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It has been announced that Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland will close on March 9th, 2022 to undergo its transformation before opening in early 2023. This announcement includes confirmation that Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, Mickey's House and Minnie's House will all return with the land along with reimagined experiences coming to Gadget's Go Coaster, Goofy's House and Donald's Boat. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/02/the-transformation-of-mickeys-toontown-at-disneyland-park-begins-soon/ As we previously shared, Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland park will soon begin its transformation into a vibrant symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations with some all-new experiences, more play and interactivity for our guests, with a focus on families and young children. To begin this work, Mickey’s Toontown will be closed beginning March 9, 2022, and will reopen in early 2023, alongside the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. If you want to see Mickey’s Toontown one more time before the reimagining begins, be sure to visit between now and March 8! As a reminder, both a theme park ticket and park reservation for the same park and the same date are required for park entry. But don’t worry if you can’t make it before then — when Mickey’s Toontown reopens in 2023, it will still be home to favorite attractions such as Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mickey’s House and Minnie’s House! Plus, other attractions will be reimagined in new and exciting ways, including Gadget’s Go Coaster, Goofy’s House and Donald’s Boat. We look forward to sharing many more details about the reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown in the future!

Today the Disneyland Resort shared more details about the return of nighttime spectaculars at both parks, including some exciting news about the Main Street Electrical Parade! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/02/disneyland-resort-unveils-return-dates-for-nighttime-spectaculars-and-new-finale-coming-to-the-main-street-electrical-parade/ As announced in November during Destination D23, the Disneyland Resort is thrilled to bring back its nighttime spectaculars this spring. So many fan-favorite entertainment offerings have continued to return – from Jambalaya Jazz in New Orleans Square at Disneyland park to “Disney Junior Dance Party!” in Disney California Adventure park. Plus, we’ve recently introduced experiences like encountering Raya in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to the Celebrate Soulfully entertainment throughout the month of February. Each of these offerings highlights the incredible momentum at the Disneyland Resort as part of our phased reopening. Today, we’re excited to share even more on the entertainment front, with additional details around the return of our nighttime spectaculars! On April 22, 2022, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular will return to Disneyland park, and “World of Color” will return to Disney California Adventure park. “Fantasmic!” is preparing for its return to Disneyland park on May 28, 2022. But that’s not all the exciting news we have to share with you today! Upon its return to Disneyland park, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, the Disney Live Entertainment team will introduce exciting new elements to the “Main Street Electrical Parade” that will continue to evolve this beloved spectacular. Over the past five decades, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” has brought families together to delight in its many whimsical stories and featured characters. And soon, that will continue for a whole new generation of dreamers. In honor of the parade’s 50th anniversary, this nighttime spectacular will return with an all-new, enchanted grand finale that celebrates the theme of togetherness. This universal theme is reflected in the creative concept of the grand finale sequence. Inspired by both the original design of classic “Main Street Electrical Parade” floats and Disney Legend Mary Blair’s iconic art style on “it’s a small world,” the new grand finale brings to life more than a dozen Disney Animation and Pixar stories. These stories will be interpreted in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sound, with unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls. As the new grand finale passes by, guests along each side of the parade route will see a different set of stylized scenes from classic and contemporary favorite stories such as “Encanto,” “The Jungle Book,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Aladdin,” “Coco,” “Mulan,” “Brave,” “The Princess and the Frog” and more. Check out one of the early pieces of concept art, featuring Mirabel and Antonio from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award-nominated film, “Encanto.” From the Blue Fairy to a colorful, unique representation of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the grand finale of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” comprises seven segments stretching 118 feet in length, making it one of the longest and grandest units in the parade’s 50-year history. “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” will be available for a limited time at Disneyland park. When “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular comes back on April 22, it will run weekends only (Friday through Sunday). “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will present its high-energy, projections-only show during the week (Monday through Thursday) until late spring. At that time, “Disneyland Forever” fireworks will then run nightly in the summer. “World of Color” and “Fantasmic!” will return to their regular schedule upon reopening. We cannot wait to “ignite the night” once again! With the return of fan-favorite offerings, and new experiences on the way, the Disneyland Resort is buzzing with energy and excitement. It’s a great time to plan a visit, and we’re so excited to continue welcoming back our guests! We look forward to sharing more details about our entertainment offerings as the return of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” “World of Color,” “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular and “Fantasmic!” draw nearer in the coming weeks. As always, stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog! Check the latest entertainment details and schedules at Disneyland.com or the Disneyland mobile app. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. 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. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit Disneyland.com/Updates for important information to know before your visit, including the latest information on required face coverings.

Today Hersheypark announced a re-imagined experience for Sidewinder along with the addition of the new Mix'd Flavored By Jolly Rancher ride. Both attractions will debut this summer. https://stories.hersheypa.com/hersheypark-announces-two-new-jolly-rancher-attraction-experiences-for-summer-2022/ Hersheypark amusement park today announced the Hersheypark skyline is getting brighter this summer with two new Jolly Rancher attraction experiences that guests can only find at Hersheypark. Guests can take a flavor ride on Jolly Rancher Remix coaster, a first-of-its-kind reimagined coaster for the senses, and enjoy spinning 360 degrees on Mix'd Flavored By Jolly Rancher all-new family ride located next to Jolly Rancher Remix. Both experiences will be open during all four seasons following their summer debut. NEW JOLLY RANCHER ATTRACTION EXPERIENCES One of 15 coasters at Hersheypark, Jolly Rancher Remix reimagined boomerang roller coaster takes guests on a flavor ride by sending them and their senses forward and back on the same flavorful track. Riders of Hershey’s height category (48”) and above will blast through the flavor tunnel, invert six times in 90 seconds and jam to sweet tunes. Each ride is different with five randomized flavor rides like Watermelon or Green Apple, complete with different music, lights and scents for an only-in-Hershey sensory experience. Mix'd Flavored By Jolly Rancher all-new family ride is located just steps away from Jolly Rancher Remix in the heart of Hersheypark near Storm Runner coaster. Riders of Reese’s height category (42”) and above sit in one of the four arms and spin 360 degrees. The ride then shifts into gear and mixes in lifts, drops and never-before-seen views while dodging the other riders.

SeaWorld San Diego has released the official POV of Emperor:

^Antartica has been the exhibit-only experience for a few years now. You queue in the same way you did before, and you experience the first and second pre-shows that you would have seen before riding, but now you are sent directly into the open air animal exhibit.

