WILLIAMSBURG, VA

Busch Gardens Williamsburg had started teasing their fans on National Roller Coaster Day and we think they will be sharing their new secret project with us soon. Their first hint was, “In honor of #NationalRollerCoasterDay, we’re celebrating our 1̶0̶ 9 iconic coasters! Here's to many more years of world-class thrills…” This message seems to confirm that they will in fact be adding a tenth roller coaster to their incredible line up. The next possible clue the dropped was about ten days later with beautiful pictures of the Loch Ness Monster with this message, “Showing some love for one of our most iconic coasters, Loch Ness Monster! We’re just getting started – looping you in for what’s to come on our stories this week…” Again we see the message ends with… to let us know they aren’t finished. This one also has a reference to The Curse Of DarKastle ride with the line, “We’re just getting started”. 
 
The Curse of DarKastle was a dark ride in an abandoned Bavarian Castle constructed in the Octoberfest section of the park. The ride opened in 2006 and ran through 2017, however the castle itself still remains. Since the ride system was removed the building was used as a haunt during the fall, but this clue leads me to believe the castle may get a new occupant in the form of an indoor roller coaster. While nothing is confirmed these hints have me glued to see what their official announcement will be. In the meantime we do know their fall plans this year.
The park will be adding a family trick or treating event called, The Count’s Spooktacular. This new family friendly event will run on weekends starting on September 24th, and run through October 30th. Children are encouraged to dress up in costume and trick or treat at ten stations for delicious premium candy. They will also host dance parties, costume parades, a hay maze, and more. They of course will also host their Howl-O-Scream at nights for those of us who like to stay up late and scream in the dark. There is a lot to look forward to even though summer is winding down at Busch Gardens. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.​

 
Author
Jeff Goodman

ORLANDO, FL

​Universal Orlando Resort reveals more gruesome details about the impending terror that awaits guests brave enough to face Halloween Horror Nights 2022 – including the six horrifying original concepts that complete this year’s lineup of 10 haunted houses, five sinister scare zones and two live shows. The event kicks off Friday, September 2 and runs select nights through October 31.

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SANDUSKY, OH

​A couple was arrested and charged with public indecency after police say they engaged in sexual intercourse on the Giant Wheel ride at Cedar Point.
According to Sandusky police reports, witnesses told police they saw the two 32-year-olds engaging in a sexual act around 7:15 p.m. Sunday on the ride.
“We go on, and it was going well until we stopped at the top,” one witness told police. “My friend saw the couple in front of us having sexual intercourse and pointed it out to the rest of us.”

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BUENA PARK, CA

Knott’s Berry Farm will add a new randomized launch sequence to the historic Montezooma’s Revenge roller coaster and reimagine Fiesta Village as a tribute to Olvera Street celebrating Southern California’s Hispanic cultural influences.
The reimagined Montezooma’s Revenge and Fiesta Village will debut in 2023 along with a remodeled and rethemed Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel.


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VAUGN, CN

Canada’s Wonderland has announced two new rides that will be available for guests next year, one of which the amusement park says is "the only one of its kind in the world."
The park, located in Vaughan, Ont., broke the news in a release issued Thursday, telling guests to “buckle in for more thrilling adventures in 2023.”
The two new rides – the Tundra Twister and Snoopy’s Racing Railway – will be completed by 2023, the park says.
The Tundra Twister, a 360-degree spinning swing ride, is the only one of its kind in the world, the park says.


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SANDUSKY, OH

​Cedar Point will debut a new roller coaster, Wild Mouse, at the park in 2023, part of a major retheming of the midway area near the beach that will be called The Boardwalk.
The Boardwalk will also include the Grand Pavilion, a beachfront, two-story complex that will house a new restaurant, bar, plus indoor and outdoor seating with views of the park and Lake Erie.


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Charlotte, N.C. 

(August 11, 2022)—On March 31, 1973, Carowinds officially opened to 6,000 guests amid great fanfare. The grand opening marked the culmination of years of formulation, planning and development by founder E. Pat Hall, a Charlotte businessman. Built at an estimated cost of $70 million, Carowinds was named for a combination of the surrounding Carolinas and the winds that blew across the two states. The park included original attractions such as Carolina Skytower, Snoopy’s Junction and Carolina Goldrusher - still in operation today. Five decades later, guests will experience the iconic border between North Carolina and South Carolina anew when Carowinds celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. The 2023 operating season marks the beginning of "50 years of Carolina fun," a limited-time special event that brings plenty of new rides and attractions, exciting entertainment, enhanced food and beverage offerings, nighttime spectaculars, and other immersive experiences. Additional details regarding the anniversary activities will be available in the coming months. “I am proud to be celebrating the golden anniversary of Carowinds as well as the amazing associates who have delivered on our goal to make our guests happy,” said Manny Gonzalez, Carowinds vice president and general manager. “I look forward to the next exciting 50 years as we continue to bring happiness to our community.” At the center of the 50th anniversary celebration will be Aeronautica Landing, a tribute to the Carolinas’ spirit of invention, exploration, and aviation, where guests can immerse themselves in the history and future of flight. Construction is now under way in the Crossroads areas of the park, which will be completely renovated and renamed as Aeronautica Landing, complete with the introduction of five new themed attractions opening in 2023 as well as a retheming of an existing ride, for a total of six rides. Opening in the spring of 2023, Aeronautica Landing is the fourth rethemed area to be introduced at Carowinds since County Fair in 2017, and most recently, Blue Ridge Junction in 2019. In addition, Aeronautica Landing will boast two new and one upgraded dining venues. This includes a new restaurant featuring a craft beer bar and patio, alongside the refresh of an existing location and other new snack locations. This family-friendly area with immersive décor will feature a game zone complete with four new midway games, including an innovative acrobatic challenge, and the retheming of a classic basketball challenge. “We are constantly looking for new ways to provide immersive experiences for our guests that showcase the rich history and heritage of the Carolinas, while showcasing the rich legacy and original themes of Carowinds,” Gonzalez said. “This region played such an integral role in the history of developing and testing the tools for aviation, and we believe Aeronautica Landing will help bring that to life for our guests for years to come.” 

​Carowinds also announced that 2023 Gold Season Passes are now on sale for $120, the lowest price of the season, and include unlimited visits and free parking for the remainder of this year and all of 2023. Guests who purchase by August 14 will receive one Fast Lane pass that is valid select days through October 30, 2022. A Gold Season Pass includes unlimited visits for Carolina Harbor Waterpark, admission into seasonal events like Grand Carnivale, SCarowinds and WinterFest, discounts on meals and merchandise, Bring-A-Friend discount offers, and more.

Kansas City, MS

To celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary, Worlds of Fun announced the return of the Zambezi Zinger.
In 2023, the nearly 2,500-foot-long metal and wood coaster will return to the Africa region of the park.
With a top speed of 45 miles per hour, the new and improved Zambezi Zinger will be similar to the original, with a few changes.


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BRANSON, MO

The park released the following statement on Thursday to KY3 regarding the employee’s death:
“It is with great sorrow that we share the loss of a Silver Dollar City employee following an incident that occurred while working late yesterday afternoon. He was a dedicated and passionate member of our Silver Dollar City family, having worked in maintenance and construction since 2017.
Our prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Out of respect for their privacy, we are unable to provide any further information.

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Today, Canada Post released an enchanting set of stamps to celebrate the wonder and playfulness of vintage carousels in Canada.
The vibrant stamps spotlight five historic carousels located across the country. The featured carousels are each known for their elaborately carved and beautifully painted animals. They also showcase the craftsmanship and mechanical ingenuity that were impressive for their era.

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