amusement and theme parks
Get Ready for Arizona’s Mattel Adventure Park Resort: Construction Update and an Exclusive Sneak Peek of the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker Rollercoaster!
Experience the thrill of Mattel Adventure Park Resort’s construction progress and an exclusive sneak peek of the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker Rollercoaster!
Last Updated on August 28, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Excitement is in the air as construction progresses on Arizona’s highly anticipated Mattel Adventure Park™. Set to open in late 2024, this one-of-a-kind theme park will feature attractions based on beloved Mattel brands, offering guests a thrilling and nostalgic experience.
Mattel Adventure Park set for 2024 opening
Located just south of State Farm Stadium in Glendale at VAI Resort, Mattel Adventure Park aims to become Arizona’s first fully themed indoor/outdoor amusement park. The sprawling 9-acre park will showcase the extensive portfolio of iconic toys from Mattel, creating a year-round entertainment destination for visitors of all ages.
One of the most anticipated attractions at Mattel Adventure Park is the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker Rollercoaster – a first-of-its-kind ride. This family coaster boasts a stunning design inspired by the famous hot rod’s skull. Climbing 84 feet in the air, it promises to provide a pulse-pounding experience for both kids and adults.
But the Hot Wheels fun doesn’t stop there. The park will also feature the Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer – a double-looping coaster unlike anything seen before in Arizona. With two corkscrews and a thrilling layout, adrenaline-seekers will be in for a wild ride.
Julie Freeland, Senior Director of Global Location Based Entertainment at Mattel, expressed her excitement about the park, stating, “Mattel Adventure Park is an amazing opportunity to bring our beloved brands to life. We’re especially excited for families to experience the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker rollercoaster – a dream come true for any Hot Wheels fan.”
While Hot Wheels takes center stage, other favorite Mattel brands will also have their dedicated attractions. Thomas & Friends: World of Sodor™ will offer immersive experiences and rides for families, including an indoor play space for little adventurers. Barbie fans will be delighted by the full-scale Barbie Beach House, complete with the Barbie Dream Closet Experience™. This interactive attraction uses hologram technology to bring Barbie to life, allowing guests to explore her iconic closet. The Barbie Beach House will also feature a rooftop bar and restaurant with stunning views of the park.
Masters of the Universe™ fans can engage in epic battles at a 4,500 square-foot laser tag arena designed to resemble the iconic Castle Grayskull fortress. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a mini golf experience with nine holes inspired by classic Mattel games such as Magic 8 Ball™ and Pictionary™. A larger-than-life custom climb UNO™ structure adds a touch of nostalgia and adventure.
Mark Cornell, President at Epic Resort Destinations, highlighted the park’s innovative design, saying, “Mattel Adventure Park features a unique and strategic year-round indoor/outdoor design, providing acres of air-conditioned space to ensure a cool guest experience all summer long here in the heat of Arizona.”
As construction progresses, Mattel Adventure Park continues to generate buzz, promising a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Guests can catch a sneak peek of the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker Rollercoaster at the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party™ at Desert Diamond Arena on August 19 and 20.
To stay informed about the latest updates and be the first to experience the excitement, follow Mattel Adventure Park’s social media channels and visit their official website.
https://www.facebook.com/MattelAdventurePark
https://www.matteladventurepark.com
https://www.instagram.com/matteladventureparkaz
Arizona’s Mattel Adventure Park Resort is destined to become a must-visit destination for families seeking thrills, nostalgia, and unparalleled entertainment.
Click the links below to see the latest construction pics.
https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202403/10090
https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/amusement-and-theme-parks
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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