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:
- As part of its 12 Days of Disney Parks Christmas, the Disney Parks Blog gave us an inside peak at the Millennium Falcon that will be part of the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge lands coming to Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests will get to participate in a secret mission aboard the starship in one of the two announced rides for the new Star Wars-themed lands, set to open in 2019.
- Seven hotels near Disney Springs will offer Disney's Extra Magic Hours benefit starting in 2018. The hotels are B Resort & Spa, Best Western Lake Buena Vista, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Orlando and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista, which you can book with us!
- The Hall of Presidents reopened after a nearly year-long refurbishment with the addition of President Donald Trump. High-impact projection, sound lighting and other enhancements were also added to the attraction.
- For you trend-setting Disney fans, a new millennial pink MagicBand 2 will be available for purchase Jan. 8. There is also a new Seven Dwarfs version that went on sale earlier this week!
- It was a week of celeb visits to Disney World, including Matthew McConaughey (plus extended family!) and Katy Perry, who took her whole tour cast to the most magical place on Earth after performing in Orlando.
- The Universal Hilton is planning to add a second tower overlooking Universal Studios Hollywood. The addition, which has yet to be approved and faces some opposition, according to the LA Times, would add 365 rooms.
- SeaWorld Orlando has revealed the first performers for its Praise Wave concert series that runs Saturdays on Jan. 20 through Feb. 10. Steven Curtis Chapman, Lecrae and Mercy Me are among the first announced performers.
- Last but not least, from our Frog Family to yours, we're wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Hoppy New Year!
That’s it for the theme park news this week! Have a great weekend.