BOWIE, Md. — Six Flags America has announced all the details of the upcoming transformed steampunk realm, SteamTown: Where the Past Meets the Future. Guests are invited by Professor Screamore to an immersive new land with the rich history of a western town, but riveting upgrades only the Professor himself could dream up. These enhancements are part of Six Flags America’s multiyear capital investment.

“SteamTown is part of our team’s ambitious, multiyear plan to invest in our guest experience and park improvements,” said Six Flags America General Manager, Ramar Vaughan. “We are thrilled with our collaboration with Professor Screamore and excited to share our most detailed park realm to date.”

The town of Coyote Creek was purchased in secrecy by Professor Screamore. After many years in the making, the Professor is finally ready to share his creations with the world. Guests are now invited to SteamTown to revel in the odysseys, feel the force of evolution and twist their minds in the unexpected.

• Guests will learn to fly on Professor Screamore’s SkyWinder. With the innovation of flight, roller coaster riders queue in an immersively themed station and board two brand-new trains with upgraded, state-of-the-art restraints. Once at the top, guests will fly at speeds of 50 miles per hour with a smoother ride experience than ever before.  
• At the center of his town, the Professor’s winning invention, the all-new SteamWhirler, sends riders orbiting with four rotating arms that are synchronized by a central gearing system. Each rotation will provide a pop of airtime that will float guests out of their seats.
• Travel back in time on a prehistoric adventure on QuantumCanyon Rapids. After years of research, the Professor has pioneered the art of time travel and guests will be transported back more than 200 million years on rafts for a white water tour. While seeing wildlife is never a guarantee, guests are encouraged to hold on and keep their arms close as there are many, many teeth.
• Feel the power of modern technology as the Professor harnesses electricity for ElectroDerby. Guests will power up on these state-of-the-art buggies as they propel around the ring, bumping and dodging other riders.
• A throwback to Western fare with a modern twist is the heart of Fillament’s SteamPub. As the center of the town’s social scene, Fillment’s has the charm of a traditional saloon with a swirl of the Professor’s innovative spirit.
• Meet the Professor himself in the epic telling of SteamTown through SteamHeist. This stunt show spectacular will dazzle fans with the bravery, tenacity and just a bit of quirkiness of Professor Screamore and the journey he took to develop SteamTown.
• The town has come alive with local traders, bringing flavors and oddities for all to enjoy. Clockwork Confection Co. has an abundance of sweet treats and tantalizing fudge to satisfy any sweet tooth. Looking for something strange? Go no further than Looking Glass Creations.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Maurer Rides, manufacturer of roller coasters and amusement rides, is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of its newest attraction, The Sea Stallion, at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia. This thrilling new addition will provide park visitors with an unforgettable, interactively controlled ride and enhance Qiddiya City’s breathtaking ambience for entertainment and tourism.

Six Flags Qiddiya City, a partnership between Qiddiya Investment Company and Six Flags Entertainment, is part of Qiddiya’s inaugural project, Qiddiya City, a new global destination built from scratch on the foundations of play. Located at the heart of the Tuwaiq Mountains just 40 minutes from Riyadh, the vibrant city brings entertainment, sports and culture together in a way never seen before. With six uniquely themed lands, the park offers a variety of attractions that transport visitors into a world of adventure and entertainment.

The Sea Stallion roller coaster will be located in “Discovery Springs”, which will be themed around the timeless relationship between the desert and the sea. This attraction epitomises the fusion of the elements of earth and water, offering visitors a wild ride on a sea stallion through a magical land of waterfalls, caves and geysers.

The technical specifications of the rollercoaster are just as impressive as its design. You can experience the high-speed ride on the Maurer Spike Racing Coaster, which offers space for two people per vehicle. The Sea Stallion reaches a track length of 510 metres and will be equipped with 8 vehicles. The interactive features, including speed control and a boost button, promise a dynamic ride experience for visitors of all ages.

The special feature of this roller coaster are the dueling sections with a Möbius layout, which enables a parallel track layout and creates exciting racing situations between the vehicles. The layout close to the ground and the interaction with the neighbouring water ride enhance the adventure experience and make The Sea Stallion a unique attraction.

“The special thing about the design of the ride was to develop a layout that incorporates the terrain and the neighbouring water attraction and thus offers visitors an exciting and varied experience of the elements. In addition, Six Flags Qiddiya City found the idea of dueling very exciting with the requirement to realise this feature not with two, but only in one layout, so that the idea of the Möbius loop was born,” comments designer Torsten Schmidt.

