Theme Park News in a Nutshell - 31st December 2022

This week's Theme Park News:

• Universal Studios Hollywood has had a media preview event for Super Nintendo World, which included touring the land but not riding the Mario Kart ride or Visiting the Toadstool café.

• Magic Kingdom has had the hosts of good morning America ride on the upcoming Tron roller coaster which is meant to open In Spring of 2023.

• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney has confirmed that the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster attraction will close down for a lengthy refurbishment starting Feb. 20, 2023 and wont resume operations until sometime in Summer 2023.

• Toverland in the Netherlands has had a record attendance year having its one millionth guest on the 17th of December, beating their previous record of 862,000.

• the CEO of The London Resort has stepped down from his position, as the troubled project now plans to submit a "significantly" changed planning application in 2023.

• Rumour has it SeaWorld Orlando are being forced to replace their Antarctic dark ride in the next two years, due to it being not closed in a way for long term storage when the pandemic closures hit in 2020.

• At Genting Skyworlds in Malaysia, the Invasion of the Planet of the Apes dark ride has apparently soft opened in the last few weeks, but is yet to officially be announced as open.

Warner Bros. Movie World - White Christmas 2022

Here is our visit to White Christmas 2022 with the COMPLETE parade from sidewalk perspective. Don't let the Christmas spirit die!

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - December 24th 2022

• The Walt Disney World Railroad has returned to Magic Kingdom for the first time in 4 years. It closed in December of 2018 for construction of the Tron Rollercoaster in Tomorrowland.

• Disneyland released a behind the scenes video of their upcoming nighttime spectacular Wonderous Journeys this week. The new show will open January 27th.

• Universal Japan have announced that their new No Limit parade featuring Pokemon and Nintendo characters will debut on March 1st, 2023.

• The Mission Ferrari Rollercoaster will open at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi on January 12, 2023. Passholder previews start January 5.

• Kennywood in the Us has announced its adding a new extraterrestrial thrill ride called SPINVASION! In 2023.

• Australian park Dreamworld has bought back an updated version of a classic attraction this week the opening of the pay to play Remota-boats attraction near Main Street. They have also opened their new parents centre this week. These are the first steps in the major retheme to their Dreamworks kids land over the next 12 to 18 months.

• Universal Studios Hollywood has started Animatronics testing of the upcoming Super Nintendo Land.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - December 17th 2022

• Super Nintendo World at Universal studios Hollywood will open Friday, February 17, 2023. With Annual passholder previews from January 29.

• Roundup rodeo bbq the new Toy story themed sit down restaurant will open spring 2023.

• Thierry Coup, Mike Hightower, and other long-time leaders at universal creative have reportedly taken up the offer of early retirement from NbcUniversal which will cause a huge shake up in the creative business.

• Six Flags Fiesta Texas announced it will install a Skyline Attractions racing P'Sghetti Bowl Children's Coaster next year.

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg will close their Mach Tower drop ride January 8, 2023. 

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - December 10th 2022

• Universal orlando have officially announced Villain-Con Minion Blast their upcoming stand through attraction replace Shrek 4D. They have also announced that Minion cafe will replace monsters cafe creating a Minions mini land. Minions land will form a part of Illumination Avenue, with all the new additions opening Summer 2023.

• Destination D23 event will return to the Walt Disney World Resort next year on September 8 through 10.

• The opening of Leviathan at Sea World has been plagued with teething issues this week including one day where the entire New Atlantis precinct was closed.

• Shanghai Disneyland has closed again due to covid.

• Disney World is cross promoting the new Avatar movie with new merchandise and a new Tree of life projection sequence.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - December 3rd 2022

This week's Theme Park News

• Sea World in Australia have opened the last two rides of their New Atlantis land with giant chair swing Trident and wooden coaster Leviathan finally opening on Friday.

• Dreamworld in Australia has announced a 50 million dollar park revitalisation plan. The 2 year plan will cover the loss of the Dreamworks IP by using the park’s original characters Kenny and Belinda while moving the ABC kids section and the vintage cars and adding two new rides.

• You may not have heard but Disney has changed CEOs with Bob Chapek being replaced by former CEO Bob Iger. Many Disney fans have seen this as the second company, as if the fate of a multi-billion dollar corporation rests on a single person.

• The last day to ride Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom will be January 22, 2023. The Disneyland version is also expected to close in January.

