-filled paradise “Duffy & Friends Winter Wonderland” at Fantasy Garden! We hear they’ve been wishing for snow and it may just come true. This wonderland will also serve as the perfect opportunity to grab holiday gifts and festive snacks. Processionals are, of course, part of the festivities with “A Holiday Gift of Cheer with Duffy and Friends” and “Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball” bringing jolly music, singing, and dancing to the Castle of Magical Dreams. As the sun sets on the winter days, Hong Kong Disneyland will transform with sparkling lights and snow falling from the sky. Santa Goofy will even be there with his Disney friends in the stage show “Santa Goofy’s Magical Snowfall.” And to top off the night, catch the spectacular “A Holiday Wish-Come-True Tree Lighting Ceremony” returning to Main Street, U.S.A., or the all-new nighttime show “Momentous” under the seasonal décor — it’s sure to be pure magic!

Disneyland Paris has announced the return of Disney Enchanted Christmas and all that will entail for the 2022 season! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/06/disneyland-paris-shares-first-details-of-disney-enchanted-christmas/ Let’s mistletoe around the world to Disneyland Paris this Halfway to the Holidays, where we’re excited to share that Disney Enchanted Christmas returns from Nov. 12, 2022, to Jan. 8, 2023. This year, the resort’s 30th anniversary celebration will make the holidays shine brighter! It’s sure to be a special time as Disneyland Park transforms with twinkling lights and fairytale decorations lining Main Street, U.S.A. to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Of course, Mickey & Friends already have their holiday plans in place! Join them alongside the Disney Princesses and Santa in “Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade” during the day and the nighttime version in the evening. During the parade, they will even make a special stop to dance, sing, and turn on the Christmas tree lights! They’re also ready to help capture special memories with you. Pose with Disney characters in their holiday best or grab a photo with Santa before he sets off on his annual trip around the world. And it wouldn’t be the most magical season without a few carols! Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy in the musical show “Let’s Sing Christmas!” at Videopolis in Discoveryland. ‘Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry! Specialty food and beverage items to indulge in will be available throughout Disney Parks and Disney hotels. Now, who else is ready for a hot chocolate or some festive fine dining? While taking in every moment of this season’s offerings, it’s also the perfect opportunity to do a bit of holiday shopping. Browse the festively decorated boutiques and stop by La Boutique du Château and Merlin l’Enchanteur, both of which are dedicated to the season. And this is just the beginning with plenty of other details to be unwrapped — including an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog as we approach the most wonderful time of year and reveal more details soon! Disney Characters will be escorted at different moments and on different days throughout the season. Their presence at any precise time or location can therefore not be guaranteed. The images of “Disney Enchanted Christmas” 2021/2022 is for illustrative purposes only. We’ll unveil the exclusive range of products for 2022/2023 very soon. Some experiences, shows or events will not be available or may be modified depending on the evolution of the safety and sanitary measures and recommendations from public authorities.

