If you’ve bought tickets or passes for SeaWorld or Busch Gardens online you may have noticed a service fee on top of the price and taxes. The fee is about 10% the website says it “covers costs such as credit card processing and fraud prevention”. This fee is part of a new lawsuit against United Parks & Resorts, Inc., parent company of SeaWorld Parks and Busch Gardens. The lawsuit accuses SeaWorld of using ‘bait-and-switch’ tactics by hiding extra fees until the final checkout stage of online ticket purchases, leading consumers to pay more than expected. 

We attended the Lights of Life, a well known light display at Life University in Marietta, GA near Atlanta and they had a roller coaster. In addition to lights they also have a parking area with attractions that this year included a kiddie roller coaster called Runaway Train. It was the most simple coaster you could possibly imagine, but a true coaster nonetheless and the best surprise Christmas Eve gift.

Bartow County is getting a new water park in 2026 called Splashville. This apparent name was announced through it being featured on the Bartow County Parks & Recreation float during the Cartersville, Georgia Christmas parade. The water park construction has been underway for some time adjacent to the new indoor gym facility, but the name and May 2026 opening date were new. The name is a play on Cartersville where it is located in the Hamilton Crossing area of town.

The station hums with festive cheer, The grandest ride of all the year! The tracks are iced in silver light, A ribbon through the frozen night. With wreaths upon the velvet cars, We’re climbing upward toward the stars.