DonHelbig

Meanwhile, MLB. NFL, NHL, NBA teams, restaurants like Burger King, Wendy’s and a number of amusement and theme parks continue to make social media and fan engagement a priority.

We rode the attractions, watched the shows, and made unforgettable memories—but some of the best moments of our Walt Disney World vacation happened around the dinner table. Here are five Disney dining experiences my family loved as much as the rides. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/walt-disney-world-cant-miss-dining-experiences-family-vacation/

You’re not wrong. They should have published content about the shows. And they should have posted wishing dads a Happy Father’s Day. They could have asked to share photos of guests with their dad at the park.

What’s changed is having people that know the difference between storytelling and messaging in the PR and social positions at KI and within Six Flags. You can tell the people doing it now don’t really know the park or their audience with the content that gets published. Disney Parks and Universal still do it as they’ve done it for years. They create emotional content, not marketing content. Disney and Universal routinely post content that makes people feel something: Family moments. Character interactions. Guest reactions. Behind-the-scenes stories. Cast/Team Member spotlights. Nostalgia. Vacation memories. Kings Island and many Six Flags parks often default to “The park opens at 10.” “Buy tickets now.” “Here’s a ride photo.” “Food item available this weekend.” When I was running social media, people knew there was a person behind the account. The Beast Groundhog Day tradition is a perfect example. It wasn’t an advertisement. It was a personality-driven tradition. Today Kings Island and many other Six Flags accounts feel corporate and interchangeable. Disney and Universal make fans the stars. Look at Disney and Universal feeds: Guest photos. Fan videos. Influencer content. User-generated content. Vacation stories Disney even has dedicated influencer and creator programs built around sharing guest experiences. Kings Island and Six Flags needs that. Kings Island and other Six Flags parks now operate as if every piece of content has to come from the marketing department. The smartest social strategy today is letting fans tell your story for you. They are part of the conversation. Universal is particularly good at this. When something is trending, they join in. When fans joke, they joke back. When someone posts something funny, they engage. They feel like a participant in the community. Kings Island and other Six Flags accounts feel like a digital billboard. Disney and Universal are masters of teasers, construction updates, countown content, behind-the-scenes reveals, and sneak peeks. Kings Island used to be. Epic Universe is the perfect example. Fans were invested years before opening because Universal constantly fed the conversation. Kings Island and Six Flags parks often go from announcement, construction photo, opening day. There’s no story arc anymore like there used to be. (Scroll back to Banshee and Mystic Timbers teasers, announcement, construction updates, ride opening, and post-opening content.) The biggest difference is Disney and Universal tell those stories constantly. Kings Island and Six Flags often tell people what they can buy, what time the park opens, and what ride is operating. One builds a community; the other shares information. Bottom line: PR and social media in the industry hasn’t changed. Kings Island changed from what they had successfully been doing, which was taking a page from Disney and Universal.

Dollywood has been named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2026 list, recognizing the popular Smoky Mountain destination for its employee culture, benefits, and workplace excellence. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-americas-greatest-workplaces-2026-newsweek/

Thrill seekers will have to wait a little longer to experience Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas. The record-breaking 309-foot dive coaster was expected to welcome its first riders this Friday, but the park announced that commissioning and testing are taking longer than anticipated. No revised opening date has been announced as crews continue preparations for the coaster’s debut.

The little things matter. They’re often what separate a good park from a great one. When the small details start being overlooked, people begin to wonder what else is being overlooked. The smallest details often make the biggest difference. Kings Island built its reputation on attention to detail. Over the past couple of years, attention to detail, and the standards that guests should expect from one of the industry’s premier amusement parks has not been there. There’s no excuse for lack of cleanliness around the park. It used to be a priority. Now it’s not. And it shows. I grew up with the park. I care about the park. The small details that are now being missed matter to me.

Dollywood is giving runners a new reason to visit the Smoky Mountains this fall. Run Dollywood returns Sept. 25-27 with an expanded three-day race weekend featuring a nighttime 5K through Great Pumpkin LumiNights, a Half Marathon, and all the fun of Harvest Festival. Full story: https://themeparksbydon.com/run-dollywood-fall-race-weekend-2026/

For the first time in its history, Dollywood is hosting a separately ticketed after-hours event. Harvey’s Boo Bash could become one of the Smoky Mountains’ hottest Halloween tickets this fall. Full story: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-harveys-boo-bash-halloween-event/

New for 2027: Ice and product every day at the drink refill stations.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Gobbler Getaway remains one of the theme park industry’s most charming and unique family attractions. Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/gobbler-getaway-holiday-world-20-years/

A day at a theme park and a Travis Tritt concert? Wild Adventures is giving visitors both during its Celebrate America Festival. The country music legend headlines the park’s summer concert series, adding live entertainment to a destination already packed with rides, animals, and water park fun. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/travis-tritt-wild-adventures-celebrate-america-festival/

Dollywood’s Splash Country is offering free admission on June 25 to guests who participate in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson. The annual Water Safety Day event combines family fun with life-saving water safety education in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-splash-country-free-admission-water-safety-day-2026/

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration returns June 15-Aug. 2 with patriotic drone shows, dazzling fireworks, family entertainment, festival food, and unforgettable summer fun. Here’s why this summer may be the perfect time to visit Dollywood. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-smoky-mountain-summer-celebration-2026/

A 60-foot-tall Rubber Duck has arrived at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for Rubber Duck Days. The limited-time event includes themed food, merchandise, and summer entertainment through June 21. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-rubber-duck-days-giant-rubber-duck/

Disney didn’t change the thrills of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster—but it completely changed the experience. After riding the new Muppets version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one thing became clear: this transformation works. Here’s why the Electric Mayhem may be exactly what this Disney World classic needed. Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/disney-muppets-rock-n-roller-coaster-review/

Wild Adventures Theme Park in Georgia will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with fireworks, Travis Tritt, Parmalee, LOCASH, Harlem Globetrotters shows and free admission for military members. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/wild-adventures-celebrate-america-festival/

Eagle’s Pursuit, an all-new family launch coaster opening in 2027 at Waldameer, will race through the park’s hillside terrain with two launches, 10 airtime moments, and a surprisingly low 38-inch height requirement. Could this become one of the most family-friendly thrill coasters in the region? Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/waldameer-eagles-pursuit-family-launch-coaster-2027/

Disney has revealed the backstory for Monstropolis, the new Monsters, Inc.-themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including H.U.M.A.N. Day and iconic locations from the film. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/disney-reveals-story-details-monsters-inc-land-hollywood-studios/

Who will take there’s an extension coming on the deadline to buy your pass at CW?

Could Six Flags memberships eventually replace traditional season passes? I take a closer look at what this shift could mean for guests and why memberships may become the preferred option for many visitors. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/six-flags-memberships-vs-season-passes-future/

Disney World has released the remaining 2026 dates for After Hours events at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, featuring low wait times, popular rides and complimentary snacks. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/disney-world-after-hours-2026-dates/

Take what you can, give nothing back mentality never flies.

Cleanliness is part of the culture at Holiday World and other parks outside of Six Flags. They know you can have the best rides but if the park isn’t clean guests don’t return. I just got back from visiting Epic Universe and the Disney World parks. As busy as they are they keep the parks clean.

Dollywood’s Splash Country is making a splash this summer with glowing Neon Nights, colorful new food items, upgraded guest amenities and family-friendly fun in the Smokies. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-splash-country-neon-nights-2026-2/