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US News:
---- UNITED STATES DEVELOPMENT NEWS ---
(11/6/2025) Chicago's Shedd Aquarium to Add Immersion Theater in 2026
(11/2/2025) Malibu Jack's To Open New Colorado Location Tomorrow
(10/30/2025) Tennessee - Dolly Parton's New SongTeller Hotel Update in Nashville
(10/25/2025) Florida - Tampa Approves Plans To Build Observation Wheel In Port District
(10/14/2025) Florida - Miami Seaquarium Closes For Good
(10/8/2025) State Fair of Texas To Close Log Ride Forever
(10/5/2025) Fontainebleau Miami Is Planning A Waterpark?
Alabama - (8/15/2025) A reader sent in an interesting note about a small park I had not heard of before. 4D Farm in Alabama, apparently used to have an Allan Herschell kiddie coaster called the Barnyard Coaster and was said to have purchased a second unknown roller coaster that they never installed. The Barnyard Coaster is no longer listed on the park’s website and our source contacted the park and was informed that they have officially sold the Barnyard Coaster to a new owner (unknown) and are currently in negotiations with someone to purchase the unknown second roller coaster that was never installed at all.
So no more coasters at 4D Farm, but they do have a bunch of rides and attractions for the kiddies still.
California - (8/28/2025) According to the headlines Ford has announced that a new Mustang themed traveling attraction has been created that will kick off later this year in Los Angeles called “American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience”. The immersive experience will showcase the history of Ford’s iconic muscle-car as guests travel through “mutli-sensory immersive environments” as well as enjoy a “adrenaline-pumping 4D thrill ride.”
Look for American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience to run in LA from November 8 through to sometime in February 2026.
(8/16/2025) The San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly known as San Diego’s “Wild Animal Park”) has now set an early 2026 timeline to open the park’s new “Elephant Valley” habitat, which they say is now 80% complete. They have labeled this massive project as “the largest and most transformative project” in the park’s 109-year history. The new habitat has been described as the creation of a “dynamic savanna” that will serve as the heart of the park, designed to reflect the elephants’ natural environment.
(7/12/2025) A quick update on a new attraction set to open in LA next year. According to various reports the new George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is now on track to open to the public in 2026. As one might expect from the mind of George Lucas, the massive structure looks like a giant spaceship had landed next to the LA Memorial Coliseum. Inside however will be a historic tribute to storytelling in all formats, from comics to photography, television to movies, and while it will feature many an item from the Star Wars universe, it will also feature displays in representation of so much more beyond Lucas’ far far away galaxy.
While we don’t know when in 2026 the museum will open, it is worth mentioning that in August 2024 they were anticipating that it would be ready to open in 2025. So with that in mind, and now looking at a 2026 opening, hopefully it will be ready by next summer.
(7/4/2025) Congratulations to San Diego’s Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, which has now turned 100 years old.
(6/21/2025) Screamscape has been told that the famous Winchester Mystery House in San Jose has decided to step-up their game for the upcoming Halloween season. A release from the creepy attraction confirms that a “New Era of Fear Awaits” you at the Winchester Mystery House this fall as they launch “Festival Fright Nights”.
This will be an all new Halloween event created in a new “partnership with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group - the minds behind iconic experiences like Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary and the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride.”
“It’s Halloween night, 1924. Two years after Sarah Winchester’s death, the mansion reopens under mysterious new ownership. Guests are invited to a glamorous masquerade ball - but the host claims to have opened a portal to the past. Has he uncovered the truth behind the house’s haunted history, or unleashed something far worse?”
“Festival Fright Nights features three haunted attractions, immersive theatrical moments, themed food and drink, and access to areas never before opened to the public. Running select nights from September 26 through November 1, it’s poised to become the Bay Area’s premier Halloween destination.”
 Colorado - (11/2/2025) Malibu Jack’s, the small chain of indoor theme parks, will open their latest location in Thornton, Colorado (just North of Denver) tomorrow at the Thornton Towne Center. The 115,000 sqft indoor attraction that fills up a space that once used to be a movie theater, will now be filled with the sounds of go-karts, laser tag blasts and screaming rides on mini drop towers and a roller coaster.
