Universal Orlando will get a new home for country music in 2027 as part of an expanding franchise tied to country artist Luke Combs.
Combs’ Category 18, already open in Nashville and soon coming to Las Vegas, combines a live country music venue with a bar and restaurant. Its third location will be open at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk in 2027.
In a statement, Combs said: “I know Orlando is a worldwide destination spot, so I’m super pumped and humbled that we’re getting to open a location there. My wife is from Florida, so we’re both super excited about this. I am glad to be bringing our brand of first-class service and awesome tunes to the Sunshine State.”
Universal said Category 18 will be “new construction,” but did not reveal its exact location in CityWalk.
Last October, the 35-year-old Combs became the highest-selling country artist in history as certified by the Recording Industry Association of America, having sold 168 million units.
Silver Dollar City closing Thunderation, teases new ride
Silver Dollar City is retiring its Thunderation roller coaster in the early days of 2027, the park announced Monday.
The Arrow Dynamics mine train coaster debuted in 1993, becoming the park’s first outdoor coaster. Its last day of operation will be Jan. 2, 2027.
Thunderation (Silver Dollar City)
Silver Dollar City’s press release played up the storyline aspects of the coaster’s closure, saying the fictional Marvel Cave Mining Company “is taking back this section of the park for geological survey.” It further teased that the space could be used for a new ride in the future, stating that “it is time to return to ‘good, honest work underground’ deep within Marvel Cave.”
Back in the real world, Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts president Brad Thomas said in a statement, “Thunderation’s retirement at the end of 2026 will launch new and exciting chapters in Silver Dollar City’s future. In this case, the end is really an exciting beginning.”
Silver Dollar City’s last coaster project was the overhaul of Fire In The Hole, which opened in March 2024. The Branson, Missouri park’s last all-new ride was 2018’s Time Traveler.
SeaWorld San Antonio opening Barracuda Strike on March 7
As for new roller coasters opening this year, SeaWorld San Antonio’s new Barracuda Strike, will have its grand opening on March 7.
The 1,800-foot-long coaster is a family inverted model designed by Swiss coaster firm Bolliger & Mabillard. It marks the third such coaster added to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens park in as many years.
Barracuda Strike will be the seventh roller coaster operating at SeaWorld San Antonio, following the opening of Beach Rescue Racer last March.
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