News in a Minute - 31st July 2020

This week's news:
• Universal Orlando has cancelled this year’s Halloween Horror nights. They have opened a tribute store to the event in the park this week, but it’s just a tribute.
• Disneyland have cancelled their Halloween party , the oggie boogie bash, as well.
• Other California theme parks are getting creative with their inability to open, with Legoland California opening part of their mini land and knotts berry farm extending their food festivals.
• Germany's Europa Park today opened its new Pirates in Batavia ride, replacing the former version that was destroyed in a 2018 fire
• In financial reporting this week both Six Flags and Universal reported dismal numbers for the second quarter of 2020, with the chains down 96% and 94% compared to the same quarter last year.
• Universal has stated that due to this the Development of Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park remains paused
• The Walt Disney World Resort is delaying the reopening of a few of its on-site hotels. Including Art of Animation, beach club and the boardwalk.
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg is returning August 5th with a Hard-Ticket Event called Coasters and Craft Brews

News in a Minute - 17th July 2020

This week's Theme Park News:
• The 2019 Theme Park attendance was announced this week, with most parks staying stable, except for Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China and Islands of Adventure who had solid increases.
• universal studios Beijing is on track with construction, which means a likely opening in the first half of 2021, according to China Daily.
• Rumour has it that a Disney cast memo has stated that at Stitch's Great Escape at Magic Kingdom, Primeval Whirl and Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom are permanently closed.
• Cedar point has introduced a new ride reservation system this week. Cedar Point is now using an "Access Pass" system for Millennium Force, Maverick, Steel Vengeance, and - when it reopens - Top Thrill Dragster
• Legoland florida is now requiring the use of masks inside any indoor facility.
• Hong Kong Disneyland has reclosed this week, although it’s expected to be a short closer due to specific outbreak detected.
• Fuji-Q highlands in Japan has asked for guests to refrain from screaming with the super cute Japanese slogan “scream inside your heart”.
• Water coaster Cheetah Chase has opened at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
• Another wAter ride, Mystic River Falls has Soft-Opened at Silver Dollar City
• Knotts berry farm are opening without rides and shows for the Knott's Taste of Calico food festival for the next two weekends
• Dollywood has stopped requiring guests have advanced reservations for the park.

News in a Minute - 4th July 2020

This week's news:
• Tokyo Disney has reopened this week, with one noticeable difference. The Haunted Mansion has lost it’s pre-show. That means no stretching room.
• Japanese newspaper Nikkei is reporting that Universal Studios Japan has decided to postpone the opening of Super Nintendo World indefinitely.
• Disney has suspended the Disney college program for the remainder of the year.
• The Bourne Stuntacular Debuted at Universal Studios Florida this week, and universal shared a sneak peek video of the attraction.
• Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, is delaying the opening of their Single rail coaster Jersey Devil until 2021.
• Kings island released a POV video of their upcoming giga coaster Orion.
• Hersheypark gave opened their new coaster Candymonium yesterday after media previews this week.
• Annual passholders at Walt Disney World snapped up all available spots for the resort's preview days on June 9th and 10th within minutes of them becoming available this week.