Amusement Today

04/28/2026

EXTRA! EXTRA! The MAY 2026 issue of Amusement Today is now available for FREE via our Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/mvbr45wj)!

IN THIS ISSUE:
- BONUS SECTION: Amusement Today‘s 2026 “What’s New” Guide!
- Morgan's Wonderland lifts off with WingZ of Wonder aerial ride (Antonio Zamperla Spa)
- RES delivers first-of-its-kind family ride to Adventureland N.Y.
- Utah’s Lagoon opens gigantic S&S Screamin’ Swing: Nutcracker
- Six Flags Great Adventure unveils all-new Shoreline Pier section
- ART Engineering supplies first roller coaster for Holland-Park
- Steel Pier planning June rollout of new Crazy Crab attraction
- Intamin’s Quantum Accelerator speeds into Six Flags New England
- Great Coasters International, Inc. building its first roller coaster in Japan
- GCII continues to provide Titan Track to aid in park maintenance
- Thea Awards (Themed Entertainment Association) a time to celebrate efforts of multple theme parks
- Chance thinks outside the box for Area15 carousel in Las Vegas
- Maui’s Indoor Theme Park poised to open this summer in Kentucky
- Europa-Park’s Rulantica celebrates the Nordic Festival of Lights
- World’s Largest Swimming Lesson set to return on June 17
- WhiteWater West to be the exclusive supplier for Mattel water parks
New headquarters reflects Ripley’s diverse collection, global reach
- Focus On The Horizon: Monai Rooney of B Morrow Productions
- With new owner, future looks bright for EWorks Pro Lighting
- Idlewild’s Wild Mouse poised to have its first full year of operation
- Ride audit season is underway for International Ride Training LLC
- Updates to classic Giant Dipper coaster delights Belmont guests
- Pennsylvania amusement ride safety advisory board holds meeting
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo begins undertaking large capital project
- America 250 Wheel a ‘technical feat,’ largest mobile unit in nation (KMG Rides)
- San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo experiences near perfect weather
- Strawberry Festival proves it’s still the sweetest show in Florida
- Stinson Band Organ acquired by IISA Museum ... and much more!

The MAY 2026 issue of Amusement Today is available for FREE via Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/mvbr45wj) and/or downloadable PDF (tinyurl.com/yw2rwkt4)!

04/17/2026

Amusement Today got a sneak peek at the Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare, the return of a favorite Kings Island IP in new for 2026 attraction. The Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare ride (from Sally Dark Rides) is in the same location as the original Phantom Theater ride, which ran until 2002. That is the same spot as Boo Blasters on Boo Hill (as well as the former home of Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle, The Smurfs Enchanted Voyage, and the original Enchanted Voyage attraction). However, if you think it’s the same Phantom Theater as you experienced in the 90s…guess again.

04/12/2026

AT's Tim Baldwin was happy to help out with a segment on CBS News Sunday Morning that aired April 12.

Correspondent Lee Cowan reports on how the ups-and-downs of today's amusement park industry are being ridden via new technologies in roller coaster design, including a hybrid wooden-and-steel roller coaster, the New Texas Giant, and the soon-to-open Tormenta Rampaging Run, a "giga dive" coaster, at....

04/01/2026

EXTRA! EXTRA! The APRIL 2026 issue of Amusement Today is now available for FREE via our Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/5x5pjum6)!

IN THIS ISSUE:
- Legoland’s Galacticoaster accomplishes its mission — in Florida and California!
- Six Flags Mexico home to newest Vekoma family boomerang coaster
- Bolliger & Mabillard delivers latest ride for SeaWorld San Antonio
- Silver Dollar City’s classic mine train Thunderation set to close
- Palace Playland acquires Zamperla family steel coaster
- Congo Falls, world’s largest gorilla habitat, bolsters San Antonio Zoo
- Kemah Boardwalk replaces ride with new model from Larson/ARM
- Give Kids The World 40th anniversary event honors joy and legacy
- DOF Robotics unveils its latest innovation, a compact flying theater
- Monstrous growth for Monster Mini Golf brand and its experiences
- 2026 Amusement Expo International is a winner in Las Vegas
- World’s Largest Swimming Lesson marks 17 years of saving lives
- Schlitterbahn unveils new mat racer slide from WhiteWater West
- Norwegian Cruise Line debuts its second Aqua Slidecoaster
- Enchanted Parks acquires multiple properties from Six Flags
- NEAAPA holds successful education conference, annual meeting
- PAPA spring meeting held at Hershey Lodge, Covention Center
- Legacy Sharing: Jeffrey Siebert of Six Flags
- Kissel keeps equipment in top-notch condition at Alabama facility
- Nearly 300 attend the 2026 Pennsylvania Ride Safety Seminar
- 47th NWSC Safety Seminar welcomes attendees to new venue
- Six Flags Great Adventure opening with enhancements, additions
- Heat, rain, immigration issues dampen Riverside County Fair
- Cold temps early on account for dips during at Florida State Fair … and much more!

The APRIL 2026 issue of Amusement Today is available for FREE via Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/5x5pjum6) and/or downloadable PDF (tinyurl.com/3udtyvrz)!

03/18/2026

FUN IN SIN CITY: The 2026 Amusement Expo International is underway in the new West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (Vegas Means Business)! The expo conference and trade show is sponsored by the leading professional associations in the amusement and entertainment industry: Amusement and Music Operators Association and AAMA - American Amusement Machine Association. The event brings together attendees from an array of different attractions segments, including amusements and games, music and jukeboxes, virtual reality and laser tag, ATMs and cashless, build vending and merchandisers, professional services and more. Amusement Today is there and exhibiting at Booth #2609, so stop out and see us!

