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.
- The interactive kangaroo habitat, Kangaloom, has officially reopened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! Home to 29 kangaroos, eight wallabies and one wallaroo, Kanglaoom has gotten a complete makeover and offers an even closer look at your favorite marsupials. The "kangaroo highways" allow them to move freely within the habitat with plenty of space to bounce around. While the experience is only available to guests ages 5 and up, younger guests can watch all of the action through a newly installed observation window.
- If you're planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation next year, hotel stays and Theme Park tickets for 2025 are available now! You can save some green by booking hotels and purchasing tickets through Undercover Tourist. Plus, Disney World will introduce a brand-new perk for on-site hotel guests, starting with stays in 2025. Resort hotel guests will receive a complimentary visit to either Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park on the day of check-in.
- In case you missed the big news, Universal Orlando Resort has announced a summer 2024 opening timeframe and more details about its upcoming DreamWorks Land coming to Universal Studios Florida. The family-friendly land will feature new attractions and play areas, such as Shrek's Swamp Meet, Po's Kung Fu Training Camp and Trolls Trollercoaster — plus entertainment, dining, shopping and character greeting opportunities. Hop over to our DreamWorks Land post for more details!
- Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival officially kicks off today, March 1, and will run until April 22, 2024. This year, the Festival Marketplaces along with other locations at Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District will boast more than 80 new food and drink items, plus returning favorites — all inspired by California cuisine. Check out the full list of food menus here!
- We frogs obviously love the color green, so whenever St. Patrick's Day rolls around, we're always frogcited about green treats galore! Disney Parks dropped the St. Patty's Day foodie guide for all the shamrock-inspired treats at both Disney World and Disneyland. From the classic Mickey Shamrock Milkshake to the brand-new End of the Rainbow Crème Brûlée, your taste buds will surely receive some extra luck this holiday.
- A pair of restaurants have recently reopened after lengthy refurbishments at Universal Orlando Resort with toadally revamped menus. Over in Universal Islands of Adventure, Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-Pendous in Seuss Landing reopened earlier in the month, and now serves items such as the Big Top Burger, Pizza Pasta, Magician Meatball Cone, Tamed Dragon Salad and Red Fish, Blue Fish Poke Bowl. In Universal Studios Florida, the 50s-inspired Mel's Drive-In is back with burgers, fries and shakes, along with a new vegan chili dog option.
- Starting this weekend, characters at Castaway Cay will be sporting a new look! Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends will sport new colorful beachwear to mix and mingle with guests on Disney Cruise Line's private island. Where can I buy Daisy's hat?
- The Disney Treasure has a new anthem! Sung by award-winning singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks and written by Dewain Whitmore, Jr. and Chantry Johnson, "Live the Adventure" is the first and only Disney Cruise Line ship to have a signature song — and boy, is it a good one! Can we set sail yet?!
That's it for theme park news this week.
Hoppy planning!