The rollercoaster is currently being assembled in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia and will be extensively tested over the next few months.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Dollywood has added another well-respected, locally-based company to its growing list of official partners. Company representatives have announced Food City has been named the official grocery partner for Dollywood Parks & Resorts. 

In addition to being Dollywood’s official grocery partner, Food City becomes the presenting sponsor of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration as well as the sponsor of the ever-popular Colossal Pumpkin Patch duringDollywood’s Harvest Festival. 

Food City currently operates 153 retail outlets across five states with growth occurring at a rapid rate. With headquarters in Abingdon, Virginia, and stores located in many of Dollywood’s key markets, Food City officials knew the sponsorship would provide numerous opportunities for promotional offers between the companies.

“Food City is proud to serve as the official grocery partner for Dollywood Parks & Resorts. We have been privileged to work with the Dollywood team on a number of occasions over the years.  Like our company, they are dedicated to their customers, their associates, and the communities they serve.  We look forward to working together to continue to enhance the customer service experience for both of our organizations,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer. 

Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton echoed Smith’s sentiment.

“Food City has been a staple of this region for decades and is one of the most respected brands in the area,” Naughton said. “They are synonymous with quality, but above that, they provide the absolute best experience they can for their customers which is something we strive to do every single day. They also reinvest in the community through various events and donations to ensure they are supporting those who support them. Giving back to our community is something we feel is crucial to our mission every day. 

“Their store footprint matches nicely with many of our largest attending markets, so this partnership makes perfect sense. We look forward to working together on promotional opportunities that will benefit our guests and customers.” 

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 15-Aug. 11) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition, and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show every evening. The drone show continues on weekends through Sept. 1. Another favorite, the “Gazillion Bubble Show,” returns to mesmerize guests in Celebrity Theater with a pop of excitement.

Guests can enjoy the Colossal Pumpkin Patch presented by Food City this fall as part of the Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 9- Oct. 28). The Harvest Festival opens two weeks earlier this season, providing guests more time to celebrate the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented performers including Suzy Bogguss, Rhonda Vincent and The Isaacs, and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously 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.

VANCOUVER, Canada – From the Americas to Europe, from the Middle East to Asia, WhiteWater is pleased to announce over 60 projects anticipated to open this year across its product portfolio, covering water slides, aquatic play, and surf for a variety of venue types.

Here are the highlights by region.

The Americas
Earlier this year in March, Aquatica Orlando in Florida added new life to a much-loved slide by retrofitting covers and visual and audio effects to its popular Super Bowls and turned them into a one-of-a-kind immersive experience called, “Tassie’s Underwater Twist.” In April, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels in Texas opened its new kids’ area, “Schatze’s Storybrook Park,” with an AquaPlay 550 and children’s slides, the highlight of which is the world premiere of Mini Blaster, the junior edition of WhiteWater’s popular Master Blaster water coaster.

Summer in Georgia will see Margaritaville at Lanier Islands present the latest additions to its Fins Up Water Park: four inner tube rides, including Blasterango—a Master Blaster + Boomerango Fusion that will be the first water coaster in the state. Over in Mississippi, Hattiesburg Zoo will unveil Serengeti Springs, where guests will have hours of fun on the new animal-themed FusionFortress 10—a giant interactive aquatic play structure with nine slides, 280 features, two tipping buckets, and is surrounded by Life Floor®.

Heading north, Hurricane Harbor Maryland at Six Flags America will open “RipQurl Blaster,” the tallest water coaster in the mid-Atlantic—a thrilling Master Blaster with three AquaLucent hairpin turns. Meanwhile at Hurricane Harbor New Jersey at Six Flags Great Adventure, a RainFortress 5 with seven slides and over 180 features will open as “Splash Island.”

At the same time, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells will be making headlines when the Rise of Icarus opens with five body slides, including North America’s tallest, a Freefall at 145 feet, to the delight of thrill-seekers. Not forgetting the little ones, the park will also open a new kids’ area with 10 water slides, AquaSplash toys, and Life Floor.

Across the border, Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, will introduce the country’s first 6-person Boomerango. Not too far away, Jellystone Park™ Niagara will open a pirate-themed AquaPlay 1050 with Life Floor. 

