amusement and theme parks
Disney Wonder Offers Fun for the Whole Family
CELEBRATION, Fla. – The Disney Wonder allows families to set sail on one-of-a-kind itineraries all over the world, with signature Disney Cruise Line offerings such as rotational dining, Broadway-style shows, themed dining, character encounters and fireworks at sea. With imaginative spaces specially designed for families, kids and adults, guests will feel the wonder of a child, no matter their age.
On the Disney Wonder, guests enjoy a New Orleans-inspired celebration experience at Tiana’s Place; dance along to live jazz music at the French Quarter Lounge; rediscover beloved stories, songs and characters during Broadway-style stage spectaculars; and enjoy much-needed “me time” at dedicated kids’ clubs and adult escapes.
Family Entertainment
From dazzling stage shows to over-the-top deck parties, entertainment aboard the Disney Wonder is designed to delight the entire family. Broadway-style stage spectaculars delight audiences in the lavish Walt Disney Theatre.
- “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” follows the captivating adventure of royal sisters Anna and Elsa as they embark on a journey to discover the meaning of sisterhood, inner strength and true love.
- “The Golden Mickeys” celebrates the musical heritage of Disney animated films, immersing guests in all the glamour and excitement of a Hollywood awards gala.
- “Disney Dreams… An Enchanted Classic” is a signature Disney Cruise Line show that tells a bedtime story featuring popular Disney characters who together teach a young girl the power of her dreams.
There are also movies shown in the Walt Disney Theatre, as well as up on deck by the family pool and in the Buena Vista Theatre, a cinema with plush stadium-style seats that screens first-run movies and digital 3-D films.
On select itineraries, there’s an evening brimming with buccaneer fun during the “Pirates IN the Caribbean” celebration. An interactive show featuring Jack Sparrow culminates in a fireworks spectacular choreographed to the dramatic musical score from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. As the night rolls on, guests unleash their inner pirate and dance their boots off during a swashbuckling deck party, a family-friendly bash featuring electrifying music, stunning visuals and special effects.
Fun in the Sun on the Upper Decks
Like all Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Wonder boasts separate pools for children, families and adults. Other fun in the sun includes:
- AquaLab, an interactive water playground open to kids age 3 and older.
- Dory’s Reef, a special splash-and-play area for little ones up to age 3, starring the loveable characters from Disney’s “Nemo.”
- Goofy’s Pool, a relaxing pool for families of all ages to enjoy.
- Wide World of Sports Deck, the ideal spot for a pick-up game, ping-pong match or enjoying breathtaking ocean views.
Enchanted Dining
Enjoying the three uniquely themed family restaurants aboard the Disney Wonder is convenient and hassle-free, as guests “rotate” through the restaurants each night accompanied by the same serving team for a variety of menus and cuisines and friendly, personalized service.
Tiana’s Place, exclusive to the Disney Wonder, treats guests to a celebration of New Orleans-inspired dining and entertainment. The menu is a mouthwatering medley of southern-style creations that draw inspiration from the flavors and ingredients of Louisiana. Tiana’s Place provides food for the body and soul, showing that dreams and dishes come true. Just before you enter Tiana’s Place, you’ll be met with French Quarter Lounge, a New Orleans-inspired watering hole where guests can kick back with special libations and plenty of jazzy live entertainment.
Tritons, named after the Little Mermaid’s father, is an upscale restaurant offering sophisticated family dining “under the sea.” Brimming with ornate chandeliers, stained glass, sea-inspired architectural flourishes and a sweeping mural of Ariel and her father, Triton’s serves up a regal atmosphere that guests of all ages are sure to admire.
Animator’s Palate, one of the most popular restaurants on the Disney ships, features animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat-screens to provide the best views of the animation magic that takes place all around. Animator’s Palate inspires creativity with “Drawn to Magic,” a black-and-white to color animation show that surrounds guests in the swirling colors of animated classics and transports their dining experience into a dramatic story of heroes and villains.
An adult-exclusive restaurant – Palo, specializing in modern Italian cuisine, features stunning ocean views and a formal, romantic ambiance.
Magic for Kids of All Ages
The Disney Wonder began the Disney Cruise Line tradition of age-appropriate fun for kids of all ages in special designated spaces just for them:
- Disney’s Oceaneer Club transports kids ages 3 to 12 to the magical lands of Disney fairies, courageous Super Heroes and adventuresome toys.
- Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is a nautical wonderland where children ages 3 to 12 embark on a journey of discovery with arts and crafts, gaming and counselor-led activities.
- It’s a Small World Nursery is a whimsical world for infants and toddlers up to age 3 where they are safely cared for by trained Disney counselors.
- Vibe (ages 14 to 17) and Edge (ages 11 to 14) are ultra-cool teen and tween hangouts with comfy couches, music, video games and other chill-out necessities.
At Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, aspiring young princess and knights become Disney royalty with the help of a fairy godmother-in-training. When the pirate deck party is on the evening schedule, the space transforms into The Pirate League, where young sailors can unleash their inner buccaneer with a piratical makeover.
Excitement and Relaxation for Adults
On the Disney Wonder, guests step into a domain that’s all their own at After Hours, an extraordinary adult-exclusive nighttime entertainment neighborhood that features trendy and sophisticated bars and lounges.
- Crown & Fin Pub resembles a traditional British tavern, with dark woods, plush leather furniture and brass accents. Guests can duck in for a jolly time and a frosty pint while socializing at this inviting and nostalgic bar.
- Cadillac Lounge delights guests with the glitz of classic Hollywood, featuring an intimate and upscale atmosphere, crafted mixed drinks and live piano music nightly.
- Azure is an adults-only hotspot inspired by the shapes, colors, sounds and movements of the sea. The lounge – awash with a bar, dance floor and plenty of seating – features flowing, curvy walls reminiscent of the ever-changing current.
At the luxurious Senses Spa & Salon, adults ages 18 and older can indulge spa treatments, massages, manicures, pedicures, and a rainforest-themed aromatherapy steam room and sauna. The fitness center is well-appointed with state-of-the-art equipment and offers personal training sessions and instructional classes in yoga, Pilates, aerobics and more.
The Disney Wonder sails a number of unique itineraries all over the world, including exciting voyages to Alaska, Mexico, the Hawaiian islands, Australia and New Zealand.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.
Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Rebecca Washington
From haunted mazes after dark to daytime trick-or-treating with Snoopy, Knott’s offers two ways to celebrate Halloween in 2026.
BUENA PARK, Calif. — Halloween season is underway at Knott’s Berry Farm, where visitors can choose between the nighttime frights of Knott’s Scary Farm and the playful daytime activities of Knott’s Spooky Farm.
For readers planning a Southern California outing this October, the two celebrations offer different ways to get into the Halloween spirit.
Scary Farm brings new nightmares after dark
Knott’s Scary Farm runs on select nights through October 31, 2026, transforming the park with haunted mazes, scare zones, shows, and more than 1,000 creatures, according to Knott’s.
Two new mazes join this year’s lineup. Inked turns a cartoonist’s creations into a nightmare, while Unearthed sends visitors into an excavation where an ancient evil has awakened.
Also new for 2026 is Color Collect, an activity in which guests use an interactive lantern to activate pillars around the park and collect six colors.
Scary Farm requires its own paid event admission. As of October 4, online single-night tickets are advertised from $65, with taxes potentially additional. Knott’s does not recommend the event for children under 13.
Spooky Farm offers daytime Halloween fun
For families seeking a gentler celebration, Knott’s Spooky Farm takes place Thursdays through Sundays, September 24–October 31, plus October 12, according to the park’s events calendar, which lists the additional date as Columbus Day.
Children can trick-or-treat through Ghost Town, enjoy games and spooky stories with Snoopy and the Peanuts characters, and show off their Halloween outfits at Snoopy’s Spooktacular Costume Party.
Other activities include the Creepy Critters of Calico, cookie decorating in the pumpkin patch, and performances by the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Cookie decorating carries an additional fee.
The daytime celebration gives families a chance to enjoy Halloween decorations, treats, and entertainment together before the nighttime haunt begins.
Planning your visit
Knott’s Berry Farm is located at 8039 Beach Boulevard in Buena Park, California. Before heading out, check the park’s official calendar for your chosen date, operating hours, admission options, and event policies.
Whether your Halloween plans call for a bag of candy or a trip through a haunted maze, Knott’s has a seasonal celebration to match.
Keep the fun going: Visit STM Daily News for more entertainment news, theme park updates, and stories worth sharing.
