Ralph Alberts Co. introduces new paint system: Ride Armor 63
Ralph Alberts has a legacy of solving tough problems and seizing opportunities for improvement in the amusement industry and beyond. It’s no secret: Foam/PUR ride safety pads don’t last forever. The typical life of ride padding is anywhere from 1-5 years depending on the combination of ride cycles and the environmental conditions specific to the […]
Fun Spot America announces “Gals, Pals & Vals Days” Feb. 10 – 14
ORLANDO — Just in time for Valentine’s Day celebrations, Fun Spot America Theme Parks is offering a sweetheart of a deal complete with thrilling rides, fabulous food and drinks, and HUGE savings! The all-new “Gals, Pals and Vals Days” promotion provides the perfect way for guests to plan and experience a memorable Valentine’s Day together. The package deal welcomes guests to […]
25 Years and still growing: Gilroy Gardens’ 25th Anniversary Season starts March 22
GILROY, Calif. — Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park will celebrate the start of its 25th anniversary season on Saturday, March 22, with a full slate of special events planned throughout the year, including exciting all-new guest experiences like the 25th Anniversary Celebration in spring and Cherry Jubilee in the summer. Since it first opened in 2001 […]
Construction is underway for Kings Island’s new water coaster, RiverRacers
Construction crews at Kings Island are taking advantage of the warmer temperatures this week by installing the first pieces of steel for its new watercoaster, RiverRacers. Opening in Soak City waterpark this summer, the ride will be the first and only dual-racing water coaster in Ohio. Also opening is Splash River Junction, a new kids […]
Betson Enterprises Partners with GoodTimes for a 30-game installation
TROY, Ala. — Betson Enterprises, the industry leader in distributing location-based amusement products, announces the completion of a 30-piece game room installation at GoodTimes in Troy, AL. This marks the second collaboration between Betson and GoodTimes to bring high-quality entertainment to their guests. Under the guidance of Betson Sales Representative Bob Sommer, the arcade was […]
In The Game Fremont Street now open in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Welcome to In The Game Fremont Street, the NEW Las Vegas arcade with a sideshow vibe packed with Games & Attractions is located inside the historic El Portal Theater. Family Entertainment Group is proud to unveil this innovative entertainment concept, blending the energy of Fremont Street with cutting-edge attractions and fun […]
Extensive events lineup slated for Kings Dominion’s Golden Anniversary in 2025
DOSWELL, Va. — Kings Dominion announced a robust lineup of special events for the 2025 season to celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary. The golden anniversary begins with the spring launch of the park’s newest rollercoaster, Rapterra, and continues all season long with new and fan-favorite special events. Guests will enjoy a jam-packed lineup of family entertainment, […]
February 2025 issue
The FEBRUARY 2025 issue includes:
Fun Spot America Atlanta to open new “Hook & Slice” ride this Saturday
ATLANTA, Ga. — Fun Spot America Theme Parks is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the new Hook & Slice ride at Fun Spot America Atlanta in Fayetteville, Georgia this Saturday, February 1. The exciting new attraction, a Mini Reverse Time ride by SBF-Visa Group, delivers high-energy fun and heart-pounding excitement for guests of all ages. “Bringing Hook […]
Boost profits with Sacoa’s cutting-rdge solutions – Atrax Expo Istanbul 2025
Sacoa Cashless System is proud to announce its participation as an exhibitor at Atrax Expo 2025, taking place from January 30 to February 1 at the Istanbul Expo Center in Turkey. Visitors to the show are invited to stop by Booth #A-170 to discover Sacoa’s comprehensive range of cashless solutions. At Atrax, Sacoa’s team of […]
Southern bowling operators roll with Intercard
ST. LOUIS — Two Southern bowling centers have chosen Intercard’s latest cashless technology to manage their arcades. The big arcade at Player Two Strike and Spare FEC in Louisville, Kentucky boasts more than 65 games. The new center totals 45,000 square feet with 34 lanes of bowling including an 8 lane VIP suite, a full […]
NxGn Arena exceeds expectations after Sacoa installation
