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.
- To celebrate Mardi Gras, Disney Parks announced that Tiana's Bayou Adventure will have a summer 2024 opening at Magic Kingdom Park! We also got a first look at the new Audio-Animatronic of Tiana in her special adventure outfit. Joining her will be a swampful of friendly critters, familiar faces and new friends. Learn more about the new attraction based on "The Princess and the Frog" — and of course, we're so frogcited for this one! Disney confirmed that Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Park will open later in 2024.
- Ready to treat your taste buds? Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is coming right up, and we've got a first look at the menus. Inspired by the flavors of the Golden State, the festival will feature more than 80 new items! Good thing it's running from March 1 to April 22, so there's plenty of time to try as much as we can. For a full list of the menus, hop over to our Food & Wine menus post, as well as our main festival guide.
- On the other coast, EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will blossom Feb. 29 through May 27. The foodie guide for this spring festival was just released, as well. We can't wait for returning favorites such as the popular Frozen Violet Lemonade and new items such as the Peach Galette and Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich. Hop over to our Flower & Garden menus post for a full list!
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park has a brand-new resident! Corra, a 2-month-old African elephant, recently made her debut in the savanna alongside her mom, Nadirah, who was also born at the park. Officially this makes Corra the very first second-generation elephant in Animal Kingdom history. You might just be able to spot the baby elephant with her herd — which also includes her aunts, grandma and dad — during your next Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. But she should enjoy her time being the baby, as Animal Kingdom is expecting two more baby elephants in 2025.
- Universal has teamed up with Minecraft to create the Universal Studios Experience, inviting gamers to explore a virtual Universal theme park featuring past and present attractions from all Universal theme parks across the globe.
- Busch Gardens Tampa has teased an upcoming attraction, giving a glance at the arrival of new coaster tracks on the park's X account. Though not named in the post, Busch Gardens has previously announced Phoenix Rising, a new family-friendly suspended roller coaster. Soar over the Serengeti Plain as if you're flying on the wings of a Phoenix, with twists and turns and speeds up to 44 mph. Stay tuned for more details in our What's Coming to Orlando Theme Parks post.
- Knott's Berry Farm is getting ready for its annual Boysenberry Festival and is also celebrating the renovation of the newly rebranded Knott's Hotel (formerly Knott's Berry Farm Hotel). The Boysenberry Festival kicks off March 8 and features new menu items such as Chicken tikka masala with boysenberry curry sauce and a boysenberry brownie parfait. The hotel has a new coffee bar, restaurant (Thirty Acres Kitchen, which pays homage to the park's founders), courtyard and expanded gift shop.
- Ahoy there! Disney Cruise Line shared a photo of the Disney Treasure bow artwork featuring Captain Minnie Mouse. It's toadally awesome to see the ship coming together as it prepares for its maiden voyage in December 2024. Be sure to follow along with the updates in our Disney Treasure post.
- The Force is getting stronger as Star Wars Nite events are coming up real soon. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Feb. 23, 2024, with pre-sale opportunities starting Feb. 20 (for Inspire Key holders) and Feb. 21 and 22 (for all Magic Key holders).
That's it for theme park news this week.
Hoppy planning!