Herschend Enterprises has announced details about their new GROW U program to all employees to pursue higher education with 100% of tuition, fees and books paid for as a part of the program. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/herschend-enterprises-11-000-employees-to-receive-100-free-tuition-301477917.html Today Herschend Enterprises, the nation's largest privately-owned themed attractions corporation, announced it will cover 100% of tuition, fees, and books for its 11,000 employees who choose to pursue further education. The significant investment in employee education will be made through Herschend's GROW U. The program aims to make it exponentially easier for employees at all levels to pursue their personal and professional dreams through education. Herschend's GROW U. will officially launch on February 24, 2022, for all seasonal, part-time, and full-time employees across its 25 US attractions including The Harlem Globetrotters, Dollywood Parks & Resorts (Tenn.), Silver Dollar City (Mo.), Adventure Aquarium (N.J.), Newport Aquarium (Ky.), Kentucky Kingdom (Ky.), Wild Adventures (Ga.), and Pink Adventure Tours (Ariz., Tenn., Nev.). "Herschend's GROW U. is not only a significant and transformational investment in our employee's growth but also our love culture in action," said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend Enterprises. "Herschend is rooted in love – it's evident at every Herschend property, every day –in the way we treat and support each other, how we Create Memories Worth Repeating for guests, and most importantly, how we care for our employees." "Whether it's to pursue a new dream or advance their career with us, we care about our employees' personal and professional growth, because we believe that their futures should be grown with love, not loans," continued Wexler. "Our team members' success is our success – and that's why we're thrilled to make this benefit available to all, regardless of their role in the company and without the burden of debt." HOW IT WORKS Herschend's GROW U. offers 11,000 eligible seasonal, part-time and full-time employees and hosts more than 100 fully-funded (100% free) diploma, degree and certificate programs across 30 learning partners in Guild's Learning Marketplace, including programs in high-demand fields such as business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology and marketing. Additionally, the company will provide partial funding, up to $5,250/year, for 150 additional programs in fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and art design. Herschend Enterprises selected Guild Education, the nation's leading education and upskilling platform, to power GROW U. because of their strong reputation for connecting employers and high-value learning providers to create opportunities for America's workforce. Herschend employees will have access to Guild's proprietary Learning Marketplace to select from more than 30 learning providers and utilize resources like professional coaches to support their educational journey. "We're proud to partner with Herschend to provide their employees with an equitable education program to advance their careers," said Natalie McCullough, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Guild. "With this program, Herschend is preparing its workforce for the jobs of the future with new skills and mobility opportunities." About Herschend Enterprises Launched in 1960, Herschend Enterprises is a family of companies that focus on family entertainment. Its operating companies include Herschend Family Entertainment (Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City®, Adventure Aquarium®, Newport Aquarium®, Kentucky Kingdom®, and Wild Adventures®), Herschend Live (Harlem Globetrotters®), Herschend Entertainment Studios (Splash & Bubbles® and Chuggington®) and Herschend Adventure Holdings, LLC (Pink Adventure Tours®). Herschend properties entertain more than 14 million guests annually. For six decades, Herschend has operated with the purpose of bringing families closer together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. For more information, visit www.herschendenterprises.com. About Guild Education Guild Education is on a mission to unlock opportunity for America's workforce through education and upskilling. A certified B-Corp, founded to bridge the gap between education and employment for working adults in the U.S. in need of upskilling for the future of work, Guild's industry-leading technology platform allows the nation's largest employers — including Bon Secours Mercy Health, Chipotle, Discover, Hilton, Macy's, Target, Walmart and The Walt Disney Company — to offer strategic education and upskilling to their employees. Guild connects workers to a learning marketplace of the nation's best learning partners for working adults with tuition paid by the company. Guild's payments and technology platform, curated learning marketplace, and advanced education and career services come together to help working adult learners advance in their education and career, debt-free. For more information, visit https://www.guildeducation.com/

We've opened a separate thread since this affects both companies--please continue the conversation here:

It has been reported that SeaWorld Entertainment has made an offer to buy Cedar Fair for around $3.4 billion. This news is still developing and we will update this thread as more information comes in. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-01/seaworld-said-to-make-3-4-billion-takeover-bid-for-cedar-fair SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. has offered to buy amusement park owner Cedar Fair for around $3.4 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said. SeaWorld made a bid of about $60 per unit in cash for Sandusky, Ohio-based Cedar Fair, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The companies are working with advisers on the proposal, the people said. Deliberations are ongoing, and it’s unclear if the approach will lead to a transaction, the people said. A representative for Cedar Fair declined to comment, while a spokesperson for SeaWorld didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Update: Cedar Fair has confirmed that the proposal has been submitted to the Cedar Fair Board of Directors for review. https://ir.cedarfair.com/news/news-details/2022/Cedar-Fair-to-Review-Unsolicited-Non-Binding-Proposal-From-SeaWorld/default.aspx Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, today confirmed that it has received an unsolicited non-binding proposal from SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Consistent with its fiduciary duties, and in consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors, the Cedar Fair Board of Directors will carefully review and consider the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and its unitholders. Cedar Fair unitholders do not need to take any action at this time. Perella Weinberg Partners L.P. is serving as financial advisor to Cedar Fair and Weil, Gotshal & Manges is serving as legal counsel.

Our next full day started bright and early at Disneyland Park as we revisited some of our favorite attractions at the resort while enjoying the holiday decor found throughout! Always a welcome sight! The Candlelight Processional returned for one weekend this year, which just happened to be the weekend of our trip. In the interest of time we didn't stop to watch, but the setup at the Main Street station was neat to see. Rope drop time! Where else do you go than Space Mountain when starting your day at Disneyland? Followed immediately by rides on the Matterhorn Bobsleds! Hi Harold! Splashdown! I always love experiencing Alice in Wonderland. And over the years the attraction has been updated with new effects and lighting that really make the scenes pop! Such a fun Disneyland classic. More entertainment out and about! It wouldn't be a trip to Disneyland without a stop at The Mint Julep Bar. Plus they had a new souvenir Mint Julep cup available for purchase! Mickey Beignets are a must while here. Hello Sleeping Beauty Castle! Jack Sparrow was having fun with guests in New Orleans Square... I don't think many people have a chance to look at this awesome plaque that calls out the names of those instrumental in making this attraction what it is... Never gets old. A Hen for a Ten? Red is awesome. More characters out and about by it's a small world! it's a small world! holiday was not open yet during our visit due to technical difficulties but opened a few days after we got home. Right before our trip the news about Mickey's Toontown updates was released, so we made sure to stop by and take in the land as it was then before it closes later this year. It is easy to see just how big of an addition Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is for Disneyland and Toontown. Time for a ride on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin! This will never not be a blast! Not the dip! Goofy was out in front of his house greeting guests in holiday garb! Donald was in front of his boat as well! Changes are coming... I'm curious to see what happens with this corner of the land when it reopens... The trolley tracks will be going away as a part of the land's updates. Such a fun style. "Do not look into the Eyes of Mara!" The Tropical Hideaway is a great place to grab a bite and rest. Bao and lumpia for the win! We found out what happened to Rosita! I love these poster designs! It was great to see the monorail up and running again through the park. Character cavalcades happened throughout the day, which meant we had even more chances to see Mickey and the gang! I honestly hope these cavalcades continue long after the pandemic is over. I love this. Over in California Adventure the gang was looking quite dapper. Hi Horace! Holiday sourdough! It isn't a trip to Disney California Adventure without a soup bread bowl from Pacific Wharf Cafe. The Sunset Showcase Theater got a new entrance and marquee since my last visit, bringing more attention to Mickey's PhilharMagic located within. Our time in the parks was cut short after a surprising phone call led us to the Grand Californian... More on that in the next update. How cute is this Grand Californian-inspired gingerbread house?

