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We got to see a preview of this last night at Disney Springs complete with a Q&A with director Leslie Iwerks! It was incredible what they were able to put together with all of this lost footage! The documentary covers the construction of Disneyland leading up to the park’s opening date. For a documentary style film, the pacing was great, the historic footage was a lot of fun to watch, and this is going to be a “must see” for anyone interested in the history of Disney theme parks! We heard from film director Leslie Iwerks on the making of the documentary and the film received a standing ovation at the conclusion! Was a great night of Disney history and hanging out with friends! Our post on Instagram covers a little more from the event last night: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTfnq_Rjf3w/

^ I always thought that maybe they should hire a 'street artist' or some painting company, to create a 3-D painting, underneath that coaster. It could be quite something. And be able to be refreshed when needed.

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Seriously, I do not see anything changing for the worse at any of these parks if they are sold to another operator. Status quo? Maybe. But they will certainly not get less investment than SFEC was going to put in to them. Also, seriously, the first time SFStL has real news in how long, and we've got nothing from @prozach626 ? I'm disappointed haha.

A new higher res. image confirms that they'll have light up portions in the darker colored slides as seen in the colored stripes on the green slides. A nice touch considering none of the nearby parks I know of have it. Another interesting note is Six Flags seemed to make no mention of the new waterpark expansion in this recent update on passholder benefits (second page of attached link). Seems to be a bias present towards former Cedar Fair parks, or at least VF, especially considering they haven't let the park announce anything formally yet. We've been lucky to have even got the teasers we have so far, which is sad considering there's been more revealed about the expansion from people driving by the park, or the construction company in charge of the install. Valleyfair's relationship with long time enthusiasts and loyalists is already so damaged, this delay is simply making it worse. Hopefully they can get the right marketing leadership involved and they can start to do damage control in light of a (hopefully) soon to be built rollercoaster. https://s204.q4cdn.com/155295784/files/doc_news/2026/Feb/02/SFEC-Announces-Regional-Pass-New-Gold-Benefits-2026-w-Capital.pdf Also considering the following permit filings, does anyone have any idea what the project over by looping starship's former plot of land will be? "BLDC-029534-2025 Building (Commercial)- New: M1 Slide Tower Footings & Retaining Wall Footings are closely connected [$150,000] BLDC-029541-2025 Building (Commercial) - New: M2 - Lagoon Area Footings and Foundation Walls. The foundations and retaining walls are closely connected [$175,000] BLDC-028330-2025- Building (Commercial) - Other/Repair- M2 - Mechanical Building Kids Lagoon Slides [$100,000] BLDC-028328-2025- Building (Commercial) - Other/Repair - M1 - Slide Tower Mechanical Building (Old Waterpark) [$125,000]"

Beautiful silhouette! Titan in the foreground and Tormenta in the background! Pic courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas!

Gideon's Bakehouse has announced a new venture at Disney Springs, Six Ravens. This new quick service location will serve "Coffyns," yeast bread-based hand pies with savory fillings. Other menu items teased include potatoes, local beers and more of Gideon's namesake desserts. This location will operate separately and in addition to the existing Gideon's Bakehouse location at Disney Springs (along with the original East End Market location). https://www.instagram.com/p/DTko0nTDh5I/?img_index=1 Today is the 5-year anniversary of Gideon’s in Disney Springs, and we’re ready to celebrate with you! It feels like a good day to make an announcement. This year might be our biggest year of growth, and there is one little mystery that people have been asking about. So let me tell you a little story. A few years ago, we started exploring ideas for something new that met a grab-and-go need in a small space. I will admit that another small shop caused some hesitation, but an idea came to mind that was hard to ignore. What if we created a place that offered up savory delights in collaboration with some of our favorite Central Florida chefs? After all, I got my start at Disney Springs as a secret menu item at the Polite Pig. It’s important to pay it forward and bring more local flavors to the international crowds we meet every day. So with that, I introduce you to Six Ravens. This new concept specializes in a creation we call Coffyns, the original term for an old school hand pie. This fluffy yeast bread is filled with flavors created not only by the talented minds in Gideon’s kitchen but also by some of your favorite Orlando culinary superstars. Combine that with potatoes, local draft beer, and, of course, some tasty desserts, and you will have a fun new place to fuel your park adventures. Six Ravens opens at Disney Springs later this year. Stay tuned here for details or follow @six.ravens! I’ll eventually start telling you more about our journey and share some behind-the-scenes as we build the stories in this new chapter. In addition to the unveiling of Six Ravens, we’d like to celebrate with a free gift! As you might have seen in my previous post, a Gargoyle Print will be available exclusively at Gideon’s in Disney Springs today! Limit one per transaction. While supplies last! We’re also adding some Birthday Cake Dunking Sticks to our menu today! Perfect for dipping in your Cold Brew! Both locations! While Supplies Last. Limit 2 per person. I just want to end by saying Thank You for supporting small local business at Disney Springs for the past 5 years. It has been an honor to represent our local community on the big stage. https://www.orlandoweekly.com/food-drink/food-news/six-ravens-by-gideons-bakehouse-owner-steve-lewis-is-coming-to-disney-springs/ Gideon’s Bakehouse started as a cult fave inside East End Market 10 years ago, then grew into an international phenomenon when owner Steve Lewis began hawking his half-pound cookie behemoths inside Disney Springs five years ago to the day. Lewis is now capitalizing on Gideon’s popularity with a concept called Six Ravens, a shop specializing in grab-and-go hand pies he’s calling “coffyns” — fluffy yeast rolls encasing a variety of savory fillings. Even better is that he’ll work with some local culinarians, like Eliot Hillis and Seth Parker of Red Panda Noodle and Bruno Zacchini of Pizza Bruno, on the hand pie offerings. Steve Lewis Credit: courtesy photo “Six Ravens is the result of collaborating with the family we’ve created at Gideon’s, and our friendships within the community, ” Lewis says. “We look forward to being a gateway to local flavors on the international stage by spotlighting our Orlando superstars.” Lewis says he spent years tinkering and experimenting with various coffyn fillings in his downtime with friends and peers from Orlando’s food scene. Spreading the wealth and affording local outfits with some powerhouse exposure was always the plan. “I got my start at Disney Springs as a secret menu item at the Polite Pig,” he says. “It’s important to pay it forward and bring more local flavors to the international crowds we meet every day.” Six Ravens will open in the building previously occupied by The Art of Shaving just a few doors down from Gideon’s Bakehouse. Lewis says the space might be small, but promises to “pack your world with flavors and the escapism that comes with the world of Gideon’s.” Gideon’s Bakehouse art director Michael Reyes will curate the design and imagery of the space, while Studio 407 will oversee the buildout. As far as the name is concerned, “The Six Ravens” first appeared on Gideon’s bill of fare in November 2023, and the menu card featuring a cloaked figure with a conspiracy of those feathered croakers has since become a collectible item. “I’ve been hinting for years that some of the Gideon’s characters are meant to venture off and create their own adventures.” From a historical perspective, ravens have long been tied to the lore of the Tower of London. Legend claims that should the six resident ravens ever leave, the kingdom will crumble. Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! Smashed Potato with Honey Mustard Credit: Six Ravens Accompanying those coffyns will be smashed potato fritters with dips ranging from sweet heat to a storied honey mustard that Lewis has been serving to his friends for decades. Six Ravens will also collaborate with Sideward Brewing and the The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. on beer offerings. And, yes, there will be sweet treats. Lewis hasn’t finalized the menu as yet, but he’ll reveal the flavors and collaborations bit by bit as the opening date nears, which should be sometime in Q3. That said, Hillis teased that his coffyn contribution may include chicken curry. Will we see four-and-20 blackbirds baked into one of those pies? Follow @six.ravens to find out.

