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:
- Universal Orlando Resort announced it's building two new budget hotels on the site of the former Wet'n Wild water park. One hotel will be 2,050 rooms, and the other would be 750 rooms. Rates would start at less than $100 a night for the two hotels that would debut in 2019.
- While we're still enjoying the beautiful fall weather, it's never too early to hop ahead to spring, especially if you're planning a Disney World vacation. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will return in 2018 for 90 hopping days Feb. 28 through May 28. This will be the 25th anniversary of one of the resort's most popular events, which celebrates spring with fanciful Disney character topiaries, food and drink, outdoor "rock" concerts, gardens and interactive play areas.
- If you'll be visiting the resort sooner, as in this holiday season, then you mustn't miss out on the spectacular Christmas decorations and gingerbread displays at select Disney deluxe resort hotels. The debut of this year's displays begin Nov. 9 at Disney's Contemporary Resort, with other displays debuting at hotels after that. If you might not have booked your hotel, do know that we offer Disney World room discounts.
- The first of this year's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party events kicked off last night, and we frogs were leaping with joy at being there. Look for updates to our comprehensive party guide from the event, fresh pics and Tad's awesome video in the next day or two. In the meantime, you can whet your appetite at the party treats you can partake of this year, including red velvet Mickey waffles with ice cream, caramel sauce and holiday sprinkles from Sleepy Hollow treats. We are still offering discounts on select party dates!
- Last but not least, LEGOLAND Florida previewed the new VR coaster called The Great LEGO Race during an industry attractions expo this week in Orlando. The existing Project X roller coaster will be transformed into this new VR experience that will allow popular LEGO minifigs to square off against each other.
That’s it for the theme park news this week! Have a great weekend.
