American Coaster Enthusiasts

Six Flags Qiddiya City, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation’s First Destination Outside North America, is Now Officially Open

Highly anticipated park opening ushers in new world records for its collection of 28 rides and attractions including the world’s longest, fastest and tallest roller coaster

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - JAN. 1, 2026 – Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia’s first-of-its-kind theme park and entertainment destination, celebrated its grand opening Dec. 31 by welcoming guests from across the Kingdom and globe. The debut marks Six Flags Entertainment’s first theme park designed and built outside North America. The trailblazing new park blends immersive entertainment with innovative technology across its six themed lands.

Qiddiya City is the world’s first global destination built entirely upon the “Power of Play.” Located at the heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains, just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this vibrant city, once complete, will bring world-class entertainment, sports and cultural experiences together in a way never seen before.

Six Flags Qiddiya City, Qiddiya City’s inaugural entertainment development, brings next-level thrills and unforgettable experiences to families, friends and adventure-seekers from across the Kingdom and beyond. It features 28 rides and attractions including record-breaking experiences, such as:

Falcons Flight - the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster

Iron Rattler - the world’s tallest tilt coaster

Spitfire - the world’s tallest inverting coaster

"Six Flags is proud to announce the opening of Six Flags Qiddiya City in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, a landmark project that will redefine entertainment in the region. This world-class destination combines cutting-edge, record-breaking attractions, immersive experiences for all ages, and the signature thrills that have made Six Flags a global leader. We look forward to welcoming guests from across the Kingdom and beyond to experience the future of fun at Qiddiya City,” said John Reilly, president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

With 18 rides specially designed for families and younger entertainment-seekers, the park ensures entertainment for all generations. Guests can also look forward to a variety of international dining options, along with retail outlets offering exclusive Six Flags merchandise and souvenirs.

Adult ticket prices start from $85 USD, children’s ticket prices start from $70 USD, and kids under the age of 4 enjoy free admission. Pricing is inclusive of all rides, while guests can also enhance their visit with the Unlimited GoFast Pass offering priority access for select rides.

Full ticketing, directions and other theme park details can be found at www.SixFlagsQiddiyaCity.com. The theme park is designed to be accessible to all guests, including individuals with special needs and their companions, ensuring an enjoyable and inclusive experience for everyone. Discounted tickets for these guests are available for purchase exclusively at the park with prices starting from $20 USD.

About Six Flags Qiddiya City

The first Six Flags theme park (designed and built) outside North America promises an unforgettable blend of thrills, culture and sustainability in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia. With 28 exclusive rides and attractions across six immersive lands, anchored by the vibrant Citadel, visitors will embark on a dynamic journey through the rich heritage of Saudi Arabia in a sustainable setting.

About Qiddiya City

Qiddiya City is Qiddiya Investment Company’s inaugural giga-initiative – a new global destination built from scratch on the foundations of play. Located at the heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains just 40 minutes from Riyadh, the vibrant master-planned city brings entertainment, sports, and culture together in a way never seen before. With Qiddiya’s Power of Play philosophy at its heart, the city is designed to host some of the world's biggest sports competitions, festivals, concerts, and cultural events.
At scale, Qiddiya City will offer residents and visitors a high quality of life with hundreds of attractions and experiences, coupled with residential, retail, office, hospitality, healthcare and educational offerings set in a thoughtfully planned, smart and sustainable urban fabric.

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) is North America’s largest regional amusement-resort operator with 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 16 states in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Focused on its purpose of making people happy, Six Flags provides fun, immersive and memorable experiences to millions of guests every year with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks, resorts and a portfolio of beloved intellectual property including Looney Tunes®, DC Comics® and PEANUTS®.

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2 days ago | [YT] | 32

American Coaster Enthusiasts

3 days ago | [YT] | 70

American Coaster Enthusiasts

1 week ago | [YT] | 33

American Coaster Enthusiasts

1 week ago | [YT] | 76

American Coaster Enthusiasts

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 32

American Coaster Enthusiasts

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 18

American Coaster Enthusiasts

A new giant rises at Dreamworld: King Claw officially opens today

(Friday, 12th December 2025) Dreamworld has today unleashed one of the most extreme, high-octane thrill rides ever to hit Australian shores, officially opening King Claw - the only brand-new thrill ride launching on the Gold Coast this summer and a towering new force in Southern Hemisphere thrills.

Engineered for serious intensity, King Claw slams riders with up to 4.6Gs of force, rockets to 98km/h, and swings a breathtaking 42 metres into the air - all while hauling 40 riders per cycle through a colossal arc of speed, height and raw power. Standing over 50% taller and faster than its legendary predecessor, The Claw, King Claw pushes the boundaries of what a thrill ride can deliver.

The ride’s 4.6G experience means guests feel four times their body weight, echoing the forces of high-speed fighter jet manoeuvres. It produces a full-body surge of acceleration, weightlessness and jaw-dropping height that hits harder and faster than anything else of its kind in the region.