The second half of the day was a rushed one as we aimed to experience as much as we could before the park's early closing. We moved from Far Far Away to Minions Land as our hosts had yet to experience this expansion since it opened. Similar to the Minions Land found at Universal Studios Japan, the experience here is bright, over-the-top and filled with Minion character moments. The space is huge (or at least it feels that way) and it definitely seems like a popular upgrade from the former Madagascar realm that was once in this same plot of land. They had a few fun Minions games in the Super Silly Fun Land section of Minions Land... Including this perfect recreation of the Super Silly Space Killer game from the first Despicable Me movie! Just so much to take in! They nailed the Super Silly Fun Land feel from the film. Very cute. Equally cute. Time for what ended up being my favorite thing we experienced in the park that day... I'm not even kidding. This Halloween Minions show was adorable and super fun to watch! And the Halloween minions looked great! It'll never not amaze me that the ride system for The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera gave life to this attraction in 1990 in Florida but has also managed to be cloned in modern times in Hollywood, Beijing and Singapore. Japan's version of the ride replaced Back to the Future: The Ride, and while the ride film is virtually the same (save for added bookends to help facilitate the film being shown on the larger screen), the ride system is different. The scale of the interior queue is larger than those I've seen in Florida or Japan. But as you go deeper in, it starts to feel more familiar... Right down to the 106.7 FM radio reference, a nod to the enduring radio station in Orlando, that has been copied in each of the queues since. The final pre-show is the same as well. If you've ridden it in Florida, Hollywood or Beijing, you know what to expect here. And the post-show experience is equally familiar. Buggie Boogie is the land's third attraction, but as I discovered with research after this trip, actually a re-themed experience from the former Madagascar land. It's a cute carousel though. Jumping back to Far Far Away we managed to see Shrek & Fiona greeting guests in from the Shrek 4-D. Yes, we chose to ride this. The queue had some pretty fun details... The train for Enchanted Airways was very nicely themed for the land. Waterworld is tucked in the back of The Lost World but was sadly closed for refurbishment during my visit. Back in Sci-Fi City, I still couldn't get over how sprawling these coasters' were in this section of the land. It wasn't easy to get photos of the coasters in motion with one-train operations taking place all day... But the coaster looks nice. Accelerator is a mini tea cups, like a smaller version of Storm Force Accelatron in Islands of Adventure. Sci-Fi City has such a neat, a different-for-Universal aesthetic. I was intrigued when I saw Star Dots, thinking that I could get Dippin' Dots in unique flavors here... It turns out they sold everything here except the ice cream of the future. Next up was Lights Camera Action! presented by Steven Spielberg. In the vein of classic Universal special effects shows like Backdraft and Twister, this show is smaller in scale but features an introduction from a famous director and then sends you into the movie set to watch firsthand how a sequence of unfortunate events plays out dangerously. In this case, we're in the middle of a hurricane inside of a boathouse. Of course, there's fire and fiery water. And there's watery explosions. And then a tanker crashes into the boathouse! They were doing small Halloween acknowledgements in the New York section of the park for daytime guests. Much of the staging seen here was actually set up for Halloween Horror Nights which would start the following week. They gave out candy on our way out! I'd never had this before. As we made our way towards the exit of the park as closing time neared, I was able to spot Battlestar Galactica in motion. Cylcons in flight. The covered Hollywood section at the entrance is nice, albeit smaller than others like it. This was a neat touch I noticed on my way out. Passing through the gift shop at the entrance, something caught my eye... I somehow managed to miss riding Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit while I was here. Just outside of the entrance of the park you'll find a Hershey's Chocolate World store. I've now been to the one in Singapore, Hershey, New York, and Las Vegas! They also had a sizable LEGO store... Some very cool localized models here. I loved the Merlion man and the Gardens by the Bay models!

This is what everyone has been asking for!! Better Lightning on the Fudd Machine!!! too damn funny

Yes. I'm done with "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know." Let's just stay in an abusive relationship, because we're afraid we won't find anyone else. Seriously screw SF. I thought at least when CF took over they would give us the resources to 100% finish the carousel. I'm not joking this time. Yes, the refurbishment is great. Good on them. New horses. Make is beautiful. I get that. Poor execution though. SF could have given us the resources to help make it beautiful in one off-season, like they should have. Cedar Flags didn't pick up the ball and run with it, like I was hoping they would.

I was a big fan of the vertical loop on the Dive Coaster at CW. That was a smaller one on the back half of the ride, so this huge one should be great.

Oh boy am I glad to have been wrong. Although it's not a watercoaster, these tube slides and what appears to be a matt racer parallel pursuit model look more impressive than what I had originally anticipated. Plus they're a better fit for what Soak City (Surperior Shores pretty soon I guess) needed. Now my only complaint is that they had initially said last chance to ride these attractions (being everything in the older side of the waterpark) only to end up replacing just the body slides. Think about how much nicer it would have been if they got a new raft slide and upgraded the current lazy river to feature some new technology. Now I can only hope they reveal the plans soon since we have no images of the new lagoon area coming in where looping starship used to rest. Hopefully it's a larger kids tower complex than what barefoot beach featured. I'm thinking a split rock lighthouse centerpiece with slides surrounding it, or coming out from it would be nice. I'd also be nice to feature newer kid slides and one of those ropes course style attractions that go over water. On another note, their Meta social media platforms featured a sneak peek at some of the adult beverages, and the color of them matched the slides in the background of the photos. A nice touch on their end that hints that the retheme is going beyond just new slides. Hopefully nicer food options will follow.

You know.... I think it might FINALLY happen! I might finally get out to this park this summer. Been wanting to go for decades, just never have had the time, nor chance. Looks like that might be changing!!! - Any other parks near by that we should do??? We won't have a rental car, and we are flying into LAX. So transportation will be limited. (Unless we rely on Ubers.)

It’s not you specifically but i often hear people complain about the ‘parking lot coaster’. Maybe it’s just my fondness for travelling schwarzkopf coasters but i almost didn’t even notice the parking lot lines. I was just glad to ride the coaster. Of all of the irritating things about 6 flags parks, themeing under the rollercoaster is towards the bottom of the list.

For what it is worth, i really liked scream when i rode it in ~2010.

With the park closing early and this being my only full day off from work, I pushed against my own exhaustion to experience something that had been intriguing me since I first found out I would be going to Singapore. Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is billed as an interactive art experience. At a high level, it reminds me of a mix between those immersive projection room attractions, (to a degree) some of the TeamLab experiences (which I'd get a chance to see one on this trip) and in a not-subtle way, the interactive wand experiences found in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations across the globe. The experience is a separate-ticket offering within the Resorts World Sentosa complex. It allows you to scratch that Harry Potter itch in lieu of a Wizarding World of Harry Potter realm found in the park next door. You are equipped with a wand upon entry that can be used to illuminate your way through the experience. Unlike the interactive wands in the Universal parks, this wand features a touch-sensitive trigger and a lit wand tip to show you're triggering the magic. Not unlike other immersive art installations, the experience is mostly done at your own pace, with you being allowed to go back and revisit almost all rooms along the way. The Knight Bus is the formal kickoff to the experience and features a transportive introduction to the journey ahead... Once inside the Knight Bus, the inside is far more spacious as the outside facade lets on. Next up is Grimmauld Place... The rooms range in size throughout the experience but most of them are covered in interactive projection surfaces. This room represents (and transforms between) the two Ministries of Magic seen on film across the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises, the British and French ministries. We start here in the French ministries with references abound from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. But soon after the room transforms into the more recognizable green and black tile hues of the British ministry. The Hall of Prophecy feels like something someone went to a TeamLab installation and decided that they could accomplish the same kind of effects with a Potter sequence. Throughout the room are prophecies with embedded targets, that when you point and activate your wand, they set off effects, visible and auditory. This was easily one of the most layered rooms in the experience with the most unique interactive points to find. Leading into the Chamber of Secrets is a door that fully replicates the iconic mechanisms from the film. The Chamber of Secrets is a neat room to explore but it had less trigger points than I would have hoped. One of the few rooms in the experience dedicated purely to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Having been spoiled by Knockturn Alley in Universal Studios Florida, this section was a little underwhelming. But there were some neat effects to be triggered. Darkness... Where might this lead? It leads to the Room of Requirement, in fact. Tons of triggered effects within this room, revealing recognizable props from the films... As well as some other effects that I wasn't familiar with from the movies. But lots of notable props. The finale room uses projection and artistry to present the final battle between Harry Potter and Voldemort, playing across this room with this center Pensieve being the focal point. Harry on one side... The Dark Lord on the other... As in the story/films, Harry wins and we are returned to Hogwarts where we can trigger fireworks effects with our wands, representing the four house animals. Is it even a Harry Potter attraction if there isn't an insane variety of merchandise to choose from? And yes, they sell (non-interactive) wands here. Also in the attraction's shop is a Butterbeer Bar that serves the namesake beverage plus other themed treats. You can even buy a bottled variety of Butterbeer here. So much to choose from! I stuck to the traditional Butterbeer... Having tried it at Universal and non-Universal locations (like the Harry Potter Studio Tour London) alike, I wsa curious to see if the formula would be any different. I'm not sure if it is catered to more local taste profiles, but compared to the stateside versions I've enjoyed, this version was surprisingly bland and watery. Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is a great experience for Potter fans. It is probably a little too niche for more casual guests but as a fan of the franchise, I enjoyed it and the hour and a half diversion it provided me. I tried a local shawarma chain in the Sentosa complex and washed it down with a delicious and refreshing Coca-Cola. After a long day out it was time to go back to the hotel and rest before the next day's work.

