@chenwilliams

Travel reporter, storyteller @usatoday. Opinions are my own.

Joined April 2010
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I took a trip with strangers to check another national park off my bucket list. Here's what it was like. usatoday.com/story/travel/20…

Solo but not alone: What small group travel is really like

Guided small group travel can take the stress out of planning, but here’s what you should know before booking a trip.

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A new global risk map reveals some of the safest and most dangerous destinations for 2027 and what travelers should know before they go. usatoday.com/story/travel/20…

Where should you travel in 2027? See the safest destinations

Before deciding where to travel in the new year, an international security provider wants you to know these risks.

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Southwest is switching up its Rapid Rewards. usatoday.com/story/travel/ai…

Bye bye A-List. Southwest is overhauling its Rapid Rewards

Southwest Airlines is introducing a new Rapid Rewards tier system, with new ways to earn and redeem points. Here’s what travelers should know.

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A Six Flags Over Georgia guest died after falling off one of the park's most popular roller coasters, Goliath. The investigation is still in its early stages, but here’s what park enthusiasts should know about ride safety. usatoday.com/story/travel/ex…

Roller coasters can feel dangerous, deadly. How safe are they really?

A Six Flags Over Georgia guest died after falling off a coaster. The investigation is ongoing, but here’s what park enthusiasts should know.

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When you gotta go, you gotta go. Most people can hold it until they find the nearest restroom, but many can not. Here's what that means for travel. usatoday.com/story/travel/20…

The one travel concern many people are too embarrassed to discuss

Finding the nearest restroom can be tricky while traveling, but for these travelers, it's critical.

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It's time to book those holiday flights if you haven't already. usatoday.com/story/travel/ai…

Expect to pay more for your holiday flights. See how much

Your holiday flights will cost more this year. How much depends on when and where you decide to travel.

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I wouldn’t consider myself a horror fan, but after five years of covering Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, it’s become one of my favorite fall traditions. Here’s why. usatoday.com/story/travel/ex…

5 things you must do at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights

Universal Orlando Resort is celebrating 35 years of Halloween Horror Nights. Here are five things not to miss.

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The Walt Disney World of your childhood is still alive in the parks - if you know where to look. usatoday.com/story/travel/ex…

Even Disney superfans may not know these hidden park secrets

A new book called “The Lost History of Walt Disney World” uncovers pieces of the past, hidden in plain sight at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

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She paid $1,000 for a cruise. Hours before the sailing, her reservation vanished. usatoday.com/story/travel/cr…

Cruise showdown goes viral after cabin mater dispute 'scam'

After planning a cruise together, a passenger says her cabinmate removed her from the reservation. She bought her own ticket and confronted him.

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New: Six Flags has acquired ArieForce One. TBA which park it will go to, but it will debut in the 2028-2029 season.
Eve Chen@chenwilliamsSep 3
Update: ArieForce One has been sold - just like Fun Spot America Owner and CEO John Arie thought it would when we spoke in July. No details yet on who bought it or where it’ll go, but the beloved coaster honoring his dad will live on. instagram.com/reel/Dc1p3xVNF…

Fun Spot America Theme Parks (@funspotamericathemeparks) • Instagram reel

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“From the moment ArieForce One closed, we knew how much this coaster meant to the enthusiast community ... We are thrilled to preserve its legacy, invest in its future and bring this extraordinary attraction to a new generation of guests." -Mark Pauls, Six Flags COO
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There is so much more to horror than the slasher films many of us grew up with. @UniStudios is changing the way we experience it - on purpose, at @HorrorNights. usatoday.com/story/travel/20…

The horror stories Universal is finally bringing to life

Fans and creators say more diverse horror brings fresh scares, deeper representation and stronger connections to audiences.

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Thank you @john_murdy for taking @USATODAY behind the scenes to share the care that goes into creating Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
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Update: ArieForce One has been sold - just like Fun Spot America Owner and CEO John Arie thought it would when we spoke in July. No details yet on who bought it or where it’ll go, but the beloved coaster honoring his dad will live on. instagram.com/reel/Dc1p3xVNF…

Fun Spot America Theme Parks (@funspotamericathemeparks) • Instagram reel

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Eve Chen@chenwilliamsAug 2
The fate of one of the world’s top-ranked roller coasters is unclear as an Atlanta-area theme park closes Sunday, but one thing is now clear: ArieForce One will not stay within the Fun Spot family. Here’s what else its owner shared with USA TODAY. usatoday.com/story/travel/am…

Fun Spot CEO opens up about Atlanta park's closure, record-breaking coaster ArieForce One

The fate of the one of the world’s top-ranked roller coasters is unclear as an Atlanta-area theme park ceases operations. Coaster fans may be full of questions, but the park’s owner is full of...

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Silver Dollar City has entered the chat. xitter.cf/sdcattractions/status/…
Silver Dollar City
@SDCAttractionsSep 4
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PSA for Labor Day travelers: The worst time to hit the road today is from noon - 8 pm, per AAA. Here’s when you should leave instead. usatoday.com/story/travel/20…

Best, worst times for traffic this Labor Day weekend

AAA and INRIX have pinpointed the best and worst times to drive during Labor Day weekend to help travelers avoid gridlock.

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Hitting the road for Labor Day? Here are the best and worst times to drive this holiday weekend. usatoday.com/story/travel/20…

Best, worst times for traffic this Labor Day weekend

AAA and INRIX have pinpointed the best and worst times to drive during Labor Day weekend to help travelers avoid gridlock.

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Deadly flash flooding has forced closures at Grand Canyon National Park. Here’s what visitors should know. usatoday.com/story/travel/ex…

Flash floods changed the Grand Canyon. Here's what's closed.

Grand Canyon National Park draws millions of visitors each year. Here's how the recent flash floods will impact visits in the immediate future.

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Universal’s new Fast & Furious coaster officially opens Sept. 16 at @UniStudios. I had a chance to ride it a few weeks ago and can attest it’s worth the wait. usatoday.com/story/travel/ex…

This might be Universal's most thrilling ride yet

Universal Studios Hollywood’s new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster gives fans a real-life rush.

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I spoke with a man who survived a 120-foot fall at Glacier National Park. Here's what he wants fellow park goers to know and how to stay on your next visit. usatoday.com/story/travel/ex…

He took one extra step for a photo. Then the ground gave way.

Quickly changing conditions and the wild, remote nature of America’s national parks mean visitors must take extra measures to stay safe.

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