• Magic Happens parade is coming back to Disneyland on February 24th next year.

• Shanghai Disneyland has again reopened from a covid closure.

• At Universal Orlando, Universal’s Great Movie Escape will open December 9 on CityWalk.

• "Uncharted" franchise will be providing the theme for a new Sally Corp roller coaster dark ride at Spain's PortAventura next year.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - November 19th 2022

• This week is the  annual IAAPA Expo in Orlando, which as always features roller coaster train reveals for a number of US parks. The trains shown include Arctic Rescue from SeaWorld San Diego, Big Bear Mountain for Dollywood, Wildcat's Revenge at Hersheypark, and Pipeline The Surf Coaster for SeaWorld Orlando.

• The 2023 Thea Awards were also head in conjunction with this expo, with Universal Beijing picking up 3 major awards.

• Major US parks also kicked off their Christmas celebrations this week.

• Disneyland resort has announced that Mickey's Toontown will reopen at Disneyland on March 8, 2023.

• Disneyland also briefly reopened Magic Key Pass sales this week, for just one day before closing sales again.

• Din Djarin and Grogu have started appearing at Disneyland's version of Galaxy's Edge this week.

• Alberto Zamperla, the head of the Zamperla group, has passed away this week at the age of 71.

• Dubai Parks and Resorts has announced it has reached a deal to build a theme park based on football club Real Madrid, which will include rides and a museum.

• Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments has appointed former NBA executive Scott O'Neil as the company's new CEO

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - November 12th 2022

 • Sea World Australia have announced an opening date for their two new Rides. Wooden coaster Leviathan and swing ride Trident will open December 2nd, finally completing the New Atlantis land.

• Hurricane Nicole Closed all the major Florida Theme Parks this week.

• Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi have announced they are planning to open a Harry Potter-themed land in the coming years, the first non-Universal Harry Potter land since Universal acquired the licence for theme parks.

• Disneyland is adding the Swiss Family Robinson back to Adventureland, where the currently closed Tarzan Treehouse is going to be reimagined as the "Adventureland Treehouse inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson". 

• Universal Hollywood have announced two show closures this week, with Universal's Animal Actors and the Special Effects Show to close on January 8, 2023 "to make way for a future attraction." This future attraction is strongly rumoured to be a Fast and the Furious coaster.

• Canada's Playland Amusement Park has signed a deal with Zamperla to a Lightning LSM Coaster, which will be Canada's fastest launch coaster when it opens in 2024.

• Legoland California have announced they are going to add San Diego to their Miniland for Spring 2023.

• Disney Imagineering Legend Alice Davis has passed away at age 93 this week.

• In financial news: Disney's theme parks segment reported $7.4 billion in revenue in the final quarter of its 2022 fiscal year, up 36% from the same period one year ago. Six Flags had a significant attendance drops resulting in a 21% decline in revenue for the quarter, from $638 million in 2021 to $505 million in 2022. Sea World and Busch Gardens had a very slight attendance bump, but increased guest spending, as SeaWorld post total revenues of $565.2 million for the quarter, up 8.4%.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - November 5th 2022

• Universal Orlando has announced that a major reimagining is happening to it's Woody Woodpecker KidZone land. The resort announce that the last operating day for Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, Fieval's Playland, Curious George Goes to Town, and meet & greets for Shrek and Donkey and Dreamworkd Destination will be January 15th 2023. It was confirmed that the Animal Actors show and E.T. the Adventure will not close at this time.

• Legoland Florida's new pirate ride will open on January 12, 2023 after the planned opening was delayed by Hurricane Ian.

• Fantasmic! has reopened at Walt Disney World.

• On the last night of this year's HHN, Universal has Announced 'Chucky' for 2023 Halloween Horror Nights on both coasts.

• Efteling have shared details of the ride vehicle for it's 2024 haunted house attraction Danse Macabre, which will feature a first of it's kind Intamin ride system, with a giant rotating motionbase with six vehicles each able to rotate on top of it.

• Disney imagineering has shared some shots of the new World of Frozen land opening at Hong Kong Disneyland next year.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - October 29th 2022

• Tokyo Disney resort have announce that DisneySea’s new land fantasy springs will be delayed until financial year 2024

• WDI has given an update on Epcot’s refresh with three areas CommuniCore Plaza, CommuniCore Hall, and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana - to be open to guests in Late 2023. There are strong rumours that the play pavilion has been permanently shelved.

