News, Reviews & Series
The latest theme park news, trip reports and event reviews from Texas and beyond.
Six Flags Great Adventure Unwraps New Details as Holiday in the Park Draws Closer
Holiday in the Park returns bigger, brighter and more immersive than ever, surrounding guests with millions of twinkling lights, larger-than-life décor, live entertainment, holiday characters, seasonal foods and more. Guests will explore four all-new themed worlds, including Glittering Gateway, Santa's Arctic North Pole, Coastal Christmas and Sweet Street, each offering its own festive atmosphere, entertainment and holiday traditions.
State Fair of Texas 2026 Guide & Review | Trying Tons of New Foods, Exploring Free Exhibits & Midway
The 2026 State Fair of Texas takes place September 25 to October 18 and is the longest-running and largest state fair in the United States. Beyond the gigantic Texas Star Ferris wheel and 55-foot tall Big Tex icon, the State Fair of Texas features free exhibits, a massive rides midway and unique food offerings. Our visit features a tour of this year's fair and its offerings, along with a deep dive into 2026's newest food creations. We try several bites, including the chicken fried steak biscuit, deep fried bourbon banana bread, fried butter chicken, the fried green tomato lobster bruschetta and Fletcher's new chocolate corn dog.
Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt Voted Nation’s 10 Best Halloween Events
Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt presented by SNICKERS® has been voted one of the 10 Best Theme Park Halloween Events in the country in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. Dorney Park ranked No. 10 nationwide following weeks of public voting, placing the Lehigh Valley destination among the country’s top Halloween events as chosen by 10BEST voters. The recognition comes during one of Dorney Park’s biggest Halloween Haunt seasons yet, featuring six haunted mazes and more.
Tricks and Treats 2026 Guide & Review, Underwhelming Oktoberfest Experience - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Daytime fall festivities are back at Six Flags Fiesta Texas on select dates through November 1! Not a fan of the ultra spooky? Tricks and Treats offers family-friendly activities during the day, including a trick or treat trail, themed entertainment and specialty food offerings. Though we didn't have the greatest luck, Oktoberfest has also returned and features its own special line-up of food, drinks and live shows throughout Spassburg. This is your ultimate guide to enjoy the park's daytime fall events!
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Captures Golden Ticket Award for Best New Show with Monster Mash Bash
Six Flags Fiesta Texas has once again earned one of the amusement industry's highest honors, capturing the 2026 Golden Ticket Award for Best New Show for its electrifying Fright Fest production, Monster Mash Bash, presented by Amusement Today during the annual Golden Ticket Awards held Sept.12 in the Austin area. The recognition marks the second consecutive year that Six Flags Fiesta Texas has claimed the Best New Show title, following the award-winning success of The Voodoo Dolls in 2025.
Fright Fest, Fall Events Return Soon to Six Flags Over Texas, Here's What to Expect for 2026
Fright Fest, Tricks and Treats and Oktoberfest all begin at Six Flags Over Texas in less than two weeks. Each event has a little bit of something for the whole family, including haunted houses, live entertainment, a trick or treat trail and specialty food offerings. Join us for a look at the park's current setup progress, along with information about this year's confirmed attractions and other important updates happening around Six Flags Over Texas.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Breaks Ground on Werewolf Gorge
Six Flags Fiesta Texas officially broke ground today on Werewolf Gorge, the future world's longest family launch coaster and the largest single-attraction investment in park history, marking a major milestone in the continued growth of the park and Texas tourism industry. Scheduled to debut during the park's 35th anniversary season in 2027, Werewolf Gorge will stretch an unprecedented 4,120 feet, making it both the world's longest family launch coaster and the longest roller coaster ever built at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Fright Fest 2026 Setup Begins at Fiesta Texas | Haunted Houses & Scare Zones Popping Up
Mid-August means less than one month from the start of Fright Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas! Haunted houses, scare zones and spooky decor have begun popping up at the park in preparation for the 30th anniversary of their Halloween festivities. Join us for a look at the progress of Fright Fest, Tricks and Treats and Oktoberfest, plus confirmed attractions coming to this year's event.
Dorney Park Unleashes Pennsylvania's Ultimate Halloween Night Out
The legend is real this fall at Dorney Park. Dorney Park today announces one of its most immersive Halloween lineups ever as Halloween Haunt presented by SNICKERS® returns on select nights beginning Sept. 18, transforming Pennsylvania's premier amusement park into the region's ultimate Halloween night out. Headlined by the debut of Blair Witch: No Signal, an all-new haunted maze inspired by the legendary horror franchise The Blair Witch Project®, Halloween Haunt will immerse guests in a world of chilling scares, unforgettable entertainment and nighttime thrills.
What Goes Into Getting Six Flags Fiesta Texas Rides Ready Each Morning? National Roller Coaster Day
Six Flags Fiesta Texas invited us out on National Roller Coaster Day for a behind-the-scenes look at how their roller coasters and attractions are prepared each morning for guests. Maintenance begins their day before the sun rises, inspecting roller coaster trains, the track, sensors, brakes and several other items for each attraction in the park. Afterwards, the operations team takes over with their own safety checks, ensuring each component of the park's rides functions safely and properly.
