With warmer weather sweeping across the country, many seasonal theme parks are officially reopening or preparing for their big return this weekend. It’s a thrilling time, but also a bittersweet one, with major news shaking up the industry. Let’s dive into the top five updates from the past week!
Photo Courtesy of Six Flags
In a move that surprised few but still stings, Six Flags America has officially announced it will be closing permanently at the end of the 2025 season. While details about the decision are still emerging, the park has long struggled with attendance and investment. For fans of the Maryland-based park, it’s a tough goodbye. Personally, I’m bummed I won’t get a final visit in before it shutters.
Read More: Six Flags
Photo Courtesy of Merlin Entertainment
Brick fans rejoice! The LEGO Festival starts this weekend, offering an explosion of creativity for families and kids. Expect larger-than-life sculptures, themed food, interactive zones, and endless photo ops. Whether you’re heading to LEGOLAND or checking out a LEGO event near you, it’s a perfect kickoff for the summer season.
Photo Courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is rolling out renovations and upgrades to its existing animal exhibits, promising enhanced habitats and guest experiences. This move shows their renewed focus on both the park’s coaster thrills and its original core: wildlife. Expect better educational signage, more interactive features, and a deeper connection to the park’s roots.
Photo Courtesy of Chessington World of Adventures
Calling all little adventurers—PAW Patrol is headed to Chessington World of Adventures in the UK! This newly announced themed area will feature family-friendly rides and interactive zones based on the wildly popular children’s series. This marks yet another IP-driven expansion for the Merlin-owned park, aimed at younger visitors.
Read More: Paw Up, Adventure Awaits!
We mentioned AlpenFury last week, but now it’s official: the track is complete! The new multi-launch terrain coaster at Canada’s Wonderland is topped off and moving into the next phase of construction. Testing and theming are now underway, and all signs point to this being a headliner when it opens later this season.
Source: Canada’s Wonderland
Vekoma Rides just shared footage of the Iron Rattler tilt coaster coming to Six Flags Qiddiya. It’s jaw-dropping and gives us a peek at what riders can expect from Siren’s Curse, the similarly styled coaster debuting at Cedar Point this year. Tilt-track coasters are the next big thrill!
@themedshots posted an epic shot of The Frankenstein Monster animatronic at Epic Universe. The detail, scale, and lighting are incredible—it’s truly one of the standout characters in the Dark Universe land.
This week has been a push to the finish line with my kids’ celebration party happening tomorrow. But I’m still here, cranking out Theme Park Spot Talk and getting excited for the summer season ahead. Thanks so much for reading and supporting the blog—stay tuned, because things are just getting started!
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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.
Jeff 