May 27, 2025
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (“Herschend”), the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, has officially completed its acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s 24 U.S. attractions, solidifying plans first shared in March.
May 27, 2025
Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (“Herschend”), the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, has officially completed its acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s 24 U.S. attractions, solidifying plans first shared in March.
March 18, 2025
Herschend and Parques Reunidos have signed a definitive agreement under which Herschend will acquire all of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. entertainment properties from Parques Reunidos. This agreement represents a significant milestone for both organizations—supporting Herschend’s strategic expansion in family entertainment and hospitality while allowing Parques Reunidos to reinforce its strategic focus on its core European market.
March 18, 2025
Herschend and Parques Reunidos have signed a definitive agreement under which Herschend will acquire all of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. entertainment properties from Parques Reunidos. This agreement represents a significant milestone for both organizations—supporting Herschend’s strategic expansion in family entertainment and hospitality while allowing Parques Reunidos to reinforce its strategic focus on its core European market.
February 24, 2025
Newport Aquarium will open its highly anticipated new exhibit, Jellies: Go with the Flow on March 21, just in time for spring break.
February 24, 2025
Newport Aquarium will open its highly anticipated new exhibit, Jellies: Go with the Flow on March 21, just in time for spring break.
February 12, 2025
With hiring events in full swing for Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season, another national publication has recognized Dollywood as one of America’s best. Announced today, Forbes has placed Dollywood on its 10th annual list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. The Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park is the only theme park to rank on Forbes’ midsize company list.
February 12, 2025
With hiring events in full swing for Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season, another national publication has recognized Dollywood as one of America’s best. Announced today, Forbes has placed Dollywood on its 10th annual list of America’s Best Midsize Employers. The Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park is the only theme park to rank on Forbes’ midsize company list.
February 12, 2025
This Valentine’s season, Kentucky Kingdom is sharing the love with guests by unveiling the full lineup of attractions and renderings of Discovery Meadow— a new $11 million family-friendly land. As part of the $25 million investment over the next two seasons, Discovery Meadow will open to the public on May 10, 2025.
February 12, 2025
This Valentine’s season, Kentucky Kingdom is sharing the love with guests by unveiling the full lineup of attractions and renderings of Discovery Meadow— a new $11 million family-friendly land. As part of the $25 million investment over the next two seasons, Discovery Meadow will open to the public on May 10, 2025.
February 06, 2025
Vancouver, B.C. - The Vancouver Aquarium is excited to launch a new exhibit, Survival of the Slowest, opening on Friday, February 7.
February 06, 2025
Vancouver, B.C. - The Vancouver Aquarium is excited to launch a new exhibit, Survival of the Slowest, opening on Friday, February 7.
February 03, 2025
February 03, 2025
January 17, 2025
CAMDEN, N.J. (December 18, 2024) – The aquarium experience inspired by the Animal Crossing: New Horizons video game on the Nintendo Switch™ is coming to Adventure Aquarium! From January 11 to February 12, themed activities will allow Aquarium guests to explore the wonders of aquatic life while enjoying the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
January 17, 2025
CAMDEN, N.J. (December 18, 2024) – The aquarium experience inspired by the Animal Crossing: New Horizons video game on the Nintendo Switch™ is coming to Adventure Aquarium! From January 11 to February 12, themed activities will allow Aquarium guests to explore the wonders of aquatic life while enjoying the world of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
December 06, 2024
Silver Dollar City in the Ozark Mountains has once again claimed the title of America’s “Best Theme Park Holiday Event," according to USA TODAY, marking the seventh time the park has dazzled voters with its festive magic!
December 06, 2024
Silver Dollar City in the Ozark Mountains has once again claimed the title of America’s “Best Theme Park Holiday Event," according to USA TODAY, marking the seventh time the park has dazzled voters with its festive magic!
November 21, 2024
Kentucky Kingdom Theme and Waterpark debuted its latest investment project, Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom earlier today with a festive “snow-breaking” ceremony. The holly-jolly event officially welcomed the park’s first-ever Christmas celebration at the foot of the state’s newest and largest snow tubing hill – Blizzard Bluff.
