Universal Orlando has unveiled another land at Epic Universe, and this time it’s Super Nintendo World, opening with the new park in 2025. Super Nintendo World, one of five lands at the Epic Universe theme park, is an innovative and immersive experience inspired by the Super Mario and Donkey Kong games. Guests at Epic Universe will enter the land via the iconic green pipe, finding themselves in a vibrant and energetic space surrounded by Mt. Beanpole, Peach’s Castle, Piranha Plants and Goombas. https://youtu.be/asmd0jGpg9oVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Introducing SUPER N ..read more

Ireland’s Emerald Park has announced an opening date for its new Tír na nÓg land, and revealed the names of the land’s two new coasters. Tír na nÓg, Emerald Park’s first fully themed and immersive land, opens on 22 May. Guests will get to ride two new intertwining coasters, named ‘Na Fianna Force’ and ‘The Quest’. Both new roller coasters were made by Vekoma Rides, the Dutch roller coaster specialist. Na Fianna Force is a Suspended Thrill Coaster with a track length of 750m, speeds of up to 90 km/h, and three inversions. On May 22nd get ready to embark into the mystical otherw ..read more

RWS Global, a leading producer of live experiences, has announced two new key appointments as the firm continues to expand its global reach. Veronica Hart has taken a seat on the Board of Directors, and Danielle Tanton joins the firm as director, business development. Veronica Hart Hart has more than 25 years of experience as a cross-disciplinary business leader, and has successfully driven sales, operations, and licensing for international corporations. She will serve as a trustee for the organisation, providing oversight and due diligence on the overall performance of the firm ..read more

Yas Island, Abu Dhabi‘s leisure and entertainment destination, has announced Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds as its new chief island officer. Reynolds replaces Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa in the role, who took over from comedian and actor Kevin Hart last year. In a new trailer to promote the island, Reynolds is seen parachuting into Yas Marina Circuit, missing his landing spot at the W Abu Dhabi hotel. “I’ve been an actor, a producer, a Welsh football club owner, and I could go on,” Reynolds says in the clip. “So I will.” Except he can’t, because his introduction is drowne ..read more

Six Flags has unveiled some of the new technologies, mostly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), being used to enhance the guest experience. Earlier this year, Six Flags launched what it called “the largest digital alliance in the theme park industry” to revolutionise the guest experience at its parks. The partnership includes Google and Dell, as well as technology consulting company HCLTech, data cloud company Snowflake, mobile app developer Fueled, and entertainment company Pure Imagination Studios. “Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, and this digital transformation is ..read more

Universal Orlando has announced an opening date for its new DreamWorks land, home to attractions and experiences inspired by brands like Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda. The DreamWorks land opens to the public on 14 June at Universal Studios Florida. It will house interactive play areas, character meet and greets, a new live show, unique retail and F&B, and a family-friendly coaster. In the Shrek-themed area, visitors can explore the ogre’s swamp and cottage, enjoy interactive attractions, and meet Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey. In the Trolls-themed area, g ..read more

EPIC Entertainment Group, a producer of themed entertainment, live events, and immersive environments, has announced the expansion of its partnership with Hersheypark Dark Nights for the third consecutive year. Expanding on their successful partnership, EPIC will assume control of the Costume, Make-Up, and Talent divisions. It will lead both live and online casting calls for hundreds of scare actors, speciality performers, makeup artists, and wardrobe specialists for the Halloween seasons of 2024, 2025, and 2026. In June, the Los Angeles area will host two days of open cast ..read more

Legacy Entertainment, a leading theme park and resort design company, has announced that it will launch in Saudi Arabia at the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo, which is taking place in Riyadh from 7 to 9 May. Legacy’s president and chief creative officer, Taylor Jeffs, will deliver a keynote presentation. In addition, the firm will present a brand new Expo booth, which has been designed for this event. Eric Carnagey, Legacy’s managing director and co-owner, comments: “Saudi Arabia is the most exciting market in the world right now. With a combination of vision, talent ..read more

by Graham Speak, Speak Consulting Excitement and interest across the industry have been building over the past few months as we’ve learnt that Universal Destinations & Experiences is potentially developing a theme park resort near the town of Bedford, about 50 miles north of London, in the UK. At this stage, neither Universal nor the UK Government has given this the green light. However, land has already been purchased, engagement plans have started, and significant stages of feasibility have been completed. The go-ahead could be given by the end of the year, and a 2030 launch da ..read more

Ghibli Park, the world’s only Studio Ghibli theme park, is now selling ‘grilled frogs’ in its new Valley of Witches area. Valley of Witches, the park’s fifth and final area, opened in March. It is based on anime films such as Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle. Ghibli Park calls its new snacks “kaeruyaki” instead of taiyaki – a Japanese fish-shaped cake. Via SoraNews24, kaeru translates to frog, and yaki means grill. たい焼きならぬ「カエル焼き」登場。アンコをぎっしり詰めて、一匹ずつ丁寧に焼いています。「魔女の谷」のレストラン「空飛ぶオーブン」横の屋台で、本日から販売しています。あいにくの天気ですが、晴れていれば屋上庭園で頬張るのもよいですね。営業は10時30 ..read more