Welcome back to The Fun Report! We’ve been hard at work (and having plenty of fun) with a fresh round of adventures to share. From exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at new attractions in Florida to gearing up for our return to IAAPA in Orlando, it’s been a busy and exciting season. And to top it off, we recently stepped up to the plate at Home Run Dugout, where baseball meets entertainment in a whole new way. Let’s dive in!

We’re always on the lookout for attractions that mix fun, creativity, and a fresh twist on familiar experiences and Home Run Dugout in Texas does exactly that. During our latest trip, we stopped by to see what happens when baseball meets high-tech entertainment.

When Nate stepped up to the plate, there was only one goal: hit a home run on the simulator. With projected stadiums in simulator bays, real baseballs, and smart tracking tech, it’s the perfect blend of sport and social fun, no pitching machine required. Watch Nate take his swings at Home Run Dugout and see if he can knock one out of the park!

Behind the scenes, we also sat down with Colby Smith, Executive Vice President of Operations for Home Run Dugout, to hear how the concept came to life. From the innovation powering each swing, to the team’s mission of making baseball more accessible and engaging, Colby shared how this venue is changing the game for fans and first-timers alike. Check out our full interview with Colby Smith to hear how Home Run Dugout is built from the inside out.

TLDR: Home Run Dugout is a one-of-a-kind baseball entertainment venue that blends batting, dining, and social fun. Instead of traditional batting cages, players take swings in simulated hitting bays where real baseballs are softly pitched onto virtual fields, tracking every hit with precision. With a full restaurant, bar, beer garden, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s part sports, part nightlife, and all-around fun for players of any skill level.

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Our recent column for RePlay Magazine covers our visits to Zero Gravity in Mounds View, Minnesota and Makutu’s Island in Chandler, Arizona.

Zero Gravity is a high-energy indoor adventure park that’s built for big jumps and bigger smiles. Think massive connected trampoline courts, a dedicated dodgeball/basketball jump zone, an aerial ninja/rope course, and a large arcade. All of these attractions are arranged so families can bounce, race, and compete without ever leaving the building. It’s family-run and community-focused, with party rooms, memberships, glow-night events, and laser-tag-style attractions that keep regulars coming back for new challenges.

Makutu’s Island is a jungle-themed, multi-level indoor play experience centered on an enormous artificial treehouse playground. Kids explore tunnels, twisting slides, rope bridges, a bungee/frog-hopper attraction and a full arcade — plus an on-site café and private party rooms. Notably, the elaborate play structure was originally created with Disney-level design input (the space has since been re-themed and operates as Makutu’s Island), giving it a theatrical, storybook feel that sets it apart from typical soft-play centers.

To read the full column, visit: Fun Across America – Replay Magazine.

Go Behind the Scenes of Florida’s Newest Attractions: FastTrax, Fort Myers & Do The Beach, North Port.

We recently had the opportunity to get exclusive early access to two incredible new attractions before their grand openings: FastTrax in Fort Myers and Do The Beach in North Port, Florida. These behind-the-scenes visits gave us a firsthand look at the design process, construction challenges, and operational insights that go into building cutting-edge family entertainment centers from the ground up. From guest flow planning to theming decisions, we explored what it takes to transform big ideas into fully realized destinations.

At FastTrax Fort Myers, we toured the facility with industry legend Pat Ciniello, who walked us through what will be the largest indoor go-kart track in Florida. Alongside the massive multi-track racing experience, FastTrax also features bowling lanes, a modern arcade, virtual reality attractions, and a restaurant/lounge area designed for families and corporate events alike. Pat shared insights into everything from track engineering and layout optimization to creating a guest experience that balances adrenaline and accessibility.

Our second stop brought us to Do The Beach Adventure Park in North Port, an all-new indoor attraction created by the team behind Galaxy Multi Rides, the world leader in inflatable multiplayer action games and mechanical rides. We met with Mike Whincup, COO of Do The Beach and Chief Ride Designer/Marketing Director of Galaxy Multi Rides, who guided us through the massive, tropical-themed facility filled with inflatable obstacle courses, interactive games, and multi-level adventure zones. Designed to capture the spirit of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Do The Beach blends innovation, safety, and family fun in a way that sets a new bar for indoor entertainment.

🎥 Watch both behind-the-scenes episodes now on our YouTube channel for a closer look at how these awesome attractions came to life.

Running an attraction is more than just creating fun, it’s about keeping every system in sync so guests can focus on the experience, not the wait time.

That’s where Semnox stands out. Recognized by IAAPA and MENALAC for innovation and excellence, Semnox delivers end-to-end technology solutions trusted by over 2,500 venues across 50+ countries. From small family entertainment centers to major theme parks and water parks, operators around the globe rely on Semnox to power their business.

Their suite of products, including Parafait for cashless operations, RFID-based access control, self-service kiosks, and data-driven management tools brings every aspect of your operation under one intelligent ecosystem. With unmatched reliability, award-winning support, and continuous innovation, Semnox isn’t just another system, it’s the backbone of the modern entertainment experience.

From small venues to global destinations, Semnox keeps the world of entertainment running.

👉 Explore the difference at semnox.com

Fun Across America Returns to IAAPA 2025!

We’re excited to share that Fun Across America will be returning to the IAAPA Expo this November in Orlando, Florida, the largest and most influential event for the global attractions industry.

Every year, IAAPA brings together tens of thousands of industry professionals, from theme parks and FECs to water parks, arcades, and beyond. It’s where innovation meets imagination, and where the future of fun is showcased across the show floor.

This year, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be taking the stage to share insights from our adventures across the country, exploring what makes entertainment venues stand out and how storytelling, design, and guest experience come together to create lasting memories.

If you’re planning to attend IAAPA, below are the panel details for where you can find us over the weekend. We’d love to connect in person and we can’t wait to see you there!

Stay tuned for more details about our session as the event approaches and get ready for another unforgettable week celebrating the business of fun.

Spooks and scares are no longer limited to just the month of October… just in time for Halloween we got an exclusive walkthrough of the new Universal Horror Unleashed, a year-round horror experience inside AREA15 Las Vegas! Step inside four terrifying haunted houses inspired by Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Exorcist, and Scarecrow: The Reaping. They also have limited-time seasonal shows that will change throughout the year, so you’ll have something new to look forward to every time you go back.

Between the scares, you’ll find eerie eateries, themed bars, and live entertainment that bring Universal’s horror legacy to life like never before.

👉 Watch our full walkthrough and see what makes this the scariest new attraction in Vegas!