Florida - (10/25/2025) Tampa residents, a new attraction is coming to town, as the city council has approved plans to build a $20 million 250 foot tall observation wheel along the waterfront that will over views of both downtown Tampa and the port district. Look for the new wheel to rise in Channelside, near the Florida Aquarium and cruise-ship port, with climate-controlled gondolas that will take you on a 20 to 30 minute ride experience.
(10/14/2025) The Miami Seaquarium opened and then closed for good on Sunday, marking the end of 70 years of operation for the attraction. While many arrived for one last visit to say goodbye, the closing was also celebrated by animal activists, many of which who had been protesting the Seaquarium since the 1980s. The 36 acres of land under the attraction is actually owned by Miami-Dade County who decided to cancel their lease in 2024. The parent company of the Seaquarium, ‘The Dolphin Company’, will spend the next several months along with a veteraniarn consultant, to work on relocating all the remaining animals to new homes.
As for the future of the site, no clear path has been set, though this hasn’t stopped several developers from proposing various uses for the property going forward for the County to look over.
(10/5/2025) Thanks to a reader who forwarded on this news I missed back in August, but the famous Fontainebleau Miami beachside resort is apparently planning a major renovation to their outdoor pool deck area that would add 5 new pools, 2 hot-tubs, a kids play area and a waterpark with 11 slides, one of which is planned to be 120 feet tall making it one of the tallest waterslides in the nation. Currently that record goes to the Dreamworks waterpark inside the American Dream in New Jersey which offers a pair of 142 feet tall drop-pod slides.
(6/5/2025) A Screamscape reader passed by the Race City go-kart attraction in Panama City, Florida only to discover that the attraction’s Hurricane roller coaster (an SDC Hurricane) is in the midst of being taken apart.
Upon closer inspection however, it turns out that the Hurricane is actually being repainted to feature a new green support structure and grey tracks. The pictures on RCDB show off the ride’s previous color scheme with white supports and blue track.
Meanwhile it seems the all new Pirates Voyage dinner show in Panama City is also now open! This is the third Pirates Voyage show from the Dolly Parton Company since they launched the Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach was converted into the first edition back in 2011 followed the second opening in Dolly’s backyard, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 2019.
(6/1/2025) Remember when America Dream proposed to build a second version of itself in Miami? Given the financial issues involved with Triple Five’s first American Dream mall in New Jersey, and the lack of any news about the proposed Miami version in years, I guess I sort of thought it had just faded back into the void.
Apparently this was not entirely true, at least not to Miami. The stalled out project from years ago apparently included a $5 million penalty in the land purchase agreement if the project was not on track for a 2025 opening. According to the Miami Herald, the project hasn’t even filed a site plan with the county at this point, which Miami-Dade is calling a ‘flagrant disregard of its contractual obligations.” Oh… and Miami is now demanding their $5 million payday as the site is still entirely vacant.
The interesting thing is that instead of just giving up on the project, a lawyer for Triple Five responded that they are “making progress on other county requirements in the development process related to the construction of new state roads around the project site. Triple Five says it is using its influence and engineering studies to speed along state construction of a new network of off ramps and wider roads to allow higher traffic volume around the site.”
So… while they still haven’t built anything, the argument is that they are working on things behind the scenes to push forward some infrastructure upgrades that will be needed when it does open. Well… maybe… because Triple Five is also in court with another developer whom they apparently bought much of the land from for the Miami project, who was trying to cancel the 2014 land deal, claiming that it was now void because of the lack of progress in meeting any of the development deadlines. This same developer, Graham Companies, apparently owns land next to the project that they’re supposed to be building their own residential and commercial developers, which… are also stalled.
It’s looking to be a tough read ahead for the American Dream Miami project. While it had a lot of political support back when it was proposed, the current Mayor of Miami-Dade was said to be the sole county commissioner back in 2018 that cast votes against the project, siting a number of issues she had with the American Dream Miami project. Her current administration is also the one now demanding the $5 million payment over the stalled project.
