An extraordinary achievement: 50 years of adventures, emotions and innovation that have made Gardaland Resort an icon of entertainment in Italy and in Europe. Since 1975, it has welcomed millions of visitors, becoming a place where every generation, young and old, has been able to create unforgettable memories.

Today, it continues to be the protagonist of international entertainment, winning the hearts of those in search of magic and excitement.

The 50th anniversary season will offer extraordinary experiences and not-to-be-missed innovations, with immersive adventures in the two re-themed areas and spectacular live shows.

• Animal Treasure Island, the new IP attraction created by Merlin Entertainments, will transport adventurers in an underground dark ride of 6,000 square metres, with twenty original scenarios and new specially created characters. Every aspect of the experience has been designed by Merlin Magic Making’s creative team, to establish an emotional connection with visitors thanks to characters that took more than a year to develop. While maintaining animal traits, these characters embody easily recognisable values and behaviours, eliciting empathy. The first character to debut, Captain Nine Lives, is a charismatic and determined young adventurer, ready to infect visitors with her courage and insatiable thirst for exploration. The project, designed for international expansion, goes beyond the attraction itself: Animal Treasure Island will be a real island of adventure, where emotions and stories come to life thanks to an engaging design and a setting with attention to detail, inviting visitors to explore and let themselves be carried away. Over 250 loudspeakers with 360-degree binaural audio will deliver unprecedented sound immersion, while custom hardware and an original soundtrack (with tracks dedicated to each scene) will accompany the experience.
• The second unmissable 2025 adventure is Dragon Empire, a completely re-themed area that will take visitors on a journey through the millenial traditions of the Eastern world, with vibrant colours, captivating music and celebrations ready to enliven the whole day.
• At the entrance, a majestic gateway dominated by shades of blue and red and embellished with red lanterns, decorative fans and ropes in five colours, welcomes guests and immerses them in a festive atmosphere, “as if New Year began each and every day“.
• In the heart of the remodelled area, attractions – which hold further surprises for visitors – will be flanked by spectacular shows and music, turning every visit into a memorable experience.
• Among other new arrivals, an innovative show will debut at Gardaland Theatre, where technology and creativity come together to create a unique experience. Thanks to the use of extraordinary special effects and incredible performances, the show will overcome every language barrier, involving the audience in an adventure that is accessible to all. Inspired by highly topical themes, it will spark interest and food for thought for all ages.

During this special year, Gardaland further strengthens its commitment to putting visitors at the forefront, recognising their pivotal role in the 50 years of success that have helped shape the history of the Park.

To celebrate this occasion, tailor-made initiatives to directly engage guests will be offered throughout the season. The first will be free entry on your birthday, a gift that will make your day even more special, with an adventure made up of attractions, shows and the company of your loved ones.

FRISCO, Texas — If kids in North Texas have any “spare” time this summer, they can head over to Strikz Entertainment every day for two games of free bowling.

Strikz Entertainment, North Texas’ premier entertainment venue, is participating in Kids Bowl Free, a program that allows free bowling all summer long to kids ages 14 and under.

Once signed up, each child can redeem two games of bowling each day from March 24 to Sept. 12.

“Kids Bowl Free is a great opportunity for kids to get out of the house during the summer and have some fun bowling,” said Neil Farren, founder and owner of Strikz Entertainment. “Many kids have grown up bowling at Strikz and we’re excited to continue that tradition.”

Strikz also offers a Family Pass, valid all summer long for parents and older siblings who want to join in on the fun for one low price: $44.95 for two people, or $59.95 for four people. The registered child is not included in the Family Pass group. Registered kids and family members are also encouraged to purchase a Shoe Pass for $19.99 per person, which allows the pass holder to free shoe rentals while redeeming their Kids Bowl Free bowling time.

Kids Bowl Free will only be available on classic lanes when lanes are available. The offer can not be redeemed in the Rose Room.

