News, Reviews & Series
The latest theme park news, trip reports and event reviews from Texas and beyond.
Biggest Changes Coming to Six Flags Parks in 2026 | Know Before You Go
The 2026 season has already started at some Six Flags theme parks with important changes coming down the line. Learn about Fast Lane taking over Flash Pass, changes to the dining plan for legacy memberships and a new mobile app that combines all legacy Cedar Fair parks into one.
Parks Unveil New Benefits for Gold Passes and Memberships, and Limited-Time Free Upgrades at Select Locations This Spring
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN), North America’s largest regional amusement park operator, today announced a significant enhancement to its Gold season passes and memberships with the launch of regional park access, delivering even greater flexibility, variety and value for guests. Additionally, the company will offer a limited-time spring promotion enabling guests to purchase a Gold season pass for the price of a Silver pass at select Six Flags parks.
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.
Richard A. Zimmerman to Step Down as Six Flags CEO by the End of 2025
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) (“Six Flags” or the “Company”), the largest regional amusement park operator in North America, today announced that Richard A. Zimmerman, president and chief executive officer (“CEO”) and member of the Six Flags Board of Directors (the “Board”), will step down as the Company’s president and CEO by the end of 2025.
Kings Dominion 2025 Tour & Review | 50th Anniversary Highlighted by Record-Breaking Rapterra Coaster
Our first-ever trip to Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia coincides with the park's 50th anniversary. New for 2025 is the record-breaking Rapterra roller coaster. Rapterra continues the expansion of the park's immersive Jungle X-pedition area. Kings Dominion is also home to other iconic rides, including Pantherian, Twisted Timbers and Racer 75. The park was immaculate, their wooden coasters are in amazing shape and the park's charm makes us look forward to visiting again in the future.
More Six Flags Cuts: All Park President Positions Eliminated, Former Cedar Fair CEO Responds
Six Flags has eliminated park president positions at every property across North America. “Six Flags Entertainment recently moved to a new regional operating structure,” according to a statement from Six Flags. “Under this new alignment, we have centralized certain functions and responsibilities at the corporate level. The company also made some changes to the roles and responsibilities of park leaders, sharpening the parks’ focus on execution, the guest experience and associates.”
Kings Island 2025 Tour & Review - Using Our All Season Six Flags Passport for the First Time
We head back to Kings Island theme park for the first time in several years to enjoy the park and ride its newer additions, including the Orion roller coaster and Snoopy's Soap Box Racers. Originally opened in 1972, Kings Island is a huge Cedar Fair legacy park that features 15 roller coasters and several other attractions. This is also our first use of the Six Flags All Season Passport.
Six Flags Announces Plan to Close Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor After 2025 Season
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN), the largest amusement park operator in North America, today announced that it will close Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, Maryland, after the 2025 operating season. The property, which is approximately 500 acres, will be marketed for redevelopment as part of Six Flags’ ongoing portfolio optimization program. The company has engaged CBRE, a global leader in commercial real estate services and investments, to market the property for sale.
El Diablo Removed, New Dining Debuts, More Buildings Demolished at Six Flags Over Texas
Capital projects continue to move along at Six Flags Over Texas in rapid fashion. El Diablo, which had closed in November, was completely removed during our visit! Rancho de Pollo, along with one of the restrooms at front gate, are fully demolished. Dining transformations continue, starting with JB's Smokehouse BBQ. The restaurant has reopened with a refreshed menu, which we try out, and serving line. All American Cafe has temporarily closed as its dining experience transformation is under way and smaller stands appear to be turning into drink refill stations. Our visit didn't flow without camera and security woes, however.
Six Flags Over Texas Introduces First-Ever Executive Chef and Enhanced Dining Options for 2025 Season
Six Flags Over Texas is introducing brand-new menus offering fresh ingredients, homemade dishes, healthy options and for the first-time, smoked-in-house meats with the help of the park’s first-ever executive chef. Internationally renowned chef Douwe Iedema brings more than 25 years of culinary mastery to elevate the dining experience for park guests.
