Breaking - Six Flags Over Texas Unveils Record-Breaking Roller Coaster ‘Tormenta Rampaging Run;’ Set to Become Tallest, Fastest, Longest and First-Ever Giga Dive Coaster!

Six Flags Over Texas is taking history by the horns with the unveiling of Tormenta Rampaging Run—a record-breaking, adrenaline-pumping roller coaster that will redefine the thrill-seeker experience while changing the city’s skyline in 2026. As the tallest, fastest, longest and first-ever giga (300+-foot-tall) dive coaster in the world, this one-of-a-kind thrill ride will trample six monumental world records.  

Themed after one of Spain’s longest traditions, the running of the bulls, the historic new attraction will tower over a brand-new Spanish village called Rancho de la Tormenta and new restaurant Cocina Abuela, all fittingly located in the park’s Spain area.

Tormenta Rampaging Run will elevate riders to a height of 309 feet and, just like waiting for the release of the bulls, the train will release plunging riders into a record-breaking 95-degree, beyond vertical drop complete with sharp turns followed by other exhilarating drops that replicate the thrill of the running of the bulls.

World Record-Breaking Features of Tormenta Rampaging Run:

• Tallest Dive Coaster: Soaring to an epic height of 309 feet, Tormenta Rampaging Run will give riders a heart-stopping view of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area before plunging them into a high-speed descent.
• Fastest Dive Coaster: Reaching a thrilling speed of 87 mph, Tormenta Rampaging Run will be the fastest dive coaster on the planet, ensuring an experience that delivers pure excitement from the first moment to the last.
• Longest Dive Coaster: Spanning 4,199 feet, this ride will offer an extended journey full of airtime (weightless) moments, sharp turns and exhilarating drops that will make riders feel like they are bull runners.
• Tallest Vertical Coaster Loop: At 179 feet, the loop on this coaster will be the highest of any coaster, of any type, in the world.
• Highest Immelmann Inversion: Being upside down at 218 feet will become a must for thrill-seekers and roller coaster enthusiasts from around the world.
• Highest 95-Degree Beyond Vertical Drop: Without warning, the train will release, dropping riders a record 285 feet down at a beyond-vertical 95 degrees.

 

“Six Flags Over Texas has always been a leader in creating unforgettable experiences, and with Tormenta Rampaging Run we are soaring to new heights,” said Mark Boyer, VP and Park Manager for Six Flags Over Texas. “This coaster is a true testament to our commitment to providing world-class thrills and innovation, and we can't wait to bring this historic ride to life in 2026.”

“As the world’s first giga dive coaster, Tormenta Rampaging Run introduces a completely new ride category, blending giga coaster heights with the fun and thrill of a dive coaster,” said Sophie Bolliger, President of Bolliger & Mabillard, consulting engineers and designers of the coaster. “This level of innovation sets new standards for the theme park industry and our company is honored to be part of this historic moment with Six Flags.”

The Story of Rancho de la Tormenta Plaza and Cocina Abuela

Rancho de la Tormenta, an immersive, themed area depicting an old and secluded Spanish village, will warmly welcomes guests with vibrant colorful banners and jubilant Spanish music. This fictional town was initially named after the storms (tormentas) that swept across the plains it occupied, but that soon changed with the birth of a legendary bull that grew to be the most feared and respected animal in the land. Known for his fierce strength and incredible speed, matadors from all over Spain traveled to face him but none could defeat him. His name was Tormenta.

 

As guests enter the plaza, they immediately will be engulfed by the aromas coming from Cocina Abuela, a brand-new restaurant redefining theme park dining. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Spain and Latin America, the menu will showcase bold, scratch-made favorites like Spanish rice, papas bravas, chicken tinga, and fresh house-made guacamole, all crafted with an emphasis on vibrant flavors and authentic quality.

 

Six Flags Over Texas 65^th Anniversary

The 2026 opening of this multi-record-breaking roller coaster will be part of an important milestone for Six Flags Over Texas as it celebrates its 65^th anniversary. When Six Flags Over Texas opened on Aug. 1, 1961, it marked a new era in family entertainment and set a precedent for future parks. The 65^th commemoration will feature exclusive previews, special events, giveaways and many surprises making it a historic celebration worthy of the first Six Flags’ original park that started it all.