The "mocked coaster" you’re referring to is Scream!, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless coaster that opened in 2003. It is famously (and relentlessly) teased by enthusiasts because Six Flags literally built it on top of a former parking lot without removing the asphalt or the white parking stripes. Even after a 2015 repaint into its current blue and orange "Screampunk" colors, the ride still sits over a sea of sun-cracked pavement. To transform this area and separate it from its "parking lot" reputation, Six Flags could move beyond simple landscaping and try these "outside the box" concepts: 1. The "Steam Dome" (Converting to Indoor) Converting a 150-foot-tall coaster into an indoor ride is a massive architectural challenge, but it would completely change the park's skyline. The Concept: Enclose the entire coaster in a massive, darkened industrial warehouse or a "domed foundry" to fit the Screampunk District. The Experience: By making it an indoor "dark coaster," you could add synchronized lighting, fog effects, and "near-miss" elements with industrial machinery. Precedent: Cedar Point did this with Disaster Transport (though on a smaller scale). For Scream!, the building would need to be roughly 15 stories tall, making it a "Space Mountain on steroids." 2. The "Industrial Trench" (Landscaping Overhaul) If a full building is too expensive, the park could "hide" the parking lot by changing the ground level’s appearance. The Idea: Break up the asphalt and replace it with a mix of dark gravel, rusted metal plates, and "sunken" ponds. * The "Box" Idea: Build concrete retaining walls or "berms" (man-made hills) around the perimeter of the ride's footprint. This creates a physical bowl that traps sound and blocks the view of the actual guest parking lot nearby, making the ride feel like it’s in its own excavated canyon. 3. "The Factory" (Partial Enclosures & Tunnels) Instead of one big building, Six Flags could build several smaller "thematic shells" that the track dives in and out of. The Concept: Create "head-chopper" tunnels at the bottom of the first 141-foot drop and through the interlocking corkscrews. Outside the Box: Use vertical gardens or "living walls" on the supports. This would turn the coaster into a green, "overgrown" industrial relic, completely masking the grey pavement below with lush, hanging vines and steampunk structures.

Except it has one of the most mocked coasters around in relation to being in a parking lot.

These pics are credited to Savage Mister and Six Flags Over Texas! 218' Immelmann looks amazing! Going up fast!

This actually looks really great. It’s great to see more original content on Disney+. I’ll check it out for sure!

I'm always amazed how much is packed into Sentosa for it's size. Your picture of the island from the front, also has the hotel we stayed (Outpost) in the top right corner and that was located right on the Southern Part of the island. Honestly, I think most people skip the Singapore Flyer. It's not too bad a walk but it feels really isolated from the rest of the bay and the fact Marina Bay Sands has a viewing platform and restaurants makes for stiff competition. We hadn't even planned on riding it but the restaurant with a viewing platform was closed, so we wandered over and it was so dead that they were giving private cabins to every group, even our small group of three.

while I didn't care for it (I'm just not a fan of the Euro Fighter coasters) , this makes me super happy to see. and if you trust RCDB? Treetops coaster is going to / has gone to Walygator Grand Est. so maybe, just maybe. . someone will save Megafobia next!

Small park update, first the good news. Tigris has had its comfort collars removed. Like Ice Breaker, seat belts were added but it should be a much more comfortable ride now. Congo Rapids usually closes for annual maintenance around this time each year. It's still open for now and with the temperature getting up to 87 degrees today, it was nice to have it open. After some rides had 2 - 3 hour waits the past 2 weeks, with schools back open those same rides were back to being a walk on or 5 minute wait. Now for the other updates that aren't so good. Cheetah Hunt is still closed and now both Sheikra and Falcon's Fury are closed for annual maintenance. I know in a year round park rides are going to need to be closed at times but with the flume, Scorpion and Sand Serpent removed the past 3 years with only Phoenix Rising added, there is not a lot open. Cobra's Curse was down for most of the first half of the day and Serengeti Flyer having a breakdown, that left 10 rides open. Iron Gwazi added more lockers about 4 weeks ago. My last visit prior to today was the last day they weren't required. No phones, keys or other loose items can be taken on the ride. A 2 hour rental is $4, an all day moveable rental is $12. With rumors of both Sheikra and Tigris the next rides to get this policy, it's going to add up a lot for a frequent visitor. Some people think this is just a temporary fix and free lockers will be added eventually like Cedar Point did with Top Thrill 2 but I don't think that's happening. After the test in October, if they were going to add free lockers, they would have done it when new lockers were just added and not more pay ones. Taken during Christmas Town but I wanted to show the lights added to the Sky Ride cars. The lights are still there with the battery packs under the seats and hopefully they will be used all year. Unlike Scorpion that stood for around a year before being demolished, the flume is completely gone.

I went here for my birthday and had a great time. I went on Doctor Doom even (it wasn't that bad except for the airtime at the top.) I rode everything I wanted to except for ET, Trollercoaster, and Hagrid's. I also met Megatron, Squidward, and Patrick! And I have a crush on the Camouflage Alien on MIB... "SIX AGAINST ONE, EH? FIRE!!"

Disney has announced that Soarin' will be debuting a new ride film in 2026 at both Disney California Adventure and EPCOT: Soarin' Across America! https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/soarin-across-america-at-disneyland-and-disney-world/ Buckle up and get ready for takeoff! The fan-favorite attraction Soarin’ will be receiving an all-new airborne adventure across the U.S. That’s right— you’ll soon be Soarin’ Across America at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, debuting Summer 2026! The new bi-coastal offering will showcase the United States—from sea to shining sea—highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes. This will be brought to life with the iconic elements that make Soarin’ unforgettable – the flight, the sights and score, even the scents! Walt Disney Imagineering is hard at work capturing more than a dozen breathtaking locations for the new flight.

I like that idea. They could make it look like you are diving through a Roadrunner and Wile-e coyote style canion. Or even better: make it look like a bunch of 2002 Corollas are parked beneath as you ride by!

Yo, fair point. Honestly, if the ride delivers, I usually don't care what's under the track either. But with Scream, it’s just such a meme at this point because it’s a B&M—you kind of expect that "premium" feel, and then you look down and see a literal parking spot. It’s definitely a Six Flags classic move, though. As long as the ops aren't a total nightmare and the rattle isn't too bad, I can live with the "parking lot" aesthetic. Plus, traveling Schwarzkopfs have way more soul than half the stuff being built today, so I get why the lines don't bother you.

What a time to be alive!

No doubt. It's a great ride. I was just referring to the themeing relevant to the conversation.

great update! (I haven't had internet access for about a week, so just seeing this now)

lol nice catch!

