DonHelbig

Dollywood’s Splash Country is making a splash this summer with glowing Neon Nights, colorful new food items, upgraded guest amenities and family-friendly fun in the Smokies. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-splash-country-neon-nights-2026-2/

Faith, music, and theme park thrills come together as Gospel superstar Tasha Cobbs Leonard headlines the latest Wild Adventures LIVE! concert event in Georgia. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/tasha-cobbs-leonard-wild-adventures-concert/

Raising Cane’s reigns supreme when it comes to chicken tenders!

Dollywood is adding even more smoky flavor to summer with a new Royal Oak partnership featuring BBQ demonstrations, specialty menu items and enhanced dining experiences throughout the park. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-royal-oak-bbq-partnership/

Wild Adventures is celebrating the birth of three critically endangered Red Ruffed Lemurs, giving families another adorable reason to visit the Georgia theme park this summer. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/wild-adventures-lemur-triplets/

Dollywood’s winning streak continues. The Smoky Mountain destination has once again been named America’s favorite theme park as families begin planning summer vacations. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-americas-favorite-theme-park-2026/

Kennywood is expanding its popular Bites and Pints festival with new France and Germany booths, international flavors, seasonal drinks, and a full lineup of summer events. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/kennywood-bites-and-pints-2026/

Grand Pavilion at Cedar Point. 🤣

Three record-breaking water coasters. More than 5,100 feet of track. Free soft drinks, sunscreen, parking, and one of the best water park experiences in America. Here’s why Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari belongs on your summer road trip list. Read more: https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-water-coasters/

Open to the world, not select coaster clubs.

I liked the concept for the Morning Rush event. The fail for Cedar Point was labeling it as a replacement for CoasterMania, which then draws the comparison. Offering significantly less, charging more invited the backlash they received. If they had just rolled it out as an all-new event with no reference to CoasterMania, it would have been much better received. The concept was good. How it was introduced was not.

If you're planning a visit to Cedar Point, be advised the park has shortened the seatbelts on Millennium Force and many guests who have been able to ride it for years no longer can. With many guests not able to fasten their seatbelt combined with now only two associates on the floor instead of four, the hourly capacity for the ride has also taken a significant hit.

Dollywood’s Splash Country opens its 26th season with Neon Nights, new food offerings, upgraded amenities and one of the cleanest water park experiences in the Smoky Mountains. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-splash-country-neon-nights-2026/

If I were to do a piece on the 10 dirtiest parks in the amusement and theme park industry, Kings Island makes the list. It’s sad because for decades it was among the top 10 cleanest parks.