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After our great day at Holiday Park. we arrived in the late evening at the Hotel Charles Lindbergh, our final hotel of the trip. We were surprised by the hotel's generous welcome wagon, setting us up with a dinner at the hotel's exclusive 1919 restaurant. We were told to drop our bags at our "cabins" and then meet for dinner... From the moment you arrive at the Hotel Charles Lindberg, you feel like you're in an entirely different realm. The hotel's signature "Aeronaut Cabins" are part of the incredible experience of staying at this particular property, onsite at Phantasialand. The interiors aren't spacious, but that's kind of the point--but the room design is wholly unique and unlike anything I've experienced, anywhere. They're meant for transient travelers who are flying between destinations, at least as far as the story is concerned. Why would I share a photo of the cabin's bathroom? Because this window actually doubles as a door to a secondary verandah that looks out into Rookburgh... And the view from this side is incredible. Even with F.L.Y. not in operation, it is hard not to stare at the coaster. As much as I wanted to stay and roam, I wasn't going to pass up the chance to have my first meal at 1919 and it was well worth it! After our late dinner, I took advantage of another benefit of staying onsite at the Hotel Charles Lindbergh... Guests staying at this property have the exclusive access to freely roam the land of Rookburgh outside of park hours. And I took advantage of this benefit for each of the three nights we were here. The layering of levels, detail and track found within the land is astounding. I probably should have warned you at the start of this update that there would be a lot of photos of F.L.Y. But the honest truth is, there are a lot of photos of F.L.Y. to be found in my remaining updates. It goes without saying that I was utterly enchanted by this land, and by extension, our hotel. It wouldn't even matter if the coaster wasn't good (which it is--it is VERY good), because it is so visually impressive that that is an achievement of its own. The way this coaster weaves in and around the hotel is incredible. There's an entire lower section of the land that has tunnels and water as well. So few words can be used to express how taken aback by this place I was. I didn't want to stop roaming, but I needed to get a few hours of sleep before our full day ahead. Morning came and it was time to finally explore the rest of the park. That didn't stop me from grabbing a few photos from the verandah outside of our bathroom. If we had had more time, I was tempted to experience Pirates 4-D one more time, in German. But sadly, it was not meant to be. Early access for resort guests allowed us to enjoy a few rides before lines kicked in. Double decker carousels are fun. Black Mamba isn't something that is talked about nearly as often now that F.L.Y. and Taron exist in this park, but it is a really great B&M invert not unlike Montu. The station is very neat! I love just how much this coaster weaves in and out of the Deep in Africa realm of the park. I'd come back to experience the Colorado Adventure coaster, but I was impressed to see just how expansive it is. We rushed over to Klugheim, but probably not for the reason you'd think. With Raik being a one-train coaster, we figured it was best to get it out of the way sooner rather than later. Also, it is very difficult to get Taron and Raik in operation in the same photo. The Raik tower for both lift hills is nicely themed. Not unlike F.L.Y. this update has a lot of Taron photos. I love this fly-through structure! I love the design of this coaster. So photogenic! Chiapas wasn't running for the day, but I couldn't help but stare. For whatever reason, this was one of my most anticipated attractions of the trip, and I'm not even a big fan of log flumes. Wuze Town was far weirder and more grand than I had possibly imagined. I'd been hearing raves about Winjas - Fear and Force for a very long time. Watching Winjas in motion is almost as fun as riding them... Almost. Back for more Taron envy... Airtime! Twisty bits! Taron has some great overbanked turns as well. Rutmor's Tavern was our stop for lunch on day one and it started with a hearty charcuterie selection... Spinatspätzle was the dish of choice for our entree and it was fantastic. Have I mentioned yet that I really like Taron? Mystery Quest was something we planned to ride the next day, in the hopes of doing all of the park's water rides at the same general time. Mystery Castle on the other hand was high on our priority list. My first time riding an Intamin drop tower like this and it was great! Longing for Chiapas to open... You get these little beauties when staying at the Hotel Charles Lindbergh,, which grant you access to an exclusive priority line to the ride just for guests staying at that resort. What have we here? This looks oddly familiar... Similar yet different. The (Michael Jackson-less) Colorado Adventure was a fun mine train with an expansive layout... But it definitely gets a little rough at times. Geister Rikscha falls into the category of "derivative of Haunted Mansion" while also oddly unique... Some of it is very much its own thing. Some of it, not so much. It even has a section that's vaguely derivative of Pirates of the Caribbean! Similar but different. I have no clue. Back to Taron. Those curves. Rare are photos of Raik in action. But I was determined to get a few. With some more Taron thrown in the mix. What a great coaster! As dusk fell upon Klugheim it was time for something especially fun... Extra ride time on Taron after the park closed! What an awesome way to close out our day in the park! I might have gotten my own train (by happenstance) multiple times during the ERT... I might have. But I was willing to share a train with my good friend Chuck. Seriously. Phantasialand had shown us in multiple ways within the last 24 hours just how welcome we were. And we still had one full day left! Dinner at 1919 once again did not disappoint. Dessert was great there too! I took one more moment out the bathroom verandah to enjoy the view before getting some rest. Tomorrow would be the last day of the trip...

After eleven incredible nights aboard the Disney Dream, we disembarked for the last time of the trip in Barcelona. This would be our first time in Barcelona (my second time in Spain) and we had nearly two days of time in the city to explore. There would be food, culture, and of course, at least one theme park thrown in the mix while we were there. It was hard to say goodbye after such an amazing cruise (even before this, the Disney Dream is the ship I've spent the most time on out of any cruise ship) but we knew we'd be sailing again in the future. We'd heard that the LEGO Store in Barcelona was worth a visit... And it was. La Boqueria was our first meal stop in Barcelona... There was no shortage of ham to choose from... It felt like the appropriate time and place to indulge in some iberico ham and manchengo cheese. As excited as I was for the charcuterie, I was more excited for the prospects of fresh, raw seafood. And I was not disappointed with my choices! Just incredible. La Boqueria is an experience and you'd need many, many visits to try all of the unique flavors found within. We roamed the city for a bit before resting at the hotel. We planned an early dinner at a hot dinner spot that we'd been pointed to by social media... Tapeo was marketed as one of THE places to go for tapas in Barcelona. The classic patatas bravas did not disappoint. I had a rock shrimp, squid ink pasta served paella style (though this did not qualify as a paella) and my world was rocked. The next day we woke up bright an early for our reservation to visit Basílica de la Sagrada Família. I've been to many cathedrals, but this is easily one of the most unique. Simply unlike any others I'd visited before. The stone work is incredibly detailed and very much not in the traditional style of other houses of worship anywhere. But where its real magic lies is inside, where the stained glass windows animate the inside with light and color. I'd never seen anything like this in a church before. Stunning. And as the morning drew on, the experience evolved as the sun moved the interior lighting in different ways. This view reminded me of the one I had from Notre Dame during our trip to Paris years ago. After our time touring the inside of Basílica de la Sagrada Família as well as climbing the steps (which I highly recommend), we spent a significant amount of time exploring the incredible museum attached to the complex. Next up was Park Guell. I'll admit, this was an attraction that felt a little overhyped for me. The park featured some really nice views of Barcelona... And some unique outdoor spaces... It is all very impressive. But I also felt like, between the cost of admission, and the sheer overcrowding, plus the significant portions of "regular" park space, that this wasn't as special as everyone makes it out to be. While there was another church nearby, it was but a mere stepping off point to something I was far more excited to visit... Any guesses? How about now? If you guessed Tibidabo, you were right! While I would have loved to have had time to finally visit PortAventura, we didn't have enough time on this trip, and only had a few hours at Tibidabo because our visit to Park Guell was done sooner than expected. Sadly Avió was not operating during our visit due to high winds. A ride car from the former Montaña Rusa was on display in one of the central areas of the park. The park's unique location gives it the advantage of many incredible views. The park had a neat automated model museum (including a working model of Montaña Rusa) that could be explored. Because of its mountainside location, the park splits its sections across multiple levels. Forgive me while I begin to fanboy over Muntanya Russa for a bit. I don't know why, but for some reason, ever since this coaster opened, I've been curious to ride it. Despite it being a family coaster, the layout is modern Vekoma-smooth and features some really punchy helixes. There are no major, straight drops but it does have lots of curvy, terrain-ish maneuvers. I shouldn't enjoy this one as much as I do. But two rides on this awesome little coaster made my entire trip to the park worth it. Hard to explain why this was so much fun... But it was. The park does have one other coaster, a powered coaster called Tibidabo Express but it had one train in operation and a 60 minute wait, so I passed. If I had had more time, I would have totally checked out the park's knock-off haunt house, Hotel 666 (formerly known as Hotel Krueger for unlicensed reasons you can only guess). Embruixabruixes felt like a must ride and this bizarre scenic overhead monorail was definitely worth it for the views alone. The ride circles much of the park and even has an indoor section... Where some strange things happen. I wasn't prepared for the live actor to jump out and scare our car with a flashlight from complete darkness. I love a good old fashioned house of mirrors and Miramiralls was no exception. The park's new drop tower was preparing to begin ride testing during our visit. Maybe someday I'll return, but I'm glad I had the time in the park that I did. While we took an Uber to get to the park, I made it a priority to at least ride the Cuca de Llum funicular in one direction during our visit. It was a neat experience. The Cuca de Llum replaced the park's storied funicular in 2021 and the new trains look incredibly sleek. I do highly recommend trying this at least one way if you're visiting Tibidabo Amusement Park. Still delicious and refreshing. As we wound down for the final night of our trip, we went to a local mall within walking distance of our hotel to grab some final bites. While there, we happened to pass this neat store within an indoor ferris wheel. It was at this very late stage in the game that I realized I hadn't had a single paella on this entire trip. So food court paella had to be the move, and it was still delicious. Healthy Greens (that's the name) offered this incredible platter of steak and veggies that we were in love with. And this was my first time seeing a miniature IKEA in a mall. The next morning we left Barcelona to head back to London for a brief stop before flying home to Orlando... But we weren't going to miss our chance to have more Nando's while here! Halloumi fries for the win! Nando's Wild Garlic sauce for their chicken is incredible and I need it bottled stateside. And just like that, our 16 day vacation across Europe had finally come to a close.