This reads extremely AI generated. And yeah, none of that is going to happen. The most likely solution is throwing a layer of dirt over the parking lot and laying down sod. And that isn't going to happen either.

Pic courtesy of Jeffrey Siebert and Six Flags Over Texas!

Nice. it got me to wondering: do most, if not all drop coasters go from first drop to immelmann?

Universal Orlando has announced that Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift will open at Universal Studios Florida in 2027. This new coaster, similar to the version opening at Universal Studios Hollywood this year, will feature 360 rotating vehicles and a 170-foot vertical spike in its layout. Alongside the announcement was confirmation that Fast and Furious: Supercharged will close permanently in 2027. https://corporate.universaldestinationsandexperiences.com/universal-orlando-resort-reveals-its-next-blockbuster-attraction-fast-furious-hollywood-drift-a-high-speed-roller-coaster-coming-to-universal-studios-florida-in-2027/ Universal Orlando Resort is revving up for its next big thrill with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift – a high-octane outdoor roller coaster that will join the Universal Studios Florida family in 2027. Replacing the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will put guests in the driver seat of the high-speed thrills of Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious universe like never before. Riders will experience the exhilarating sensation of 360-degree drifting as they speed through jaw-dropping maneuvers – including a 170-foot vertical “spike” that will send riders nearly 17 stories in the air over the outskirts of Universal CityWalk. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will join an award-winning collection of coaster experiences at Universal Orlando Resort and is another exciting example of the incredible growth, momentum and world-class innovation of Universal Destinations & Experiences. Universal Studios Hollywood will also debut its own, one-of-a-kind Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift outdoor roller coaster later this year. As Universal Studios Florida makes way for this exciting new experience, Fast & Furious – Supercharged will permanently close in 2027. More information about Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be shared in the months ahead. For more information about Universal Orlando Resort and to sign-up for email updates about the new high-speed coaster, guests can visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.

^ Great! Hope they're still doing it, when we (eventually) get there.

Crealy Theme Park & Resort has announced that they will be adding two family thrill rides in 2026 to build upon their successful 2025 season. Pirate's Plummet and Rotor will join the park's lineup with unique titles to claim for each ride in the South West of the United Kingdom. https://www.crealy.co.uk/latest-news/blog/crealy-theme-park-resort-announces-two-new-family-thrill-rides-for-2026-in-multi-million-pound-investment/ The South West's tallest ride and the regions first inverting ride will open in 2026 as part of Crealy's biggest year yet! Crealy Theme Park & Resort has today announced a multi-million-pound investment in two new family thrill rides launching in 2026, marking a significant step in the park’s long-term strategy to re-engage local audiences, grow its market, and expand its appeal to older children while continuing to offer memorable experiences for all generations. The announcement follows a highly successful 2025 season for the Devon-based resort, during which Crealy was recognised nationally at the UK Theme Park Awards, taking home two Gold Awards; Best Theme Park for Toddlers and Best Theme Park for Families. The accolades underline Crealy’s strength as a leading family destination and provide a strong foundation for its next phase of growth, as the park looks to build on this success by broadening its attraction mix and encouraging repeat visits from both local and regional audiences. The investment follows extensive guest feedback, with visitors expressing a desire for bigger, more thrilling attractions alongside Crealy’s well-established family and toddler-friendly offering. Pirates' Plummet: The South West's Tallest Ride The first new attraction, Pirates’ Plummet, will open in Spring 2026 and will become the South West's tallest ride. The drop tower, formerly known as ‘Magma’ at Paulton's Park, has been transported to Devon and will be reimagined to deliver a dramatic free-fall experience unlike anything currently available in the county, offering a new level of excitement for older children, teenagers and adults. Rotor: The South West's First Inverted Ride Later in the year, Summer 2026 will see the arrival of Rotor. Crealy will unveil its first ever inverted ride and the only one of its kind in the South West. The high energy ride will spin and flip guests, representing a major milestone in the Resort’s evolution and further strengthening its appeal to thrill-seekers. Together, these additions reflect Crealy’s wider vision to strengthen its connection with the local community, extend its offering to older children, and continue catering for multi-generational visits, ensuring there is something for everyone - from toddlers and young families to teens, parents and grandparents. Together, these additions reflect Crealy’s wider vision to strengthen its connection with the local community, extend its offering to older children, and continue catering for multi-generational visits, ensuring there is something for everyone — from toddlers and young families to teens, parents and grandparents. With two headline attractions, national recognition, and further announcements still to come, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Crealy Theme Park & Resort.

The Mellors Group has announced their acquisition of Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park along with their intention to add new rides and attractions in 2026! https://lightwatervalley.co.uk/news/view/mellors-group-announces-exciting-new-era-for-lightwater-valley-family-adventure-park MELLORS GROUP ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW ERA FOR LIGHTWATER VALLEY FAMILY ADVENTURE PARK The Nottingham based, family owned Mellors Group, a leading force in the UK leisure and attractions industry has announced the acquisition of Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park in Ripon, North Yorkshire, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of Yorkshire’s most cherished family attractions. Lightwater Valley holds a special place in the hearts of many families across the UK, including the Mellors family, who visited the park often as children. Now, with decades of experience transforming and operating successful attractions both in the UK and internationally, Mellors Group is committed to bringing new life, new energy, and significant new investment to the beloved adventure park. The Group has ambitious plans for Lightwater Valley, including new rides and attractions set to debut in 2026. While the park’s focus will continue to cater for younger families and guests under 12, Mellors Group aims to broaden the appeal for all ages, creating an experience that the whole family can enjoy together. Known for revitalising major leisure destinations, including the award-winning redevelopment of Fantasy Island in Skegness, Mellors Group brings extensive industry expertise in operations, ride installations, engineering, guest experience, theming, entertainment, and large-scale event management. Their hands-on approach has consistently transformed attractions into modern, thriving family destinations. Lightwater Valley, originally established in 1969 and now home to more than 35 rides, family adventures, character entertainment and seasonal events, will benefit from fresh vision and investment designed to strengthen its legacy while exciting a new generation of visitors. James Mellors, Managing Director of Mellors Group, said: “Lightwater Valley is a park with real heart, history, personality, and potential, and it’s a place our own family has loved since childhood. We’re incredibly proud to be taking on its future. Our goal is simple: to put the park back ‘on the map’ as a major theme park, by introducing new rides, injecting new energy, and creating something truly special for families for many years to come.” He added: “We’re very excited about this acquisition and looking forward to planning a wide range of new attractions for 2026; fresh, fun, and full of excitement. While Lightwater Valley will continue to be a haven for younger families, we’re also widening the experience so that guests of all ages can enjoy the thrills, charm, and adventure together. The team here have done a brilliant job, and we’re looking forward to working closely with them as we begin this new journey.” With the acquisition, Mellors Group strengthens its position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing operators of family attractions, reinforcing its commitment to delivering memorable, affordable, high-quality days out. More details on the redevelopment and the new 2026 attractions will be announced in due course. (Photos courtesy of Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park)

I guess the positive thing is that these are parks that someone wants to run as amusement or waterparks so they will hopefully not get a SFNO, SFA, or SF Astroworld type ending soon. It is not like the new Six Flags / CF was going to buy these parks new attractions every year or make them top tier parks with Six Flags' budget or priorities so hopefully locals can still get out an support them if they change owners.