Last weekend SeaWorld Orlando hosted another round of Inside Look, a special event that offers guests the chance to go behind the scenes of attractions, exhibits and experiences throughout the park. Some of these Inside Looks can only be experienced during this special event while others are typically reserved for paid tours and SeaWorld Camp. But instead Inside Look brings the access to all for what is a really fun and insightful event. I had experienced a few of the behind the scenes looks in previous years including the Manta aquarium and Shark Encounter, so my focus this time was to do offerings that were new to me. In the limited time I had, I was able to go through three Inside Looks, one for Orca Encounter, one for Wild Arctic and the last for Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. While I was in the park, I was also able to see several of the recent or current efforts underway to update park elements with new paint, new decor and theming. It is nice to see updates happening throughout the park in advance of the opening of Ice Breaker next month, and it looks like this is only the start. Driving up to SeaWorld Orlando, guests are greeted by a new entrance sign. Gone is the former orca sculpture, replaced with a new rock structure. The Dolphin Nursery emerged from its recent refurbishment with an updated color scheme. Ice Breaker will officially open next month. The up-close look at the backstage side of Orca Stadium was clearly going to be popular so I went there first. The event started at 11:00 AM and this was the line about 15 minutes before that. This Inside Look had limited hours to allow the orcas to perform in the Orca Encounter show during the day. By the time 11:00 AM hit, the line for this experience ran all the way to The Waterfront. Once inside you are brought to the first of three stations in the back half of Orca Stadium... It is really neat to see just how expansive the complex is behind the stage. They weren't kidding when they said you got up close! Here we had a chance to see two orcas enjoying recreational activities while swimming between the three stations set up between three pools. One orca was tasked with taking this jello to a trainer at the third station's pool. Of the three stations, for me this was the best view I had. But as I experienced at the third station, it was all a matter of timing as the routing of these orcas was not being majorly altered for guests at Inside Look. Off they go! From the second station (the Medical Pool), I could see an orca doing a slide trick in front of the third station. The second station was the Medical Pool, where a rising floor can be lifted to raise orcas out of the water for treatment and inspections. We did get to see the orcas move through the Medical Pool to the third station. It was shared that much of the time orcas spend in the medical pool is recreational and comforting to build a familiarity with the space. This allows the orcas to be more at ease in the space, not having a purely negative association with the more stressful experiences that happen for medical or health needs. And yes, we learned how orcas know how to provide urine samples in the Medical Pool. We got a few swim-by's during our time at the third station, but nothing quite like I observed in the other two stations. At the edge of Sesame Street Land, the former Sea Carousel has reopened as the Sunny Day Carousel. A new construction fence on the Wild Arctic side of Sesame Street Land has gone up. Over by Wild Arctic there were some interactive stations presented by SeaWorld Camp. Headed towards the Inside Look entrance for Wild Arctic, it is hard not to admire the layout of Ice Breaker. I really can't wait to ride this one! From our walk to the Inside Look experience at Wild Arctic you could see even more of Ice Breaker. First stop for our Wild Arctic Inside Look was a peek at the enrichment items that the animals inside can play with. You don't realize just how much goes into a marine exhibit's water filtration until you see the system up close. We were able to see the food preparation kitchen for Wild Arctic. The science of how much food each resident of Wild Arctic gets is complex and incredibly interesting! The Inside Look ends by leading you out into the main Wild Arctic exhibit. Ice Breaker is looking ready to roll! Very cool. It was my first time seeing Kraken with its new paint scheme. The colors look pretty cool! A new Inside Look show, Seal of Fortune (a game show) was offered in the Nautilus Theater. The Inside Shark Encounter experience returned for this year's event. The Sky Tower has been undergoing a refurbishment including a new paint scheme. Turn right to go left. I was most eager to do the Inside Look for Antarctica, because it actually allowed us to walk the ride path of the former attraction. An open air penguin encounter had been set up in the final ride scene for Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. It was kind of neat to be back in this space. Plus I'll never complain about a chance to see more penguins. We also had a chance to see the ride path's side of the penguin habitat. Quite a view! Puck from the former ride waved us on as we moved out towards the former ride's exit station. Looking back one more time... On the ride path of the exit station... I ended my dead with a quick stop by Kraken to check out the new paint job up close. The track and supports have been repainted with a new color scheme but the trains have not been updated. I still really like the new color scheme! Can't wait to come back and ride!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that Iron Gwazi will officially open on March 11th, 2022! https://buschgardens.com/tampa/roller-coasters/iron-gwazi/ IRON GWAZI THE BEAST AWAKENS MARCH 11 NORTH AMERICA'S TALLEST, WORLD'S FASTEST & STEEPEST HYBRID COASTER Just in time for spring break, Iron Gwazi, North America’s tallest and the fastest and steepest hybrid coaster in the world, will open on March 11. Iron Gwazi takes thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206 foot-tall peak into a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. Riders on Iron Gwazi will experience a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, as they sink their teeth into crocodile-inspired thrills.

Knott's Berry Farm has announced that Montezooma's Revenge will undergo major renovations starting on January 10th, 2022. The updated attraction will open in 2023 with more details to be released in the future. https://www.knotts.com/rides-experiences/montezoomas-revenge Montezooma’s Revenge will close on January 10, 2022, as major renovations will be taking place to this historic coaster. This flywheel-launched shuttle coaster was the first of its kind and will be upgraded with exciting changes while keeping the ride’s unique charm that our guests have loved for generations. Stay tuned for more information later this year. The new Montezooma’s Revenge is scheduled to open in 2023.

