Universal Orlando Resort's New Nighttime Spectacular, Universal Celestial Goodnight, Makes its Official Debut at Universal Epic Universe Tonight

Universal Orlando Resort’s new nighttime spectacular, Universal Celestial Goodnight, will light up the night as it makes its official debut at Universal Epic Universe this evening - giving guests the opportunity to top off their day of thrills with a truly epic nighttime experience.

Running nightly at park close, Universal Celestial Goodnight transforms Celestial Park into a breathtaking spectacle featuring nearly 600 synchronized light fixtures, over 350 larger-than-life fountains, seven million LED lights and a high-energy musical score. Inspired by the extraordinary adventures found within the portals of Epic Universe - from the playful fun of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and the soaring excitement of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, to the magical adventures of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and the legendary Universal Monsters of Dark Universe – the must-see experience culminates with a jaw-dropping fireworks display that provides the perfect ending to an action-packed day at the park.

Plus, even more Epic fun is on the way with the debut of Universal Nights at Epic Universe on Saturday, October 3 and Saturday, October 17.  This all-new, limited capacity party under the stars invites guests to experience Epic Universe in a whole new way as they enjoy nighttime access to the park - including attractions, entertainment, character interactions and more as well as complimentary specialty snacks and beverages. 

Universal Nights runs from 9:00 p.m. to midnight on event dates, but guests can arrive as early as 7:00p.m. to enjoy the park – including Universal Celestial Goodnight – before the event officially begins. Tickets will go on sale on August 13 and start at $179.99 plus tax per person. More details will be shared in the weeks ahead.

For more information about Universal Epic Universe, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort

Beat the Heatwave at Cedar Point Shores Waterpark!

 Extreme temperatures have settled in and Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is the perfect place for families to find relief. Located right next to Cedar Point, Cedar Point Shores offers 18 acres of water attractions for the entire family.

 

Thrill-seekers can race each other and take the ultimate dip on Point Plummet – a vertical drop slide or ride inner tubes down the twisting and turning Portside Plunge. Little ones will enjoy Lemmy’s Lagoon and its multitude of pint-sized water gadgets or start their thrill journey on Lakeslide Landing – an array of 12 mini slides just for kids.

 

With dining options like Beaches & Cream and Crystal Rock Café, combined with poolside cabanas, lounge chairs and a swim-up bar, it’s easy to see why Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is a great place to spend a day in the summer sun.

 

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is open daily through Aug. 30 with additional operating dates until Labor Day. For information on hours, tickets and to purchase the 2026 Regional Gold Pass, giving guests access to Cedar Point Shores, Cedar Point, Kings Island and more, visit cedarpoint.com.

Source: Courtesy of Cedar Point

Silver Dollar City Previews All-New, Interactive Parade from World-Famed Designers and Hangs First Lights of the Season!

 

While most folks are thinking about fireworks, family vacations and summer sunshine, Christmas is under construction for Silver Dollar City’s Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade,™ an interactive new “show on the go” that puts guests right into the story.

Twice the length of the park's previous holiday parade, the spectacular production invites guests to do more than watch the magic pass by. They’ll be immersed in the magic, handing letters to Santa's elves, sharing in cherished Christmas traditions and journeying from joyful holiday scenes to a moving Nativity finale celebrating the true meaning of the season.

Inside a top-secret warehouse outside Cincinnati, Ohio, a special task force of fabricators and technicians from River City Scenic is hard at work bringing the theme park’s all-new Christmas parade to life. Earlier this summer, City staff traveled behind the scenes to see the project firsthand as towering floats, lighting effects and larger-than-life holiday characters began taking shape before their journey to the Ozarks. There is also plenty of glitter—pallets and pallets of glitter!

Leading the creative effort is a team from Herschend Creative Studios, along with Mike and Joyce Avila of The Imagination House. Mike, an acclaimed composer, wrote the original musical score for Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights.™ Throughout his career, he has helped create around 20 major parades, including long-running Christmas and Halloween parades for Disney, contributions to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade.

"One of my favorite parts of creating a parade is watching families experience it for the first time," said Avila. "Our entire team has poured its heart into making this parade magical, immersive and filled with moments that create lasting Christmas memories. We can't wait to see guests' faces light up when it comes to life in Silver Dollar City."