IB Parks & Entertainment, the company founded by Gene Staples to revive Indiana Beach and several other amusement parks, has announced that it has acquired the rights under a long-term commitment to operate Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park starting with the 2026 season. (Photo courtesy of the TPR Park Index) https://ibparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Press-Release-Lake-Winnie.pdf IB Parks & Entertainment, a leading operator of family-oriented theme parks and attractions, announced today that it has acquired the rights to operate Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park under a long-term commitment, beginning with the 2026 season. The agreement reflects a shared focus on preserving the park’s heritage while ensuring its continued success for generations to come. Lake Winnepesaukah, affectionately known as Lake Winnie, has been a treasured family destination for decades and remains deeply rooted in the community just south of Chattanooga, Tennessee in Rossville, Georgia. The operating agreement is designed to provide additional resources and support while maintaining the traditions, character, and experiences that guests have come to know and love. IB Parks & Entertainment Owner and Chief Executive Officer Gene Staples emphasized continuity and stewardship as the guiding principles of the agreement. “Lake Winnie is a place that holds deep meaning for generations of families, ” said Staples. “Our role is to operate the park with respect for its history, its people, and its community. Guests can expect the same familiar experiences, the same character, and the same commitment to family fun that has defined Lake Winnie for generations.” The transition in operations will not impact guests or season passholders. All 2026 Season Passes remain valid, with no changes to benefits, pricing, or perks. Opening day, operating schedules, and the overall guest experience will remain unchanged. “For over 100 years, Lake Winnie has welcomed families and created lasting memories, ” said Tennyson Dickinson, director of Lake Winnepesaukah and great-granddaughter of founders Carl and Minette Dixon. “I want to thank everyone who has ever walked through the gates and be assured, the family memories will continue for years to come.” The 2026 season will also coincide with the 110th anniversary of Lake Winnie’s Antique Carousel, a long standing and well-known feature of the park. Additional details regarding the 2026 season will be shared at a later date. For more information, visit www.lakewinnie.com. About IB Parks & Entertainment IB Parks & Entertainment is a Chicago based company dedicated to creating joyful, family focused entertainment destinations. With a growing portfolio of classic amusement and water parks across the United States, the company emphasizes nostalgia, thrilling attractions, and exceptional guest experiences while preserving the traditions that make each park unique. About Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park Founded in 1925, Lake Winnepesaukah, known affectionately as Lake Winnie, is a historic family amusement park offering rides, water attractions, games, and picnic areas for guests of all ages. Located near Chattanooga, Tennessee, the park has remained a cherished regional destination for generations and continues to be a treasured part of the community.

Parc Asterix has announced a significant series of enhancements, re-themed offerings and additions coming to the park between now and 2030! And the park has shared lots of concept art to tease the changes that are coming! https://newsroom.parcasterix.fr/strongparc-asterix-investit-250-m-eur-pour-consolider-sa-place-de-2supemesup-parc-francais-et-rentrer-dans-le-top-5-des-parcs-incontournables-en-europe-strong-25010/?lang=en Parc Astérix, the Compagnie des Alpes group's flagship leisure destination, reached a new milestone in 2025 with nearly 3 million visitors (2.9 million). This confirms its position as the second most visited amusement park in France. Carry by this positive momentum, the park has unveiled an ambitious development plan, backed by an investment of €250 million by 2030. CÉTAUTOMATIX VOTED BEST NEW ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR IN EUROPE Parc Astérix is proud to announce that its new family attraction Cétautomatix has won the prestigious 'Top European New Attraction' prize at the Parksmania Awards 2025, an accolade given to the most innovative and outstanding new additions to the leisure park sector. Cétautomatix is Europe's first spinning family roller coaster. LES FASTES DU NIL CROWNED BEST NEW FOOD OR RETAIL OUTLET IN THE WORLD Le Parc Astérix was once again honoured at the Park World Excellence Awards 2025*, receiving the award for Best Food or Retail Development for its new restaurant Les Fastes du Nil. This award recognises both the excellence of the restaurant's overall concept and the iconic success of its signature dish, the Merguez Burger, which has captured the appetite of park visitors. *The Park World Excellence Awards" are presented by a specialist jury that recognises excellence in the amusement park industry. PARC ASTÉRIX CONTINUES ITS TRANSFORMATION WITH A TRULY AMBITIOUS DEVELOPMENT PLAN UP TO 2030 Parc Astérix is embarking on a major transformation : Transformation of the Egypt area in 2026 with the re-theming of the Oxygénarium attraction, which becomes The Descent of the Nile Les Chaises Volantes becomes The Flight of Ibis and the Le Cirque restaurant becomes Le Comptoir d'Epidemaïs. Creation in 2027 of a new area in the Greek zone with two new family attractions, a playground and a restaurant, La Table de Dyonisos, with a capacity of 450 seats. The Odyssée Hotel 4* in 2027: a new 300-room hotel (High Environmental Quality) expands the hotel complex inspired by Asterix and Obelix's travels in the East, with four areas: Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Phoenicia. Creation of the Londinium Zone in 2028: a new indoor zone inspired by the Asterix in Britain comic book This plan will create 20% additional capacity at the park, two-thirds of which will be indoor, reducing dependence on weather conditions. In addition, the hotel complex will offer 750 rooms with the opening of the Odyssée Hotel. Last but not least, this ambitious plan aims to achieve the highest satisfaction ratings among the best parks in Europe.

