Latest news with #SixFlags
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Blockbusters Take Over Theme Parks for a Mega Movie Summer
Summer hits the theme parks and vacation destinations in this week's theme park news. Universal Studios Hollywood takes fans back in time with Back to the Future and Jaws while bringing in the future with new Wicked and Jurassic World fun. Don't worry, the Universal Monsters aren't far behind; in fact they're all hitting up Sin City for Universal Horror Unleashed's opening in Las Vegas this August. Over at the Disney Parks, Walt Disney World gears up for Test Track's reopening. Meanwhile, Old Navy and Disney collab on one heck of a roadtrip across America with their new summer Mickey & Friends collection. And just in time for the release of DC Studios Superman, Six Flags gets the Justice League to unite for new superhero experiences! Mega Movie Summer at Universal Studios Hollywood Iconic blockbuster movies abound as new entertainment, fandom foodie offerings, and more. To celebrate Jaws' 50th anniversary, the hanging shark makes its return to the theme park with a special Quint and Brody meet and greet, which is delightful and the actors doing their Robert Shaw and Roy Scheider impressions are fantastic. Hey if the kids can meet Mario and Luigi, letting the adults meet the Orca crew is a great compromise. There's also more Amblin amusement park presence, with Doc Brown, his pal Marty McFly, and his trusty first time traveler Einstein the dog in the DeLorean. Both films get awesome curated cinematic cuisine at the parks too. For Jurassic franchise fans, there is now a Mosasaur roar on Jurassic World: The Ride and a new tiny triceratops meet and greet (which was temporarily in London for the premiere of Jurassic World: Rebirth). Wicked fans will also be happy to learn they can meet Elphaba and Glinda in an alternating capacity and there's tons of new Wicked merch in its designated store. Universal Horror Unleashed: Universal Monsters – Area15 Las Vegas All of the Universal Monsters will be featured in one haunted house at Universal Horror Unleashed, which is sharing more updates ahead of its arrival at Las Vegas' immersive experience destination Area15. 'We've got four incredible haunted houses that put you right in the middle of iconic and terrifying scenes. In the Universal Monsters House, you get to follow Van Helsing as he battles all of your favorite classic monsters. Our legacy of creating horror in Universal Studios goes all the way back to the beginning of the film itself. We've been creating iconic horror movies that have stood the test of time. Our Universal Monsters Haunted House takes you through the stories of all of the classic Universal Monsters. All of them are there, and you get to walk into their world,' Universal Creative's Lorelei Lee shared in the video you can watch above. We can't wait for this one, especially since The Creature from the Black Lagoon's Gill-man will be represented at last in Horror Unleashed's Universal Monsters house. Shelby Honea, executive producer at Universal Creative added, 'We're bringing something entirely new to Las Vegas. It is a year round destination, and so is our horror brand.' The destination is currently slated to feature houses in the universes of The Exorcist, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Horror Nights original canon characters. There will also be performers, walk-around scare-actors, themed frightful foods, and scary sips! For more info check out the recent Discover Universal podcast that outlines whats to come at Universal Horror Unleashed. M3GAN 2.0 at Universal Studios Florida Just in time for M3GAN 2.0, the army of dancing M3GANS make their theme park return in limited appearances during the day at Universal Studios Florida. Images of their return courtesy of Park Hop on IG. Walt Disney World announces Test Track opening date The Epcot cars ride (not that one) is set to reopen with new theming and a refreshed look July 22. io9 met Laufey at House of Mouse Los Angeles Check out our chat with musical artist Laufey live from House of Mouse Los Angeles, where she shared with us the different ways Disney was one of her first fandoms. 'I grew up in Iceland, which is definitely a very, very different climate and a different world. I always knew of Mickey. And that was one of those first characters that I became aware of,' Laufey said. 'It's so classic, my dad loved watching very classic cartoons growing up. So I grew up watching the really, really old Mickey Mouse ones.' The singer also revealed her fave childhood Disney toys. 'I had the whole Winnie the Pooh zoo. I had Winnie and I remember specifically I have a Piglet. It's really, really special.' The Disney Style pop-up party is currently on a global tour at major cities where fandom and fashion collide. Disney and Old Navy go on a road trip across America To celebrate the summer Disney and Old Navy have dropped a Mickey & Friends collab for the whole family. Combining options for all sorts of weather, the Disney Americana-inspired collection features swim, tees, sweaters, kidswear, and accessories to suit the season wherever you happen to be. If you're in Chicago this weekend, you can hit up the Disney x Old Navy road trip van which will feature immersive photo-ops, treats, and a showcase of the collection with a summer bbq vibe on the 21st. The van will also stop at the Santa Monica Pier on June 28. Shop the collection online here. Disney Jr. Let's Play – The Disneyland Resort Kids can have more fun with Mickey and friends as Disney Jr. Let's Play returns to the Disneyland Resort August 8-10. DC Heroes at Six Flags Magic Mountain DC Heroes and Villains Fest arrives at Six Flags to get superhero fans hyped up as we head into a Superman movie summer. It's filled with action stunt shows, character meets, music, and more, and DC fans can enjoy these offerings on Friday and Saturday nights from June 20-July 26. Kung Fu Tea x How to Train Your Dragon Kung Fu Tea locations across the nation will be featuring special drinks inspired by Universal Pictures' How to Train Your Dragon until June 30 with drinks and collectible cups/stickers. The flavors include: Toothless Soaring Slush – a frosty swirl with milk cap magic Stormfly's Dragonfruit Splash – citrusy zing + chia seeds that pop Monstrous Flight Tea – dragonfruit base, honey boba finish Pop Mart x Pride The toy collectible giant currently taking over the world with Labubu launched its Pride collection at LA Pride recently with a float and LGBTQIA+ collectibles creators. Check out the Peach Riot and Hug You limited releases with special Pride colorways online now.
