General Updates for 2026

[JohnKell]

Looks like they took out another game. I truly hope so.

 

[Haunted River]

I was informed that no one has mentioned this before. Don’t ask me any questions about it because I don’t know. View attachment 41835

I assumed it was never moved after haunt and they just left it there until they need it again for 2026 haunt.

 

[A_Sad_Squirrel]

Looks like they took out another game. I truly hope so.

It hasn't been there for a few seasons now.

 

[jscll]

Electrical work is ongoing in Dogwoods.

 

[mtorange]

I did not get a picture, but I’m pretty sure that the flooring in Grizzly Gulch has been replaced by a dark wood vinyl that very much matches the theme of the building. It looks good!

 

[Mushroom]

I noticed that too! Looks great. Huge improvement over the old tile which took away from the theme.

 

[Mushroom]

I stopped by the park today and was disappointed that they’ve switched back to playing modern country music in Old Virginia. I know it’s a small detail, but I really believe that in-park music is one of the most effective ways of establishing a precise setting and mood for a themed area.

The music they played in Old VA for the past several seasons — instrumental bluegrass mixed with twangy 50s honky-tonk — took me to a specific time and a place. Modern country music, on the other hand, is ubiquitous. I can hear it everywhere from my local barbecue joint to my local Lowe’s. I visit a theme park to experience settings I don’t encounter every day, not to experience more of the same.

Thankfully, the rest of the areas are still playing the same themed soundtracks they switched to a handful of years ago.

In a small bit of good news, I'm hearing that Old Virginia's themed soundtrack has returned as of today!

 

[MasonNewton917]

In a small bit of good news, I'm hearing that Old Virginia's themed soundtrack has returned as of today!

It was playing on 3/30; heard Flatt & Scruggs as I was walking to Grizzly. Although I am a bit biased, I do feel that having the old bluegrass and country standards make all the difference in the thematic element of that part of the park.

 

[Mushroom]

It was playing on 3/30; heard Flatt & Scruggs as I was walking to Grizzly. Although I am a bit biased, I do feel that having the old bluegrass and country standards make all the difference in the thematic element of that part of the park.

I noticed they were bizarrely mixing some of the old themed soundtrack with modern country music when I visited a couple of weeks ago. Old Virginia actually has two different themed playlists - one which is strictly instrumental bluegrass and one which is vintage country songs from the 40s, 50s, and 60s (Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, etc.) - that they rotate through at different parts of the day. For some reason, it seems like for the past few weeks they were using a modern country playlist instead of the instrumental bluegrass one.

I totally agree that the background music seems like a small detail but it has such an outsized impact on the theme of an area.

 

[warfelg]

but it has such an outsized impact on the theme of an area.

I can just tell you my personal feelings:
Modern country makes it feel like it’s just old Shenandoah mountains town that’s run down.

50-70’s makes it feel like it’s an old interstate town.

Bluegrass takes me back to the early 1900’s with the feel.

I always wish they would embrace a prohibition era moonshiners town feel.