Dollywood Renovates Trains for 2026 to Run on Oil Instead of Coal

For the 2026 season Dollywood is making a change to one of its oldest and most popular rides, the Dollywood Express steam trains. Both of Dollywood’s engines are being converted to run on oil instead of coal. This is for the comfort and safety of patrons, but also eliminates the risk of an errant cinder causing a fire in dry seasons. Dollywood has two engines, No. 192, named Klondike Katie, and No. 70, known as Cinderella (which ironically will no longer have cinders). Both these World War II engines actually previously ran on oil, but were converted to coal before being acquired by Dollywood. So the renovation will return the locomotives to closer to how they were historically without impacting the experience for riders.

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Riding Catapult Falls, the World’s First Launched Flume Ride, at SeaWorld San Antonio

Catapult Falls at SeaWorld San Antonio is an Intamin flume coaster which opened in 2024. The ride is themed around camping and national parks and is the world’s first launched flume ride. In addition to the launch, riders will experience North America’s only vertical flume lift, two airtime hills and two splashdowns. For hot summer days in Texas Catapult Falls could be a fun way to cool off.

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The Underappreciated Boomerang Roller Coaster with Potentially the Best Located at Wild Adventures

Boomerang at Wild Adventures

The Boomerang roller coaster by Vekoma is an amazing ride that is probably underappreciated due to its commercial success. Boomerang installations are numerous with over 50 operating locations worldwide with most using Boomerang in its name. However, just because something is common doesn’t mean it isn’t good and with a Boomerang you’ll experience some of the most intense forces possible on a steel roller coaster. One of the best and most well kept is the Boomerang at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, GA. It even received some upgrades making it even better for the 2026 season.

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Former Ragin’ Cajun Wild Mouse Coaster From Shuttered Six Flags America Relocating to Six Flags Great Adventure for its Newly Reimagined Shoreline Pier Boardwalk Area

Six Flags America in Maryland closed forever on November 2, 2025. There was much talk about which, if any, rides would be relocated to other Six Flags parks. The trains from Professor Screamore’s SkyWinder (formerly Mind Eraser) were quickly shipped to Canada’s Wonderland to upgrade their Vekoma SLC, Flight Deck. Also, Some of the rides were briefly listed for sale and quickly removed, but there hasn’t been much information since. Now it appears that Ragin’ Cajun, one of the rides thought most likely to relocate, will be headed to Six Flags Great Adventure for its newly reimagined Shoreline Pier Boardwalk area. This wild mouse coaster has gotten a new paint job and will now be called Barrels O’ Fun.

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Splash Island Waterpark at Wild Adventures Claims No. 1 Spot for Best Lazy River in America

Wild Adventures Theme Park & Splash Island Waterpark in Valdosta, Georgia are celebrating a big win for Paradise River as America’s “Best Lazy River” according to readers of USA TODAY in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The historic win follows four weeks of intense competition between twenty lazy rivers at parks nationwide, including Universal Studios, Disney, Aquatica and Six Flags. Wild Adventures and its staff should be commended for the impressive campaign they mounted to secure this great honor and you can read the complete press release here.

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Minecraft World Opening in 2027 at Chessington in the UK

Minecraft World Rendering
Minecraft World Rendering (Courtesy of Merlin Entertainments)

Minecraft World will open at Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London (UK) next year in 2027. The land will include new attractions including a world-first Minecraft coaster, themed retail and dining, plus a host of fan favourites and ridiculous fun from the Minecraft universe. The coaster looks especially intriguing and could perhaps follow the model of the well received Galacticoaster at the US LEGOLAND parks being indoors with controlled rotation cars (think Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind) , screens and launches.

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Does Splash Island at Wild Adventures Have the Best Lazy River in America?

The Paradise River at Splash Island Water Park (part of Wild Adventures Theme Park) has been nominated for “Best Lazy River” in USA Today’s 10BEST. Paradise River is in a beautiful setting with palms trees and foliage all around as you pass under several bridges around the course. There are some fun water features to interact with, but nothing too much that takes the “lazy” out of lazy river. Paradise River has been nominated along with 19 other lazy rivers and includes prestigious company such as Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach along with its sister property, Dollywood Splash Country. If you love Wild Adventures and Splash Island be sure to VOTE NOW!

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Review of New Barracuda Strike at SeaWorld San Antonio

I got to experience Barracuda Strike on March 9, 2026, on just its 3rd day of operation, The ride looks great in the park, especially with how it incorporated the water. It’s a very short ride, but for a “family” coaster it packs some intensity with whippy turns and transitions. Low capacity is going to be a concern here with only one train, but Barracuda Strike fits nicely in SeaWorld San Antonio’s coaster lineup.

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The Lumber for Your Favorite Wooden Roller Coaster May Have Come From S.I. Storey in Armuchee, Georgia

Wooden Roller coasters primarily use a very specific type of wood called Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) for their structure and track. Southern Yellow Pine has become the industry-standard wood used worldwide for most modern wooden roller coasters due to its density, strength, and pressure-treatment capabilities. For more than two decades, S.I. Storey Lumber Company in Armuchee, GA has specialized in high quality treated Southern Yellow Pine that has been used in roller coasters around the world. S.I Storey lumber is in use at many Six Flags parks, smaller local parks across the United States and even international parks like Walibi Belgium. Please note that of the coasters pictured in this article only Viper and Weerwolf are known for certain to have S.I. Storey lumber.

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Wild Adventures Upgrading 3 Rides for 2026 Season

In a recent press release it was announced that Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia would be making upgrades to 3 guest favorite attractions. This off-season, the maintenance team at Wild Adventures was hard at work improving the ride experience on Island Falls, the Safari Train, and Boomerang. Island Falls has 2 new boats, delivering shorter wait times and more splash-filled fun. The Safari Train has a second locomotive joining the track, meaning less time spent waiting in line to hop on board. The beloved Boomerang roller coaster features an all-new control system and new magnetic brakes from Vekoma, designed for smooth stops and reduced unexpected closures throughout the season.

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