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.
- This coming fall, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park on select nights! We're hoppy since this is the first time that the park has offered Extended Evening Hours. On Nov. 8 and 22, Dec. 4 and 28, 2023, guests in select Disney Deluxe Resorts will be given access to popular attractions such as Avatar Flight of Passage, DINOSAUR and Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain after the park closes for the rest of the public. Hop over to our Extended Evening Hours post for things to know before you go.
- For families traveling between Orlando and South Florida, Brightline will launch service to Orlando International Airport starting Sept. 22, 2023. The modern, eco-friendly, higher-speed rail service will connect Orlando to Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
- Universal Destinations & Experiences is still keeping details about Epic Universe tightly under wraps, but we did learn a few new tidbits from NBCUniversal's CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences this week. The new theme park is expected to be the most technologically advanced yet for Universal, with facial recognition, photo validation technology and robotics drone technology. Epic Universe will be split into four main themed lands based on IPs, including Super Nintendo World, that surround a central hub. Also, fleet of electric buses will transport guests between Epic Universe and the rest of Universal Orlando Resort. We can't wait to learn more!
- Starting Sept. 12, guests can envelop their taste buds in delectable new flavors at Disneyland Resort. Select eateries will welcome new and returning favorite bites to their menus, as well as some nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverage additions. At River Belle Terrace, guests can indulge in a wide range of savory plates, including BBQ Brisket Burnt Ends Pasta and Warm Bacon & Spinach Salad. Cafe Orleans offers various new refreshing beverages, such as a House Hurricane Cocktail, McBride Sisters Chardonnay and Mirassou Wines Pinot Noir. For more of a breakfast feel, head to Carnation Cafe for special treats — including Lavender and Orange Juice Mimosas — as well as the new Walt’s Chili-Cheese Omelet. Yum!
- From the 2023 Destination D23 event, new details were revealed about upcoming magical changes at EPCOT! Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, will officially open at the World Nature area starting Oct. 16, 2023. Nearby in the Imagination Pavilion, FIgment has already begun greeting guests as of Sept. 10! In more hoppy news, Test Track will undergo a reimagining sometime in the future. A new nighttime spectacular, "Luminous the Symphony of Us," will debut at EPCOT on Dec. 5, 2023 — featuring fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects and music. Lastly, the World Celebration neighborhood will open this December, tying World Discovery and World Nature together as the last part of EPCOT's transformation.
- It’s a hoppening time at all of the Walt Disney World Resort, but especially at Magic Kingdom Park! A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to the park in the future! The lounge, which will extend the story from the iconic ride, will be located in Adventureland. Over in Liberty Square, the Haunted Mansion ride will conjure up the notorious Hatbox Ghost from Disneyland's version of the attraction this late November. Another classic attraction, the Country Bear Jamboree, is getting a refresh soon. The show will feature new songs and the bears will perform an entirely new act. How frogciting!
- In the coming years, Disney Imagineers will breathe new life into Disney's Animal Kingdom Park! An all-new show based on "Zootopia" will be showcased at the Tree of Life theater, replacing "It’s Tough to Be a Bug." In it, you'll visit different biomes from the film along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters from the movie.
- New froggerific attractions and experiences are coming to Disneyland Resort as soon as next year! In spring 2024, Ahsoka will appear in the Star Tours attraction located in Tomorrowland. Asha, from the new Disney animated film, “Wish,” will also arrive at Disneyland Resort soon. Fans were given a first look at the new world-jumping vehicle for the next Avengers Campus attraction at Disney California Adventure Park. Powered by Tony Stark’s time suits in cooperation with Xandarian jump points and Wakandan technology, of course, the ride will transport Earth’s mightiest heroes into the Multiverse.
- Adventure is out there! After the announcement of its latest ship, the Disney Treasure, the Disney Cruise Line has already released information about the next ship joining its fleet — the Disney Adventure! The Disney Adventure is set to be the first Disney ship to sail from Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia. Three brand-new vessels, and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, are currently in development for Disney Cruise Line, too.
That's it for theme park news this week.
Hoppy planning!