Setting a new benchmark in ride operations, King Claw also features Australia’s first ride-entry metal detector, ensuring guests step onboard streamlined, secure and ready to take on the full power of the machine.

Dreamworld CEO, Greg Yong, says today marks a transformative moment for the park’s line-up.

“King Claw truly redefines what a thrill ride can be. The physical sensation it delivers - the power, the height, the speed, the weightlessness - is unlike anything else you’ll experience in the Southern Hemisphere. It hits you in a way that’s both breathtaking and addictive, and that’s exactly what world-class thrills should do. Launching a ride of this scale makes me incredibly proud, not just because it elevates Dreamworld as Australia’s biggest theme park, but because it firmly positions us as a significant player on the global stage.”

Dreamworld’s Director of Engineering, Aaron Holman, says the engineering team is proud to see guests finally experience the ride they’ve worked so passionately on.

“Our goal was simple: take the legacy of The Claw and amplify it in every direction. King Claw is taller, it’s faster, it hits harder - and the forces are phenomenal. The first time we tested it at full power, the entire team just looked at each other and said, ‘This is going to blow people away.’ Seeing guests ride it today for the first time is incredibly rewarding.”

Mr Yong says the launch of King Claw also marks the beginning of a huge festive season for the park.

“It’s the perfect way to kick off what is shaping up to be one of the biggest summers Dreamworld has ever seen. With Rivertown celebrating its first birthday, Jungle Rush and Murrissippi Motors thrilling families, Kenny and Belinda’s Dreamland bringing magic to the little ones, classic attractions like Giant Drop and Steel Taipan firing all season, and WhiteWater World open to cool down, Dreamworld is absolutely buzzing.
This summer, there truly is something for every kind of fun-seeker.”

King Claw is open now at Dreamworld, inviting thrill-seekers to take on its colossal swings, breathtaking speed and unmatched force.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.dreamworld.com.au

RIDE STATISTICS

Height of the ride approx. 27 m
Max. height full swing approx. 42 m
Capacity per gondola approx. 40
Max. angle approx. 120°

UPS’s
▪ Most powerful drive system on the market
▪ Smooth, dynamic and fast ride system
▪ Recovering up to 40% of the power from each ride
▪ Swing angle up to 120° providing weightlessness at the top
▪ 5 rpm gondola rotation providing varied experience
▪ Comfortable restraint system without upper-body restriction
▪ Suspended seating for high level of freedom
▪ Space saving layout

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 27

American Coaster Enthusiasts

Looney Tunes Land to Debut at Six Flags Magic Mountain by Summer 2026

Complete reimagining of the park’s family area will offer a brand-new experience
that encourages exploration across four distinct areas with lovable Looney Tunes™ characters at the heart of it all

LOS ANGELES – Dec. 16, 2025 – Six Flags Magic Mountain is excited to announce major changes to its kids area, which will be reimagined as Looney Tunes™ Land, a brand-new park with travel at the heart of it and with loveable Looney Tunes characters to be found throughout, debuting summer 2026. This family-friendly area will be refreshed to evoke the warm, nostalgic feelings of the Chuck Jones era of Looney Tunes, featuring four distinct areas inspired by beloved classic characters. At the heart of the new Looney Tunes Land lies a cozy central park, where Bugs Bunny welcomes guests into his home. In the other three areas, visitors will traverse the New Mexico desert in pursuit of the Road Runner with Wile E. Coyote, explore lush tropics alongside Taz and take in the High Sierra with Daffy Duck at the helm.

TAZ-MANIA
Welcome to TAZ-mania! Guests will immerse themselves in a vibrant tropical landscape, but be on the lookout for the chaotic Taz, who has clearly left his mark. This area will feature an updated Whistlestop Train rethemed as Taz’s Tasmanian Train Tours, where guests can hop aboard the Tasmanian Express for a colorful and lively tour through the island’s wilderness. Be warned, though; the mischievous Tasmanian Devil himself has escaped his enclosure and is set to wreak havoc along the way. Meanwhile, the all-new Taz’s Exploration Trail (which replaces Magic Flyer and Tweety’s Escape locations) is where guests will explore the Tasmania Trail and go on a treasure hunt. This area will also add new seating and turf to the region.

ROAD RUNNER RIDGE
In the New Mexico-inspired area, Wile E. Coyote will embark across the breathtaking badlands on his relentless quest to capture the elusive Road Runner. Of course, everyone will need to keep an eye out for ACME traps cleverly hidden among the captivating rock formations and desert terrain. Guests will be further transported into this coyote’s world with the iconic painted tunnel. Just like in the cartoons, there will be laughs and unexpected twists for all while navigating through this thrilling zone.

