Hi there! Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most interesting theme park news around Universal Orlando, the Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland Resort, other theme parks and more.
- One of the most frequently asked questions we've been getting recently about the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration is, "What will happen during the Halloween season?" Well, good news! Disneyland confirmed that Paint the Night parade, World of Color Happiness!, Tapestry of Happiness and other select 70th nods and decor will continue through Halloween Time, which starts Aug. 22, 2025. Plus, Mickey & Minnie's 70th outfits get a spooky Halloween flair with swirling purple, green and orange colors!
- Many Halloween Time festivities and entertainment are also confirmed to return, including Halloween Screams fireworks, ride overlays, Plaza de la Familia and the after-hours event, Oogie Boogie Bash. General admission tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash go on sale on the Disneyland website starting June 26, 2025, no earlier than 9 a.m. PT. (Magic Key pre-sale dates start June 24, 2025.)
- Hoppy Friday the 13th! Universal announced a "Jason Universe" haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights on both coasts. For 45 years, the legendary masked slasher has tormented his victims and horror fans alike. This house will take you back to the summer camp where it all began. From the creaky floorboards of Jason's cabin to the decaying main lodge, HHN fans will experience killer moments from Jason's murderous career. For more info, hop to our Halloween Horror Nights guides for Orlando and Hollywood.
- Universal Mega Movie Summer kicks off today, June 13, 2025, at Universal Studios Hollywood, with limited-time experiences, food and merch to commemorate Universal's iconic movie moments. As part of the event, you can get a first look at one of the ride vehicles for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a high-speed roller coaster coming to the park in 2026. In fact, with a top speed of 72 mph, it will be the fastest coaster across all Universal Destinations & Experiences theme parks. Get behind the wheel of Dom's 1970 Dodge Charger, which can turn 360 degrees to recreate a drifting sensation. There will be three other ride vehicles designed after the franchise's street racing cars (catch a sneak peek in Universal's first animatic video). Can we speed time up now?
- The Disney Adventure recently celebrated another construction milestone — the stern characters, Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie, have been installed on the back of the ship. As a Disney Cruise Line tradition, different Disney characters can be found on the stern of each ship, and the Disney Adventure is the first to feature the beloved captains. The Disney Adventure will also be the first Disney Cruise Line ship to sail in Asia, as Singapore serves as its home port.
- Pride Nite returns to Disneyland Park on June 16 and 18, 2025, with rainbow-colored eats and drinks. The Foodie Guide dropped, featuring new items such as Cereal Milk Cold Brew, Golden Girls 40th Anniversary Cheesecake and Rainbow Cereal Funnel Cake. And if you're not attending Pride Nite, you can still treat yourself to colorful bites such as the Rainbow Layer Cake (pictured) all month long.
- SeaWorld Orlando is the brand-new home to Emperor penguins, which have relocated from SeaWorld San Diego. Emperor penguins are the world's largest penguin species, reaching up to 44 inches tall and 90 pounds. Starting June 14, 2025, you can catch them in the park's Antarctica Realm, where SeaWorld Orlando has prepared a habitat that reduces temperatures to 28 degrees Fahrenheit and mimics Antarctic light cycles to support their natural rhythms. It's the only place in the Western hemisphere where Emperor penguins can be seen in public.
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news.
Hoppy planning!
