News, Reviews & Series
The latest theme park news, trip reports and event reviews from Texas and beyond.
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration 2025, New Barracuda Strike Coaster Construction Moving Fast
SeaWorld San Antonio's Christmas Celebration has begun, featuring holiday shows, fresh food offerings and plenty of Christmas decor. The park recently announced a new roller coaster, Barracuda Strike, for 2026. The inverted family coaster is quickly going up as the lift hill climbs its way through the supports of Steel Eel for a first drop over the park's central water feature. Join us for a Christmas Celebration tour with food reviews, along with a look at the construction progress of Barracuda Strike.
Six Flags Appoints John Reilly President and Chief Executive Officer
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) (the “Company”, “Six Flags” or the “Combined Company”), the largest regional amusement park operator in North America, today announced the appointment of John Reilly as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 8, 2025. Mr. Reilly will also join the Six Flags Board of Directors (the “Board”) at that time. The appointment concludes a robust succession planning process led by the Six Flags Board with the assistance of a leading global executive search firm.
Six Flags Over Texas Unveils First Train for Record-Breaking Tormenta Rampaging Run Roller Coaster
Six Flags Over Texas unveiled the train for Tormenta Rampaging Run, the record-breaking dive roller coaster set to debut in 2026, in a dual reveal that took place at the park and at the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA) in Orlando. The world’s first giga dive coaster was announced in late September in which the six world records it will shatter, once open, were shared. Now, with the vehicle uncovered and the track on display as it's being installed in the park, the visual story is ready to be told.
Six Flags Over Texas Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Holiday in the Park Starting Nov. 23
The most wonderful time of the year is about to sparkle even brighter as Six Flags Over Texas celebrates 40 years of Holiday in the Park. This is an annual tradition that transforms the park into a twinkling winter wonderland filled with over two million lights, more snow than ever, hundreds of live trees, the first-ever holiday shop, brand-new entertainment and heartwarming holiday cheer for guests of all ages.
Fiesta Texas Unwraps Largest-Ever Holiday in the Park Celebration
Six Flags Fiesta Texas will debut its most dazzling holiday event in park history when Holiday in the Park returns Nov. 22 through Dec. 23. Guests will be immersed in a winter wonderland featuring 2.5 million lights, more than 75,000 decorations and hundreds of Christmas trees, including a new 70-foot artificial fir tree — the tallest traditional-style holiday tree in San Antonio.
Venturing into all Fright Fest Scare Zones at Six Flags Over Texas | New Monsters & Spooky Shows
Six Flags Over Texas' 2025 Fright Fest event is loaded with completely reimagined scare zones throughout the park. Join us for a spooky look at each scare zone, loaded with new monsters and props. Plus, enjoy compilations of fresh entertainment offerings, such as Ghouling Pianos and Curse of the Undead, as the end of Halloween season creeps near.
Casa Magnetica Reopens, Tricks and Treats is Family-Friendly Halloween Fun at Six Flags Over Texas
Tricks and Treats, a daytime Halloween celebration, has debuted at Six Flags Over Texas for 2025. The event features new entertainment, such as the Spectral Sisters and the Skelebration Dance Party. A reimagined trick-or-treat trail has popped up in France, featuring interactive stops along the way. The gravity-defying Casa Magnetica has also made its return to the park, providing another family-friendly attraction during the fall season.
Conquistador Removed, Tormenta Construction, Oktoberfest Tour & Food Reviews | Six Flags Over Texas
Tons of park projects continue at Six Flags Over Texas, including the demolition of Conquistador and continued construction progress of 2026's Tormenta Rampaging Run roller coaster. Other dining and shop locations throughout the park have also received major facelifts. We also take a tour of the park's daytime Oktoberfest event, featuring live entertainment and speciality food and drink items. Oktoberfest celebrates the fall season without frights through November 2.
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas Unveils Details for Seven Themed Lands, Including Minions, Shrek and SpongeBob SquarePants
Universal Destinations & Experiences unveiled more details about the themed lands kids and families will experience at Universal Kids Resort. The new resort specifically designed and developed for families with young children will open in 2026 in Frisco, Texas. Kids and their families will be able to explore, imagine, and play while enjoying attractions in seven lands made for kids featuring iconic brands and characters.
Texas’ First Inverted Family Coaster, Barracuda Strike, Coming to SeaWorld San Antonio in 2026
SeaWorld San Antonio is making waves once again with plans for a new thrill ride, Barracuda Strike. As Texas’ first inverted family coaster, Barracuda Strike delivers high-speed thrills for guests of all ages—featuring sharp turns, dramatic drops, and the exhilarating sensation of gliding above the park’s iconic water ski lake with nothing beneath their feet!