The Disneyland Resort has announced that two of their popular holiday nighttime spectaculars will return during this holiday season! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/06/holiday-nighttime-spectaculars-are-back-at-disneyland-resort/ It’s never too early to dream of dancing sugarplums and all things merry and bright as Disneyland Resort joins in the fun of Halfway to the Holidays! While we haven’t announced all of the holly jolly details just yet, here are a few of the sparkling favorites that will be returning this holiday season in California. Grab your favorite Disney cocoa mug to get in the spirit and get a glimpse! It’s all about the return of the nighttime spectaculars at Disneyland Resort. And continuing in the spirit of beloved nighttime entertainment, we are thrilled to confirm that two nighttime holiday favorites will be returning during the holiday season: “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks and “World of Color – Season of Light”! “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks is a dazzling nighttime display that brings a medley of heartwarming holiday music and culminates with a magical snowfall in several areas of the Disneyland park including Main Street, U.S.A., near the Rivers of America and in front of “it’s a small world.” “World of Color – Season of Light” will return to Paradise Bay during the holiday season at Disney California Adventure park! This spectacular winter fantasy blends classic holiday songs with memorable moments from treasured Disney and Pixar films that illuminate a wall of mist, as fountains dance in this mesmerizing spectacle with stories of friendship, family and love. We’re also delighted to share that the guest-favorite, 7-foot gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will return during the holiday season! A new take on a replica of the hotel each year, this annual tradition takes months for a 25-member team to create. Can you guess how many pounds of powdered sugar it will take to make this year? During the holiday season, you may see Disney characters donning their holiday finest, you can shop for the merriest of merchandise, and enjoy seasonal entertainment and décor throughout the parks, the Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. To be sure, you can also count on special menus and sweet treats a plenty! But for those of you who just can’t wait until then … we have some suggestions for you! To celebrate Halfway to the Holidays now for a limited time, June 23-30, 2022, you may get in the spirit at the Downtown Disney District with a Christmas Dinner Corn Dog made with a turkey hot dog, hand-dipped in batter, rolled in panko crumbs and served with a side of cranberry sauce for dipping at Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs. Or, for something more sweet, California Churro is offering a Peppermint Churro during this time. Additionally, you can let the festivities begin now and discover holiday treasures at the year-round holiday store on Main Street, U.S.A., Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe. Here you can find ornaments, housewares, linens, accessories and all kinds of holiday-themed merchandise every day of the year! Watch as cast members meticulously hand paint names on ornaments, and personalizing your ornaments is a great gift idea! Whether you have a holiday tradition you and your family are looking forward to at the Disneyland Resort, or if you’re looking to start a new tradition with us, we look forward to welcoming you for a most enchanting and wondrous season later this year. For now – happy Halfway to the Holidays to you! Theme Park reservations and valid admission for the same park on the same day are required for park entry. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit Disneyland.com/Updates for important information to know before visiting.