For what seemed like my first trip to Disneyland in forever (my last trip was just over two years prior for the D23 Expo 2019), my wife and I managed to sneak away to the Disneyland Resort for a trip full of firsts... This was our first time visiting during the holiday season with all that that includes, as well as our first time visiting since the opening of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. Having been to Disneyland many times prior, this trip took a more relaxed pace, with us focusing on the unique holiday offerings, the new experiences at Avengers Campus and repeating many of our favorites. This worked out well as we also visited in the time before Genie+ and Lightning Lane was in use--meaning that all attractions operated with standby only. Fortunately enough, we were able to plan our time strategically and never waited more than 45 minutes for any one experience, with the exception of WEB Slingers, which we waited over an hour for due to the new ride's popularity. We had three days at the resort with the first day being the most casual--allowing us to enjoy Downtown Disney, Trader Sam's for lunch and Disneyland in the evening. The former ESPN Zone had some neat murals added to promote the variety of content available to enjoy on Disney+. It was announced at the Destination D23 event a few weeks ago that this corner of Downtown Disney would be demolished in the near future for a midcentury modern designed area of Downtown Disney with new shops and dining. The former Rainforest Cafe was repurposed as an expanded Star Wars Trading Post and I can't help but admire how the former rainforest ruins have been mildly rethemed to a Yavin 4-esque Rebel base. If you remember the retail interior of Rainforest Cafe it is kind of neat to see how the space was reutilized for Star Wars Trading Post. Nope. I've got a tradition to keep up... Yep! Trader Sam's it is! Don't pu pu my love of this wonderful oasis. After Trader Sam's reopened post-COVID, the venue started requiring dining reservations and with that change, the menu received a few heartier entrees to choose from. This ramen was awesome and truly hit the spot on the chilly day we visited! New mug acquired! Even though we dined outside (the weather was just too nice not to) we had to check out the holiday decor inside the Enchanted Tiki Bar! On our way out of Trader Sam's we spotted Goofy standing outside Goofy's Kitchen waiting to take photos with guests! We agreed that we would focus on Disneyland for our first day's time in the parks and seeing the park dressed up for the holidays was honestly the best way to really kick off our trip's theme park time. The Dapper Dans were great to see and hear here. Quite the tree. Hello beautiful! I had experienced Haunted Mansion Holiday years ago during a Halloween-time visit that I made to the resort but it was my wife's first time experiencing the glory that is this overlay. This was also Haunted Mansion Holiday's 20th year in operation. It isn't a visit to Disneyland without at least one ride on Big Thunder Mountain. Snow White's Enchanted Wish was another new experience for us since the last time we rode this it was still Snow White's Scary Adventures. In addition to updated scenes and effects within the ride, the facade and queue received enhancements to lighten the mood. But many of the classic touches have been preserved. Less gloomy than before but still very cool! A fun new detail we noticed was that you can see Snow White's silhouette dancing in the window of the cottage at the boarding area for the ride. I now present to you: The Backside of Castle! I was really excited to see just how much live entertainment and character experiences were being offered throughout the parks during our visit. Alien Pizza Planet has moved in permanently and received a neat sign to match. Still among my favorite experiences getting the chance to Rockit through space. That evening we had the chance to see A Christmas Fantasy Parade. This is a charming, classic parade with some of the iconic holiday elements I've grown used to seeing at the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party over the years. Mickey and the Gang are here! Hi Elissa! Adorable. Fun to see Frozen integrated into the parade. Most classic holiday characters in the parade. Goofy and Pluto! The toy factory float was super impressive! Hi Jack! Santa even came by to visit! Gorgeous. This is next-level pretty. For a cool evening, the grilled cheese and tomato bisque at the Jolly Holiday Bakery was a perfect dinner. I love the Castle Dreamlights on Sleeping Beauty Castle. They had a neat Muppets Haunted Mansion exhibit in the Main Street Opera House featuring props from the special. As a fan of The Muppets and Haunted Mansion, the special is something I really enjoyed and would recommend if you're a fan of either. Lots of fun references from both sides of the fandom. Good night Disneyland... See you tomorrow!

Last month it was announced that Margaritaville would be launching a new cruise line Margaritaville at Sea, starting with their first ship, the Margaritaville Paradise. This ship will offer two and three night starting on April 30th with sailings out of the Port of Palm Beach Florida. The ship is being refitted after previously serving as Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica. https://blog.margaritaville.com/2021/12/margaritaville-sets-sail-with-margaritaville-at-sea/ Today, Margaritaville announces Margaritaville at Sea, an offshore resort experience. The first cruise ship, Margaritaville Paradise, will offer the fun, escapism, and state of mind synonymous with the global lifestyle brand. “To me, the only thing better than being on a beach by the ocean, is to be on the ocean. Now you can follow in our wake,” said singer, songwriter and best-selling author, Jimmy Buffett. Departing on her first passenger sailing on April 30 from the Port of Palm Beach Florida to Grand Bahama Island, Margaritaville Paradise will include 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins in various stateroom categories. Following a multi-million investment and refurbishment, the ship’s cabins and common spaces will feature Margaritaville’s signature casual-luxe design with subtle nautical details and colors influenced by the surrounding sea, sand, and sky. “Margaritaville at Sea will be a new, exciting, and fun way for guests to escape and vacation in Margaritaville,” said John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville. “From oceans to lakes, Margaritaville has an organic tie to the water and with Margaritaville at Sea, we’re able to put our iconic lifestyle, resort experiences, and elevated service directly on the sea. We look forward to seeing guests on, and in, Paradise.” Margaritaville Paradise, formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s flagship vessel, Grand Classica, will feature gourmet food and beverage options, including JWB Prime Steak & Seafood, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Port of Indecision Buffet, LandShark Sports Bar, and Margaritaville Coffee & Pastry Shop as well as the Euphoria Lounge, Sunset Bar, and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Additionally, the ship will offer onboard leisure activities and entertainment, including the Par-A-Dice Casino, a Stars on the Water Theater, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, pools, a retail shop, and more. The ship was built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard and entered service as a pioneer ship. She has opened many new markets and frontiers during her lifetime, so it is fitting that Margaritaville Paradise will again be a pioneer for Margaritaville at Sea. “We’re excited about this new partnership as we launch Margaritaville at Sea out of the Port of Palm Beach. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and are appreciative of our loyal customers and trade partners who have stood by us through so much. We’re excited about this next phase of our evolution, rebranding as Margaritaville at Sea. The collaborative concept will add a different dimension to the cruising industry, appealing to a new audience of travelers,” added Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, who will serve as CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “Margaritaville at Sea will provide guests with Margaritaville’s authentic culture, entertainment, and food en route to a beautiful destination in Grand Bahama Island. The experience will be complemented by an unmatched, personalized approach to guest service from start to finish via valet service and exclusive cruise terminals for smoother embarkation and disembarkation. It’s the perfect partnership in paradise.” For more information or to book, visit margaritavilleatsea.com. About Margaritaville at Sea Margaritaville at Sea is a floating island vacation at sea that brings together the brand’s iconic hospitality and resort experiences with the ability to escape and see the world. The inaugural ship, Margaritaville Paradise, features 658 casual-luxe cabins with nautical details and colors influenced by the sea, sand, and sky. Amenities include several dining venues, pools, entertainment programming, retail stores, a St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Center, and more. In addition to Margaritaville at Sea, Margaritaville features over 25 hotels and resorts, two gaming properties, RV resorts, and over 60 food and beverage venues – as well as real estate communities, vacation clubs, and consumer lifestyle products. To learn about Margaritaville at Sea, visit margaritavilleatsea.com.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced the addition of a new attraction which will open this March, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex. This new experience will include new artifacts, exhibits and a new 4D flying theater with four different "journeys" to choose from! https://media.kennedyspacecenter.com/kennedy/kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex-launches-into-future-with-gateway-deep-space-launch-complex-opening-march-2022.htm In an ongoing mission to bring the epic story of the U.S. space program to life, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex today announced a new attraction. Slated to open in March 2022, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, will focus on the present and future of collaborative space exploration, enabling guests to experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating what is happening right now within the space program. It will feature a showcase of NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware with immersive displays, as well as a “journey” through space, unique launch viewing opportunities and more. Upon entering Gateway on the first level, “space travelers” will be greeted with a futuristic design intended to set the stage for their journey. Displayed like massive space sculptures in an outdoor garden, visitors will be surrounded by actual space flown artifacts and full-scale models, placed around the floor and suspended from above to allow 360-degree viewing and interaction. They include: Orion Crew Vehicle from EFT-1 Mission (space flown) Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crew Vehicle (full-scale engineering model) SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, officially known as Booster 1023, which supported two SpaceX missions (space flown) Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser (full scale replica) NASA Space Launch System (scale model) ULA Atlas V and Delta IV heavy (scale model) As well as offering a “nose-to-nose” view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, Gateway’s second floor features a 30-foot, floor-to-ceiling Robotic Trail Blazers Wall with interactive, touchscreen displays through which guests can learn about almost 40 different satellites and probes in space. Also in this area will be a HoloTube presentation station where guests can learn about the high-powered James Webb Space Telescope by manipulating holographic imagery, video and animation through a touchscreen kiosk. Nearby, guests will be transported into the future of space travel at Spaceport KSC, the first and only airport of the future. Upon entering the concourse, travelers will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of a galactic spaceport: atmospheric airport chatter will surround travelers as they peer through windows at distant views of active launches and landings. The main concourse features multiple screens that will showcase destination promo videos and departure and arrival information. Guests will then board their “spaceships” – in the form of a two-story, 4D flying theater – for one of four journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds. Each distinct destination allows for the possibility of a different experience with each visit. Gateway’s rooftop will be a versatile space for both launch and landing viewing and hosting special events. Affixed to the rooftop will be a Planewave CDK20 Telescope with a Espirit 100mm triplet deep sky APO Refractor, and an Altair 125mm solar refractor will offer access to some of the sky’s most amazing celestial and solar wonders. The stunning images can then be shared for educational purposes. As always, the health and safety of employees and guests is the highest priority for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations, the visitor complex continues to operate at a limited attendance, accommodating social distancing, encouraging advance daily admission purchases, and implementing increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection. All guests, including those vaccinated against COVID-19, are required to wear face coverings in all indoor locations, except when actively eating or drinking. This includes all attractions, attraction queues, show viewing areas, restaurants and buses. Guests who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to wear face coverings outdoors. Additional details are available at: www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/coronavirus. SPACEX BOOSTER ARRIVAL See the incredible arrival of a spaceflown SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, officially known as Booster 1023. This booster supported two SpaceX missions and can be seen inside Gateway in 2022.