When summer ends and families are seeking weather-proof entertainment, Bavarian Blast at Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth will open the biggest indoor water park in Michigan, complete with inner tube slides, raft rides, and a kids’ area.

In Latin America, three new body slides have been added to the high-end property, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. In Olímpia, Brazil, Thermas dos Laranjais, the most visited water park in South America, will open Nações, a tower with two epic six-person Family Master Blaster rides. Earlier in the year, Vallarta Adventures, a premium tour operator in Mexico, opened a FlowRider® Single on a private island.

FlowRider has proven to be a must on cruise ships. The year opened with a FlowRider Wave-in-a-Box Double on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, and her sister ship, Utopia of the Seas, will have one too. Over at Carnival,the Legend will come out of dry dock with newly refurbished aquatic attractions.

Europe
Making the biggest waves in Europe will be O₂ SURFTOWN MUC in Germany, marking the debut of Endless Surf. Featuring 34 wave-generating caissons that will offer powerful and customizable surf, this will be the first state-of-the-art surf lagoon on the continent and will transform the location-based entertainment scene in the region. 

In Croatia, Aquapark Dalmatia by Amadria Park in Šibenik is making a large expansion to both its indoor and outdoor areas, with two slide towers launching five slides, an AquaPlay 250, a wave river, wave pool, and more.

Also expanding is Fårup Sommerland, Denmark’s beloved amusement and water park, with a slide tower hosting the world’s first Boomerango + Tailspin Fusion plus Parallel Pursuit dueling slides in addition to a new kids’ area.

In France, Futuroscope, a futuristic theme park in Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, will open an immersive indoor water park experience called Aquascope, which will include kids’ slides from WhiteWater.

Middle East
In Kuwait, Messilah Beach Club became even more upscale with the addition of an AquaPlay 1750, AquaSpray toys, kids’ slides, and a wave pool. Over in the UAE, Grand Hyatt Dubai will open a new water park with three slide towers, AquaPlay 1050, FlowRider Triple, a wave pool, and more. Centrally located near the airport on the way to Burj Khalifa, this hotel will become the city’s premium urban resort. At Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, a new splash pad will provide fun for younger children as well as accessible play as the park expands with fresh, thrilling attractions.

WhiteWater will be announcing more exciting developments in this region in the coming months. 

Asia Pacific
Several prominent projects will open in the Asia Pacific. At SnowStar in Shanghai, China, a water park will open as part of the entertainment complex that is home to the world’s largest indoor ski hill. The water park’s architectural design as well as all 15 of its attractions, both indoor and outdoor, are supplied by WhiteWater, including a six-person Blasterango. In Chongqing, Dream Space Water Park will open—with all water attractions supplied by WhiteWater—as the biggest water park in this city of 32 million people. Still in China, Aranya Resort in the picturesque town of Beidaihei will open an AquaPlay 650 and a splash pad—the first for this well-known luxury brand.

Eastward in Japan, two repeat clients are expanding their water parks. Tokyo Summerland will open an extreme river called, “Monster Stream.” And Nagashima Spa Land will open the world’s largest funnel slide—the Mega Abyss, whose diameter will be 15% larger than the next biggest one. Heading to Japan’s southern paradise island, Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort will be adding three water slides as part of the property’s rebranding and remodelling.

Much further south, at Waterbom Bali in Indonesia, the world’s largest modular interactive aquatic play structure—AquaForms 16—will impress with its 16 platforms, four slides, and over 130 features to discover along the myriad of paths.

Trusted Partner for All Venue Types
“This year is shaping up to be one of WhiteWater’s busiest,” said Onno Meeter, President, Water Parks. “We are not only helping established parks upgrade their entertainment offerings, we are bringing creative, world-class attractions to growing markets such as Saudi Arabia and South America. With the ambition of our clients and the trust placed on us, we’re able to bring extraordinary guest experiences to not just water parks and theme parks, but also hotels and resorts, surf parks, cruise ships, and mixed-use developments.

RES RIDES is looking forward to exhibiting at the Saudi Entertainment & Amusement (SEA) Expo 7-9 May 2024 in Riyadh. Deborah Eicher, Sales & Marketing Director, looks forward to welcoming you to Booth #3 A260 to share the latest RES RIDES innovations and help you chose a unique ride for your park or attraction. RES RIDES never creates the same ride twice, and our rides will thrill your guests and keep them coming back for more. Stop by to see us if you are in Riyadh or contact us for more information.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — For most, it’s easy to become lost daydreaming of a past vacation or experience, hoping to one day return to that special, memory-making place. According to a new study, Dollywood guests are more likely to want to return to the Smoky Mountain vacation destination than any other landmark in the entire world.

