By Andy Guinigundo Nashville, Tenn. – Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company and Gaylord Entertainment have entered into what is referred to as a “memorandum of understanding”. This initial formal agreement discusses the intent of Dollywood and Gaylord to enter into a 50/50 partnership to develop a 105-acre family entertainment zone adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort [...]

By Andy Guinigundo With a month of 2012 under our belts, I can’t help but be excited for the coming attractions season. There are several high profile, high-dollar attractions opening. Additionally, there are many new coasters being introduced this year including a new-to-North America coaster. Here are some of the attractions I am most anticipating [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Carlsbad, Calif. – Last year marked the eighth straight year of increased attendance at Legoland California and a double digit increase at that over 2010. On the strength of those numbers, Legoland California has decided to put a multi-million dollar investment into the park. Legoland California General Manager Pete Ronchetti attributes the [...]

By Andy Guinigundo My “true love” in the world of attractions emanates from all things Central Florida. I love the sun and weather. I love Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the wizards and witches that reside there. I love Shamu, Clyde and Seymour. I love the “four parks, one world” of Disney. In a way, [...]

By Andy Guinigundo The days following Thanksgiving each year mark the time when the Christmas season begins full-force. The Monday following Thanksgiving, Legoland California had its annual first lighting ceremony for the largest Lego Christmas Tree in the world. While Legoland Florida celebrates its first Christmas, Legoland California wraps up 12 seasons with its 9th [...]

Not many details have been announced yet, but Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts have announced a ‘Significant expansion’ for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. The Universal Studios Hollywood park in California will also be getting its own Wizarding World of Harry Potter. “We are thrilled to be able [...]

By Jackie Roseboom The new Disney Fantasy cruise ship will have upper decks to please everyone in the family when it debuts in March 2012. Whether you want to relax without the kids or are looking for some splashing family fun, you’ll find it. The Satellite Sun Deck, located on Deck 13 forward, will feature [...]

There’s a great tour option available at the Universal Studios park in Hollywood, Calif. called the VIP Tour Experience. It includes elements of their normal tram tour, but also includes walking tours of sets, stages and production buildings, plus gourmet food and Front of the Line privileges to the park’s shows and rides. Each day’s [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo To bolster my claim that the wing rider coaster will be the next big thing in coaster construction (check out my previous story Here), Dollywood announced Sunday that it would open the first wing rider roller coaster in the United States. The third announced Bolliger & Mabillard wing rider coaster this [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo This week, Six Flags Great America near Chicago announced that the X Flight roller coaster would be built with an expected debut date of 2012. This announcement marked the third major announcement of a wing rider coaster being constructed for next year. With the opening of Furius Baco (Intamin) at PortAventura [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Carlsbad, Calif. – With the doors of Legoland Florida not yet opened for business, its West Coast counterpart, Legoland California, has announced major expansion plans. Perhaps the theme of recent years at Legoland California would be “Here we grow again!” Going back to 2008, Sea Life Aquarium opened. This attraction includes over [...]

By Andy Guinigundo Santa Claus, Ind. – 75 miles west of Louisville, Ky. is the town of Santa Claus, Ind. Fittingly, the amusement park that resides in Santa Claus is named Holiday World. Each different area of the park is themed a different holiday. The water park portion of Holiday World is Splashin’ Safari. These [...]

By Andy Guinigundo On July 24, all 11 Cedar Fair parks participated in the charity fundraiser called Coasting for Kids. This event has direct ties to Central Florida in that it benefits Give Kids the World. Give Kids the World provides children with life-threatening illnesses and their families free weeklong vacations. The Give Kids the [...]

By Andy Guinigundo When last we heard from our friends at Conneaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania, they had just won a Pepsi “Refresh” $50,000 grant to go toward the restoration of their classic Blue Steak roller coaster. This grant plus the continuing support of park fans and coaster enthusiasts have made it possible for the [...]

The Little Mermaid dark ride is now open. Sorry Walt Disney World guests, it’s only open at Disney’s California Adventure theme park. It’s still under construction at the Magic Kingdom. But since the ride will be the same on the inside when it opens as part of the new Fantasyland next year or so, it [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo Universal City, Calif. – Saturday Night Live alum and Late Night host Jimmy Fallon is the newest addition on the famous Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour. While there will continue to be tour guides aboard that provide live narration during the tour, Fallon will be the “video host”. At certain junctures [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo San Antonio, Texas is a great city. It is home of the famous River Walk, the Spurs NBA basketball team and the best margarita I’ve ever had. Of course, who could forget the Alamo? If you look in the dictionary for the definition of the word “Tex-Mex”, you might find a [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo Urayasu, Chiba Japan – Tokyo Disneyland Park reopened today (April 15, 2011). This marks the first opening of the park since the March 12, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The Tokyo Disney Resort consists of two parks – Tokyo Disneyland Park and Tokyo DisneySea Park. At this time, Tokyo DisneySea Park [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo Pudong New District, Shanghai, China – Well it finally happened. After literally years of on-again, off-again agreements between Disney and various Shanghai China entities, an official groundbreaking for a new Disney park took place on April 8, 2011. This symbolic turning of a few shovels full of dirt marked the end [...]

Column by Andy Guinigundo Manta opened in SeaWorld Orlando on May 22, 2009. The flying-style roller coaster has been thrilling guests ever since. A flying coaster suspends guests with restraints with the ride vehicle overhead – headfirst, face down. Manta is SeaWorld Orlando’s fourth coaster. SeaWorld San Diego has been lacking in the thrill ride [...]