ORLANDO, FL

​When Super Nintendo World was being developed for the Universal Orlando Resort, there were rumors of Nintendo lands opening in each of the theme parks. While the original area would feature attractions set in the Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong Country, additional lands based on Pokemon and the Legend of Zelda were rumored to be coming later.
Let’s dig into a possible ride concept that may have been created specifically for a Zelda ride at Universal Orlando. Be sure to check out the video version of this story below for additional visuals.

FULL STORY

SAN ANTONIO, TX

​For the first time in over a decade, SeaWorld will operate year round1! Beginning in January, fans can enjoy 12 continuous months of fun and safe park experiences throughout 2021. The year-round operation launches the exciting return of Wild Days in January, and NEW this year, Mardi Gras festivities in February. SeaWorld’s attractions and events have been modified to limit capacity and create a safe experience for guests to roam the park’s 250 acres with friends and families. In addition to enhancing the park’s already strict health and safety measures including increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, face covering requirements, daily capacity will be significantly limited to create even more open space for guests to maintain safe physical distancing. Reservations are required and limited and can be made at SeaWorldSanAntonio.com. Wild Days, a celebration of wild animals and wild coasters, is back on Saturdays and Sundays from January 9-31, celebrating the park’s commitment to conservation efforts, but also the thrills of the best coasters in Texas! The park will feature conservation themed events and up-close animal experiences with physical distancing measures in place. Designed to align with SeaWorld’s core values, Wild Days allows guests the opportunity to explore the animal kingdom, inspire them to care for nature, and encourage them to act and preserve the wild wonders of the world, all while having the thrill of a lifetime. Enjoy up-close animal appearances from SeaWorld’s own Animal Ambassador Team, as well as our friends from the San Antonio Zoo. In addition to SeaWorld’s already inspiring and educational animal presentations, during Wild Days, SeaWorld will feature Flying High, a live educational presentation that introduces guests to some feathered friends from “Last Chance Forever”, an organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and return of sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey. Featured raptors will include a red-tailed hawk, a great horned owl, and an American bald eagle. From February 6-28, SeaWorld brings Mardi Gras to South Texas for the first time ever! Guests can grab their beads and celebrate Fat Tuesday all month long throughout the park’s spacious outdoor pathways with plenty of space to roam safely with friends and family. SeaWorld San Antonio will host this New Orleans style carnival, complete with live music, extravagant costumes, and Mardi Gras infused and inspired chef created culinary cuisine like jambalaya, po-boys, shrimp and andouille skewers with dirty rice, and the ever-popular freshly made beignets. In addition to all of the amazing food, guests will be able to indulge in a variety of Mardi Gras themed specialty cocktails including the famous Hurricane and a range of tasty Daiquiris. Guests will feel the French Quarter vibe, indulge in Creole and Cajun food and drink favorites, dance in the streets, and be the life of the mardi as they laisse les bon temps rouler! Best Way to Enjoy Save up to 50% on tickets and 2021 Season and Annual Passes. Buy now to enjoy Christmas Celebration today along with all the fun and thrills of 2021! This special sale expires Dec. 27, so don’t wait! The new 2021 Season Pass also includes FREE parking, pass member exclusive discounts on merchandise and photos, and all new special events. The fun and incredible value also doesn’t end there. The park’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum Annual Passes are packed with even more benefits (the best in SeaWorld’s history) to enjoy the parks year-round including up to six (6) free bring-a-friend tickets, VIP parking, up to 50% off in-park discounts, free access to animal interactions, and much more. Before the end of this year, pass members will be treated to several exclusive pass member-only perks including exclusive coasters in the dark ride times, and gift giveaways. Safety SeaWorld San Antonio is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in our care. The park has worked diligently with state and local health officials, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety and cleanliness standards. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19. SeaWorld San Antonio is excited to continue to provide our guests with fun, inspiring and memorable experiences, while addressing important health and safety needs during this time. For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the resort, including key operational changes, visit Seaworld.com/san-antonio/park-info/park-safety. For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldSanAntonio.com

BROOKLYN, NY

Little thrill seekers have a lot to look forward to in the year ahead. 
Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will add a new ride to its roster in 2021, a 68-foot-tall, 34-mile-per-hour roller coaster named Phoenix—a sign of rebirth. The Coney Island attraction announced the big news following USA Today's roundup of the country's most anticipated new coasters. 