Toverland has announced a significant renewal project on the way for Expedition Zork, the park's signature log flume! https://www.toverland.com/en/press/news/theme-park-toverland-renews-water-rapids-ride-expedition-zork Theme park Toverland will use this winter to upgrade their water rapids ride Expedition Zork. The attraction, which opened in 2004, receives a whole new storyline and will be extensively themed. Also the décor of Expedition Zork will be extended with an interactive marble run for the entire family. Expedition Zork is scheduled for reopening in the spring of 2022. More information can be found on toverland.com/zork. In the past years, Toverland has carried out various restyling projects for their indoor theme area Wunderwald in which Expedition Zork is located. “Toverland’s quality standard is getting higher and higher and we think it’s very important to include our older theme areas as well”, explains general director Jean Gelissen jr. “Even in these special times we want to continue investing and at the moment we think that renewing Expedtion Zork fits best with our strategy.” Expedition Zork Ever since the log flume ride opened in 2004 its rockwork has always contained an image of Zork, a mysterious green swamp creature. “We have never really explored the background story of this character”, says senior designer Peter van Holsteijn. “Expedition Zork’s new storyline will connect all the existing elements of Wunderwald. An alpine village, an eccentric inventor, a water rapids ride and an unknown mountain monster." Visitors of Expedition Zork will step into a transport system that has been devised by inventor Maximus Müller to search for the mythical character Zork. During the expedition they will find out whether Zork is this dreaded monster from the folk tale, or that perhaps the truth of the mystery is a completely different story. “All pieces of the puzzle will fall into place”, according to the designer. Interactive marble run An interactive marble run called Maximus’ Wunderball will be added as part of the décor of Expedition Zork. At the start of the run, visitors can obtain wooden Toverland-balls, and roll them through a giant track as often as they like. There are two different tracks with a combined length of 125 metres. More information The renewed Expedition Zork and Maximus’ Wunderball are scheduled for reopening in the spring of 2022. Construction will start after the Christmas holidays. Spinning coaster Dwervelwind is going to be the alternative attraction during Toverland’s indoor season when Expedition Zork is closed. Vistors who are curious about the project can have a peek inside Maximus’ Bauhaus from the start of the Christmas holidays. Frequently updated drawings of this project can be admired in this office. The project can be followed online via toverland.com/zork.

SeaWorld Orlando has announced that Ice Breaker will officially open on February 18th, 2022! https://seaworld.com/orlando/roller-coasters/ice-breaker/ THE STEEPEST BEYOND VERTICAL DROP IS JUST THE BEGINNING. SEAWORLD’S FIRST LAUNCH COASTER | OPENING FEBRUARY 18, 2022 Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker will feature four airtime filled launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida - a 93 feet tall spike with 100 degree angle. The thrills continue as riders fly over a near vertical tophat maneuver into a series of exciting twists, turns, and airtime hills. The brand-new coaster will be located across from Wild Arctic and opens February 18, 2022.

Amazing pictures! Phantasialand has always been on my to-do list for an eventual Europe trip. Rookburgh only makes me want to plan that trip sooner! Thanks for sharing this great report!