Official sources
- Knott’s Scary Farm: attractions and tickets
- Knott’s Spooky Farm: activities and entertainment
- Knott’s Berry Farm: seasonal event dates
Information checked October 4, 2026. Event schedules, offerings, and ticket prices may change.
amusement and theme parks
Six Flags Magic Mountain Unveils Record-Setting ‘Thrill Glider’ Coaster for 2027
Six Flags Magic Mountain is taking flight in 2027 with Thrill Glider, a first-of-its-kind coaster combining flying, motorbike and suspended ride technology with multiple launches, five inversions and speeds up to 50 mph.
Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Rebecca Washington
VALENCIA, Calif. — Six Flags Magic Mountain is preparing to add another major attraction to its coaster lineup with Thrill Glider, a first-of-its-kind roller coaster scheduled to open in 2027.
The Southern California theme park announced Sept. 10 that the new attraction will combine elements of flying, motorbike and suspended roller coasters to create what the park is calling an entirely new category: the “Thrillglider.”
Developed by coaster manufacturer Vekoma, Thrill Glider will place riders aboard specially designed “hovercycles.” Instead of sitting upright, riders will be positioned face-forward and prone beneath the track, creating the sensation of flying through the terrain.
The approximately 80-second ride will feature multiple launches reaching speeds of 50 mph, along with 12 airtime moments, five inversions and 20 track elements spread across nearly 3.5 acres. Onboard audio and lighting effects will add to the experience.
A Record-Setting New Coaster
According to Six Flags, Thrill Glider will stretch 3,380 feet — more than half a mile — and reach a maximum height of 107 feet. The company says the attraction will establish several records within the newly created Thrillglider category, including world’s longest, fastest and tallest Thrillglider.
The ride will also feature an elaborate science-fiction storyline centered on the fictional QuantumPulse Propulsion Systems and its discovery of an energy source called PSR B417. Guests will encounter futuristic displays, holographic presentations and other themed elements before boarding their hovercycles.
“Thrill Glider is more than a new attraction. It is the latest milestone in Six Flags Magic Mountain’s renaissance and a reflection of the park’s enduring role as an industry innovator,” park president Brian Oerding said in the announcement.
Where Will Thrill Glider Be Located?
Thrill Glider will occupy the former Golden Bear Theatre site, positioned between Full Throttle and LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom and next to the recently reimagined Looney Tunes Land.
Construction is already underway, with Six Flags planning to open the attraction sometime in 2027. A specific opening date has not yet been announced. The minimum rider height will be 48 inches.
The addition continues Magic Mountain’s long-running emphasis on ambitious roller coasters and introduces a substantially different ride experience: part flying coaster, part launched coaster and part futuristic motorcycle adventure.
Source/ Related Links
Six Flags Magic Mountain — Official Site
Source: Six Flags Magic Mountain press release, Sept. 10, 2026.
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Entertainment
Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort: What’s the Latest in Glendale?
Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort still have no announced opening date. VAI says construction continues and expects to share more about the park in late 2026.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The wait continues for Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort near State Farm Stadium. Both remain under development, and neither has announced an opening date.
There has, however, been a change in how the park is being described. In August, Axios Phoenix reported that Epic Resort Destinations, the park’s original developer, appears to be out of the Glendale project. Asked about Epic’s involvement, a VAI spokesperson told Axios that VAI is the park’s owner and operator, but did not directly answer whether Epic still has any role. Another VAI spokesperson said the park and resort are now considered part of the same project and that construction continues on both.
VAI also told Axios it is redefining the park’s guest experience and creative vision and expects to share more in the fourth quarter of 2026. That is a promise of a project update, not an opening announcement.
The VAI Resort FAQ currently says it will announce an opening date approximately nine months in advance. Mattel Adventure Park’s Glendale page continues to promote planned attractions, including the Barbie Beach House and two Hot Wheels roller coasters, without listing an opening date.
For families hoping to visit, the practical answer is that there is still no date to put on the calendar. The next meaningful development to watch is VAI’s promised fourth-quarter update: it may clarify the park’s plans, but visitors will need an official opening announcement before they can plan a trip.
Source links: VAI Resort FAQ · Mattel Adventure Park Glendale page · Axios Phoenix’s August report
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