LAS VEGAS — Sacoa Cashless System, the global leader in revenue management and cashless solutions for the entertainment industry, proudly announces the successful installation of its cutting-edge products at the newly opened In The Game Fremont Street arcade, operated by Family Entertainment Group (FEG), on the iconic Las Vegas Fremont Street.

The modern venue chose to install Sacoa’s latest reader, the Spark Reader, as well as their three-time award-winning K4 Kiosk, POS, and Redemption 2 system. These integrated solutions enhance the guest experience by providing seamless transactions, efficient customer service, and streamlined prize redemption processes.

“We are thrilled to partner with Family Entertainment Group and contribute to this exciting new destination on Fremont Street,” said Sebastian Mochkovsky, C.E.O. of Sacoa U.S.A. “Our cashless solutions will help elevate the guest experience and maximize operational efficiency.”

In The Game Fremont Street is a cutting-edge entertainment venue featuring a diverse mix of games and attractions. From a giant human crane to group challenge games, this Vegas arcade delivers an unparalleled amusement experience at the heart of the City of Lights.

ORLANDO — For the first time ever, guests can slide into an exclusive nighttime adventure at Universal Volcano Bay Nights on select Saturday nights including April 12, 26 and May 3, 10 and 17. This all-new, limited-capacity event allows guests to enjoy their favorite water attractions, live entertainment, DreamWorks character meet and greets, complimentary island treats and more at the lush, tropical oasis.

Guests can embrace the Waturi culture and experience Volcano Bay under the stars all while enjoying lower wait times and exclusive access to some of their favorite water rides and select attractions like Krakatau Aqua Coaster, Ko’okiri Body Plunge and Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides. To take a break from the thrills, guests can also dance along at Waturi Beach with a live DJ or take part in nostalgic games like hula hoop and limbo under the park’s iconic 200-foot Krakatau volcano.

The excitement doesn’t stop there. Guests will get a chance to meet some of the beloved characters from their favorite DreamWorks Animation films, from Shrek and Fiona and Puss in Boots and Kitty Soft Pawsfrom Shrek to King Julien and Alex from Madagascar, to Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond from Trolls – there’s so much fun to be had with these iconic friends.

Complimentary treats will also be available for guests to dine on as they relax on the sandy beaches, including Spicy Island Shrimp and Cheesy Cliffside Seashell Pasta. Guests can enjoy more than 100 drink choices and refills throughout the event with Coca-Cola® beverages in a complimentary Volcano Bay Freestyle Souvenir Cup. In addition, specialty food and beverage items will be available for purchase at Kohola Reef Restaurant and Social Club, Dancing Dragons Boat Bar and Koka Poroka Ice Cream Kona.

Universal Volcano Bay Nights tickets are available for purchase starting today for $99.00 plus tax per person and parking is included for the event. Guests can arrive as early as 4:00 p.m. to enjoy the park ahead of the exclusive event, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Universal Orlando Passholders will receive a 10% discount off the ticketed price of the experience with a valid Annual or Seasonal Pass and valid photo ID.

Guests looking to elevate their Volcano Bay Nights experience can purchase a private cabana for the event, starting at $249.99. Private cabanas must be booked in-park at the concierge huts on the day of the event and are first come, first served.

ST. LOUIS — Growing movie chain RoadHouse Cinemas has chosen Intercard cashless technology for the new arcade at their Tucson, Arizona location. It is Intercard’s second installation for RoadHouse, which already uses the company’s system at its location in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The huge new arcade boasts more than 86 games managed by 126 card readers connected to 3 kiosks and 3 POS stations. It is part of a 36,000 square foot expansion of the cinemas that adds 14 lanes of bowling, Topgolf Swing Suites and ax-throwing.

Saul Scribner of Intercard did the installation.

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. — The elusive Lake Quassapaug sea monster has resurfaced after disappearing nearly 40 years ago.

The sea monster, also known as a hippocampus among carousel enthusiasts, was stolen from Quassy Amusement Park here on Nov. 16, 1985, and its whereabouts unknown until late December of last year.

