For the third consecutive year, PortAventura World is kicking off its new season with Carnival celebrations. Every weekend in March, visitors to the resort will be able to enjoy the rhythms, colours, and festivities inspired by this iconic festival known around the world and also by those in the resort’s immediate surroundings.
Along these lines, this year the company has opted for new parades led by groups from neighbouring municipalities, boosting their visibility and demonstrating the incredible talents of the area’s vibrant ensembles. The chosen troupes are Colours Fantasy, Sinhus, Aerodance, Pandora and Torres Jordi, as well as the Bombastik batucada and the Bandarra Street Orkestra. The carnival companies are also debuting new and carefully designed costumes. All these street entertainers can be found in the different areas of the resort during opening hours, from open to close. This new proposal is in conjunction with the schedule of exclusive shows for this time of year.
Fernando Aldecoa, general manager of PortAventura World: “We are very proud to be able to talk about the most locally sourced Carnival we have had to date at PortAventura World. Our aim is to make a positive impact on our surroundings and by taking actions such as these we hope to promote recognition of the local troupes that organise their parades with such care for the enjoyment of our visitors. In addition, this year the Carnival marks the beginning of a very special season for us, with the celebration of our 30th anniversary, which will last throughout the year”.
This also marks the start of PortAventura World’s thirtieth anniversary season, a unique milestone that the first visitors of the season can enjoy with the special themed decorations adorning the streets of the entire resort. From 1 March to 6 January 2026, the resort will be fully dedicated to commemorating its most special year, full of surprises and moments to remember.
With the aim of improving the experience of visitors who choose to stay in the park’s hotels and Club PortAventura members, the resort has arranged the exclusive opening of the Mediterrània and Far West areas of PortAventura Park every Friday until 4 April, from 5 pm to 10 pm. PortAventura Park will extend its usual opening hours on these dates, giving visitors the opportunity to celebrate Carnival and its 30th anniversary during the entire weekends.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Ride the wave with LEGOLAND Florida Resort as it officially announces SEA LIFE Florida will open to the public on May 23, 2025! The brand-new attraction will feature 25 interactive exhibits, including the main ocean display, which will showcase a unique “Theme Park Under the Sea” design. This one-of-a-kind theme, not found in any other SEA LIFE Aquariums worldwide, incorporates coral castles, carousel hideaways and cozy hotel-like spaces, all designed to keep the animals safe while they explore their underwater world.
Just like LEGOLAND Florida Resort, SEA LIFE Florida is designed with kids in mind and will immerse guests in a breathtaking ocean habitat, featuring approximately 150,000 gallons of water, a vibrant freshwater gallery, a colorful stingray bay and a hands-on invertebrate touch pool. Visitors will also get to encounter more than 3,000 animals representing 150 different species from Florida’s coastal waters and around the world, including blacktip reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, big-belly seahorses and more! To commemorate the opening date announcement, LEGOLAND is inviting guests to go on an immersive scavenger hunt to discover LEGO sea creatures hidden throughout the Park.
Scavenger Hunt: Spot LEGO® Sea Creatures
Ahead of SEA LIFE Florida’s grand opening, LEGOLAND Florida is making a splash with an exciting scavenger hunt, running daily from Feb. 22 to March 9 during Park hours. This interactive challenge invites guests to search for four LEGO marine animals cleverly hidden by Master Model Builders throughout Fun Town.
To participate, guests can pick up their scavenger hunt handout at the Factory Store before heading out on their seaside adventure. Once all four LEGO sea creatures have been found, participants return their completed handout to claim a special commemorative gift: a reusable SEA LIFE Florida woven bag. This exclusive giveaway celebrates the arrival of SEA LIFE Florida and promotes the Resort’s conservation efforts, as the bags will soon be used across the Resort as a sustainable alternative to plastic. Bags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis (while supplies last), so participants are encouraged to complete the scavenger hunt early!
A Commitment to Conservation: Resort-Wide Recyclable Bags
In partnership with SEA LIFE TRUST, SEA LIFE Florida is dedicated to marine conservation, animal welfare and ocean education. In a continued effort to reduce single-use plastic, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida and SEA LIFE Florida will all begin using recyclable bags on May 23.
Dive Into Adventure:
Annual Passholders, will be FIRST TO SEA! They will get exclusive early access to SEA LIFE Florida. For year-round underwater adventures, dive in with a Gold or Elite Annual Pass!
Kids Stay and Play Free:
Book a stay and get a FREE 2-Day, 3-Park ticket to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, LEGOLAND® Water Park and PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida when you purchase one adult ticket and a hotel stay. Play all day, rest at night and do it all over again— even sea explorers need a break! Offer valid for stays through May 22.
Plan Ahead & Play More: Book 2 Nights, Get 1 Free
Book two nights, get one free! Enjoy a 3+ night stay in LEGO themed rooms, FREE mini golf, 3-day Park tickets and exclusive kid-tastic perks! Book 45 or more days in advance.
HOUSTON, Texas — Beat The Bomb (2103 Lyons Ave., #300), the world’s first immersive social video game company, has opened its sixth U.S. location and the first in Texas. Centrally located in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, the venue joins existing locations in Atlanta, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Beat The Bomb offers a unique gaming experience where teams of 4-6 players don hazmat suits, dodge lasers and crack codes to help disarm an explosive Paint Bomb, Foam Bomb or Slime Bomb. Teams who fail to disarm the bomb will immediately #GetBlasted, creating a messily fun experience for all. Beat The Bomb has hosted more than 750,000 customers since opening its first location in Brooklyn in 2017, earning more than 32,500 five-star Google reviews and blasting celebrities such as Usher, Venus Williams, Tony Hawk and the Real Housewives of Atlanta.
“Houston was an obvious choice for the newest location of Beat The Bomb,” CEO and founder Alex Patterson said. “Its vibrant arts community, lively social scene and strong corporate presence align perfectly with our mission to create human connection through our immersive, colorful gaming technology.”
The 10,000 square-foot location includes The Bomb Bar, a full-service bar with an array of cocktails, wine and colorful bomb slushies, as well as a 1,500 square-foot beer garden. Beat the Bomb also features a private event space ideal for get-togethers, celebrations and corporate outings. Menu items include sharable snacks, pita pizzas, an array of hot wing flavors and “Healthy Bytes” for those looking for a lighter option. Surrounding the dining area are four semi-private “Arcade Bays” where guests can eat, drink and play a 90-minute gauntlet of interactive mini-games.
Tickets for Beat the Bomb start at $34.95 and are available at beatthebomb.com/houston. For more information, guests can visit the website or follow @beatthebomb on social media.
Located adjacent to Meow Wolf in the former Moncrief Lenoir Manufacturing Co. building, Beat the Bomb Houston is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3-9 p.m., Friday from noon to 1 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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 40th anniversary season, another national publication has recognized Dollywood as one of America’s best. Announced today, Forbes has placed Dollywood on its 10th 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!