• Elsewhere at WDW, typhoon lagoon is closing November 13th, and Blizzard Beach will be reopening.

• Universal Beijing Resort has closed once again, due to the continued presence of Covid.

• In Australia, village roadshow have released concept art of a proposed Hotel to be added to their Movie World property on the Gold Coast.

• In the US, a steam train derailment at Silver Dollar City injured seven people.

• Universal creative have patented a new type of vertical dark ride using a rotating lift.

• Six Flags Magic Mountain will close Tuesdays through Thursdays for most weeks from November 1st.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - October 22nd 2022

• Disney has rolled out a new game at galaxy’s edge called Battu Bounty Hunters using the MagicBand+ which has only just arrived at Disneyland resort.

• Disneyland Resort is bringing out new meet and greets and new food to celebrate the release of Black Panther Wakanda forever.

• November 3rd will be the reopening date of Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Disney world.

• Imagineer Bob Weis is retiring from Walt Disney Imagineering.

• Sea World Orlando have officially announced their new stand up coaster for 2023, which is to be called Pipeline: The Surf Coaster.

• Two cedar fair parks Carowinds and Kings dominion are moving to year round operations at the start of next year

• A new Adventure Port land is coming to Kings Island. The new land will include two new rides as well as a refresh for Kings Island's Adventure Express Arrow Dynamics mine train roller coaster.

• Universal Orlando have announced the dates for next years Mardi Gras event from February 4 through April 16.

• Universal has applied for a patent titled “System and Methods to Hold and Charge a Personal Electronic Device on a Ride Vehicle” 

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - October 15th 2022

Here is this week's News:

• The TEA/AECOM Theme Index for estimated theme park attendance for 2021 is out, with the big winner being Universal Orlando who has significant gains on the Walt Disney World parks.

• Disney reportedly is developing a movie based on its Society of Explorers and Adventurers theme park franchise with Ryan Reynolds company Maximum Wffort producing. 

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios has confirmed that “Fantasmic!” performances will begin once again at the theme park this November

• Monsieur Paul will return to Walt Disney World's Epcot on Tuesday, October 18

• Disney is getting MagicBands from October 26.

• Disneyland Resort has increased ticket prices this week, for some tickets by 12%.

• Holiday World in Indiana is going to announce their 2023 addition via drone during their Halloween in the Sky Drone show.

• Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen will open in early 2023 on Universal Studios Hollywood's CityWalk.

• This park is also rumoured to be getting a new coaster called Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift, which is believed to run up and down the hill next to the Starway escalator .

• The worlds tallest Screamin Swing ride is coming to Busch Gardens Tampa next year and it’s going to be called Serengeti Flyer

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - October 8th 2022

This week's Theme Park News:

• Disneyland resort is bringing back guided tours with the new tours the Walt's Main Street Story Tour and the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour starting in the next few months.

• Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway will open January 27, 2023, kicking off The Walt Disney Company's 100 Years of Wonder anniversary celebration at the Disneyland Resort.

• Their new shows Wonderous Journeys and World of Color - One will also open end of January 

• Icon Orlando has confirmed that it is removing the Orlando FreeFall ride which caused the death of a 14 year old boy in March.

• After losing two nights of Halloween Horror Nights to Hurricane Ian last week, Universal Orlando is adding two more nights to this year's schedule: Tuesday, October 11, and Monday, October 24.

• Here in Australia, Monopoly Dreams, a new indoor themed attraction is coming to Melbourne by the end of 2022

• Tokyo Disney resort has announced plans to keep attendance down, with data suggesting that the resort can be more profitable with lower guest numbers. The Japan times stated the resort is aiming for only 26 million visitors by 2024, well short of their pre-pandemic record of 35.5 million.

• It’s been reported that Legoland Korea has defaulted on their business loan this week, though it’s unclear what this will mean for the park.

• Epcot celebrated its 40th anniversary in the wake of Hurricane Ian, which was mostly only notable due to anniversary merchandise.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - October 1st 2022

This week's Theme Park News

• Hurricane Ian hit the hit the south of the United States this week causing lots of damage, especially in Florida. All the major Orlando parks were shut for two days with Walt Disney World starting a phased reopening on Friday. Universal Orlando suffered severe flooding, with images showing the hulk coaster partially submerged and damage to the Jurrassic Park river adventure.