Now the rare hand-carved figurine is back in the hands of the family-owned lakeside property thanks to a handful of collectors who have kept a watchful eye out for the missing artifact all these years. 

“We have gotten a priceless piece of our history back,” an ecstatic Quassy President Eric Anderson said of the saga.

“It was the lead figurine on the carousel – one everybody wanted to ride,” added the park’s George Frantzis II.

Red Flag Went Up
The stolen figurine was the largest and most ornate of three sea monsters on the antique E. Joy Morris carousel (circa 1902), which operated at the park for more than 70 years.

Roland “Rock” Hopkins, a historian and broker of antique carousel figurines, alerted Anderson and Frantzis just before Christmas that he had located the sea monster in Florida.

“I got a phone call from a guy who bought a collection of circus and carnival stuff in a Florida warehouse,” Hopkins said during a telephone interview from his business in Pasadena, Calif. “He sent me a photo of the item he wanted to list with me and I said, ‘that’s an E. Joy Morris sea monster!'”

Hopkins posted a number of submitted photos online as well as an asking price of $25,000 for the rare piece.

“Then I got an email from an old customer who said he thought it was the sea monster stolen from Quassy in ’85,” Hopkins reflected. “I pulled up the old photos I had in my files and said, ‘that’s it.'”

He authenticated the Quassy piece through the unique bat-winged saddle, detailed trappings and paint, then immediately called the amusement park to inform Anderson and Frantzis of the sea monster’s whereabouts.

“He’s a good guy and wanted to do the right thing,” Hopkins said of the unsuspecting man who purchased the cache of memorabilia. “I coached everybody and got things rolling from there.”

Back For Restoration
Since the theft occurred so long ago and authorities had no solid leads to pursue the case, Anderson and Frantzis moved quickly to forge a deal to get the relic back. They agreed to purchase the sea monster for an undisclosed amount, and in doing so avoided any litigation with the Florida owner, who did not want to be identified.

“He is a retired firefighter and had no idea he had bought our stolen hippocampus,” Frantzis asserted. “We felt it was in the best interest of both parties to broker a fair agreement.”

Quassy will turn the hippocampus over to William “Bill” Finkenstein at WRF Designs in nearby Plainville, Conn., for complete restoration. Finkenstein is an expert in carousel restoration, repair and production and made a replacement figurine when the original Quassy sea monster was taken.

“I’ve been watching for it all these years – hoping someday it would be found,” Finkenstein said of the recovered piece. “Even though I made the replacement, you really don’t capture what it really was. When I saw the glitter paint in the online photos, it was a giveaway that Quassy’s missing hippocampus had been recovered.”

Finkenstein also acquired a number of scenery pieces from Quassy’s E. Joy Morris carousel when the ride was auctioned in October of 1989. He has kept one in his personal collection.

Quassy’s owners have four of the original Morris menagerie figurines as well as the replacement hippocampus in their private collections.

All of the other carousel figurines, scenery and mechanical mechanism were sold separately during the 1989 auction. The lone lion on the ride fetched $60,000 and the single tiger was bought for $45,000. The two original hippocampuses sold for $20,000 and $15,000 respectively.

In summing up the sea monster’s return, Frantzis said, “For me, it’s more about getting back my dad’s (late George Frantzis) favorite piece on the E. Joy Morris carousel. He frequently referred to that particular hippocampus as his most treasured.”

And when Finkenstein’s restoration is complete, the classic sea monster will likely find a prominent place to be displayed in the park, perhaps as a timely reminder that “what goes around, comes around,” at least in this fascinating story.

Sacoa Cashless System, the global leader in revenue management solutions, is gearing up to start the second month of 2025 with notable appearances at two prominent global industry events.

Team members from Sacoa’s regional offices will be present to offer their knowledge and expertise at the following shows:

• ⁠IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit | February 17 – 19 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Booth #8
• FEE Expo | February 25 – 27 | Fiera di Bergamo, Promoberg, Italy | Booth 3B Leisure & Style SRL

Sacoa’s participation highlights its dedication to providing state-of-the-art technology and customized solutions for operators in the amusement, entertainment, and leisure sectors.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — With hiring events in full swing for Dollywood’s 40^th anniversary season, another national publication has recognized Dollywood as one of America’s best. Announced today, Forbes has placed Dollywood on its 10^th annual list of America’s Best Midsize Employers.The Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park is the only theme park to rank on Forbes’ midsize company list. 