Illinois - (11/6/2025) SimEx-Iwerks has announced that they are working with Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium to open a new Immersion Theater Attraction. The describe the new 4D experience as a way to transport guests into the heart of the aquatic world. Look for the new Immersion Theater to open in Spring 2026.
(5/17/2025) The Pokemon Company has confirmed that a new Pokemon themed attraction is coming to North America in mid-2026. No… this wont be at a Universal theme park, but instead you can expect to see the North American premier of the “Pokemon Fossil Museum”.
The what…?!
Apparently this unique attraction premiering first in Japan will put fully fabricated Pokemon “fossils” on display along-side a collection of real-world fossil / skeletal structures of various extinct species. The North American premier will arrive in Chicago’s Field Museum on May 22, 2026.
Currently you can also take a “virtual tour” of the exhibit on display currently in Japan by clicking here.
(5/14/2025) I’m not that familiar with the attraction, but Safari Land in Illinois has confirmed that their current only roller coaster, Tiger Terror, will be closing sometime during the 2025 season. Tiger Terror is a small indoor coaster from Wisdom Rides.
It has also been announced that a new coaster will be coming as a replacement called Congo Cruizer, though to date no one seems to know exactly what kind of roller coaster this will be. A teaser for Congo Cruizer was dropped on their FB page, but no details have come just yet. Anyone know more?
Massachusetts - (9/6/2025) Would you believe that a new medieval themed attraction will open in November in Swansea, Massachusetts? It’s called the Silverstone Castle Family Entertainment Park and it’s a project that the owner has been working on trying to finish since the COVID pandemic. After putting years of work into the facility, it will finally open on November 20th. Looking very much like a medieval castle on the outside, the attraction will feature a 2-story indoor go-kart track, a large arcade, a dedicated VR game room, rock climbing, a kiddie climb & play area and even an indoor heated pool. For those looking to host parties or dine, the location apparently has a well themed dining room as well with space for a dance floor to handle whatever private, corporate or family function.
I’ve gotta give it to the creator for following through with the vision to build such a unique themed venue… some great pictures and a video tour can be seen in a local news report. Love the themed tavern with the red dragon looking down from the roof.
Missouri - (8/30/2025) According to a local news report, three new rides will open this weekend at Union Station in downtown St. Louis. The new rides being added include a classic wave swinger, the Flying Louis swing ship and Loco Motion, a new Zamperla compact spinning roller coaster with train themed cars.
(5/24/2025) MidWestInfoGuide has sent in some pictures they took over the construction taking place at Union Station in St. Louis who is in the middle of adding a major amusement park style expansion, including a new roller coaster along with some other new thrill rides. Check it out!
New York - Note: All New York City News Has Been Moved to a Dedicated Page
North Carolina - (8/6/2025) Who anyone who was hoping to venture up to Beech Mountain for the themed “Autumn at Oz” event and walk the Yellow Brick Road, the event organizers have confirmed that it will not take place this year. The area is still reeling from the fallout from Hurricane Helene last summer, and Autumn at Oz is officially “on pause” until further notice. They do hope that it can return in 2026, but at this point in time there is still much to consider before they are ready to hold it again.
(4/27/2025) It sounds like North Carolina is about to get another Alpine Coaster. The Hawksnest Adventure location, located in Seven Devils, NC (just west of Boone, NC) that already featuring some Ziplining and a very popular snow tubing operation in the winter months now promises that they are adding an Alpine Coaster “in 2025”. No real details at all on the site, other than sample photo of a Wiegand model cart running on a track.
Ohio - (8/16/2025) I’m not sure if this needs to be an actual state law, but I wouldn’t mind. Apparently a new bill being proposed in Ohio from State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan has proposed the “Real-Time Ride Status Notification Act” that will require permanent amusement parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island to post and maintain dedicated updates on their website as well as on-site signage at the parks to notify customers about which rides are not running on any given day.