For more information about opening dates and upcoming events, visit sixflags.com.

#dropthegate #SFOT2026 #sixflagsovertexas #BandM #divecoasters 

Source: Six Flags Over Texas

DOLLYWOOD’S NEWEST ATTRACTION REVEALED: NIGHTFLIGHT EXPEDITION SOARS INTO WILDWOOD GROVE IN 2026

Eager Dollywood guests no longer have to wonder what’s taking shape inside the sprawling new building in Wildwood Grove, as officials today announced NightFlight Expedition, a more than $50 million attraction coming to the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park in 2026. It is the largest attraction investment in the history of Dollywood Parks & Resorts.

NightFlight Expedition, the first attraction experience of its kind in the world, combines four unique features into one groundbreaking thrill ride sure to delight guests of all ages. Created and built by Dollywood, Herschend Creative Studios and esteemed manufacturer Mack Rides, the custom-designed amphibious ride vehicle interacts with vivid multimedia projections, dynamic onboard and offboard audio, as well as special lighting effects, to immerse guests in an extraordinary Smoky Mountain adventure. Mack Rides recently won the 2025 Amusement Today Golden Ticket for Best New Innovation thanks to the ride system utilized in NightFlight Expedition.

Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton and Herschend President and CEO Andrew Wexler made the announcement on Wednesday morning at DP’s Celebrity Theater. Park namesake Dolly Parton—who had a last-minute conflict and was unable to attend the announcement—sent her best wishes and shared her excitement via video.

As the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, NightFlight Expedition takes Dollywood guests on an unforgettable journey through the Smoky Mountains to search for bioluminescence in the nation’s most-visited national park. During the 5 1/2-minute experience, guests soar on a nighttime flight over the scenic Smokies, enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion through more than 500,000 gallons of surging water, traverse a mountain ridge on a roller coaster, and navigate a mysterious shimmering lake by boat.

“I’m just so proud that Dollywood has grown so much in its first 40 years that we’re able to add a ride like NightFlight Expedition,” Dolly said about the attraction. “I have no doubt it’s going to be a huge part of Dollywood’s next 40 years. We’re always trying to take the natural beauty of the Smokies and make it part of everything we’re doing in the park, and they’ve definitely been able to do it with this ride.

“A lot of people ask me about my favorite season in the Smokies, but no one ever asks me what my favorite time of day is. Our new ride sends you out into the mountains at night, which is the time that I think they really come to life! Obviously, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for the synchronous lightning bugs, but I also love to just sit and listen to the owls calling or the frogs croaking, and I love to see the stars sparkling like rhinestones up in the big old sky. It’s pure mountain magic.”  

Naughton expects the ride’s distinctive nature to generate significant excitement, positioning it as a must-see attraction for families and theme park enthusiasts alike.

“NightFlight Expedition is truly exceptional, combining cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling that stays true to the heart of Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains to deliver an experience unlike anything else,” he explained. “As the largest addition in our history, it not only represents a major milestone for our company, but it also sets a new standard for guest offerings.

“The attraction is designed to engage families with its vivid storytelling and to delight thrill-seekers with its innovative elements. This expansion underscores Dollywood’s ongoing growth and evolution, and we’re proud to be considered among the best theme park experiences in the world. NightFlight Expedition allows us to celebrate our rich Smoky Mountain heritage, while creating a ride that helps us deliver on providing a world-class experience.”

NightFlight Expedition—which features a 39” height requirement—is located inside a 44,000 sq. ft., temperature-controlled facility, allowing it to operate independently of the Smoky Mountain weather. At the heart of the ride’s adventure is the search for Secret Lake, the water source thought to provide Wildwood Grove’s Wildwood Tree with its colorful glowing canopy.