With a caring culture, generous benefits, unparalleled company growth and numerous employment opportunities on the horizon, Dollywood employees — also known as hosts — understand firsthand why thecompany has received so much positive attention as an employer.  

“We say it often, but the culture we enjoy at Dollywood Parks & Resorts truly sets us apart from many other employers,” said Susan Loveday, Dollywood Vice President of Human Resources. “It can sound cliché, but when we talk about our host family and our hosts supporting each other like family, that really is the atmosphere you find here. The genuine care our hosts show for one another is inspiring and manifests itself in the way our hosts are able to take care of our guests. It is the reason why the Dollywood guest experience is consistently ranked among the best in the world.

“We offer great benefits, as well as wonderful growth and advancement opportunities, but the welcoming environment created by our hosts for our guests — and each other — is what makes Dollywood some place special.” 

Dollywood was represented well among the 498 companies on Forbes’ list of the best midsize employers. The list includes companies across 25 industry sectors, with only 15 companies in the “Travel & Leisure” sector of which Dollywood was included. Among those companies, Dollywood ranked second. Dollywood’s overall ranking on the list is 142.  

Among the companies in the Travel & Leisure sector are Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort (#54), Dollywood Parks & Resorts (#142), Aristocrat (#161), and Virgin Group (#197). Also on the Travel & Leisure list are Royal Caribbean (#360), Kalahari Resorts (#379) and Tripadvisor. Among the Top 5 companies across all industry sectors on the list are Shriners Hospitals (#1), Federal Communications Commission (#2), Western Carolina University (#3), Toll Brothers (#4) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Commission (#5). Others on the list include Patagonia (#50), Wake Forest (#55), and Blue Bell Ice Cream (#61).

According to Statista, the firm that administers the best employers survey on behalf of Forbes, an independent survey was taken by more than 217,000 U.S. employees working at companies with a national workforce of more than 1,000 workers. In total, 1,199 employers were recognized across the 25 sectors on the midsize and large industry lists. The companies are divided into 701 large (more than 5,000 U.S. employees) and 498 midsize (1,000 to 5,000 employees) employers. The only theme park company on the large employers list was Hershey Entertainment and Resorts (#588).

The evaluation was based on direct and indirect feedback from respondents in an anonymous survey who were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employer to friends and family. Their evaluations also included other employers in their respective industries that stood out either positively or negatively. As with all Forbes lists, companies pay no fee to be considered.

Pointing to Dollywood host job satisfaction, the Pigeon Forge park has long been voted as the friendliest theme park in the world. The park also is the only park to win the Golden Ticket Award for Best Guest Experience, which factors friendliness of employees — along with cleanliness and value — into its selection consideration. The prestigious Golden Ticket Awards are given annually by industry publication Amusement Today. In late October, Dollywood was named the #1 theme park in the country on Newsweek’s 2025 ranking of America’s Best Customer Service organizations.  

From part-time positions for students to full-time careers with advancement opportunities, working at Dollywood may very well become a lifetime home for those looking for a position that means “a little more.” The company is gearing up for a busy 2025 season with available positions currently posted at dollywoodjobs.com. Two hiring events remain on the calendar: this Saturday (Feb. 15) at Sevierville Civic Center and Feb. 22 at Morristown Landing. Both events take place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  

Positions are available for the entire length of the 2025 operating season as well as for shorter peak season openings, which are perfect for applicants looking for a fun summer position or those looking to earn a little extra money during the Christmas holidays. Applicants must be 14 years of age or older.

Positions are available on several teams including Dollywood’s award-winning culinary and merchandise teams, park operations positions including ride operators, ticketing, transportation, house and grounds, and more. Among the openings at Dollywood’s Splash Country water park are house and grounds, lifeguards and culinary services positions. Dollywood’s lodging properties also have a number of openings available includingfood and beverage, front desk, bell/valet and housekeeping positions. 

