GENEVA, Switzerland — This summer, MSC Cruises is redefining family fun at sea with an enhanced entertainment lineup designed to create unforgettable memories for guests of all ages. From high-energy game shows and interactive experiences to dazzling parades and dynamic parties, the updated program offers something for everyone, from the youngest cruisers to teens and their parents.

Beginning June 2025, families onboard MSC Cruises can enjoy brand-new, immersive activities tailored to spark excitement and engagement.

Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises’ Family Entertainment Development Director said: “With MSC Cruises being a family-owned company, we know what it takes to keep the whole family happy on vacation with our multiple-award-winning ‘Doremiland’ kids and family program, tailored entertainment activities and facilities, original game shows, amusement, cinema and waterparks for the youngest of guests through to teens. This summer, we are taking it to the next level, combining technology with engaging activities to create truly memorable experiences. Guests can look forward to more interactive game shows, more sports, more parties, and a fresh take on teen entertainment. No matter where our guests sail, endless fun awaits.”

Brand-new activities this summer include:
LEGO® Family Game Show: Following its successful launch on the line’s latest flagship, MSC World America, MSC Cruises will introduce the LEGO® Family Game Show across the fleet from June 2025. This interactive experience will allow parents and children to compete together in a timed creative challenge using LEGO® bricks. The official LEGO® Experience onboard mascot, LEGO® Sailor Walkabout, will judge the fun-filled competition.

LEGO® Family Parade: Featuring seven official LEGO® mascots, the lively parade will bring energy and excitement to guests as it weaves through key locations onboard, inviting passengers to join the celebration. Guests can experience this colorful experience on select ships, including MSC World America, MSC World Europa, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape, and MSC Meraviglia. 

MSC ORIGINALS: For families who love music and dance, MSC Cruises will introduce a brand new “DOREMIX Family Disco” across the fleet starting in June 2025. Featuring an exclusive MSC Cruises soundtrack, also available on all digital platforms, this family-friendly dance party will be led by beloved mascot Doremi, who will serve as both DJ and dance judge for competitions in all age categories.

Additionally, two original MSC Cruises game shows, BOXES and MSC BOOM, will make their debut. BOXES will see contestants face unexpected challenges, revealed only when they open the selected box. MSC BOOM, will combine technology and fun, allowing participants to compete for exciting prizes.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS®: Due to popular demand from guests, MSC Cruises is expanding its Guinness World Records®activities for both adults and children, with the show being available across 16 ships this summer. These exclusive events give guests the opportunity to make official record-breaking attempts, creating unforgettable moments on board. Additionally, weekly technology-based tournaments, including the PS5 F1® Sim Racing Tournament, will challenge gamers to put their skills to the test in high-adrenaline virtual races. 

Enhanced experiences for teens & parents:
Teens Club Updates: Starting June 2025, teenagers up to 17 years old will find new, unmissable experiences across the fleet, including more sports and exclusive Teens-Club editions of the Silent Disco, Golden Party and Quiz O’clock, making the Teens Club the place to be for wholesome fun.

Golden Party & quizzes for parents: In response to growing demand, MSC Cruises is introducing the Golden Party, a brand-new exclusive event for parents to unwind and enjoy themselves. The new event joins MSC Cruises’ lineup of renowned parties, including the White Party, Glow Party, and Sunshine Party, which have become major highlights of the cruise experience. Meanwhile, trivia enthusiasts can test their knowledge with 75 original Trivia Quizzes available on all ships, during the regular daytime Quiz O’Clock, a casual and interactive daytime event featuring refreshments and social engagement in a relaxed atmosphere.

PLAINVIEW, Texas — The National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA), the world’s largest collection of historic amusement ride vehicles and memorabilia, is launching a fan-based capital campaign to save and preserve four historic coaster cars from across North America.

The vehicles the museum hopes to preserve are:

• Kingda Ka: Designed by Intamin, Kingda Ka debuted at Six Flags Great Adventure as the tallest, fastest coaster in the world, accelerating riders from 0 to 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds. When it was retired in late 2024, it was still the tallest and second fastest roller coaster on Earth.
• Nighthawk: Built by Vekoma in 2000, Stealth at then Paramount’s Great America was the world’s first flying roller coaster. In 2004, it was moved to Carowinds and renamed Nighthawk, where it continued to take would-be superheroes through 2,766 feet of track at speeds up to 51 mph.
• La Vibora: Originally opened in 1984 at Six Flags Magic Mountain, La Vibora was one of a handful of “trackless” coasters ever built. It moved to Six Flags Over Texas in 1986 and was the last Intamin-designed “Swiss Bob” coaster in operation.
• Time Warp: Featuring a unique spiral lift and tight, snappy turns along its 1,283 feet of track, Time Warp at Canada’s Wonderland was one of a handful of Zamperla-built “Volare” coasters to be installed around the world.