Walt Disney World has announced the return of holiday favorites and new holiday experiences that will be offered across the resort during this year's holiday season including the return of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/06/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-holiday-favorites-return-to-disney-world/ Believe it or not, it takes 12 months to prepare for the holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort! As the year cycles through springtime showers, summer barbeques, and autumn harvests, cast members are also busy planning for the most wonderful time of the year at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.” In celebration of #HalfwayToTheHolidays, here’s a sneak peek of all things holly and jolly coming to Walt Disney World this year, including the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park. Celebrate the Season at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Holiday joy will unfold at Magic Kingdom as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns this year! On 24 select nights, Nov. 8 – Dec. 22, 2022, this separately ticketed event will invite guests to Magic Kingdom for an evening of merriment. Join Mickey and his pals at the Cinderella Castle stage for the ultimate must-watch Christmas extravaganza – “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.” The show features nostalgic and modern medleys of holiday music paired with dance performances. Minnie Mouse orchestrates a sparkling spectacle over Magic Kingdom as a part of “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Full of holiday magic, the show includes dazzling castle projections, fireworks and seasonal songs. With his famous flying reindeer leading the way, Santa Claus will join Mickey Mouse and friends in the must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” as it makes its way through the park. Speaking of Santa Claus, he isn’t the only one who likes cookies during the holidays. Partygoers can indulge in complimentary cookies and hot cocoa at locations throughout Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom attractions will get a special dose of yuletide cheer. Holiday magic will once again transform the Jungle Cruise into the Jingle Cruise. And, as an exclusive treat for event attendees, Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and Mad Tea Party will all receive a special holiday makeover. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café becomes the coolest place to get down when denizens of the North Pole drop by for an intergalactic dance party! Also at Magic Kingdom, dance the night away alongside favorite Disney characters during an out-of-this-world holiday show, “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” on the Rockettower Plaza Stage. The fun continues for young partygoers and Disney Junior fans of all ages at Storybook Circus during the “Disney Junior Jingle Jam” as Disney Junior characters take part in a fun-filled dance celebration. NEW! In honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party attendees will discover three jolly new photo opportunities. Guests will also receive a special 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake, themed for the holidays. Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are limited and may be purchased online beginning July 7, 2022. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing tickets as early as June 30, 2022. Ticket prices will range from $149 – $199 per person. Event dates are: November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29 December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22 Discover Holiday Magic Across Walt Disney World Can’t get enough holiday magic? There are so many themed experiences to unwrap at Walt Disney World this upcoming season. Keep reading for a preview of what you can look forward to, beginning Nov. 11. Watch Disney Park Icons Transform for the Holidays During the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, select theme park icons will continue to transform into Beacons of Magic, illuminating select nights with an EARidescent glow. And as a special yuletide surprise for guests, the magic will continue as each park celebrates the season with a delightful rotation of unique heartwarming holiday-themed displays. Say Hello to Santa Claus The holiday season will be an especially busy time for Jolly Old St. Nick as he makes special appearances throughout Walt Disney World. Catch him cruising down Hollywood Boulevard in his candy-apple red convertible at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the Santa Claus Merry Motorcade and voyaging across the Discovery River as part of a festive flotilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Santa Claus will continue to spread the joyous spirit of the season during visits to Magic Kingdom Park and Disney Springs, where guests may have individual time to take photos and share their Christmas wishes. Finally, at EPCOT, Santa Claus will join storytellers from around the world as a part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth beginning Nov. 25 Enjoy Festive Entertainment Across Walt Disney World Disney’s Animal Kingdom will come alive with the return of a Merry Menagerie of winter animals realized in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets. Just in time for the holidays, “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios adds a festive finale, featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, and celebratory songs of the season. At Disney Springs, guests visiting Town Center will experience a magical snowfall, bringing the spirit of the North Pole to Central Florida. EPCOT will celebrate the return of “Candlelight Processional” during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 25, a beloved long-standing tradition of heartwarming holiday performances at America Gardens Theatre. This season, the Guardians will trade in their classic hits playlist for a mash-up of seasonal jams at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Guests will blast off to the tune of an awesome holiday single, bringing joy to Xandar and Terra, too. Disney PhotoPass photographers can help guests enhance their Disney vacation photos with holiday-themed Magic Shots at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, a new Disney PhotoPass Lens and virtual backdrops at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs. Savor Festive Seasonal Flavors Holiday Cookie Stroll will return to EPCOT this year, inviting guests to partake in a sweet scavenger hunt during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. The festival will also herald mouthwatering menus of traditional and inspired adaptations of holiday dishes from around the world at special Holiday Kitchens. At Disney Springs, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar becomes Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar and will feature yuletide touches alongside festive food and craft cocktails. Select dining locations throughout Walt Disney World will celebrate the season with tasty winter-inspired dishes. Make sure to look for future announcements on the Disney Parks Blog for all the delicious details. Immerse Yourself in Delightful Holiday Décor The winter season will bring Christmastime cheer to every corner of Walt Disney World with whimsical décor that creates a nostalgic and joyous atmosphere. From twinkling trees and glittering ornaments to an abundance of tinsel and wreaths, the distinct personality of each Walt Disney World theme park shines brighter during the holidays. The merriment continues with the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth, where elaborately themed Christmas trees will draw inspiration from beloved characters, and at resorts across Walt Disney World, where guests will encounter artisan-made gingerbread creations displayed in select locations. Search for the Perfect Yuletide Gift Looking for a thoughtful present for the Disney Parks fan in your life? During the season of giving, guests will encounter new dedicated holiday collections at select shopping locations across Walt Disney World, including Disney Springs. Check back here on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney Parks social channels as we will be sharing a first look at the new merchandise lines debuting later this year. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog as we continue our spotlight on all things #HalfwayToTheHolidays across the Disney Parks. And if you’re planning a winter trip to Walt Disney World, visit our dedicated holidays page to learn more about how we’re celebrating the upcoming holiday season.

Universal has announced that The Horrors of Blumhouse featuring Freaky and The Black Phone is the newest house to be featured at this year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood! https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us The Horrors of Blumhouse Step inside a new double-feature of Blumhouse horror. Your scream squad will find yourselves trapped between a frantic teen and the ruthless serial killer she’s swapped bodies with in Freaky. Then, you’ll try to make a desperate escape from the dark basement of The Grabber before you become his latest victim in the terrifying The Black Phone.