Universal Destinations & Experiences has officially announced their intentions to build a new theme park and resort destination in Bedford, England with construction starting in 2026. https://www.cmcsa.com/news-releases/news-release-details/comcast-nbcuniversal-announces-intent-build-universal-theme-park Comcast NBCUniversal today announced its intent to pursue the first-ever Universal entertainment resort complex in the United Kingdom and in Europe. The project is to be designed and delivered by the company’s Universal Destinations & Experiences segment. The proposed plans, which are subject to planning approval, include a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct style of immersive and thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment. The resort will also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex. The park will be just south of Bedford, 35 minutes north of London by train, and will join the company’s existing portfolio of theme parks and resorts across the United States and Asia-Pacific. “This is a special and historic milestone moment for our company as we continue to accelerate the growth trajectory of our theme parks business and delight audiences around the world,” said Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Corporation. “The unparalleled storytelling and technological innovation that the incredible team at Universal Destinations & Experiences brings to life is a perfect complement to the British creative arts and tourism industries.” Universal’s growth beyond this development includes expanding and evolving its existing destinations in the US and introducing new, original concepts to new audiences in new markets across America. Universal is opening three theme park developments in the US in the next two years, starting with the highly anticipated Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida opening in May, which is the company’s largest and most technologically advanced theme park and the first new major theme park in Florida in 25 years. The company’s direct investment in Epic Universe has stimulated $11 billion in economic impact nationwide and generated tens of thousands of jobs across the US. Later in 2025, Universal Horror Unleashed, a year-round horror entertainment experience will open in Las Vegas, Nevada, followed by Universal Kids Resort, the company’s first theme park designed specifically for families with young children, opening in Frisco, Texas in 2026. Comcast NBCUniversal has invested more than $10 billion in new and existing Universal destinations across the US in California, Florida, Texas and Nevada from 2018–2024. “Bringing the Universal brand to the United Kingdom is another exciting step forward in generating future growth,” said Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences. “Expanding into Europe presents us with a significant opportunity to reach new fans and share the incredible experiences our team creates.” The 476-acre parcel of land in Bedford, purchased by Comcast in 2023, is ideally located with convenient, fast rail links to London and connectivity to the rest of the country, with more than 80 percent of England’s population and half of the UK population living within two hours travel time. It also provides fantastic connectivity to the rest of Europe, promising to be one of the highest-attended attractions in the continent and to bring in millions of new visitors to the UK. The decision to move ahead with the UK project follows a more than year of due diligence and is subject to securing planning approval. A planning proposal will be submitted to UK Government in the months ahead with a projected construction start date in 2026.

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari has announced that it has acquired Santa's Cottages, a resort property minutes away from the park, making this the first business acquisition in their history and their first foray into the lodging business https://holidayworld.com/news/holiday-world-splashin-safari-acquires-santas-cottages-resort/ Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, America’s First Theme Park, today announced its acquisition of Santa’s Cottages, a beloved lodging destination in Santa Claus, Indiana. Santa’s Cottages is a 23-acre lakeside resort, complete with walking trails, lakes, playgrounds, and a pool. This marks the first business acquisition in Holiday World’s 79-year history. “We’re so excited to officially be in the lodging business and this is only the beginning,” says Leah Koch-Blumhardt, Fourth-Generation Owner & Director of Communications at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. “Holiday World has always been a destination for families from all across the Midwest, but it amazes us how many families come from nearby cities, such as St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Nashville and make it a single-day trip. As we grow into lodging, we hope more families will choose our parks as a multi-day destination.” Minutes from Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa’s Cottages offers a peaceful, nature-filled stay with various types of cottage, including fully furnished units with kitchens, fire pits, and spacious outdoor gathering areas. The property includes multiple lakes available for catch-and-release fishing and fish feeding, playgrounds, hammocks, a basketball court, and a pool with a splash pad. “Santa’s Cottages is a business our family has always admired,” adds Lauren Crosby, Fourth-Generation Owner & Director of Entertainment & Events at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. “Pat and Brenda Arnold built a beautiful resort, a few cabins at a time, after their successful real estate careers. Much like my Great-Grandfather, Louis J. Koch, who started Santa Claus Land in 1946 after retiring from his family’s tin business, the Arnolds had an indisputable entrepreneurial spirit. We’re honored to carry on that tradition.” Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari recently announced that 2025 will be their longest season in recent history. Holiday World opens for select Season Passholders during the weekend of May 3, and opens to the public on May 10. Splashin’ Safari opens May 17, and both parks are open daily beginning May 23. Fan-favorite events, such as Holidays in the Sky, Friday Night Live! And Happy Halloween Weekends are all returning for the 2025 season as well. Guests should check the Santa’s Cottages website and social media channels for operational updates and special off-season deals as the season gets closer. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari have begun hiring for the 2025 Season. Applications are now open, for more information about seasonal and full-time job opportunities, visit HolidayWorld.com/Jobs Please fill out the form here or call 812-937-5252 with employment questions.

Our final sea day was a day for relaxation and food, as we made our way to our final port of call, Palma de Mallorca. During the sea day we took the chance to indulge in some of the ship's food and fun before our more active, and final day of the cruise. What better way is there to start a day than with churro Mickey waffles? Long had I been interested in trying the Remy Dessert Experience, but it had been quite some time since I had had a chance to be able to pull it off. I'd had dinner at Remy years ago and for this reason I was eager to give this offering a try. I opted for the wine pairing with the experience (because when you're here, you're here) and it started with this awesome riesling. Darker than I expected but the flavor was amazing. First up was the Creme Brulee, which was classic in taste and texture, but unique in that it was served and prepared outside of the traditional ramekin and had a slight pie crust. We had a chance to preview the Pithivier course in its full cake form before it would be sliced and served to us later in the experience. Next was the Macaron Framboise (raspberry macaron) and it was one of my favorite courses of the experience. Next up was a nice chianti (not served with a fava beans)... It too was delicious. The Choux Pistache Cherise was a traditional Pâte à Choux, this one served with an incredible pistachio filling, cherry jam and whole cherries. The Pithivier was filled with almond paste, not unlike marzipan. It was one of my favorite dishes of the experience. Finding out that Taittinger Champagne was among the three wines paired with the experience, I was sold. I love trying their different champagnes onboard Disney cruises and I was pleased to have this chance to try one. Well worth the entire pairing. Remy's take on a Chocolate Croquant was very indulgent--despite being light and airy due to the thin chocolate layers, it was very rich for its deep chocolate flavors. The Citron was the final item of the experience. While this looks like a lemon (and tastes like one), this is actually an entirely composed dessert meant to look on the outside like an actual lemon. Each layer, from the chocolate shell down to the citrus filling in the center is house made and the dish takes close to a day to prepare. It was an insane ending to a wonderful experience. A certain "little chef" can be found in the restaurant if you know where to look for him. That night we enjoyed Mickey's Color Spin Dance Party on the upper deck. The show features a great mix of music and characters and I really loved every bit of it. It was my first time seeing this Wall-e towel animal! One of my favorite pieces of enchanted art on the ship has a fun tie in to Gran Fiesta Tour at EPCOT. The next morning we woke up in the port of Palma de Mallorca for our final day of the cruise. It also happened to be the Fourth of July on this day and the ship would celebrate the holiday in multiple ways. The Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca looked incredible from afar. And even more so up close. Alternate modes of transportation. Our first taste of Gaudi-inspired architecture came from our visit to Can Forteza Rey. A little taste of Madrid in Palma... My one artistic photo allotted per update. Art and culture collide in Palma... Very cool things inside. Back on the ship for our final evening aboard, it was time for a special Fourth of July celebration in the atrium. Mickey and the gang hosted a dance party to celebrate! One final towel animal for the trip! Our final dinner was in Animator's Palate, participating in my favorite experience there, Animation Magic. Clearly I'm not very artistic. In addition to the normal Animation Magic menu, we were offered a special Fourth of July menu. What a great meal to finish out the cruise! Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes for the win! I went with the Slow-Braised Beef Short Rib from the Fourth of July menu and I was not disappointed. My art came to life alongside others'. One more Mickey Bar for good measure. One of my favorite historical ship details found in the 687 pub. One final adults only game show in Evolution... It was neat to see a Planet of the Apes film being shown onboard. I wish I had time to experience the film in the Buena Vista Theatre onboard but maybe next time. Mickey, Minnie and the gang came out for one final farewell...

After an amazing two and a half days at Europa Park, we made the road trip via bus towards Phantasialand (our final stop of the trip). Conveniently enough, Holiday Park is close enough along the path that Robb & Elissa arranged a half day itinerary that gave us a chance to experience all of the park's main attractions and to get a taste of their Halloween Fright Nights event. It is probably worth noting that in the time since our visit, Holiday Park has begun the process to be officially renamed as Plopsaland Deutschland. Quite a view to walk into... Their entry plaza is quite nice for a relatively humble-sized park like this. Faux-stained glass. I genuinely appreciate how the park has built out a decently-sized indoor attraction space. Holiday Park is part of the Plopsa family of parks, and as such, they took their use of the House of Anubis IP rights and applied the franchise to their drop tower. We were hooked up with some Express Passes for the day... You could use this punch card up to nine times for any combination of attractions. Fortunately enough the lines for most of the other attractions besides Sky Scream and Expedition GeForce were short, which allowed us to use the express passes for those. And they certainly came in handy. Through the trees! Over the trees! Sky Scream is only the third Premier Rides Sky Rocket II but it was one probably the best one I've been on. Going down! A look at the full look at the coaster's layout. I'll never complain about a park keeping parts of their former coasters as theming. Super Wirbel lives on here. Wickieland is the park's viking-themed area and matches the cartoony styles of the other Plopsa parks. I love how much Expedition GeForce towers over and wraps Wickieland. Wickie Splash is a really fun log flume with some interesting tricks up its sleeve. The Big Wave is a large Zamperla Disk'O with a nicely themed base. I enjoyed seeing Expedition GeForce fly by as I waited for my ride on The Big Wave to begin. It was quite a good time! Without a doubt the best thing in the entire park. Magical things happen in this section of Wickie Splash. Die Schlumpfe. But in all seriousness, the park's Burg Falkenstein dark ride closed a few years earlier as it has been updated to be new Smurfs-themed attraction. I couldn't complain about this hearty Jägerschnitzel lunch at Restaurant Pfalzgraf. It was a little too cold for my liking to ride Dino Splash, but I greatly appreciated the theme. Quite photogenic. Anubis was quite a fun ride. Time to explore the Heidi-themed Holiday indoor section of the park. It's essentially a studio/warehouse building with play areas, a few small rides and a small food & beverage counter. But the variety inside is nice and the vibe is quite whimsical. Some pretty neat theming found within, though I'm not familiar with the IP myself. A unique little carousel inside... And they even fit a kiddie coaster in here (with a decently sized section hidden behind the rock wall. Back outside for more staring at Expedition GeForce. Can't stop. Won't stop. If you've been a part of TPR as long as I have, you're already familiar with this sign. Silhouettes in the sun. Over the Pipi Station! Through the curve! "It's like Coca-Cola but frozen!" Seriously incredible design. If you're a fan of grilled sausage, well then have I got the park for you! The park has a very cute Maya the Bee-themed kiddie area that is kind of off of the beaten path from the rest of the park. But we didn't have a lot of time to explore because we needed to get back to the front of the park for something else... While we had to be on the road within a few hours of the event start, the park treated us to a VIP tour with priority access to four of the event houses... I appreciate the fact that the park actually ranks the fear factor of each house and scare zone for guests to choose what they're able to handle and what to avoid. \ A look at how much of the park is involved in the Halloween Fright Nights event. If there is one thing that Halloween Fright Nights has going for it, it is the fact that the scare actors are super in character and super vulgar in the process! All kinds of sass was experienced before we even entered the house! I've never experienced a house that took your photo within and gave it to you. Sadly the camera was out of focus but still a neat souvenir and concept. Mad Rat was the next house we experienced. Actors were unafraid to curse, use suggestive language and more. Words to live by: "Make Love, Not Rats." Absolutely insane (in a good way) to me was the fact that the park's Schnitzel Haus restaurant actually becomes a haunted house for the event, where you actually walk through (and briefly sit in) the dining room, the kitchen, and even the restroom... It was wild. The final house of our tour was the most anticipated and most bizarre. Titty Twister is an adults-only house themed around a haunted strip club. And that description is the tamest way to explain it. Unlike any other haunted house I've ever been in and entirely over the top in the most memorable of ways. We had a great time at Holiday park for sure! As the sun set it was time to head back to the bus for our final destination of the trip...

Silver Dollar City has sent us a press release announcing a new festival called Spring Exposition, which will run from April 10th through May 12th, 2025. Step into spring and step back to simpler times during Silver Dollar City’s new Spring Exposition, April 10 through May 12. The festival is a springtime celebration of authentic American food, music and culture with fun for the whole family. The new Spring Exposition introduces The Plaza, a brand-new area that doubles the size of the Grand Exposition featuring traditional hoedowns, hands-on gardening demonstrations from master gardeners with the world-famous Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, food & crafts vendors and a splash pad for family-friendly fun. Guests can also look up to enjoy the new Parasol Sky, a vibrant umbrella canopy stretching 2 stories above Valley Road. The best in regional flavors and sounds from across America take center stage at the new Fest House, where Cajun, Deep South and Upper Midwest traditions create a unique dining and music experience. For more festival entertainment catch the ragtime piano showman at the Gazebo or stomp your feet down at the Opera House for the Down-Home Clogging Jamboree, featuring dancers from America’s Got Talent! Silver Dollar City is famous for food, and the new Spring Exposition is no exception, with a smorgasbord of cravings from spring favorites honey blueberry lemonade, strawberry shortcake and a traditional Ozarkian fish fry to regional flavors in the Fest House like jambalaya pasta, shrimp po’boys, fried cheese curds and so much more! Guests can eat their way through the festival with the fan-favorite Tasting Passport. Beyond festival flavors, Silver Dollar City offers one-of-a kind rides including the nostalgic Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train to the record-setting Time Traveler® and the best new family coaster— Fire In The Hole®, there’s something for every thrill level. Spring Exposition is just the beginning of an unforgettable year at Silver Dollar City celebrating its 65th anniversary with a season of savings, including "2 Days for the Price of 1" this summer, exclusive offers for military, teachers, nurses and first responders, flash sales, and Season Pass Holder perks. For tickets, festival details and special offers, visit silverdollarcity.com or download the Silver Dollar City App.

Kings Dominion has shared a new look at the work under way to convert Project 305 (formerly Intimidator 305) into Pantherian with new paint, decor and more. https://www.kingsdominion.com/blog/2025/welcoming-pantherian-to-the-jungle "For decades, a group of archaeologists known as the Whey Foundation has explored the thickets of an uncharted rainforest called Jungle X-Pedition. Here, they have uncovered a collection of unique structures and ruins that each possess a distinct mystical power. Their recent discovery connects to the prominent cat symbol found on a stone disc in the area. This is the Pantherian Shrine, a stone plinth-lined section of the jungle featuring feline carvings and a large complex of twisted forged metal. Attached to the steel pathway is a contraption whose body and markings reflect that of the panther the compound honors. What follows is an exhilarating journey through a series of twists and turns that can only be described as what it must feel like to be a large jungle predator." Two coats are being applied to the spine and rails of the track In case you haven’t heard, our world-class giga coaster is evolving from Project 305 into Pantherian, sporting a fresh new look with orange track and black supports. More than 5,000+ feet of track are being primed and painted by our friends at Baynum Solutions. When guests enter the plaza, they’ll step through a feline-like temple honoring the jungle cat. The temple entryway prepped for more work Surrounding the plaza will be shrines dedicated to the jungle cat, almost as if they guard the ancient device towering before them. An ancient language is scribed on them, coding messages that can be deciphered. The pathways are now guided with wooden rails and posts, and the queue and station have been given fresh jungle-like colors. Wood surrounds the plaza, guiding adventurers Stone carvings and shrines are cut, awaiting assembly The two passenger trains will flesh out all-new sleek decals resembling a black panther on the prowl. Artwork depict the decals for the passenger trains (final design may differ) The exit store for Pantherian will be integrated into its research center where guests can store their belongings in a locker. On-ride photos will be available to commemorate your encounter featuring new FunPix frames. Pantherian Photo research center is prepped for finishing touches We expect the project to be fully completed this summer. Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates when this panther is ready to prowl!

Europa Park has announced that the next new themed area to join the part's line-up will be Monaco. Guests can start to get a sneak peak at this new land (while also looking back at the park's history) in a new preview centre in the Silver Star Hall. Future experiences planned for the Monaco section of the park include highlighting the atmosphere of International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo, as well as the Principality's architecture, marinas, landscapes, its famous casino and more! https://presse.europapark.com/en/presse/nachricht/datum/2025/03/13/monaco-wird-18-europaeischer-themenbereich-im-europa-park-preview-center-bereits-2025-der-legende/ In 2026, Monaco will become the 18th themed area at Europa-Park. The preview centre in the Silver Star Hall will already give exciting insights into the legendary Grand Prix from 2025 In 2026, the Principality of Monaco will become the 18th themed area at Europa-Park, joining countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland as well as England Ireland. From March 2025, a preview centre will be set up in the Silver Star Hall to give visitors an exclusive taste of this unique world. Inspired by the legendary atmosphere of the Monaco Grand Prix, this new themed area will showcase the many facets that make the Principality world famous: Its emblematic buildings, its famous casino, its marinas, the Mediterranean landscapes, culture, gastronomy, and its picturesque streets. Monaco, the 'Jewel of the French Riviera', is a world-famous destination that perfectly combines history and modernity. An exceptional destination, it attracts lovers of fine dining, wellness and culture. Monaco is a world-famous brand, a symbol of excellence and prestige that characterises this new themed area. H.S.H. Prince Albert II, a great admirer of Europa-Park: "For 50 years, Europa-Park has enchanted millions of families, and I too have had the pleasure of visiting it several times with my children. I am delighted about the new partnership between the Principality and this famous theme park, which will allow the creation of a Monegasque themed area in 2026. Monaco will thus become the 18th country to be represented there, enabling millions of visitors to learn more about our Principality and hopefully come here too". In the future, Europa-Park guests will be able to experience the fascination of the prestigious Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix - but also the luxury sights of the casino, the marinas and much more. Europa-Park owner Roland Mack: "Monaco is one of the most fascinating countries in Europe. We will offer our visitors many attractive attractions related to the Principality. As early as 2025, the park will be full of Monaco flair. I am delighted with this extremely friendly and valuable cooperation with the Principality and Prince Albert". The Prince and Sovereign is particularly committed to protecting the environment, especially the oceans and marine biodiversity. This commitment will also be reflected in the new Monegasque themed area. From 2025, the Principality will be presented at Europa-Park with a series of exclusive events. An extraordinary exhibition of vehicles from the 'Collection des Voitures de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco' will offer visitors a unique insight into Monaco's automotive heritage. Another highlight: The magical atmosphere of the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo comes to Europa-Park. This prestigious festival, chaired by Princess Stephanie, takes place every year in January in the Principality and brings together the greatest artists of the circus world to compete for the coveted 'Golden Clown' award. In 2025, Roland Mack was awarded the honorary title of 'Ambassador of Circus 2025'. To celebrate this art form, several new shows will be created in cooperation with Europa-Park and the artists of the Cirque de Monte-Carlo, which will immerse visitors in the fascinating world of the circus. Thanks to this unique combination of tradition, innovation and excellence, Europa-Park and its Monegasque partners promise a unique and innovative addition to the park. Between the passion of motor sports, the magic of the circus and the timeless elegance of Monaco, this partnership celebrates the art of entertainment and excellence the Principality of Monaco is famous for. https://www.europapark.de/en/theme-park/attractions/50-year-exhibition-monaco-preview-center 50 Year Exhibition & Monaco Preview Center Embark on an exciting journey through five decades of park history and, at our Preview Center at the end of the exhibition, get an exclusive first glimpse of the future of the new Monaco themed area.

LEGOLAND Japan has announced that their existing LEGO Ninjago World land will expand to become the world's largest, featuring new attractions, shopping and dining added to the existing lineup. The land currently features: Flying Ninjago Lloyd's Spinjitzu Spinners Kai's Sky Masters Cole's Rock Climbing Wall Jay's Lightning Drill NINJA Games Ninja Kitchen https://x.com/legoland_japan/status/1905143987847245911?s=12 ◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆ 2 ⃣ 0 ⃣ 2 ⃣ 7 ⃣ The world's largest LEGO Ninjago World opens in spring ◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇ The expanded area will feature new attractions, shops, and restaurants ⛩ Please look forward to the upcoming #レゴランド Japan Resort

Walt Disney World Resort has announced that Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin will receive updates including updated ride vehicles and blasters, gameplay enhancements and more! https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/new-space-ranger-spin-updates-coming-to-disney-world/ Calling all Space Rangers! Exciting updates are on the horizon for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements. Here’s what you can expect from this iconic Tomorrowland attraction next year. Brand New Scene As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by an all-new character! This friendly robot — aptly named “Buddy” — was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios to play a key role on the Star Command team. As a support-bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy. New Ride Vehicles Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features. Handheld Blasters Each ride vehicle will now include handheld blasters for better aim, helping guests to score even more points. These new blasters will be perfect for our younger riders, allowing them to participate more in the experience. And, if you’ve ever wondered where you’re aiming (don’t worry, you’re not alone), these enhanced blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission. Interactive Targets The static Z targets found in the attraction today will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind. Work on these updates recently passed an important milestone, as fellow Imagineers were invited to participate in a playtest of the new targets, blasters and gameplay ideas. Playtests are a critical part of the design process, where the project team is able to try out variations of a concept in a real-world setting, gaining critical insights into which ideas work best and how the experience can be improved. It’s all part of delivering an out-of-this-world experience for our guests. “Everyone had a great time, and our team learned a lot,” project creative director Justin DeTolla said. “We’ve been working on this project for quite some time now, so it was exciting to see it all come to life for the first time in the field.” To prepare for these updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will temporarily close in August and reopen next year. Star Command, over and out!