The goal here is for this to serve as a piece of consumer protection, to prevent families from traveling from afar for a trip to these parks, only to arrive and find out that certain attractions that may have been the focus of their visit may actually be closed for the day. As I said… great idea… but not really something I’d ever imagine would become a state law, simply because it should be exactly the kind of thing that these parks should be posting anyway. To be fair, the parks sometimes do communicate when long-term closures are in effect on their biggest attractions, but this does not always happen, so I wouldn’t be opposed to it becoming a law. I just would have thought it would have happened someplace like Florida or California first given the number of parks, attractions and tourists to those states, but here we are in Ohio forging this new path.
According to MSN the bill will be assigned to a committee, and if approved there it will make it to the state’s governor’s desk for a final signage into law, which then gives the parks a year to fall into compliance. Though I’d think Cedar Point and Kings Island could add this handy feature to their websites and assign someone to the task of updating it within a week if they were so inclined to get ahead of this.
Oklahoma - (3/15/2025) Fans of the removed Tulsa Skyride may appreciate knowing that pieces of the ride have now been gathered together in Iraq and have been partially assembled to allow for refurbishment ahead of a planned reinstallation. It also looks like they have about the whole collection of gondolas as well.
So where are they planning on installing it? According to the rumored reports, the idea is to install it at “Bagdad Island Park”, which from what I’m been led to understand, was fairly ruined during the war era and has been in the process of being restored in recent years. Google Map images show a small amusement park section and a small water park area, along with some restaurants and other interesting structures like the Al Jazeera Tower.
Special Thanks to the Von Roll VR 101 Skyrides and the Disneyland Skyway page on FB for use of the video clips!
Pennsylvania - (7/2/2025) You may recall a story we posted earlier this year about how a grandfather in Columbia County, Pennsylvania was now in a fight with the local government over the restoration of an carnival old kiddie coaster he had purchased, refurbished himself, and installed on his own property. The coaster in fact was just one of several small amusement rides that Michael Chorba had refurbished and installed on his private property for his grandchildren to enjoy. The problem now is that the local government is saying that having the rides installed on his property, which is zoned for agriculture use, is now in violation.
The funny thing is I’ve seen a number of “farms” over the years that have turned into attractions and featured small rides and attractions from zip lines, carousels, go-karts, laser tag and more mixed in with things like haunted houses and corn-mazes. From my understanding, Chorba isn’t seeking to become an attraction, he’s just building on his own private property for personal use.
So apparently the time has finally come and an official hearing between Chorba and the Mount Pleasant Township Zoning Hearing Board in Columbia County is now set to take place on August 28th at 6pm. (Docket No: 2024-CV-699) We wish him the best of luck!
(1/17/2025) We’ve all heard stories about people who build backyard roller coasters, but now a man in Pennsylvania has taken that concept to the next level by refurbishing and rebuilding an actual commercial brand roller coaster, along with other assortment amusement attractions on his property for his grandchildren to enjoy. Follow the link and meet Michael Chorba, who bought and fully refurbished a small kiddie coaster from the ground up. Chorba compared this to how others choose to restore classic cars in their spare time, but he admits his hobby is a lot more fun.
On his property he already has several other attractions, including an Allan Hershchell Carrousel, but the roller coaster is his newest project that he has been working on since 2023. Unfortunately, local zoning laws are causing some issues now, as the land is only zoned for agricultural use currently, and he awaits a hearing to find out if he can keep the coaster or not. If things go south, he’ll have to take it down and try to find a new owner willing to buy it, but based on how good it looks, I somehow don’t think he’ll have much of a problem.
South Carolina - (5/10/2025) The Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, SC will soon be ready to open their latest addition, the Saluda Skyride aerial tram system that will be part of the Zoo’s new “Bridge to the Wild” expansion. Other phases of the expansion will eventually include a new dining facility on an aerial observation deck, a new Primate Forest exhibit and enhancements to the Lion & Tiger habitats.