Universal has announced that The Horrors of Blumhouse featuring Freaky and The Black Phone is the newest house to be featured at this year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood! https://www.universalorlando.com/hhn/en/us The Horrors of Blumhouse Step inside a new double-feature of Blumhouse horror. Your scream squad will find yourselves trapped between a frantic teen and the ruthless serial killer she’s swapped bodies with in Freaky. Then, you’ll try to make a desperate escape from the dark basement of The Grabber before you become his latest victim in the terrifying The Black Phone.

Universal Orlando has announced that Universal's Great Movie Escape, two themed escape rooms inspired by Back to the Future and Jurassic World are coming to Universal CityWalk! Universal Orlando Resort will soon debut Universal’s Great Movie Escape – featuring two escape rooms. Packed with innovative storytelling and theming, the destination is inspired by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s blockbuster films Jurassic World and Back to the Future. Concepted and designed by the same creative masterminds responsible for the wildly immersive haunts of Halloween Horror Nights, Universal’s Great Movie Escape will bring two distinct and extraordinary escape adventures to the heart of Universal CityWalk. Through interactive state-of-the-art missions, captivating storytelling and intricately detailed sets, guests will be swept into the dinosaur adventures of Jurassic World or the time-traveling chaos of Back to the Future.

After our time at Dollywood we rushed over to The Island at Pigeon Forge to experience a little more kitsch, a little more moonshine. It would be our last evening in town and the following morning we'd have just a little bit more time before we'd have to drive back to Knoxville for our flight. An anchor attraction in The Island at Pigeon Forge, SkyFly Soar America is kind of like Soarin' but focused entirely on American destinations. The experience lasts 20-30 minutes and includes several pre-shows that add to the steampunk-ish story that bookends the soaring-over-America portion of the experience. I appreciate the nods to the World's Fairs of the past. This pre-show was a clever way to pulse groups before the main show. You take a "tram" that bullets you across rails to the station where dirigible in which you'll be flying over America is found. Pardon my finger. The experience has a fun set of hosts, a father and his daughter who are your hosts for the journey. There's a classic Soarin'-style preshow... Complete with a "Nice job, pal!" nod. The experience is familiar but different to Soarin'. Unlike Soarin' where the riders are raised up into the screen, in this attraction, the platform that holds the seats rotates to a vertical position, moving the front row to the bottom portion of the screen, mid-to-mid and the third row to the top of the screen. The film itself was fine--about 6-7 minutes in length with some real footage shot with drones and some CGI elements. My main complaint is that the visuals, whether real or CGI did not seem to be made for large-scale use. This was 720p-1080p footage at best stretched onto a massive screen where inevitably, the pixels would be easily seen. It was probably relatively cheap to produce but it makes this somewhat-new attraction feel dated because it looks less clear than the 2001 film-based attraction it was inspired by did when it debuted. The majority experience is derivative for those that have been on Soarin', from the safety video to the ending where you soar over the attraction's home (in this case The Island at Pigeon Forge, poorly animated in CGI) into the sky, only to be met by CGI fireworks that actually pop in the same formation as Mickey ears. You can get a better idea of how the platform moves from this angle. I needed a drink after that experience... And as fate would have it, I could sample a bunch of Ole Smokey Tennessee Moonshine for $5 across the way. The good stuff. They had amaretto too and it was bliss! They had some small flat rides and a spinning coaster here but I didn't feel the need to bother with any of them. They have a giant ropes course here that even had two of those glider tracks that we used to see at IAAPA. A brave soul takes the plunge at the end of the ropes course! I don't often find that cities with a giant wheel merit the need or have a view that would make it worthwhile, but in this mountain setting, I think it would be worth it for some visitors. Not something we felt compelled to try but I understand the appeal. The Island at Pigeon Forge is filled with shops, experiences and restaurants and features a really nice fountain show out front. Nothing Bellagio or World of Color-level but still a nice plus in the evening. That night we went back to the Rocky Top Mountain Coaster and the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster for night rides on each. While daytime rides are fun, you need to experience these at night thanks to the unique lighting! The next morning we woke up to a beautiful day, loaded up the car and drove back to Gatlinburg for a few final stops... It had been closed due to the rain two days before, so we were intent on trying to get back to Hillbilly Mini Golf if we could before we headed home. We were among the first golfers of the day, so we took the inclined railway up... Which is a unique experience in and of itself. You arrive at the top of the incline railway where you can choose to play one of two 18 hole courses. While the holes are a little more standard from a mini golf standpoint, there are some neat added options along the courses to throw in a little more fun. To their credit though, the setting is super unique. We had a great time roaming the course and it should be noted that the employees working here were the nicest out of anyone we encountered the entire trip, and that includes at Dollywood. Feels like I have to share this. With our flight just a few hours away, we made the quick call to drive from Hillbilly Mini Golf to the Moonshine Mountain Coaster for one more run. This was the first alpine coaster we had done on our trip and the one that set us off to go ride as many as we could throughout the weekend. One more time would be appropriate. And with that it was time to head home. One last drive through the Smoky Mountain National Park. We waved farewell to one of the greatest of Pigeon Forge's attractions and saw Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride next to it. I really wrestled with whether or not we should pay the insane price to go experience Paula Deen's Lumberjack Fued, if only to try the zipline coaster. Maybe next time... But probably not. Country roads, take me home... Oh, and I might have brought a loaf of Dollywood Cinnamon Bread home with us.