Day 9: Holiday Park (now, Plopsaland Deutschland) this one ended up being a long, but fantastic day. we got up in the morning at Europa Park and after breakfast met in the lobby to check out and hop on the bus. before leaving tho, I made sure to get some daytime pics of Hotel Colosseo. . our amazing resort hotel. after loading up the bus, and after a drive, we ended up in Haßloch Germany, home to what was called "Holiday Park" but has now been renamed as of mid 2025 "Plopsaland Deutschland" so this was my last visit to "Holiday Park" ever. . it's a medium sized park, with some nice thrills, a lot of wasted space/closed attractions, and a killer top coaster in Expedition GeForce. we were also there during the Halloween event, called "Halloween Fright Nights". . tho not certain if they are still doing that now that it's a Plopsa park. there were certainly signs it was transitioning more towards a "tweens" park tho. . . as you'll see below in comments. Front gates Front Gates with TPR, pic courtesy of Robb. loved the light fixture additions. they were cutsey, but fit this front area of the park. I believe this is/was the park's mascot. . tho never saw him really anywhere other than near the front and by one ride at the back of the park. this was the main reason for our stop tho. . the excellent Expedition GeForce - this amazing Intamin Mega coaster, with tons of airtime pops, and that fantastic curving first drop. TPR on GeForce. Hawk seems to imply it was a bit chilly this day. Happy TPR train on Expedition GeForce the Starflyer, which ran a so-so program in an area that was almost completely shut down/abandoned. it LOOKED like they were getting ready to do some construction over here tho, so hopefully Plopsa has put some $$ into adding a bunch of stuff. the other "big" ride at this park: Skyscream (a Premier Skyrocket). i pass on riding, as I've been on several (including this one) before. the queue is really well done tho, and they leaned into the Halloween Season for this area, as the queue already was in the realm of "spooky" I rode this, tho I wasn't as good as getting the planes to flip as others on the TPR trip were. but, yup, it's "Plane on Stick!" the only other place I saw this mascot in the park. This was back over by the Starflyer. . not opening until this year (so yeah, they've been working on it for a while), but per RCDB, it's a Gerstlauer Family coaster with a booster lift, a chain lift, and a roll back. the flume that's over by the "animated" section that was a big "tweens" area already in the park. it has a nice double dip drop. . tho doesn't get one super wet TPR on the flume! and they DIDN'T make us all cram into one log. this was my face upon discovering that my *favorite* ride in the park, is no longer there. oh, Expedition GeForce is my favorite coaster, but my favorite ride in Holiday Park was the Castle Frankenstein dark ride. It was kinda / sorta Haunted Mansion, but done just different enough it wasn't a direct rip off. even tho the ride system is the same. last time I was here? I rode this, easily, a dozen times. this time ? closed down. and why? they are turning it into a Smurfs ride !! SMURFS !!!! bahhhhhh! oh well, I'd drown my sorrow in food, as our day included a meal voucher (along with skip the line passes). not sure what the heck this was, but suitably freaky for the time of year. lunch was pretty good tho. . I had the Schnitzel and a ride on the Carousel will always cheer me up. since I had last been here, a new section of the park had opened up near the front. so we went to check it out. and yeah, it seemed targeting children as well.. so signs were there that the park was gonna get a name change. the scenery looked pretty tho and the rides were all "tween type" rides. mini drop tower, dumbo type ride, and a galloping horse type ride tho instead of horses, one would ride Grasshoppers. I thought it was adorable, but didn't want to try riding in case there was a weight limit. the indoor section is still there, and looks pretty much the same - with the same family rides, including the classic wood carved roundabout, the kiddie roller coaster, and the fairy flight ride. even Jon was willing to pose for a pic on the St. Bernard that's a WHOLE LOTTA SAUSAGE for a teeny tiny bun! tho we had planned to leave after a few hours, the park offered us admittance to the Haunts if we wanted. so a vote was taken, and tho we had been planning to get to Phantasialand earlier in the day, overwhelmingly we all voted to stay at Holiday Park for a few more hours. which meant we got to hang out and drink coffee, and enjoy the Parade. oh look.. there IS the Mascot! so I was incorrect. tho Andrew doesn't look too impressed hmm. this parade has a lot of little kids in it (tried my best to take pics around them), but it's pretty spooky. maybe this is gonna be really fun? Spoiler - it was! I've always found the scariest thing about the Grimm Reaper to be his Nike's really cool parade. . and as the sun started to set, the park was getting ready for the monsters to come out, and to open up the houses. this was the entrance to the first house we'd be going thru: Freak Circus but much like Six Flags has "the Arrival". . .Holiday Park has a show, that brings out all the haunt actors for the houses. TPR anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Monsters Sponsored by a local radio station. . . the "show" was about what you'd expect, but I loved that they leave the stage and weave thru the audience as they head towards their houses they have arrived and Bob looks amused. she was great! and ended up in the "Disco Ball Room" of the first haunt. so many flashing lights. in the Freak Circus house, they send you thru in small groups. (actually all the houses did that - groups of 6-8), and in one room the "ringmaster" yells to all get together and smile for a picture that they take, and then hand to you upon exiting. for all the posing and direction the ringmaster gives you, the pictures are hysterically awful - blurry/out of focus - and they got worse as the groups went. she even missed half the group. hysterical! snapping a pic of the drop tower that is a park icon as we passed by it. (it's more of a "floating drop" than a sharp drop. . but it's ok, and it looks great) yes. they have a "Titty Twister" house. and yes! staffed by Vampires, including a door guy who says absolutely FILTHY things to people as they wait to go thru (a'la Cheech Marin in the movie" what I found absolutely the most hysterical thing about this? most of the scare actors - and the park guide who was walking us thru - had NO IDEA this was based on a movie! they were just working off scripts and getting into character that way. HAHAHAHAHA and don't even ask about "Ms Mona". . . poor Jon. no pics allowed inside the houses, but it's an experience we'll never forget (and I bet Jon won't either). this is also brilliant - right next to Titty Twister. This is an actual park restaurant. They closed it down for the Halloween Season, and turned it into a cannibal restaurant house. so you really ARE walking thru a restaurant. lots of random scare actors hanging about outside the main houses. . but that was really the only areas. if you weren't nearby a house, you were "safe" the fourth "house" is an outdoor maze, that seemed to be themed to Rats mutated by toxic sludge, and out front in the queue were protestors arguing for rat's rights. funny. (not really "scary" tho) a peek into the animated Norse land I mentioned earlier that has been the central area in the park (and is also at Plopsa). . with a Disc-o, a splash battle, the flume and a couple of other family rides. of course, it was never a trip to Holiday Park if you didn't stop into the "pipi station" bathroom next to Expedition GeForce. I really hope they kept this! as we finished up with the last TPR group thru the outdoor house, we headed towards the front of the park. as we passed between two "houses". . there was a scare zone here. so some scare actors to interact with. and crossing across the main square by the front entrance, they had turned off the fountains, and had a DJ on stage getting a dance party going. a final shot as we headed to the parking lot to get on the bus. and a pic from either Robb or Andy (since my camera lightened up the above, and theirs captures the beautiful sky) and then back on the bus and continuing on to Phantasialand. . where we were staying at the Hotel Charles Lindbergh on property. I don't think I took any pics of the room this time, as I have stayed in this hotel on prior trips. But snagged some areas I probably didn't get before. like the steampunk registration desk: and the park entrance to the hotel (yup, that's F.L.Y. track on the right. it goes thru the hotel). a sunset shot from the rooftop of the hotel, with F.L.Y. track underneath. could be mine, but I suspect I have to thank Andy for this. time for dinner (included with our hotel stay), the place looks really great at night. hungry TPR ready to chow down. and the food here is so dang good! best part of staying in this hotel? the ride may shut down with the park, but the area (Rooksville) stays open for hotel guests to wander around in if they so please. so able to get some wonderful pics. and then it was off to bed. tomorrow was the 1st of two full days at Phantasialand to end the trip

Thank you for demonstrating that having an actual discussion with you is impossible.

Bobbejaanland has announced that the children's area of the park will be revamped to feature three new attractions in a new land themed to Nickelodeon properties. This new land is scheduled to open at the park in 2027. https://nnieuws.be/artikel/2027-zet-bobbejaanland-3-nieuwe-attracties-neer-met-nickelodeon-grootste-investering-ooit A few weeks ago, Bobbejaanland confirmed that 2027 would be a significant year for investment. The children's area at the park entrance is getting a complete makeover with three new attractions, in collaboration with Nickelodeon. The Nickelodeon characters have been a fixture at Bobbejaanland for several years, with a successful dance show and meet & greet. Starting in 2027, Nickelodeon will also have its own zone with three family attractions, a souvenir shop, a food and beverage station, and much more. In addition to SpongeBob SquarePants and the friends from Bikini Bottom, Garfield will also be there this time. Biggest investment ever "Next year, Bobbejaanland will have been a true family park for exactly 65 years. With the announced investment, we confirm that we want to remain that way. There's always something for the whole family to enjoy," says Yves Peeters, the park's General Manager. "We have the ambition to continue growing, and we're convinced we can, especially with a partner like Paramount combined with one of the largest investments ever." 3 new attractions: spectacular water ride, a wild swing and a free-fall tower Bobbejaanland will begin major renovations in the fall of 2026. The Flying Orca—which has been happily spinning with the youngest visitors since 2002—will be removed from the park. The carousel will make way for something much more impressive: a "Wild Swing" by ART Engineering, which will propel 18 guests simultaneously through the air up to a height of 12 meters. This attraction is tailor-made for Plankton. He's still striving for world domination. To this end, he's invented a gigantic machine powered by the electrical charge of a tank full of jellyfish. Plankton hopes the machine will create a superpower that will allow him to first destroy Bikini Bottom and then conquer the world! Take part in Plankton's experiment and swing through the air in "Plankton Power." A little further on, the Kettingmolen (Chain Mill) currently stands, but it will be relocated to another beautiful spot in the park. The nostalgic swing carousel will be replaced by a 21-meter-high "Big Wavez" from manufacturer Zamperla. The latter is a unique water attraction – unique in Europe – in which 20 guests sit side by side and are lifted into the air, only to plunge back down. This creates a 10-meter-high tidal wave, making even bystanders part of the spectacle. It sounds just like SpongeBob SquarePants. He's organizing a diving competition at Mussel Beach. Larry Lobster competes against a handful of volunteers, while Patrick watches from his comfy lifeguard chair. Or is he asleep? Who will create the biggest wave with a high dive? Take a seat in "Splash Down" and give it a try. Bobbejaanland is adding another experience to its lineup of new attractions. It's a 15-meter-high free-fall tower for the whole family, from the same builder as "Big Wavez." Garfield is the one who's making this attraction his own. From now on, he'll be celebrating his birthday every day at Bobbejaanland. His friends Odie and Jon have organized a surprise party for Garfield and hidden a giant cake at the top of the free-fall tower. Children are invited to retrieve the cake along with Garfield's friends. Only then can the party really begin. Welcome to "Garfield's Birthday Surprise." New zone will be a cozy and active place to spend time for the whole family “In addition to the new attractions, there will be much more to experience in the new zone,” says Peggy Verelst, commercial and creative director. On the way to "Garfield's Birthday Surprise," guests will encounter fun photo opportunities, and on the way to "Plankton Power," they'll have to navigate dangerous jellyfish. Next to "Splash Down," Sandy Cheeks has built a "hydro lab" where you can shoot water pistols at targets. The new family zone at Bobbejaanland will be a complete experience. Opening is expected in spring 2027.