Knott’s Berry Farm Reopens Legendary Launch Coaster as MonteZOOMA: The Forbidden Fortress
The ancient legend rises again! Knott’s Berry Farm is proud to unveil MonteZOOMA: The Forbidden Fortress for all who are brave enough to embark on an unforgettable expedition in search of Montezuma’s elusive gold. Closed since 2022, the reimagined historic roller coaster is almost ready for launch. Originally opened in 1978, Montezooma’s Revenge was the first flywheel-launched roller coaster in the world and was designated a historic landmark as the last operating ride of its kind in the United States.
Six Flags Over Texas 65th Birthday Celebration; Exploring the Park's Historical Rides & Icons
Six Flags Over Texas, the original Six Flags theme park, celebrated its 65th birthday on August 5. Park president Pete Carmichael and Arlington mayor Jim Ross gave remarks before a confetti-filled opening. Six Flags Over Texas is home to several historical rides and attractions, including Casa Magnetica, Runaway Mine Train, Southern Palace Theatre and El Sombrero. Join us for a tour of several foundational park attractions that are still active today.
Multi-Train Ops Return to New Texas Giant! Trying New Food, Shock Wave Status | Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas is finishing out summer strong with big adjustments to ride operations, including introducing multiple trains back to New Texas Giant. Live entertainment, such as Brad Ross: International Star Illusionist and the Gunfighters, continue through August 9. New food offerings were introduced with the opening of Tormenta Rampaging Run and other small improvement projects are also ongoing throughout the park.
End-of-Summer Fiesta Texas Updates: Kid Flash Coaster Removed, New Dining Experience, How Are Ride Operations?
Summer is quickly coming to a close at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Since our last visit, Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster has been fully removed and the all-new La Cocina de Cobre Tex-Mex restaurant has opened. Refurbishment projects have left several coasters operating only one train, along with the continued long-term closures of select flat rides. We also check out Werewolf Gorge construction progress, which is a family coaster coming in 2027 and experience the FiestaLuz drone show.
Tormenta Rampaging Run On-Ride Reaction, POV & Spain Tour | Six Flags Over Texas' New Major Icon
Tormenta Rampaging Run, Six Flags Over Texas' new record-breaking dive coaster, is finally here! Standing 309 feet tall, Tormenta Rampaging Run is the tallest coaster in Texas and the world's tallest dive coaster. Come along for a unique on-ride reaction of our first spin on this new park icon, plus enjoy a tour of the newly renovated Spain area that showcases enhanced theming, Tormenta's queue layout and new food offerings.
Great Escape Theme Park 2026 | Storybook-Themed Park Recently Sold by Six Flags
Our final stop on the 2026 Roller Coaster Road Trip is Great Escape Theme Park in Queensbury, NY. First opened by Charles Wood in 1954, the park was originally named Storybook USA. Storybook USA would expand and adapt over the years, shifting to the Great Escape name in the 1980s. Today, Great Escape is home to six roller coasters, including Steamin' Demon, Flashback, Comet and Bobcat. Also included is the Hurricane Harbor water park and several other family-friendly rides and attractions. In March 2026, Six Flags sold the park to Enchanted Parks, another American-based theme park operator.
Lake Compounce & Quassy Amusement Park 2026 | Classic Americana and Amazing Wooden Coaster Gems
Our next Roller Coaster Road Trip stop features two parks in one day: Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT and Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT. Lake Compounce first opened in 1846, making it the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the US. Today, Lake Compounce is home to 5 roller coasters, including Boulder Dash and Wildcat, and several other attractions. The park was recently purchased by Herschend in March of 2025. Quassy Amusement Park has been around since 1908 and is one of only eleven trolley parks still operating in America. Situated on Lake Quassapaug, the park features the exciting Wooden Warrior roller coaster and an accompanying water park.
Six Flags New England 2026 | Quantum Accelerator Debuts, Superman is a Top Coaster in America
Kicking off our 2026 Roller Coaster Road Trip is a first-ever visit to Six Flags New England. Originally opened in 1870 as Gallup's Grove, the park has undergone several changes throughout America's history. Today, Six Flags New England is home to twelve roller coasters, including Superman The Ride and the all-new Quantum Accelerator, over sixty other attractions and a Hurricane Harbor water park.
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Project Purple Reaches Major Milestone; Final Track Section Installed
Less than 24 hours after officially opening Shoreline Pier, Six Flags Great Adventure is celebrating another major milestone as crews installed the final section of track on Project Purple, completing the attraction's towering track structure and marking the beginning of its next phase of construction. The milestone continues an exciting period of investment at the resort, which this week welcomed guests to Shoreline Pier, a reimagined family destination at The Boardwalk featuring five new attractions, refreshed dining experiences and new entertainment.
Six Flags Great Adventure Officially Opens Shoreline Pier at The Boardwalk
Six Flags Great Adventure officially celebrated the grand opening of Shoreline Pier at The Boardwalk today with a ceremonial bottle breaking featuring New Jersey Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, local officials, community leaders and park representatives. Inspired by the longstanding maritime tradition of christening a new vessel before its maiden voyage, park leaders and dignitaries shattered a commemorative bottle to officially welcome guests into the resort's newest themed destination.