"We aren’t simply designing floats and costumes. We’re helping create the backdrop for years of family traditions and treasured memories. Knowing that our work has the potential to become a part of these memories makes every creative decision feel so much more exciting and the work that much more rewarding. That’s why this project means so much to me," says Mallory Hall with Herschend's Creative Studios.

"At the end of the day, to play even a small role in bring that kind of joy and connection is a privilege I don’t take lightly. I couldn’t be more grateful or more excited to be a part of creating what we hope will become the newest layer in a beloved Christmas tradition for generations of Silver Dollar City guests. Here’s to creating a little more wonder, a little more joy and a few more “Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights!”

Debuting Nov. 7 during An Old Time Christmas, the parade will transform the streets of The City into an immersive holiday celebration filled with beloved characters, interactive surprises and the timeless story of Christmas.

Each parade begins with a vintage automobile adorned with garland and gifts, carrying the parade's special Grand Marshal through the streets of The City. Familiar favorites soon follow, including Rudolph and his friends, joined this year by Yukon Cornelius and several of his beloved Misfit Toy Buddies.

Beneath thousands of twinkling lights, families are invited into a nostalgic Christmas journey celebrating the traditions that make the season special. Children can hand their letters directly to Santa's elves as they collect Christmas wishes along the parade route, while Mrs. Claus spreads holiday cheer with her magical sugar shaker, sprinkling a little extra sweetness on young guests.

The parade's Home for the Holidays scene captures the excitement of preparing for Christmas Eve. Guests are greeted by a sparkling one-horse open sleigh filled with joyful carolers singing seasonal favorites. Decorations come to life as some of Silver Dollar City's youngest guests become part of the celebration themselves, joining the parade as festive ornaments.

The journey then heads north to Santa's workshop, where cheerful elves hustle to gather last-minute letters from children and deliver them to the North Pole in time for Christmas. Lollipop-twirling dancers announce the arrival of the sweetest float of the evening before Mrs. Claus makes her grand appearance.

The excitement reaches new heights as Santa Claus arrives high above the crowd behind his team of galloping reindeer, waving to families gathered along the parade route and bringing Christmas dreams to life.

As the celebration nears its conclusion, the parade takes on a more reverent tone beneath the brightest star in the night sky. Trumpeters herald the arrival of a holy choir as guests are drawn into a moving finale centered on the first Christmas.

The parade culminates with a beautifully illuminated Nativity scene, shining as a reminder of the season's true significance. Surrounded by music, light and wonder, the final float invites guests to reflect on the faith, hope and joy at the heart of Christmas.

This week at Silver Dollar City, crews began hanging the first of millions of lights, which are taken down each year to prevent fading. They will line nearly every board of every building, using almost 900,000 staples to make the City shine. An Old Time Christmas runs November 7 through January 2 and features more than 6.5 million lights, Broadway-style productions, seasonal dining and countless merry memories throughout the park.

For tickets and more information, visit silverdollarcity.com. Source: Silver Dollar City

CANNONBALL! $22 million Fourth of July water roller coaster coming to Holiday World!

Holiday World’s new Cannonball! water roller coaster will be the largest single-attraction investment in park history. The $22 million ride will take Guests 90 feet in the air, then speed through more than 1,000 feet of coaster track before landing in the water for a huge splash. Announced just days before America’s 250^th anniversary, Cannonball! is themed to a Fourth of July community center pool party with a longstanding cannonball dive competition.

“This ride is dedicated to every kid who had to work up the courage to climb the tall diving board at their community pool,” says Leah Koch-Blumhardt, Fourth-Generation Owner and Director of Communications. “And it’s a tribute to every small town with a quirky annual tradition. There’s something special about the way we come together to celebrate our independence as a nation, and we hope Cannonball! conveys that magic.”

Cannonball! will be the new marquee attraction of the Fourth of July section at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. Founded in 1946 as Santa Claus Land, America’s First Theme Park has four themed sections today: Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July. Good Gravy!, USA Today’s 10Best Best New Roller Coaster of 2024, is part of Holiday World’s Thanksgiving section. Splashin’ Safari water park is the Water Coaster Capital of the World, with three award-winning water-slide-style water coasters: Wildebeest, Mammoth, and Cheetah Chase. Both parks are included with admission, as well as Free Unlimited Soft Drinks, Sunscreen, and Parking.

