September 17th - Theme Park News in a Nutshell

This week's Theme Park News:

• At Destination D23, EPCOT's new nighttime spectacular will be called "Luminous: The Symphony of Us" and will debut December 5. 

• Journey of Water Inspired by Moana got an official opening date of October 16

• The Hatbox Ghost got an ETA of late November at the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion.

• Star Tours will add Ahsoka in California, Florida, and France next year, 

• Also next year, a new Country Bears show - County Bear Musical Jamboree - will open at the Magic Kingdom.

• Soarin' Over California will return to EPCOT later this month for a limited run

• They released a concept image of the ride vehicle for the new Avengers Campus ride at Disney California Adventure, but no details

• Disney also discussed there are plans in the works to replace Dinoland USA in Animal Kingdom. They proposed it could be possible that maybe they might be considering A land devoted to Central and South America, which could house IP properties like Indiana Jones and Encanto. They also showed a Bluesky image about how that may possibly work.

• 2024 D23 Expo will run August 9 to 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, following a kick-off event on August 8 at the Disneyland Resort. The event will also expand to the Honda Center for special shows during the event.

• This week Disneyland Resort has started alcohol sales inside Disneyland this week at 3 table service restaurants: River Belle Terrace, Carnation Cafe and Cafe Orleans.

• City of Anaheim released a Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report on the proposed DisneylandForward proposal, with the short of it being that less than significant effects on the local environment once constructed. Also called out existing restrictions for above ground outdoor roller coasters on the property. It now goes into a 45 day public consultation before being finalised.

• The refurbished Disneyland Hotel at the Disneyland Paris Resort will reopen January 25, 2024, with some pretty fancy themed suites. The royal suite themed to frozen is particularly impressive.

• Dollywood announced that Lightning Rod, will close for the season October 30. Over the winter, the park will replace the coaster's troubled launch with a high-speed chain lift.

• Merlin Entertainments has announced a long-term partnership with Chinese tech giant Tencent. It has 3 parks in development in China.

• Disney has settled a lawsuit with former Magic Key holders over the use bill f the phrase “no block out dates” on their annual passes. Disneyland will pay a total of $9.5 million to plaintiffs and their attorneys. That will work out to a payment of $67.41 to each of the estimated 103,000-plus former Dream Key passholders represented in the case. 

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