theme-park

Netflix Getting Into the Theme Park Business with Netflix House in Philadelphia, Dallas and Las Vegas

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Netflix House (courtesy of Netflix)
Netflix House Logo (courtesy of Netflix)

Have you ever wanted to participate in the Squid Games? Perhaps you’d like to visit Hawkins, Indiana from Stranger Things? Starting next month you may get that chance in Dallas and Philadelphia in a new concept called Netflix House. Netflix is bringing its internet entertainment to the real world in the form of “immersive, in-world experiences that let you step inside your favorite shows, dig into themed meals at our in-House restaurant NETFLIX BITES, or grab exclusive merch from our shop.” These aren’t “rides” in the classic theme park sense, but more immersive worlds with actors and other interactive elements. These new venues will be called Netflix House Dallas and Netflix House Philadelphia and will be permanent locations where you can interact with your favorite Netflix worlds.

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Summer Fun with the Splash Water Parade at Six Flags Over Georgia

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The Splash Water Parade at Six Flags Over Georgia
The Splash Water Parade at Six Flags Over Georgia

On July 4th we had a chance to catch the Splash Water Parade at Six Flags Over Georgia and it was simply stellar summer fun. The parade features several dozen performers who put on a water-themed show full of music, dancing and some audience participation. What was surprising is that the parade features live singing, original music and a huge cast of choreographed dancers. This parade has the look and feel of a Disney afternoon parade with catchy music and high performer energy. Part of me sat there a bit dumbfounded as I almost couldn’t believe this was happening at Six Flags Over Georgia. From the floats to the choreography to the Splash logo gear performers and the support staff, it was obvious Six Flags made a major investment here. It was a complete and seamless performance.

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Rivers of America at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Closes Forever to Make Room for Piston Peak National Park

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Steamboat riverboat on Rivers of America at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
Rivers of America (Photo by Matt Brinkley)

On on July 6 2025 Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom closed Forever to make room for “Cars Land” and specifically what is being called Piston Peak National Park. Rivers of America have been part of Frontierland and Liberty Square since 1971 when the park opened, but the Liberty Belle steamboat and Tom Sawyer Island were actually added in 1973. This has long been known as a scenic and relaxing area of the park. This area is now being reimagined into a Cars themed land with a ride similar to the Radiator Springs Racers, a high-speed ride at Disney’s California Adventure. However, this is not a carbon copy of the California attraction located in the desert town of the first movie, but instead it will be an off-road adventure in a mountain and water-filled National Park.

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Was This Mountain at Tokyo DisneySea Originally Destined for California? How Disney “Blue Sky” Concepts are Never Truly Dead.

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Tokyo DisneySea volcano

Disney loves its mountains, see Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and the former Splash Mountain as examples. One of the lesser known “mountains” is the volcano known as Mount Prometheus at Tokyo DisneySea in Japan. For those not familiar, according to the DisneySea website it is, “The only Disney park themed to the myths and legends of the sea. Each of the eight themed ports features attractions, restaurants, shops, and more, inviting guests to a world “Where Adventure and Imagination Set Sail!” This is the 7th most attended theme park in the world and many consider it the best and most beautiful of all the Disney parks. However, did you know many of the concepts of Tokyo DisneySea came from a park called DisneySea California that was cancelled in 1991?

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Get Your Engineering Cub Scout Adventure Loop at Fun Spot America Kissimmee with Mine Blower!

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Fun Spot America Logo
Scout leader and scout in front of the Mine Blower roller coaster at Fun Spot Kissimmee

Earning the Arrow of Light “Engineering” adventure loop has the potential to be one of the most fun and exciting activities in scouting, especially with the increased interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). What’s even more exciting is that one of the recommended adventure activities in the cub scout handbook is to have scouts build their own roller coaster! A theme park is a great place for the scouts to explore and learn about engineering and Fun Spot America Kissimmee is perfectly suited for this adventure. Earning the “Engineering” Adventure Loop at Fun Spot Kissimmee can be as simple as watching a few YouTube videos, having a discussion, riding a roller coaster and participating in the park’s “build your own roller coaster” activity or doing your own at your next den or pack meeting.

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Review of The Swamp Tour at Wild Adventures: This Up, Close and Personal Show Will Have You Touch, Feed and Even Hold Some Amazing Creatures!

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Family at Wild Adventures Swamp Tour with skink

On Father’s Day 2025 we had the chance to experience the Discovery Tours – Swamp Tour at Wild Adventures Theme Park. This is not a “tour” in the traditional sense where you’ll be walking around, but instead a small and intimate show limited to just 20 people where you’ll have the chance to see, touch, feed and hold some of the park’s amazing animal ambassadors. It really feels more like an animal encounter than a show. However, instead of just one animal, you’ll get to meet several. From feeding an African bullfrog to holding a snake, you’ll certainly leave this experience with great memories and probably some great pictures too!

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Scout Overnight Adventure Coming to Fun Spot Atlanta in Fall 2025

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Scouts by ArieForce One at Fun Spot America Atlanta

Have you ever wanted to camp next to a roller coaster? Fun Spot Atlanta will give Cub scouts, BSA Scouting America scouts and Girl scouts just that opportunity this fall by camping in the ArieForce One Courtyard at their Scout Overnight Adventure. For those not familiar, Fun Spot America Atlanta is a theme park located in Fayetteville, GA, just south of Atlanta that is home to great rides and go-karts including the world famous Arie Force One roller coaster. The event will consist of a night of camping fun followed by a day at the park with some fun bonus events like a Behind-the-Scenes Tour. The park will offer this event on three different nights catering to each of the different groups. The event is priced at $90 and includes camping, meals and unlimited rides.

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Adult Review of Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida

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I visited Peppa Pig Theme Park at LegoLand Florida with no kids while visiting Winter Haven on a business trip and had a very enjoyable couple of hours. I mainly went to get the roller coaster credit for Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, but found myself really enjoying and appreciating the rest of the park as well. The roller coaster is really phenomenal for what it is (a kiddie coaster), but the overall atmosphere is very lighthearted and pleasant. You’ll basically be able to do everything in a couple of hours and if you plan your visit accordingly you can do it at a reasonable price too.

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Celebrate Friday the 13th at Busch Gardens with Lights-On Tours of the Stanglewood Estate Howl-O-Scream House!

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Stranglewood Estate Howl-O-Scream House at Busch Gardens Tampa

Howl-O-Scream doesn’t start until September, but Busch Gardens is using Friday the 13th to help promote this year’s event a few months in advance. In this case they’re having a faux realtor style “open house” for Stranglewood Estate which essentially amounts to a lights-on tour opportunity. The event is actually two days, running Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th. Halloween is big business at theme parks with year round planning for what are essentially several large extra attractions for those months. Tickets are already on sale for Howl-O-Scream 2025 at Busch Gardens Tampa and no doubt the goal of the June 13-14, 2025 event is to build excitement for this year’s event.

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