03/12/2026

Congratulations to SeaWorld San Antonio for the opening of the newest coaster in Texas — Barracuda Strike. Keeping with United Parks and Resorts' trend of buying family inverted coasters from Bolliger & Mabillard, this is the tallest and fastest of the three in the chain.

Amusement Today was pleased to be a part of opening events.

Look for a complete story on Barracuda Strike in the next issue of Amusement Today.

03/05/2026

BREAKING NEWS: Industry rumors had been in the wind, and now Six Flags and Enchanted Parks have made it official. Enchanted Parks has acquired several Six Flags parks. At the helm is James Harhi, who is no stranger to the amusement industry. Having been CEO for Innovative Attraction Management (2013 – present), StarGuard Elite (2013 – present), Thrive Property Group (2013 – present) and JFH Technologies (2005 – present), as well as senior vice president for ProParks Attraction Group (2020 – 2023) and recreation specialist at Walt Disney World (1996 – 2002), Harhi comes with an extensive knowledge of many facets of the amusement industry. His strength in operational strategy, financial planning and analysis, and product management will combine with personal passion to build top-performing teams to drive change and growth at all levels. In addition to Water Safari in New York and Diggerland USA in New Jersey, the newly formed chain of parks will include these former Six Flags properties, some of which were part of the 2024 merger with Cedar Fair: Six Flags St. Louis, Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, Six Flags Great Escape and Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark, Valleyfair, Michigan's Adventure and Schlitterbahn Galveston. MORE AT OUR WEBLINK: tinyurl.com/yansp93j

03/05/2026

Recently, Amusement Today visited the San Antonio Zoo to check out Congo Falls, the elaborate gorilla habitat. There was much to appreciate about the new exhibit: elevated walkways, numerous viewing points, thematic and aesthetic scenery that was pleasant for both guests and animals alike, and more.

Even more to appreciate was the Ralston Center at the top of the hillside. The event space overlooked the habitat from above, and the 70-foot tower allowed the gorillas to climb and engage with visitors at the event space.

Congratulations go Tim Morrow and his team for an exceptional addition (additions, actually) to the city of San Antonio.

Look for the full story in the next issue of Amusement Today.

02/24/2026

EXTRA! EXTRA! The MARCH 2026 issue of Amusement Today is now available for FREE via our Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/2ke2zvkx)!

IN THIS ISSUE:
- 2026 Amusement Expo International set up in new hall at Las Vegas Convention Center
- Six Flags Qiddiya City — grand opening is dazzling, wildly record-shattering
- RES RIDESsupplies fun, whimsy with SpongeBob’s Jellyfish Jump
- Knott's Berry Farm’s character quits his thieving ways, opens Crafty’s Kitchen
- Hershey to debut new destination experiences throughout 2026
- Great Coasters International, Inc. is on tap for first wooden coaster in Czech Republic
- Embed tech helps Detrick’s Arcade slash processing fees by 63%
- BenQ enhances experiences at FECs and parks with projectors
- Chilly temps drop Fort Worth Stock Show attendance by 250,000
- More than 1,700 attend Pennsylvania Showmen/Fair convention
- South Seas Resort opens Captiva Landing, island-inspired water park
- Vortex expands Vectory Collection with sculptural “Epik” centerpieces
- ‘Fabulous’ IISF Trade Show & Extravaganza brought in buyers
- Pugh, Hauser go into OABA Hall of Fame
- Women of Influence: Intercard’s Lynda Brotherton Sherrod
- 2026 AIMS International Safety Seminar engages and educates
- NAARSO Safety Seminar furthers education, certification process
- International Ride Training’s Ride Camp resonates with attendees
- Kings Island, The Gravity Group continue refurbishment of The Beast
- Junior Galaxy Explorers will be first riders on new Galacticoaster (LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND California)
- Chance Rides, Reverchon announce new North American partnership ... and much more!

The MARCH 2026 issue of Amusement Today is available for FREE via Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/2ke2zvkx) and/or downloadable PDF (tinyurl.com/4xxh5nw5)!

02/14/2026

International Ride Training's Ride Camp 2026 is complete. Amusement Today, a sponsor, was on hand to experience the numerous workshops, speakers and presentations. It was an engaing experience, particularly for young professionals.

Thursday morning had an extremely impactful presentation from the team at Glenwood Caverns. Those situations make everyone stop and think.

Friday's time at Six Flags Fiesta Texas began with an outstanding address from Regional General Manager Jeffrey Siebert, one of the industry's most inspiring speakers. Numerous at-the-ride opportunities allowed for meaningful discussions and industry insights.

Some coaster rides and awards in the Zaragoza Theater completed the week.

International Ride Training LLC
Six Flags Fiesta Texas

02/12/2026

LEGENDS COLLIDE: Two legendary amusement rides companies; Kansas–based Chance Rides, LLC Rides and France-based Reverchon Rides are proud to announce a new partnership aimed at better serving the North American amusement market. By combining their collective decades of experience in the amusement ride industry, Chance and Reverchon are joining forces to deliver enhanced value, efficiency, and service to their customers across the Americas. As the first step in this new partnership, Chance will manufacture one of Reverchon’s best‑selling attractions, the Spinning Coaster Stall Turn, at its Wichita, Kansas facility. Weblink: tinyurl.com/246czavs