As Chapek Says, 'Scoreboard'
Disney tries to silence online critics with another big financial result. And another storm is heading toward Florida. But we lead with reveals and deals for several new attractions.
New Attraction News
Universal Orlando to Close Most of Its Kids Zone: Three kids' attractions will close at Universal Studios Florida in January, as Universal Orlando Resort prepares to reimagine its Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone land.
Florida's New Pirate Ride to Open in January: Legoland Florida has announced the new opening date for Pirate River Quest, which originally was slated to open this month before high water levels from Hurricane Ian forced its delay.
Canada Soon Will Have a New Fastest Launch Coaster: Canada's Playland Amusement Park has signed a deal with Zamperla to install the Italian manufacturer's latest Lightning LSM Coaster.
Hersheypark Sets RMC Rebuild for Its Wildcat Coaster: Hersheypark's Wildcat roller coaster will transform into Wildcat’s Revenge in 2023, as the 1996 GCI production becomes the latest wooden coaster to get an RMC rebuild.
Fresh Look at Disney's New 'Frozen' Theme Park Land: Who wants to visit Disney's real-life Arendelle Castle?
Marvel, Potter, Nintendo: What Is Fans' Favorite Themed Land? As we get ready for a new round of fresh theme park attractions, let’s look back at what’s been the biggest recent success. So we asked - in which of the new immersive, single-IP-themed lands would you most like to spend the day?
The 2022 IAAPA Expo opens in Orlando next week, and I will be there to cover it all for Theme Park Insider, starting Tuesday. (Please say ‘hi’ if you see me on the show floor!)
Latest Financial Reports
Disney's Theme Parks Report Big Financial Results: Disney Genie Plus, Lightning Lane and advance reservation requirements continue to pay off for Disney's theme parks, as the company today reported another big quarter of profits.
Revenue, Attendance Up at Cedar Fair Parks: Cedar Fair posted record revenue of $843 million in the third quarter of 2022, up 12% from the same period one year ago. Attendance was up at the amusement park chain in 2022, though the number of visitors still has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels from 2019.
More Theme Park News
Here's the Best Hotel Deal When Visiting Orlando Theme Parks: While all Universal Orlando hotels typically price lower than their Disney counterparts, the Endless Summer Resorts are the first Orlando theme park resorts that are priced in line with - and sometimes cheaper than - value-priced off-site chain hotels. So how do they measure up?
Fantasmic! Returns to Walt Disney World: The nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! had made its long-awaited return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Closures Begin as Nicole Aims for Walt Disney World Visit: Tropical Storm Nicole is heading toward Florida's east coast, and the Walt Disney World Resort has announced some closures for later this week as a result.
Disney Legend Alice Davis Passes Away: You can't just put on a Small World doll's or Pirate of the Caribbean's pants one leg at a time, but their pants need to look like you did. Alice Davis made that happen - and made those pants, and shirts, and blouses, and dresses, look spectacular at the same time.
Get Ready to Pick the World's Best Theme Park and Attractions: Next week, we will open the first of the year-end surveys that Theme Park Insider uses to determine our annual awards, including Best Theme Park, Best New Attraction, and Best Roller Coaster. Forward this email and ask your friends and colleagues to subscribe to get the first survey link next week.
Need Tickets?
One of the ways that you can help support Theme Park Insider is by buying discounted attraction tickets through our travel partner. They have many package deals available in addition to individual tickets, so, please, price what they have to offer.
As always, thank you for following Theme Park Insider and for sharing links to our content via your social media. Best wishes for the week ahead,
Robert Niles