Samantha Davis-Friedman

Los Angeles

Contributing Editor at TravelAge West

Contributing Writer at Attractions Magazine

Contributing Writer at MiceChat

Contributing Editor for @TravelAgeWest & @Attractions & @MiceChat

Featured in: Favicon

travelagewest.com Favicon

attractionsmagazine.com Favicon

micechat.com Favicon

travelweekly.com Favicon

wealthofgeeks.com Favicon

newsbreak.com Favicon

travelweekly-asia.com Favicon

lafamilytravel.com Favicon

silverstatedispatch.com Favicon

hongkongnewsnetwork.com + 4 more

Articles

Dollywood's new ride for 2026

1 week ago | attractionsmagazine.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

Dollywood kicked off its 40th anniversary celebration on March 14, 2025, and revealed plans for a new attraction that will debut in 2026. Although details about Dollywood’s new ride have not been announced, we have been given a few clues about the “revolutionary experience unlike anything anywhere else in the world.”In a 2024 interview for Attractions Magazine, Dollywood VP Pete Owens confirmed that Dollywood’s new ride will be an indoor attraction.
Dollywood 40th anniversary documentary now streaming

2 weeks ago | attractionsmagazine.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

A new documentary commemorating the Dollywood 40th anniversary traces the journey of the Tennessee theme park from a local roadside attraction to a global vacation destination. “The Dollywood Dream,” available on the Dollywood Parks & Resorts YouTube channel, takes viewers back to 1961 when the property in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains was first developed through today—and even looking towards the future.
Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2025

2 weeks ago | micechat.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

Halloween Horror Nights marks its 34th year at Universal Orlando Resort, with horrifying haunted houses, terrifying scare zones, and themed food and beverages. The separately ticketed event starts earlier than ever in 2025, with Halloween beginning on August 29, 2025, and continuing on select nights through November 2, 2025. Plus, a one-night-only preview event will take place on August 28.
It's Going To Be A Mega Movie Summer At Universal Hollywood

2 weeks ago | micechat.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

Following the debut of the all-new Universal Fan Fest Nights after-hours event at Universal Studios Hollywood is another new movie-focused event, only this time, it’s included with park admission! Universal Mega Movie Summer takes place every day from June 13 through August 10, 2025, with new specialty menu items, all-new exclusive merch collections, and in-world, themed offerings. Let’s find out what Universal has planned for movie fans this summer.
Universal Studios Hollywood Leans Into Its Hollywood History

2 weeks ago | travelagewest.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

Universal Studios Hollywood could be described as “the little theme park that could,” as it draws big crowds despite having a smaller footprint and fewer attractions than its Southern California counterparts. To draw even more guests, the park — which is set on a working movie studio lot — is leaning further into its cinematic roots.
Knott’s Bear-y Tales Turns 50 - Join the Jam-bear-ee!

3 weeks ago | micechat.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

We’ve got some bear-y exciting news straight from the Boysenberry Patch! MiceChat and Fantasy Fun Wheel are teaming up to present the Knott’s Bear-y Tales 50th Anniversary Jam-bear-ee—a delightfully jam-packed celebration at Knott’s Berry Farm on July 5, 2025, honoring the beloved attraction’s golden anniversary and the release of a brand-new book chronicling its whimsical history.
First wedding at Epic Universe? Couple elopes in Isle of Berk

3 weeks ago | attractionsmagazine.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

The paint was barely dry on How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe when a couple tied the Viking knot in the brand-new theme park world. To recreate the wedding of Hiccup and Astrid in “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” (2019), Erin and Tim Ames donned their best Viking-inspired attire to get married in How to Train Your Dragon – The Isle of Berk on May 16, 2025, just shy of a week before the park officially opened on May 22, 2025.
Tom Felton will join Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway

3 weeks ago | attractionsmagazine.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

He’s back. But this time, it’s not “He Who Shall Not be Named;” it’s Draco Malfoy—or more specifically, Tom Felton—who will reprise his iconic film role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway for 19 weeks, from Nov. 11, 2025, through March 22, 2026.
'Back to the Future' documentary 'Lost to the Future' searches for Marty's missing guitar

3 weeks ago | attractionsmagazine.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

If you’ve seen “Back to the Future,” you know the cherry red Gibson ES-345 guitar on which Michael J. Fox played “Johnny B. Goode” in the movie’s pivotal “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance scene—but did you know it’s been “lost to the future” for 40 years? Well, it seems the search is on. It’s not uncommon for costumes and props to go missing after movies wrap production—especially when it’s impossible to know if they’ll be successful enough to warrant a sequel (or, in this case, two).
DISNEYLAND UPDATE: Tiki Treats, Dancing Feats & Banana Beats!

3 weeks ago | micechat.com | Samantha Davis-Friedman

Spring has definitely sprung at Disneyland, and the 70th-anniversary celebration is layering on even more color and whimsy. From festive decorations to brand-new entertainment, the resort is dressed to impress. We’ve already experienced the first wave of celebratory shows and can’t wait to see what else is in store when the big day arrives on July 17th. In the meantime, we’re all in on the “Celebrate Happy” vibe. Are you?

Journalists covering the same region

Bill Esparza

Freelance Writer at Eater

Bill Esparza primarily covers news in Los Angeles, California, United States and surrounding areas including Long Beach and Santa Monica.

Michele Gile

Reporter at KCBS-TV (Los Angeles, CA)

Reporter at KCAL-TV (Los Angeles, CA)

Michele Gile primarily covers news in the Greater Los Angeles area, including cities like Long Beach and surrounding regions in California, United States.