Strikz is home to 32 bowling lanes including a private, boutique bowling room, as well as billiard tables, foosball tables, laser tag, arcade games for all ages, virtual reality rides, axe throwing, and the full-service Strikz Bar & Grill, and offers a variety of weekly specials, seasonal promotions and events. 

JACKSON, N.J. — Six Flags Great Adventure Resort is excited to announce that Coral, the giraffe calf born on December 15th, has been successfully reunited with her family at Wild Safari! After spending some time in a giraffe barn for care and recovery, Coral is now back with her parents, Conan and Mariah, and the rest of the herd. Coral is thriving, and her brother, Pringles, is especially overjoyed to have her back in the fold!

Though Coral faced some early challenges, including difficulty standing, she has shown incredible strength and determination, thanks to the diligent care of the Wild Safari team. At just over three months old, she is growing rapidly and adapting well to her herd’s dynamic.

The park is also announcing the birth of another giraffe calf. The yet to be named baby boy is doing well, after being safely delivered over the weekend.

Guests will be able to see Coral and the rest of the giraffes when they visit for Opening Day on March 29th.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Hard hats, steel beams, themed coral and heavy machinery all took center stage at an exclusive hard hat tour of SEA LIFE Florida at LEGOLAND Florida Resort today. This first look at the Resort’s newest addition, opening on May 23, 2025, introduces the world’s first “Theme Park Under the Sea” experience, blending ocean exploration with theme park thrills like coral carousels, deep-sea roller coasters and interactive exhibits.

“Just as LEGOLAND Florida is designed to be a child’s first theme park experience, SEA LIFE Florida is designed to be a child’s first aquarium experience, educating them through immersive exploration while fostering a love for marine life,” said LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s President Franceen Gonzales. “As the 11^th SEA LIFE Aquarium in the U.S., we are expanding opportunities for families with children ages 2 to 12 to create lifelong memories while also inspiring a passion for conservation.” Attendees on the behind-the-scenes tour were not only given insights on construction progress and design, but heard from SEA LIFE Florida’s curator, aquarists and project managers. The tour included a visit to the filtration system, a bird’s-eye view of the main ocean tank—at the heart of the “Theme Park Under the Sea” experience—and a sneak peek at 10 immersive galleries and 25 interactive exhibits. Renderings displayed throughout each gallery helped bring the visionary experience to life.

This spring, SEA LIFE Florida will transport guests into an underwater wonderland featuring:

• Incredible marine life, including blacktip reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, big-belly seahorses and more!
• A breath-taking ocean habitat with approximately 150,000 gallons of water
• A vibrant freshwater gallery and a colorful stingray bay
• A hands-on invertebrate touch pool for interactive experiences
• More than 3,000 animals across 150 species from Florida’s coastal waters and around the world

NEWPORT, Ky. — The official ribbon cutting for Newport Aquarium’s new exhibit, Jellies: Go with the Flow was held today in partnership with local and state elected officials. The new $1.5 million, 1,700 square foot exhibit represents the first physical expansion of the aquarium in more than 15 years. The space, designed to be a tranquil, relaxing escape, will feature more than 100 jellyfish from six unique species, floating in over 1,500 gallons of water.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the exhibit with “behind the glass” tours designed to show how the Newport Aquarium animal care team propagates these amazing creatures. The new space is particularly unique because it looks different from the rest of the aquarium in look, color and overall tone. The vibrant colors throughout the space make it a highly “instagrammable” opportunity for guests. The exhibit lends itself to a truly educational experience for kids of all ages as well as adults curious to learn more about the important roles jellies play in oceanic ecosystems.

“’Jellies: Go with the Flow’ is a direct response to visitors who provided feedback and requested this very type of exhibit,” said Rebecca Foster, Executive Director, “This will be a truly immersive experience that will amaze, entertain and most of all, educate our visitors. This exhibit demonstrates our commitment to bringing new and innovative opportunities for guests to have a truly transformative educational experience with every visit.”