Tormenta Rampaging Run Goes Vertical at Six Flags | Construction Tour, Interviews, 2026 Additions
Tormenta Rampaging Run, Six Flags Over Texas' record-breaking dive coaster, has officially gone vertical with the first installment of supports! The new attraction is set to open for the park's 2026 season, which also marks its 65th anniversary. Join us for the first-ever construction tour of Tormenta Rampaging Run and a review of other major 2026 additions coming to Six Flags Over Texas. We also interview Jonathan Smith from Bolliger and Mabillard and Clayton Lawrence from Six Flags Creative.
Six Flags Over Texas Unveils Record-Breaking Roller Coaster ‘Tormenta Rampaging Run;’ Set to Become Tallest, Fastest, Longest and First-Ever Giga Dive Coaster
Six Flags Over Texas is taking history by the horns with the unveiling of Tormenta Rampaging Run—a record-breaking, adrenaline-pumping roller coaster that will redefine the thrill-seeker experience while changing the city’s skyline in 2026. As the tallest, fastest, longest and first-ever giga (300+-foot-tall) dive coaster in the world, this one-of-a-kind thrill ride will trample six monumental world records.
Tricks and Treats 2025 Celebrates Halloween, Minus the Scares, at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Tricks and Treats, new for 2025, is Six Flags Fiesta Texas' latest reimagined version of their daytime Halloween event. Those looking to leave behind the scares of Fright Fest can enjoy plenty of daytime activities, including a massive trick or treat trail and friendly Dia de los Muetros display. Several live entertainment offerings, such as Haunted Hollywood at Zaragoza Theatre and Fiesta de los Muetros at Teatro Fiesta, also play throughout the day. Tricks and Treats takes place on weekends through November 2.
Oktoberfest Food Festival 2025 at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Plus Fall Park Updates
Oktoberfest has returned to Six Flags Fiesta Texas on select dates through October 26. Spassburg is your hub for all things Oktoberfest with speciality food offerings, beverages and live entertainment. Der Wurst Band and the Beer Tapping Ceremony highlight the area's ambiance, while craft beers, bratwurst and other German fare can be enjoyed along the pathways. We also venture around the park to check out changes and updates heading into the fall season.
Conquistador Ride Being Retired as Spain Heads Toward Record-Breaking 2026 Refresh
Conquistador, commonly known as Six Flags Over Texas’ swinging ship ride, has officially been retired. Conquistador was originally set to reopen in 2026 with the park’s record-breaking dive coaster expansion. Six Flags explored all options for Conquistador’s future life, but the ride’s age and condition ultimately determined its fate. Conquistador last operated on March 23, 2025 before surrounding construction projects blocked it off from the rest of the park.
Fright Fest 2025 at Six Flags Over Texas - POVs of All Haunts, New Scare Zones & Food, Shows Return
The scariest time of the year, Fright Fest, has returned to Six Flags Over Texas! This year's event is highlighted by new haunted houses, including The Strangers: No Escape and EverSmile Industries. Other favorites, such as The Conjuring Universe and Terror at the Polynesian Palm, also return. Join us for POV walkthroughs of every haunted house, as well as a look at the return of entertainment in Southern Palace Theatre and reviews of several speciality food items. Fright Fest also features several new scare zones, enhanced decor and additional entertainment offerings.
Fright Fest 2025, Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Haunted House POVS, Spooky Shows & Roaming Monsters
Fright Fest has returned to Six Flags Fiesta Texas on select dates now through November 2. This year's Halloween event features four new haunted houses, which includes SAW: Legacy of Terror, Hexenhaus, Cinema Slasher and Nosferatu. Fan-favorite entertainment also returns with Monster Mash Bash, The Arrival and Frightful Finale fireworks. Interactive lanterns make their debut, which allow users to activate various effects throughout the park.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Wins ‘Best New Show’ at Golden Ticket Awards
Six Flags Fiesta Texas was honored with Best New Show in the 2025 Golden Ticket Awards presented by Amusement Today. The award recognizes the park’s original production, The Voodoo Dolls, a high-energy musical spectacular that blended New Orleans magic with San Antonio flair during the Mardi Gras Festival earlier this year. The Golden Ticket Awards are among the most respected honors in the amusement industry, spotlighting the best rides, shows and attractions worldwide.
Hawaiian Falls Mansfield 2025 Tour & Review - Family Water Park with Great Atmosphere
Water park season isn't over yet! Hawaiian Falls Mansfield, located in Mansfield, Texas, originally opened in 2008. Today, the water park boasts over a dozen water slides, a lazy river, wave pool and multiple children's areas. Recently, Ripley's Believe it or Not! acquired all Hawaiian Falls water parks.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment Makes a Splash With Hawaiian Falls Waterparks Acquisition
Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment is diving into more family fun with the exciting acquisition of three Hawaiian Falls outdoor waterparks in Texas. Located in Mansfield, Roanoke, and Waco, these island-inspired destinations are now an extension of the Ripley's Believe It or Not! World Entertainment family, complementing its Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark & Resort in Niagara Falls, Canada. Hawaiian Falls Waterparks have served as a popular destination for families, offering a mix of thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and kid-friendly splash zones.