By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com
With rising gas prices and air fares exacerbating families’ affordability issues, families are looking for ways to satisfy the desire to vacation and engage in pleasurable activities together, and themeparks and attractions – because of their proximity and location – may well satisfy those needs and criteria this year.
We asked Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), to address questions about trends and forces affecting the attractions industry, and tips for travelers to enhance their visits.
How is economic uncertainty impacting the industry?
Economic uncertainty is certainly influencing how people plan, but it hasn’t diminished the desire to travel. Instead, we’re seeing consumers prioritize value and intentionality. Guests may take fewer trips, but they are choosing higher-quality, experience-driven visits.
At the same time, attractions play an important role in providing a sense of escapism. In moments of uncertainty, people are seeking opportunities to disconnect, recharge, and spend meaningful time with family and friends. Attractions offer that emotional release—creating spaces where guests can step away from day-to-day pressures and simply enjoy the moment.
In response, attractions are offering more flexible pricing, bundled packages, and added-value experiences to ensure guests feel they are getting the most for their time and money, while still delivering the memorable, uplifting experiences they’re looking for.
Tips for getting tickets, saving time, and arranging special experiences?
Planning ahead is key. Many attractions now offer timed entry, mobile apps for real-time updates, and bundled ticket options that can save both time and money.
Most major parks—and even many smaller attractions—offer premium or VIP-style experiences. These can include front-of-line access, guided tours, exclusive viewing areas for shows, and even behind-the-scenes experiences.
An important shift in the industry is how much technology enhances the guest experience—from mobile ordering to virtual queues—making visits smoother and more personalized than ever before. A few simple strategies can make a big difference:
Visit during off-peak days or seasons when possible
Purchase tickets in advance online
Use park apps to plan your day and minimize wait times
Consider bundled packages or multi-day tickets for better value
Arrive early or stay late—those first and last hours are often the least crowded
What are new trends among themeparks and attractions?
One of the biggest misconceptions is how much attractions have evolved beyond rides. Today’s parks are full-day—and often multi-day—destinations offering culinary experiences, festivals, live performances, expanded nighttime experiences, and even wellness-focused spaces (like shade and cooling) and environmentally responsible operations.
While new rides and expansions continue to be important, one of the biggest stories right now is how parks are evolving into full-scale, seasonal destinations anchored by major events.
For instance, Kennywood is introducing “Celebrate Kennywood Weekends,” adding new energy and programming to its 2026 season.
Six Flags has introduced a new Hotel Partner Program, enabling visitors to participating Six Flags parks to book their park admission and overnight accommodations at the same time. The new Hotel Partner Program complements the company’s growing collection of owned and operated resort hotels and campgrounds, like the glamping experience at its Savannah Sunset Resort within its Six Flags Great Adventure safari park in Jackson, NJ (SixfFags.com)
What trends are you seeing with this year’s celebration of, America’s 250th?
We are seeing a clear surge in travel interest tied to meaningful national moments, and the 250th anniversary of the United States is a major catalyst. Attractions across the country are leaning into this milestone with larger-than-ever celebrations and deeply immersive experiences.
Walt Disney World’s EPCOT and Disney California Adventure Park will debut Soarin’ Across America this summer, a new film experience celebrating the 250th anniversary with breathtaking scenes of landscapes and iconic cityscapes—offering an immersive way to experience the country’s beauty and spirit.
Cedar Point is hosting its Star-Spangled Celebration with skydivers, live entertainment and a spectacular July 4 fireworks finale.
Worlds of Fun is running an extended Americana celebration throughout the summer.
Silver Dollar City is honoring active-duty military with free season passes and hosting season-long patriotic programming, including concerts, drone shows, and themed culinary offerings.
Wild Adventures Theme Park is launching its Celebrate America Festival with live entertainment and patriotic experiences starting in early summer.
Overall, travelers are seeking experiences that are both celebratory and meaningful—something that brings people together and creates lasting memories.
Dollywood is a standout example of how regional parks can deliver world-class experiences rooted in authenticity. What makes Dollywood special is its deep connection to place—the Smoky Mountains—and its emphasis on hospitality, craftsmanship, and storytelling. For America’s 250th, Dollywood is embracing a full seasonal transformation with red, white, and blue décor, and its beloved Sweet Summer Nights Drone Show will feature a patriotic tribute. The park is also debuting its largest investment to date—Nightly Expedition—further enhancing the evening experience for guests.