Almost seems unethical to run it that slow.

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced a new event, Universal Mega Movie Summer, featuring enhanced attraction experiences, character meet and greets, themed food & merchandise and more! This event starts on June 13th, 2025 and runs daily through August 10th, 2025! https://corporate.universaldestinationsandexperiences.com/universal-studios-hollywood-introduces-universal-mega-movie-summer-featuring-exciting-new-entertainment-dining-and-merchandise-to-deliver-the-best-summer-day-in-l-a-beginning/ This summer, Universal Studios Hollywood will become movie buff central when iconic movies leap from the silver screen to the theme park as part of Universal Mega Movie Summer, an all-new seasonal event designed to offer guests the best summer day in L.A. Debuting Friday, June 13 and continuing daily through Sunday, August 10, 2025, Universal Mega Movie Summer will create experiences for guests that redefine how they can “beat the heat,” “hang with friends” and “party in the park.” With the addition of ingenious menu items, curated by Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Chef Julia Thrash and complemented by all-new collections of exclusive merchandise, including apparel and toys, Universal Mega Movie Summer will delight guests and fans with an array of exclusive in-world, themed offerings. Highlights follow: Jurassic World—The Ride Featuring Mosasaurus Splash, inspired by Universal Pictures’ highly-anticipated movie Jurassic World Rebirth opening in theaters on July 2, roars to life within the theme park’s popular dinosaur-laden thrill ride. The iconic 84-foot water drop at the ride’s finale will reverberate with the menacing roar of a Mosasaurus. Four new Spitter dinosaurs will join the melee and water geysers will erupt to shower guests. An all-new adorable dinosaur from Jurassic World Rebirth will join Blue the Velociraptor, Juliet the Triceratops and Baby Tango. These highly realistic, lifelike dinosaurs will engage with guests alongside the debut of an all-new adventure character, also inspired by Jurassic World Rebirth. A larger-than-life photo op of a Spinosaurus dinosaur will welcome guests to step into a thrilling scene from the film for a memorable photo for instant social postings, and an inspiring scavenger hunt game featuring Compy will entertain visitors while keeping them on their toes. Jurassic Cafe will serve up a sampling of new prehistoric delicacies, plus Isla Nubar will feature new cocktails, The Jurassic Water Rebirth and Spicy Jurassic Pearadise. To mark the 50th Golden Anniversary of Jaws the movie, Universal Studios Hollywood is reintroducing its iconic hanging shark, a larger-than-life dimensional sculpture photo op, and paying homage to this Academy Award-winning blockbuster with the debut of meet and greet characters, Captain Quint and Chief Brody. On the Studio Tour, Jaws will be featuredon the iconic Hollywood Sign replica, situated along the backlot hillside, and the infamous Jaws Lake attraction as it celebrates July 4th all summer long. Hollywood & Dine, located just inside the theme park’s main entry, will transform into Amity Island Cafe, serving up a menu fit for a great white. Menu and beverage highlights will include Lobster Roll, Vegan Crab Cake Sandwich, Fish and Chips, Fish and Chicken Basket, Shark Bait Burger, Shark Fin Funnel Cake, Amity Island Parfait and Amity Beach Lifesaver Donut, as well as The Shark Bite cocktail and Amity Open Water, a non-alcoholic beverage. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the landmark film Back to the Future, the iconic Time Machine from the film will be staged on the theme park’s Upper Lot, adjacent to Mel’s Diner. Characters Doc Brown, Marty McFly and Einstein the dog will all be on hand and paw to greet guests and pose for timeless photo ops. With its decades-old throwback sensibilities, Mel’s Diner idyllically captures the essence of Back to the Future, serving up such menu options as the Flux Capacitor Patty Melt, Time Machine Pastrami Melt, Doc Brown’s Chicken Pot Pie, Outatime Cookie, Time Traveler’s Milk Shake, Flux Capacitor Mocktail and Wake Up Juice Cocktail. Guests and fans of Universal Pictures’ blockbuster Wicked will have a chance to rejoicify with popular characters, Elphaba and Glinda, when they step out in style to greet guests at the theme park’s existing vibrant Wicked themed photo op, located adjacent to the main entrance. A sculpted dimensional photo op of Toothless from Universal Pictures and DreamWorks’ live action movie How to Train Your Dragon opening in theatres on June 13, will take center stage within Universal Plaza. This lifelike, 730-pound, larger-than-life sculpted dimensional dragon will tower at nearly 6’ in height, measuring 24’ in length and 8’ in width. Surprised guests posing next to Toothless will no doubt be able to imagine themselves soaring with their favorite dragon within the Isle of Berk. A dedicated food cart within Universal Plaza will serve scrumptious treats that only a dragon could devour, such as Toothless and Light Fury cookies and a Toothless popcorn bucket. As construction continues on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, Universal Studios Hollywood’s first-ever, high-speed outdoor roller coaster opening in 2026, the theme park will offer guests an exciting sneak peek at one of the ride vehicles for this all-new adventure. The Dodge Charger ride vehicle, designed to look like Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger, will park within Universal Plaza for guests to enjoy as the theme park races towards the roller coaster’s grand opening next year. Universal CityWalk Hollywood is also toasting Universal Mega Movie Summer with a variety of entertainment and limited-time offerings. These include: Voodoo Doughnut, featuring the cleverly named Doughnut Go In the Water inspired by Jaws, plusLittle Stepper and Big Stepper treats inspired by Jurassic World Rebirth. The Universal Studio Store and Cartooniversal will sell a variety of themed merchandise aligned with Universal Mega Movie Summer’s engaging entertainment. Five Towers Stage will shake, rattle and roll with DJs and stage performances. Visit Universal CityWalk for more information and a schedule of events. Universal Cinema, an AMC® Theatre, is the ideal location to catch the latest blockbusters, including How to Train Your Dragon and Jurassic World Rebirth, with an opportunity to see original movie costumes on display in the theatre lobby. Moviegoers will also have a chance to watch the original Back to the Future movie on the big screen with multiple screenings taking place on July 3. Universal Cinema is the only theatrical venue in the world to feature both a six-story 70MM IMAX® with 4K laser projection and the new PRIME at AMC® theater, featuring 4K laser projection, superior acoustics and heated, plush, recliner seats with built-in subwoofer technology. Visit Universal Cinema for up-to-date screenings and times. Universal Mega Movie Summer complements the slate of unprecedented groundbreaking attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood, including the interactive land, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, featuring the critically-acclaimed “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride; “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” highly immersive land that features Hogsmeade™ village, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™ rides; “Jurassic World— The Ride”; Illumination’s award-winning “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash” and “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem”; Springfield, U.S.A. and “The Simpsons Ride™”; “TRANSFORMERS™: The Ride-3D” and “Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride,” as well as the theme park’s signature, behind- the-scenes Studio Tour attraction. For more information about Universal Studios Hollywood, visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com; follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X and like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook.

Wait times at the whole park already look better because of this change!

Universal Studios Hollywood has released a ton of new details about their first ever Universal Fan Fest Nights. This new event features live entertainment, walk throughs and themed experiences, exclusive food & beverage and character offerings, all in an extra-ticket event. Tickets for the event are now on sale. https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us/things-to-do/events-and-seasonal-activities/fan-fest-nights A Night of Fandom Awaits Universal Fan Fest Nights - an all-new after hours event with the fandoms you love in one place, every event night. Celebrate with other fans the best of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming, and Anime like never before.
 Step into the worlds of Star Trek, Back to the Future, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, One Piece, and Jujutsu Kaisen as well as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.
 