I came across a video yesterday showing off the new Saluda Skyride undergoing testing right now, though it isn’t expected to be ready to open until Fall 2025. It will feature 19 cabins, each able to accommodate up to 8 guests, with easy wheelchair access, for the 2.5 minute ride across the park.
As I recall from a past visit, the river that runs through the park serves to separate the Zoo section of the park from the more traditional and quiet “Gardens” section of the park. Normally traveling from the Zoo to the Gardens could be done as part of a long walk across a tall bridge and up a winding road, but the majority of guests were more likely to catch a ride on an old Tram that would to transport guests from one side to the other.
Rumor has it that the old bus system will be retired once the new Skyride is ready to open, as the new Skyride is supposed to be able to offer a 1,600 guests per hour capacity. There will be a price to ride the Saluda Skyride however, but according to the Riverbanks Zoo, they will offer an option to pay once and ride all day, as well as discounts for passholders.
South Dakota - (7/22/2025) The Libertyland USA theme park project proposed for South Dakota has now received approval by the city council. What happens next, or how soon they could begin construction has yet to be determined. At one point they were hoping to open in 2026, but there clearly isn’t time to meet that kind of timetable anymore.
(6/27/2025) Things are moving forward in the right direction for the proposed Libertyland USA projects in South Dakota. The local news reports that the Rapid City Zoning and Planning Commission has now approved the site for a “Tax Increment Financing district” that will cap out around $125 million in support of the project, with 13% of the generated funds to be dedicated in support of needed infrastructure improvements to the area.
The proposal for the TIF district will now go before the City Council for their approval.
(2/14/2025) The latest news about the proposed Libertyland project in South Dakota is that Storyland Studios is now seeking “entertainment developers” for Phase One of Libertyland which is now said to include an attraction, retail, dining and entertainment complex. While they don’t have many details to share yet about this Liberyland “RDE district”, they did mention that they are already working with Dynamic Attractions on a year-round indoor attraction that will be located in the heart of this area.
This immediately brings to mind another such development in Pigeon Forge that has proven to be very popular… The Island. If you’ve never been, “The Island in Pigeon Forge” features a popular mix of retail shopping, fun restaurants, arcades, escape rooms, moonshine tastings, and several rides and attractions, including the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and appropriately also features a year-round indoor attraction created and operated by Dynamic Attractions… the SkyFly Soar America flying theater.
While previously I’ve been a bit on the critical side of things due to the developer seeming to be more focused on building an RV parks in Phase One rather than an actual attraction, I can see a development more akin to The Island actually working out as a much better starting point of the proposed Libertyland attraction complex.
Tennessee - (10/30/2025) Dolly Parton’s new SongTeller Hotel in Nashville is now on track to open in June 26th. In addition to hotel rooms, the building will also be home to Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum that will take up the 3rd floor. They are now taking advanced reservations for both they hotel and museum at the official websites.
(8/3/2025) I think I missed this little story update while I was on vacation in June, but you may remember back in December 2023 a report came out in Nashville that Dolly Parton and her partners at Herschend had purchased a piece of property in downtown Nashville, TN. The building in question at 211 Commerce Street, an 11-story office tower, was purchased at the time for $75 million. Located half a block away from other major Nashville tourist destinations on the strip like Blake Shelton’s Old Red, Jason Albean’s Kitchen and Kid Rock’s Rock & Roll Steakhouse, there was no telling exactly what Dolly and company had planned for the site.
Well, 18 months later the truth was revealed, when it was announced that a new Dolly Parton themed resort hotel would be opening in Nashville on the site. The name will also be familiar to those who closely follow Screamscape’s Dollywood page, as it was trademarked back in late 2021 or early 2022 as a possible name for a future new Dollywood Resort property. The name was also mentioned again in mid 2023 when Dollywood (just as they were finishing the Heartsong Resort) in a guest survey that mentioned a possible 3rd resort property to be called the Songteller Resort.
Well, “Dolly Parton’s Songteller Hotel” is now official, and will be coming to Nashville instead. “Inspired by Dolly Parton’s epic career and trailblazing spirit” the new hotel is described “a place to unplug, to connect with loved ones and to be entertained.”
