PRESS RELEASE:
For the first time ever, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Singaporeare partnering with Netflix to bring “Stranger Things” to life at this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” events.  Fans of the series will get the chance to brave the Upside Down and confront the supernatural as each park debuts all-new mazes inspired by season one of the critically-acclaimed series.  
The parallel universe, referred to as the Upside Down that terrorized the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in Netflix’s mega-hit “Stranger Things,” will bring the chittering, predatory Demogorgon to “Halloween Horror Nights” to stalk unwitting guests as they encounter iconic scenes, characters and environments from the mesmerizing series.
Working collaboratively with Netflix, along with the creators and executive producer of the blockbuster series—Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and Shawn Levy, the mazes at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Singapore will be authentic representations of “Stranger Things,” designed to transport guests into artfully recreated scenes and storylines. From the menacing Hawkins National Laboratory, under the U.S. Department of Energy, to the Byers home adorned with an erratic display of flashing Christmas lights and the eerie Upside Down woods oozing a shower of floating orb-like spores, the chilling new mazes will offer surprising twists and unexpected turns around every corner.
Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” is the ultimate Halloween event. For more than 25 years, guests from around the world have visited “Halloween Horror Nights” to become victims inside their own horror film. Multiple movie-quality mazes based on iconic horror television shows, films and original stories come to life season after season. And, the streets of each park’s event are transformed into highly-themed scare zones where menacing scare-actors lunge from every darkened corner.
Halloween Horror Nights begins Friday, September 14 in Hollywood and Orlando and on Friday, September 28 in Singapore. 

PRESS RELEASE:
Electric Eel—San Diego’s tallest and fastest roller coaster with astounding loops, twists and airtime—opens to the public on May 12! Electric Eel features multiple- launch experiences that propel riders forward and backward as they speed through the ride’s station house accelerating to more than 60 mph in seconds. Riders then rocket skyward nearly 150 feet where they brave an inverted “heartline” roll and a twisting loop for an exciting feeling of airtime as they crest the top before breathlessly returning to the station. Plus, Electric Eel will offer riders the only upside-down view of Mission Bay! With the purchase of a SeaWorld Annual Pass between now and May 12, members can be among the first to ride Electric Eel, and enjoy unlimited SeaWorld admission for a year, all for less than $10 a month.

“Electric Eel will bring a whole new level of excitement to SeaWorld,” said SeaWorld San
Diego’s park president, Marilyn Hannes. “This new, first-of-its-kind coaster at SeaWorld will give
riders the rare opportunity to feel what it’s like to move like an eel, twisting and flipping along
nearly 900 feet of undulating track.” Complementing the coaster are a hypnotic live eel habitat featuring a collection of California moray eels, and an interactive educational experience called Mission: Deep Discovery, which will allow a team of one to four players to embark on a virtual deep sea adventure aboard a manned-vehicle while they encounter the marvels of the deep ocean.

“We always strive to provide new reasons to visit SeaWorld and give our guests experiences
that matter with a blend of exciting rides and incredible animal and educational experiences,” added Hannes. “We want our guests from around the world to not only have a great time, but be
inspired to care about the ocean and the animals that live there.”

Electric Eel will definitely get guests “charged up,” but it’s not the only electrifying
experience at SeaWorld this summer: SeaWorld will debut the all-new Sesame Street Party Parade,
starting May 5 and continuing on Saturdays and Sundays through July 1; and Electric Ocean, the
award-winning nighttime entertainment extravaganza inspired by the bioluminescence of the
ocean, returns June 16 and runs on select dates through Sept. 3.

The Japanese company Sansei Technologies has completely taken over the Limburg roller coaster manufacturer Vekoma Rides. Little will change for the staff of the rollercoasters, let the company know. Vekoma is an important roller coaster who develops, manufactures and installs attractions. The builder has attractions in over forty countries. Examples include the Python, Vogel Rok and Villa Volta in the Efteling, the Condor and Robin Hood in Walibi and the Mine Train in the Slagharen amusement park.