The exhibit will include seven habitats filled with more than 1,500 gallons of salt water. In the water lives nearly 100 jellyfish in total with six different species represented, including:

• The South American sea nettle (Chrysaora plocamia): This species can grow up to 10 ft. flowing tentacles.
• Upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea spp.): This unique species lives upside-down to help photosynthesize the algae in its tissues.
• The dwarf lion’s mane (Cyanea versicolor): Never-before-seen in the Cincy region, these jellies are sometimes called “ghost jellyfish” due to their translucent appearance.
• Blue blubber jellyfish (Catostylus mosaicus): A brightly colored species that pulses and undulates in a distinctive staccato pattern.
• White spotted jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata): This species, named for their signature white spots on their bells, adds extra color and pizzazz to the exhibit.
• Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita): A guest favorite for its hypnotic rhythmic motion. This translucent species is relocating to the new exhibit, where three of its life stages will be on display.

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — Get ready for an exhilarating experience like no other! Five Star Parks, the largest owner and operator of family entertainment centers in America, is excited to announce the opening of its new Malibu Jack’s location. The world-class indoor theme park, located in the heart of North Richland Hills, TX will span an impressive 137,000 square feet – the largest indoor theme park in the state.

“The opening of Malibu Jack’s in North Richland Hills is a big moment for Five Star Parks, and we’re beyond excited to welcome the community to our newest location this summer,” said John Dunlap, CEO of Five Star Parks. “With so many incredible attractions to enjoy, we’re certain that it will quickly become the go-to spot for families seeking fun and adventure.”

Malibu Jack’s North Richland Hills will offer something for everyone! For groups, the venue will feature 12 family-friendly lanes of Duckpin Bowling, an innovative twist on traditional bowling that is fun for all ages. For thrill-seekers, the park will include an enormous 30,000 square-foot indoor go-kart track, the Cowabunga spinning roller coaster, the Jumpin’ Jacks Drop Tower, and the zero gravity Whirlpool ride with a dramatic floor drop. For kids, there will be an exciting Pedal Kart Track that allows them to channel their inner race car driver. In addition, the park will feature a Dark Ride Theater, a Texas-themed laser tag arena, and two mini-golf courses themed Under the Sea glow-in-the-dark, as well as a tropical Bogey Beach course.

In the arcade section, guests can enjoy over 130 video games, virtual reality experiences, and the Valo Arena mixed-reality playground. Younger visitors will love the pirate ship-themed Bounce Beach play area. After all that excitement, guests can refuel at the Jacks Social bar, offering a variety of delicious food. Adults can relax on the Hang Ten Patio and enjoy the innovative self-pour “Pour My Beer” beverage wall, which will feature 24 beers on tap, along with fun social games like giant beer pong, Jenga and cornhole. The venue is also perfect for team-building outings and will offer a “Corporate Cabana” for company events.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — FACE Amusement Group today announced that it has received the Great Place to Work recognition for its company for 2025 for the third year in a row.  The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at FACE Amusement Group.

“We’re proud to announce that FACE Amusement has earned the Great Place to Work Certification for the third consecutive year! Thank you to every team member for your hard work, leadership, and dedication,” states Bucky Mabe, CEO, of FACE Amusement Group.

He adds “Your passion and commitment make our company not just a workplace, but a thriving community! This achievement speaks volumes about the incredible culture we’ve built together—one where our employees genuinely feel valued, engaged, and excited to come to work each day.”

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.  The certification recognizes employers who create an outstanding employee experience. Certification is a two-step process that includes surveying associates and submitting a questionnaire about our workforce.

CARVER, Mass. — Edaville Family Theme Park today announced it will be hosting a ride auction on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as it prepares for a new exciting era in late 2025.

The popular family amusement park is going to be reimagined with many wonderful things to come toward the end of the year. As a result of this transformation, amusement rides will be available for auction on site at 10:30am on April 30^th. 