November 21, 2024
Kentucky Kingdom Theme and Waterpark debuted its latest investment project, Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom earlier today with a festive “snow-breaking” ceremony. The holly-jolly event officially welcomed the park’s first-ever Christmas celebration at the foot of the state’s newest and largest snow tubing hill – Blizzard Bluff.
October 30, 2024
Newsweek has named Dollywood Parks & Resorts as the #1 theme park company in the United States for customer service. Following a recurring trend for the Smoky Mountain family destination, the award follows several recent honors that have recognized the park and its resorts as the best-of-the-best.
October 24, 2024
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), SeaWorld San Diego Rescue and Turtles Fly Too worked together recently to transfer rescued loggerhead sea turtle, Moira.
October 24, 2024
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), SeaWorld San Diego Rescue and Turtles Fly Too worked together recently to transfer rescued loggerhead sea turtle, Moira.
October 22, 2024
One of Dolly Parton’s greatest dreams—the little theme park named Dollywood that opened in her home county in 1986—has now become one of the world’s leading family destinations and is set to celebrate its 40th season in 2025.
October 17, 2024
Silver Dollar City, America’s #1 Theme Park, today announced plans to invest half a billion dollars over the next decade on the construction of new family adventures, including the development of 1,200 acres adjacent to the Ozark Mountain theme park. The strategic plan represents the largest investment in the company’s 65-year history and begins with the debut of the Silver Dollar City Resort, the first theme park resort in America’s Heartland.
October 17, 2024
Silver Dollar City, America’s #1 Theme Park, today announced plans to invest half a billion dollars over the next decade on the construction of new family adventures, including the development of 1,200 acres adjacent to the Ozark Mountain theme park. The strategic plan represents the largest investment in the company’s 65-year history and begins with the debut of the Silver Dollar City Resort, the first theme park resort in America’s Heartland.
October 04, 2024
Dolly Parton, along with officials from Dollywood Parks & Resorts, The Dollywood Foundation, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Pirates Voyage and Walmart, announced significant donations to flood relief during a special event Friday afternoon at Walmart #678 in Newport, Tennessee. The location has helped the local community by offering meals, as well as showers and laundry facilities to those affected by the unprecedented flooding from Hurricane Helene.
September 28, 2024
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, local Atlanta-area children and their families, many from M. Agnes Jones Elementary School, participated in a dynamic play event at the YMCA Youth and Teen Development Center in Atlanta, which included interactive activities, a mini basketball skills clinic, and nutrition education with Cherelle TORCH George and Alex MOOSE Weekes of The Harlem Globetrotters™, KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Meryl Harrell, National Park Trust CEO Grace Lee, CEO of YMCA Metro Atlanta Lauren Koontz, and Dr. Karen Hacker from the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to…
September 28, 2024
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, local Atlanta-area children and their families, many from M. Agnes Jones Elementary School, participated in a dynamic play event at the YMCA Youth and Teen Development Center in Atlanta, which included interactive activities, a mini basketball skills clinic, and nutrition education with Cherelle TORCH George and Alex MOOSE Weekes of The Harlem Globetrotters™, KABOOM! CEO Lysa Ratliff, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Meryl Harrell, National Park Trust CEO Grace Lee, CEO of YMCA Metro Atlanta Lauren Koontz, and Dr. Karen Hacker from the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to…
September 09, 2024
The New Water’s Edge Features Three New Rides, Eateries, Entertainment and More
September 09, 2024
The New Water’s Edge Features Three New Rides, Eateries, Entertainment and More
August 27, 2024
The Harlem Globetrotters concluded their 10-day residency at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and by all measurement and engagement tools the landmark brand experiment was a resounding success, with near capacity shows, the launch of the first-ever retail location for the brand, the first televised Harlem Globetrotter game in over 40 years and thousands of interactions and social posts by fans of all ages during the run, a first ever for a sports organization.
August 08, 2024
Newport Aquarium is celebrating a conservation achievement as three young Orinoco crocodiles prepare to return to South America to help repopulate their species in the wild. This exciting milestone was reached through an ongoing partnership between Newport Aquarium and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to save the Orinoco crocodile, one of the rarest and most endangered reptiles in the world.
August 02, 2024
PINK® Adventure Tours announced today that its Sedona and Grand Canyon Jeep Tours have been recognized in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024. The award honors businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor.