In my final days in Kuala Lumpur, our hosts took time to bring us to the city's most storied shopping locations, while giving us actual tastes of Malaysia... Eel spaghetti is probably not a native dish but I'm so ridiculously glad I consumed this. Our hosts insisted that we try durian during our visit. Durian, also known as the "King of Fruits" is both an acquired taste as well as an acquired smell kind of thing. If you've grown up around it, you're probably not bothered by it--you're likely a fan. If you're like me that had no exposure to it before this trip, it wasn't my thing. That said, when it comes to food and drinks, I'm almost always willing to try something once. Our hosts recommended easing into the experience with a durian frappe. It was a thing... It was interesting to see durian sold in its full form along the way... The different types of the fruit come in at a range of costs--what distinguishes each type, I couldn't easily describe, but it was interesting nonetheless. Central Market is one of Kuala Lumpur's oldest shopping areas but it has been enhanced over the years... The market has evolved to become an indoor, nearly-modern mall-style venue with shops, kiosks and vendors across two floors. I was exhausted by the end of my day, so I picked up some fresh Indian food on the way back to the hotel. Gobi manchurian here is unparalleled. As was this butter chicken. The Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur. On the holy day of Thaipusam, Hindu followers undergo a slow processional from this temple all the way to the Batu Caves, completed entirely on foot. The interior of the temple is vibrant and beautiful. After our visit to the temple, we were treated to a culinary journey across Petaling Street. We started with some authentic Chinese cuisine and it was some of the best I've ever had. I didn't know I needed Salted Egg Yolk Shrimp in my life before this trip, but now that I've had it, I can't not crave it. Petaling Street is a unique open air, covered market a few steps away from the Central Market. Lots of street vendors offering items of all types for all desires. I couldn't leave without having street food on Petaling Street. These satay skewers were among the best bites I consumed on the entire trip. The final stop on our tour of Petaling Street was Concubine, a trendy, hidden bar at the back of the street. I have no shame over how the drink looks--this drink with Baijiu was incredible. The next day it was back to the airport to kick off my long journey home... I was seriously tempted to have one more meal at Din Tai Fung while in the airport at Kuala Lumpur, but I had had a full breakfast at the hotel that left me absolutely stuffed. During my brief layover in Dubai, I had a chance to make one extra stop... One day I'll hopefully get a chance to see more of Dubai than just the airport. And just like that, but two week adventure in Malaysia had come to a close.

Merlin Entertainments has sent out a press release announcing that a new indoor roller coaster will be added to both the LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California Resorts in 2026. Merlin Entertainments, a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, is excited to reveal a new indoor roller coaster that’s truly out of this world coming to LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California Resorts! This first-of-its-kind new ride will launch at LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND California Resort in 2026. Merlin is making the biggest ever single in-park investment in the Resorts’ histories, spending approximately $90 mil on these two new attractions, promising an experience that combines the creative world of LEGO® building with an exhilarating ride and storyline that only LEGOLAND Parks can deliver for families with children ages 2 to 12. “As we prepare to unveil this exciting new attraction designed, co-created and imagined by the amazing creative team at the LEGO® Group and the unmatched talent of our Merlin Magic Makers, we hope the mystery and anticipation adds to awesome thrills to come,” said CEO of Merlin Entertainments Fiona Eastwood. “These new coasters are unparalleled for LEGOLAND Resorts, promising to elevate two of our premier LEGOLAND Resorts to new heights, utilizing the latest technology and embracing the LEGO DNA, as only we can do.” “While the details remain under wraps, one thing is clear,” said LEGOLAND Florida Resort President Franceen Gonzales. “This new ride will take our guests on an unprecedented adventure, setting a new standard for fun and imagination. While you wait, we’re opening our new SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium on May 23, 2025. These exciting attractions will give families a whole new reason to visit again and again.” “This isn’t just a ride, it’ll be an exploration unlike any other,” said LEGOLAND California Resort President Kurt Stocks. “As the first rollercoaster to be built in 20 years at LEGOLAND California, we’re sparing no expense to deliver the most innovative, interactive and captivating experience possible.”

Merlin Entertainments has sent out a press release announcing that a new indoor roller coaster will be added to both the LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California Resorts in 2026. Merlin Entertainments, a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, is excited to reveal a new indoor roller coaster that’s truly out of this world coming to LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California Resorts! This first-of-its-kind new ride will launch at LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND California Resort in 2026. Merlin is making the biggest ever single in-park investment in the Resorts’ histories, spending approximately $90 mil on these two new attractions, promising an experience that combines the creative world of LEGO® building with an exhilarating ride and storyline that only LEGOLAND Parks can deliver for families with children ages 2 to 12. “As we prepare to unveil this exciting new attraction designed, co-created and imagined by the amazing creative team at the LEGO® Group and the unmatched talent of our Merlin Magic Makers, we hope the mystery and anticipation adds to awesome thrills to come,” said CEO of Merlin Entertainments Fiona Eastwood. “These new coasters are unparalleled for LEGOLAND Resorts, promising to elevate two of our premier LEGOLAND Resorts to new heights, utilizing the latest technology and embracing the LEGO DNA, as only we can do.” “While the details remain under wraps, one thing is clear,” said LEGOLAND Florida Resort President Franceen Gonzales. “This new ride will take our guests on an unprecedented adventure, setting a new standard for fun and imagination. While you wait, we’re opening our new SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium on May 23, 2025. These exciting attractions will give families a whole new reason to visit again and again.” “This isn’t just a ride, it’ll be an exploration unlike any other,” said LEGOLAND California Resort President Kurt Stocks. “As the first rollercoaster to be built in 20 years at LEGOLAND California, we’re sparing no expense to deliver the most innovative, interactive and captivating experience possible.”

Santa's Village Ontario and Vekoma announced a new family coaster coming to the park in 2025! And construction for this new addition is well under way! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=906047248138560&rdid=ytbEbhSLPspXjfmX We're excited to announce the opening of Yeti Trek - Canada’s most exciting family coaster - coming to Santa’s Village! Feel the adrenaline surge as you race through towering, centuries-old pines and soar above the mighty Muskoka River , catching breathtaking glimpses of the landscape below. Stay tuned for more updates soon! https://www.facebook.com/santasvillageON/posts/pfbid02yAPxXxCJqdVV6LqGSYtUANcwopoQSgVLVsye7m1edkm7FX4kpLXQu6fBb3cyTqA8l?rdid=4b8vzanQJEA4a6Vz# The Yeti Trek coaster is coming to life! Our newest ride is in its final stages at the factory in the Netherlands, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The sleek twists, turns, and icy details are really taking shape, and soon, this beast will be on its way to its forever home right here in Muskoka! Once it arrives, the next exciting phase begins—construction at Santa’s Village! Watching the pieces come together in our park is going to be magical and we will keep you updated every step of the way! Get ready, because this is shaping up to be one wild ride in 2025! https://www.facebook.com/santasvillageON/posts/pfbid0fFvGMExeFEafhco19eDxTKE9JkivKbtvnT5tfEkfmNyJ9cMG7NjWXWsoKRFjnWRwl?rdid=bIG8haLCoNvxeDNF# Exciting Updates from Santa’s Village! There’s always something magical happening behind the scenes at Santa’s Village, and right now, the Yeti Trek is coming to life before our eyes! The cutest little electrical building is nearly complete—seriously, it’s so charming it could have its own fan club! Not only will it power our thrilling new coaster, but it also adds an extra touch of whimsy to the Village. The Yeti Trek coaster tracks have officially arrived! They’re here, waiting patiently to be pieced together for the most exciting new ride to hit the Village in 2025! Stay tuned as installation gets underway—things are about to get real! We can’t wait for you to experience this wild, wintery adventure next season. Who’s excited to ride with the Yeti? https://www.facebook.com/santasvillageON/posts/pfbid028mb35Bkcp4sxh7oMcyJjpEbXuHteVpE5cQjQJRP3BUGB8gkJUcoEebPHbzhCQWWLl?rdid=3hbhxlI9mL2sMkHC# Something chilling is happening behind the scenes… The Yeti Trek queue house is under construction—and let’s just say, it’s not your typical line-up spot. This coaster is so wild, it’s literally bursting through the roof while you wait! We won’t give too much away (yet ), but here’s what we can tell you: Snowy mountain vibes? Yup. Expedition gear and icy surprises? Oh yeah. Yeti tracks where you least expect them? Absolutely. You’ll be stepping into a frozen world of mystery before the ride even begins… and we can’t wait for you to see it. Pro tip: Grab your 2025 Season Pass now and be first in line when the Yeti arrives!