Geek out for real with in-world experiences, celebratory moments, themed food, and exclusive merchandise that takes fandom to a whole new level. Celebrate Your Favorite Franchises
Every Event Night—All in One Place Select Nights April 25–May 18, 2025 Boldly go on an immersive Star Trek adventure aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise-D and enter the iconic bridge featured in Star Trek: Picard. Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before The most immersive Star Trek adventure awaits you in an all-new journey into the heart of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D, with must-have merchandise and exclusive themed food. Grab your favorite cosplay, gather your crew, and set course on an unforgettable evening. A New Star Trek Adventure Begins! At Star Trek: Red Alert, embark on an out-of-this world adventure aboard the legendary starship U.S.S. Enterprise-D as a mysterious entity wreaks havoc through the ship's systems! Star Trek: Red Alert is a daring walkthrough experience featuring many familiar locations from the legendary franchise including the iconic Bridge—a screen used set piece from the Paramount+ original series Star Trek: Picard. Engage your Appetite! With space travel comes worldly cuisine. Send your tastebuds on an adventure at Quark’s Cafe with special themed food such as the Tribble Truffle Trio and refreshing worldly drinks. Also, don't miss the 10 Forward Bar where you can indulge on specially crafted drinks such as the Ceti Eel Margarita and so much more. Must be 21+ with valid photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Starfleet Essentials Make it so. With new Star Trek apparel, accessories, and collectibles. Go Back to Hill Valley in 1955, just like Marty McFly, and relive iconic film moments from Back to the Future at Courthouse Square. Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need
Imagination Take the Universal Fan Tram Back to the Future and enter Hill Valley in the ultimate time traveling adventure. Check out the authentic Courthouse Square from the film and meet your favorite characters like Doc Brown and Marty McFly along the way. Time Travel to the Real Courthouse Square Travel back to Hill Valley in 1955, just like Marty McFly! Relive iconic film moments from Back to the Future as Courthouse Square comes to life. Take a photo in your cosplay with Einstein and the iconic Time Machine, experience the Enchantment Under the Sea dance along with a recreation of the Clock Tower lightning strike that sends Marty back to the future. Dine on a Timeless Menu Prepare to rock around the clock with 50s themed food and retro beverages. Back to the Future Goodies Going back to 1955 is fun, but having proof you did is even better. Discover all-new apparel, accessories, collectibles and more. Embark on a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS adventure with fellow Harpers to save Waterdeep from Xanathar. Prepare for Adventure! Get your dice ready. Adventure as your favorite class as the World’s Greatest Role-Playing Game™ becomes a reality. Enter Waterdeep in an immersive walkthrough experience, meet in a tavern, and shop the themed merchandise. Fight to Save Waterdeep Join fellow Harpers on a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS quest to save Waterdeep from the clutches of the notorious beholder, Xanathar the Beholder, in the in-world action-packed DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep. Take a Breather at The First Roll Tavern For any fan who’s dreamed of visiting the Sword Coast, your time has come. After your quest through Waterdeep, reward yourself with a beverage like an Eldritch Blast at DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The First Roll Tavern. Must be 21+ with valid photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Merchandise Calling all Wizards, Rogues, Fighters and fans! Enhance your cosplay with must-have DUNGEONS & DRAGONS accessories and browse themed apparel and collectibles. Get ready to sail into the world of One Piece and meet Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew. Set Sail with Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew Prepare for a night of piracy and cosplay (subject to Cosplay Costume Guidelines) as you enter the swashbuckling Fan Zone of One Piece. Meet with the Straw Hat Crew and grab your merchandise and themed provisions fit for any pirate. One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering Adventures await in the swashbuckling Fan Zone of One Piece. Get ready to meet Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew, like Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji. Capture all the fun with interactive photo opportunities and join the ranks of the most wanted pirates with the help of sketch artists. Dine Like a Pirate Get a taste of One Piece with a special themed menu featuring savory bites and sweet offerings, all inspired by your favorite characters. One Piece Treasures Go full on pirate and make your status official by getting sketched as a wanted pirate and score unique merchandise. Watch Yuji Itadori and his friends in a heroic Jujutsu Kaisen battle. Really Go All Out with Jujutsu Kaisen From the pages of the widely popular manga, comes an anime adaptation of the world of Jujutsu Kaisen. Watch Yuji Itadori and friends take on a sorcery battle, shop themed merchandise and get beyond cursed with unique snacks. Welcome to a World of Sorcery Watch this big screen adventure inside our DreamWorks Theatre, Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed. Follow Yuji Itadori as he embarks on a journey from becoming the host of a powerful curse to learning how to fight it and other curses alongside fellow students at Tokyo Jujutsu High School. Dig Into Powerful Jujutsu Kaisen Snacks Really Go into the world of sorcery and indulge in Jujutsu Kaisen inspired bites. Jujutsu Kaisen Themed Merchandise Add a touch of sorcery to your cosplay (subject to Cosplay Costume Guidelines) and shop the Jujutsu Kaisen apparel, accessories and collectibles. Discover new fan experiences like encountering a Niffler, baby dragon, or Occamy, and celebrate your house pride at Hogwarts™ Always, a breathtaking new show. An Evening in the Wizarding World Awaits Wizards, witches, and Muggles™ unite for an evening of magical experiences. Come and celebrate everything that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ has to offer from attractions to new magical creatures, a stunning new projection show, new themed food, beverages, and merchandise offerings. Casting a New Spell on the Night Experience the wonder of Hogwarts™ Always, a breathtaking show that takes you on a magical journey through a school year at Hogwarts™. Enjoy unforgettable music and incredible moments of wizardry, all set against the majestic backdrop of Hogwarts™ castle. Encounter Magical Creatures Hogsmeade has recently become even livelier with magical creatures. Now is your chance to meet a baby dragon, Occamy and yes, a Niffler who loves shiny, sparkling treasures. Dining & Shopping New Evening Feasts at the Three Broomsticks™ Celebrate your house pride with a special evening feast. Satiate your appetite with a spellbinding three course dinner at the Three Broomsticks™. And don’t forget to top it off with a Butterbeer™. Reservations required. Magical Finds Await: New Merchandise Add some new magic to your cosplay with the debut of the latest merchandise. Be the first to get the new Collector’s Edition interactive wand, exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood, or the entire collection of Pygmy Puff-inspired merch that will enchant any magical creature lover. Step into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ for a special Yoshi celebration and other experiences. Let’s Go, Yoshi Universal Fan Fest Nights will mark the debut of fan-favorite, Yoshi, as a new meet and greet character in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™. Search for hidden Yoshi eggs in a fun scavenger hunt and celebrate with drone moments that will light up the night sky. You’ll also have a chance to meet Mario and friends, and ride Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge. Hello Yoshi Meet and Greet Yoshi at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Get ready for a meet and greet you’ll never forget featuring the legendary Yoshi. 
Let’s go! Can You Find Yoshi’s Hidden Eggs? Search for Yoshi’s hidden eggs on a fun-filled scavenger hunt throughout the
Mushroom Kingdom. Nightly Drone Moments Ooh! Ahh! Watch celebratory drone moments illuminate the night sky. Tasty Yoshi Menu Items at Toadstool Cafe™ Visit Toadstool Cafe™ to fuel up on Yoshi themed food and specialty beverage to commemorate Yoshi’s arrival at Universal Studios Hollywood. Reservations required. Yoshi Merchandise and More Stock up on new Yoshi wearable merchandise that is the perfect addition to your SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ collection.

It shouldn't come as much surprise. Disney's attorneys are quite possibly the sharpest legal minds in the English-speaking world, whereas DeSantis and his cronies are petulant children who think if they repeat a lie enough it'll become true. Sadly, the true victims in this are the remaining sane Florida residents who will foot the bill for the DeSantis administration to unsuccessfully defend this lawsuit (and now to fund their own against Disney, apparently) through their tax dollars.

I've seen a lot of people trashing the look of these on various social media channels in comparison to the existing cabins that are a bit more "rustic" and actually look like cabins but I don't know, I kind of like these. I'm sure the footprint of these won't be that much different than the existing units but I like the more fresh and modern look, even if it does kind of resemble a shipping container.