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:
- Are you ready for a wild ride? Serengeti Flyer officially opens Feb. 27, 2023, at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. When it debuts, this new Screamin' Swing ride will become the world's tallest and fastest ride of its kind. Riders will be seated back-to-back in rows of 10 across two gondolas, as they experience multiple negative-G moments while reaching speeds of 68 mph and a maximum height of 135 feet. The pendulum swing ride will be located near the former Rhino Rally area. Annual passholders will get a chance to preview it, starting Feb. 24.
- ICYMI: A new "Avatar" experience is coming to Disneyland Resort, according to CEO Bob Iger who confirmed the news during a quarterly earnings call. We still do not have very many details, but more information should be shared soon — so stay tuned!
- By the end of February, full housekeeping room cleanings will be available once again at all Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Services — which include replacing towels and amenities, cleaning bathrooms, making the beds, vacuuming and more — will be provided daily or every other day depending on the hotel. Additionally, the newly refurbished rooms at Disney's BoardWalk Inn will gradually debut over the coming weeks.
- A new superhero is coming to Disney California Adventure Park! For a limited time starting Feb. 15, you'll be able to meet Lunella Lafayette, aka Moon Girl, from the new Disney+ series, "Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur." You can catch her in a special one-day-only celebration (including a cavalcade on Hollywood Blvd) and stage show on the Hollywood Backlot Stage — but she'll stick around for a short time after Feb. 15.
- Knott's Berry Farm has suspended its Saturday chaperone policy. Under the policy, guests 17 and under were required to have a chaperone 21 years or older in order to be admitted into the park. The policy had been modified a few times since implementation last summer, which at one point, covered Fridays and Sundays as well.
That’s it for the theme park news this week! Have a great weekend.
Hoppy planning!