Eater
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
How to Spend 24 Hours Dining and Drinking in San Antonio
Blessed with revered landmarks like the Alamo and theme parks like Six Flags, San Antonio has long been one of Texas's favorite day trip destinations. In recent years, however, the visitor experience has changed vastly. Stumbling around the chain restaurants in the River Walk is out; lingering over an aged bavette is in. A new generation of restaurants like Ladino and Best Quality Daughter centered around Downtown has enhanced the city's surfeit of Tex-Mex. And now, the buzz comes from elegant cocktail bars and new-school ice houses. Whether in town for a quick overnight stay or lingering over an entire weekend, here's the ultimate guide on how to spend at least 24 hours dining and drinking in San Antonio. 8 a.m. Coffee at Gravves Coffee Less for early risers than those who stayed up all night, this coffee shop offers a hangover-friendly black interior and a welcoming, unchipper staff. Along with the usual espresso drinks and cold brews, the funereal parlor pours appropriately goth specialty drinks. The ghostly black sesame latte blends activated charcoal and milk, and the swampy Forest Dweller adds pandan. Food is usually limited to a few spooky pastries, but the business frequently hosts morning pop-ups. 10:30 a.m. Breakfast/Brunch at Con Huevos Taco It's impossible to drive through San Antonio without passing by incredible taquerias, but this Dignowity Hill staple merits a slight detour East. The pillowy flour tortillas wrap up fillings like buttery scrambled eggs, thick bacon, carne guisada, and creamy avocados. Those who don't have room for an afternoon nap window can go for the lighter Lupe — calabazas, black beans, and queso fresco on a spinach and nopales tortilla. Either way, greet the morning with a peppery Michelada or refreshing Topo Chico preparado on the brightly painted picnic tables. 2 p.m. Lunch at the Newstand Sandwiches are lunch classics for a reason, but it is challenging to settle for a fast food log while this Broadway shop ups the ante. Chef Page Pressley starts with house-baked focaccia, then loads the halves with imaginative toppings. There's the Parisian, which is stuffed with white asparagus, truffle honey, Parmesan, arugula, and a black pepper custard, and the Chronicle, whipped roasted beet root creme cheese, sheeted and dressed beet root, hazelnuts, sprouts, fine herbs. The wildest ride is the Gazzette, an improbable mix of stracciatella, mortadella, seasonal fruit, pistachio butter, and arugula. The interior has a contemporary edge, too, with sleek marble and blond wood. An attached vintage store gives diners something to do while waiting for their order. 5 p.m. Happy Hour at Little Death Located in a former service station and graffitied with psychedelic murals, this tiny bottle shop and bar is one of San Antonio's few spots to buy low-intervention wine. Amateur oenophiles shouldn't worry about snobbery: The counter staff can advise based on a favored grape or a vague vibe. Expected wine bar snacks like nuts and cheese make up the permanent window, but the Airstream trailer on site partners with local chefs to offer everything from raw oysters to Palestinian fare. This cozy New American restaurant is the centerpiece of Pullman Market, the Pearl District's food hall and grocer from Austin's acclaimed Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group. The wood-fired menu focuses on Texas ingredients like reserve Akaushi steaks and heritage breed chickens. Expect to find more mischief in the snacks section, where the kitchen features two-bite wonders like buttermilk pie with mustard greens and fennel. If ending the evening early, stop by the wood-paneled lounge for a nightcap like the Midnight Mass, a riff on an espresso martini infused with raspberry miso and yogurt whey. For comforting cuisine that gives a snapshot of San Antonio's culture, consider Best Quality Daughter. As much of an art project as a restaurant, BQD began as a series of pop-ups exploring Chinese American identity. The food, however, never feels academic. Chef and owner Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin turns out witty pan-Asian surprises such as Korean corn cheese egg rolls, mochi cheddar hush puppies, dan dan noodles tossed with wagyu guisada, and a drunken noodle dripping in red curry mole. Even the drinks get inventive, with boozy boba and cleverly named cocktails, like the Over My Dad Body, a combination of Toki Japanese whisky, gentian liqueur, lemongrass syrup, and Thai spice bitters. The Victorian veranda has plenty of outdoor seats for lolling away sunny days, but the four Chinoiserie wallpaper-wrapped dining rooms glow brighter. San Antonio has two days of winter and a thousand days of summer, making chilly desserts a lifeline when the thermometer glows an angry red. This Austin-based mini-chain is a fitting coda to any summertime dinner. The most balmy days call for the pucker of a grapefruit paloma cone made with tequila and a hint of sea salt. Should San Antonio's nightlife scene beckon, power up with an affogato made with local honey and a Madagascar vanilla scoop. 