Kids

Family Review of Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND Florida: A Spectacular Experience That’s So Much More Than a Ride

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Galacticoaster (Image courtesy of LEGOLAND)

Our family of 3 had a chance to experience Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND Florida and we were wowed, awestruck and captivated by this amazing attraction. Calling Galacticoaster and “ride” or a “roller coaster” really sells it short as this is a multi-part story driven experience. The actual “coaster” portion of Galacticoaster is pretty short, but you’ll be entertained thoroughly over 10 minutes or so as you’re completely immersed in the ride’s story. This ride and its twin at LEGOLAND California represent a $90 million investment by Merlin Entertainment and you’ll immediately see it was money well spent.

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Review of the Phenomenal Capyfriends Cafe Capybara Experience in Helen, Georgia

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The humble capybara is having a moment where they seem to be everywhere. The internet is filled with adorable pictures of baby capybaras creating tremendous demand to meet these creatures in person. Capyfriends Cafe in Helen, Georgia is an opportunity to do just that! This unique experience is a partnership between Nacoochee Adventures and North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park. At Capyfriends Cafe, guests have the rare opportunity to meet, interact with and learn about these gentle, curious creatures.

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Large Section of Alapaha Trail at Wild Adventures Reopens

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Wild Adventures is several types of family entertainment combined into one that is equal parts theme park, water park, concert venue, zoo and nature center. The Alapaha Trail is a large section of elevated boardwalk through authentic Georgia swampland. For the 2026 season the trail has more than doubled in size with a large section closed for over a decade reopened. The entire trail has been refreshed with more than 6,000 board feet of new wood. The Alapaha Trail is a peaceful, shaded boardwalk that provides a nice break from the neighboring rides with the opportunity to see several of the park’s animals along the way.

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Review of the Spectacular New Splashville Water Park in Bartow County

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Splashville Entrance Sign

We had a chance to go to a soft opening of Bartow County’s new Splashville water park prior to the grand opening on May 23, 2026. This new facility is at Hamilton Crossing just north of Cartersville, Georgia. Quite simply, Splashville is spectacular and will be a showpiece facility for Bartow County for years to come. The slides, lazy river and pools are all fun with perfect depths for both kids and adults. There are places for playing, swimming and just relaxing. For the thrill seekers the enclosed slide is fast and the size and speed of the lazy river is as good as many theme parks. Splashville is a great facility at a great price that the whole family can enjoy.

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The Spectacular Scouting America Adventure Weekend at Wild Adventures

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We had a chance to experience the Scouting America Adventure Weekend at Wild Adventures Theme Park, April 17-19, 2026 and it was an incredible scouting event. This has to be the best bargain in scouting events with food, 2-day theme park tickets and 2nights of camping for only $50. The execution of the event by Wild Adventures was spectacular as everything was obviously extremely well planned. For a scout spending 2 days camping at Wild Adventures couldn’t be more fun with its combination of rides, waterpark and animals. If you’re looking for a fun spring camping event it’s hard to imagine anything better than a Scouting America Adventure Weekend at Wild Adventures.

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Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Parent Company United Parks Sued by Sesame Street Over Unpaid License Fees

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Sesame Workshop (the company behind Sesame Street) has sued United Parks & Resorts (parent of SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens) over unpaid royalties. Sesame Workshop file in federal court in New York on March 12, 2026 and is seeking to end its licensing agreement with United Parks & Resorts. United Parks & Resorts operates full themed park lands around the Sesame Street IP with rides, shows and parades and for many locations it is the centerpiece of their kid’s area. In addition to unpaid royalties Sesame Place also alleges plans for a 3rd Sesame Place theme park were shelved and that United shortened seasons or completely closed Sesame Street themed lands without proper notice.

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Slides Erected at New “Splashville” Water Park in Bartow County

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Slides at Splashville Water Park

We’ve written previously about the new municipal water park coming to Bartow County in Cartersville, Georgia. The flume slides arrived a couple weeks ago at the Hamilton Crossing site and have now been put up. The slides look great and with most of the splash pad constructed the project is coming together ahead of the anticipated May 2026 opening.

Review of the Spectacular New Splashville Water Park in Bartow County

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Review of Amazing $10 Shark Tour at SeaWorld San Antonio

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On a recent trip over Thanksgiving week to SeaWorld San Antonio we experienced the Shark Tour. If you’re a platinum pass holder this is one of the tours you can select for your “free animal tour” benefit and regular guests can get this tour for as little as $10 (potentially discounted further with a season pass). It’s a chance to go “behind the scenes” of SeaWorld and see how the park creates an immersive animal experience and actually touch a shark!

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Pokémon is Coming to Universal Theme Parks!

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Pokémon Universal Studios Japan No Limits! logo
Combined Universal and Pokémon No Limits! Logo (Courtesy of Universal)

After years of rumors,  Pokémon is finally coming to Universal theme parks. It was announced on January 22, 2026 that the Pokémon IP will debut in Japan, but is then “Universal Destinations & Experiences will deliver unique Pokémon experiences across the company’s global footprint”. There were no dates, rides or attractions announced and this is probably a couple years out in Japan and probably 2029 or later in the United States. The release was very simple and vague, but it got the point across that Pokémon is coming!

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A Bluey Roller Coaster is Coming to Alton Towers

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Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies
Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! (https://www.altontowers.com/2026/)

A Bluey roller coaster has nearly completed construction at Alton Towers in the United Kingdom for a 2026 opening. The ride is located in the park’s CBeebies Land and signage around the construction leaves no doubt as to what is coming. For Americans who may not know, “CBeebies” is a free British public broadcast children’s television channel owned and operated by the BBC. Alton Towers is leaning into the attraction heavily for its 2026 marketing as you’d expect and no doubt this will be a huge hit with families who love the iconic show.

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