NxGn Arena, a revolutionary FEC that blends cutting-edge technology with thrilling activities, has officially opened its doors in Edgewater, NJ. Strategically located in a prime area, the new, 7,000-square-foot-venue offers an array of next-level entertainment experiences for guests of all ages. NxGn Arena has partnered with Sacoa Cashless System, the global leader in revenue management […]
Southern Bowling operators roll with Intercard
ST. LOUIS — Two Southern bowling centers have chosen Intercard’s latest cashless technology to manage their arcades. The big arcade at Player Two Strike and Spare FEC in Louisville, Kentucky boasts more than 65 games. The new center totals 45,000 square feet with 34 lanes of bowling including an 8 lane VIP suite, a full […]
RWS Global appoints award-winning casting executive Judy Bowman as vice president, talent casting & recruitment
NEW YORK, N.Y. — RWS Global has hired award-winning casting executive, Judy Bowman, as its new Vice President, Talent Casting & Recruitment. The addition of Bowman to the team comes as RWS Global expands turnkey entertainment operations for cruise ships, resorts, theme parks and major sporting events. RWS Global fills more than 8,000 roles around […]
Game on! Morey’s Piers promotes Mike Weimar to new director of games operations role
WILDWOOD, N.J. — Morey’s Piers and Beachfront Waterparks, a leading amusement and water park destination in the Mid-Atlantic region, today announced the creation of a new Director of Games Operations position and the promotion of long-time Games Manager Mike Weimar to this key role. Weimar, a seasoned amusement industry veteran with over 20 years of […]
Six Flags Over Georgia to spotlight state’s Gold Rush history with new thrill ride
MABLETON, Georgia — Six Flags Over Georgia will open this spring with a new family attraction, Georgia Gold Rusher. The first-of-its-kind ride combines high-speed adventure and soaring elevation with free-spinning gondola seating and dynamic water features. “Georgia Gold Rusher hearkens back to a nostalgic era of our park, where thematic storytelling was at the forefront of everything […]
Discover Sacoa’s Game-Changing Innovations at IAAPA FEC Summit 2025!
Sacoa Cashless System, the global leader in cashless systems for family entertainment centers (FECs), is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the highly anticipated IAAPA FEC Summit 2025, taking place from January 19 to 21 at The Westin in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a distinguished sponsor, Sacoa invites all attendees to visit their space […]
Vortex expands manufacturing capabilities with new facility in Plattsburgh, NY
MONTREAL, Canada — Vortex Aquatic Structures International (Vortex), a manufacturer and world leader in aquatic solutions, is proud to announce the expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in the United States with the acquisition of a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Plattsburgh, New York. This strategic move underscores Vortex’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and […]
Kennywood, Idlewild and Sandcastle announce 2025 calendars & seasonal event lineups
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Kennywood, Pittsburgh’s Thrill and Entertainment Destination, is gearing up for Opening Day, which is right around the corner, kicking off the season with an all-new Easter event. Opening the park gates on Pittsburgh’s beloved 412 Day, Kennywood will hop into the 2025 season with the brand new Eggcellent Easter Celebration. The start […]
Whale Watching Weekends return to Sea Life Park Hawaiʻi for 2025
As peak whale watching season approaches, Sea Life Park Hawai‘i is offering whale watching opportunities on Saturdays and Sundays starting January 2025. Guests get to enter the park one hour prior to normal park hours, at 9 a.m., and meet with a member of the park’s education team for a brief informative talk on humpback whales before the viewing session. Binoculars will then be provided for use to all participants, […]
Second event year of “Movie Park’s Hollywood Christmas” sees strong increase in visitors
BOTTROP-KIRCHHELLEN — A successful winter season at Movie Park Germany leaves its mark and Ho-Ho-Hollywood in Germany slides into the season break with a very positive result: With its original American winter event “Movie Park’s Hollywood Christmas”, Germany’s largest movie and amusement park was able to achieve a strong increase in guests of 20 percent […]
NAARSO 38th Annual Safety Seminar
Spanish-Language Amusement Ride Inspection Track Sponsored By Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA)We’ve received a great response from our announcement of the Spanish-Language track of courses being offered. This track has been graciously sponsored by the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA). Their contribution is greatly appreciated, and cannot wait to see their members in attendance! Topics […]