August 02, 2024
PINK® Adventure Tours announced today that its Sedona and Grand Canyon Jeep Tours have been recognized in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024. The award honors businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor.
July 29, 2024
Newport Aquarium has announced an immersive new experience coming this fall that’s been more than two years in the making. The new Underwater Pumpkin GLOW will take visitors on a one-of-a-kind fall adventure under the sea. Throughout the aquarium, you’ll encounter larger-than-life sculptures of some of your favorite Newport Aquarium animals reimagined as pumpkins. It includes a giant, glowing underwater octopus, an underwater pumpkin patch and glowing environments for families to explore together. The new experience comes as the aquarium continues to celebrate its 25th anniversary year.
July 17, 2024
A second baby sea otter is in care at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR). Having two otter pups in care at the same time is a first in the organization’s 60 year plus history. The new arrival, a very tiny female northern sea otter weighing only 1.58 kg, was found with remnants of her umbilical cord still attached. The otter was found in the intertidal zone on Vargas Island, near Tofino, BC. The pup was vocalizing with no mother in sight.
June 25, 2024
Wild Adventures Theme Park is proud to announce its recent accolade as the 4th most affordable park in the United States, according to HomeToGo’s 2024 U.S. Summer Travel Survey.
June 19, 2024
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) responded to an orphaned female sea otter pup that was found by a member of the public in the Tofino area. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) asked VAMMR to step in and the young pup was brought to the rescue facility late last night.
May 24, 2024
Dolly and Dollywood officials opened The Dolly Parton Experience—the park’s eagerly anticipated new attraction—to great fanfare this morning during a special event for invited media and VIPs. Thousands of Dollywood guests eager to see inside also were able to enjoy the multi-faceted experience, which is comprised of multiple buildings at the award-winning Smoky Mountain theme park.
May 22, 2024
Adventure Aquarium was announced today as the #4 Aquarium in the country and the #1 Aquarium on the East Coast after weeks of public voting in USA Today’s 10Best Aquariums contest.
May 15, 2024
On Thursday, Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga. announced a major expansion to the park’s annual Great Pumpkin LumiNights event that will include new pumpkin statues, thousands of new lights and displays, new entertainment, and an expansion of the event throughout the park.
May 07, 2024
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and Herschend, the world’s largest family-owned themed attractions company, are proud to announce a new relationship that will further support workforce needs in the growing resort and attraction industry.
May 01, 2024
Silver Dollar City will keep the title #1 Theme Park in America, winning this year’s USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for a second consecutive year. The City took the top spot in a competitive field of 20 nominees including Disney, Universal and SeaWorld properties. Nominees were chosen by industry experts and then voted on by fans during a rigorous, four-week voting period.
March 27, 2024
The largest family roller coaster in the Heartland, Fire In The Hole, is set to open this Saturday, March 30 at the internationally-awarded Silver Dollar City theme park. Today, media from across the country “answered the call” to experience their first rides on the new family coaster as part of a media preview at the 1880s theme park in the heart of the Ozarks.
March 20, 2024
As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Newport Aquarium has announced an intriguing new exhibit with opening weekend kicking off on Friday, March 22. The all-new Ring of Fire: World of the Octopus contains seven different displays focused on the bizarre and fascinating creatures that live between towering volcanos and deep ocean trenches in this part of the world that boasts the most earthquakes of any region on the planet. The extreme conditions make for some highly unusual animals which visitors to the aquarium will be able to experience up close.
March 07, 2024
Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville’s Family Theme and Water Park, is thrilled to open its doors this holiday season for the first-ever winter spectacular: ‘Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom!’ A wonderland designed for the whole family; Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom will be a joyfilled, magical event unlike anything Kentucky has ever seen. The $8 million investment will extend Kentucky Kingdom’s season by an additional 24 days, bringing guests the longest, brightest, and jolliest season yet!
February 07, 2024
Monsters of the Abyss is an all-new interactive exhibit that highlights the past and present of aquatic animals through interactive displays, live exhibits, and supersized skeletons such as megalodon and Spinosaurus. Sink your teeth into history as you learn about extinction-level events and discover why these creatures were so universally feared.
