The Water Park in the Movie “Nobody 2” Was Based on Bob Odenkirk’s Childhood Wisconsin Dells Trips

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Nobody 2 (image from Universal)

In the action comedy “Nobody 2” Hutch Mansell (played by Bob Odenkirk) is a “working class” dad who happens to be an assassin. The plot centers on him taking his family on a vacation to Plummerville, a resort area from his childhood with an iconic water park, Wild Bill’s Majestic Midway and Waterpark. However, Plummerville is a stand-in for Wisconsin Dells where Odenkirk took vacations as a child and “Wild Bill” is a stand-in for the iconic Tommy Bartlett who built many of the famous Wisconsin Dells attractions. Nobody 2 wasn’t filmed in Wisconsin Dells though, but near Winnipeg Canada (same as the original) water park scenes being shot at the Lilac Resort in nearby Saint Anne. A carnival was constructed in Winnipeg Beach and these scenes were later stitched together through the magic of editing.

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Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio is a Great Ride and Educational Experience

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Texas Stingray entrance sign at SeaWorld San Antonio
Texas Stingray entrance sign at SeaWorld San Antonio

The Texas Stingray roller coaster at SeaWorld San Antonio (SWSA) opened in February 2020, just before Covid, and is the tallest, fastest and longest wooden coaster in Texas.  The ride Designed by Skyline Attractions and manufactured by Great Coasters International (GCI) includes a 100 foot drop, 3,379 feet of track with a max speed of 55 mph while experiencing fast-paced twists, up to 76 degree turns, sixteen gravity defying airtime moments and a 100-foot tunnel. In 2024 Texas Stingray reached #26 on Golden Ticket’s global rankings of best wooden roller coasters. However, in addition to being a fantastic ride, it also provides an excellent educational experience about the Texas Stingray through signage and the design of the roller coaster train itself!

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Get Your Thrills on the Mountain Coasters of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville

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Kid and mom on Rail Runner Mountain Coaster at Anakeesta
Rail Runner Mountain Coaster at Anakeesta

When planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains, you’re likely thinking about scenic drives, delicious food, and family-friendly attractions. But if you’re a coaster lover or an adrenaline junkie or just looking for a unique way to experience the stunning mountain landscape, you can’t miss the region’s incredible mountain coasters.

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Discovery Meadow: The Beautiful Gardens of Kentucky Kingdom Theme Park

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Discovery Meadows Logo (Courtesy of Kentucky Kingdom)

Theme parks can be beautiful places filled with trees, flowers and other botanical displays. For the 2025 season Kentucky Kingdom has opened Discovery Meadow, an $11 million investment that is “a perpetual garden party with a Kentucky twist.” In addition to some new rides and new themes on older ones, you’ll find lots of native Kentucky flora around Discovery Meadow. When you visit the park the biodiversity is quite shocking when you think about it as the park is an oasis of sorts in a sea of concrete with the fair grounds, parking, the interstate and the airport all bordering it.

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Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets to Open at Disney Hollywood Studios in 2026

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Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Pre-show
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Pre-show (Courtesy of Disney)

The great Muppet band, Electric Mayhem, will be taking to the stage at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starting in 2026. Disney has released this information along with some concept art of the pre-show area and the building exterior. The pre-show looks amazing with what appears to be Scooter as a director and penguins as audio engineers. The ride descriptions seem quite similar to the current Aerosmith version, but with an exciting Muppet twist to everything.

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NightFlight Expedition: Dollywood’s Groundbreaking 2026 Hybrid Coaster and Whitewater Ride

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Dollywood has released new details about its much anticipated 2026 attraction. We now know it’s called “NightFlight Expedition” and it is a groundbreaking hybrid coaster and whitewater river ride. Riders will board vehicles capable of four thrilling experiences in a first-of-its-kind attraction. Guests will guests soar above the Great Smoky Mountains, plunge into whitewater rapids, float down drops and navigate to a “very special lake.” NightFlight Expedition is featured in an astounding indoor, weather-independent 160,000 square foot facility (that’s larger than four football fields!) in the Wildwood Grove area of the park.

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Peanuts Characters to Remain at Legacy Cedar Fair Parks as Six Flags Entertainment and Peanuts Worldwide Extend Licensing Agreement to 2030

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Camp Snoopy with dog in canoe
Camp Snoopy (Image courtesy of Six Flags)

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced it has extended its licensing agreement with Peanuts Worldwide for another five years. The new agreement extends Six Flags’ position as the exclusive amusement park partner for Peanuts™ in North America meaning guest at Knott’s Berry Farm, Carowinds, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Dorney Park, Canada’s Wonderland, California’s Great America, Michigan’s Adventure, Valleyfair, and Worlds of Fun will continue to experience the iconic Peanuts characters until at least the next decade.

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Will Six Flags Souvenir Refill Bottles Become a Thing of the Past?

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Six flags refillable bottles

If you’re like me you have a small collection of souvenir refill bottles from theme parks. Probably my biggest collection is from my home park, Six Flags Over Georgia. However. when I renewed my season pass this year there was a new option for 2026, a paper cup option. It is quite similar to the sports bottles with refills available every 15 minutes, but you don’t need the bottle as you’ll get a new paper cup each time. Upon a little research, it appears this paper cup program has been an option at the legacy Cedar Fair parks since 2017 that is now coming to the legacy Six Flags parks. Signs are also pointing to this being the only option in 2026 as there is no 2026 bottle option online.

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Drinking Around the Universe at Universal Epic Universe

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Epic Universe entrance
Epic Universe Chronos Tower

Universal Epic Universe has quickly established itself as a prime destination for thrill-seekers and, as it turns out, for those seeking unique and sophisticated adult beverages. The park, which opened on May 22, 2025, has made a name for itself not just with its incredible rides and themed worlds, but also with a diverse and creative lineup of cocktails, beers, and other alcoholic libations. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing spritz in Celestial Park or a potent potion in the Ministry of Magic, here’s a guide to some of the top spots to find alcoholic drinks at Epic Universe.

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The Fascinating World of Disney Balloons

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Getting a balloon at a theme park can be an iconic experience for a child and some of the balloons at Disney are amazing. Balloons can be found for sale, on parade floats and even as part of attractions. Much of the Disney balloon magic can be traced back to one man, Treb Heining who elevated balloons to an an art form. Mr. Heining was part inventor, part artist and part salesman who helped make balloons an integral part of Disney.

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