Annual passholders to Universal Orlando got a nice surprise in their emails today: invitations to preview the new Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

The slots for the May 2-5 sneak peek quickly ran out; none are available at the time this article was published. Universal’s email said no standby line will be available on those dates, so if you didn’t get a slot, you’re out of luck.

But one hopeful note: the preview dates come more than a month ahead of the ride’s scheduled June 10 opening. If past practice with Universal holds, it’s likely the 155-foot-tall launch coaster will have soft openings throughout the month of May. 

Silverwood’s Stunt Pilot debuts May 29.

Northern Idaho’s Silverwood Theme Park will debut its first-ever Rocky Mountain Construction coaster, Stunt Pilot, on May 29.

Of course, not every theme park has a RMC, but it’s a bigger deal for Silverwood. RMC’s office are just a few miles from the park, yet the company has never constructed a coaster for its neighbor. Getting any new coaster is a big deal for Silverwood. Its last new coaster was the kid-focused Krazy Koaster in 2014, and it hasn’t opened a brand new thrill coaster since Tremors in 1998. 

“A brand new ground-up coaster is a big deal for us,” Silverwood spokesperson Jordan Carter told the Coeur d’Alene Press. 

Stunt Pilot is a single-rail coaster, known as a RMC Raptor, and a mirror version of two existing coasters: Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and RailBlazer at California’s Great America. The 105-foot-tall Stunt Pilot will feature a vertical drop, three inversions, and hit a top speed of 52 miles per hour. In one change from its predecessors, it will feature two 10-car trains; as with other RMC Raptors, each car will seat only one rider.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hosting Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends In May

Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends are returning from May 1-23 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. 

The event will be modified with physical distancing, face mask requirements and more outdoor events for the era of COVID-19. Guests can still enjoy distanced Sesame Street photo opportunities, a “Springtacular” maze and outdoor performances of “Let’s Play Together” at the Sunny Days Theater. 

Each of the weekends will have different themes:

  • Rubber Duckie Weekend: May 1-2
  • Cookie Monster Weekend: May 8-9
  • Elmo Weekend: May 15-16
  • Everyday Heroes Weekend: May 22-23, which will honor local police officers and firefighters

The event will be included with regular admission to Busch Gardens.