Disney adds some sparkle to its parade
It's time for Theme Park Insider's look back at the week in theme park news and look ahead to what is coming next around the world.
Welcome to Theme Park Insider’s weekend newsletter. In this week’s “shake my head” moment, two parents are facing misdemeanor charges after their toddler child entered a restricted area and ended up with its hand in a wolf’s mouth at ZooAmerica in Hersheypark.
The parents are facing the charges because they allegedly were looking at their phones while the incident happens. Bystanders pulled away the child, who suffered a minor hand injury.
Thinking about this one brought to mind a quote from “Ted Lasso”: “I hope that either all of us - or none of us - are judged by the actions of our weakest moments, but rather by the strength we show when, and if, we’re ever given a second chance.”
May others’ failures provide not an excuse to judge but inspiration for each of us to do better. To that end, watch your kids. As an Internet publisher and parent whose websites and children now are all in their 20s, let me say this: The Internet always will be there. Your kids’ youth will not.
Changes in the parks
Walt Disney World has been plussing the Disney Starlight nighttime parade that debuted last summer at the Magic Kingdom. Peter Pan and Wendy now fly above their float in the parade, as you can see in this video from Disney.
Fans also are reporting that some ground performers in the parade now have new lighting effects on their costumes. Walt Disney World this week also announced a lower height limit on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which will reopen on May 3.
Also getting plussed this year will be SeaWorld Orlando’s new flying theater ride. Expedition Odyssey (a name destined for the Superfluous Redundancy Hall of Fame) is getting a new ride film this summer. Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice will add volcanoes to the mix of arctic habitats featured in the original film: SeaWorld looks to change new ride after less than a year.
Also changing this summer will be the Vekoma SLC at Canada’s Wonderland. Six Flags appears to be sending north the next generation trains from Professor Screamore’s Skywinder at the now-closed Six Flags America. At Canada’s Wonderland, this summer the former Flight Deck (originally Top Gun) will get its third name - The DareDeviler. The park will celebrate the refreshed coaster with a new branded beer for the summer, too: Flight Deck gets a new name at Canada’s Wonderland.
Universal Orlando announced this week that it will be swapping its BK Whopper Bar for a Five Guys this summer. Goodbye, reasonably priced fast food burgers. But are any theme park burgers worth buying? We are talking about that: Universal Orlando to change its CityWalk burger restaurant.
The patent find this week also comes from Universal, which is proposing what one reader called an AR system without the phone or headset: Universal looks to blend reality and fantasy in new show system.
Six Flags completed the sale of six of its U.S. theme parks to EPR Properties this week. That inspired me to put together a one-pager on Who owns America’s regional amusement parks?
Other readers and I continue to share our strategies for visiting top theme parks around the country. Here are the parks we are discussing now, if you would like to pick up some tips and share your advice, too:
Finally, I offer our congratulations and best wishes to Peter van Roden, who this week announced his retirement as Executive Vice President, Global Themed Entertainment at Warner Bros. Discovery. Peter has held that job for the past 10 years, during which he oversaw a great run for Warner Bros.-themed attractions, including the opening of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and the expansion of Warner Bros. Studio Tour attractions around the world.
The week ahead
Happy birthday this week to Disneyland Paris, which turns 34 tomorrow (April 12), and to Tokyo Disneyland, which celebrates its 43rd anniversary on Wednesday. You can follow those links for our visitors guides to those theme parks.
Next weekend brings another flood of runners and their families to the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s the RunDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend from April 16–20, because something had to take the place of the spring break crowds. As always on runDisney weekends at the resort, pack your patience because the parks will be filled from rope drop on.
On Friday this week, Kings Island opens for its 2026 season. The park is debuting its new Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare interactive dark ride from Sally that day, too. Look for a couple of longtime Theme Park Insiders to be there and bring us their report. I can’t wait to read it!
On Saturday, Kennywood reopens for the season and in California, the new Superman Experience: Defenders Unite interactive play attraction opens at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. I’m planning to be there for that one and will post a trip report.
Finally, one week from today, it’s Dapper Day at Disneyland, on April 19. Get our your finest suits and dresses and get ready to enjoy the fashion show with other Disney fans.
Refurbishment schedule
January 5 - November 19: Jurassic Park River Adventure closed at Islands of Adventure.
February 17: Jungle Cruise closed at Disneyland. No reopening date yet.
February 22: Impressions de France and Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along closed at EPCOT. No reopening date yet.
February 23: Conservation Station and the Wildlife Express Train closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reopens as Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station on May 26.
February 27: Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind closed at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
February 27 - May 14: Pteranodon Flyers closed at Universal Islands of Adventure.
March 30: Disneyland Monorail and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin closed at Disneyland. No reopening dates yet.
April 6: Toy Story Midway Mania! closed at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
April 13: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters closes at Disneyland. No reopening date yet.
April 21 - April 23: Yoshi’s Adventure closes at Epic Universe.
April 27: Silly Symphony Swings closes at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
May 3: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom.
May 3: Mine-Cart Madness closes for the day at Epic Universe.
May 4: Pirates of the Caribbean closes at Disneyland. No reopening date yet.
May 14: Soarin’ Around the World closes at EPCOT. Soarin’ Across America opens May 26.
May 26 - June 9: Me Ship, The Olive closes at Islands of Adventure.
June 1 - 16: Men in Black Alien Attack closes at Universal Studios Florida.
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Thank you for reading!
Robert Niles