Today it was announced that the construction contract for Six Flags Qiddiya had been awarded, bringing the project one step closer to reality! https://qiddiya.com/en/media/press-office/qic-announces-sar-375-billion-construction-contract-to-build-six-flags-qiddiya/ Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced the award of a SAR 3.75 billion contract, to build Six Flags Qiddiya, to Bouygues Bâtiment International (BBI) - a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction - and Saudi Almabani General Contractors, in a joint venture between the two construction companies. The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by officials from both companies at the Qiddiya Experience Centre and was followed by a ground-breaking inauguration to simultaneously mark the official start of construction. As the Kingdom’s future capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts, visitors to Qiddiya will enjoy a wide spectrum of offerings that include Sports & Wellness; Nature & Environment; Parks & Attractions; Motion & Mobility; and Arts & Culture. Situated on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, Qiddiya is a destination city that is currently under development and when open, will become a disruptive destination that offers innovative experiences in entertainment, sports and arts. Six Flags Qiddiya will serve to be a key entertainment attraction for Qiddiya and the city of Riyadh. The theme park will cover an area of 320,000 square meters and will feature 28 rides and attractions of which 10 will be thrill rides, with 18 rides designed for families and young children. Abdullah Aldawood, Board Member and Managing Director, Qiddiya Investment Company, commented: “With this signing, we are embarking on major steps towards building the Kingdom’s future destination for Entertainment, Sports and the Arts. We are pleased to collaborate with leading construction companies, like Bouygues Bâtiment International, and we look forward to build Six Flags Qiddiya together, delivering a world-class theme park with several exciting new ride concepts. Six Flags Qiddiya will be a key entertainment attraction for Riyadh, the Kingdom and the world at large.” Selim Bassoul, President and CEO Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), commented: “We are pleased that our first theme park outside North America will be part of what will become the iconic entertainment destination in the Kingdom. Six Flags’ brand of thrills and entertainment is perfect for the youthful population around Riyadh and in the Middle East, and our park will help the city’s quest to become one of the best places to live in the world.” Pierre-Eric Saint-André, Bouygues Bâtiment International CEO, commented: “We are grateful to have been selected with our partner Almabani for the Six Flags theme park at the Qiddiya giga-project, which will become a major entertainment hub in the Middle East. Six Flags Qiddiya is an incredible opportunity for us to express our expertise both in terms of supporting our Client with export finance solutions and of construction of complex infrastructures. Our journey in Saudi Arabia started in 1975 in Jeddah, followed a few years later by the construction of the King Saud University of Riyadh. We are proud to be given the chance to continue this journey almost 50 years after it started. We are particularly delighted to take part in the country's transformation plan and we are determined to have a positive impact while making Six Flags Qiddiya a landmark in the world of entertainment.” Joseph Daher, CEO of Almabani General Contractors, commented on the partnership: “Over the years, we have worked with leading names in Saudi Arabia across various sectors be it housing, aviation, military, power or transportation. To be awarded the construction contract to build a first-of-its-kind theme park in the Kingdom is a great honor – and we are thrilled to be on board with Qiddiya. We are pleased that the development of this park will be aligned with the sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030, as that is very important to us. We look forward to working together to build this incredible project!” All rides and attractions have been designed exclusively for Qiddiya and embody the rich cultural heritage of the location as well as Saudi Arabia. The theme park will be home to five signature rides that will break ten world records including: Falcons Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster; Sirocco Tower, the world’s tallest, free-standing shot tower ride; Gyrospin, the world’s tallest pendulum ride; Spitfire, the world’s tallest inverted top hat coaster; and Iron Rattler, the world’s tallest tilt coaster. The rides and attractions at the theme park will be spread across six immersive lands: The City of Thrills, Discovery Springs, Steam Town, Twilight Gardens, Valley of Fortune and Grand Exposition. The central hub of the park will be the Citadel which will be covered by a billowing canopy form inspired by traditional Bedouin tents. Home to a wide range of cafes and shops, the venue will transform into an interactive show space throughout the day. From here, visitors will find gateways to each of the themed lands. The City of Thrills is the embodiment of Vision 2030: a forward-looking, boundary-pushing, future city anchored in Arabic design motifs. Here, visitors will find Six Flags Qiddiya’s most recognizable and anticipated thrill rides including the record-breaking Falcons Flight, inspired by the Kingdom’s iconic raptor and the Sirocco Tower. Discovery Springs is an aquatic wonderland of waterfalls, aqueducts and geysers as well as exotic plants and trees. This oasis offers visitors relief from the summer heat by creating the feel of a dense rainforest in the middle of the desert. It will be home to an interactive ride called the Sea Stallion, where riders are propelled over rivers, behind waterfalls, and through trees along a custom-designed course, as they control the speed and acceleration of their vehicle. Steam Town is themed around mechanical marvels and a collection of dynamic contraptions. Its signature ride is the Iron Rattler Mine Train which features a hydraulic lift that releases passengers into a freefall plunge through a narrow, steam-filled mineshaft. Other key attractions include the Steam Town Falls Water Coaster which combines a roller coaster track with a splashing boat ride, a spinning mechanical ride called the Bull Rider and a custom-themed climbing structure called the Treehouse Trek. Twilight Gardens is an oversized landscape of the imagination filled with colorful flowers and friendly creatures, all exclusively designed for younger visitors and their families. This enchanted land’s key features include the Twilight Express Coaster, which takes passengers through a majestic garden, the Critter Chase, an interactive dark ride set in a 3D environment, and the Kaleidoscope hot air balloon ride. Valley of Fortune is an exciting land of adventure that takes place amidst time-worn architectural ruins of old Arabian masonry, enlivened by the activity and trade of fortune seekers from around the world. This land’s signature attraction is Spitfire, a triple-launch coaster, which will take guests into a sky roll before an acrobatic stall and a breathtaking dive back to the valley floor. Other attractions include Skywatch, a hydraulic boom ride where riders are lifted into the sky, the auto-themed Treasure Trail, and the Canyon Charters, a family plane ride that swings and rotates freely above the park. Grand Exposition is a celebration of innovation combining the nostalgia of traditional World Expos with the greatest feats of science and technology such as the Gyrospin Pendulum, which swings riders to record heights. It is also home to Six Flags’ classic and most loved coaster Colossus, a gravity-driven wood-steel hybrid coaster that stretches over an 800-meter track. The land also features the Arabian Carousel, where Arabian horses march in a circular parade, the Expo Flyer swinging ride and the Roundabout featuring a bumper car attraction themed as London cabs. Six Flags Qiddiya’s master plan has been carefully designed to ensure the guest experience is unparalleled and memorable.

Storyland Studios has been selected to redesign Ghost Town in the Sky in the latest attempt to revive the park. https://www.themountaineer.com/news/storyland-studios-to-design-shuttered-ghost-town-resurrection/article_fcb0c3de-3609-11ec-bf84-53645f9cc306.html Storyland Studios, a company run by Disney Imagineers with a successful 20-year history in the themed entertainment industry, has been selected to redesign the long-closed Ghost Town in The Sky. The firm specializes in theme park master planning, strategy and feasibility studies, concept design, architecture and integrated marketing. “We selected Storyland because of their experience on so many theme parks around the world. They have a team that can help us get our brand story right, redesign the park and help us bring it to life and make it successful,” said Frankie Wood, managing member of Ghost Town in the Sky LLC. Wood has been meeting with part-time Maggie Valley resident Matt Ferguson, chief innovation officer for Storyland Studios on the project for about a year. “We want to bring back everything people remembered and loved about Ghost Town,” said Ferguson. “We still plan to have the Old West town. We expect to have stunt showdowns, can-can shows, music and entertainment. But we also plan to update the attractions to compete with the best storytelling experiences in the world and have stronger connections with the park’s location in the Great Smoky Mountains.” The Storyland team’s resume includes work on projects such as the LEGOLAND® Water Park, Universal Orlando’s Hogwarts Express, the new FAO Schwarz store in New York City, to name a few. Early plans call for on-property lodging, including a mountain lodge, boutique hotel and spa, cabins and cottages. Ghost Town in the Sky opened in 1961 at the height of Western film and television’s popularity. In addition to an authentic-looking Old West main street, Ghost Town in the Sky had an iron roller coaster on the side of the mountain, as well as a selection of rides and attractions. Ghost Town’s existing buildings will be rehabbed so that the refreshed main street looks almost identical to the original construction, a press release indicated. This spring, the park hosted gunflight shows for a closed audience to celebrate the coming redesign. “The excitement was palpable,” said Ferguson. “Our team is thrilled to be a part of bringing this special park back to life.” In a Monday interview, Ferguson said his family has been coming to Maggie for 30-plus years, and that he’s had a home in the community for a decade. “My back deck overlooks Buck Mountain, so I have a vested interest in making sure this thing is well done,” he said. “It’s my understanding we’ve overcome the hurdles of approval, so the project is very doable at this point. The money is there. I had the opportunity to meet with a number of the investors. They are on board and excited.” Ferguson said many don’t understand what it takes to lay prepare for a project like this. “Frankie is experienced and very good at making sure the groundwork is laid so we can get this done on time and on budget,” Ferguson said. “His due diligence has been top notch and that’s what’s taking a couple years.” Ferguson said a timeline isn’t in place yet, but the project is close to moving ahead. “I feel like many of the objectors might not have lived here when Ghost Town was thriving,” he said. “There was only two-lane back then.” With a four-lane divided highway in place, traffic issues shouldn’t be a concern, he said. “I feel confident this group of investors and developers is the one to push the ball over the goal line. These guys are really smart about putting these things together as far as grant funds and investors go,” Ferguson said. “I’ve heard concerns that Maggie Valley could become another Myrtle Beach or Gatlinburg, but everything we do will be in keeping with mountain charm and a tasteful mountain town.”

