News in a Minute - 12th Oct 2018

This week's Theme Park News in a Minute:
- Hurricane Michael has battered the south east of America including the Orlando area, over the last few days. Hopefully everyone there is staying safe and dry!
- There is a rumour going around that Spaceship Earth at Epcot is going to have a multi-year refurbishment. The rumours differ as to when it will start, some end of 2019. Some say post the WDW 50th anniversary in 2021.
- Efteling in the Netherlands has announced a new Mack rides dual-track family coaster to open in 2020 based on German story of Max and Moritz. They also announced their 20-acre expansion will be delayed til 2021.
- Disneyland Resort has officially cancelled it's fourth on-site hotel after the stoush with Anaheim City Council.
- Universal Orlando have added a sweetener to their Annual Passes, with 3 or 6 month extensions for those buying or renewing now.
- The first phase of the Moomin Theme Park in Japan is going to open next month.
- Sea World San Diego will be adding a new coaster called Tidal Twister in 2019.
- At WDW, Disney Springs it going to get a Sports Bar, next summer. They also opened their new "Old Port Royale" hub at the Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.
- Lightning Rod at Dollywood has re-opened this week.
- Disneyland is going to retire the Jedi Training Academy on November 3rd.
- There has been new concept art released for the rebuilt Pirates in Batavia dark ride in Europa Park.

News in a Minute - 5th October 2018

This week's news:
- Universal Orlando has given us the first promo shot of the upcoming Forbidden Forrest coaster, which is under construction at Island's of Adventure.
- SeaWorld Orlando officially opened Infinity Falls their vertical-lift rapids ride, yesterday. It had soft opened earlier in the week.
- Hersheypark is getting a new entry plaza, with a new coaster and a Kiss shaped fountain, as part of a $150 million dollar expansion.
- Walibi Belguim has announced their 2019 interactive Dark Ride will be called Popcorn Revenge.
- Also in Belgium, Plopsaland de Panne has revealed concept art for their Log Flume, which is to be renamed Dino Splash.
- And lastly in Belgium, Bobbejaanland has started charging using an App based system, for the time that you are in the park, instead of an entry fee. The cost starts at around 7 euros an hour, and maxes out at 35 Euros 50.
- Walt Disney World has add alcohol to the Breakfast and Lunch meals at Be Our Guest restaurant. They have also increased the price of snacks around the resort.
- Disney has brought in Food trucks next to the newly re-opened Earl of Sandwich at Disneyland Resort's Downtown Disney.