New Details Emerge for Record-Breaking Dive Coaster, Titan Repaint Continues at Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas recently filed multiple permits with the FAA for the start of construction on their new 2026 dive coaster. The permits include a record-breaking 309 feet tall structure with construction starting as early as March 1. Other updates around the park include the final pieces of La Vibora being demolished and removed, changes at front gate and in Gotham City, the continuation of Titan's fresh paint job and other ride refurbishments.
Recent FAA Filings Point to a Record-Breaking Drop for 2026 Dive Coaster
Though Six Flags Over Texas has not yet shared statistics for their 2026 dive coaster addition, recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) filings point to the attraction potentially having a record-breaking first drop. Several filings, all located on or near the former site of La Vibora, describe structures for an amusement park ride that will exceed 300 feet tall.
The Biggest (& Best) Mardi Gras Festival Ever, Six Flags Fiesta Texas | 2025 Event & Food Review
Mardi Gras Festival has returned to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and we can confirm that it is bigger and better than ever! Running now through mid-March, this year's event features tons of new entertainment offerings, the return of an expanded Mardi Gras Parade and new and returning food and beverage favorites. Join us for an in-depth look at this year's Mardi Gras Festival event.
Six Flags Over Texas Post-Merger Wish List | Top 3 Major Park Improvement Ideas
The merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair took place just over two months ago and we've seen lots of changes so far, including Cedar Fair management taking over operations, updated season pass structures and new job postings for high-level positions at select parks. After visiting most Cedar Fair legacy parks over the last five years, it is clear that many crucial improvements can come to Six Flags Over Texas without the investment of multi-million dollar rides and attractions. Heres's our wish list of the top three changes we'd like to see implemented to the park.
Worlds of Fun Theme Park Tour & Review | Home of Award-Winning & Record-Breaking Roller Coasters
Worlds of Fun theme park, located in Kansas City, MO, originally opened in 1973, themed to the book, "Around the World in Eighty Days." The unique park features themed areas not commonly found in North America, such as Scandinavia and East Asia. Worlds of Fun is home to Patriot, which opened as the tallest, fastest and longest inverted coaster in the region. In 2009, the park opened the Prowler wooden roller coaster, which was awarded "Best New Ride of 2009" by Amusement Today. In 2023, Zambezi Zinger opened as the world's first ground-up GCI Titan Track wooden coaster.
Valleyfair Tour & Review | Beautiful Theme Park with Classic Rides Located Near Minneapolis
Valleyfair theme park, located in Shakopee, Minnesota, first opened in 1976 with one roller coaster being its star attraction. In 1978, Cedar Point purchased Valleyfair and would go on to create the Cedar Fair theme park chain. Today, Valleyfair is home to eight roller coasters, including Wild Thing and Renegade, several flat rides and the Soak City water park.
Six Flags Introduces All Park Passport Heading to 2025
Six Flags is excited to announce that the All Park Passport add-on will offer access to more parks starting in 2025. The All Park Passport is an add-on that allows you to access additional legacy Six Flags and Cedar Fair parks with select 2025 Season Passes.
Six Flags & Cedar Fair Merger Official - Explaining the Merger & Hopeful Changes for the Future
Six Flags and Cedar Fair have officially merged into the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, meaning all respective parks now operate under the same umbrella. This merger boasts a portfolio of over forty properties, including Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm, Carowinds, Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Join us for an in-depth discussion explaining the merger, the hopeful changes we want for the future, along with negatives that we don't want to see moving forward.
Cedar Fair and Six Flags Merger of Equals Successfully Completed
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN), the largest and most diverse amusement park operator in North America, today announced the successful completion of the merger of equals (the “Merger”) between Cedar Fair, L.P. (“Cedar Fair”) and former Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (“Former Six Flags”), effective July 1, 2024 (the “Closing Date”). The combined company is operating under the name “Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.”
Cedar Fair and Six Flags Announce Senior Management Team That Will Lead Combined Company
Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN) (“Cedar Fair”) and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX) (“Six Flags”), today announced the senior management team that will lead the combined company following the completion of their previously announced merger of equals (the “Mergers”).