Hi there! Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most interesting theme park news around the Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, other theme parks and Disney Cruise Line.
- Dreams do come true! We've been anxiously awaiting the full 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine menus for the upcoming festival scheduled for Aug. 29 through Nov. 23, 2024. Some 2023 festival favorites are returning this year, such as the Belgian Waffles at the Belgium booth, Apple Strudel in Germany and Passionfruit Cheesecake in Hawai’i. This year, there are five new booths: Macatizers, Festival Favorites, Bramblewood Bites, Milled & Mulled and Forest & Field. These will be in new areas near CommuniCore Hall and the space between World Showcase and the Imagination Pavilion. Festival Favorites at CommuniCore Hall will offer Kielbasa with Pierogis, BBQ Pork Rinds and a Key Lime Tart. For more info, check out our EPCOT Food and Wine Festival guide.
- A new Plaza de la Familia show, "The Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia Celebrate the Musical World of Coco," will debut Aug. 30, 2024, at Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure. Celebrate the power of familial bonds through song with renditions of "Remember Me," "The World Es Mi Familia" and Mexican folk song, "La Llorona." This show replaces "A Musical Celebration of Coco."
- Be prepared. Our heads are still spinning but in the best way possible! The ultimate Disney fan event, D23, took place Aug. 9-11 and the Disney Experiences Showcase delivered MAJOR announcements regarding what's coming to the Disney Parks worldwide. The big highlights include both Disney Villains and "Cars"-themed lands coming to Magic Kingdom, a "Monsters, Inc."-themed land to include Disney's first-ever suspended coaster to Disney's Hollywood Studios and DinoLand U.S.A. will be replaced by Tropical Americas. Over on the West Coast at Disneyland Resort, Avengers Campus will double in size, new "Coco" and "Avatar" experiences are in development and the first audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney is being created for a new show. Be sure to hop over to our post to read all the announcements from the D23 2024 Disney Experiences Showcase.
- Ahoy! The D23 announcements also included frogtastic Disney Cruise Line news that's on the horizon. We got a first look at the 15-foot tall Te Kā puppet that will be used in the Broadway-style show, "The Tale of Moana," on the Disney Treasure. Bless my soul! In addition, "Hercules" will take center stage as the newest live show on the Disney Destiny setting sail in November 2025. And drum roll, please! ... Not one, not two, not three, but FOUR new ships will join the award-winning fleet between 2027-2031, bringing the Disney Cruise Line fleet to a total of 13 ships! Now that's got us aquatic-loving frogs hoppin' with excitement!
- The Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is headed to Disneyland and Disney Eats just released the Hungry Bear Jamboree Foodie Guide featuring a Smoked Barbeque Combo, Barbeque Pulled Pork Sandwich, Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich and a Smoked Angus Beef Burger just to list a few. The menu items will be available for mobile order. We don't have an opening date just yet, but stay tuned! We'll be sure to keep you posted.
- Let the good times roll! It's never too early to start thinking about your 2025 travel plans. Universal Orlando Resort came in clutch with dates for Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. The festivities will run from Feb. 1 to March 30, 2025. This year's celebration will include the parade, live music and a global selection of food, including classic New Orleans-inspired dishes.
- Fire up the group chat and meet your besties over at Universal CityWalk! Universal CityWalk Hollywood is getting new escape rooms, with Escapology set to open soon. The attraction will feature themed challenges such as "Scooby-Doo and The Spooky Castle Adventure," "Batman: The Dark Knight Challenge" and Escapology's original "Haunted House" and more.
- Run for your life! We're less than one month out from SeaWorld Orlando's Inaugural Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run. Fittingly held on Friday the 13th, racers will have the opportunity to run through SeaWorld Orlando's eerie scare zones while dodging terrifying creatures along the way. Participants, join the post-race celebration lasting until 2 a.m.! Before you head out, be sure to check out our ghoulish guide to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando.
- SeaWorld San Diego is savoring the last bit of summer with their new Bayside Brews & BBQ Festival. The Bayside Brews & BBQ festival will kick off Friday, Aug. 23, and continue on select dates through Sept. 2. In honor of the park’s 60th anniversary, guests can indulge in a selection of 60 craft brews and a fresh BBQ menu featuring an array of smoked and grilled dishes.
- Some sweet hoppenins' are going on at Knott's Berry Farm. The park just celebrated Snoopy's birthday on Aug. 10, and Ghost Town Alive has switched to operating on the weekends now through Sept. 2. Soak City is also open on the weekends now through Sept. 8 and back by popular demand, the Senior Buffet at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant is available on select Tuesdays from Aug. 13 until Nov. 19, 2024.
That's gonna do it for the latest theme park news this week.
Hoppy planning!