11 p.m. Late Night: Decisions, Decisions Rave into the wee hours at 1912 Nightclub, housed in a historic train station that once served as Selena's 'No Me Queda Mas' video set. Stick to St. Mary's Strip for bar-hopping, where visitors can stumble into honky tonk Lonesome Rose, tiki favorite Holy Diver, and raucous bar Midnight Swim. Should hunger pangs strike, cheeky Downtown smash burger joint Pumpers keeps the party going until midnight. Stroll through the Japanese Tea Garden: This historic park is one of San Antonio's most breathtaking selfie spots. The grounds, converted from a limestone quarry in the early 20th century, include charming stone bridges, a 60-foot waterfall, and spacious ponds filled with hundreds of koi. Those with limited mobility can take advantage of the upper garden by ramp, but the lower garden requires stairs. Shop at Pearl: Adapted from the former site of the Pearl Brewing Company, this mixed-use development nestles some of the city's most unique boutiques among its restaurants and bars. Pick up a bespoke guayabera at Dos Carolinas, stock up on artisan home goods at Rancho Diaz, or browse literary fiction at the Twig Book Shop. On the weekend, take advantage of the farmers' market. Catch a show at Paper Tiger: This mostly outdoor venue books some of the most well-known indie acts in the city, but the weekly lineups are a chance to discover emerging artists. The eclectic schedule pays little mind to genre, making room for country, metal, hip-hop, dream pop, and goth rock. Get a chill up your spine with Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours: Over its more than 300-year history, San Antonio has collected more than a few things that go bump in the night. Visit some of its more notable former citizens during this theatrical tour. Ghost hunters can pick from two experiences: a walking tour downtown or a bus tour venturing through a historic cemetery. Cheer on the San Antonio Spurs: Win or lose, the San Antonio Spurs have one of the most loyal fan bases of any NBA team. When the season ends, the Frost Bank Center also hosts the San Antonio FC and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. If staying more than 24 hours, these hotels are near San Antonio's cultural, dining, and nightlife hubs. For a truly luxe experience, book an evening at this Pearl District anchor, renovated from Pearl's former brewhouse. The well-appointed rooms are steps away from San Antonio standard-bearers like Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, Ladino, Full Goods Diner, and dessert tasting menu restaurant Nicosi. The hotel itself includes an upscale restaurant, Supper; the chic and bustling bar, Sternewirth; and a library lounge just for guests. Named for its Mediterranean Revival architectural style popular in Cuba in the 1910s, this River Walk boutique hotel is from the Bunkhouse team, who are also behind Marfa's El Cosmico and Mexico City's Hotel San Fernando. Amenities include Ocho, a stunning glasshouse conservatory restaurant overlooking the River Walk; a speakeasy-style bar; and serape robes. Squeezed between Downtown and artsy Southtown, this new kid on the block offers contemporary amenities like a fitness room, complimentary city bikes, and a heated rooftop pool. The onsite Dean's Steaks and Seafood impresses with a 19th-century schoolhouse atmosphere and decadent raw bar. The largest pool Downtown is serviced by Anaqua, its adjacent bar that delivers tropical cocktails and bites with Japanese and Latin influences. The wellness concierge at the spa can recommend services such as dark chocolate wraps, radiofrequency stimulation, or holistic manicures. See More:
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
Head to Six Flags this summer: Save up to 50% off with these Groupon deals
If your summer bucket list includes roller coasters, water rides and funnel cakes, you're in luck! Groupon is currently offering up to 50% off admission to Six Flags parks nationwide, plus tons of additional perks and freebies. Whether you're planning a family day to celebrate the start of summer 2025 or a thrill-seeking 4th of July weekend with your best friends, these limited-time Groupon offers make it easier (and cheaper) to enjoy the adrenaline rush. Check out a few of the best offers below and for all Six Flags offers, click here. Note: The below Groupon prices include applicable sales tax and there are no additional fees at checkout. The price you see is what you pay! Buy tickets here Your 4th of July 2025 shopping guide: Epic sales, deals and where to shop now 🎆 Buy tickets here
Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Get set, go: exciting new theme park experiences await in the US
