News ·
Carowinds WinterFest opens November 27. Here are the weekend hours and what admission covers
Carowinds lists a later close on Saturday of opening weekend. Holiday shows come with admission, while cookie decorating costs extra.
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News briefs, occasional opinion pieces and films from the archive.
News ·
Dollywood’s $5 Sevier County Days: dates, ID requirements and exclusions
The November 6–15 offer covers qualifying residents and workers. Check proof requirements and costs outside the admission donation.
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News ·
Christmas Town admission: which Busch Gardens Fun Card covers the holidays?
Christmas Town runs on select dates November 13–January 3. Its own Fun Card, the standard 2027 Fun Card and memberships have different terms.
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IAAPA lists November 18 announcement for a Busch Gardens Williamsburg attraction
Brogent and United Parks are listed together for a family immersive attraction announcement. The schedule gives no project name or opening date.
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News ·
Dollywood’s 2027 opening: March 10 for passholders, March 11 for all guests
The season announcement separates passholder preview day from general opening and sets November 2 for general season-pass sales.
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News ·
Carowinds’ Fury 325 and Thunder Striker paused; reopening timing unresolved
Carowinds still lists both coasters closed. WSOC reports that their review continues, with no reopening timetable from Six Flags.
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News ·
Dollywood’s 2027 Silver and Gold passes cost $10 more after the renewal deadline
Silver now costs $169.99 and Gold costs $244.99 before tax. Gold covers later visits and includes general parking.
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Rip Roarin’ Falls: how its separate boarding station is designed to work
A Coaster101 construction report and Carowinds’ project page explain the separate loading station. Rider requirements and an exact opening day remain to be checked.
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Busch Gardens' 2027 Fun Card ends before next year's Howl-O-Scream
Busch Gardens lists different Fun Card limits for 2026 and 2027. We compare them with next year's Halloween dates and Water Country's operating calendar.
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News ·
Dollywood wins four Golden Tickets; Fury 325 takes steel coaster award
The 2026 results recognize Dollywood’s guest experience, setting and family attractions, alongside Carowinds’ Fury 325. Here is what the poll measures.
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Six Flags buys ArieForce One; its next park is unannounced
Six Flags is targeting a 2028 or 2029 return for the former Fun Spot America Atlanta coaster. Its destination remains unannounced.
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NightFlight Expedition: what admission and TimeSaver include
Dollywood’s TimeSaver sales page lists one Premium entry for NightFlight. Its first-rider guide gives a different answer.
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Kings Dominion and Carowinds: what one 2027 Gold Pass covers
Gold includes both parks. Home-park activation, meal plans and Halloween maze access have separate conditions.
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Kings Dominion in an ATP archive photograph with a camera date of April 5, 2023.
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Dollywood outlines park tributes to Dolly Parton
The September 2 announcement includes a waterfall, chapel windows and a new character in Wildwood Grove. Opening targets vary across the plans.
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Opinion ·
A Halloween ticket should tell you which scares are included
Park admission, maze access and special attractions can be different purchases. Put the exceptions beside the offer.
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Return to Corkscrew Hill is planned for 2027
Members can pick up a single-ride voucher November 7–8. Two Busch Gardens pages give different July start dates for using it; neither confirms opening day.
Sources
Film ·
Carowinds in October
Pumpkin musicians, autumn leaves and coasters above the trees, filmed at Carowinds in October 2025.
Original footage · October 26, 2025
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The 2026 fall calendar: four parks, dates and admission details
What Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kings Dominion, Carowinds and Dollywood have announced for this fall.
Sources
From the ATP archive: pumpkin musicians at Carowinds, filmed October 26, 2025. This image shows the previous season’s display; the 2026 dates and admission details below come from the parks’ current announcements.
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Film ·
The Space Between the Rides
An early spring walk through Busch Gardens Williamsburg, from our March 2023 archive.
Original footage · March 12, 2023
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