It has been announced that ITEC Entertainment has been acquired by the TAIT global group. ITEC brings its long history of work with theme parks to TAIT who specializes in live entertainment and events. https://www.itec.com/news-media/orlandos-itec-entertainment-a-theme-park-designer-acquired-by-group-specializing-in-live-events/ ITEC Entertainment, an Orlando-based amusement company that works extensively with theme parks, has been acquired by the TAIT global group, a Pennsylvania-based company that develops live entertainment and events. The acquisition allows TAIT to “establish a presence” in ITEC’s headquarters off South John Young Parkway and Sand Lake Road, though TAIT spokeswoman Jayna Zelman said current employees would not be moving to Orlando. Terms of the deal announced Thursday, were not disclosed. ITEC Entertainment has worked with Disney World, Universal and other companies to design theme park rides and attractions worldwide since 1985.In Orlando, the company’s work includes the former Twister: Ride it Out! show at Universal Orlando and The Scriptorium at the Holy Land Experience. ITEC also has offices in Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan, and has worked on projects in countries such as China, Norway and Russia. Spokespeople for TAIT and ITEC said they hope to expand both companies’ footprints in the live entertainment and experiences industry through the acquisition. “We felt it was a natural progression to join TAIT’s long legacy of success in the live entertainment industry and rising growth in the theme park and attractions world,” Bill Coan, president and CEO of ITEC Entertainment, said in a statement. “Our combined ingenuity will achieve bigger, better, and more awe-inspiring shows and experiences for our customers.” Adam Davis, TAIT’s chief creative officer, said the company has “long admired” ITEC’s work and that TAIT is looking forward to collaborating with the company. When asked if it would lead to the creation of additional local themed entertainment jobs, TAIT spokeswoman Brielle Freeman referred to a release that said TAIT’s presence in Orlando would allow the company to “add capabilities in support of clients locally.” TAIT’s company group includes businesses such as Brilliant, a staging and design company, Kinesys, a motion control technology business, and productionglue, an entertainment production and management firm. The company has operated since 1978, and its portfolio includes awards shows such as the Academy Awards and MTV’s Video Music Awards, concerts with artists such as The Rolling Stones and Lady Gaga and live events like Broadway productions. In Orlando, TAIT helped update the Blue Man Group’s show at Universal Studios in 2012. TAIT announced the acquisition of ITEC from its Lititz, Pa. office, though the company also has offices in New York, Boulder, Colo., Los Angeles and Las Vegas domestically and in cities including London, Hong Kong, Dubai and Tokyo internationally.

After closing their original park in 2006, the Bell family has announced plans to build a new park in Broken Arrow ten times the size of the original. https://www.brokenarrowok.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1791/1317 It’s official! Robbie Bell, and members of the Bell family, announced plans to develop a new Bell’s Amusement Park on more than 100 acres in east Broken Arrow, on the south side of Kenosha St., near the Creek Turnpike gate. Locally owned Bell’s Amusement Park was a Tulsa entertainment staple for more than 50 years at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds until it closed in 2006. Bell said that with the purchase of the 102-acre property, the new Bell’s Amusement Park will be 10 times the size of their previous park. “We will have the freedom now and the tools to put in an entertainment facility that will be second to none for this entire region of the United States,” Bell said. According to Bell, plans for the park include a thrill park featuring Bell’s favorites such as Zingo, the iconic wooden roller coaster, the log ride, the Phantasmagoria, and the Himalayan, as well as a kiddie park, high-speed go-carts, and a water park twice the size of any in the area. He also plans for the park to be open 10 months out of the year. “Broken Arrow is the community to be in if you want to put a business together,” Bell said. “They’re extremely aggressive in trying to develop the city, both commercially and residentially, with a lot of new neighborhoods going up on a weekly and monthly basis.” Mayor Debra Wimpee expressed her excitement for the new project. “It’s new and exciting for the city,” Wimpee said. “It’s economic development that is going to generate jobs and a better quality of life for our residents.” City Manager Michael Spurgeon reminisced about growing up in Tulsa and spending time at Bell’s Amusement Park. “Some of my fondest memories were spent there on Zingo and to be able to make this announcement today is an absolute blessing,” Spurgeon said. Bell plans to build the park in phases over the next several years. The property is undeveloped and will require infrastructure to accomplish his goals. “There is a lot to be done here, and this will take a lot of work. This doesn’t happen overnight,” Jennifer Conway, Broken Arrow Chamber and Economic Development President said. “But the vision is absolutely phenomenal!”