“SongTeller Hotel, Nashville is more than just a place to rest your head, it's a hub of music, style, and hospitality designed the Dolly-way. Sprinkled with glamor, artistic surprises and a sense of humor - it's an experience as unforgettable as the entertainer herself.”
In every corner, you'll find playful pieces of art and décor, accompanied by a soundtrack that reflects Dolly's incredible music career. SongTeller Hotel, Nashville celebrates the people, talent and setting of the destination, weaving the local music and culinary scenes together.” Work has been taking place for some time now in secret and according to the official announcement SongTeller will open to guests in Spring 2026.
But could Dolly have something else in the work’s for Nashville? In the same survey where they cryptically first officially mentioned the SongTeller Resort, as if it was planned for Dollywood, the same survey also had a final odd question to gage guest interest in the concept of a new smaller scale theme park. As I mentioned at the time, this seems like an odd fit for Pigeon Forge, which is packed full of smaller scale attractions. They called it the “Imagination Library Theme Park”, which would borrow ideas and themed from various children’s books to use as theming for a variety of rides, shows and attractions. At the time I called this a reaction to the launch of the mini “Peppa Pig Theme Parks” coming from Merlin and I even suggested that while this concept wouldn’t necessary be right for Pigeon Forge, “I could see this concept doing well in the Nashville area which currently has no theme park of its own, and would likely embrace this idea.”
So with Dolly and Herschend officially putting their first footprint in Nashville next Spring, what do you think? Could they be planning to add a mini children’s theme park experience to Nashville as well? I wouldn’t be surprised at all….
Texas - (10/8/2025) For fans of the State Fair of Texas, it has been confirmed that this year’s fair will be your last chance to ride the Log Ride on the midway. The Log Ride opened back in 1986 and you’ve got until October 19th to get your last ride in.
(8/20/2025) While Texas’s ZDT Amusement Park closed for good on August 17th, it seems one day later an announcement was made by the owners of the Jungle Jam indoor playground attraction in New Braunfels, that they would be taking over part of the original ZDT. The plan will see ZDT’s indoor space transformed into the new “Jungle Jam Xtreme” sometime this October, adding a five-level playground, obstacle course and arcade.
Now, you may be wondering what they means for ZDT’s outdoor attractions. Jungle Jam confirmed on Facebook that ZDT’s outdoor attractions have either been sold elsewhere, or are in the process of being sold. So this essentially confirms that the Switchback coaster will be removed, but there is no telling if a new owner may try to rebuild a new version elsewhere and save it.
(7/14/2025) If you read my article posted at Blooloop where I discussed how many small and regional parks are having a really tough time right now staying open. Towards the end I listed a few parks that I was concerned about how much longer they might be able to hang on. Unfortunately one of the park’s on my list just confirmed our worst fears… as ZDT in Texas has announced that the park’s last operating day will be August 17th, 2025.
If any other attractions are interested, it looks like the whole collection of attractions at ZDT are now up for sale.
(7/4/2025) If you haven’t had a chance to see the Space Shuttle Discovery at the Smithsonian in Washington DC, you may not have much time left. With the approval of a new tax bill this week, it seems there was a section included to allocate $85 million to relocate the Discovery to Space Center Houston in Texas as part of a new display. While seeing the Discovery in the Smithsonian is impressive, it was nothing compared to the truly stunning display set up at the Kennedy Space Center for the Space Shuttle Atlantis, so lets hope for something similar in nature from the new Houston location.
(7/2/2025) According to the local news the largest indoor theme park in Texas has just opened. Check out Malibu Jack’s in North Richland Hills, Texas, just 12 miles West of the DFW airport and perhaps more concerning… depending on who you work for, it is just 1.3 miles away from the new Peppa Pig Theme Park. This latest Malibu Jack’s location is said to be 137,000 square-feet of indoor air-conditioned fun that took over a former “At Home” warehouse store. For comparison’s sake, this is just a smidge smaller than your average Costco location.
Check out the video clip below from JWulfCoasters to see what it looks like inside!
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