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 and other theme parks.
Here are this week’s theme park highlights:
Disney Cruise Line has modified its alcohol policy, prohibiting guests from bringing liquor or spirits on board starting Sept. 30. Guests will be allowed to bring on board two bottles of unopened wine or champagne and six beers at the beginning of the trip and at each port-of-call. Previously, the Disney Cruise Line alcohol policy allowed guests to bring liquor and beer on board as long as it was carried on. The move, according to one analyst, brings Disney's policy in line with other cruise lines.- There is no way you could have missed all of the news coming out of the D23 Expo this past weekend, but one little thing that didn't get as much attention was the new Frozen attraction and meet-and-greet, Royal Summerhus, headed to Epcot next year. Imagineers are expanding Norway for the coming attractions and adding this charming cabin where guests will meet Anna and Elsa. To get everything right, the project team visiting Norway to study the country's culture and arts and crafts in person.
For those of you who weren't lucky enough to make it to the D23 Expo, you can at least get a peek inside "Walt Disney Archives Presents—Disneyland: The Exhibit." The display offered up more than 300 historical items, including a prototype ride vehicle from Alice in Wonderland and a pirate ship from Peter Pan's Flight.- Universal is bringing back The Purge for this year's Halloween Horror Nights at both Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood. Guests will attempt to survive the night when all crime is legal inside this maze. It sounds a little terrifyingly too real for me, and I cannot wait!
- Those of you looking for an alternative to the Happiest Place on Earth might check out the new pop-up exhibit Dismaland in Weston-super-Mare, England. Bearing twisted resemblance to that other famed theme park, it will include a wrecked pumpkin-like carriage, a version of Cinderella's Castle and assorted "attractions."
ABC show "The Chew" is giving everyone the chance to win a visit to Disney World during Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, a stay at Disney's Boardwalk Resort and attend a live taping of the TV show Oct. 8-12. What are you waiting for?- Finally, SeaWorld Orlando has a new restaurant that expands on a theme park classic — the pretzel! At the Pretzel Kitchen, guests can chow down on bacon, bratwurst, pepperoni and meatball pretzels. In case you're wondering, that's three meatballs woven in pretzel dough, baked and topped with mozzarella cheese.
That’s it for the theme park news this week. Have a great weekend!
If you’re thinking about a trip to Disney World, make sure to check out the other news, tips and information we post to the blog throughout the week. If you’re ready to plan your trip, we recommend you start with our Orlando Planning Guide.