A Paramount-branded theme park is now planned to open in Kunming, China as a part of a larger entertainment development. The park is targeting construction completion in 2024. https://variety.com/2021/biz/news/paramount-branded-theme-park-china-1235110082/ Chinese authorities announced this week that a major $8 billion (RMB51 billion) Paramount theme park resort and arts complex will be built on the shores of Dianchi Lake in southwestern Yunnan province’s capital city Kunming. The Paramount resort itself will span an area of 643 acres out of the broader Paramount-branded development project’s total 1,899 acres. That will make it Hollywood’s third largest theme resort in China, following Shanghai Disneyland, which clocks in at 963 acres, and the 990-acre Universal Beijing Resort. The full Kunming complex will be more than five times larger and ten times more expensive than an initial vision of the park put forth last year in an official environmental assessment report. That document described the development as a $782 million (RMB5 billion) project spanning around 120 acres. The size ballooned because the Paramount park is now a part of a larger mixed-used development project that will feature 383 additional acres of institutions seeking to bolster cultural ties between China and Southeast Asia, according to a newly released governmental five-year plan published on the official website of the Kunming Dianchi National Tourism Management Committee. Those entities will include a branch of China’s Central Academy of Fine Arts, a Southeast Asian Art Research Center, and a cluster of eleven international art museums presenting works from the ten ASEAN countries and China itself, in addition to residential buildings and other public facilities. The government intends for the development to become a “first-class and internationally renowned tourism and vacation destination” and a “model zone for the transformation and upgrading of tourism industry,” according to the plan. It is listed as backed by three Chinese enterprises, without mention of foreign partners. They are Xindu Company, Kunming-based construction materials firm Guanjiang Group, and China’s State Development & Investment Corporation (SDIC), the country’s largest state-owned investment holding company. Construction is expected to span a period of about 42 months, aiming for a June 2024 completion. Less Risky Approach? Unlike Disney and Universal, Paramount came into the theme park business in the early 1990s by buying an existing chain of five theme parks from King’s Entertainment, which it then rebranded as its own. Those were then sold off in 2006. Paramount’s interest in theme parks has since been rekindled. The Kunming resort is the studio’s third currently in the works, following a project in Incheon, South Korea reportedly hoping to open next year and a 2023 London park. Paramount’s strategy today continues to differ significantly from that of Disney and Universal, which are much more involved in the development of their new parks to ensure they have a consistent look and feel. Paramount, by contrast, is more oriented towards what John Gerner, MD of theme park consultancy Leisure Business Advisors, says they deem a “less risky approach.” The studio tends not to put too much of its own money into a project, instead licensing the Paramount name and IPs to a local partner footing most if not all of the bill. “Paramount’s not necessarily looking at China, and it’s unlikely that if Paramount could pick any location in China to build this park that it would have picked this location,” Gerner said, drawing on three decades of experience working with Chinese parks. “I think what Paramount really wants is just to get one of their branded theme parks all the way to opening day and beyond, and show that one can be developed using this business model where it’s mainly a licensing situation,” creating a flagship project that could be used as a showcase to build more going forward. The momentum in Kunming comes from the local government’s drive to raise the city’s profile. “Local governments use the idea of a branded theme park as a way of galvanizing and branding these [mixed-use] projects, adding a name to give it more glamor and credibility to raise the finance,” he assessed. The new park itself will consist of six themed areas. Paramount Boulevard will feature theme hotels, retail and dining options and a water-themed show, according to the Yunnan Daily newspaper. Adventure City and Wonderland will boast thrill rides, including ones branded with the “Mission Impossible” and “Italian Job” IPs. There will be a “Peanuts” area featuring entertainment options related to Charles Schultz’s iconic cartoon, a dinosaur region with thrill rides and design features inspired by James Gurney’s “Dinotopia,” and a Final Frontier “Star Trek”-themed section. Location-wise, Paramount could certainly do worse than sunny Kunming. The high-altitude capital has long been a year-round destination for local tourism thanks to its continuous mild weather, ethnic and biodiversity, and growing importance as a transportation hub connecting China to Southeast Asia, bordered as the province is by Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. The announcement, however, of a multi-billion dollar Hollywood park complex feels rather anachronistic amidst the current low point in U.S.-China relations and resultant changes in local views on foreign companies and culture, Gerner notes. “China under its current leadership has really decisively moved inward to emphasize its own ability to develop all kinds of projects — and have obviously made an exception for Disney and Universal because of the glamor of those brands and what those companies represent. But the trend has been for China to promote itself,” he said. “If the government is going to put a substantial amount of its own money into this, you’d at some point expect them to decide that it’s really better to promote its own Chinese brands and IPs.”

Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe has announced the addition of two new water slides that will thrill guests starting Memorial Day Weekend 2022! https://www.emeraldpointe.com/sites/wetwild.com/files/Bombs Away WWEP Press Release.pdf The countdown to Opening Day at Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe is on as The Carolinas’ Favorite Waterpark readies for its best season yet, featuring the NEW Bombs Away water slides and more great fun. After a successful bounce-back summer in 2021, Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe is counting the minutes until Memorial Day Weekend 2022, when the park will drop into a season of fun unlike any other. Guests will be able to step up to the park’s new dual-drop thriller, Bombs Away. Sliders will step into enclosed capsules when, without notice, the floor beneath their feet abruptly vanishes and drops them down into two unique experiences – a straight-speed six-story, 70-degree drop where sliders will reach speeds of up to 26 feet per second, or a twisting, turning loop through a closed-tube 266-foot-long fly-by at similarly supersonic speeds. “We know our guests have been waiting to blast off in Bombs Away for a while, and this dual-drop thriller will be worth the wait,” says General Manager Adam Good. The slides’ debut was delayed by the covid-19 pandemic. “These drops are over the top, and we are so excited for sliders to blast off on Bombs Away all summer long.” While the fun may be a few months away, now is the perfect time to make plans by purchasing a Season Pass during Wet’n Wild’s upcoming Black Friday sales. Starting a week early on Friday, November 19, holiday shoppers can skip the shipping and supply chain concerns with a Season Pass, with budget-friendly tiers from no-frills, all fun to a Platinum Pass that includes free parking, free refills and two free friend tickets. Season Passes are up to 25 percent off their normal price during the limited time sale, and are available for purchase on six-month payment plans. Single-day tickets are available as a smaller stocking stuffer. “These Black Friday specials offer the gift of fun that will create special memories and won’t collect dust in a closet,” says Marketing Director Kaylah Macauley. “Getting a Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe Season Pass now allows smart shoppers to save big and enjoy the new Bombs Away attraction, and the special experiences visitors look forward to every year.” For more details on Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe 2022 Season, the new Bombs Away slides, ongoing Black Friday sales, and more, visit EmeraldPointe.com.

https://funspotamericaatlanta.com/arieforceone-roller-coaster/ Fun Spot America Theme Parks, Orlando’s only Family-Owned theme park is adding HUGE excitement to its Atlanta, Georgia location with the addition of an action-packed custom Rocky Mountain Construction steel roller coaster, ArieForce One. Riders will soar over 3,400 feet of track, towering 15 stories and flying at speeds up to 64 miles-per-hour. The new coaster will be located near the main gate to the park where guests will have spectacular views of the ride featuring the largest Zero-G Stall in America. “ArieForce One is a tribute to my father and his passion for flying. We will have you believing you’re traveling into space with all of the airtime moments and weightlessness this RMC coaster provides,” said Fun Spot America CEO and Owner, John Arie Jr. “The addition of ArieForce One is a HUGE milestone for our company and the first of many new Marque rides and attractions yet to come to the Fayetteville, GA park. As a one-of-a-kind roller coaster, custom designed to the topography and layout of Fun Spot Atlanta, no other RMC roller coaster has this combination of elements. The Raven Truss Dive and the Zero-G Roll over the arcade are the first-of-their-kind in the world. In both ride elements the train travels through the center of a uniquely designed truss bridge while twisting at Zero-G,” said John Arie Jr. Key Features of ArieForce One include: Themed queue lines based on John Arie Sr’s boyhood passion for flight; Two state of the art 20 passenger steering axle trains that just scream high speed thrills; 3,400 feet of RMC’s award-winning patented steel Ibox track; A HUGE tension-building ascent up a towering,154-foot lift hill; Reaching incredible speeds up to 64 mph; Intense ride elements including a steep, 83-degree first drop and the largest Zero-G Stall in America; Four exciting inversions including a first ever Raven Truss Dive, two Zero-G Rolls and a 180-degree stall.