• SeaWorld San Diego has confirmed its new roller coaster for 2023 - Arctic Rescue, a snow mobile themed triple-launch terrain coaster from Intamin.

• Sea World San Antonio has announced its adding a world first launched log flume called Catapult Falls in 2023.

• Pennsylvanian theme park Kennywood had a shooting at their Halloween event this week, with 3 people shot in the legs, while several others were injured in the mass panic event that followed. The park is reviewing their safety protocols.

• Knotts is changing its chaperone policy for Scary farm, increasing the child to chaperone ratio to 5 to 1, and announcing free tickets for Chaperones.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - September 17th 2022

This week's News:

• At D23 Disney announced that Disneyland resort is getting the return of the Magic Happens parade and the debut of two new night-time spectaculars, World of Color: One and Wondrous Journeys. 

• Disneyland will also getting Hulk at Avengers campus and Din djarin and grogu are coming to Galaxy’s Edge.

• The new version Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway coming to Disneyland in early 2023, will be modified from the Florida original with a more detailed queue.

• Some more details were announced for the new ride in Avengers campus, which will bring the multiverse to Avengers Campus, as it is set in a universe where Thanos won.

• He also announced Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland will be renamed the Pixar Place Hotel.

• At WDW next year the Magic Kingdom, Happily Ever After is returning, and the Hatbox Ghost is coming to the Haunted Mansion. And next week Character breakfasts return to Magic Kingdom with Pooh and friends returning to Crystal palace on the 22nd.

• At Epcot next year will bring Moana Journey of Water walk-through attraction opening, as well as a figment meet and greet. And a new lagoon show is in development.

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• Universal Parks & Resorts announced that it is merging its Universal Brand Development business with the Universal Parks & Resorts Merchandise Group to create its new Universal Products & Experiences division

• Studio Ghibli Park in Japan have released video from inside the park for the first time. The park opens in phases starting later in the year.

• An avatar immersive exhibition is coming to Shanghai Disneyland on th 22nd

• Disney Files Patent for Augmented Reality Ride Without Glasses

• This week it was announced that Construction of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is 90% complete and the new theme park is set to open next year.

• Columbia Pictures' first fully-branded park will open on October 11 in Thailand. Columbia Pictures Aquaverse will be a redesign and rebrand for Amazon Falls' Cartoon Network Amazone water park, which opened in 2014

• The Tokyo Disney Resort is selling frozen versions of two popular theme park food items for home delivery through its official mobile app. Fans can buy Mickey-shaped bacon and pineapple pizzas and Mickey shaped churros.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - Sep 10th 2022

All the Theme Park News that I can fit in a minute. • The D23 expo has kicked off in Anaheim, with the first news being the re-announcing of the e-ticket ride for Disney California Adventure’s Avenger’s Campus. • The parks and experiences pavilion featured models of Disneyland’s new ToonTown and Tiana’s Bayou adventure. We got to see ride vehicles for the 4 new rides at Tokyo DisneySea’s upcoming fantasy springs and 2 ride vehicles For Hong Kong’s upcoming Frozen land. And the ride vehicle for the zootopia ride coming to Shanghai. • At Universal Orlando we’ve seen two new trademark applications believed to be related to Epic Universe with Universal's Stella Nova Resort and Universal's Terra Luna Resort. • Cedar Point has announced it has retired Top Thrill Dragster "as you know it." • Busch Gardens Williamsburg have announced a new coaster called the DarKoaster which is is taking its theme from their former dark ride Curse of DarKastle which closed in 2017. • Universal Hollywood have brought Pizza Fries to their Halloween Horror Nights this year for the first time.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - September 2nd 2022

Here is this week's news:

• Halloween celebrations have kicked off at Disneyland resort on Friday, as did universals Halloween Horror Nights. 

• A new “Disney Vacation Club Star View Station" will open at Disneyland in the first half of 2023 up stairs at the old America sings building in Tomorrowland.

• Merlin have announced Europe's 4th Legoland with Legoland Belgium to be located in Charleroi, just south of Brussels. Th target for opening is 2027.

• The revenge of the mummy has soft opened at Universal Orlando after it’s extended maintenance.

