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:
- We can't believe it's already halfway to Halloween! In honor of that very special milestone, Walt Disney World Resort announced that the boo-loved after-hours event, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, will be returning to Magic Kingdom Park for the first time since 2019. The event will take place over 37 nights from Aug. 12 to Oct. 31, 2022, starting at 7 p.m. and going until midnight. Returning to the party is "Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade," trick-or-treating at locations throughout Magic Kingdom, the "Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular" stage show, character meet-and-greets, themed overlays on popular attractions, "Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular" fireworks extravaganza and sweet and savory seasonal menu items. Tickets go on sale May 18, 2022, but guests staying at a Walt Disney World hotel can begin purchasing tickets as early as May 12, 2022. Click here to check out all you need to know about the eerie event — and stay tuned for tickets from Undercover Tourist!
- Also for the occasion, Disney PhotoPass has unveiled two new offerings that we're just dying to check out! Head over to Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios and, if you've purchased Disney Genie+, you can enter the Twilight Zone with just a click of a button. If you've always wanted to work at the Hollywood Tower Hotel, this is your chance. The other new offering is over in Magic Kingdom Park at the Haunted Mansion. On-ride photos have been given a ghastly makeover. Make sure to check out your petrifying portrait in the My Disney Experience app to see which ghost followed you home.
- Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland Resort is about to get a little more animated. The hotel will be reimagined to weave the artistry of Pixar into its laidback, modern vibes. Frogs staying at the hotel will get reacquainted with their favorite Pixar characters through carefully curated artwork and décor with elements such as the iconic Pixar Lamp balancing atop the Luxo Ball in the lobby. The hotel will remain open during its re-theming with work taking place one section at a time.
- Several benefits are being introduced and returning for frogs staying at Disneyland Resort hotels! Later this year, guests can begin interacting with "Hey, Disney!" — a voice assistant paired with Alexa on Amazon Echo — to make their stay more convenient and enjoyable. Also, later this summer, guests will be able to send select theme park purchases back to their hotel rooms again. Lastly ... drum roll, please ... Extra Magic Hours are returning for Disneyland Resort hotel guests later this summer, as well! Staying on property will allow you to access the parks early and begin enjoying your day before everyone else arrives. Click here to read about all the magical reasons to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel.
- As a massive foodie myself, I'm so frogcited to hear about all the dining updates coming to Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort! Hand-crafted soup dumplings, anyone? World-renowned restaurant Din Tai Fung will open in Downtown Disney and offer family-style, flavorful Chinese cuisine. In the mood for Mexican food? Head on over to Paseo and Centrico where Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan has prepped a multi-sensory journey into the heart of his homeland. Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is getting an update to add a little California flare to its menu and interior and exterior decor. Lastly, while the original location is being torn down along with AMC Theaters, Starbucks West and Sugarboo & Co., Earl of Sandwich will be opening up a pop-up location for a limited time later this year.
- The newest Marvel superhero is making her way to Avengers Campus! Starting in May for a limited time, frogs can meet America Chavez from the upcoming film "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" over in Disney California Adventure Park.
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando are saluting members of the military and veterans. Through the "Waves of Honor" program, the theme parks are offering free one-day admission throughout the year to active-duty U.S. military personnel and up to three guests and, for a limited time, veterans will also receive free admission for themselves and three guests.
- Walt Disney World Resort dropped the first on-ride footage of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! Disney's first-ever reverse launch rollercoaster will take guests on a thrilling journey to help Rocket, Groot, Gamora and Star-Lord save the galaxy from the evil Celestial, Eson. This "story coaster" rotates 360 degrees throughout the attraction so the focus is always on the action. We can't wait to team up with our favorite ragtag band of former outlaws in EPCOT next month!
That’s it for the theme park news this week! Have a great weekend.
Hoppy planning!
