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, other theme parks and Disney Cruise Line.
- "What's this? What's this?" It's Christmas in July at Disneyland as the Haunted Mansion reopens in its festive Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay after a six-month refurbishment. The popular dark ride will be available starting Monday, July 29. To manage the anticipated demand, Disneyland is introducing a virtual queue system for guests wishing to experience the attraction. The refurbishment includes a newly expanded exterior queue, transformed into a garden-themed space. Plus, fans can look forward to a new Madame Leota-themed gift shop at the ride's exit. Check out our guides to Halloween at Disneyland, Christmas at Disneyland and the secret history of the Haunted Mansion for even more fun and festive info.
- There's a bear-y exciting update headed to Disneyland! The Hungry Bear Restaurant is set to reopen with a new twist as the Hungry Bear Barbeque Jamboree. This transformation celebrates the Country Bears, featuring a menu inspired by regional BBQ dishes the bears "discovered while on tour." While the restaurant won't offer a character meal, diners can expect to enjoy the Country Bears' greatest hits playing in the background. The original Country Bears show may have closed in 2001, but their spirit will live on with this newly reimagined dining experience. Although the exact opening date and menu details are still under wraps, anticipation is building for this fun, nostalgic addition to Disneyland's dining scene. In case you missed it, read up on the recent Country Bear hoppenins' over at Walt Disney World.
- Calling all Marvel fans — Deadpool and Wolverine are making their debut at Avengers Campus! Disney has announced that the fan-favorite Merc with a Mouth and his bestie will start greeting guests at Disney California Adventure's Avengers Campus at Disneyland Resort beginning July 26, 2024, for a limited time. This marks the first time the iconic anti-hero and X-Men mutant will join the lineup of superheroes at Disney Parks, offering guests a unique opportunity to meet and interact with these novel characters.
- Get ready for the first-ever D23 Day at Disneyland Resort hoppening Aug. 8, 2024, a special kickoff party ahead of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim. This one-day celebration will feature themed offerings, including a Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party in Disney California Adventure, a themed cavalcade in Disneyland Park and limited-time character appearances. Guests will also receive complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hats and enjoy live music from Suburban Legends. Plus, a new merchandise collection honoring the 25th anniversary of "Tarzan" will debut. In addition, collectors can purchase unique D23 medallions that will be sold at several locations around the resort. Visitors will also receive complimentary unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos and a special Magic Shot will be available that day.
- Over in Tampa, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has unleashed its newest attraction, Phoenix Rising. The inverted family coaster officially opened on July 22. Billed as North America's tallest and longest inverted family coaster, Phoenix Rising takes riders on a journey above the Serengeti Plain and through the skies of Pantopia. With speeds reaching up to 44 miles per hour and a height requirement of just 42 inches, this ride is designed for guests of all ages. Be sure to watch the Frog Family's experience with our YouTube POV.
- A new era of skip-the-line convenience has arrived at Walt Disney World with the launch of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass system on July 24, 2024. This system replaces Disney Genie+, offering more flexibility and planning options. Resort guests can now make Lightning Lane selections up to seven days in advance, while non-resort guests can plan three days ahead. The system allows for booking multiple days of passes at once, simplifying vacation planning. Like the former FastPass+ service, Lightning Lane Multi Pass features a tiered system at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, allowing one advance selection from the first tier and two from the second (or all three from the second tier). Disney’s Animal Kingdom attractions are not tiered. For specifics, strategies and tips on using the new Lightning Lane Passes, hop over to our comprehensive Lightning Lane Guide and FAQs.
- Exciting Disney Cruise Line announcements are on the horizon! From July 30 through Aug. 1, 2024, Disney will unveil major announcements about the Disney Destiny, the new heroes and villains-inspired ship set to sail in December 2025. This three-day reveal promises to share exciting details about the ship's unique offerings. While we eagerly await these updates, head over to our blog post for everything we know so far about the Disney Destiny.
- Just in time for spooky season, Universal Orlando Resort has unveiled the 10th and final haunted house for this year's Halloween Horror Nights: Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines. Opening on Aug. 30, this thrilling new house features an all-female lineup of classic Universal Monsters, including the Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula's daughter, the She-Wolf of London and Egyptian princess Anck-Su-Namun. Guests will find themselves caught in an epic battle between these iconic figures, where only one bloodline can prevail. The event, which runs until Nov. 3, 2024, promises spine-chilling scares and unforgettable experiences. Don't froget to visit our Halloween Horror Nights guide for even more details. "Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines" will also be featured at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood.
- Have you herd the great news? It's been a stripe-tacular summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, with the arrival of four Hartmann’s mountain zebra foals. Visitors have a chance to spot these adorable newcomers on the Disney World savannas. The zebras at Disney World include Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Grevy’s zebra and the Plains zebra. Second-time mom Aziza welcomed a healthy baby boy on July 16, with the pair bonding backstage area before joining the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Another new arrival, a baby boy born to first-time mom Asha, made his debut in the early hours of July 8. Juno, also a second-time mom, gave birth to a baby girl named Cada at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The oldest foal, Penne, born on June 13 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, weighed nearly 100 pounds at birth! For more updates, follow Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment on Facebook and Dr. Mark on Instagram.
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news this week.
Hoppy planning!