Universal has announced that Halloween will be the latest house to scare guests at this year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood! https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us Halloween Gather your friends and visit Haddonfield, Illinois, where Michael Myers is about to don his mask and embark on his first brutal spree. Silent. Merciless. Relentless. He’s the embodiment of pure evil. You don’t want to go alone as you go back to where it all began. This year, step into the original 1978 horror classic, Halloween.

Universal has announced that Halloween will be the latest house to scare guests at this year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood! https://www.universalorlando.com/hhn/en/us Halloween Gather your friends and visit Haddonfield, Illinois, where Michael Myers is about to don his mask and embark on his first brutal spree. Silent. Merciless. Relentless. He’s the embodiment of pure evil. You don’t want to go alone as you go back to where it all began. This year, step into the original 1978 horror classic, Halloween.

The next morning we woke up early enough to be at the gates of Dollywood about an hour before opening. This would be my first time visiting in over 13 years, so I wanted to make sure we had plenty of time to experience the additions that the park had made over the last decade-plus. Going into this trip, I decided that no matter the crowds, getting the Timesaver Unlimited would be worth it for our visit. I'd read of reliability issues with Lightning Rod and Firechaser Express, so I wanted to make sure I had the chance to ride each of them as quickly as possible in case they went down for the day (which Lightning Rod ended up doing for a portion of our day). Timesaver Unlimited plus park tickets made this a pretty expensive visit (more than I realized it would be until I really started crunching numbers), but the time we got back for not waiting in the standby queue made our day more relaxed, guaranteed re-rides on Lightning Rod (four rides total in our one day) and allowed us to leave the park a little before closing without feeling guilty so we could spend some more time in Pigeon Forge. I was definitely excited to be back after so many years! It was neat that we were also visiting during Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival. One thing I forgot about is just how many theater venues there are in this park. The entry plaza had this fun touch of whimsy overhead. There was no shortage of flowers to be found throughout the park. My main motivation for planning a day at Dollywood... I'll admit, I'd watched POVs of this coaster way more than most leading up to this trip. Lightning Rod is only my third RMC that I've been on (Steel Vengeance and Iron Gwazi being the other two) and I think each has there own unique elements. I think the launch is a nifty element (though not worth the maintenance/reliability grief it has seemingly caused) but the mountainside setting of the coaster and with the six consecutive airtime moments in the back half being a delight, these are what distinguish it. That said, the coaster definitely feels a little short (it has such available momentum when it hits the brake run), and I was surprised at how shaky/rough it was by comparison to Steel Vengeance or Iron Gwazi--I did a lot of bouncing around on the track, why caught me off guard. Overall, this is a great addition for the park but I was expecting a little more for the hype. It was a little chilly during our visit to consider water rides in our day, but I love that parks like Dollywood still maintain tradition rapids rides in their lineup. The other reason why I planned a visit to Dollywood. I destroyed this loaf of heaven in five minutes flat. Also, don't skip out on adding the Apple Butter as a side for your order. Next level pairing right there. We were able to see a knife being fashioned at one of the park's live demonstrations. Since we visited on Sunday, the chapel was in use for services, free for any guests to attend. You can see candles carved live and you can dip purchasable candles in colored wax for an added price. Dollywood is a home to several bald eagles. Always impressive to see these beautiful creatures in person. If you know, you know. I had forgotten just how kitschy wonderful ride is and I was so glad I had a chance to experience it again. Tennessee Tornado has aged like fine wine. Easily the best maintained Arrow I've been on in the last five-ten years. Pretty ridiculously smooth despite its manufacturer. I love the layout and the non-Arrow-like maneuvers (including that funky vertical loop). I hope this one is keep around for a long time to come. Seriously, this ended up being one of my favorite rides of the day. This was new to me. As was this. Firechaser Express is WAY bigger than I expected it to be. I kind of geeked out when I realized that the station has trains enter and exit from the same side. It seems so simple considering that's part of the unique nature of the coaster, but it was so cool