DonHelbig

And the winner is …

The Crypt building is too small by comparison. I did a construction tour today and what Dollywood is building is massive.

Indiana Beach does not release attendance figures. Six Flags does not release individual park attendance, though by park are found through third-party reports like the Themed Entertainment Association. However, those attendance figures, often reported in news stories, are not accurate. They’re estimates, off by as much as 500,000 ether way.

Indiana Beach is 376 acres. Kings Island 364.

Holiday World's location in Santa Claus, Indiana-just a few hours from cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Nashville, and Columbus-makes it an accessible and worthwhile destination for families and thrill-seekers alike this fall. https://daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/why-holiday-world-in-santa-claus-ind-might-be-worth-the-drive-this-fall-season/KPLLJTM2IRAGTBFNXGOJ5ZMBTM/

I like that they added these dates. If the weather is nice, all of the parks with the added dates should have good crowds.

But took away the entire fall season at Michigan's Adventure and cancelled WinterFest at Kings Dominion.

The Single-Use Fast Lane Pass included with each visit was the deciding factor in my choice to upgrade to the Prestige Pass for 2026. I really appreciated the value it offered—saving time with the Fast Lane Pass means I can fit in an extra ride or two during visits to parks like Kings Island and Cedar Point. And, of course, the unlimited tap water in the VIP lounge didn’t hurt either.

It’s one of the best food items I’ve had at the park since 1972.

Thanks for sharing the photos!

Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Over Georgia are in what the company considers its top tier of parks. They like the potential upside each park has.

The majority of the content now being published is messaging. There’s very little storytelling. “RiverRacers now open; buy your Silver Pass!” We’ll see the same messaging next year: “Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare now open; buy your Silver Pass!”

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has announced new perks for 2026 Platinum Season Passholders, including early entry to Splashin’ Safari throughout June and July. Platinum passholders will be able to enter the water park daily from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m., with exclusive access to Mammoth, Cheetah Chase, Kima Bay, Tembo Falls, and Tembo Tides. Guests staying at Santa’s Cottages during those months will also qualify for early entry and receive discounted Holiday World tickets. New for 2026, teachers will be eligible for discounts on season passes and tickets, joining existing offers for military members, first responders, and nurses. The park will continue to use ID.me for online verification to authorize all discounts. The Free Pre-K Pass returns in 2026 for children born between July 1, 2020, and November 1, 2022. Registration must be completed online, and a government-issued document showing the child’s date of birth is required when processing the pass onsite. Children age three and under receive free admission. Season passes for 2026 are on sale now at the lowest available price through September 30. Passes can be purchased in full or with monthly payments through the parks’ Easy Pay program, available until February 4, 2026. Guests who purchase and pay in full for a 2026 Platinum Season Pass now will also receive access to Sundays during Happy Halloween Weekends this year. Holiday World’s Summer Wine’d Down Culinary Festival continues Fridays through Sundays until September 13. Splashin’ Safari’s final operating day for the season is September 13, and both parks will be closed to the public on Sunday, September 14. Happy Halloween Weekends begin September 20, featuring a new Dino Corn Maze Adventure and an all-new drone show, “Dinos Soar in the Sky.” For more information and to purchase season passes, visit www.HolidayWorld.com.

This movie plays every year with Memorial Day and Labor Day deadlines. There was always going to be an extension. The Sept. 1 deadline was pushed out there to drive urgency. The extension normally is for 3-4 days. Extending by two weeks tells a story.

For fans who fondly remember the original Phantom Theater (1992–2002), this is more than a nostalgic nod — it’s a rebirth. For newcomers, it’s an introduction to a world where music meets mayhem, where ghosts take center stage, and where every twist of the track invites you deeper into the story.

They got my money on some shirts with that logo. Love it!

Nothing is as good as it used to be, and it never was.

When the numbers miss the park, they blame it on weather. When the numbers are good, they say it’s attributed to their strategy.

Holiday World’s Happy Halloween Weekends return Sept. 20 with life-sized dinosaurs, a Dino Corn Maze, dazzling drone show, and family-friendly fun. https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-happy-halloween-weekends-2025/

The perfect spot for a Tilt-A-Whirl.

They dropped from second to third in the GTA for Best Kids’ Area. Not panning out is putting it mildly.

That would be a CP thing to do.

If you think they’re selling a lot of these, I’ve got a friend that sells swamp land in Florida you might be interested in.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s award-winning Howl-O-Scream event returns Sept. 5. https://themeparksbydon.com/east-coasts-premier-halloween-event-returns-this-september/

This episode is what Tower Topics was meant to be.