A report conducted by UK-based travel insurance specialists InsureandGo found Dollywood earn the highest “Come Back” score of more than 450 landmarks worldwide. InsureandGo also ranked countries and cities as part of their report; Japan was the top-ranked country and London the top-ranked city. 

To determine the attractions list, the company reviewed thousands of online reviews for content, attraction rating and noted reviews from guests saying they hoped to return again. Using a weighted scoring system, they assigned “Come Back” scores to the attractions on a scale of 1-100. Dollywood scored a 94 out of 100 to top the list. 

The top 10 (with “Come Back” score) are: 

1. Dollywood- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (94);
2. Disneyland- Anaheim, California (87); 
3. Stone Mountain Park- Stone Mountain, Georgia (81);
4. Warner Bros. Studio Tour- London (78);
5. Blenheim Palace- Oxfordshire, UK (74);
6. Grand Canyon National Park- Arizona (74); 
7. Crazy Horse Memorial- Crazy Horse, South Dakota (71); 
8. Hampton Court Palace- London (71);
9. Tokyo Disneyland- Tokyo (70);
10. Yosemite National Park- California (70);
11. Universal Studios Florida- Orlando, Florida (70);
12. Busch Gardens Tampa- Tampa, Florida (70);

InsureandGo noted in a press release that “Dollywood is both a theme park and a nod to the local Appalachian culture as well as living legend herself, Dolly Parton…Online reviews praise the park for its fantastic food and decorations during the Christmas period, while many visitors recommend getting the two-day pass, so you can explore everything there is to offer.”

Other Top 50 landmarks include: 

17. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, Ohio- 63);
18. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City- 60);
19. Niagara Falls (Ontario, Canada- 58);
20. Taj Mahal (Agra, India- 54)
21. Louvre Museum (Paris, France-50)
22. Empire State Building (New York City- 49)
23. The Alamo (San Antonio, Texas- 46)
24. Notre-Dame Cathedral (Paris, France- 45)

The full lists can be found on the InsureandGo website. 

Dollywood—the reigning Best Theme Park in the world according to Amusement Today—still offers plenty of fun reasons to return in 2024. Parkgoers currently can enjoy more than a million blooms as part of the Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (now-June 9). Later, the Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show takes to the skies above the park as part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 15-Aug. 11). A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 9-Oct. 28) celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health.. The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 5, 2025)—concludes the park’s 2024 season with 6 million lights, festive holiday shows and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year. 

There are plenty of multi-day and season pass options available for guests who want to “come back” again and again to the award-winning theme park.. For those who want to make it a little easier to “come back” during their visit, Dollywood’s two world-class resorts—Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort—provide high-quality and convenient accommodations with exclusive, complimentary guest privileges and are just moments from the excitement. For more information, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

SANDUSKY, Ohio — After two years of work and anticipation Top Thrill 2 opened at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, U.S.A. The ride represents the first use of Zamperla’s Lightning roller coaster trains and a huge step forward in roller coaster technology.

“Top Thrill 2 is a next-level roller coaster experience for Cedar Point, Zamperla and the entire attractions industry,” said Antonio Zamperla. “This project means the world to our 450 employees, who are thrilled to have brought innovation and the next generation of roller coaster design technology to the market. We are proud to showcase a record-breaking experience like Top Thrill 2 and know it will be everyone’s favorite experience at the park,” he noted.

Top Thrill 2 is the world’s fastest triple launch roller coaster. It features three exciting launches with airtime in between each, as well as the world’s fastest backwards launch:

• Launch 1 (forward): 119 km/h (74 mph)
• Launch 2 (backwards): 163 km/h (101 mph)
• Launch 3 (forwards: 193 km/h (120 mph)

In addition to the launches Cedar Point has a new feature on its skyline. The 128-meter (420-foot) vertical spike stands just as tall as the famous Top Hat, offering riders one of the longest weightless moments on a roller coaster.

“Top Thrill 2’s presence at Cedar Point is iconic and the team at Zamperla rose to the challenge of keeping it true to form while bringing a new generation of thrill ride to life,” said Carrie Boldman, Vice President & General Manager of Cedar Point. “The innovation, design, talent and extreme engineering that went into the creation of Top Thrill 2 will soon be realized by our millions of thrill-seeking guests. This is something truly special and we’ve been proud to have Zamperla along for the ride.”