to me to see in person. And there are plenty of angles to watch the coaster fly by from on the ground. I do wish I'd had a chance to experience Adventure Mountain, but Firechaser Express seems like a way more unique use of this space. This was neat. NOT THE BEES! As only the second B&M Wingrider I'd been on (the other being GateKeeper), I was excited to try this one. Definitely a solid coaster. Nothing crazy from a layout standpoint but the location and the views make it a worthwhile experience. Dollywood isn't missing out on the chance to have their coasters sold as CoasterDynamix Nanocoasters. Mystery Mine was one of the newer additions at the park when I last visited. I was curious to ride again having had such time pass. Mystery Mine underwent a slight adjustment in 2021 where the layout was tweaked to remove the u-turn element. The coaster ultimately links back up with its original course. I love that the old track is still there as if it was always meant to be a part of the ride's theming. This element caught me by surprise. This side of Mystery Mine is quite picturesque. The last time I was here this space was used for Timber Tower, which closed a few years later. Drop Line wasn't in operation during our visit. Thunderhead impressed me during my previous visit so I was excited to ride again. Such a clever maneuver! Thunderhead appears to have gotten some love in the offseason with some fresh wooden throughout portions of the layout. And in those sections there was a noticeable difference in the way the trains felt rolling across the track. Mystery Mine is definitely my favorite coaster to watch from the ground here. For a Sunday, the standby wait times weren't unreasonable. I nearly missed Wildwood Grove because the entrance is kind of hidden in a forked path by Mystery Mine. That said, I'm glad I was able to explore the land, because it is full of family offerings and lots of available land for future development. See what I mean? Something tells me it won't be long until we see an addition in Wildwood Grove. Something my son could enjoy on a future visit. Another option for the little ones. If we had had more time, I probably would have given these flyers are try. There's even an indoor play area for the kids. For the love of Larry. This was a surprisingly fun Vekoma family suspended coaster. The first drop is a nice surprise and some of the banking makes this more thrilling than expected. I don't consider myself to be tall, but this netting structure that you pass under to get back to the rest of Wildwood Grove from the exit of the ride requires you to play limbo to successfully get under. Not sure how this got approved... This is quite a view. Wild Eagle looms large over this corner of the park. Because the majority of Lightning Rod takes place behind mountains, trees and/or buildings, it is hard to photograph. Here's one of the few shots I have. Dollywood is home to one of Dolly Parton's original tour busses, which you are allowed to explore in small groups throughout the day. Luxury living on the road. That's how you fit a king bed onto a bus. Just outside of the bus was a "show" where "seeds" would bloom into "flowers" atop poles. It was the most artsy/abstract thing we experienced at Dollywood. They sell two pound apple pie slices at Dollywood but I couldn't dare try it... Another rare photo of Lightning Rod. More flower fun. I stumbled upon the Barnstormer without remember that it was part of the park's lineup. I love S&S Screamin' Swings and I'll never turn down a chance to ride one. Thanks to the Timesaver Unlimited (and despite the fact that the ride was operating with only one arm swinging) I only waited five minutes. "Have you found him?" If it weren't so chilly, I might have considered a ride on Daredevil Falls. I didn't ride it during my last visit either but I hope it will still be around by my next. I was amazed at how popular the park's scenic railroad attraction is... Guests were lining up as early as 45 minutes before each departure on the hour. Dollywood also features a replica of Dolly Parton's childhood Tennessee mountain home that guests can walk through. We tried one of the food options (Korean meatballs) from the Flower & Food Festival and it was solid. With our Timesaver Unlimited we were able to reserve access for a showtime of our choice of the park's "Dreamland Drive-In" show in the Pines Theater. I was pleased to see some Disney find its way outside of Florida and California parks. No photos or videos were allowed from inside of the show but this was an enjoyable jaunt through decades of music with a talented cast. This was the longest show offered in the park, so we figured if we only had a chance to see one, this would be the one to choose. One more Lightning Rod photo for good measure. The Lightning Rod model was tempting but I resisted. The mountains in the model are a neat touch though. That closed out our time at Dollywood... All that would follow would be more kitsch and fun in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!

