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:
- Universal Orlando revealed the sleek VelociCoaster ride vehicles in a quick clip this week on Twitter. Guests will board the vehicles to "join the hunt" this summer. Who knew that ride vehicles could just look fast?! I guess the real question is whether or not they are fast enough to outrun some raptors ... and it looks like they've already had a close call or two. We. Cannot. Wait!
- If you've visited Universal Orlando, you know that lockers are a must (unless you just carry a wallet like Leap — lucky guy). Good news! Near Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, hundreds of new lockers (yes, you read that right!) have opened. The open-air lockers are available down a pathway to the left of Hogwarts Castle, and are free to use.
- There's a new add-on experience at Discovery Cove! The all-new Flamingo Mingle allows visitors to feed and wade with the birds, with limited capacity, some one-on-one animal time and even a photographer on-site to capture the moment.
- If you'd like to add some holiday fun to your vacay along with your Discovery Cove adventure, look no further than SeaWorld's Christmas celebration! We hopped over recently to check out all of the merriment (and hot cocoa). Check it out in the video below!
- Orlando International Airport has approved a plan to offer paid, rapid COVID-19 testing on-site. In partnership with AdventHealth, the testing site will be set up pre-security on the airport's third level, at the West End of the Main Terminal so that passengers may be tested before boarding their flight.
- Walt Disney World has a special gift under the tree for us this year — a sneak peek of Remy's Ratatouille Adventure! Tituss Burgess and Julianne Hough will host this year's “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration” on Dec. 25 at 10 a.m. EST on ABC. In addition to the special peek at EPCOT's upcoming attraction, the holiday celebration will feature musical performances, laughs, family stories and more.
- As an early gift (we are spoiled this year), Disney World has also released an encore performance of the Candlelight Processional from 2019, with narrator Neil Patrick Harris. Enjoy all of the performance's warm fuzzies from home until it returns in 2021.
- Someone got a sneak peek at the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction at EPCOT — Groot! Check out Disney Parks' TikTok video of interactive Groot groovin' on the ride. We think he liked it.
- Don't froget, you can get a head start on some holiday cheer with our latest sweepstakes! We are offering you and your family a chance to win a three-night hotel stay and theme park tickets to Universal Orlando Resort for a froggy-fun and festive vacation. Enter our Winter Wonderland Sweepstakes here.
That’s it for the theme park news this week! Have a great weekend.
Hoppy planning!
