#theme-parks

#theme-parks

but thanks to the opening of Pokemon's first ever amusement park on 5 February, this year, they are likely to come earlier. Unlike the rollercoaster-filled thrills of Tokyo Disney Sea or Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, PokePark Kanto is essentially a forest populated by models of the creatures from the perennially popular games. Nestled in the quiet Tokyo suburb of Inagi, half an hour from the city centre, the park is a walkable forest with more than 600 Pokemonin it.

The July 1, 2024," merger of equals" between Cedar Fair and Six Flags created North America's largest regional amusement park operator, combining 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine resorts. The transaction promised significant cost synergies and enhanced scale, but instead exposed serious integration difficulties, operational missteps, and external pressures. Although the deal was intended to boost revenue and share access, the combined company faces significant debt that has led to cost-cutting, staffing cuts, and park closures to stabilize finances.

Until recently, my best friend, Josh, couldn't name a single Disney ride. Meanwhile, I've visited nearly every park worldwide and subscribe to Disney blogs. When a last-minute work trip sent him to Asia, he decided to take an extra week of vacation. Since his wife couldn't get the time off, he asked me to join him for our first guys' trip in a decade.

Halloween is one of my favorite times to visit theme parks around the country. Many of the best theme parks in the United States have incredible Halloween-themed parties or haunts to attend, and even better, some are included with your overall ticket into the park. Whether you're looking for kid-friendly destinations like Walt Disney World or Dollywood, or an all-out fright fest at Universal Orlando Resort that brings the intensity level up to 13, there's a theme park Halloween event for all ages.

There was a time when adults who owned collections of stuffed toys were relatively uncommon, weird even. All that has changed recently: the rise in popularity of toys such as Squishmallows and Jellycat Amuseables has been linked to the growing kidult market (adults buying toys for themselves) which accounted for almost 30% of toy sales last year. On the whole, cuddly toys are something people keep at home, on their beds or on display shelves.

When you think of Orlando, visions of Disney World, Universal Studios, sunshine, and palm trees will likely pop into your head. And while Orlando is home to some of the best and newest theme parks in the world, it also plays host to some incredible Airbnbs with enough rooms to house an entire cast of characters-or your extended family. Whether you're looking for a top-rated Airbnb in Orlando that's a little more subdued, where relaxation and winter sun are top of mind,

The company, which Bargatze started in 2023, offers family-friendly content focused on stand-up comedy specials, showcases, scripted series, films, podcasts, and events. Experiences are the latest focal point for Bargatze and his team, recently partnering with Norwegian Cruise Line for the upcoming 2026 Nateland Voyage. They're not stopping there, however; per the Hollywood Reporter, Bargatze is looking to establish Nateland amusement parks, starting with a primary location in his native Nashville and eventually mounting "smaller parks in other states."

However, Disney vacations don't have to cost a fortune. Business Insider spoke with two Disney-focused travel agents and three so-called "Disney adults" about how to make the most of the Magic Kingdom, even on a budget. These five Disney aficionados shared everything from when to go, to what luxuries are worth the money - on-site housing and Lightning Lanes - and what expenses can be tourist traps.

I went to them and said, 'Hey, can we have one of those stilt walkers?'

Kicking things off, Disney released a special video called "All Princesses Make Magic," with music by Grammy winner Jacob Collier. It features two young girls throwing their mom a surprise birthday party, and singing a sweet rendition of "Be Our Guest" from "Beauty and the Beast." They get a little help from their "dad," played by Tony Award winner and voice of Hans in "Frozen," Santino Fontana.

The secret recipe sweet drink with a foam top served cold, hot or frozen tastes like shortbread backed by notes of vanilla and butterscotch. Universal's culinary wizards have added the butterbeer flavor to potted cream, ice cream and fudge. Yelpers say: "The Hot Butterbeer was my favorite. It was like a warm hug. It had a caramel butterscotch flavor and I loved the cream on top."

Walt Disney recognized the challenge of Tomorrowland, stating, "The tomorrows of 1955 had become yesterdays," indicating a perpetual struggle between the past and an evolving future.

Disneyland's Haunted Mansion will be temporarily closed starting Aug. 11 for its annual transformation into Haunted Mansion Holiday, reopening on Aug. 22.

As Walt Disney World and Universal keep on expanding in Florida, let's take a moment to remember old theme parks and attractions in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

The $7 billion Epic Universe that officially opened to the public on May 22 is home to two of the best dark rides in the world: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. It's the kind of problem any theme park in the world would like to have.