Welcome to August—aka Pre-Season for Halloween! Theme parks are getting spooky, fans are hunting for deals, and there’s a whole lot of excitement brewing. Universal finally pulled the curtain back on HHN 34, and Six Flags has… well, some curious moves in motion. Let’s dive into the top five stories of the week!
Photo Courtesy of Universal Studios
It’s finally official—Five Nights at Freddy’s is coming to Halloween Horror Nights in both Orlando and Hollywood! Fans of the creepy animatronic franchise can now experience the tension, jump scares, and eerie vibes in real life. Also revealed this week: The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks, an original house shrouded in mystery. Plus, a fresh wave of HHN merch has dropped, including shirts, collectible pins, and accessories themed to both IPs and original content. It’s shaping up to be a truly solid year for HHN 34 in Orlando.
Photo Courtesy of Six Flags
Six Flags is shaking up its pricing strategy. A number of parks have started offering early discounts on 2026 season passes, including bundled access with the All Park Passport. Whether you’re renewing or buying fresh, this is a good time to lock in lower rates—especially if you plan to park-hop next year. More changes are rumored to be coming to Six Flags’ pass system, so this might just be the beginning.
Read More: Six Flags Launches MVP Pass Deal
Photo Courtesy of Busch Garden WIlliamsburg
The fog is rising in Virginia! Busch Gardens Williamsburg just revealed this year’s Terror-Tories, the park’s signature scare zones. This year’s lineup includes: Bavarian Bloodshed, Disgrotesque, Wicked Wunderland, Stalker Street, Ripper Row, and the festive chaos of Fest-Evil. Each zone brings its own twisted energy and immersive detail to the park’s fall lineup—guaranteeing guests will scream before they even step into a haunted house.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Walt Disney World is adding a bit of frightful fun to its family-friendly Halloween offering. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return with brand-new overlays, trick-or-treat routes, and themed entertainment. Exclusive merchandise has also been revealed, featuring retro-style Halloween art, new plush, and collectible pins. It’s spooky in the most magical way possible—and perfect for kids (and adults) who like their scares on the lighter side.
Photo Courtesy of Six Flags America
It’s the end of the line for Six Flags America. The park announced that Fright Fest has been canceled, with only Kids BOO Fest remaining before the park permanently closes after the 2025 season. While the news isn’t new, the loss of Fright Fest really marks the beginning of the farewell. If you’re local or just passing through, this season is your last chance to ride and relive the memories.
Dollywood fans, mark your calendars: September 17 is when more details about the upcoming Hidden Hollow Aviation attraction will be revealed, per Eugene Naughton at The Historical Theme Park Society awards.
Scarezone construction is well underway at Universal Orlando, and one fan-favorite character is already stirring curiosity—The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane. Thanks to @neverendingknights for this awesome sneak peek!
Ready for some stone-age nostalgia? Check out the only Flintstones River Adventure in the world! This ride brings Fred, Barney, Wilma, and the rest of the gang to life in a vibrant, immersive journey through Bedrock.
It’s a new month, a new vibe, and the countdown to haunt season is officially on. The Halloween Guide is getting major updates behind the scenes, and Roll Credit is officially part of the family now. Thanks for riding along—see you next week for more thrills, news, and a few tricks up our sleeves!
– CoasterMedia Team
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That’s it for this week’s Theme Park Spot Talk. What story are you most excited about? Let us know.