Hi there! Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most interesting theme park news around the Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort, Disneyland Resort, other theme parks and Disney Cruise Line.
- Halloween season may have just started, but before you know it, the holidays will be right around the corner. This week, we were gifted with new Holiday Time 2024 details for Disneyland Resort. The season kicks off Nov. 15, 2024, and will continue through Jan. 6, 2025. From new outfits for Mickey and Minnie to the debut of Mickey's Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Cafe, new surprises and experiences await, along with favorite entertainment including Believe ... In Holiday Magic fireworks and World of Color — Season of Light. Ho-ho-hop over to our Holiday Time guide for more details!
- It's time to enter the fog ... Halloween Horror Nights is back at Universal Studios Florida with a vengeance. Earlier this week, food menus were dropped (we're toadally getting an army of Stay Puft Marshmallow Man s'mores!) and the Tribute Store debuted early for passholders. Every year, we look forward to the new haunted houses and scare zones, and we know HHN33 won't disappoint with "A Quiet Place," "Ghostbusters" and "Insidious"-inspired houses. Plus, we'll meet two new HHN icons, SINIST3R and SURR3AL. Follow along with our stories on Instagram @themeparkfrog tonight (Aug. 30) as we put on our bravest froggy faces and get our hearts pumping.
- Over on the West Coast, Halloween Horror Nights isn't starting just yet at Universal Studios Hollywood (not until Sept. 5, 2024). But we learned a new "Late Night with Chucky" live talk show will feature the creepy doll himself with his self-deprecating humor in the DreamWorks Theatre during Halloween Horror Nights. Guests can submit their questions for Chucky, but if he doesn't like the question ... well, you might not survive the show. Food and drink menus were also revealed, including The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy Bar, Chucky's Dive Bar and Leatherface's BBQ.
- Calling all night owls — Disney After Hours events will return in 2025! These separately ticketed events hoppen at select theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, giving guests the chance to experience Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios after normal park hours with limited crowds and complimentary snacks. Tickets for 2025 events will go on sale Sept. 10, 2024, and you bet your favorite frogs will have discount After Hours tickets! For more info, you can check out our After Hours guide.
- After several months of closure due to the ongoing construction work in the newly renamed Bayou Country, The Many Adventures of Winne the Pooh has reopened! To celebrate, hop by Pooh Corner for the new Blue Honey Pot apple.
- Disney Cruise Line has revealed details about Disney Destiny's maiden voyage — the Disney heroes and villains-themed ship will sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL, starting Nov. 20, 2025. The initial four-night cruise will include stops at both Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Following the maiden voyage, the inaugural season will feature four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean, with a visit to Castaway Cay and/or Lookout Cay. Plus, we got a first look at the "Pirates of the Caribbean"-themed lounge, Cask and Cannon! We've got everything you need to know about the newest ship in our Disney Destiny guide.
- One of our favorite festivals is back — EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has returned and will continue through Nov. 23, 2024. From the new Macatizers booth in CommuniCore Hall to the fresh fall-themed marketplaces, there's plenty of opportunity to sample new international flavors all around the park. The Frog Fam tested out the new Unnecessarily Spicy Yet Extremely Tasty Carolina Reaper Pepper Curry Wings, so you don't have to! (Check out the reel here.) For a full list of menus, including allergy-friendly options, hop over to our Food & Wine menus post.
- We're closing in on your last chance to ride Scorpion at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. After 44 years of operation, Scorpion will permanently close after its final day on Sept. 8, 2024, to make way for a future experience. Details about its replacement have not been revealed yet. For Tad, it was one of his first upside-down roller coasters, so this news stings a little!
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news this week.
Hoppy planning!