Guests set out on their expedition to find Secret Lake with the help of twin scientists, Cora and Jasper Oakley, who just happen to be the niece and nephew of Wildwood Grove’s resident wilderness explorer, Ned Oakley. The twins, who work out of a hangar at Hidden Hollow Aviation, have invented the Bioluminator, a device designed to detect and amplify bioluminescence, the biochemical emission of light by living organisms. Cora and Jasper mount the device onto their family’s one-of-a-kind amphibious aircraft to illuminate the Wildwood Tree’s glowing roots and follow them to Secret Lake.

NightFlight Expedition is anticipated to open in Spring 2026, so adventurers should begin preparing early to join Cora and Jasper on their journey. In recognition of their loyalty, current 2025 Dollywood season passholders can purchase a 2026 season pass now, the earliest time ever in the history of the park. Current passholders who renew now will be given the opportunity to experience NightFlight Expedition before it opens to the public.  

Non-passholders interested in a 2026 season pass can pre-register now through Oct. 5 at Dollywood.com/NewPass. Pre-sales for those registered begin Oct. 13. Season passes go on sale to the public on Nov. 1.

Dollywood’s 40^th anniversary season continues with the Harvest Festival presented by Humana (now- Oct. 27) which celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.

 

Several headline artists visit the park during the festival including Triumphant Quartet (Sept. 15-19), Keith Anderson (Sept. 20-21), The Grascals (Sept. 22-24), Lee Roy Parnell (Sept. 28), Sidewalk Prophets (Sept. 29- Oct. 3), Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (Oct. 5-7; Oct. 13-14), Emily Ann Roberts (Oct. 8-12) and Dailey & Vincent (Oct. 15-19).

 

The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 4, 2026)—concludes the park’s 2025 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.

 

For more information about Dollywood events, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app. For more information about NightFlight Expedition, please visit Dollywood.com/NightFlightExpedition. 

Universal Orlando Resort's Rock the Universe Returns Jan. 23 - 24, 2026!

Universal Orlando Resort’s Rock the Universe, Florida’s biggest Christian music festival, returns to Universal Studios Florida January 23 - 24, 2026 – giving guests the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable weekend of faith, fun and powerful music from some of today’s most popular Christian artists. Tickets are on sale now for the faith-inspired event – which will include headline performances by Billboard Christian chart-topper Forrest Frank, GRAMMY nominated singer Phil Wickham, GRAMMY and Dove award-winning band Switchfoot, multi-platinum artist LECRAE and more

See below for the complete concert lineup for Rock the Universe 2026.

Rock the Universe 2026 Weekend Lineup
Friday, January 23	Saturday, January 24
Forrest Frank	LECRAE
Switchfoot	Phil Wickham
KB	Colton Dixon
Blessing Offor	Passion
Hulvey	Terrian
bodie	Sam Rivera
Eli Gable	Caleb and John
Hopeful.	Bay Turner
Claire Leslie	Megan Danielle

Rock the Universe guests will also be able to lift their voices and spirits during various worship experiences that will take place throughout the entire weekend – including a moving Sunday morning service on January 25 that will cap off the weekend’s activities. Attendees will also enjoy access to Universal Studios Florida’s most exhilarating attractions during the event, including Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, Revenge of the Mummy and more.

Event Tickets and Group Vacation Packages are On Sale Now!
Starting at $173.99 per person, the Rock Your Weekend Ticket provides the best value for attending Rock the Universe and includes access to Rock the Universe on both Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24, along with three days of admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay (one theme park per day). Single night event tickets valid for admission on Friday or Saturday Night are also available and start at $94.99 per person.

Rock the Universe also offers youth group ministries (groups of 10 or more) special pricing, exclusive vacation packages, benefits and opportunities to help them make the most of their visit. The Rock the Universe 3-Park Rock Your Weekend Ticket for groups starts at $155.99. Groups who stay at one of Universal Orlando’s hotels will receive exclusive perks, such as Early Park Admission with valid theme park admission, complimentary shuttle transportation to Universal Orlando’s theme parks, Universal CityWalk and more.

For more information about this year’s event and to purchase Rock the Universe tickets and vacation packages, visit www.RocktheUniverse.com.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort