Theme Park Spot Talk: Week of 8/15/2025
Big farewells, spooky upcharges, and epic new openings are shaking up the parks this week.
It’s been a wild week in the theme park world. A lot of announcements dropped, a few closures were confirmed, and Six Flags stirred up some debate with their latest move. But don’t worry—it’s not all sad news. We’ve also got new thrills, open gates, and some behind-the-scenes scares to talk about. Let’s jump right in!
Latest News
1
Boo Blaster on Boo Hill Closing
Photo Courtesy of Kings Island
Say your goodbyes, ghost hunters. Boo Blaster on Boo Hill, the interactive dark ride where you blast ghouls with laser guns, is closing its doors for good. While the ride was never the flashiest attraction in the park, it was a fun, family-friendly break from the bigger coasters and a chance to rack up some competitive scores. Fans are already speculating what might replace it—will it be another family ride, or something with more thrill factor? Either way, it’s one less place to chase cartoon ghosts.
2
Six Flags Halloween Upcharge
Photo Courtesy of Six Flags
Six Flags just dropped a bit of a bombshell: certain Halloween offerings at Fright Fest will now require an extra fee. That’s right—some haunted houses and experiences won’t be included with your regular admission anymore. The change has sparked a mixed reaction from fans—some see it as a way to control crowds and keep experiences higher quality, while others feel like the spooky season should be part of the regular ticket price. Whether it’s worth the extra cash will likely depend on how good the scares are this year.
3
Last Jam on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Photo Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
If you’ve ever wanted to crank up your favorite song and race through Universal Orlando’s skyline, you’ve got one last chance. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will be closing after this weekend. The coaster’s unique feature—choosing your own ride soundtrack—made it a hit with music lovers, and its vertical lift hill was a dramatic way to start any day in the park. It’s not clear yet what will take its place, but given Universal’s track record, you can bet they’re cooking up something big.
4
The Conjuring: Beyond Fear -
Upcharge Interactive Experience
Photo Courtesy of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
The Conjuring Universe is stepping into Six Flags parks this Halloween season, but this isn’t just another haunted house—you’ll have to pay extra for this one. The Conjuring: Beyond Fear is an interactive horror experience that drops you right into the eerie world of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s paranormal investigations. Expect more than just walking through spooky sets—this promises hands-on scares, actor interactions, and maybe a few tricks that make you question what’s real. The big question now: will the extra fee be worth it? Horror fans seem eager to find out.
5
Behind the Screams: Hatchet & Chains –
Demon Bounty Hunters
Photo Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
Ever wondered how the most intense Halloween attractions are made? The new Behind the Screams featurette takes you deep into the creative process for Hatchet & Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters. From grotesque creature design to eerie set construction, the video is a goldmine for horror lovers and theme park design nerds. It’s also a reminder that behind every great scare is a ton of craftsmanship, creativity, and just a little bit of twisted imagination.
Upcoming Events
Coming Soon!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Halloween Updates
Las Vegas just got darker. Universal Horror Unleashed, the year-round horror experience, has officially opened its doors. Inside, you’ll find movie-quality haunted attractions, interactive elements, and a level of production you’d expect from Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights—except this time, it’s here all year long. Perfect for anyone who thinks spooky season should never end.
Knott’s Scary Farm is ready to pull back the curtain on this year’s line-up with Nightmares Revealed. Expect new maze announcements, returning favorites, and maybe even a few surprises. The anticipation is high, especially for what could be their creepiest event yet.
Photo of the Week
Isle of Berk @ Epic Universe
Huge thanks to harbspov for capturing this awesome shot of Isle of Berk—give them a follow for more great park photography! This dragon-filled land will transport you straight into the world of How to Train Your Dragon, complete with attractions like Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, the Dragon Racer’s Rally, and the epic Untrainable stage show. It’s a must-visit when Epic Universe opens.
Video of the Week
Pantherian is NOW OPEN! Kings Dominion’s Giga Coaster is Back!
It’s been a long wait, but Pantherian is roaring back to life for the 2025 season. Formerly known as Intimidator 305, this Intamin giga coaster has a bold new orange, black, and red look, complete with a fierce panther-themed train and giant panther statues. Coaster Studios takes you on a full tour and POV ride so you can see exactly how this beast is running in its new era. If you’re not already following them, now’s a good time—they consistently bring top-notch coaster content.
CoasterMedia Update
I’m working overtime to get all of the Six Flags Fright Fest and Halloween events posted on the Halloween Guide. With my work schedule bouncing all over the place, it’s taking a bit longer than planned, but the updates are coming. Plus, we’ve added plenty of new content beyond just theme parks. Slowly but surely, CoasterMedia is coming together—one section at a time.
– CoasterMedia Team
Get the inside scoop on your favorite attractions and theme parks around the world, from new rides and special events to helpful tips and hidden tricks.
That’s it for this week’s Theme Park Spot Talk. What story are you most excited about? Let us know.