January 30, 2024
Recently named by Forbes magazine as “the best place to travel for families in 2024,” Callaway Resort & Gardens (CRG) today unveiled its robust roster of year-round special events, including Celebrate Spring!, a new two-month-long festival opening March 1 showcasing music and arts, and the June return of its guest-favorite summer family camp program begun in 1960, Callaway Summer Family Adventure. Improving the overall guest experience, Callaway also announced it is building a new central activities hub located at Robin Lake Beach.
December 12, 2023
Construction Is Officially Underway For One-Of-A-Kind Camping Experience
November 03, 2023
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort celebrated its official grand opening Friday with a visit from Dolly Parton. The lodge marks the second world-class resort created by Dollywood Parks & Resorts and Dolly, further expanding the premier family destination located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
September 26, 2023
Peter Herschend will be honored as a 2023 inductee into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders, joining past prestigious honorees such as Walt Disney and J.W. Marriot, Jr.
September 18, 2023
Dollywood struck gold on Sept. 9 during the 25th annual Golden Ticket Awards presented by Amusement Today. Known as the Oscars of the industry, the Golden Ticket Awards recognize the top performers in the world of roller coasters and amusement parks.
September 11, 2023
Jack and Peter Herschend and business partner Dolly Parton were bestowed the Industry Legends Award by Amusement Today, a leading amusement industry trade magazine late afternoon on Saturday, September 9.
September 11, 2023
As the Harlem Globetrotters nears its centennial anniversary, the trick-shot exhibition team is revving up for all-new bilingual TV programming.
September 07, 2023
Vancouver, B.C. - The Vancouver Aquarium is excited to announce the establishment of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) as a newly registered charity. VAMMR is an independent registered charity proud to be working in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium. Donations will go directly to VAMMR and help rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals in distress.
August 23, 2023
This all-new initiative, built on a 100-year legacy of spreading goodwill, strives to do good, reach audiences, and drive business in three strategic areas, including health and wellness, education, and community empowerment.
August 14, 2023
Silver Dollar City today announces the new groundbreaking $30 million FIRE IN THE HOLE indoor family roller coaster, the largest in the Midwest. Opening in spring of 2024, the highly-anticipated attraction joins the park’s lineup of revolutionary rides. Located in the newly incorporated Fire District, FIRE IN THE HOLE doubles the size of one of The City’s most popular areas, already home to Station No. 3 firehouse and a collection of family-friendly attractions.
July 14, 2023
This morning, the animal care team at Adventure Aquarium introduced their newest resident, a male bottlenose wedgefish named Pepper Jack, to the facility’s 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit. Pepper Jack was recently transferred to Camden from Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA.
June 28, 2023
Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga. has been named the top theme park attraction in Georgia in an annual ranking released by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform.
June 23, 2023
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform has named Silver Dollar City the number 1 amusement park in the United States! Utilizing traveler reviews and ratings for experiences, tours, activities and attractions on their site over a 12-month period (May 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023), as well as an additional editorial process, earned the Ozark Mountain theme park top status.
May 24, 2023
Adventure Aquarium announced that Jennifer Porter, formerly Director of Sales and Marketing, has been promoted to VP, Executive Director for the organization.
May 12, 2023
Dollywood’s Big Bear Mountain, the largest single attraction investment in the park’s history, opened Friday to the general public with much fanfare, a nod to the Great Smoky Mountains, and of course, a visit from Dolly Parton.
May 02, 2023
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the nominees for the 50th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards this week. With this announcement, the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters have received a coveted nomination in the ‘Educational and Informational Program’ genre for the organization's hit new TV show, "Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward," in partnership with Hearst Media Group.
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March 27, 2023
Dollywood has earned a number of nominations across several categories in USA Today’s 2023 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. A panel of experts and USA Today 10Best editors selected Dollywood Parks & Resorts properties and attractions in seven categories.
March 22, 2023
Jersey Mike’s Subs today announced they have partnered with the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters to launch a nationwide creativity competition for elementary schools across the United States. Known as the “Court of Creativity presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs,” the contest will award $1,000 to 10 finalists, and one grand prize winner will receive a visit from the Harlem Globetrotters before the end of the 2022-23 school year.