We’re also seeing strong participation from museums and cultural institutions. Organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Henry Ford are creating exhibitions and programming that invite visitors to reflect on the nation’s history and future.
With Families Seeking Out MicroVacations, Themeparks & Attractions Do Their Part to Promote Responsible, Sustainable Travel
Themeparks and attractions are doing their part in maximizing the benefits of travel and tourism while mitigating the negative impacts. These days, with the cost and availability of gas, diesel and jet fuel exacerbating families’ affordability issues, families are looking for ways to satisfy the need to vacation and engage in pleasurable activities together, and themeparks and attractions – because of their proximity and location – may well satisfy those needs and criteria this year.
Nearly 75% of travelers are now opting for trips of four days or less, underscoring the rapid rise of “micro-cations” and a broader shift toward shorter, more frequent travel.
Are these frequent short trips better or worse for the planet? And what are themeparks and attractions doing to enhance responsible, sustainable travel?
IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) Director of Sustainability Ylva Linder offered these responses to our questions:
How do transportation choices, especially flying, shape travel’s carbon footprint?
Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to travel’s carbon footprint, particularly air travel. The distance traveled and frequency of trips often matter more than the length of the stay. One long trip where a traveler stays in a destination for a week or more can sometimes have a lower overall footprint than several shorter trips that require multiple flights.
That said, transportation choices within a destination also play an important role. Choosing destinations where visitors can rely on public transportation, rail, walking, or shared transit instead of renting a car can significantly reduce the overall impact of a trip. Responsible travel isn’t just about where you go — it’s about how you get there and how you move around once you arrive..
Might micro-cations help redistribute tourism or risk increasing emissions?
Micro-cations can be a positive trend if they encourage travelers to explore destinations closer to home, travel during off-peak periods, and discover places that may not traditionally see heavy tourism. This can help spread economic benefits to more communities and reduce overcrowding in major destinations.
However, micro-cations can also increase emissions if they lead to people taking more frequent flights or additional trips that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. From a sustainability standpoint, the goal isn’t just shorter trips — it’s smarter trips. Traveling less often, staying longer, choosing closer destinations, and being thoughtful about transportation choices all make a meaningful difference.
How can destinations and operators design more sustainable short-stay experiences?
Design plays a major role in sustainable tourism. Destinations and attractions can make responsible travel easier by investing in public transportation access, shuttle systems, walkable environments, and infrastructure that reduces the need for individual car use.
On the operations side, many attractions are focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and sourcing food and materials locally. Capacity management and timed entry systems are also becoming more common, helping reduce overcrowding and improving the guest experience at the same time.
When sustainability is built into how a destination operates, responsible choices become the easiest and most natural option for visitors, enhancing rather than compromising the overall experience.
What does responsible, sustainable travel look like as habits shift globally?
Responsible travel today is less about telling people not to travel and more about helping people travel better. We’re seeing travelers become more intentional — choosing destinations where they can spend more time in one place, support local businesses, and have meaningful experiences rather than just checking locations off a list.
It also means being mindful of when and how we travel, for example avoiding peak times where possible, respecting local communities, minimizing waste, being conscious of energy and water use, and supporting local businesses, as well as choosing businesses and attractions that are investing in sustainable practices. Responsible travel is about making a thoughtful contribution to the destination while keeping a low overall footprint.
How are attractions driving sustainability at scale across global tourism?
Attractions are in a unique position to drive sustainability because they operate at scale and serve millions of visitors each year. Many attractions are investing in renewable energy, water recycling systems, and sustainable food sourcing.
But just as importantly, attractions can help guide visitor behavior by making more responsible choices easier, such as offering refill stations, reducing single-use materials, or providing shared transport options. These are small steps, but at scale they can help reduce impact.
Because attractions combine entertainment, education, and large-scale operations, they can play a meaningful role in moving the entire tourism industry toward more sustainable practices.
What are theme parks/attractions doing to cut down on auto travel (and the expense of on-site parking!)? For example, are they setting up free shuttles from hotel areas (like ski resorts do in Lake Placid NY, and Banff BC)?
Many attractions and destinations have partnered with hotels that offer free shuttles to and from their neighboring attractions and theme parks. Some attractions have dedicated bus routes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure so visitors can move between hotels, attractions, dining, and entertainment without needing a car.
__________________
© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near and instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Bluesky: @newsphotosfeatures.bsky.social X: @TravelFeatures Threads: @news_and_photo_features ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures
