{"id":159311,"date":"2026-02-18T04:04:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T04:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/159311\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T04:04:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T04:04:08","slug":"news-roundup-universal-orlando-country-venue-thunderation-closing-barracuda-strike-opening-date","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/159311\/","title":{"rendered":"News roundup: Universal Orlando country venue \/ Thunderation closing \/ Barracuda Strike opening date\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Universal Orlando will get a new home for country music in 2027 as part of an expanding franchise tied to country artist Luke Combs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Combs\u2019 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\u2019s CityWalk in 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a statement, Combs said: \u201cI know Orlando is a worldwide destination spot, so I\u2019m super pumped and humbled that we\u2019re getting to open a location there. My wife is from Florida, so we\u2019re both super excited about this. I am glad to be bringing our brand of first-class service and awesome tunes to the Sunshine State.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Universal said Category 18 will be \u201cnew construction,\u201d but did not reveal its exact location in CityWalk.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last October, the 35-year-old Combs became the highest-selling<\/a> country artist in history as certified by the Recording Industry Association of America, having sold 168 million units.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Silver Dollar City closing Thunderation, teases new ride<\/p>\n

Silver Dollar City is retiring its Thunderation roller coaster in the early days of 2027, the park announced Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Arrow Dynamics mine train coaster debuted in 1993, becoming the park\u2019s first outdoor coaster. Its last day of operation will be Jan. 2, 2027.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Thunderation (Silver Dollar City)<\/p>\n

Silver Dollar City\u2019s press release played up the storyline aspects of the coaster\u2019s closure, saying the fictional Marvel Cave Mining Company \u201cis taking back this section of the park for geological survey.\u201d It further teased that the space could be used for a new ride in the future, stating that \u201cit is time to return to \u2018good, honest work underground\u2019 deep within Marvel Cave.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Back in the real world, Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts president Brad Thomas said in a statement, \u201cThunderation\u2019s retirement at the end of 2026 will launch new and exciting chapters in Silver Dollar City\u2019s future. In this case, the end is really an exciting beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silver Dollar City\u2019s last coaster project was the overhaul of Fire In The Hole, which opened in March 2024. The Branson, Missouri park\u2019s last all-new ride was 2018\u2019s Time Traveler.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SeaWorld San Antonio opening Barracuda Strike on March 7<\/p>\n

As for new roller coasters opening this year, SeaWorld San Antonio\u2019s new Barracuda Strike<\/a>, will have its grand opening on March 7.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Barracuda Strike will be the seventh roller coaster operating at SeaWorld San Antonio, following the opening of Beach Rescue Racer last March.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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