Herschend Expands Portfolio through Acquisitions Herschend Family Entertainment, the parent company of Dollywood, has been making headlines with its recent acquisitions. By acquiring Palace Entertainment, Herschend expanded its portfolio significantly, bringing 20 theme parks under operational control. This strategic move has enhanced its presence in the competitive theme park market and increased its annual visitor numbers to around 20 million, ...

A Universal Epic Universe guest says she was left shaken after team members pulled her from Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, claiming her outfit accessory looked like a weapon. The woman spoke out on TikTok, saying she was humiliated by how Universal Orlando Resort handled the incident. A Day That Took a Turn TikTok user @gabrielasilent had purchased an Express Pass ...

On September 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala went to the Universal Orlando Resort and visited its newest theme park, Epic Universe. Mr. Rodriguez headed into Celestial Park and boarded the dual-launch roller coaster, Stardust Racers. The new coaster reaches heights of 133 feet and speeds of 62 miles per hour. Unfortunately, at some point during the ride, Mr. Zavala lost ...

Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park is back for its 2025 season with plenty of frights, mazes, and scare actors—but it’s also making sure guests know that fun has boundaries. One of the most notable parts of its Code of Conduct for the event is the “NO RE‑ENTRY” policy. That means once you exit the event gates, you cannot return ...

Universal Studios Florida is entering a new era, and you can see it right at the park’s entrance. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the towering red coaster that’s been a familiar sight since 2009, is being dismantled piece by piece. For years, it was one of the first thrills guests encountered after stepping through the gates, but now its days are ...

Dollywood has canceled Dolly Parton’s planned appearance at her Great Smoky Mountain theme park on Wednesday, September 17. The American music legend was set to appear in Tennessee to help announce an all-new attraction coming to the Pigeon Forge vacation destination in 2026. Credit: Dollywood Rebel Railroad theme park opened in 1961 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. In 1986, Dolly Parton, ...

Landscape of Current Wage Discussions The conversation surrounding minimum wage is intensifying, especially in regions where theme parks are prevalent. Presently, California’s minimum wage stands at $17.25 per hour. However, as this rate gains scrutiny, many believe it is inadequate for employees, particularly in costly areas. With the cost of living escalating, workers in the theme park sector find their ...

A trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is expensive, but why? What makes staying at a Disney World hotel more expensive than other luxury hotels nationwide? Sure, a Disney World hotel has access to, well, Disney World. There is an exclusivity to staying on property that comes with some benefits. Credit: Disney/ Canva Related: ‘This is Insane,’ Guests Are ...

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 34 is in full swing, drawing thousands of horror fans each night into its dense fog, pulsing soundscapes, and ultra-immersive haunted house experiences. But amid the screams and strobe lights, one moment of real-life panic has caught the attention of fans on social media—and raised questions about what exactly unfolded inside one of the event’s ...

Every year, millions of guests travel from around the world to visit the Universal Orlando Resort. Many of those guests don’t live close to the theme parks, so getting there isn’t as easy as just jumping in the car and driving for a while. Some guests might rent a car and drive to Universal from the airport, but a lot ...