Interested applicants may view opportunities, as well as job descriptions and basic requirements for each position, at dollywoodjobs.com. Applicants can signify their interest in a position by following the online instructions to complete the application process. Technical support will be available at the hiring events to assist applicants in the process if needed.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts employees receive a variety of unique benefits including 100% free tuition through Herschend’s GROW U. program, access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center, along with complimentary Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country admission for family and friends. Hosts are provided a free lunch every working shift and take part in Dollywood’s Park Perks program, which provides free or reduced admission to many regional attractions, theaters and experiences. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision, is available for qualified full-time employees. Dollywood also pays a portion of childcare costs for hosts whose children are cared for at an Upwards-affiliated provider. Numerous opportunities also are available to help employees develop leadership skills, including an apprenticeship program in conjunction with Walters State Community College.

Animal Treasure Island will not be a simple attraction, but an entire ‘island’ of adventure, designed to offer a unique experience that creates a deep bond between visitors and the characters that inhabit it. Each character (through its original characteristics, values and personal behaviour) will allow visitors to connect emotionally, identify with and become attached to it.

The teaser released by Gardaland introduces a few clues, small but intriguing, that stimulate curiosity and mystery about Animal Treasure Island, the new Intellectual Property (IP) that the Group – Merlin Entertainments – has decided to present as a world premiere at Gardaland, and which will mark the Resort’s 50th anniversary year.

“Animal Treasure Island will be an experience that captivates all visitors, from the most loyal to those on their first visit, bringing to life engaging allegorical stories” explains Luisa Forestali, Head of Marketing Gardaland. “The characters are introduced in the teaser in a subtle way, through images and sounds. While retaining their animal characteristics, in the story underlying the experience, the characters will display values and behaviours that allow visitors to easily connect with each of them, and relate to their personalities. Just like in everyday life, when you become attached to a person or place with which you feel a special connection, which goes well beyond the single experience,’ Luisa Forestali discloses, revealing further details about the project.

In the opening sequence, there are a compass, a paw anda feline tail adorned with a distinctive metal ring. This is followed by a map that unfurls to invite everyone on an imminent journey in search of something mysterious. The atmosphere is heightened when a dagger suddenly appears on the screen to mark the exact spot on an island, adding to the narrative tension.

Next, a bionic limb forcefully grasps a gold coin, which it then throws into the air with a decisive gesture as if to launch a challenge. The new Gardaland logo is visible on the coin, creating a clear link with the resort identity. The coin has multiple meanings: it represents not only gold as a precious treasure, but also the colour traditionally chosen to celebrate events marking half a century, such as the Park’s 50th anniversary.

At the end, a feline scratch and a meow interrupt the silence, leaving the viewer in suspense, impatient to discover who is hiding behind these mysterious clues.

Animal Treasure Island will be a world exclusive, available for the first time at Gardaland from April!

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — There are even more thrills in store for the 2025 season as Kennywood, Pittsburgh’s Thrill and Entertainment Destination, introduces its newest themed area, Kennywood Junction. Inspired by the park’s rich history and connection to the Steel City, Kennywood Junction offers fun for the entire family to experience together. Gearing up for a historic season, Kennywood will delight visitors from Pittsburgh and beyond, as the park begins its longest season ever on April 12. This year, the park introduces its best event lineup ever and opens the new Kennywood Junction, plus many more exciting surprises to come. Families are invited to strap in and get ready to ride on 412 Day, as the new Kennywood Junction opens and the park’s first-ever Eggcellent Easter Celebration begins.

