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:
- SeaWorld Orlando Electric Ocean Remix premieres this week! On Fridays and Saturdays from July 24 to Sept. 6, guests can hop to SeaWorld after dark to groove along with a live DJ spinning tracks, complete with live entertainers and dancers ... while social distancing, of course (hence this year's modified, or "remixed" event!). Aside from enjoying the toadally electrifying dance music, guests can also catch the Light Up the Sky Fireworks show. Rad! Electric Ocean Remix is included in the cost of your regular admission ... just don't froget to make your SeaWorld Orlando reservation if you'd like to attend!
- And, for a limited time, U.S. military veterans and their families can enjoy free admission to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks! U.S. military veterans and retirees can redeem their complimentary single-day ticket(s) to SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio and Busch Gardens Tampa for themselves and up to three friends or family members through Nov. 11. Once SeaWorld San Diego and Busch Gardens Williamsburg reopen, the offer will be valid at those parks, as well. Tickets can be redeemed by visiting www.WavesofHonor.com. (Because park capacity is limited at this time, all guests will need to make a park reservation prior to their visit.)
- Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood made the difficult decision to cancel Halloween Horror Nights for 2020. The official annoucement: "Universal Orlando Resort will be focusing exclusively on operating its theme parks for daytime guests, using the enhanced health and safety procedures already in place. Universal Studios Hollywood continues to face ongoing business restrictions and uncertainty around its opening timeframe."
- Universal Orlando updated its mask policy this week, reminding guests that they must wear face coverings at all times, unless they are "actively eating and drinking." (For those of us with tadpoles, this is pretty standard — less spilled Butterbeer.) Likewise, face coverings must fit snugly over the nose and mouth and be secured under the chin; face coverings with exhalation valves, made of mesh or a material with holes, or that are not secured with ear loops/around the head will no longer be permitted. For more information about current policies and procedures in place, hop over to our full Universal Orlando reopening post.
- Disney World has also updated its policies around snacking and sipping in the parks. Guests must be stationary while eating and drinking so that masks stay on while in motion (no eating and drinking on-the-go at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!). There are cast members dedicated to enforcing the new policies and procedures in all of the parks. Here's a peek at this year's festival so that you can plan stake out some spaces ahead of time to stop and savor!
- Disney released a transmission (OK, we just wish it was from one of our favorite droids — it was a blog post on Disney Parks Blog) about updated time slots to try to secure a Boarding Group to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Starting today, Disney's Hollywood Studios guests can log into My Disney Experience at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. EST to join the virtual queue. (Don't worry — if you've never ridden before, we've got a step-by-step guide to getting a Boarding Pass!)
- Calling all animal lovers! If you've ever wanted an inside look at the care and keeping of Disney World's animals, you'll want to keep an eye out on Disney+ this fall! National Geographic is producing a television series centered around the animal care experts, and of course the animals they care for, at both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. I wonder how many more animals Lily will be able to call by name on our next visit!
- Pssst .... Florida Residents! Walt Disney World Resort has rolled out a brand-new ticket deal for Florida residents who head to the parks in 2020! The new Florida Resident Disney Magic Flex Ticket offers toadally terrific savings for those who reside in the Sunshine State. Even better, your favorite frogs can save you even more green if you purchase through us! The ticket is available now and valid through Dec. 18, 2020, for two, three or four days in the parks with prices starting at $135.48.
- Knott's Taste of Calico event at Knott's Berry Farm has been extended through Aug. 9! We hopped over to get a taste for ourselves, and let me just say, it did not disappoint (Leap had no idea he needed boysenberry beer in his life!). Taste of Calico sold out quickly for its initial run, so we were hoppy to hear SoCal will get another opportunity for boysenberry ICEEs ... and funnel cake ... and wings ...
That’s it for the theme park news this week! Have a great weekend.
Hoppy planning!