After a tension-building climb, Valravn prepares to drop. And not just any drop – this behemoth of a rollercoaster plummets 223ft at a staggering 90-degree angle. It's just one of the highlights at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. For thrill-seekers, the self-styled rollercoaster capital of the world is a compulsory stop on a road trip from New York to Chicago – but for theme park-lovers heading elsewhere in the US, there are scores of incredible options to choose from. Some are about the adrenalin rushes, some major in nostalgia and old-time atmospherics and others provide immersive storytelling. Crucially, the US's theme parks are always evolving to bring something new, different and exciting. This year's new openings and anniversary celebrations, however, offer a bumper crop for those ready to ride… High octane thrills In Ohio, Cedar Point's newest test of nerve is the innovative tilt coaster Siren's Curse. After climbing a 160ft-tall lift hill, Siren's Curse comes to a halt at a dead end, then tilts directly downwards to connect to the rest of the track. Cedar Point is also unleashing Top Thrill 2 – the world's highest rollercoaster, which shoots up a 420ft-high tower, then descends at a whopping 120mph. New thrill coasters elsewhere include the Wrath of Rakshasa at Six Flags Great America between Chicago and Milwaukee. This starts with a climb to 180ft, then a few seconds of white-knuckle suspense, hanging over a precipice. Once released, the Wrath of Rakshasa drops at high speed before launching into five upside-down inversions. At the Kings Dominion theme park just north of Richmond, Virginia, wing coaster Rapterra is the new lure. This one is all about the sensation of dangling legs as the ride swoops, dives and twists at speeds of up to 65mph and reaches heights of up to 145ft. In New Jersey, meanwhile, Six Flags Great Adventure has unveiled The Flash: Vertical Velocity. The point of difference here is that you're sent one way through the loops and turns, then climb a dead-end track and drop down to do it all again, only this time backwards. Movie magic The Flash: Vertical Velocity is a tie-in to the DC Extended Universe movies, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that the US's theme parks are a magnet for film fans. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is the best-known of the movie-linked parks. Its new offerings for 2025 include the light-adorned floats of the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away after-dark parade. There are also two new shows in the Hollywood Studios section of the complex. The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure provides the wholesome fun, while Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After indulges the darker side with Cruella de Vil and Maleficent et al. But the biggest big screen boost in 2025 comes courtesy of nearby Universal Orlando, in the shape of the newly opened Universal Epic Universe. Experiences here include magical time-travelling adventures in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, as well as Dark Universe, an area dedicated to scary movie characters such as Dracula and Frankenstein's monster. The spooky Curse of the Werewolf rollercoaster is a highlight not to be missed. The park also appeals to gamers, with family-friendly rides at Super Nintendo World based around Mario, Yoshi and other Nintendo favourites. The classics reimagined The great American theme park experience isn't all about the new, however. Several long-standing parks brim with pedigree, charm and tangible heritage. Of these, the original Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, set the template for the modern theme park. It celebrates its 70th anniversary this year with a series of new launches. These include the Tapestry of Happiness show that takes a journey through that 70-year history and the animated projections, lights and fireworks of the Paint the Night parade. In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, another classic theme park is celebrating a birthday too. Dollywood – founded by country music legend Dolly Parton – is hosting a series of festivals and live music concerts for its 40th anniversary, while the new Dolly Parton Experience offers a warm look at the Jolene singer's life and hits.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Canada's Wonderland's record-breaking roller coaster almost ready to open
The park says the world-record breaking ride is set to open in a 'couple of weeks' and will become the fastest launch coaster in Canada. Canada's Wonderland says its record-breaking roller coaster is almost ready for launch after crews installed the last piece of track on the 1,000-metre structure this week. A spokesperson for the Vaughan, Ont., amusement park says AlpenFury will open in a 'couple of weeks' and become the longest, tallest and fastest launch coaster in Canada. 'Up next comes an extensive testing and commissioning phase where we'll run the trains hundreds of times, train our ride operators and get signoff from the TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority),' Grace Peacock, the regional director of public relations for Six Flags, which owns Wonderland, said in an email. AlpenFury is the park's 18th roller coaster and features nine inversions, the most in the world for a launch coaster. Play First look at Canada's longest and fastest launch coaster The new AlpenFury ride at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan is currently under construction and aiming to be operational when the park opens in May. The ride starts by launching passengers into Wonder Mountain before shooting them out 50 metres into the sky at speeds of 115 km/h on a track that spans the park. From start to finish, the ride takes one minute and 20 seconds to complete. Peacock says park guests may see the test trains running next week. Canada's Wonderland is open until Sept. 1 this season.