March 14, 2023
On Tuesday, Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga. officially opened its latest addition and announced even more projects as part of the park’s multi-million dollar expansions in 2023.
February 21, 2023
Newport Aquarium announced a brand-new exhibit today with opening weekend slated for March 3-5. Hatchling Harbor will bring an entirely new ecosystem and hundreds of colorful animals, many of them babies. At 25 feet, the new Caribbean seagrass habitat will be among the longest tanks in the aquarium. It’s set in an immersive environment designed to let visitors explore this special spot between the shore and the reef.
February 13, 2023
During The 2023 Season, Riders Join History Aboard The WORLD’S MOST HISTORIC INDOOR ROLLER COASTER.
February 09, 2023
Vancouver, B.C. - The Vancouver Aquarium is excited to launch a new exhibit, Nature’s Ninjas: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom, opening on Friday, February 10. This exhibit has 17 animal habitats that highlight the defensive mechanisms of these animals.
September 13, 2022
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters return to broadcast network television in an exclusive partnership with Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG), on the premiere of Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward.
April 06, 2022
Herschend Enterprises, the nation’s largest family-owned themed attractions and entertainment company, is thrilled to announce that it has reached an agreement to expand its relationship with the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation (Foundation) following two years of successful management of the Callaway Resort & Gardens. Under the organizations’ new agreement, Herschend will assume ownership of the Resort assets – including the lodge, spa, golf courses, beach area and conference center. In addition, Herschend will lease and manage the Foundation’s Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, Ida Cason Memorial Chapel and gardens.
March 07, 2022
goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that highlights corporate generosity, today announced it has honored Georgia-based Herschend Enterprises as a winner of the goBeyondProfit champion award for 2022. Past award winners include Gas South, Creature Comforts Brewing, H.J. Russell & Company, Aflac, W&A Engineering and Cox Enterprises.
February 08, 2022
Today Herschend Enterprises, the nation’s largest privately-owned themed attractions corporation, announced it will cover 100% of tuition, fees, and books for its 11,000 employees who choose to pursue further education. The significant investment in employee education will be made through Herschend’s GROW U. The program aims to make it exponentially easier for employees at all levels to pursue their personal and professional dreams through education.
April 15, 2021
The future of the Vancouver Aquarium has been assured with an agreement to transfer its ownership from Ocean Wise Conservation Association to Herschend Enterprises.
February 23, 2021
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joined Herschend Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Andrew Wexler, state officials and community leaders to announce that Herschend Enterprises has become a majority partner and operator of Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay amusement and water park located in Louisville, Kentucky.
March 03, 2020
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has honored Herschend Family Entertainment by naming it one of the top places to work in Atlanta in 2020.
October 31, 2019
Callaway Resort & Gardens today announced that it has reached an agreement with Herschend Family Entertainment (“HFE”) to operate and manage its resort and garden attractions in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Georgia based HFE owns, operates and manages family-oriented theme parks and attractions and is a unit of Herschend Enterprises, the nation’s largest family owned themed attractions and entertainment company. Callaway Resort & Gardens is owned by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation (Foundation).
August 21, 2017
Following months of speculation and extreme interest radiating within the amusement industry and from coaster enthusiasts around the globe, Silver Dollar City announces the World’s Fastest, Steepest and Tallest Complete-Circuit Spinning Roller Coaster with the spring 2018 debut of Time Traveler. The Branson, Missouri internationally-awarded 1880s-style theme park makes history again with this custom-designed, custom-engineered attraction that introduces a new generation of thrill coasters for families.
May 05, 2017
Dolly Parton’s My People Fund presents final checks to families and makes a long-term investment in future recovery efforts!
March 21, 2016
Adventure Aquarium officially announced its newest exhibit addition for 2016 earlier today, which involves walking over water – and sharks.
April 29, 2015
Newport Aquarium‘s all-new Shark Bridge – the only rope suspension bridge in North America where guests can walk just inches above nearly two dozen sharks – is scheduled to open to the public 10 a.m. Thursday, April 30.
February 01, 2015
New for 2015, Silver Dollar City presents Fireman’s Landing an $8 million all-new themed area with 10 new family adventures, as the park launches its biggest family year ever.
