While the rest of us are getting ready to add junk to our trunks at Halloween parties this weekend, major theme parks across the nation are looking well past tricks, treats, turkey, pumpkin pie, and even Santa’s annual visit. Instead, the venues for high-octane fun are prepping for Spring 2012, when they will debut the following new thrill rides: Busch Gardens: The Williamsburg, Virginia, theme park will start the spring off with a bang by unveiling a new roller coaster called Verbolten (German for “Forbidden”). Brave guests will enjoy a 3.5-minute high-speed adventure along a curvy 2,800-foot-long track, which includes … Continue reading →

They rank up there with cookouts, camping and concerts. Theme parks are an essential part of summer, and this year several major amusement parks are going interactive in ways that might surprise you. If your summer travel plans include visiting one of the following theme parks, then get ready to do more than just sit back and enjoy the thrill rides. Parks including Disneyland, Six Flags, and Legoland are catering to kids who want to be part of the action. Take a look: Disneyland Before he became “Wacko Jacko,” the later King of Pop, Michael Jackson was the star of … Continue reading →

How much would you pay to fly through the air on a ride that features two pendulum arms that swing through 230 degrees of rotation, reaching 81 feet high and 45 mph? The family thrill ride, dubbed “Barnstormer” is yours for the boarding this summer at Dollywood theme park in Tennessee. Now, would you pay more or less to ride the Barnstormer than the Rev-O-Lution at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut? The ride features 24 outward-facing seats on a spinning disk that moves back and forth along a halfpipe-like track? Fortunately, you won’t have to dig too deep to experience … Continue reading →

Last summer my family and a bunch of friends traveled to Chicago to check out the Willis Tower’s new glass cube attraction. The Ledge juts out from the 103rd floor Skydeck of the former Sears Tower, and allows you to look straight down to the city below from 1,353 feet in the air. I could barely look at the glass case, never mind about climbing in. Conversely, my then 5-year-old had a field day on The Ledge, sprawling across the floor and posing for photos while sitting pretzel-legged against the back wall, so it appears as though she is floating … Continue reading →

With the price of gas draining the wallets of drivers from coast-to-coast, travel experts are predicting that many families will be sticking close to home this summer. This comes as good news to theme parks that are located near several major cities. For example, Six Flags Great America practically straddles the states of Wisconsin and Illinois. Located in Gurnee, Illinois, its close proximity to Milwaukee and Chicago make it an easy and affordable day trip for tens of thousands of summer travelers, including my own family. However, Great America is not the only amusement park situated in a convenient locale. … Continue reading →

And so it begins… the countdown to the craziest summer rides around. Today was the official unveiling of a wooden roller coaster dubbed the “Zippin Pippin” at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. My 6-year-old is dying to take a spin on the legendary thrill ride, which is considered one of the oldest existing wooden roller coasters in the United States. It was recently transported to northeast Wisconsin and now anchors the family-friendly theme park. We’ll see next week if my daughter is tall enough to make her summer dream come true. In the meantime, there are a … Continue reading →

Disney is all about the animals. After all, they don’t call it the House of Mouse for nothing. You’ve got a dancing duck, a goofy dog and twin chipmunks running around the theme parks on any given day, so I suppose it was about time that visiting pups got pampered at the “Happiest Place on Earth.” Only don’t expect to take your furry friend on Space Mountain with you. Rather, Walt Disney World is going to the dogs in a different way. Starting today, you can drop off Fido or Fifi at Disney’s Best Friends Pet Resort. The upscale dog … Continue reading →