travel

Minifigure Speedway Roller Coaster Coming to LEGOLAND Billund Resort

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Minifigure Speedway Windsor

Minifigure Speedway Windsor (Courtesy of LegoLand)

LEGOLAND Billund Resort is opening a new roller coaster in 2026 (or actually two credits due to the two tracks and dueling nature) called Minifigure Speedway. The attraction is already open at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, where the picture above is from, and features a duelling element with each team having their own minifigure captain. The ride will be located between Knights’ Kingdom and Adventure Land at a height of ~50 feet and is being built on the site of the former Vikings River Splash. This is a “shuttle” style coaster manufactured by Zierer, so the fact it experiences the layout both forwards and backwards makes the most use of the 843 feet of track.

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The TEA Rankings are Out of for the Top 25 Theme Parks Worldwide and Almost Half are in Asia

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Super Nintendo World Sign at Universal Studios Japan
Super Nintendo World Sign at Universal Studios Japan

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is a international non-profitwho releases a free annual report about the leisure and travel sectors including the theme park industry. The 2024 TEA Global Experience Index™ is out and the results show that Asia is a growing theme park powerhouse with 12 of the top 25 theme parks by attendance. It’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to travel internationally these days, but most seem to travel to Europe, not Asia. Most of the Asian parks in the top 10 are in Japan including #3 Universal Studios Japan, #4 Tokyo Disneyland and #7 Tokyo DisneySea, but you’ll also find several parks in China and two in South Korea. However, this report shows that if you’ve never visited a park in Asia you’re missing almost half of the top 25 parks in the world.

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Fort Collins Old Town was the Inspiration for Disney Main Street USA

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Did you know that a town in Colorado served as the model for Disneyland’s (and the Magic Kingdom’s) Main Street USA? Fort Collins proudly embraces this heritage and it’s all because of Imagineer Harper Goff who was born in Fort Collins. Main Street USA also draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s hometown, Marceline, Missouri but the similarities to Fort Collins are uncanny. In fact records show that Goff went back to Fort Collins in the 1950’s explicitly for the purpose of building Main Street USA in the future Disneyland park. You can see in the pictures above many commonalities from the trolley all the way down to the look of the street lights.

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The Strange History of Carousels

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The over 100 year old carousel at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park (Lake Winnie)
The over 100 year old carousel at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park (Lake Winnie)

The carousel, also known as a merry-go-round, is found in almost every theme park and amusement park. It has a rich history that dates back several centuries, but you might be surprised to learn that prior to being used for entertainment it was used for training for battle! The fact that the most common carousel uses horses is no accident as the carousel’s origins can be traced to medieval jousting traditions in Europe and the Middle East. During this time riders practiced spearing rings while galloping in circles—a game called “carosella,” meaning “little war” in Italian. The term “grab the brass ring”, where riders could grab a ring from a dispenser for a prize (highly unsafe to think about doing today), was based on this practice.

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SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep Suspended Dark Ride Coming to SeaWorld Orlando in 2026

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Vekoma suspended dark ride concept art
Vekoma suspended dark ride concept art (courtesy of Vekoma)

SeaWorld has announced a new indoor ride for the second consecutive year with the suspended dark ride, SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep. This is not a suspended coaster, but a powered suspended dark ride. Based on permits and activity at the park it appears to be headed to a parking lot behind the Ports of Call ballroom near Expedition Odyssey. The ride will be themed to a submarine taking an underwater voyage.

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What will Flying Fox at Kentucky Kingdom be Like? It Looks Like a Near Clone of Dragonflier at Dollywood, but That’s Not a Bad Thing.

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Flying Fox at Kentucky Kingdom Concept Art
Flying Fox at Kentucky Kingdom Concept Art

Kentucky Kingdon has announced its new suspended family coaster for 2026, Flying Fox by Vekoma. The theming on this ride looks great with a Kentucky farmland setting complete with the queue in a barn. The ride looks great and nearly identical to Dragonflier at Dollywood, but that’s not a bad thing as Dragonflier is a great ride! The specs are also sear identical with Flying Fox being 65 feet tall with 1,380 feet of track at 37 mph over 63 seconds while Dragonflier is 63 feet tall with 1,486 feet of track at 47 mph over 60 seconds. It’s not a clone, but so similar that Kentucky Kingdom actually used stock footage of Dragonflier in the Flying Fox promo video. Here’s the the description the park has provided about it:

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Fright Fest, Oktoberfest, Kids Boo Fest and New Heroes Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia this Fall

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Hearse at Six Flags Over Georgia Fright Fest

It’s ‘fest” season and Six Flags Over Georgia and that means Fright Fest, Kids Boo Fest and Oktoberfest. Also, a new event called Heroes Fest will debut Nov. 9, celebrating both comic book icons and real-life community heroes. One can argue that fall is the best time to visit a theme park between the weather and the extra attractions available!

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New RetroEscapes Theme Park in Las Vegas?

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Images courtesy of RetroEscapes

Could a new theme park be on its way to Las Vegas? RetroEscapes has been announced by Daniel-Leo Jr., influencer and self-proclaimed “CEO of Las Vegas,” and his father, Daniel-Leo Sr. as a new theme park where guests are transported into rides and lands inspired by the 1950s -1990s. There has been no location, construction date or potential opening date announced as this park is in the early planning stages. The use of portals for “time travel” seems similar to to the portal concept at Epic Universe and the combination of indoor and outdoor is probably a necessity with the hot Las Vegas weather.

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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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