Contact Dan Satow of Norton of Michigan Auctioneers, Based in Coldwater Michigan, PO Box 279, Coldwater, MI  49036 or e-mail dan@spiethandsatow.com or log onto www.spiethandsatow.com or call 517-617-1104.

Below is a list of iconic rides from Edaville that will be on sale during the April 30^th auction:

• Zamperla Rides Including:
  • Flying Turtles
  • Crazy Bus
  • Barnyard
  • Willy The Whale
  • Sky Tower
  • Fire Brigade
  • Mini Jet
  • Aerial Ride
  • Kiddie Ferris Wheel
  • Rockin Tub
  • Convoy
• Visa Spinning Lady Bug Coaster
• Allen Herschell Astronaut
• Clown Train
• SBF Balloon Drop
• AH Jolly Caterpillar
• 1986 Chance Carousel
• Eli Ferris Wheel (Dismantled)
• Eli Scrambler
• ARM Bone Shaker (T.M.)
• S & W Jet A Bout
• Sally, Den of Lost Thieves Dark Ride
• (2) Pirate Ship Rides (Dismantled)
• Tri Level Soft Play
• Shooting Gallery
• (20+/-) Animated Dinosaur Figures by World Fun Attractions

DALLAS, Texas — Embed, the world’s FEC tech partner of choice for the amusement, entertainment, and leisure industries, is set to introduce breakthrough innovation updates to its integrated hardware and software solutions at Amusement Expo International in Las Vegas, NV from 19 to 20 March.

Like Embed’s award-winning Mobile Wallet virtual game card innovation — still the only Apple and Google-certified FEC solution since its launch in 2019 — this is another inspiring example of how a single product can change an entire industry and pave the way for the future.

“Guests, experiences, staff, operations, bookings, payments, sales, reports—the integration of these tech components is critical to the success of an FEC. The EMBED ECOSYSTEM is designed to redefine and elevate the way these interact and integrate with each other, enabling and empowering operators to create the ultimate cashless, cloud-based system that exceeds their business needs for a seamless guest experience,” shares Renee Welsh, CEO at Embed. True to its commitment of pioneering innovation with visionary product development, Embed marks the beginning of a revolutionary breakthrough in integrated cashless payment systems. “It’s the new era of the Embed Ecosystem,” says Sara Paz (CMO and Chief Growth Officer). “We’re setting a new standard in the industry with fresh and meaningful updates to our system, modified for hyper-customization and deeper integrations. With the rise of the API, the Embed Ecosystem is the paradigm shift that begins the consumer experience revolution, where we enable operators to create experiences they want with greater customization and flexibility.”

With customer-centric design and functionality in mind, the Embed Ecosystem highlights the company’s innovative product development and design, and dominance in the FEC tech category.

“This undoubtedly marks a shift in the industry, highlighting the results of strategic relationships with global tech giants. Our partnership with Apple, Google, and Amazon Web Services for our solutions, along with FEC leaders like Dave & Buster’s, Timezone, and Fun Station puts us in a position to disrupt the disparate digital systems plugging into hardware, which is the current industry norm,” explains Andy Welsh (CTO). “Now, operators can have it all without needing to plug it all. They can connect it all to sync it all—and with today’s consumer demands and global business trends, that’s more like it.”

This reshapes the consumer journey: instead of sending customers back to a sales counter or kiosk to transact, operators can now have roving FEC staff with Surface Pro tablets that run Embed’s payment processing mechanism SALES; the POS can now be anywhere the guest is. Such tech is already battle- tested outside the FEC industry and will soon be available to members of the Embed family.