Kennywood Junction will feature five newly rethemed rides, a new gift shop and a new celebration room. Details include:

• Olde Kennywood Railroad – Everyone is invited to hop aboard the historic railroad as it takes a journey through Kennywood’s storied past while taking in views of the Monongahela River and the Edgar Thomson Works, the oldest steel mill in the Steel City. The historic Gimbel’s Flyer, which debuted at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York and arrived at Kennywood in 1945, and the new Kenny Express will take you around for the ride. Along the way you will see pieces of beloved park history including a Log Jammer boat, Turnpike car, Kiddie Cadillac, and more;
• Kenny’s Cargo Drop – This high-flying adventure takes riders above Kennywood Junction on a cargo-lifting crane before quickly dropping and hopping them all the way down and back up;
• Parker’s Cloud Cruisers – Pint-sized thrills take center helicopter as riders become their very own pilot and take to the skies for a bird’s-eye view of the Raging Rapids and surrounding landmarks below;
• Fire Bustin’ Brigade – Visitors can jump on the back of a fire engine and spray water to extinguish flames while helping local Pittsburgh fire departments;
• Coal Haulin’ Convoy – Four diesel locomotives take guests for a ride as they take in the views of the new full newly themed area;
• Junction Gift Shop – After a lap on the Old Kennywood Railroad, guests can stop in new Junction Gift Shop to search for an unforgettable souvenir; and
• Celebration Room – The reimagined indoor space offers the perfect family friendly location to celebrate a birthday, graduation, family reunion or other special group outing.

The new Kennywood Junction will be the home of the park’s first ever Eggcellent Easter Celebration. Beginning on Opening Day, the fun hops in select days from Saturday, April 12 through Sunday, April 27. Guests will have the chance to meet and greet with the park’s newest costume character, Tuft the Kennywood Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs during the Easter egg scavenger hunt, enjoy spring themed food and beverage options and can even chow down on an unlimited brunch buffet.

“Kennywood and Pittsburgh are synonymous and our new family-friendly area, Kennywood Junction, pays tribute to just that, our park and its historic love for the Steel City,” said General Manager Ricky Spicuzza. “Beginning on 412 Day, the young and young at heart will be able to enjoy this all-new area and our first-ever Eggcellent Easter Celebration, offering even more reasons to visit the park egg-stra early this year.”

To celebrate the all-new themed area, Opening Day and upcoming Eggcellent Easter Celebration, the park is currently offering $50 off Platinum Season Passes during its Presidents’ Day Sale. This ultimate Kennywood Season Pass offers unique perks including admission to sister parks Sandcastle Water Park and Idlewild & SoakZone, free VIP parking, discounts on food and retail items and more for just five payments under $40 each.

ORLANDO — Universal Orlando Resort is serving up tasty new details about some of the incredible food and beverage offerings guests and clients can savor during their visit to Universal Epic Universe – officially opening on May 22, 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort. Known for consistently raising the bar, Universal Orlando’s award-winning culinary team has reached epic heights with the development of more than 100 creative new menu items that add yet another layer of immersion for guests to enjoy across the five imaginative worlds that make up the all-new theme park. Epic Universe marks the next step in elevating the dining experiences across the destination with food & beverage that goes beyond the typical theme park fare and has become an attraction in and of itself.

From full-service restaurants to fast casual dining locations, Epic Universe offers a wide range of menu items across 30 dining locations that feature options to satisfy every palate. Guests can savor everything from popular culinary staples like seafood, eclectic Asian, barbecue, Italian and French cuisine to uniquely themed items like the Butterbeer Crêpe in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, the Mario Burger in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Yaknog in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Stakes in Dark Universe. 

Here is a first look at some of the appetizing items guests can expect at Universal Epic Universe: 

CELESTIAL PARK
While strolling through the heart of Universal Epic Universe, guests can find a diverse slate of cuisine across more than 15 dining locations, including the Atlantic restaurant – which sits across the shimmering waters of Neptune’s Pool and lives by the motto “Sea food? Eat food;” The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant – where guests can dine under the constellations alongside two neon dragons adorning the walls, The Oak & Star Tavern – where guests can gather around an oak tree and relish in savory barbecue, and so much more. Some of the delicious dishes guests can enjoy in Celestial Park include:

