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:
A 1920s era-themed restaurant, bar and nighttime destination is headed to Disney Springs. Set in a historic electric company, The Edison will make its East Coast debut in 2016 (there is a Los Angeles version). There will be live entertainment, including cabaret and music, in the industrial gothic space that will include The Lab performance space, The Ember Parlour, Telegraph Lounge, The Patent Office, The Tesla Lounge, The Radio Room and Waterfront Patio. Nightly entertainment will include contortionists, palm readers, DJs and more. The theming fits perfectly with Disney Springs, and we're excited to see more grownup, even edgier, offerings are being planned for the entertainment area. What do you think? Let us know in comments below.
More details have been revealed about the Universal Orlando Resort's 5th on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls, which is set to open in summer 2016. This 1,000-room hotel will include a mix of standard rooms and suites, including kids suites (no word on theming yet), a 15,600-square-foot pool, and four restaurants and bars.- One of the week's biggest reveals were the names and concept plans for the new "Frozen" ride and meet-and-greet headed to Epcot's Norway in 2016.
- Universal is starting the reveals early for this year's Halloween Horror Nights, and it announced this week that Jason and Freddy would go head to head in a new haunted house that will include scenes from "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and the "Friday the 13th" movies.
- Just in time for today's release of "Jurassic World," Universal Studios Hollywood has expanded its Jurassic part of the Studio Tour for the nighttime version that officially opens in July. It features a raptor attack on the classic set pieces.
- We all know that Disneyland brings in big bucks, but now we know that the resort generates an estimated $5.7 billion in annual economic activity for the Southern California region.
- In your must-watch video of the week, the Broadway cast of "The Lion King" and "Aladdin" put on an impromtu performance at New York's La Guardia Airport during a six-hour flight delay.
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.