“Without the tireless work of the museum’s volunteers, who have been working to preserve these attractions for over six months, there is a good chance they would be lost forever,” said Jeff Novotny, President of the NRCMA. “By directly involving park and ride fans, we can now all work together to preserve the historic legacies that each of these vehicles represent.”

Fans of these attractions can go to www.rollercoastermuseum.org/2025fundraiser to contribute towards the shipping costs to their favorite rides. For donations of $100 and above, the museum will enshrine the donor’s name / company name into the exhibit of their choice.

NORTH OF COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — The Silverwood team is hard at work ensuring the park is in tip-top shape for its guests. The shelves are being stocked, the coasters are being inspected, the grass is being cut, and the flowers are looking their very best for opening day on May 3rd.

The story of how it all began is as unique as the park itself. It all started with a man’s passion for collecting antique cars and planes on his remote property in Northern Idaho. Owner and Founder, Gary Norton, wasn’t sure if anyone would come to his new creation. But since Silverwood’s opening in 1988, people worldwide have flooded through its gates.

Over 37 years later, Silverwood has gone from a small museum in 1988 to the largest theme park in the Northwest today. In honor of this celebration, adult guests can get into the park for only $37, and youth and seniors can get in for just $19.88 this Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd & 4th!

Silverwood is excited for what’s new in 2025, including the seismic upgrade and reintroduction of Tremors roller coaster with steel 208 ReTrak from Hayden, Idaho’s Rocky Mountain Construction, a second train, and new Millennium Flyer trains from Great Coasters International (ride opening date to be determined sometime this spring). Silverwood’s entertainment has also received a makeover, bringing an all new show to the Theater of Illusion with Nick Norton’s Phantasm: Under the Big Top, an elevated and exciting train “robbery” (with all proceeds going to Canopy Village) on the Silverwood Central Railway, new mini-shows from Marvin & Friends in the High Moon Saloon and new mobile shows popping up throughout the park from the Engineers! New food venues for 2025 include Cosmos Cantina in the Theater of Illusion serving up dry ice cocktails and mocktails for the whole family and Sweet and Salty in Boulder Beach, a place for crispy, golden fries, cinnamon-kissed churro sticks and a side of soft-serve to dip them in (available when Boulder Beach opens May 24th). If guests want more information, they can check out the park’s new podcast, The Silverwood Show Podcast, at www.silverwoodthemepark.com/podcast. 

Silverwood is the Northwest’s Largest Theme Park, located in the beautiful panhandle of north Idaho. This year, Silverwood is celebrating its 37th anniversary. During the last 3 decades, Silverwood has spent countless hours ensuring that families from all around have a beautiful and memorable place to come and have fun! Every detail of the park has been essential in creating the ultimate guest experience. It all started with a train, and now there are over 70 rides, slides, shows, and attractions! You can experience world-class coasters, hair-raising attractions, kiddie adventures, a 1915 steam engine train, live award-winning entertainment, restaurants, and more! After May 24th, you can cool off at Boulder Beach Water Park with two massive wave pools, thrilling water slides, children’s water features, VIP cabanas, and an endless lazy river. Two parks, one price! Have your family or company outing at Silverwood and save big when you book your group of 15 or more through September. 

WHAT: Six Flags America will honor the bravery and selflessness of active and retired military personnel, and veterans during Military Appreciation Days with free tickets for entry on May 23 to 26. All active and retired military personnel and veterans can also obtain up to six specially discounted admission tickets to enjoy a fun-filled day in the park.

WHO:

• Active U.S. Military
• Retired U.S. Military
• Veterans
• Reserves
• National Guard

WHEN: Tickets are on sale beginning April 28. Ticket dates May 23 to 26

WHERE: Six Flags America
13710 Central Avenue
Upper Marlboro, MD 20721

HOW: To qualify for this special event, active military, veterans, first responders must register with ID.me. After selecting the product(s), they will receive a prompt to login.

All offers must be redeemed online. During Pass and One-Day ticket sales, product offers will periodically change. Military, veteran and first responder discounts cannot be combined with other offers.

FARMLAND, Ind. — North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), the leading provider of carnival entertainment in North America, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Sawyer as its new Director of Business Development.

A seasoned executive with over 26 years of experience in fairs, festivals, live events, professional sports, and advertising, Sawyer brings a powerful blend of strategic vision, industry insight, and business acumen to NAME’s leadership team. His track record of success spans marquee events such as the Arkansas State Fair, Alameda County Fair, Greater Gulf State Fair, and Country Thunder USA, as well as iconic venues including Mud Island Amphitheater and the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.