Wild Adventures Theme Park has announced that it will open the 2025 season with a new expansion called Water's Edge, which will feature three new family rides, new animal exhibits, an entertainment stage and more. While the bulk of the expansion will open with the park this month, additional elements will debut in late Spring 2025. https://www.wildadventures.com/media-room/2025-season-opening/ Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia, launches its 2025 season on March 15 with exciting new rides, live entertainment and immersive experiences, offering unforgettable family adventures through December. Wild Adventures’ new Season begins Saturday, March 15, with the debut of Water’s Edge, an exciting new expansion featuring three family-friendly rides, new animal habitats, a new entertainment stage and more. “This expansion is another step forward in our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests and their families at Wild Adventures,” said Jon Vigue, vice president and general manager. “Water’s Edge will transform a large section of the park into a vibrant, immersive environment that not only enhances the guest experience but also allows us to continue expanding our fall and winter events in the future.” Inspired by the charm and vibrance of a seaside village, Water’s Edge is a bright new adventure that provides guests with opportunities to soar, explore, learn and relax. When the new area debuts on March 15, guests can take a spin on the new Boat Parade, a lively speedboat-themed ride that whirls and twirls, creating the sensation of cruising along choppy waters. Guest can also feel the rush on the new Wing Swinger, a thrilling family swing ride that lifts riders high into the air, creating soaring experience. Water’s Edge is also home to the reimagined Horizon Wheel, an illuminated Ferris wheel that offers stunning panoramic views of Wild Adventures and the scenic lake at the park’s center. Water’s Edge will also introduce new animal exhibits, featuring vibrant macaws and an all-new reptile house. Additionally, the lakeside seating area will be expanded to provide more relaxation spaces, along with a new entertainment stage for live music and engaging zookeeper presentations. “This expansion isn’t just about adding new rides and experiences—it’s about creating a dynamic space that will continue to evolve with our park,” said Jon Vigue, vice president and general manager. “Water’s Edge will allow us to enhance our seasonal events in the fall, giving guests even more to discover during Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Wild Adventures Christmas Wild & Bright, with new displays, dazzling lights and exciting surprises throughout the year.” While the new rides and animal exhibits of Water’s Edge will open with the start of the 2025 season, additional elements will be introduced as construction is completed in late spring. These will include new dining and refreshment options, an expanded first aid facility, exciting new games, and the park’s first-ever Quiet Room. “We want every guest to feel comfortable and included when they visit Wild Adventures,” said Jon Vigue, vice president and general manager. “The addition of a Quiet Room is an important step in making the park more accessible for guests with sensory sensitivities, providing them with a dedicated space to take a break and recharge during their adventure.” Water’s Edge is a major three-acre expansion, and it’s just one of many reasons to visit Wild Adventures throughout 2025. Dinosaur Explore returns for the 2025 season, bringing prehistoric adventures to life with over 50 moving, roaring dinosaurs and interactive activities for the whole family. Budding paleontologists can dig for fossils at the Dino Dig site, engage with knowledgeable Dino Keepers, and come face-to-face with towering giants. Guests can also enjoy Dinosaur Explore: Tails of the Past, an interactive dinosaur experience running through Labor Day Weekend. “Dinosaur Explore is a guest favorite that blends excitement and education, allowing families to step back in time and experience the wonder of the prehistoric world,” said Jon Vigue, vice president and general manager. “We’re excited to bring it back for a limited time with even more to discover.” The Wild Adventures LIVE! concert series is also back this Season, with performances from Willie Nelson & Family, CeCe Winans, Zach Williams, Walker Hayes and more. Each concert is included free with a Season Pass, and reserved seats are on sale now. Wild Adventures will light up the sky in 2025 with three all-new drone shows, featuring stunning aerial displays set to music. Guests can experience these breathtaking performances on July 26-27, Oct. 25, and Dec. 19-20. 2025 also marks the first full year of operation for Wild Adventures Safari Campground, offering guests a unique way to extend their adventure. Located just steps from the park, the campground features a variety of accommodations, including RV sites, tent camping, and cozy cottages, all surrounded by exclusive animal habitats and experiences. Campground guests also enjoy a new dedicated entrance providing direct access to Wild Adventures. Whether staying for a weekend getaway or a full vacation, the Safari Campground allows families to sleep under the stars and wake up to the sounds of the wild. Wild Adventures’ 2025 season officially kicks off on Saturday, March 15, at 10 a.m., with a full day of excitement, new attractions, and returning favorites. Season Passholders can get a first look at the fun during Passholder Preview Night on Friday, March 14, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., enjoying exclusive early access to the park before it opens to the public. For details on Water’s Edge, Dinosaur Explore, the Wild Adventures LIVE! Concert Series, special events, and how to experience it all with a 2025 Season Pass, visit WildAdventures.com. Wild Adventures Theme Park is located at the halfway point between Atlanta, Ga. and Orlando, Fl. off Interstate 75 and is home to more than 35 family and thrill rides, hundreds of exotic animals, dozens of concerts, special events each year, The Safari Campground and Splash Island Waterpark, named as one of the “Top 30 Waterparks” in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Wild Adventures is ranked as one of the Most Affordable Theme Parks in America by Travel + Leisure, one of the Top 10 Most Affordable Water and Theme Parks in the U.S. by AOL.com and the Top Theme Park Deal in Georgia by Yahoo! Finance. In July 2023, Wild Adventures was ranked as “The #1 Theme Park in Georgia” by TripAdvisor.

SkyLand Ranch has announced the addition of WagonWheeler, a 300 foot tall swing tower ride from Zamperla that will offer a new view of the Smoky Mountains. This attraction will be the tallest in Tennessee and is set to debut with the Ranch's Boots & Blooms Spring Festival later this year. https://www.facebook.com/SkyLandRanchTN/posts/980087904299416?ref=embed_post This spring, SkyLand Ranch is reaching new heights with WagonWheeler, a breathtaking rotating swing tower—the tallest in Tennessee. The Boots & Blooms Spring Festival will mark its grand debut, offering thrill-seekers a one-of-a-kind experience with unmatched panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains. A Ride Inspired by Wild West Legend: Relive the Wild West tale of Big Jack Wheeler, who navigated through a ferocious whirlwind in his Conestoga wagon, earning him the nickname "WagonWheeler." Guests can experience the ultimate thrill at SkyLand Ranch with the launch of our newest multimillion-dollar attraction: "WagonWheeler" — a rotating swing tower soaring 300 feet above the Parkway that promises an unforgettable experience and breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. Festival Fun for the Whole Family Beyond the high-flying thrills, the Boots & Blooms Spring Festival will offer: Adorable baby animals born on the ranch throughout the spring. Meet & greet with Dozer, the micro Highland cow. The Buzzard’s Nest, a 60-foot-tall challenge tower & viewing deck. Live entertainment & family-friendly activities. A Culinary Experience Worth the Trip The festival also introduces an exciting new lineup of seasonal flavors at the SkyLand Bakery & the Great American Outdoor Grill, featuring fresh-baked treats, savory smoked meats, and spring-inspired dishes to delight every guest. "A Game-Changer for the Smoky Mountain Area" "This ride is a game-changer," said Mark Williford, President of SkyLand Ranch. "It’s the perfect balance of thrill and beauty—guests will feel the rush of the wind while taking in views that simply can’t be experienced anywhere else. From high-flying adventures on WagonWheeler to heartwarming animal encounters and lively entertainment, there’s something for everyone at SkyLand Ranch." About SkyLand Ranch: Experience the Best Day Ever with the Longest Mountain Coaster in the Southeast, a Scenic Chairlift Ride, Safari Hayrides, Smoky Mountain Views, Miniature Animal Encounters, Cowboy Demonstrations, Western Shopping, Delicious Eateries, Seasonal Festivals, & More! For event details and updates, visit www.skylandranch.com Manufacturer: Zamperla

