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.
- DisneylandForward, the expansion project at Disneyland Resort, is moving full speed ahead! Disneyland released a new DisneylandForward update regarding plans for an all-new parking structure and transportation hub. The new arrival experience will start construction on the east side of the resort in fall 2026. Improving parking and traffic flow, this will create 6,000 new parking spaces, shuttle and rideshare areas and a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard.
- Also a part of DisneylandForward, we've learned where two previously announced rides will be located within Disney California Adventure Park. A "Coco" attraction will find a home near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier in a current backstage area. Construction is expected to start this fall! Meanwhile, a portion of the Hollywood Backlot area will transform into an "Avatar" destination. This project is still in early development, so Disney has not shared a construction timeline just yet. However, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will close in early 2026 to make way for this new experience.
- It may be the start of summer, but spooky season is already on our minds. Halloween Horror Nights tickets have dropped for both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood — and you can scare up a good deal through Undercover Tourist. Universal also announced that fans of the horror video game franchise and Amazon Prime series, "Fallout," will be able to step into the post-apocalyptic Wastelands and dodge attacks from Scavengers, Raiders and RAD Roaches alongside Lucy MacLean and Maximus. "Five Nights at Freddy's" has also been teased as a brand-new experience on both coasts. Stay tuned, as we'll be updating our Halloween Horror Nights guides for Orlando and Hollywood as new announcements roll in.
- Celebrate Pride Month at Universal Orlando — if you're visiting in June, be sure to check out special menu items such as the Pride Shake at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen or the Love Is Universal Doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut. The special event, Love Is Universal Nights, at the Red Coconut Club in Universal CityWalk takes place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in June. Admission is free and for guests 21 and up. And if you're staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, its music amenity WAX program will feature iconic LGBTQIA+ vinyl albums throughout June.
- Ready for a race in the Rockies? Inspired by the American Frontier and national parks, Piston Peak National Park will become part of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. With "Cars" theming, the land features towering trees, snowcapped mountains, rivers, waterfalls and geysers, as if you've stepped right into the Rocky Mountains. Plus, there will be a visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and two previously announced "Cars" attractions, including a family-friendly ride and a high-speed, off-road race rally. To start this transformation, the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will close July 7, 2025 (so be sure to get your last visit in before July 6!).
- Get your final viewing of Muppets*Vision 3D and a pizza slice from PizzeRizzo. Tomorrow, June 7, is the last day of operations before the Grand Avenue area gets transformed into a Monsters Inc., Land. If you're stopping by, PizzeRizzo usually closes early at 5 p.m. — however, Muppets*Vision 3D, which typically closes early, will stay open until park close before its final curtain call.
- The brand-new, adults-only lounge, GEO-82, opened this week at EPCOT. The Spaceship Earth-themed lounge serves specialty cocktails, beer and wine selections, small plates and scenic views of World Celebration. If you want to level up your experience, opt for the GEO-82 Fireworks Experience for champagne, desserts and a special viewing of Luminous. Advance reservations are required for the lounge and/or the Fireworks Experience, which are available through the My Disney Experience app.
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news.
Hoppy planning!
