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

Summer Takes Shape Across Universal Orlando Resort's Hotels with a Slate of Exciting, Limited-Time Experiences Exclusive for Hotel Guests!

 Universal Orlando Resort’s hotels are joining the summer fun with a lineup of limited-time offerings across its 11 resort hotels, now through August 10. From can’t-miss themed displays and menu items to special perks, these hotel experiences complement the seasonal entertainment across the theme parks – making Universal Orlando the place to visit this summer.

The centerpiece of this summer’s hotel offerings is brand-new, must-see sand sculptures on display in each hotel lobby. Crafted from 600 to 1,200 pounds of sand and taking up to 10 hours to complete, each larger-than-life installation creates a memorable, photo-worthy welcome for guests and is inspired by fan-favorite Universal characters and experiences, including:   

• Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel: How to Train Your Dragon
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Jaws
• Hard Rock Hotel: Ghostbusters
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Kung Fu Panda
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Jaws
• Universal Aventura Hotel: Back to the Future
• Universal Stella Nova Resort: E.T.
• Universal Terra Luna Resort: Dark Universe
• Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Shrek
• Universal Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn & Suites: Trolls
• Universal Endless Summer Resort - Dockside Inn & Suites: Shrek

Hotel guests can also enjoy a delicious menu of summer-inspired food and beverages that include everything from refreshing cocktails – like the Mischief Mixer at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, complete with vodka, lemon juice, pineapple juice and grenadine – to tasty summer snacks, like fried funnel cake sticks at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Guests staying at Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort can enjoy extra summer activities with special poolside experiences on Saturday nights beginning at 6:30 p.m. that include a live DJ, poolside games, giveaways and more.

This summer also brings a new theme park benefit to all Universal hotel guests, who can now enjoy exclusive character meet-and-greets at Universal Studios Florida every Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – in addition to existing benefits such as Early Park Admission and complimentary transportation.

The summer activities across Universal Orlando’s hotels are just part of the excitement awaiting guests across the destination this season. In the theme parks, guests can enjoy a collection of limited-time, cinematic-inspired experiences that include can’t-miss photo ops, special character meet-and-greets, interactive activations, an assortment of new menu and merchandise items, and the return of fan-favorite seasonal entertainment (on select nights) – including Universal Mega Movie Parade, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular and Hogwarts Always in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Also, due to popular demand, Universal has added 11 extra dates for Volcano Bay Nights this summer, giving guests more opportunity to experience the water park after dark as they enjoy low wait times at Volcano Bay’s most popular attractions, appearances by beloved characters, exclusive food and beverage, and more.

For more information about Universal Orlando Resort and to plan an unforgettable summer getaway, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights Transports Guests Into the Final Season of Netflix's Iconic Series, Stranger Things!

The Upside Down returns to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights as the fifth and final season of the global phenomenon, Netflix’s Stranger Things, comes to life in all-new haunted houses. The premier Halloween event commences on Friday, August 28 at Universal Orlando Resort and Thursday, September 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Developed in partnership with Netflix, this year’s Stranger Things haunted house will showcase the most gripping moments from the final season in an authentic, visceral experience that places guests at the center of the ultimate battle to save Hawkins. Fans will confront the terror they’ve seen on screen as they navigate iconic locations and encounter favorite characters—all while evading a host of horrifying supernatural creatures…including Vecna himself.

The harrowing adventure will immediately transport guests to the town of Hawkins, as the barrier between reality and the supernatural is collapsing to unleash an ominous darkness. As visitors make their way through familiar scenes, including the Wheeler House, Hawkins National Laboratory, the MAC-Z military base, as well as the haunting realms of the Upside Down and the Abyss, they’ll be hunted at every turn by Demogorgons and other sinister creatures. With Vecna on their heels, the terror intensifies, pulling guests into an all-or-nothing battle for survival.   

Fans can shop all‑new limited-release merchandise inspired by the Stranger Things haunted house. The parks exclusive collection includes a T-shirt, and a mug infused with ‘80s nostalgia, plus a new Stranger Things-inspired acrylic figure that fits into the separately sold Infernal Carnival collectible display – with additional collectibles representing this year’s lineup coming soon to create one cohesive display. These items are available now at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood and will launch tomorrow, Thursday, June 18 at 9 a.m. PST on shopUniversal.com, with more Halloween Horror Nights merchandise debuting in the months ahead.

Stay tuned as additional details about this year’s Halloween Horror Nights lineup will be revealed soon.

Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights from Friday, August 28 through Sunday, November 1 at Universal Orlando Resort, and from Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, November 1 at Universal Studios Hollywood. Event tickets for both coasts are on sale now, with additional ticket options for Universal Orlando Resort being released soon. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Source: Universal Orlando Resort & Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Orlando Resort to Debut New Nighttime Spectacular, "Universal Celestial Goodnight" at Universal Epic Universe Starting July 7th!

This summer, Universal Orlando Resort will invite guests to cap off their day of world-class thrills at the groundbreaking Universal Epic Universe theme park with a new nighttime spectacular, Universal Celestial Goodnight. Running nightly beginning Tuesday, July 7, the must-see show will envelop all of Celestial Park into a captivating display of dancing fountains, breathtaking lighting effects, and a spectacular fireworks finale that will illuminate the nighttime sky. 

Developed by Universal’s award-winning entertainment team, Universal Celestial Goodnight pays tribute to the inspiring characters and 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.  With nearly 600 synchronized light fixtures, over 350 larger-than-life fountains, and seven million LED lights embedded throughout Celestial Park, guests will watch as every inch of the vibrant world from Luna to Apollo glistens with meticulous choreography set to a high-energy musical score – all culminating with jaw-dropping fireworks that will serve as an epic farewell after an action-packed day at the park. 

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

Source: Universal Orlando Resort