The largest water park ever built in Quebec, Mōrea Water Park has been announced for Cité Mirabel with construction set to start soon. The park will be inspired by the culture of French Polynesia and will feature water slides, a lazy river, indoor surfing and more. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/morea-water-park-at-cite-mirabel-official-new-name-881520333.html Quebec is about to welcome an unprecedented project that will transform the province's tourism landscape: the largest water park ever built in Quebec, built by Investissement Ray Junior, named Mōrea Water Park. Inspired by the vibrant culture of French Polynesia, this name perfectly embodies the essence of escape, adventure, and conviviality, while evoking the beauty of tropical islands. A true tribute to family happiness and the spirit of travel, Mōrea will become a must-visit destination for both Quebecers and visitors from around the world. An Exotic Journey in the Heart of Quebec Mōrea Water Park will not just be a water park but a complete immersion into an exotic world where the spirit of the French Polynesian islands blends with Quebec innovation. Located in the heart of Cité Mirabel, the park will offer a unique experience, combining thrilling rides with relaxing family moments. Spectacular water slides, a lazy river, an indoor surf area, a wellness center and spa, as well as restaurants and boutiques – every corner of Mōrea Water Park will invite visitors to escape. The park's architecture and design have been carefully planned to recreate the warm atmosphere of the islands. With elements inspired by French Polynesian landscapes, traditional huts, and lush vegetation, Mōrea Water Park will be a true haven of peace and enjoyment. The experience will be centered around conviviality, with a range of activities suitable for families and all generations. A Project by Ray Junior Courtemanche, the Visionary Builder Behind this ambitious project is Ray Junior Courtemanche, a visionary known for his large-scale achievements. His goal is clear: to offer families an exceptional place where emotion and fun come together to create unforgettable memories. "Mōrea is a dream come true. This project is particularly close to my heart, inspired by the beauty of the islands and my own travels. I wanted to create a place where young and old alike could share unforgettable moments together, a place where joy, family, and nature meet to offer endless happiness," said Mr. Courtemanche, founder of Investissement Ray Junior. An Outstanding Economic and Tourism Impact Mōrea Water Park will not only redefine Quebec's tourism offering but also become a major economic driver for the region. The park will include a convention center on the top floor, designed to accommodate both private and large-scale events. This versatile and modular space will also serve as a performance hall, providing a venue for various occasions. A second hotel will complement the main complex, and an aerial walkway will connect the three buildings to facilitate movement and ensure visitor safety. This second hotel will feature a 1,500-seat performance hall. In addition to creating over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, Mōrea Water Park will attract visitors from all backgrounds, contributing to the growth of Quebec tourism. Partnerships with local and international stakeholders are already being developed to ensure an exceptional experience for future visitors. Safety and Accessibility : A Priority The site's layout has been designed to ensure smooth and secure circulation. Traffic flow will be optimized, with dedicated sidewalks and drop-off areas for buses to maximize pedestrian safety. In partnership with the City of Mirabel, transportation solutions, including Exo services and an electric bike station, will be implemented. Environmental Management Engineering experts have been consulted to integrate the best water treatment technologies, enabling water recycling and reuse with an ecological approach. To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate climate change, parking will be integrated into an 11-story building. This design minimizes pavement sprawl and outdoor vehicle parking, reducing heat absorption from asphalt and cars. A Place, A Dream, An Adventure Mōrea Water Park is much more than a water park. It is a promise of happiness, a call to adventure, a return to the roots of pure and simple joy. The largest water park in Quebec will soon begin construction and will open its doors in the near future to offer everyone a unique experience. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Let yourself be transported to Mōrea Water Park, where every moment is a celebration of happiness and family.

Kings Island has announced that The Beast is undergoing a project that will see over 20% of the classic coaster's wooden track replaced in when it opens for the 2025 season. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2025/march/the-beast-receives-new-track-during-offseason It’s no wonder guests from all over the world travel to Kings Island to ride The Beast. Its record-breaking features include a 7,361-foot-long track (1.4 miles) and ride time of more than four minutes. The legendary coaster has been lurking the woods in the amusement park's Rivertown since 1979, and this offseason, crews began the massive project of replacing more than 1,600 feet of the coaster’s track. By the time work is completed, more than 20% of the wood coaster's track will be replaced. The project encompasses the section from just before the second hill, through the brake shed, and the mid-course tunnel, including the track immediately before and after it. It won't be long until April 19, when Kings Island opens its gates for the first time in 2025. Enjoy unlimited visits for one low price (including unlimited rides on The Beast!) with a Season Pass.

Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort has announced the addition of a biggest-of-its-kind-in-the-UK gyro swing attraction for 2026. The park has also confirmed several details for attraction enhancements including acknowledging that the River Caves attraction will be the next park experience to be reimagined. https://www.instagram.com/p/DHa3lBENzI1/ https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/2025/03/20/were-getting-a-huge-8-72m-ride-and-work-is-already-underway/ Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort has today unveiled its plans for a new £8.72M ride, which will be the biggest of its kind in the UK. A Gyro Swing is being added to the park’s line up of rides in 2026, and work has already begun on its delivery. The ride is a giant spinning pendulum that swings 120 degrees and reaches 138 feet at its highest point. It can seat 40 riders who face outwards with their legs dangling, and will experience an exhilarating feeling of flying. Although other swinging pendulum rides exist in the UK, none come close to the Pleasure Beach model in terms of height. For example, Drayton Manor’s Maelstrom reaches approximately 74 feet, with the new ride almost double that in size. CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: “We’re thrilled to confirm the addition of a Gyro Swing at Pleasure Beach Resort, with work already underway. We’re well known for doing things on a large scale, so becoming home to the largest Gyro Swing in the UK made complete sense. “The Gyro Swing is one of the most exciting flat rides in existence – it’s dynamic, fast, and incredibly high, as well as being completely weightless at the top. It will be a fantastic addition to our ride line-up and we can’t wait to see people’s reactions when they experience it for the first time. “We’ll be announcing more details soon and we’re very excited for the future at Pleasure Beach Resort.” Pleasure Beach had previously teased the arrival of a new ride when it sent a digital van to rivals Thorpe Park on the day it opened its Hyperia rollercoaster, stating “We’ll just have to come up with something else then, won’t we?” Preparation work began earlier this year with the demolition of the former Bowl-A-Drome building, but Pleasure Beach had remained tight-lipped on the plans until now. The ride and its location were confirmed at Pleasure Beach’s season launch event earlier today. It will be located in the north of the park close to the perimeter, meaning riders will feel as though they are being swung over the sea. Other updates included: Confirmation that Pleasure Beach Resort’s newly re-imagined ride, Launch Pad, will open in Spring An announcement that new scenes will be added to Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic ride, from the new BAFTA award-winning film, Vengeance Most Fowl A further announcement that the beloved River Caves ride will become the next attraction at Pleasure Beach to receive a re-imagining Pleasure Beach Resort is currently open for weekends in March, before opening both weekends and weekdays from Saturday April 5 onwards. Tickets can be booked online at www.pleasurebeachresort.com and the earlier tickets are booked, the better the value. https://www.instagram.com/p/DHdkrQnK-ID/

Paultons Park has announced that they are developing a new holiday village attached to the park that will service up to 700 guests when open. The park will be near the existing park and parking lot near the Cobra and Edge rides. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25016476.paultons-park-reveals-plans-build-on-site-holiday-village/ Bosses at Paultons Park want to build 85 to 95 self-catering units, as it remains the only UK theme park attracting over 300,000 visitors each year with no on-site accommodation. Directors at the park did tell the Echo that the concept could “potentially take several years” to come to fruition. The resort will adopt a “Scandinavian” style, bringing a restaurant and a small shop for convenience foods, while repurposing part of the existing car park for holiday village guests. A reception to provide an arrival space for guests would also be erected alongside an entertainment room and a games room. Documents argue that unlike typical holiday accommodations in the New Forest, this resort aims to be a seamless extension of the park experience. Paultons Park also says that the new resort would be “essential” for ensuring the theme park’s long-term sustainability and keeping it competitive in a market that includes Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures, and Thorpe Park. The proposed development will be located next to the existing theme park and car park on land bordering the existing Cobra and Edge rides. Paultons Park has lodged an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening request – a precursor to a request for planning permission. The purpose of an EIA screening is to assess if plans will have significant effects on the environment, and this information aids the local planning authority in making a final decision. James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park said: “We are in the very early stages of developing a vision for accommodation at Paultons Park. However, with lengthy processes to work through, including securing planning permission, this concept could potentially take several years to come to fruition. “We are committed to continually reinvesting into our attraction, providing a world-class experience for our guests, and planning for the long-term. “In the immediacy, we already have extensive and very exciting expansion projects underway and the current works on site remain our priority.”