• Animation Tests Start at Universal studios Hollywood’s Super Nintendo World

• Dreamworld in Australia is running its Spring County fair event again this year from September 17th.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - 27th August 2022

• Disney has shown off construction photos for upcoming Epcot attraction the “Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana”.

• They also released the live steaming schedule for the D23 expo, which includes the parks and resorts presentation on September 11th.

• Here in Australia, movie World have announced the return of their Halloween event Fright Nights after a 2 year hiatus.

• Ardent, the owners of Dreamworld have boasted in their Full Year results that they have plans for multiple new attractions over the next 3 financial years, with announcements to occur before the end of the year.

• Six Flags Great Adventure’s award winning wooden coaster El Toro has been closed for inspections, after multiple riders were taken to hospital with back and jaw complaints after what people described as a pothole appeared on the rides track.

• Walt Disney World has improved functionality for guests hoping to change plans this week. Previously guests would need to cancel reservations to be a ale to add new ones on the same day or as additional people. This now can be managed as an update on the Disney website.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - 20th Aug 2022

This week's Theme Park News:

• Chessington world of adventure have announced they are opening a World of Jumanji land in 2023.

• Universal Hollywood has announced the final parts of their Halloween Horror Nights event, announcing the return of Terror Tram featuring two hit Jordan Peele movies, "Nope" and "Us.". They also announced that Death Eaters will take over the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for the first time in the US. 

• Universal Orlando also completed its HHN lineup this week, announcing six houses, 4 scare zones and two shows. The houses include Bugs: Eaten Alive and Fiesta de Chupacabras.

• Knotts also announced 2 new houses for their Scary Farm event, as well as announcing that their new Chaperone policy will be in effect at all events. Knotts also showed off their new coaster trains for the refurbishment of Montezumas revenge.

• Disneyland Resort opened up renewals for their magic key program this week, with an increase in cost and new restrictions on the top tier.

• Sea World parks in the US are celebrating summer by giving away limited numbers of free ice creams until the end of August

• Universal Orlando have given team members a chance to ride the refurbished Revenge of the Mummy this week, meaning that it will soon reopen to the public.

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - 13th Aug 2022

• In France, Futuroscope has opened a first of its kind rotating theatre called Tornado Chasers.

• The cedar fair chain Have made a number of big 2023 announcements this week. Cedar Point are adding a new area called the Boardwalk which will include a new Grand pavilion. They’ll also be adding a new family coaster called Wild Mouse. 

• Canada’s wonderland is getting a launched family coaster called Snoopy's Racing Railway. 

• Carowinds is getting a new land Aeronautica which will feature 5 new flat rides. 

• The rebuild of Montezuma’s Revenge at Knotts berry farm has a name, MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress. 

• And worlds of fun is going to name it’s gci wooden coaster Zambezi Zinger.

• In other news universal have submitted a patent for an "Interactive Pepper's Ghost Effect System." rumored for use at the Wizarding World land at universal Orlando’s upcoming theme park Epic universe.

• The have also given proposed names for roads around the epic universe site. The main road will Epic boulevard, while the backstage roads will have names of Ideation Place”, “Opportunity Way” and “Teamwork Drive”.

• Universal Orlando have also announced a curfew for unaccompanied minors. With guests under 18 required to be a parent or guardian after 9 pm.

• The Holidays celebration at the Universal Orlando Resort will start November 12 this year, continuing through January 1, 2023. 

Theme Park News in a Nutshell - 6th Aug 2022

• Dollywood has announced its big attraction for 2023, Big Bear Mountain, a multi-launch, 3,990-foot family coaster from Vekoma.

• SeaWorld theme parks this morning reported record revenue and earnings for the second quarter of 2022, with revenue of $504.8 million for those 3 months. Cedar Fair also posted all time record quarterly revenue, with revenue of $509 million for the quarter.

• Disneyland has announced that Holidays at the Disneyland Resort will kick off on November 11 this year and run through January 8, 2023.

• Scarecrow: The Reaping Coming to Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights. It’s an original IP which featured at Orlando in 2017.

• Universal orlando is going to have some Halloween at it’s resorts this year with Cabana Bay hosting the Universal Monsters Gallery of Legends.

Theme Park News in a Minute - June 25th 2022

• Walt Disney world have announced their holiday plans for this year with the return of Mickeys very Christmas party on November 8th. They’ve also announced that their newest ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will have a holiday overlay featuring Christmas songs.