This is both a movie I would happily pay to see and a ride I would purchase admission to experience.

Universal Studios has announced the first house coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2022! https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us Universal Monsters: Legends Collide If you thought one Universal Monster was scary, how about three? Better summon your scream squad, ‘cause you’re about to get caught in the middle of an epic battle between The Wolf Man, Dracula and The Mummy, together for the first time ever. Their mission: To find the amulet that will break their curse. And they’ll destroy anyone who gets in their way.

Universal Studios has announced the first house coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2022! https://www.universalorlando.com/hhn/en/us?__source=ag.TWITTER&linkId=165522378 Universal Monsters: Legends Collide If you thought one Universal Monster was scary, how about three? Better summon your scream squad, ‘cause you’re about to get caught in the middle of an epic battle between The Wolf Man, Dracula and The Mummy, together for the first time ever. Their mission: To find the amulet that will break their curse. And they’ll destroy anyone who gets in their way.

Tokyo Disney Resort has announced the debut of Disney Premier Access for two of its most popular attractions, available starting on May 19th, 2022! http://www.olc.co.jp/en/news/news_olc/auto_20220513546228/pdfFile.pdf Tokyo Disney Resort® announced that Disney Premier Access will become available on the official Tokyo Disney Resort® App on May 19, 2022. This new digital service provides guests with the convenience of reserving certain Park attractions by using the app while at Tokyo Disneyland® and Tokyo DisneySea® Parks. By using this new service, guests will have more flexibility, be able to customize their visit, and get the most out of their Disney day. With Disney Premier Access at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, guests will have the ability to select their preferred time and make reservations to experience attractions. This service, available for a fee, will provide options for how guests experience the Parks, offering convenience and added flexibility for those who want to personalize their experience and get the most out of their visit. For the two attractions eligible for Disney Premier Access, Standby Pass is suspended starting April 25, 2022. However, guests can still experience these attractions as usual by waiting in line. The two Parks will continue to operate with the goal of creating a seamless guest experience by reducing the daily capacity to a number lower than before the outbreak of COVID-19, and by introducing innovative services that will empower our guests to enjoy the Parks their way and continue to respond to guest needs. Disney Premier Access Experiences Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast Soaring: Fantastic Flight Price 2,000 yen per access - All prices include tax. The above information is valid as of the date of this release, and is subject to change. - Please check the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Website (https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/) for information about the available date, price, etc., and instructions on the available Disney Premier Access experiences. - Depending on the circumstances and Park operating conditions, Disney Premier Access may not be available for purchase on the day of visit. Visit https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl/guide/disneypremieraccess.html for more details.