Prior to joining NAME, Sawyer served as Senior Director of Accounts and Business Development at Agency GWL, a full-service firm based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Under his leadership, the agency delivered some of the largest fairs in the Arkansas State Fair’s 84-year history and managed a portfolio of more than 50 clients across nine states. His creative campaigns and strategic direction helped generate over $7.5 million in new business.

In addition to his agency work, Sawyer is the founder of ProFusion Marketing, a nationally recognized sponsorship consulting firm that has raised over $18 million for fairs and festivals since its inception in 2002. His efforts have earned him accolades such as Top Consulting Firm of the Year from Arkansas Money and Politics.

Sawyer also spent seven years as Assistant General Manager of the Arkansas State Fair, where he oversaw marketing, sponsorships, and event operations. Earlier in his career, he held sales and community relations roles with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and played two years of professional hockey.

He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a degree in Marketing and was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dan to the NAME family,” said NAME President & CEO Danny Huston. “His ability to connect people, brands, and experiences in meaningful ways will help us deepen our relationships with partners and bring new opportunities to the communities we serve.”

The MAY 2025 issue includes:

• Amusement Today‘s 2025 “What’s New” Guide!
• Chickasaw Nation opens unique Okana Resort in Oklahoma City
• Knott’s Berry Farm reimagines arcade, adds new midway games
• Six Flags Over Georgia debuts Intamin’s first Ultra Surf coaster
• SeaWorld San Antonio reimagines children’s area with Rescue Jr.
• BoldMove’s Rogue Rides provides new trackless vehicle option
• Dollywood celebrates 40th season with new restaurant, parking lot
• Zamperla supplies Morgan’s Wonderland’s accessible Happy Swing
• Legoland announces new indoor coasters for Florida, California
• Texas Pinball Festival 2025 scores high with global attendance
• AAMA’s FEC of the Year Alley Cats pilots Embed’s Ecosystem
• Slick City slides into its first location in the Dallas-FortWorth area
• Do The Beach is the next generation of adventure park ownership
• TouchTunes revamps music app, promotes more social activity
• Miami-Dade County Fair goes well, nearly a half million visitors
• Showmen’s Museum preserves the history of fascinating industry
• Bavarian Inn Lodge unveils impressive Bavarian Blast Waterpark
• Both Walt Disney World Resort water parks to open in 2025
• Spekboom Lodge is latest revenue stream at San Antonio Zoo
• Life Floor offers safety aspect of heat dissipation for hot surfaces
• VLocker recycles used lockers for missions, shelters to aid homeless
• After turning for 125 years, things continue to look up at Eli Bridge
• Focus On The Horizon: Matt Robbins of Martin & Vleminckx
• Six Flags Great America enhances original B&M inverted coaster
• Pennsylvania ride safety advisory board holds quarterly meeting
• Call for AIMS International Safety Seminar ambassadors
• Six Flags adds FLX Shade
• StarGuard Elite holds successful conference aboard cruise ship … and much more!

Sacoa Cashless System, the world leader in cashless management solutions for the entertainment industry, is proud to announce an ambitious world tour during May 2025, with simultaneous participation in five major international trade shows. This bold initiative underscores Sacoa’s ongoing commitment to innovation and global engagement.

Key stops on Sacoa’s global tour include:

• XV Encuentro ACOLAP & IX LAAE 2025
  May 8–10 – Ágora Convention Center, Bogotá, Colombia
• 2025 RSA Convention and Tradeshow
  May 11–15 – South Point Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | Booth #509
• SINDEPAT Summit 2025
  May 14–16 – Campos do Jordão Convention Center, Brazil
• AAPA Summit 2025
  May 20 – Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE), Buenos Aires, Argentina
• SEA Expo 2025
  May 20–22 – Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, Saudi Arabia | Booth #3C 310

Throughout the tour, Sacoa will be showcasing its latest product lineup, including the cutting-edge K4 and K5 self-service kiosks, the innovative Redemption Kiosk, and its ever-evolving online solution – all designed to maximize operational efficiency and profitability for entertainment venues.

In the words of Pol Mochkovsky, CEO of Sacoa International “We are thrilled to be running this powerful global initiative, with multiple teams of Sacoa experts simultaneously attending trade shows on different continents. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to bring our cutting-edge technology to operators and entrepreneurs around the world, helping them increase the efficiency and profitability of their sites and projects. This tour represents both our growth and our unwavering commitment to advancing the entertainment industry worldwide.”

RES RIDES AG is thrilled to announce the opening of their SUPER SWING M20 at Gröna Lund, Parks and Resorts Scandinavia in Stockholm, Sweden. Gröna Lund named the ride Pumpen and opened to delighted thrill seeking crowds on 26 April. The Super Swing is only the second in the world and delivers an exhilarating experience as guests are launched high into the air while swinging back and forth in suspended high-speed motion.