• Universal Orlando and Hollywood have announced their next Halloween Horror Night house with “The Horrors of Blumhouse” featuring recent movies Freaky and The Black Phone. These universal park also announced their parties for July 4th this week.

• Hong Kong Disneyland has debuted its new nighttime spectacular “Momentous – The Most Magical Show on Earth.”

• Universal Beijing is attempting to reopen again.

• Star Wars launch bay is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios again July 17th with guests able to meet Chewie, Bb-8 and Darth Vader.

Theme Park News in a Minute - 18th Jun 2022

• Iowa's Lost Island theme park opens officially this weekend.

• Universal Beijing dropped their plans to open this week, after being contacted by local authorities. Shanghai Disneyland also has remained closed.

• Disney have launched an ultra expensive world tour of all 12 of their parks called “Disney Parks Around The World – A Private Jet Adventure” with tickets starting at touch over 100 thousand dollars US.

• Disneyland resort have announced a new BBQ heavy for their Paradise Garden Grill. The resort also Announced dates for this years Oogie Boogie bash and confirmed the return of haunted mansion holiday.

• Universal Hollywood is bringing back their Nighttime Lights on Hogwarts castle and special effects shows for summer.

Theme Park News in a Minute - 4th Jun 2022

This week's news:

• Princess and the frog voice actress Anika Noni Rose may have leaked the opening time from for the retheming of splash mountain stating that it will be “out in 2024”.

• Fantasmic and World of Color have reopened at Disneyland resort this week.

• Universal Studios Hollywood has narrowed down the opening date for Super Nintendo World, stating that it will open in early 2023.

• SeaWorld Orlando has given us a hype video for its seventh coaster under construction as we speak. It is as yet unnamed but appears to be Surf themed.

• Disneyland Resort has stopped selling the remaining types of Magic Keys, their replacements for the annual pass program.

• The Mattel Adventure Park under construction in Arizona has announced more of it’s attractions, which include a Barbie flying theatre and laser tag inside Castle Grayskull from He man and the masters of the universe

• San Diego Sea World has kicked off it’s summer time event Electric Ocean. It includes two new shows called Adrenaline and ElectroBlast.

Theme Park News in a Minute - 28th May 2022

This week's News:

• Guardians of the Galaxy cosmic rewind has officially opened at Epcot this week.

• Previews have started for Disneylands returning Tale of the Lion King show.

• Disneyland Paris have announced July 20 will be the opening date for their Avengers Campus.

• Toy giant Mattel has trademarked a name for a theme park, Mattel Adventure Park. This is expected 

• The latest version of Universal Orlando’s Tribute Store opened this week paying tribute to classic movies, ET, Jaws and Back to the Future.

• The rumours of Universal Orlando’s City walk getting Escape Rooms is gaining traction. Check out Theme Park Stop on YouTube for a summary of the current rumours.

• Universal Hollywood have confirmed they are switching from the word maze to the word House for their attractions at this year’s Halloween horror nights, in line with Universal Orlando.

• Cedar point has opened their annual Frontier Festival this week, which runs through to June.

• Knotts Berry Farm have also started their Summer time celebrations, including shows featuring DJ Lance Rock from Yo Gabba Gabba, and also the return of the Ghost Town Alive! Street entertainment.

Theme Park News in a Minute - 21st May 2022

This week's Theme Park News:

• Efteling have announced the replacement for Spookslot haunted castle will be another spooky attraction called Danse Macabre.

• Universal Orlando is retiring it’s day time parade Universal's Superstar Parade, in June just to make way for other entertainment experiences.

• Universal Orlando and Hollywood have announced the first of their houses for Halloween Horror nights Universal Monsters: Legends Collide, featuring Dracula, the mummy and the wolf man.

• Disney have confirmed that the only way to ride Epcot's new Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind roller coaster at opening end of May, will be via virtual queue or Lightning Lane.

• Disney is also making so that Genie+ is only available to purchase on the day of use from June.

• Kings island are adding a new fireworks show for their 50th anniversary called “Fun, Fireworks and Fifty: A Kings Island Nighttime Spectacular”

• Busch Gardens Tampa bay have announced plans for their Summer celebration which has fireworks and beer samples

• The electric ocean event is coming back to SeaWorld Orlando this summer with a new fireworks show called Ignite 360