FULL STORY

DUBAI, UAE

​A Dubai government-backed holding company made a formal bid on Sunday to buy out the city's struggling theme park operator, the company said in documents filed with the Dubai Financial Market, capping years of plummeting income and stocks.
Meraas Holding, the majority shareholder of DXB Entertainments, made a cash offer to acquire the debt-burdened company, which owns Dubai Parks & Resorts, offering to convert some $1.15 million in debt into equity and buy out other shareholders at $0.02 for each share, below the $0.03 closing price on Sunday.

FULL STORY

LEGO artist Tomáš Kašpařík (aka Chairudo) is a self-confessed “child that never grew up.” Like many kids (and adults), he has a love for LEGO, but he’s been lucky enough to turn his passion into a career. For years, he’s been creating extraordinary sculptures from the plastic pieces, and his latest creation is no exception. He constructed the world’s largest wooden-style coaster from LEGO, and it actually works!Chairudo’s LEGO roller coaster is based on a real-life ride called El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. El Toro is not for the faint-hearted—it features a terrifying drop of 176 feet (53 meters) at a 76-degree angle, the steepest drop of any wooden roller coaster in America. Chairudo recreated the winding structure in miniature, and it’s just as impressive as its real counterpart.


FULL STORY

The promise of Super Nintendo World is especially tantalizing in a world where the pandemic is cutting into travel options, but now we’ve had a chance to experience the Universal Studios park without going to Japan or waiting for its doors to open in the spring.


FULL STORY

RYE, NY

​Westchester County and Standard Amusements have reached a settlement over management of county owned Playland amusement park, potentially ending a bitter and costly legal dispute.
The settlement means the company would manage the park and the county would end its effort to dissolve their partnership.
But first new contract terms have to be approved by Westchester lawmakers.

FULL STORY

ELYSBURG, PA

​The operator of the Watsontown Trucking Company and Patton Warehousing and Logistics groups is sponsoring a free admission night for families who want to visit Knoebels Joy Through the Grove tonight. The event, sponsored by the Patton family, will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. tonight. 
Steve Patton, president of Patton Logistics Group, said the idea started when considering options for an event to thank employees. The company typically hosts a picnic at Knoebels but had to cancel it this year.
“From there, the idea grew,” said Patton. “There are a lot of people struggling right now who could really use an experience like Joy Through the Grove but might not have the means.”


FULL STORY

ORLANDO, FL

​Tell us how you really feel, Universal.
An Imagineer for Disney World recently showed off images of a new floating platform that will be part of one of the theme park’s new night shows. Based on a recent tweet from a nearby theme park, it appears that not everyone is impressed.
Universal Studios in Orlando tweeted out an image of the waterfront in the CityWalk area of the theme park with a large, floating movie screen awkwardly superimposed over the water. The tweet’s caption says, “We've tried it. 2/10 for CityWalk aesthetics.”
Based on the response to the tweet, many users took this message as a comment about the new barges set to appear in Disney World. Many users simply commented about the amount of “shade” they perceived the message to have.


FULL STORY

WINTER HAVEN, FL

​Legoland Florida Resort is planning a major expansion of rides and attractions on land being now used for a parking lot, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.
Plans recently filed in the Southwest Florida Water Management District reveal that the Winter Haven park’s parent company, Merlin Entertainments Group, is seeking to clear about 4½ acres of its parking lot to build a new section for its 145-acre theme park.
The application calls the project Legoland Venus.

FULL STORY