All the Wacky Wednesday theme park news
Is there something in the water this week?
Disneyland ride gets unexpected addition: Let's start with the story that probably got the most general news coverage of anything theme park related in the past week. Anaheim police have arrested a man after a naked romp through Disneyland's It's a Small World ride. Maybe he did a Lisa Simpson and drank the water?
It's almost reader rankings time!
Get ready to pick the best attractions and theme parks of the year: Voting will open next week in Theme Park Insider's annual year-end surveys. Start putting together your lists now, to help us pick the best new attraction, best roller coasters, best attractions, and best theme parks of 2023. Watch for the links next week.
On that note: What is your favorite holiday parade?
A week for deals and discounts
If you are like me, your email inbox and text messages were absolutely slammed this week with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Travel Tuesday, and Wacky Wednesday sales pitches. (Okay, the last one’s a Dr. Seuss book… which means you’re probably more likely to have read it.)
Even though we have relationships with a couple of ticket sellers, I didn't bother sending any extra messages over the past week because I believe in respecting your time and attention by delivering our deals and discounts news along with the rest of our theme park industry news. That said, here is that news this week, including a round-up of all the available deals from our partners, plus some discount codes you can use this week only.
Disneyland is bringing back discounts for local residents: The tickets will go on sale next Tuesday, December 5, and will be valid for your choice of three days between January 2 and June 2, 2024, subject to park reservation availability.
Get the latest deals on theme park and attraction tickets: If a theme park visit is on our holiday gift or wish list this year, here are plenty of opportunities to save some money while supporting us here at Theme Park Insider.
IAAPA recap
How to open a theme park when everything really goes terribly wrong: Bob Rogers' Legends panel always provides one of the highlights of the annual IAAPA Expo in Orlando. This year's panel kept that tradition going with a spirited conversation about the Covid-challenged opening of Universal Studios' new theme park in China. Watch it now.
IAAPA sets new awards ceremony: IAAPA, the theme and amusement park industry's largest trade association, has announced a new annual awards ceremony, to be held in Las Vegas next year.
Wrapping up Hong Kong Disneyland week
How to visit Hong Kong Disneyland: Hong Kong Disneyland might be Disney's smallest theme park resort, but it's well worth visiting for Disney fans with the means to get there. Watch our walk-around video of the park, as well as on-ride videos, then check out all our advice for planning a day (or two) at this underrated Disney park.
Thank you for reading Theme Park Insider, and best wishes for a wonderful week!
Robert Niles