“The project was an absolute partnership between Zamperla’s Roller Coaster Business Unit and Cedar Point,” said Alberto Ferri, Roller Coaster Division

Director. “It took a true collaboration to re-imagine this ride. From erecting a 128-meter tower in the middle of a lagoon to creating a new experience that incorporated parts of the old ride, there was a lot of amazing engineering happening on both Cedar Point and our side,” he noted.

Top Thrill 2 represents a new pinnacle of roller coaster technology for Zamperla. Several features set this coaster apart from anything else on the market:

• Aluminum-Milled Chassis: The billeted aluminum chassis was cnc- machined and lowers the cost of ownership because it features no welds.
• Huge Wheels: Because of the high speeds and the need to dissipate energy Top Thrill 2 uses mammoth 530 mm (20.86 in) wheels. These are almost twice as large as the standard steel coaster wheel.
• Carbon Fiber: Zamperla partnered with the company responsible for the most carbon fiber projects found in high performance racing around the world. These not only make the train lighter- they allow us to have the aerodynamic design of a race car on a roller coaster.

All of this technology coming together at once is why Top Thrill 2 was possible. Adam Sandy, Zamperla’s Roller Coaster Sales & Marketing Director, said, “This was an extremely unique project where we pushed the engineering envelope.

Breaking world records means facing new challenges, and we are thrilled that the Zamperla Roller Coaster Business Unit rose to the challenge to design Top Thrill 2.”

Ride Stats

• Total Track Length: 1043 meters (3422 feet)
• Maximum height: 128 meters (420 feet)
• Number of Trains: 3
• Vehicles per-Train: 5
• Passengers per-Train: 20
• Height Restriction: 132 cm (52 in) minimum
• Ride time: approximately 2 minutes

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — A major new report from ASTM International highlights the impactful role that standards play in supporting global innovation trends. The Standardization Impact Report (SIR) serves to showcase the direct links between these emerging technologies and the work of several key ASTM committees. 

The SIR addresses the ways in which standards in five notable industry sectors adhere to the United Nations Sustainable Development goals and influence crucial sustainability initiatives. These sectors include:

• Emerging Airspace
• Health and Safety
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Built Environment and Infrastructure Systems
• Clean Energy and Decarbonization Technology

“This Standardization Impact Report showcases direct links between the impactful work of ASTM’s 149 committees and emerging technologies within these key industry sectors,” notes Brian Meincke, ASTM’s vice president of global business development. “It leverages a broad review of publicly available information and provides a snapshot that roadmaps our standards development trajectory to these key topic areas to better inform strategic decisions and resources”.

As noted in the SIR Executive Overview, “in recent years ASTM International’s committees have underpinned developments in the way we build, the way we manufacture, and our ventures into emerging airspace, embodying the phrase: “Advancing Standards, Transforming Markets.”

The report will be available in sections, with detailed overviews of ASTM’s role in each of these sectors being released throughout the year. Executive Overview and Emerging Airspace sections are now available. 

ORLANDO, Fla. — Next year, guests can jump into the action of their favorite video games when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD makes its much-anticipated debut at Universal Orlando Resort as one of five imaginative worlds at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park. Developed in partnership between the visionaries of Universal Creative and Nintendo, the vibrant land combines iconic Nintendo characters with Universal’s renowned craft of creating innovative theme park experiences to deliver a multi-sensory environment where guests can experience the fun and adventure of Nintendo games in a whole new way.

Today, Universal Orlando reveals official details about all the excitement that awaits in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Epic Universe – featuring attractions plus dining, shopping and interactive experiences inspired by the Super Mario franchise and – for the first time in the U.S. – Donkey Kong Country.

ENTER THE ICONIC GREEN PIPE
It all begins the moment guests enter the portal to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, which will transport them through the iconic green pipe into the immersive land. As guests emerge from the pipe, vibrant scenery and exciting kinetic energy surround them as they are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds that they’ve experienced on their Nintendo game consoles – from the towering Mt. Beanpole and majestic Peach’s Castle to swaying Piranha Plants, pacing Goombas, spinning coins, ? Blocks and more.  Inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests will be able to explore Super Mario Land – where they’ll enjoy adventures alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and other characters; and Donkey Kong Country– wherethey’ll encounter thrills featuring Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and other members of the Kong family. 