Embed conducted a pilot test of the latest innovation updates with some customers, starting with updates to TOOLKIT’s POS component SALES. Guy Mack, Director of Technology at Alley Cats Entertainment comments on the new benefits of the Embed Ecosystem: “I was both excited and honoured to be selected for the test group. I believe it strengthens the positive relationship between our businesses and, as a technology enthusiast, I appreciate being involved in the development of new innovations. The impact of the [Embed Ecosystem] really changes our day-to-day operations in interacting with our guests.”

BOOKINGS, the end-to-end online reservation platform for FEC events, is now powered up with an in- venue booking capability. Operators can now bring in the bookings and start accepting in-venue reservations for experiences and attractions with the latest BOOKING and KIOSK+ integration. “This will get guests to enjoy other FEC offerings like arcades or F&B while they wait for their slot instead of queueing at activities like bumper cars, darts, escape rooms, and bowling,” says Michael Lopez (CXO and NASA region General Manager).

Aside from this integration, the KIOSK+ update includes:

• A full screen, FULLER experience. Operators can showcase experiences and offers on full display in its 27-inch LCD touchscreen—the sleekest layout yet. Easy on the eyes, easier to show price and prize.
• UI you’ll love. Embed customers can show their true colours with every touchpoint by taking
• the customisable API to re-theme their KIOSK+ and match their FEC brand vibes.
• Play your cards right. KIOSK+ can now be used to offer multiple game cards purchased with different reload values in a single transaction.
• Unified POS. KIOSK+ and SALES POS give operators real-time, cloud-based sync of transactions for real-time business visibility.

“The aim is to empower FECs to create new ways to connect with customers by creating the experiences they want. The Embed Ecosystem is pioneering the smart cashless payments category. Your UI, your way. This is the smart FEC ecosystem with user-centric design and functionality,” explains Andy Welsh (CTO).

“This is another example of The Embed Difference: an ongoing commitment and promise of visionary product development and continuous innovation, focused on performance and design. This innovation solidifies Embed’s dominance in the category,” adds Renee Welsh (CEO).

“This is truly a testament to the power of Embed’s tech leadership, innovative product development, and a deep understanding of global market dynamics and consumer desires,” concludes Sara Paz (CMO & Growth Officer).

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Dollywood Parks & Resorts has added another employment-related award to its list of recent honors by being named a 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces award winner. Dollywood made the list of organizations with more than 2,500 employees.

Millions of employees were surveyed to recognize the top organizations across 65 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards. This award celebrates organizations that have built great workplace cultures with more than 150 employees. The winners of the Top Workplaces USA list were chosen based on employee feedback gathered through a 25-question survey.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts properties are nationally recognized and growing at a tremendous pace. Awards like the Top Workplaces recognition reinforce the brand’s strong reputation for top-notch customer service, an attribute that attracts top talent and further contributes to the company’s thriving culture.

“The awards we’ve received during the last several years really are humbling,” said Susan Loveday, Dollywood Vice President of Human Resources. “We take pride in our host culture, and we seek to provide our team with great benefits that show our appreciation for the work they do to make Dollywood the most unique and welcoming theme park experience in the entire world. When you consider that the results of this recognition are derived from the survey results of our own hosts, it illustrates their belief in our host culture and their pride in the place they work.” 

Energage, an organization dedicated to building top workplaces, administers the survey.

Earlier this year, Dollywood was the second-highest ranked travel company on the Forbes’ list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. Dollywood was the only theme park company on the Forbes list as well.  Earlier this month, Dollywood also received a spot on Newsweek’s Best Workplaces for Women award, one of only three theme park companies on the list. 

Dollywood’s award-winning host experience translates directly to the guest experience. Forbes ranked Dollywood Parks & Resorts in the top 1% (No. 27) of more than 3,000 US brands rated for exemplary customer service for 2024, and late last year, Dollywood was named by Newsweek as America’s Best Customer Service for theme parks in 2025.  

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, and complimentaryDollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country admission for family and friends. Hosts are provided a free lunch every working shift and also take part in Dollywood’s Park Perks program, which provides free or reduced admission to a large number of 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.