May 27th - Theme Park News in a Nutshell

I've been sick, so here is the last two week's theme park news:

• Disney World has announced that Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser's final voyage will board September 28, after a surprisingly short 15 month run. Disney also announced it was stopping plans to move operations and Imagineering to Lake Nona in Florida, from California.

• Disneyland resort shared concept art and the new name for the renamed Paradise pier hotel, soon to be call the Pixar Place Hotel.

• Disneyland has also confirmed it will not bringing back its Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular this summer.

• Disney's first 'Frozen'-themed land will open this November at Disneyland Hong Kong.

• Tokyo Disney Resort broke ground on its US$400-million-plus 4 year project to rebuild Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland.

• In Universal studios Japan Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride permanently on January 22, 2024.

• Canadian theme park ride developer Dynamic Attractions has been saved from bankruptcy with a 2 million dollar buyout from Hong Kong financial services company PEL.

• Worlds of Fun’s new coaster Zambezi Zinger has had its opening day, meant to be today, delayed indefinitely.

• Hersheypark have announced Wildcat's Revenge will open to the public on June 2.

• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi opened this week.

April 30th - Theme Park News in a Nutshell

This week's Theme Park News:

• Disneyland has had a dramatic fire in their Maleficent dragon during a performance Fantasmic last week. Thankfully notguests or cast members were injured in the incident.

• In Florida, Disney Parks is suing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on First amendment grounds, in the latest development in the power battle for Disney World.

• Universal Studios' theme parks posted record earnings for a first quarter in the first three months of 2023, with revenue of $1.949 billion across their parks world wide, a 25% increase over the same time last year.

• Live dinner show entertainment is returning to the Tokyo Disney Resort, with “Duffy and Friends' Wonderful Friendship” premiering at Tokyo DisneySea in July, and "The Diamond Variety Muster" and “Mickeys Rainbow Luau” coming to Disneyland in September.

• At Walt Disney World The Edna Mode Experience display and character meet will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 14. 

• And a new Ariel Meet and greet is coming to Hollywood Studios, Disney California Adventure and somewhere at Disneyland Paris resort this summer.

April 8th - Theme Park News in a Nutshell

This week's Theme Park News:

• Tron Lightcycle Run has officially opened at Walt Disney World.

• Annual Passes are coming back for Walt Disney World.

• Disney CEO Bob Iger committed to $17 billion in new investment at the Walt Disney World Resort over the next decade. He’s also pledged to add 13,000 jobs at the Walt Disney World Resort while Disney as a whole will be cutting 7,000 positions.

• Universal has filed a patent for a figure 8 carousel that is suspected to be coming to Epic Universe.

• At Movie World on the Gold Coast new kids ride , Marvin the Martian: Cosmic Boom has opened for technical rehearsals.

• Carowinds in the Us has opened it’s new Aeronautica Landing land this week.

April 1st - Theme Park News in a Nutshell

Here is this week's theme park news:

• Disney has won a victory in its war over Florida Governor Ron Desantis, with Reedy Creek board passed a "Declaration of Restrictive Covenants" that essentially gives Walt Disney Parks and Resorts complete control over the development of all property. This move effectively removes all the power from Desantis’ Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board before they have even sat.

• Universal Hollywood has reportedly started their Roller coaster noise testing for the proposed hillside terrain coaster themed to fast and the furious.

• Australian theme park Dreamworld has opened the first phase of its revamped childrens are Kenny and Belinda’s Dreamland just in time for the start of the school holidays.

• Knott's Berry Farm is extending its Boysenberry Festival though to the first weekend of May.

• Annual Passholders at the Walt Disney World Resort will no longer need to make reservations to visit most parks in the afternoon as of April 18.

• At Disneyland, "Disney Vacation Club Star View Station – a Member Lounge" will open April 19 on the top floor of the old Carousel Theater building in Tomorrowland.

March 11th - Theme Park News in a Nutshell

This week's Theme Park News

• Universal Parks and Resorts has rebranded as Universal Destinations and Experiences this week. Universal Orlando resort also got a set of new logos

• The city council in Frisco, Texas approved a conditional use permit for the Universal Studios development announced last month.

• Merlin Entertainments has announced it will build a new Peppa Pig Theme Park in North Richland Hills, near Fort Worth in Texas.

• Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro showed off a roller skating Judy Hopps robot at a presentation at South By Southwest this week.

• Disney has announced Destination D23 for Walt Disney World in September, with tickets on sale next Tuesday 

• Universal studios Japan has open its new No Limit! Parade featuring Mario and Pokémon characters in a parade for the first time

• Universal Studios Florida has closed its nighttime spectacular, Universal Orlando's Cinematic Celebration this week.

• Water ride Aquaman: Power Wave officially opens today at Six Flags Over Texas.

• Bruce Vaughn is returning to Walt Disney Imagineering, as it’s new Chief Creative Officer.

• Dutch theme park Efteling announced it broke its All-Time Attendance Record in 2022

March 4th - Theme Park News in a Nutshell

 • Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returned on Friday with a major feature being Plant-based good.

• In a rare double victory for our vegan friends, Universal Orlando have started selling a dairy free version of their frozen and regular butterbeer drinks.

• Disney have a released a teaser trailer for the upcoming Haunted Mansion movies, which releases in July.

• Josh Gad took a turn being a Jungle Cruise skipper this week.

• Six Flags have had a mixed week, announcing they have extended their Coca-Cola partnership, announcing declining profits and attendance as well as announcing their 2023 new attractions. The new attractions included 3 kids coasters across the chain, two based on Kid Flash and one Formula 1 themed called Rookie Racer.

• Busch Gardens Tampa have opened swing ride, Serengeti Flyers this week.

As always you can watch our Theme Park News in a Nutshell as Shorts on YouTube, as well as on Instgram and TikTok.

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Batman Legacy at Warner Bros. Movie World

Here is a quick tour of the Batman Legacy exhibition at the Studio Showcase at Warner Bros. Movie World. This was filmed in late December 2022.