BUGS BUNNY PLAY PARK
Bugs Bunny Play Park will be dedicated to the charismatic character that unites everyone and will be focused on frolicking fun. The area will replace Speedy Gonzalez Hot Rods and Pepe Le Pew’s Tea Party and will feature thematic free play and exploration zones. A fan favorite, Merrie Melodies Merrie-Go-Round will be refurbished to match the rest of the park and will sport a vibrant color scheme and new marquee sign celebrating the adventurous spirit of the new area. Wascal’s, the area’s restaurant, will undergo a refresh, including a retheming of the scenic buildings and the addition of picnic tables to give guests a feel of dining at a civic park. Lastly, Wascal’s backside facade will include a new Granny’s House with an explorable interior with 2D elements.

CAMP DUCK AMUCK
It is never duck season in Daffy Duck’s territory! In the new and scenic High Sierra-inspired zone, Daffy calls the shots and here Taz’s Trucking Company will become Daffy’s Forest Four-Wheelers, where forest ranger Daffy Duck will invite young junior rangers to hop aboard their own jeeps and join him on patrol. Along the trail, fun and humorous character scenes, alongside informative signage, will emphasize the importance of conservation and safety while enjoying nature. Furthermore, the Looney Tunes Lodge will be renewed to resemble a cabin found in the High Sierra mountains and will receive all-new, wood-look foam flooring with an exaggerated wood grain.

“The new Looney Tunes Land will be a continuation of our mutually successful partnership with Warner Bros. that began more than 40 years ago and will continue to celebrate the characters of their beloved franchise,” said Raffi Kaprelyan, SVP and West Coast regional general manager for Six Flags. “We are counting down the days until we can invite families to experience the whimsy and fun of Looney Tunes in a way that is more immersive and exciting than ever before!”

Both Looney Tunes and each area’s theme will inform the narrative storytelling throughout. Each area will have its own color palette, fauna, landscaping, graphics, hardscaping (complete with character footprints in the concrete), railings, signage and more distinct experiences in each area.

The transformation of the family area into Looney Tunes Land is set to begin early January 2026 following the Holiday in the Park seasonal event. The process will be done in three phases with access to areas not undergoing construction open for amusement. Additional attraction enhancements and name changes will be shared ahead of opening. The introduction of Looney Tunes Land will coincide with the park’s 55th anniversary and is the second project in a multi-year focus on the park, which kicked off with the complete refurbishment and improvement of Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles in 2025.

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 29

American Coaster Enthusiasts

1 month ago | [YT] | 55

American Coaster Enthusiasts

HERSCHEND TO ACQUIRE SILVERWOOD, THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST’S LARGEST THEME AND WATER PARK

Atlanta, GA & Athol, ID (November 12, 2025) – Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (“Herschend”), the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, and Silverwood, Inc., owner of Silverwood Theme Park (“Silverwood”), have signed an exclusive term sheet for Herschend to acquire Silverwood.

Silverwood, a beloved family-owned theme and water park in Athol, ID, has been operated by the Norton family for more than 35 years. This partnership marks a new chapter for Silverwood, as it joins Herschend’s portfolio of family brands, while continuing its tradition of delivering memorable experiences to guests of all ages. Founded in 1988 by Gary Norton and operated by his family for three generations, Silverwood has grown into one of the most successful independently owned parks in the U.S., attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its 400-acre site. The park is home to more than 70 rides and attractions, including Boulder Beach Water Park.

“Silverwood has been our family’s life’s work for more than three decades,” said Paul Norton, Silverwood’s Chief Operating Officer. “When the time came to pass the torch, Herschend was the only choice. They share our values, our long-term approach, and our belief that parks like this are built by people with heart.”

Herschend operates more than 40 family entertainment brands across North America, iconic destinations such as Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts, the Harlem Globetrotters and recently acquired properties such as Kennywood, Adventureland, and Lake Compounce, continuing its mission to bring families closer together by creating memories worth repeating.

“This is more than a business transaction—it’s the continuation of a legacy,” said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend. “We are honored that the Norton family has trusted us to carry their vision forward and excited to welcome the Silverwood hosts and guests to Herschend.”

The parties have begun the due diligence process and are working toward finalizing the transaction.

About Herschend

Our story began 75 years ago when the Herschend family discovered wonder deep in an Ozark Mountain cave—and chose to share it with the world. Today, Herschend is the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, with 22,000 hosts and a portfolio of more than four dozen properties, including destinations, resorts, theme parks, water parks, immersive experiences, and content enjoyed by audiences worldwide. Together, we love in all we do, every day—caring for one another, welcoming our guests with warmth, and making a positive difference in our communities. For more information, visit www.herschend.com.

About Silverwood

Located in the scenic panhandle of North Idaho, Silverwood is the Northwest’s largest theme park, dedicated to creating memorable experiences for families. From its carefully designed courtyards to the quality of its food, every detail is crafted to enhance the guest experience. With over 70 rides, slides, shows, and attractions—including world-class coasters and a vintage 1915 steam engine train—Silverwood offers something for everyone. Visitors can also cool off at Boulder Beach Water Park, featuring wave pools, thrilling slides, and a relaxing lazy river. For more information, visit www.silverwoodthemepark.com.

1 month ago | [YT] | 42