• Sea Bass (Atlantic) – a delectable portion of Sea Bass nestled amid the subtle sweetness of carrot mochi and vibrant crunch of fresh sugar snap peas. Aromatic lemongrass broth complements the buttery bass, while starfruit slices add a splash of tropical cit-rus notes
• Landlubber’s Snickerdoodle Loot (Atlantic) – a fun beach-style dessert perfect for young explorers featuring a snickerdoodle cake served in a beach pail with cookie butter ganache, surrounded by Biscoff sand and gummy sharks
• Tonkotsu Ramen (The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant) – this Asian comfort food features delicate ramen noodles immersed in a rich pork broth, topped with tender chashu pork, tare egg, shiitake mushrooms, and fragrant togarashi oil
• Platters with Mango Bread & Pickles – (The Oak & Star Tavern) – guests can choose from smoked brisket, smoked ribs, pulled pork, cheddar jalapeno sausage or spit-roasted herbed-infused chicken and pair with sides like braised greens, mac and cheese, and more
• Harvest Moon Pizza (VG) (Pizza Moon) – this vegan masterpiece features rich tomato sauce adorned with grilled artichoke hearts, Divina tomatoes and roasted peppers, topped with Castelvetrano olives and arugula for a crisp finish
• Grand Atlantic Martini (Atlantic) – a tantalizing cocktail with dry gin, aperitif wine and a gilded lemon twist for garnish
• Waturi Punch (Celestiki) – guests can transport to an island oasis with a refreshing blend of rum, bitters and fruit juices
• The Plastered Owl (The Oak & Star Tavern) – a perfectly blended cocktail crafted with dark rye whiskey, simple syrup, cherry syrup, lemon juice, lemon wedges and muddled cherries
• Khaosan Boba (The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant) – a delightful blend of Thai-inspired milk tea and paired with coffee boba and frothy coffee foam
• Meteor Strike (Bar Zenith) – a cosmic blend of light rum, triple sec, zesty lime and pineapple juices, topped with lemon-lime soda and a sprinkle of edible gold glitter, and garnished by a flaming lemon extract-infused raw sugar cube meteor

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – MINISTRY OF MAGIC
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will include a variety of enchanting dining locations – Café L’air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir and more – filled with French-inspired cuisine and new iterations of familiar favorites, including:

• Butterbeer Crêpe (Café L’air De La Sirène) – for the first time ever, guests can enjoy the flavors of Butterbeer in a crepe that includes shortbread cookie butter, Bavarian cream, Butterbeer cream, strawberries, Butterbeer drizzle and a Butterbeer shortbread cookie
• Baguette de Dinde (Café L’air De La Sirène) – a charmingly scrumptious dish featuring sliced cracked black pepper turkey piled high with arugula, crisp apples and creamy Brie served with a warm crusty baguette with zesty mustard butter and apple butter
• Alchemist’s Platter (Le Gobelet Noir) – an exquisite spread featuring smoked sausage, potato and cheese pierogies, tangy pickled eggs, vibrant marinated beets, savory caramelized onions, and a warm pretzel served with zesty German mustard and cheese fondue
• Lentil Stew (VG) (Le Gobelet Noir) – a hearty stew of lentils, savory vegan bacon, and vibrant root vegetables served with artisan bread
• Quiche Lorraine (Café L’air De La Sirène) – a savory dish featuring egg custard baked in a flaky pie crust filled with crispy bacon, gruyère cheese and caramelized onions with mornay sauce, and a side of fresh berries topped with a lavender honey drizzle

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Guests can power up for their next adventure in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with tasty cuisine inspired by the story and experiences within the world at four dining locations like Toadstool Cafe, Yoshi’s Snack Island and more with items such as:

• Mario Burger (Bacon, Mushroom & Cheese) (Toadstool Cafe) – power up with this all-beef patty, topped with savory mushrooms, fresh lettuce, tomato and melted American cheese, served on a brioche bun with a side of truffle French fries
• Luigi Burger (Pesto Grilled Chicken) (Toadstool Cafe) – this flavorful dish features grilled chicken topped with basil pesto, melted Swiss cheese, green peppers, and fresh spinach, all served on a soft brioche bun with a side of Truffle French fries
• Bowser’s Fireball Challenge (Toadstool Cafe) – step up to this challenge featuring a towering one-pound meatball topped with gooey mozzarella cheese in rich mushroom marinara sauce and fresh parsley served with a Bowser-inspired puff pastry and a side of hot sauce
• Yoshi’s Smoothie (Apple Melon) (Yoshi’s Snack Island) – cool off with a refreshing blend of tart Granny Smith apple and sweet honeydew syrup, frozen to creamy perfection with milk and topped with whipped cream and green apple bursting boba