Mecalodon has begun ride testing!

After the incredible day and a half we'd had at Europa Park so far, it was both reassuring and incredibly sad to know that we had only one day left. This park had lived up to the hype and then some, and I wished (as I still do) that more time could have been squeezed in to enjoy more of the vast property's many offerings. That said, we still had a full day ahead of us, capped off with an evening at Traumatica, a Halloween event hailed as Europe's most sophisticated Halloween event. Our morning started off with some exclusive ride time on the Can Can Coaster... I love that Eurosat had such name recognition, that the new version still retains its branding, even subtly. Not unlike the queue for the attached Phantom of the Opera Coastiality experience, the queue for the Eurosat - Can Can Coaster features lots of related props and decor to set the stage for the attraction. I love how the queue embraces different parts of the lore and history of Moulin Rouge. A few props from the former version of Eurosat have found a home in the new queue. I absolutely adore this station design. And to be honest, I appreciated the Can Can Coaster far more than I expected. What feels like it was originally built as Europa Park's answer to Space Mountain has become a really fun tribute to the iconic sounds and sights of the Moulin Rouge, right down to the famous Can Can song. Next up for morning ERT was a ride of Silver Star. Now, I will admit that I almost definitely set myself up for a let down with this one. For years, I watched Robb & Elissa's earliest Europa Park videos and this B&M hyper looked to deliver a really fantastic experience. One such video that would always hype me up: In the years that followed, I'd have a chance to ride some of the biggest B&M hyper coasters back home, even getting one in Orlando. None of this to say that Silver Star isn't a good, if not great, hyper coaster--because it is. It is just that, hyper coasters don't have the same effect on me that they did when they weren't such a commodity. I enjoyed this one, but nowhere near the levels of awe I had somehow built myself up to expect before riding. The moral of the story here? Sometimes it is best to just enjoy a thing for what it is, and be surprised with how it ends up being when you actually get to ride it. I absolutely adore this section of the park. It didn't hurt that the Euro-Tower was nearby to give us a chance to view the park from above. One section of the park that I had less time than I would have liked, was the Ireland area. So many great things in one view. Swiss Bob Run looks great from above! No, this isn't a Spaceship Earth knockoff... Nor is it the only park with a geodesic sphere in it. We got a sneak peek at Traumatica from up here... Such a neat place to watch Voltron Neverra in operation... Speaking of which. We simply couldn't stop. Wouldn't stop. This might be one of my favorite ride photos ever... The insane variety of facial expressions sums up just how wild this experience can be in every sense. Nearby we rode the Snowflake Sleigh Ride which... Exists. This could probably be replaced with something more modern. This on the other hand, I hope they never change. "Dubi dam dam, da dubi daba dibi dam..." I love that they have a replica of The Globe Theatre and I regret that I didn't have a chance to go inside. Similar but different. I know many poke fun at how Pirates of Batavia feels like a knock off of Pirates of the Caribbean, but there is a lot to the experience that is unique. It had moments that reminded me less of Pirates and more of Sinbad's Storybook Voyages at Tokyo DisneySea. I think they really did a great job recovering and revamping this attraction in the wake of the fire. Did you even go to Europe if you didn't get poffertjes along the way? Had to go back to ride Snorri Touren again! I'll admit I had a degree of FOMO about not getting the chance to dine at FoodLoop but gimmick seemed just fine to observe from afar without eating there. Still blown away by this section of the park. I couldn't help but to stare at the Stave Church in the park. The Scandinavian section of the park (and its similar-themed hotels) was among my favorite areas of the park. Blue Fire is a great coaster that lived up to the hype. There aren't many swing rides that look as good as Vindjammer. We spotted a bit of Traumatica history while waiting for the Voltron 4-D film. Taverna Mykonos had an awesome platter for lunch that was a fantastic value. Pegasus packs a punch despite it being a family coaster. Tesla gave me a bit of side-eye as I walked back up for more time to watch Voltron up close. But it was worth it. I mean, look at this thing! Less side-eye given, now that I was going back in to ride. The maneuver from the brake run into this corkscrew is practically a launch. The first and only time I was able to capture a shot of the inverted stall... What a masterclass in coaster design! Old meets new. Action shots in motion... I just love it. Still delicious. Still refreshing. Time to start making our way out of the park... But the day was far from over. Silver Star looking great from afar. Europa Park takes on a gorgeously different tone at night. I wish I had more time to explore the rest of the park in the evening. But it was time to be traumatized. Welcome to Traumatica! The park's houses/mazes are definitely lower-tech than you'd find in some of the stateside parks, but if anything, that challenges the park to be more imaginative and creative with their effects and scares. The event features a main stage with a rotation of themed acts including musicians, dancers and freak-show acts. The Hill is quite literally a maze built upon a hill on the edge of the property. It was one of the most basic experiences of the event, but I give them credit for leaning into the theme simply and effectively. Something that surprised me about Traumatica was the sheer amount of fire found throughout. These fire pits were found throughout the event grounds... Never in America could guests be trusted to openly access such fire, for a variety of sad ("this is why we can't have nice things") reasons. Roaming scare actors were some of the best parts of the event and some of them even carried sparklers and fire sticks as they moved through the crowds. How about an action shot? POP! The houses each had a unique way of approaching the theme--and to the park's credit, none of them really went the way you'd expect. The entrance experience in this house alone, sold me on the entire experience. My favorite house of the entire event! The event also featured a variety of food trucks and booths in case you needed a bite or some liquid courage. I highly recommend experiencing Traumatica if you have the time to experience Europa Park during the season! What an absolutely gorgeous sight upon which to end our final evening at Europa Park...

Magic Springs has announced that the Arkansas Twister wooden coaster has been permanently retired after having operated in the park since 1992. Before this, the coaster operated at Boardwalk and Baseball in Florida from 1978 to 1990. Despite the coaster's closure, the park has confirmed that it will remain standing but not operating with a tribute set up at the ride's former entrance. (Photos and video from Theme Park Review) https://magicsprings.com/rides-thrill/ A Fond Farewell to Arkansas Twister After several decades of heart-pounding thrills, the iconic Arkansas Twister has taken her final run. The 2025 season marks official retirement for the beloved wooden coaster and she will remain permanently closed. Since relocation to Magic Springs in 1992, Twister has been more than just a ride – the coaster has been a backdrop for countless memories. Saying goodbye isn’t easy, but we celebrate the legacy of Twister and the sheer joy shared by generations of Arkansas families alongside visitors from around the world. While the ride will no longer operate, her presence will remain. We invite guests to visit a special tribute at Twister’s entrance celebrating the ride’s history and place in our park’s story. To everyone who has ever taken a seat, gripped the handles, and felt the rush of Arkansas Twister – thank you. Together, we will create the next chapter of unforgettable experiences and cherished memories.

Kennywood has shared an update on the progress to restore Steel Curtain to operation later in the 2025 season. https://www.kennywood.com/Steel-Curtain-Update