RocketRez partners with Morey’s Piers to deliver industry-leading guest experience
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada — RocketRez, a leading provider of cloud-based management solutions for tours and attractions, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Morey’s Piers, one of the most iconic seaside attractions in North America. Located in Wildwood, New Jersey, Morey’s Piers has delighted millions of guests with its boardwalk amusement parks, water parks, […]
Altitude Trampoline Park marches toward strong start in 2025 following successful 2024
DALLAS, Texas — Altitude Trampoline Park, the leading family-friendly entertainment franchise, is celebrating a remarkable year of development. In 2024, the franchise continues to grow with more agreements, extending its reach to new and existing markets, including Long Island, South Florida, and the Bay Area, continuing its mission to deliver unforgettable family experiences. Throughout the year, […]
“Walkabout Mini Golf: Viva Las Elvis!” — Shakes, Rattles, Rolls on January 16 in VR and iOS
AUSTIN, Texas — 48 years ago today, Elvis’ “left the building” following his final Vegas performance on Dec 12, 1976. Now an independent studio is bringing his spirit back to the Neon City in a totally immersive way. In just over one month, Walkabout Mini Golf players around the world can finally join the entourage […]
Adventureland Resort announces opening day & 2025 seasonal event lineup
ALTOONA, Iowa — Everyone is in store for a fun filled day at the Home of Iowa’s Best Thrills as the park gates officially reopen at Adventureland Resort on Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. Celebrating 51 years, the beloved resort is back in action with a full season of thrills, events and entertainment coming to the park in 2025. […]
Dutch Wonderland announces 2025 opening day & seasonal event lineup
LANCASTER, Pa. — Dutch Wonderland, the World’s Best Family Park, is gearing up for what is sure to be one of its largest and most interactive season’s yet. The Kingdom for Kids will officially reopen on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m. The whole family is invited to hop on over to the kingdom as […]
Lake Compounce announces 2025 opening day & seasonal event lineup
BRISTOL, Conn. — Lake Compounce, America’s First Amusement Park,is already gearing up for the 2025 Season as the park announces its official Opening Day, Saturday, May 3. Celebrating nearly 180 years of family thrills and entertainment, the park will offer a full lineup of events and entertainment for families to enjoy all year long. A full season […]
Sacoa to participate at EAG 2025 with exciting new solutions
Sacoa Cashless System, the global leader in cashless solutions for FECs, is gearing up to showcase its cutting-edge products at EAG 2025. The event will take place from January 14 to 16th, at the ExCeL in London, UK, where Sacoa will be located at booth #D60. Pol Mochkovsky, CEO of Sacoa International, expressed the company’s […]
Discover your Ninja Power during Lego Ninjago Weekends
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — LEGO NINJAGO Weekends are taking over LEGOLAND Florida Resort on select dates:January 25-26 and February 1-2, 8-9 and 15-17! During this limited-time event, guests can unleash their inner ninja with epic activities, high-energy shows, all-new ninja-inspired treats and exclusive meet-and-greets with beloved LEGO NINJAGO heroes. Best of all, the action-packed event […]
31st annual TEA Thea Awards tickets on sale
BURBANK, CALIF (14 January 2025) – The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is excited to announce tickets are on sale for the highly anticipated 31st Annual TEA Thea Awards Gala. The elegant affair, recognized as the premier business and social event of the themed entertainment industry will be held on Saturday, 15 March 2025, at the Hilton Universal Hotel in Universal […]
Gardaland Resort enters 2025, its 50th anniversary year, with a second major innovation: Dragon Empire
The year 2025 marks an extraordinary milestone for Gardaland Resort, as it celebrates half a century of magic, adventure and fun with a new and symbolic commemorative logo. In elegant gold, the new logo (created for this year) includes the two key dates for the park – 1975, the year of opening, and 2025, the […]
Electric Banana Band coming to Grönan Live 2025!
