DonHelbig

It’s in the 4th of July section so same as it was when guests wanted to go from the water park to ride Raging Rapids.

Cannonball! will be the tallest and fastest water roller coaster in the U.S., but the biggest story is why it perfectly matches Holiday World’s family-first philosophy. Full story: https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-cannonball-perfect-fit/

Mark Pauls has been named Chief Operating Officer of Six Flags⁠, effective July 15, bringing nearly five decades of experience in the attractions industry to the role. His leadership background includes senior operational positions with Herschend Family Entertainment, Palace Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, and Busch Gardens, where he built a reputation for improving operational performance while maintaining a strong focus on the guest experience. As Six Flags continues integrating its expanded park portfolio, Pauls’ extensive operations expertise will help shape the company’s next phase of growth.

Holiday World is making a big splash in 2027 with Cannonball!, the Midwest’s first water roller coaster. Combining the thrills of a roller coaster with the excitement of a flume ride, the 1,700-foot attraction will climb a 90-foot lift hill before plunging 75 feet—the tallest drop on any water roller coaster in the United States—and reaching speeds of up to 45 mph, making it the nation’s fastest water roller coaster. The family-friendly adventure ends with a dramatic splashdown in the Boulder Canyon Community Pool and will be open to guests at least 42 inches tall when accompanied by an adult. Will Cannonball! be on your must-ride list in 2027?

Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from November 7 through January 5, marking the first time the popular holiday event will extend into January. This separately ticketed celebration transforms the park with elegant seasonal décor, stylish live entertainment, specialty food and beverages, exclusive experiences, and shorter waits for many favorite attractions. With a more intimate atmosphere and festive glamour around every corner, Jollywood Nights offers a unique way to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World. Would you add Disney Jollywood Nights to your holiday travel plans this year?

The Boulder Canyon Cannonball Competition splashes back on July 1, with fan favorite Mr. Craig looking to capture the championship for an incredible seventh consecutive year. But the competition is only part of the excitement. Beginning at 8:45 a.m. CT, WATR’s Cole Slawinsky and Barbie Q. Turner will provide live coverage leading up to the official reveal of what’s coming to Holiday World in 2027. With the countdown nearly over, all eyes will be on Santa Claus, Indiana, as Holiday World unveils the largest single-attraction investment in the park’s history. Will you be watching?

For 80 years, Hersheypark’s Comet has thrilled riders with classic wooden coaster airtime, glowing night rides, and timeless nostalgia. Here’s why the legendary ride still matters today. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/hersheypark-comet-80th-anniversary/

I remember that being said, but the question he was asked was about the food prices, not the quality.

Food has become a commodity at Kings Island and other Six Flags parks. They treat food as something guests need rather than something guests should want.

As the United States marks a quarter millennium of history, Cedar Point is blending thrills, tradition and patriotism into a holiday week that promises unforgettable memories for families visiting America’s Roller Coast. Details: https://sanduskyregister.com/news/1114083/cedar-point-celebrates-americas-250th-birthday/

Holiday World’s Holidays in the Sky drone and fireworks spectacular returns through August 3 with 500 drones, pyrotechnics, patriotic animations, and special Fourth of July events. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-holidays-in-the-sky-2026/

Yes they did, with executive chef Joseph Perez.

Kings Island is looking to elevate its food and beverage program with the search for an Executive Chef. The role will oversee all culinary operations throughout the park, including quick-service locations, full-service restaurants, catering, and special events. The successful candidate will serve as the park’s senior culinary leader, helping shape dining experiences for millions of guests each season while driving innovation, quality, and operational excellence across the resort. Hungry for a career in the amusement and theme park industry? This could be the ultimate recipe for success. Apply online: https://jobs.sixflags.com/job/mason/executive-chef/42509/96527403440

Meanwhile, MLB. NFL, NHL, NBA teams, restaurants like Burger King, Wendy’s and a number of amusement and theme parks continue to make social media and fan engagement a priority.

We rode the attractions, watched the shows, and made unforgettable memories—but some of the best moments of our Walt Disney World vacation happened around the dinner table. Here are five Disney dining experiences my family loved as much as the rides. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/walt-disney-world-cant-miss-dining-experiences-family-vacation/

You’re not wrong. They should have published content about the shows. And they should have posted wishing dads a Happy Father’s Day. They could have asked to share photos of guests with their dad at the park.