Vekoma has 250 permanent employees and 100 temporary employees. "Nothing changes for them," says a spokesman for the company. "The name remains, the logo remains, the works council remains." Also the number of jobs does not change.  However, Makoto Nakagawa, CEO of Sansei, will sit on the Supervisory Board of Vekoma. Vekoma will continue the current activities under the same name and will operate as an independent company, is the promise . The companies do not report a takeover amount. 

FULL STORY

The opening ceremony is up first!

Awesome media day ticket! 

We are all registered and ready to ride!

Our second set of coaster art prints are now on sale featuring the winners of the Thrilling 32!  For a limited time you can purchase this set in conjunction with the previous set to save on shipping! For more detailed information visit our store in the toolbar above and watch this video!
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PRESS RELEASE:
​Although no rides were running, more than 800 Cedar Point fans braved the cold and wet weather to see the park in its winter sleep during Winter Chill Out, an exclusive off-season tour. All proceeds from the event go directly to A Kid Again, an organization that fosters hope, happiness and healing for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

Winter Chill Out allowed fans to get up close with Cedar Point’s new world-record-breaking Steel Vengeance roller coaster, the world’s first “hyper-hybrid.” They also learned about the park’s winter operating procedures, toured the park’s linen services facility and experienced what takes place during ride overhaul inspections in the maintenance shops.
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At the event, a special presentation was given, highlighting these new changes coming to Cedar Point in 2018:
Point Plaza – The former Park Plaza gift shop, located at the park’s main entrance, is undergoing a complete renovation. With beach-themed décor, Point Plaza will feature a wide variety of Cedar Point souvenirs, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, bathing suits, candies, snacks and more.
Frontier Foldovers – Located in the former BBQ Shack on the Frontier Trail, this new quick-service food stop will offer folded brisket, chicken and Italian meat sandwiches.
Sidewinder Sue’s – Located near the FrontierTown train station, guests will enjoy new “twisty” fries with meat toppings of pulled pork, brisket or chili.
Miss Keat’s Smoke Shack – New barbecue brisket, pork, wings, sausage and savory sides will be served at this restaurant adjacent to Last Chance Saloon in FrontierTown.
Roundup – The menu gets a shake-up at Roundup with bigger, bolder burgers to match Steel Vengeance’s big and bold thrills, located near Maverick’s entrance.
Chick-fil-A® – Chicken sandwiches, waffle potato fries and hand-spun milkshakes are back. Chick-fil-A returns to FrontierTown in the former Frontier Inn.
FrontierTown Shooting Gallery – The popular game of skill, complete with animated scenes and sounds, returns in the Jitney Arcade.
Western Shoot-out – The Western Shoot-out in FrontierTown becomes the popular basketball game of H-O-R-S-E as guests attempt to sink baskets from strategically-placed spots on the midway.
Gossip Gulch – The new Gossip Gulch stage, located adjacent to Roundup, will feature themed live entertainment, including the park’s Bluegrass Jamboree.
“Lusty Lil’s French Revue” – Lusty Lil’s FrontierTown friends are performing their idea of a French Revue, but misadventure and misunderstanding get in the way. It results in a family-friendly show filled with live music, comedy and cancan dancers. Lusty Lil’s French Revue will play in the Palace Theatre in FrontierTown.
“Vertical Impact” – Acrobats and dancers perform in this new fast-paced, high-energy show in Celebration Plaza.
“Snoopy’s Dog Days of Summer” – Snoopy and his PEANUTS® pals will gather on the Main Midway near Pagoda Gift Shop in this new family-friendly celebration of music, dancing and fun.
Midway Entertainers – Live music comes alive on the midways with The Traildust Trio, performing classic country in the Gazebo near Town Hall Museum; The Tomfooleries guitar duo will entertain with comedy and music in the Palace Theatre and on FrontierTown’s streets; The Swell Tones will serenade guests with their classic 50’s musical stylings on the Main Midway; the Roving Beach Crew will wander the midways, interacting with guests on their quest to find the Cedar Point Beach; and the Summerdaze Band takes the stage at Cedar Point Shores Waterpark.

