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:
- Nothing can stop us now! Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disneyland Park now offers a standby line. Going forward, the virtual line reservation system will only be required for this ride when needed. While an individual Lightning Lane can still be purchased to experience the ride, guests can now enjoy the full immersive queue from the standby line. Hop over to our post outlining the toadally awesome easter eggs found in the ride's queue.
- Get ready for Rogers: The Musical! Disney Parks teased a new one-act, Marvel-themed musical for a limited-run this upcoming summer at the Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure Park. The musical follows Steve Rogers on his journey to becoming Captain America and leading the Avengers.
- Disneyland Resort recently announced new details about the opening of San Fransokyo Square in Disney California Adventure. Set to open in late summer, the new space is meant to transport guests to the fictional, futuristic mash-up of San Francisco and Tokyo from Big Hero 6! It will feature breathtaking architectural feats, such as the San Fransokyo Gate Bridge, and other clues of the charming history behind the area.
- EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival menus have dropped! This year, 15 Outdoor Kitchens return with the freshest flavors and ingredients. Returning favorites include the Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake and Violet Lemonade. And we can't wait to try so many of the new items (there are over 50!), such as the Citrus Baked Brie and the "Pollinator" Flatbread.
- We are hoppy to report that additional dates and events have been added to Disney After Hours at Walt Disney World Resort! For the first time, EPCOT will now host its own After Hours parties. This will grant guests access to unforgettable attractions, such as Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Reopening this spring, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park will see the return of the H2O Glow After Hours event. After Hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios has also been extended to dates in May and June. Tickets for these events can be purchased starting March 3, 2023.
- Six Flags Over Texas welcomes its 14th ride to prepare for the upcoming spring break season! The highly anticipated DC-themed rollercoaster, Aquaman: Power Wave, will feature a fun, water element. Set to reopen on March 11, the attraction will accelerate riders up to 63 mph across over 700 feet of track.
- Oh boy! Two beloved Disneyland After Dark events are returning to Disneyland Resort in 2023, Throwback Nite and Star Wars Nite. At these events, guests can enjoy even more unique, themed experiences, shows, merch and eats than in previous years. Tickets for these events can be purchased via the Disneyland website, as of Feb. 23, 2023.
That’s it for the theme park news this week! Have a great weekend.
Hoppy planning!