SUPER MARIO LAND
The colorful landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom come to life in Super Mario Land, where guests can experience:

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Guests are invited to join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in this groundbreaking attraction that fuses augmented reality, projection mapping technology and elaborate environments to bring the fun of the Mario Kart video game series to life in a compelling ride-through experience. Guests up for the challenge will enter through Bowser’s Castle – where they’ll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser’s deceptive plans to stack the odds in his favor – before boarding their kart and heading to the starting line. Then, guests steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses – collecting coins, tossing shells at Team Bowser, dodging obstacles, and more – as they join their favorite characters and compete to help Team Mario win the race.
• Yoshi’s Adventure: The delightfulYoshi’s Adventure attraction will make its U.S. debut when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Epic Universe. On this family-friendly ride, guests of all ages will enjoy breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs – encountering many familiar characters along the way.
• Toadstool Cafe: At Toadstool Cafe, guests can enjoy a variety of tasty dishes inspired by the world of Super Mario and its characters, including Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs and so much more. Guests will also get glimpses of several Toads cooking up culinary creations through various virtual windows as they dine inside the restaurant.
• Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats: Guests can also pick up delicious treats, snacks and beverages at these walk-up dining locations.
• 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors: Guests can shop for souvenirs, apparel, toys and more inspired by their favorite Super Mario characters and adventures within these retail locations.
• Meet and Greets: Guests can meet, greet and interact with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad throughout various areas in Super Mario Land.

DONKEY KONG COUNTRY
At the edge of Super Mario Land, guests will discover an entrance that leads them to Donkey Kong Country, where they’ll explore the lush, tropical landscape from the video game series, complete with tall trees, waterfalls, landmarks such as The Golden Temple and more. Here, guests can enjoy:

• Mine-Cart Madness: Guests will hop into a mine cart and careen through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana on this first-of-its-kind family coaster. Utilizing an unprecedented ride system, innovative technology and a unique coaster design, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders on a thrilling adventure where they will experience the jaw-dropping maneuvers that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the video games – including getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more.
• A selection of tropical menu and merchandise offerings in the middle of the jungle – all inspired by the Donkey Kong Country video game franchise and its characters. More details will be shared in the coming months.

And that’s not all – guests will find even more exciting experiences and adventures while exploring SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

POWER-UP BANDS
Guests can level up their fun in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with the purchase of a Power-Up Band, a wearable for their wrist that allows them to enhance their play throughout Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. With the Power-Up Band, guests can collect digital coins by punching ? Blocks and playing interactive activities; collect digital stamps on attractions; earn digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr.; and discover other hidden surprises. Guests can also access Leaderboard screens in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to see where they rank amongst fellow guests.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Epic Universe will be Universal Destinations and Experiences’ third installment of the immersive land. Right now, guests can enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — RWS Global, the world’s largest producer of live experiences, today announced the appointment of Veronica Hart to its Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience as a cross-disciplinary corporate leader, Hart has demonstrated success driving sales, operations and licensing for multinational corporations. Hart will act as a trustee of the organization offering oversight and due-diligence on the overall performance of the business while leveraging her expertise in spearheading the company’s efforts to unlock new revenue opportunities with large-scale IPs.

Hart has held executive leadership roles at Paramount, HIT Entertainment, Sesame Workshop, The Jim Henson Company, CBS Studios and CBS Consumer Products, where she built the first-ever franchise division for the company. She also handled publicity for The Muppets at the Jim Henson Company and marketing and public relations at Sony Wonder. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in franchise planning, global licensing, operations, creative, and marketing, leading strategic planning, brand positioning, and retail and marketing efforts across key markets.

“We are thrilled to welcome Veronica to our board,” said Ryan Stana, Chairman and CEO of RWS Global. “Her passion for fandom and her deep knowledge of the licensing industry will be invaluable assets as we expand our offerings globally and strengthen our position in the market.”

“I am excited to join the team at RWS Global and help further elevate their global position as leaders in live entertainment and continue to push boundaries and deliver unforgettable experiences to fans around the world,” said Hart.

Recently, Hart founded HARTstring Entertainment, providing strategic advice on brand building, business development and marketing to maximize partners’ commercial impact. She currently serves as Chair-elect of the Board for Licensing International, the official industry association at the center of the multi-billion-dollar worldwide licensing community.