News, Reviews & Series
The latest theme park news, trip reports and event reviews from Texas and beyond.
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.
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.
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.
Six Flags Great Adventure Unveils BAKUNAWA, the World’s Tallest and Fastest Spinning Launch Coaster
Six Flags Great Adventure today unveiled BAKUNAWA, the world's tallest and fastest spinning launch coaster. Debuting in 2027, it will serve as the signature attraction of the park's transformed Boardwalk area. Inspired by the lore of Bakunawa, the legendary sea serpent of Philippine mythology, BAKUNAWA blends cutting-edge engineering with immersive thematic design to deliver an experience unlike anything else in the world. Standing 382 feet tall, BAKUNAWA joins an elite class of giga coasters, ranking among the five tallest roller coasters in the world while reaching speeds of 100 mph.
It Stirs; Six Flags Great Adventure Releases Second Project Purple Teaser, Official Announcement Coming July 28
The mystery surrounding Project Purple continues. Today, Six Flags Great Adventure released the second official teaser in the park's campaign leading up to the highly anticipated July 28 announcement of its next major attraction. Building on last week's debut, the newest video reveals that whatever arrived on The Boardwalk is no longer staying contained. The teaser follows the mysterious shipping container first seen washing ashore as activity intensifies around the site.
It’s Here: Six Flags Great Adventure Releases First Project Purple Teaser; Full Announcement Coming Later This Month
Six Flags Great Adventure today released the first official teaser tied to its highly anticipated Project Purple announcement, which is scheduled for later this month. The short video, now available across the park's official social media channels, features an ominous scene along a moonlit shoreline where a mysterious shipping container has washed ashore. As the video unfolds, viewers hear a radio transmission from Ship B-7-2-8, with the crew expressing concern over the lost container before ending with a chilling warning: "Do not open it."
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 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.
Six Flags Great Adventure Continues Restoration of Historic Runaway Train
Six Flags Great Adventure is continuing the restoration of one of the park's most cherished attractions, bringing Runaway Train back to its roots. As part of the ongoing restoration, the historic coaster has been repainted in one of its classic color schemes, honoring the attraction that has created lasting memories for generations of guests since the park opened in 1974. Originally debuting during Six Flags Great Adventure's inaugural season, Runaway Train quickly became one of the park's defining attractions.
Six Flags Great Adventure Launches Boardwalk Nights at Shoreline Pier
Six Flags Great Adventure is turning up the energy as the sun sets with the debut of Boardwalk Nights, a brand-new summer entertainment event taking place select nights from June 19 through August 2 at Shoreline Pier on The Boardwalk. When the sun goes down, The Boardwalk transforms into a vibrant nighttime destination filled with live entertainment, high-energy performances and immersive experiences designed to keep the excitement going well into the evening.
¡Viva la Fiesta! Ignites Summer Nights at Dorney Park
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom will bring vibrant music, dance and flavor to summer evenings with the return of Viva La Fiesta, a lively celebration of Caribbean and Latin American culture on select weekends from June 20 through July 26. The event takes place Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 5 p.m. through park close, offering guests a high-energy experience filled with live entertainment, festive décor and family-friendly fun throughout the park.
Six Flags Great Adventure Announces New Parade, Summer Events & Experiences
From the debut of Shoreline Pier at The Boardwalk and a new twice-daily parade to seasonal festivals, wildlife encounters and major construction milestones, Six Flags Great Adventure is introducing even more experiences for guests to enjoy throughout Summer 2026. Additional enhancements throughout the property include refreshed landscaping featuring thousands of flowers, improvements at Hurricane Harbor New Jersey and the return of beloved guest favorites, including the iconic Sawmill Log Flume.
Tormenta Begins Testing at Six Flags Over Texas, Wide Array of Summer Entertainment is Back
Six Flags Over Texas' newest roller coaster, Tormenta Rampaging Run, has begun its test cycles. The record-breaking ride is set to open this season and its debut shouldn't be far away. Spain also continues to come together as its entry arch is being rebuilt, along with Tormenta's entrance portal. Summer has brought along a wide array of new entertainment for the first time in several seasons. This includes Celebrate! in Southern Palace Theatre and a new marionette show, Western Daze, in the park's Texas section.