Theme parks are built on the promise of escape. The lights, the music, the smell of funnel cake, the particular thrill of climbing into a coaster car and surrendering to gravity for ninety seconds — it’s one of the great American experiences, and for the roughly 300 million people who visit U.S. amusement parks each year, it’s also an overwhelmingly ...

Walt Disney World has introduced additional Good-to-Go Days for Annual Passholders in March 2026, enhancing flexibility by allowing visits to the parks without needing advance reservations. The new dates include Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3, and apply to all four theme parks and Annual Pass tiers. This change helps restore the spontaneity of the Passholder experience that was ...

Disney’s two water parks at Walt Disney World, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, operate on a seasonal schedule, alternating open and closed periods throughout the year. This approach allows refurbishments while ensuring guests have year-round access to the water park, even in cooler temperatures. Recently, Typhoon Lagoon has faced closures due to unusually cold weather. As it prepares to close ...

Ride closures have become a familiar part of planning a theme park vacation, especially at Walt Disney World, where attractions range from cutting-edge technology to decades-old classics that require constant upkeep. While many closures are announced far in advance, even short, one-day refurbishments can disrupt carefully planned itineraries, particularly when they involve beloved characters. This February, Magic Kingdom guests will ...

Few things can shut down a major theme park outside of scheduled maintenance windows, but the massive winter storm currently pummeling the eastern United States has proven powerful enough to close Hersheypark’s retail locations and ZooAmerica for multiple days. Credit: Hersheypark The Pennsylvania amusement park announced on X that Hersheypark Supply Co., Ticketing, The Sweeterie, and The Chocolatier will remain ...

The rivalry between Disney and Universal has always simmered just under the surface. Fans argue about rides, hotels, food, and which park “does it better.” But heading into 2026, that debate feels louder, sharper, and more personal than it has in years. What used to be casual comparisons now shows up in group chats, comment sections, and trip-planning spreadsheets. Families ...

For decades, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World have gone toe-to-toe in a rivalry that theme park fans absolutely love watching play out. Every new ride, every fresh parade, every summer announcement feels like another round in a competition neither side wants to lose. But today, that friendly rivalry takes a sharper edge. Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, ...

New Rival in Central Florida Mattel has officially announced its plans to open a new theme park in Central Florida, marking a significant move in the competitive landscape dominated by Disney and Universal. This venture aims to tap into the region’s vast family-friendly tourism market, which has long been the cornerstone of Central Florida’s appeal. By leveraging its beloved intellectual ...

Significant Closures Impact Theme Parks Herschend, the parent company of Dollywood, has made headlines after announcing the closure of two theme parks within a week—Malibu Norcross and Mountasia—located in Georgia. Malibu Norcross had served the community of Gwinnett County for more than 20 years, establishing itself as a beloved local entertainment option. Mountasia, while operational for a shorter span of ...

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, ...