The long-delayed Aquaman: Power Wave at Six Flags Over Texas is now scheduled to open March 11. 

The ride is the first U.S. installation of Mack Rides’ PowerSplash roller coaster model. You’ll experience three total launches up two vertical spikes. When the coaster is sent up the spike backwards a second time, a splashdown pool will fill with water in approximately six seconds to give the ride a soaking wet finale. 

Aquaman: Power Wave was originally scheduled to open in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic pushing back that date to 2021. Six Flags delayed the ride again to 2022 to build a turntable station to increase capacity. The third delay to 2023 was never explained.

Universal Orlando raises starting wage to $17 per hour

Universal Orlando’s hourly workers will be paid a minimum of $17 per hour starting June 4.

The raise is $2 above the resort’s current starting wage and Disney World’s own hourly minimum — a crucial difference between the two theme park behemoths that compete for tens of thousands of hourly employees. 

“We aspire to be the employer of choice in this market — providing an inclusive environment where Team Members are proud to work, have an opportunity to grow and feel a real sense of purpose and belonging,” Universal Parks & Resorts spokesperson Erica Ettori said in a statement.

Universal’s wage hike comes as Disney World’s wages have been stuck at $15 per hour over six months of negotiations with its unions. A coalition representing 42,000 Disney World workers overwhelmingly rejected Disney’s last offer which would have raised starting pay from $15 to $20 per hour over a five-year period, with union leaders saying most workers would see an immediate increase of only $1 per hour year-over-year.   

Cedar Fair plans to hire 35,000 seasonal workers 

The parent company of Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Knott’s Berry Farm will hold recruiting events at its theme parks between Feb. 18 and 24 to hire 35,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming season. 

Cedar Fair called it the company’s largest-ever campaign for seasonal employees. For Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, 7,000 positions will be available in ride operations, food and beverage, lifeguard and security positions.

“From young adults to retirees, there are jobs for every interest and skill level, and the intangible benefits of cultivating new relationships, memories and friends are immeasurable,” Cedar Point vice president and general manager Carrie Boldman told MLive.com. 

Starting hourly pay at Cedar Point will range from $14 to $17. That’s below the $20 per hour that the park paid in 2021, when its struggle to attract enough seasonal workers forced it to close two days a week for part of that June, a time when Cedar Point is typically open every day.