One of Sweden’s greatest cultural acts – Electric Banana Band will come to Gröna Lund on June 7, 2025. The band was formed in 1980 and consists of several prominent musicians, including three of Sweden’s greatest cultural personalities: Lasse Åberg, Klasse Möllberg and Janne Schaffer. Electric Banana Band is permeated by humor and themes that […]
Global leadership movement announcement reinforcing “The Embed Difference”
SINGAPORE — Embed, the world’s FEC tech partner of choice for the amusement, entertainment, and leisure industries, announces the global movement of its chief executive teams to kick off 2025 with gusto. “We always say that our customers are at the heart of everything we do and how we do it—our customer-centricity has always been […]
Innovative Attraction Management acquires Diggerland USA to expand its portfolio of family-oriented attractions
WINDERMERE, Fla. — Innovative Attraction Management (IAM), a leading provider of creative management services and strategic growth solutions for the entertainment and leisure industry, is proud to announce its acquisition of Diggerland USA, a unique and one-of-a-kind theme park where guests can operate real construction equipment in a family-friendly environment. This acquisition marks a significant […]
Children’ Aquarium Dallas remains open during winter weather
The Children’s Aquarium Dallas in Fair Park will remain open during the expected winter weather Thursday and Friday, January 9 and 10. While schools are closed, the aquarium will offer a warm, indoor place for families to enjoy fun and educational activities when it is safe to travel. Families attending on Thursday and Friday will […]
Donald Lee DiGirolamo, former and longtime O.D. Hopkins employee, dies at 80
PHOENIX, Arizona — Donald Lee DiGirolamo, a former partner in then N.H.-based O.D. Hopkins died in Phoenix with his family on November 5, 2024. He was 80. Don, as he was known by his friends, was born in Springfield, Ill. On May 31, 1944, to Cathryn and Gladstone DiGirolamo. He was the youngest of three […]
Grammy winner T-Pain, pop superstar Joe Jonas and Colombian singer Juanes to headline live concerts on select nights during Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras 2025 Celebration
ORLANDO — Universal Orlando Resort invites guests to celebrate 30 years of Mardi Gras from February 1 through March 30 during Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval, featuring an all-new menu of mouth-watering international cuisine, a spectacular parade with colorful floats and – on select nights – live concerts by the biggest names in music. And guests can […]
Deborah Eicher appointed to European Manufacturers & Suppliers Subcommittee 2025
Deborah Eicher, International Sales & Marketing Director at Swiss based RES RIDES, has been selected to serve on the IAAPA European & Middle East (EMEA) M&S Subcommittee beginning in January 2025. The EMEA M&S subcommittee is a constituency volunteer committee of industry leaders that represents manufacturers and supplier members of IAAPA. “I am honoured to be selected […]
NAARSO to offer 16 hours of Spanish-language amusement ride inspection courses at the 38th Annual Safety Seminar
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) is excited to announce the addition of 16-hours of comprehensive amusement ride inspection courses conducted entirely in Spanish at its 38th Annual Safety Seminar. These will occur from Monday, January 27, to Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Hilton Charlotte Airport in Charlotte, […]
Kentucky Kingdom announces details of new rides coming in 2025
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Kingdom Theme & Water Park is ringing in 2025 by announcing more details about the three new family rides debuting in May. In our commitment to enhancing the Kentucky Kingdom experience, we are proud to introduce three brand-new rides that will be featured in our exciting new Kentucky-themed land. These attractions […]
Strates named Manatee County Fair midway provider
PALMETTO, Fla. — The James E. Strates Shows, one of North America’s leading outdoor amusement providers, has proudly signed an agreement with the Manatee River Fair Association, Inc.to serve as the exclusive carnival midway provider for the annual Manatee County Fair in Palmetto, Florida. “Being part of the Manatee County Fair is an honor as […]