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, other theme parks and Disney Cruise Line.
- 'Tis the season to be jolly! The holidays are just around the corner and we're a firm believer that there's no better place to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than at Walt Disney World Resort. Luckily, tickets for Disney World's holiday parties are finally on sale! Ring in the season with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff and gobble down on Clarabelle Cow's cookies at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park or laugh out loud with Kermit and Miss Piggy and sing along with Jack and Sally at Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Check out our guides to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights for all the fun, festive info you need to know!
- D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is just around the corner! From Aug. 9 to 11, 2024, Disney fans from around the globe will once again congregate in Anaheim for this immersive experience jam-packed with panels, presentations and frogciting offerings that can only be made possible with Disney magic. We're so stoked to share that the full programming lineup for this year has finally been revealed, but the one panel we're eagerly awaiting is Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase. On Aug. 10 at the Honda Center, Josh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, will take the stage with surprise stars and special guests for a live celebration of the music and creativity that power Disney's stories AND news and updates about projects in development around the world. Stay tuned to our D23 blog where we'll be sharing all the must-know deets!
- You know what they say — the show must go on! We can bearly contain our excitement over the return of one of our favorite Magic Kingdom opening day attractions. That's right ... the Country Bear Musical Jamboree is opening its doors in Frontierland after a brief refurbishment on July 17, 2024, and Walt Disney World has given us a rundown of all the ursine musicians who'll be crooning and serenading us when the show returns. We were so excited to get a preview listen of what Trixie, Big Al and all their country cousins have in store when the curtain rises on Grizzly Hall next week — check it out!
- Over at Universal Orlando Resort, doors to dark dimensions are beginning to open. The world's premier Halloween event, Halloween Horror Nights, begins Aug. 30 and runs until Nov. 3, 2024. If you're ready to face your fears over and over again, you're in luck. Multi-night tickets are now on sale, as are Scream Early tickets which allow you to arrive at Universal Studios Florida at 3 p.m. and wait in a Stay & Scream area at 5 p.m. until the event begins. Will your first house be Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire or the newly announced Insidious: The Further which will transport you to the ethereal and timeless astral world of the "Insidious" franchise where you'll come face-to-face with The Red Faced-Demon, KeyFace and more familiar evil entities? Head over to our Halloween Horror Nights guide to get all the demonic details! Insidious: The Further will also be open — for those brave enough — at Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood.
- Once the fog clears in November and the tortured souls are peacefully laid to rest, Earl the Squirrel, the Grinch and all the happy Whos will come out to play! Universal Orlando announced on July 9, 2024, that they'll be decking the halls and trimming up the trees from Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, 2024. Get ready to enjoy some Hot Butterbeer in Diagon Alley while Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees serenade you with holiday tunes and meet the green maven of mischief himself up on the top of Mount Crumpit!
- Let the adventure begin! On June 27, 2024, Camp Snoopy reopened its gates at Knott's Berry Farm and the camp's annual jamboree commenced. Tadpoles will love unleashing their inner explorer in this reimagined land which features an off-road adventure, a new family roller coaster, a giant swing and all the carefree fun of summer camp! Inspired by the California High Sierras, Camp Snoopy allows campers of all ages to become full-fledged Beagle Scouts as they enjoy new rides, new character experiences, new entertainment, a new dining hall, camp store and more seating and ambience.
- Prepare to spread your wings and soar because Phoenix Rising will soon be taking flight at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The brand-new suspended roller coaster will begin previews on July 17, 2024, in preparation for its grand opening on July 21, 2024. We can't wait to experience this fiery blaze of immersive, family-friendly excitement as we swoop above the Serengeti Plain! With a height requirement of just 42 inches, it's the perfect adventure for the whole family! If you're ready to tackle all the wildest coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, be sure to check out our thrill-seeker's guide for our top tips and tricks.
- National headliners will soon take the SeaWorld San Diego stage for their Summer Spectacular Concert series. Head to Bayside Amphitheater where you'll see Jesse McCartney on July 13, Ginuwine on July 20, Soulja Boy & Bow Wow on July 27, Relient K on Aug. 3, Hunter Hayes on Aug. 10, Montell Jordan on Aug. 17 and Newsboys on Aug. 24. All concerts begin at 6 p.m. Be sure to check out our fintastic guide to sea all of the park's year-round events!
- Get in on the fun early and beat the afternoon heat at SeaWorld San Antonio with Early Rise Hours! Starting at 8 a.m. on July 13, 20 and 27 and Aug. 3, you'll be able to enter the Sesame Street Bay of Play, ride thrilling coasters such as Steel Eel and Wave Breaker and so much more. Check out the SeaWorld San Antonio website to see opening times of all your favorite attractions.
That's it for theme park news this week.
Hoppy planning!