The first of its kind in the Midwest, Cannonball! is a water roller coaster designed by Mack Rides in Waldkirch, Germany, and the third ever built in the United States. With a max speed of 45 miles per hour, Cannonball! will be the fastest water roller coaster in the United States and will feature the tallest drop in the nation as well.

With a minimum height of 42 inches when accompanied by an adult and 48 inches unaccompanied, Cannonball! is yet another family-friendly addition to the parks’ lineup of award-winning attractions.

“Our vision is to be every family’s home for the holidays,” adds Koch-Blumhardt. “We’re laser-focused on young families here at Holiday World, so we love to build rides that the whole family can ride together. Cannonball! is going to be the perfect step between Good Gravy! and the rest of our high-thrill roller coasters.”

With construction underway and on track for opening in May 2027, Cannonball! will be themed as a community center pool in the small town of Boulder Canyon, USA. Riders will enter the community center station building and board one of seven boats decorated as colorful novelty inner tubes, including:

• Strawberry
• Watermelon
• Doughnut
• Stars and Stripes
• Holiday World rainbow (red, yellow, and blue)
• Patriotic popsicle
• Red & white stripes

The boats will float out of the station, past the Boulder Canyon barbecue cookout, and climb the 90-foot lift hill before plunging down the 75-foot drop. Riders will experience a thrilling roller coaster with five total drops, filled with twists and turns before finally splashing down in the Boulder Canyon Community Pool. Guests are encouraged to shout “Cannonball!” as they fly into the final splashdown before floating past giant inflatable swan sculptures named “Ron the Swan,” and “Ron Swan’s Son” and returning to the station.

“One of our company values is, ‘We have fun,’” adds Lauren Crosby, Fourth-Generation Owner and Director of Entertainment & Events. “We’re daring enough to be a little absurd with our ride concepts. We built a gravy-themed coaster, and now we’re building one around a fictional cannonball competition! Where else can you do a group cannonball with family and friends while riding a doughnut inner tube boat?!”

 Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari are open daily through August 16, 2026, then Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays through early November. Holidays in the Sky drone and fireworks spectacular runs nightly, weather permitting, through August 3 with an extended fireworks finale July 3 & 4. Holiday World is offering special entertainment for America’s 250^th anniversary. Summer Wine’d Down Culinary Festival begins August 4. Family-friendly Happy Halloween Weekends begins September 19.

2027 Platinum Season Passes are on sale now and will include one free ticket to visit this season, if paid in full. 2027 Platinum Season Passholders will gain early entry to ride Cannonball! in June and July as well as early entry to select Splashin’ Safari attractions.

Holiday World’s  location in Santa Claus, Indiana—just a few hours from cities like Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Nashville, and Columbus—makes it an accessible and worthwhile destination for families and thrill-seekers alike. Holiday World is a popular multi-day getaway destination for residents of Kansas City, Atlanta, and Chicago.

Source: Holiday World

Universal Orlando Resort Invites Guests to Celebrate America's 250th Birthday with Fourth of July-Themed Entertainment, Live Music, Fireworks and More Inbox!

Universal Orlando Resort guests can celebrate Independence Day with special offerings at select areas throughout the destination, including Universal Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, Universal CityWalk and select Universal Orlando hotels. From patriotic stilt walkers and live DJs to fan-favorite character meet and greets, exciting entertainment and more, the celebration offers a ton of Fourth of July fun with fireworks displays culminating the festivities within select theme parks. 

Below are additional details about the Fourth of July offerings guests can enjoy at Universal Orlando:

Universal Epic Universe
At Universal Epic Universe, the party kicks off at 5:00 p.m. with appearances by patriotic stilt walkers, followed by live entertainment including a DJ and special performers at the Hemisphere Stage in Celestial Park. Then at 9:00 p.m., guests can enjoy a special Fourth of July fireworks display at the Cosmos Fountain, located in front of Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, followed by the nightly fountain show at 10:00 p.m.

Universal Studios Florida
At Universal Studios Florida, the Fourth of July celebration commences at 5:15 p.m. and continues until park close with exciting entertainment at the Music Plaza Stage, including a live DJ followed by appearances by patriotic stilt walkers and performers, as well as meet and greets with beloved characters later in the evening. In addition to Universal Studios Florida’s popular attractions and entertainment, guests can enjoy viewings of the fan-favorite Universal Mega Movie Parade at 6:00 p.m. and CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular at 9:00p.m. The festivities conclude with a brief pyrotechnic display over the Universal Studios Florida lagoon at 10:00 p.m.

Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk will offer a family-friendly evening filled with patriotic stilt walkers and performers as well as plenty of live music – starting with the musical group, American Sirens, at 5:00 p.m. and then a DJ at 8:00 p.m.

Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
The Independence Day celebration extends beyond the theme parks and Universal CityWalk to Universal Orlando Resort hotels with special summertime food and drink specials, poolside activities and movies at select hotels and a family-friendly Fourth of July rooftop gathering on the terrace of Bar 17 Bistro at Universal Aventura Hotel. 

Access to the in-park Fourth of July festivities is included with regular admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Epic Universe.

Florida residents can take advantage of the limited-time “Buy a Day and Get a 2^nd Day Free” offer for their July 4^th visit, which gives them two days of access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure for the price of a 1-Day ticket.

For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort

NFL Superstar Patrick Mahomes and Family Preview Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas Ahead of its Official Grand Opening Tomorrow!

NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes and family enjoyed a preview of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas today – experiencing all of the kid-sized fun the park has to offer before its grand opening tomorrow, July 1. Upon arrival, the Mahomes were greeted by none other than Poppy, Branch, Guy Diamond and Delta Dawn from DreamWorks’ TrollsFest – one of the exciting lands featured within the all-new park.

Universal Kids Resort is Universal Destinations & Experiences first-ever theme park specifically designed for young kids, inviting a younger generation to embark on kid-sized Universal fun made just for them. Kids can laugh, splash, dance and play through seven lands: DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club, DreamWorks’ TrollsFest, DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar and the Isle of Curiosity featuring DreamWorks’ Gabby’s Dollhouse.

For more information about Universal Kids Resort, visit www.UniversalKidsResort.com.

Source: Universal Kids Resort

Halloween Horror Nights Unleashes Hellraiser In All-New Haunted Houses Based on the Original Hellraiser Trilogy at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort!

Halloween Horror Nights tempts guests to step beyond the threshold of pain and pleasure with all-new haunted houses inspired by the first three Hellraiser films that forever changed the genre. This terrifying new experience will transport fans into the twisted world first brought to life by Clive Barker, where desire, suffering and the unknown collide, beginning Friday, August 28 at Universal Orlando Resort and Thursday, September 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Since its debut in 1987, Hellraiser has become one of horror’s most influential franchises, introducing audiences to the chilling mythology of the Lament Configuration puzzle box – which, when solved, opens a portal to another dimension inhabited by the ritualistically torturous beings, the Cenobites, and their leader, the iconic Pinhead. Known for blending psychological horror with graphic imagery and philosophical themes of pain and desire, Hellraiser helped redefine supernatural horror and cemented its place as a cult classic that continues to inspire filmmakers and haunt audiences worldwide.

Now, for the first time at Halloween Horror Nights, guests will experience this nightmare personally in haunted houses on both coasts that draw from the first three films: Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth. Additionally, legendary Pinhead actor Doug Bradley will reprise his character and lend his voice to both haunted houses in Hollywood and Orlando.

The terrifying experience begins as guests enter the iconic Lament Configuration puzzle box, unwittingly summoning the Cenobites and opening a gateway to a diabolical dimension where unspeakable horrors await. From the shadowy attic in Frank Cotton’s family home where he was first cast to Hell, to the disturbing Channard Institute where the legendary box lures guests with its promise of forbidden pleasures, fans will encounter haunting moments and settings from the Hellraiser franchise at every turn. Their unnerving journey ultimately lands them in The Labyrinth where Pinhead and the Cenobites lie in wait for new souls to torment for eternity.

New limited-release merchandise inspired by the Hellraiser haunted house, including a T-shirt and a Pinhead acrylic figure which can be added to the separately sold Infernal Carnival collectible display, are now available at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood and will launch tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1 at 9am PST on shopUniversal.com.

Additional event details, including new haunted houses coming to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort, will be revealed soon.

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Orlando Resort, beginning Friday, August 28 through Sunday, November 1, and at Universal Studios Hollywood from Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, November 1. Event tickets for both theme parks are on sale now, with additional products coming soon for Universal Orlando Resort, including this year's four Frequent Fear Pass options (Rush of Fear, Frequent Fear, Frequent Fear Plus and Ultimate Fear) that will allow guests to experience the horror again and again. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort & Universal Studios Hollywood