What’s changed is having people that know the difference between storytelling and messaging in the PR and social positions at KI and within Six Flags. You can tell the people doing it now don’t really know the park or their audience with the content that gets published. Disney Parks and Universal still do it as they’ve done it for years. They create emotional content, not marketing content. Disney and Universal routinely post content that makes people feel something: Family moments. Character interactions. Guest reactions. Behind-the-scenes stories. Cast/Team Member spotlights. Nostalgia. Vacation memories. Kings Island and many Six Flags parks often default to “The park opens at 10.” “Buy tickets now.” “Here’s a ride photo.” “Food item available this weekend.” When I was running social media, people knew there was a person behind the account. The Beast Groundhog Day tradition is a perfect example. It wasn’t an advertisement. It was a personality-driven tradition. Today Kings Island and many other Six Flags accounts feel corporate and interchangeable. Disney and Universal make fans the stars. Look at Disney and Universal feeds: Guest photos. Fan videos. Influencer content. User-generated content. Vacation stories Disney even has dedicated influencer and creator programs built around sharing guest experiences. Kings Island and Six Flags needs that. Kings Island and other Six Flags parks now operate as if every piece of content has to come from the marketing department. The smartest social strategy today is letting fans tell your story for you. They are part of the conversation. Universal is particularly good at this. When something is trending, they join in. When fans joke, they joke back. When someone posts something funny, they engage. They feel like a participant in the community. Kings Island and other Six Flags accounts feel like a digital billboard. Disney and Universal are masters of teasers, construction updates, countown content, behind-the-scenes reveals, and sneak peeks. Kings Island used to be. Epic Universe is the perfect example. Fans were invested years before opening because Universal constantly fed the conversation. Kings Island and Six Flags parks often go from announcement, construction photo, opening day. There’s no story arc anymore like there used to be. (Scroll back to Banshee and Mystic Timbers teasers, announcement, construction updates, ride opening, and post-opening content.) The biggest difference is Disney and Universal tell those stories constantly. Kings Island and Six Flags often tell people what they can buy, what time the park opens, and what ride is operating. One builds a community; the other shares information. Bottom line: PR and social media in the industry hasn’t changed. Kings Island changed from what they had successfully been doing, which was taking a page from Disney and Universal.

Dollywood has been named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2026 list, recognizing the popular Smoky Mountain destination for its employee culture, benefits, and workplace excellence. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-americas-greatest-workplaces-2026-newsweek/

Thrill seekers will have to wait a little longer to experience Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas. The record-breaking 309-foot dive coaster was expected to welcome its first riders this Friday, but the park announced that commissioning and testing are taking longer than anticipated. No revised opening date has been announced as crews continue preparations for the coaster’s debut.

The little things matter. They’re often what separate a good park from a great one. When the small details start being overlooked, people begin to wonder what else is being overlooked. The smallest details often make the biggest difference. Kings Island built its reputation on attention to detail. Over the past couple of years, attention to detail, and the standards that guests should expect from one of the industry’s premier amusement parks has not been there. There’s no excuse for lack of cleanliness around the park. It used to be a priority. Now it’s not. And it shows. I grew up with the park. I care about the park. The small details that are now being missed matter to me.

Dollywood is giving runners a new reason to visit the Smoky Mountains this fall. Run Dollywood returns Sept. 25-27 with an expanded three-day race weekend featuring a nighttime 5K through Great Pumpkin LumiNights, a Half Marathon, and all the fun of Harvest Festival. Full story: https://themeparksbydon.com/run-dollywood-fall-race-weekend-2026/

For the first time in its history, Dollywood is hosting a separately ticketed after-hours event. Harvey’s Boo Bash could become one of the Smoky Mountains’ hottest Halloween tickets this fall. Full story: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-harveys-boo-bash-halloween-event/

New for 2027: Ice and product every day at the drink refill stations.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Gobbler Getaway remains one of the theme park industry’s most charming and unique family attractions. Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/gobbler-getaway-holiday-world-20-years/

A day at a theme park and a Travis Tritt concert? Wild Adventures is giving visitors both during its Celebrate America Festival. The country music legend headlines the park’s summer concert series, adding live entertainment to a destination already packed with rides, animals, and water park fun. Details: https://themeparksbydon.com/travis-tritt-wild-adventures-celebrate-america-festival/