News in a Minute - 31st Jan 2020

This week's News:

• Tokyo Disney have announced a new vacation package where children between 7 and 12 get to work a shift as a Gondalier at DisneySea's Mediterranean Harbor.

• Galaxy's Edge became the first theme park land to win a Grammy this week, with John Williams picking up the Best Instrumental Composition gong for "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Symphonic Suite".

• Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland both closed this week over fears around the novel Coronavirus outbreak. It is unclear when the resorts will re-open. Other theme parks have closed around China as well, including Ocean PArk.

• Universal Orlando kick's off their Mardi Gras celebrations this Saturday. It's the 25th year of the event, and this year they have opened a Tribute Store.

• We've seen a sneak peak at The Happy Ride with Baymax, which is opening as part of the Tokyo Disneyland expansion on April 15th. The new attraction is the same ride system as Alien Swirling Saucers at WDW.

• Disneyland has announced a new Star Wars Nite for its Disneyland After Dark series for August 27, the first ngith of Star Wars Celebration.

• They have also teased a flying Spiderman ahead of their Avengers Campus coming to California Adventure.

• Knott's Berry Farm have kicked off their annual Peanuts Celebration this week. The event runs weekends and selected days through til March 1st.

• Sea World San Antonio have released a POV of their upcoming new Coaster, the Texas Stingray.

• Disney is bring a Preview for the Disney Pixar movie Onward to the US Parks in February.

• Rumours are swirling about Walt Disney World considering adding a Paid FastPass option, similar to the MaxPass at Disneyland, in the coming months.

• Another Rumour is that Epcot's Space 220 restaurant will open on March 30th.

News in a Minute - 24th Jan 2020

This week's Theme Park News:

• Disneyland gave a sneak Peek of their Magic Happens parade which features 9 new floats including one themed to the Sword and the Stone. It has not been confirmed whether it will feature the burly guest 'Sam' who allegedly pulled Excalibur from Disneyland's stone earlier this month.

• Disney World has added the Millennium Falcon to FastPass+. It’s open for visits on and after February 19, subject to the normal 30 and 60 limitations.

• Universal Hollywood officially announced that The Secret life of pets - off the leash! Will open in spring.

• Comcast’s CEO has confirmed in an Earnings Call that Epic Universe will be contain Orlando’s version of Super Nintendo World

• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has finally announced the Mission Ferrari roller coaster, as well as a new family zone, a walking experience and zip line.

• An official update from Virgin Trains stated that talks with Disney had reached a rather advanced state now”, to put a station on or near the Walt Disney World property.

• Sea World Orlando has media preview of their 2020 quadruple launch coaster Ice Breaker. They also gave a food and concert details of the Seven Seas food festival running from February to May.

• Efteling has completed the track on their upcoming Max and Moritz family coaster

• The imagineers behind Galaxy’s Edge have won a Lumiere award for Best Location Based Entertainment.

News in a Minute - 17 Jan 2020

This week's News:

• Universal Studios Japan have release a hype video for Super Nintendo World, as if we weren’t hyped enough already. The music video featured Galantis and Charlie XCX. We also saw potential 4 people ride vehicles for the Mario Kart ride and got our first look at Power-up wristbands.

• Disneyland’s version of Rise of the Resistance opens today, using the same boarding group system that has been used at Hollywood Studios.

• Epcot has started previews for a couple attractions coming in the next few weeks,Canada Far and Wide and Beauty and the beast singalong with the latter having its opening schedule released. It will Run 11am-7pm with Impressions de France running 7:30pm-9pm.

• Legoland California unveiled an 8.5 foot tall space raptor from the Lego Movie 2, at what will be the entrance of Lego Movie World, which will open in spring.

• The share price of Six Flags had a dramatic dive this week after they filed a report with the US Securities and Exchange Commission declaring that the company has filed a formal notice of default with Chinese development partner, Riverside.

• Chessington World of Adventure has announced that they will open a new Rainforest area in 2020 that will include three kids rides.

• Disney has shown off the huge Gusteaus Sign which will be outside the upcoming Ratatouille dark ride in Epcot’s World Showcase.

• Ocean Park in Hong Kong has announced its spending 10.6 million yuan to open 7 new scenic spots between 2023 and 2027.

News in a Minute - 10th Jan 2020

News in a Minute - 3rd Jan 2020