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.
- A new nighttime projection show, "The Heartbeat of New Orleans," will debut Sept. 29 on the Rivers of America until Fantasmic! returns in spring 2024. It will tell the tale of a bayou frog who overhears lively jazz music at a distance and is lured to New Orleans. The new show joins Queenie and the Jambalaya Jazz Band, who has been performing nightly since July, as temporary replacements for Fantasmic!
- ¡Arriba! From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrate Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month at Disney Parks! Enjoy an array of carefully curated eats inspired by classic dishes and flavors of Hispanic and Latin American cultures. At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can savor a variety of offerings, including the Chimichurri Marinated Skirt Steak Taco and the refreshing, Frozen Chocolate Coquito cocktail. In Disneyland Resort, indulge in Mexican Chicken Caesar Salad and finish off your meal with a Cinnamon-Chocolate Mexican Sweet Bread Funnel Cake or another decadent dessert. These mouthwatering treats are sure to have someone or everyone in the family.
- Experience sinister scares during Halloween Horror Nights 2023 at Univeral Studios Hollywood<! As of Sept. 7, the park transforms into a nightmare of screams and scares by night — fueled by Universal’s scary attractions. This year, guests can explore (if they dare) eight original haunted houses — including the all-new "Stranger Things 4" and "Evil Dead Rise" attractions — three scare zones, two brand-new live experiences and a terror tram!
- It’s Oogie’s turn to boogie! Oogie Boogie Bash is now taking place on select nights at Disney California Adventure Park. Filled with characters in costumes, spooktacular treat trails and the Frightfully Fun parade (among other frogciting shows), this family-friendly fall celebration provides guests with a colorful Halloween experience. Catch brand-new villains, such as Judge Doom from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and Yokai from "Big Hero 6," before this special party ends Oct. 31.
- Ghostly spirits run rampant at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, as Howl-O-Scream 2023 has kicked off with a shriek! On select nights from Sept. 8 to Oct. 31, sinister entities possess the park, bringing haunted houses, scare zones, shows and more bone-chilling attractions to life — specifically for adult and older teen frogs to enjoy. Beginning Sept. 9, enter a whimsical world of enchantment, magic and candy during Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Spooktacular. Taking place during the day, these fall festivities allow families to experience special costume parades, story times and trick-or-treating for the Halloween season.
- The legend lives on at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia! In honor of its 46th birthday, Loch Ness Monster — the world's first interlocking loop coaster — will undergo a full restoration in 2024! As part of the revamp, contemporary thematic and experiential elements will be added to the classic attraction.
- The Disney Treasure — Disney Cruise Line’s newest vessel — will set sail in December 2024! Centered around themes of exploration and discovery, this ship draws inspiration from classic Disney films such as "Aladdin" and "The Lion King," as well as real-world countries in Asia and Africa. In more hoppy news, the ship will feature an all-new, never-before-seen theatrical dining experience, "Plaza de Coco," based on the animated film, "Coco."
That's it for theme park news this week.
Hoppy Planning!
