by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine Enchanted Forest Theme Park has been named the “Best Family-Owned Amusement Park” by Newsweek readers. Joining Enchanted Forest in the top five are Knoebels Amusement Resort, Waldameer, Santa’s Village, and Adventure Park USA. The charm of these amusement and theme parks comes not from a corporate structure but from families who put their hearts and souls into building, operating, and maintaining parks for the public to enjoy. About Enchanted Forest Nestled in the lush forests near Salem, Oregon, Enchanted Forest Theme Park has delighted visitors sin ..read more

by Theme Park Magazine Health officials issued an urgent measles alert for anyone who visited Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Citywalk, the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, or the Santa Monica Pier on March 30th and 31st. A guest with a confirmed measles case was present at these locations. Measles is a severe illness that starts with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A rash appears a few days later. It is contagious, spreading quickly through the air when someone with measles coughs or sneezes. The guest visited various areas of Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Citywalk on March ..read more

by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine In Utah, there was a special place called Evermore Park, unlike any theme park you’ve ever seen. Instead of rides, it had stories. Instead of buildings, it had elaborately themed sets that actors and cosplayers would bring to life. Evermore Park, the brainchild of Ken Bretschneider, opened its doors in 2018 and was well-received by the community and cosplayers worldwide. Bretschneider, an avid and elaborate home haunter before 2018, dreamed of a place where people could live in an elaborate fantasy adventure story. And people did… until the park myst ..read more

Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Hyunjee Clara Ryu traded movie screens for theme park dreams. A film school graduate with a self-taught painter’s eye, she now crafts immersive worlds as a concept artist for Universal Studios Hollywood. Her path, fueled by determination and a love for visual storytelling, began when she discovered the hidden design magic within Disneyland itself. Clara believes that designers like her shape the very spaces where stories unfold. This philosophy drives her work, whether she’s painting plein-air landscapes, exploring the Criterion Channel, or bringing the thr ..read more

by Theme Park Magazine Universal Studios Hollywood is inviting guests to a special celebration from April 26 to August 11, 2024, marking the 60th anniversary of its famous Studio Tour. The park promises to take visitors on a nostalgic journey back to the origins of Hollywood moviemaking magic. This will start with the iconic red and white Glamor Trams that guests rode when the Studio Tour launched in 1964. Longtime favorites like Flash Flood and Jaws will continue to be part of the Studio Tour experience. “The Studio Tour paved the way for the development of Universal Studios Hollywood, and ce ..read more

April Fools’ Day is the one day of the year when even theme parks get in on the fun. From wild new ride announcements to fake merchandise, parks and other outlets have been pulling out all the stops to prank their guests. Let’s look at some of the best from April 1, 2024… Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe I-4 Expansion Universal took a hilarious poke at Orlando’s infamous traffic by announcing a new land in its yet-to-be-opened Epic Universe park that would be situated directly inside the I-4 median. It even featured a portal ride! BREAKING: New concept art for the next portal just dropped ..read more

by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine April 1, 2024 Universal Epic Universe is expanding its whimsical offerings with a unique addition to the Celestial Park land: WonkyVision. This immersive experience draws inspiration from the classic tale of Willy Wonka and promises to transport guests into a world of pure imagination similar to the experience in Scotland. WonkyVision: The Authentic Experience will allow guests to embark on a self-guided visualization journey. This gives visitors the unique opportunity to experience Willy Wonka’s world entirely within their mind… and possibly questio ..read more

By Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine April 1, 2024 Disney announced today that the iconic Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride at Disney California Adventure Park is being transformed into luxurious vacation condos. The Galactic Residences condos are part of Disney Vacation Club and promise “out-of-this-world” amenities and an unforgettable ownership experience. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout is being rethemed to Galactic Residences, part of the Disney Vacation Club program. This will allow people to live or vacation in a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed resort with ..read more

by Theme Park Magazine LEGOLAND is the latest theme park giant to adopt surge pricing, with plans to implement a new dynamic pricing model later this year. This means guests will pay more to enter the park during peak periods, such as weekends, holidays, and sunny days. While the move aims to manage crowds and boost revenue, LEGOLAND follows in the footsteps of major players like Disney, Universal Studios, and Cedar Fair, who already utilize similar pricing strategies. CEO Defends Strategy Scott O’Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, the parent company of LEGOLAND and other leisure destinations ..read more

by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine Anime enthusiasts worldwide will soon have the chance to enter the iconic world of Dragon Ball. Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, has been confirmed as the groundbreaking location for the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park. This project results from a landmark partnership between Qiddiya and Toei Animation, the powerhouse Japanese studio responsible for the original Dragon Ball animation. The park aims to deliver immersive experiences, thrilling rides, and unforgettable Dragon Ball-themed attractions for fans of all ages. The announcement of the theme pa ..read more