RES RIDES began collaborating with Gröna Lund in 2022 after they expressed an interest in a unique one-of-a-kind thrill ride. Roman Rothe, CEO of RES says “Gröna Lund came to us and told us what they were looking for. We adapted our Super Swing M20 to deliver the kind of thrill and excitement that they were looking for.”

Kings Dominion Official Birthday – May 3
Join Kings Dominion as it celebrates the official anniversary of the park’s original opening 50 years ago in 1975. On May 3, the park will be celebrating with a commemorative button giveaway for guests. Limit one per guest while supplies last. The VCU Peppas will kick things off with a show at the front gate prior to opening at 11:00 a.m. The KOS band will be returning to the Grand Bandstand. This group performed during the original opening of the park 50 years ago and they’re back to serenade guests under the Eiffel Tower with shows throughout the day.

About Kings Dominion’s 1975 Opening:
Ground originally broke on the project in 1972. In 1974 the park opened in a limited preview as Lion Country Safari, a drive-through animal zoo with over 200 species of animals. In 1975 the park officially opened as Kings Dominion with 15 attractions including the rides known today as Racer 75 and Woodstock Express rollercoasters, the Carousel, Dodgem (bumper cars), the Shenandoah Lumber Company (a log flume ride), and the one-third replica of the Eiffel Tower.

American Red Cross Blood Drive – May 13
On Tuesday, May 13, the American Red Cross will host a blood drive at Kings Dominion’s Human Resources building from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Guests who successfully donate blood will receive the following: one single day admission ticket to Kings Dominion, a $20 e-gift card to a retailer of their choice, and one entry for a chance to win a US trip of their choice for two. Terms apply.

The American Red Cross is in special need of O, B negative and A negative blood types. All donors are encouraged to sign up on the American Red Cross website to donate. Due to the popularity of the event, walk-ins cannot be guaranteed the opportunity to donate.

Soak City Waterpark Opening Day – May 24
Soak City Waterpark officially opens for the season at 12:00 p.m. on May 24^th. Enjoy a summer of splashes in the wave pool, thrills on the water slides, and family fun at Coconut Shores play area. For more details about summer hours visit https://www.kingsdominion.com/

Military Days – May 23 to 26
Kings Dominion will honor the bravery and selflessness of active military personnel and veterans during Military Appreciation Days May 23 to 26 with a free ticket. In addition, active military personnel and veterans are eligible for specially discounted admission on up to six tickets to enjoy a fun-filled day in the park with family members. Tickets go on sale April 28^th and can be purchased at kingsdominion.com.

To qualify for this special event, active military and veterans must register with ID.me. After selecting the product(s), they will receive a prompt to login. Members of the following organizations are eligible:

• Active U.S. Military
• Retired U.S. Military
• Veterans
• Reserves
• National Guard

NEW YORK and MIAMI — Azamara Cruises, the small-ship cruise line renowned for its signature Destination Immersion experiences and Extended Destination Days, today announced an exciting new phase in its long-standing partnership with RWS Global to deliver 13 new and exclusive-to-Azamara, world-class entertainment experiences across its fleet starting in 2026. This next chapter underscores Azamara’s continued commitment to curating vibrant, culturally enriched programming that inspires and engages travelers onboard.

“At Azamara, we are always looking for ways to elevate the onboard experience and create lasting memories for our guests,” said Simon Blacoe, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Azamara Cruises. “Our partnership with RWS Global allows us to elevate our guest experience, delivering world-class performances and entertainment which also reflect the destinations we visit and the cultures we celebrate. We are really looking forward to sharing the amazing new shows and experiences that will debut exclusively on Azamara Cruises next year.”

A Fresh Wave of Signature Entertainment
Azamara Cruises’ 2026 entertainment will include:

• 10 original, exclusive-to-Azamara Cruises stage shows featuring high-caliber talent, contemporary choreography, and reimagined classics. These shows will span a variety of musical genres and decades, designed to resonate with the cruise line’s diverse, multi-generational audience.
• Two interactive game shows that maximize guest participation in new ways.
• Themed musical experiences and pop-up moments that surprise and delight passengers throughout their voyage.
• Fleetwide technical upgrades to enhance venue production quality and elevate every aspect of the entertainment experience.

A Continued Collaboration with RWS Global
The newly expanded multi-year partnership builds upon a creative relationship originally forged in 2017. RWS Global will lead the development, casting, choreography, design, and production of Azamara’s new shows, while also overseeing implementation and ongoing management across the fleet.

“We are delighted to expand our longstanding partnership with Azamara Cruises to create premium entertainment and unforgettable experiences for travelers around the world,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President, Sea Production of RWS Global. “Azamara guests will be treated to a vibrant range of musical, dance, and artistic performances — brought to life with world-class talent and enhanced by our shared investment in onboard technology.”