Cedar Point will open for its 149th season on Saturday, May 5. 

Rumors have been swirling about Dollywood no longer offering their “Arrive after 3pm and get the next day free” deal that they have offered for years. We have now confirmed that this rumor is true after speaking with multiple reps from Dollywood. This deal has been utilized by visitors for many years in order to maximize the number of rides and shows for the price of admission. Dollywood has not made this “public” yet, so please help us spread the word by sharing this article with your friends and family. We do not want people to show up at Dollywood after 3 expecting the deal they have always gotten only to be shocked that it no longer exists. Also, there’s always a chance that Dollywood could change their mind before the season starts, and if they do we will happily update this article and share it immediately!

FULL STORY

Six Flags Over Georgia is turning things around on the popular Great American Scream Machine -- the roller coaster will run backwards when the park opens on March 10. 
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Six Flags Over Georgia has said the change is for a limited time. Six Flags has grown tremendously since the Scream Machine opened in 1973, adding newer, taller and faster attractions that flip riders upside down and plunge them down vertical drops. But the historic wooden coaster is such a staple. This marks the second time Six Flags Over Georgia has turned the seats around – the last time goes back to the early 1990s.

​FULL STORY

PRESS RELEASE:
​On the heels of the recent acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Universal Studios Hollywood is setting the stage for the Summer 2018 debut of the all-new DreamWorks Theatre presenting the premier attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”
 
Inspired by the global blockbuster franchise, the attraction will take guests on a thrilling journey that fuses captivating storytelling with state-of-the art visual effects for a highly engaging experience. 
 
Created and produced by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Creative, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” recounts a plot-filled story whereby on the morning of The Emperor’s Great Feast of Heroes, dragon warrior Po embarks on a wild and perilous mission to deliver the rare and precious Liquid of Limitless Power to the Palace, while enlisting guests to join him on the exciting adventure filled with raging rapids, river pirates, awesome magic and Kung Fu.
 
With cutting-edge technology at the forefront of the multi-sensory attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” will introduce the first-ever integration of interior projection mapping designed to engulf guests in 180 degrees of immersive adventure. Developed by the innovative team at Universal Creative, this never-before-adapted technique will depict a series of immersive and visually dynamic scenic designs that will transform within the interior space and enhance the story. With detailing that is so precise, it will be near impossible to realize the projected imagery is a mere illusion.
 
Coupled with seven Christie 4K Boxer Cinema Projectors and 360 degree surround sound audio, sweeping physical effects from water to wind will empower guests to feel more like participants than spectators in the adrenaline-spiked adventure.
 
Featuring an original score by composer Germaine Franco, the storyline begins as guests enter the pre-show area of the theatre where they meet an array of DreamWorks characters who kick-off the attraction’s narrative. From there, guests will enter the main theatre, complete with new ultra-plush, fully articulated seats that pivot and swivel in tandem with the 180-degree action.
 
The newly constructed building that houses the DreamWorks Theatre is inspired by Mission revival architecture and harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood’s Art Deco period of the 1920s, including a box office ticket seller booth, reminiscent of the time period and staffed by a three-dimensional Pinocchio character asleep on the job.
 
As guests navigate past the ticket booth, through the flourishing outdoor garden and into the theatre queue, they will encounter a series of 36 movie posters that pay homage to DreamWorks Animation films. Within the lobby, a selection of over 20 award statuettes will be on display, representing a sampling of the Golden Globe, Emmy, People’s Choice, Critic’s Choice, National Board of Review and Annie awards DreamWorks Animation has amassed from 2008 to 2015. A collection of original sculpted maquettes of the “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” characters will also be on display along with artifacts embodying magical powers that Po brought back from the Spirit Realm.