News, Reviews & Series
The latest theme park news, trip reports and event reviews from Texas and beyond.
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.
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.
Fright Fest Returns to Six Flags Over Texas Sept. 12
Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® takes Halloween to the spookiest level as Six Flags Over Texas is transformed into the most haunting and immersive landscape packed with brand-new spine-tingling scare zones, terrifying haunted mazes inspired by iconic horror films, ghoulish characters that push courage to the limit, live entertainment and hair-raising attractions.
Fright Fest Returns to Six Flags Fiesta Texas Sept. 6 - Largest Halloween Lineup Ever
Darkness descends earlier this year as Six Flags Fiesta Texas unleashes the most immersive and fear-inducing Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS® in park history. On select nights beginning Sept. 6 at 6 pm, Fright Fest transforms the park into a fully immersive horror experience with four all-new haunted mazes, pulse-pounding live shows and fear-filled scare zones. Guests step into terrifying worlds inspired by iconic horror films and original nightmares, brought to life through layered environments, cutting-edge technology and story-driven encounters.
Fright Fest Setup Begins, New Coaster Construction, Rough Times for Corporate | Six Flags Over Texas August Updates
Six Flags Over Texas is in the home stretch of summer operations. Southern Palace Theatre enhancements continue and its exterior is looking great. Fright Fest preparations have also begun with scare zone and themed elements popping up in multiple sections of the park. Dive coaster construction moves on with more footers being poured and new track pieces on site. Plus, teasers for a new Spain restaurant have appeared. We also discuss current corporate and revenue issues, along with the 2026 pass structure that recently debuted.
Six Flags & Schlitterbahn Announce Unprecedented Benefit with 2026 Season Pass
To celebrate the first anniversary of the merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Schlitterbahn New Braunfels today announced an unprecedented benefit with its 2026 season pass—unlimited access to more than 40 Six Flags Entertainment Corporation parks for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026. North America’s largest regional amusement-resort operator will launch this limited-time anniversary offer in every park beginning Wednesday, July 30.
Six Flags Over Texas Announces Unprecedented Benefit with 2026 Season Pass
To celebrate the first anniversary of the merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags, today Six Flags Over Texas announced an unprecedented benefit with its 2026 season pass—unlimited access to more than 40 Six Flags Entertainment Corporation parks for the remainder of 2025 and all of 2026. North America’s largest regional amusement-resort operator will launch this limited-time anniversary offer in every park beginning next week.
ZDT’s Amusement Park to Close Forever on August 17
ZDT’s Amusement Park, located in Seguin, Texas, has announced that their final operating day will be Sunday, August 17. ZDT’s will permanently close their doors after nearly two decades of operation. Owned and operated by the Donhauser family, the park features the iconic Switchback wooden shuttle roller coaster, multiple water attractions, flat rides and arcade areas.
Historic Renovations Happening at Six Flags Over Texas, New Record-Breaking Dive Coaster Updates
Summer 2025 marches forward at Six Flags Over Texas and improvements throughout the park also continue. Additional track pieces for the park's 2026 record-breaking dive coaster have arrived. The construction site now also has a few footers poured with more coming soon. A new entertainment offering, Dueling Pianos, is playing at Crazy Horse Saloon for a limited time through July 27. The park's historic Southern Palace Theatre is undergoing major renovations to prepare it for future entertainment offerings.
Dive Coaster Construction Begins, Dining Refreshes, Summer Weekday Operations Updates
Visible construction is under way on Six Flags Over Texas' 2026 giga dive coaster addition as the parking lot is prepped for footers. Additional track and support pieces have also arrived. New refill stations, the re-debut of All American Cafe and other refreshes highlight our visit. Last year, our summer weekday visit to the park left a lot to be desired. This year, however, we were pleasantly surprised by our experiences.
Roller Coaster Rodeo at Fiesta Texas is the Ultimate Enthusiast Event with Tours, ERT & Food
Roller Coaster Rodeo returns to Six Flags Fiesta Texas for its 5th anniversary in 2025. This huge three-day coaster enthusiast event features exclusive ride time on every attraction in the park, plenty of behind-the-scenes tours, special perks throughout the day and many opportunities to eat. Is Roller Coaster Rodeo worth a trip? This review takes a look at all three days of the special event!
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Kicks Off Summer with Summerbration, New Fireworks Show & Continued Upgrades
Summer has arrived at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and is highlighted by Summerbration through September 1. Forever Hollywood and the all-new Blockbuster Blasts fireworks show join the park's expansive entertainment selection. Sangerfest Halle has reopened with a fresh look and new dining offerings, while work continues on upgraded drink refill stations. Stay tuned for coverage of Fiesta Texas' Roller Coaster Rodeo enthusiast event.
Giga Dive Coaster Track & Supports Arrive, Summer Off to Slow Start at Six Flags Over Texas
Summer operations have begun at Six Flags Over Texas, but there's not much happening beyond riding rides. Renovations continue at the park's entrance with a front gate refresh. El Mercado de la Plaza has reopened with improved aesthetics and work moves on with the remodel of All American Cafe. Coaster track and supports for the to-be-named giga dive coaster have also arrived in the parking lot, along with new log flume boats for El Aserradero. We also discuss huge changes coming to Six Flags with the elimination of all park president positions.
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.”
Busch Gardens Williamsburg 2025 Tour & Review | Park's 50th Anniversary, Plus Food & Wine Festival
Originally opened on May 16, 1975, Busch Gardens Williamsburg celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025! The park is home to dozens of attractions, including Loch Ness Monster, Griffon and Pantheon. 2025 ushers in a brand new family roller coaster - Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is also currently hosting their Food & Wine Festival now through June 22. Over 150 international flavors can be found at various booths throughout the park.
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.
Reviewing Every Booth at Seven Seas Food Festival 2025, Rescue Jr. Now Open at SeaWorld San Antonio
The Seven Seas Food Festival has made its return to SeaWorld San Antonio now through May 18. The annual event features more than 60 cuisine offerings from all over the world, along with dozens of beer, wine and cocktail selections. Themed entertainment, including Baile Folklorico and the Japanese Living Garden, can also be found throughout the park. New for 2025, the Rescue Jr. children's area has debuted. Younger visitors can explore new rides like Seabird Swing, Ocean Quest Express and Beach Rescue Racer, SeaWorld's newest roller coaster.