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – ISLE OF BERK
Guests can feast like Vikings within dining locations like Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill and Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, where they’ll find:

• Yaknog (Mead Hall) – a fun drink that captures the spirit and adventure of Berk with its rich and creamy concoction of malted chocolate, cinnamon and a generous swirl of whipped cream
• Thawfest Platter (Mead Hall) – feast like a Viking with this grand spread of tender chicken drumsticks glazed in a wild berry BBQ glaze, grilled salmon, and succulent sausage served with a medley of roasted carrots, cipollini onions, Nordic fries, and side sauces
• Nordic Harvest Salad (VG) (Mead Hall) – this salad features kale and arugula greens, crisp red cabbage, radishes and hearty ancient grains, with blueberries and crisp apples for a tangy flavor, a sprinkle of trail mix that adds a satisfying crunch and raspberry vinaigrette to top it all off
• Stormfly’s Catch of the Day (Mead Hall) – a fun dessert perfect for young Vikings featuring a chocolate mousse fish nestled atop a bed of colorful crispy rice cereal for a delightful combination of creamy and crunchy sweetness

DARK UNIVERSE
While exploring Darkmoor, guests will find the ghastly dining locations Das Stakehaus, The Burning Blade Tavern and De Lacey’s Cottage – each featuring food and beverage offerings that are to die for, including:

• Stakes (Das Stakehaus) – guests can sink their teeth into a scrumptious meal on a stake with a choice of three protein options – Fish on a Stake (blackened salmon steak), Bird on a Stake (grilled dry rubbed chicken tenderloin) or Bits and Pieces (seared and glazed wild mushroom brisket meatloaf) – all served with roasted veggies and charred green onion mashed potatoes
• “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich (Das Stakehaus) – flash-fried marinated chicken breast tossed in a tantalizing blood orange sauce served in a sinister black bun with tangy pickles, a slaw and crispy fries
• Our Favorite Vegan Familiar’s Stuffed Cabbage (VG) (Das Stakehaus) – featuring impossible meat wrapped in tender cabbage leaves nestled in a rich bell pepper tomato sauce and accompanied by a vibrant beet bucatini
• Hunter’s Garlic Stake (The Burning Blade Tavern) – a crispy cheesy garlic pretzel perfectly prepared to a golden brown served with a rich garlic dipping sauce

PADUCAH, Ky. — Dippin’ Dots, the original beaded ice cream beloved by families for nearly four decades, is coming home with its customers for the first time, thanks to the launch of Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream Sundaes. Loyal Dippin’ Dots fans and fanatics had long hoped for a home freezer variety, but the iconic special occasion treat had been available only at venues such as amusement parks, stadiums, malls and movie theatres. Now, Dippin’ Dots Sundaes will be available at grocery stores nationwide, offering a new at-home format reminiscent of the Dippin’ Dots desserts typically enjoyed out-of-home.

Starting today, Dippin’ Dots Sundaes debut in Kroger stores and affiliated banners nationwide, with additional retailers to follow throughout the year. Available in two fan-favorite flavors—Cookies ’n Cream and Cotton Candy—each box includes four individually portioned cups at a suggested retail price of $6.99.

“Our customers have been asking for Dippin’ Dots in grocery stores for years, and we’re thrilled to finally make it happen,” said Kimmra Hingher, vice president of marketing. “Dippin’ Dots have always been a treat tied to special outings, and now fans can bring that fun home anytime. With Dippin’ Dots Sundaes, every day can feel like a celebration!”

Perfectly portioned and designed for everyday fun, Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream Sundae cups transform family moments into sweet celebrations. Each cup features signature Dippin’ Dots beads layered with cookie pieces, creamy ice cream, and topped with a flavorful sauce that keeps the iconic beaded texture intact. These portable 4-ounce cups are a modern twist on the classic sundae—ready for grab-and-go indulgence just a grocery store away.