Disney Finds Keys to Financial Success
Disney Parks reports another big quarter, followed by Disneyland announcing details on renewals for its Magic Key passes. Cedar Fair reveals what's new for 2023. Plus, new patent applications!
Disneyland Releases Magic Key Renewal Information: Yes, prices are going up - by $50 to $200 - but there's also one huge change to the program that will affect Disneyland's biggest-spending pass holders. We’ve got the details on the renewals and how they will affect current pass holders at California’s most popular theme park resort. But the question is, is renewing worth it?
Disney Theme Parks Continue Their Financial Recovery: CEO Bob Chapek and other Disney executives offered smiles and happy talk when announcing the company’s third quarter results, which were led by a big boost in guest spending at the company’s theme parks - well, except for the “unfavorable” mix of all those Magic Key holders at Disneyland. Guess that’s why those prices went up so much, eh?
Attendance, Revenue Drop at Six Flags: Unlike every other major company in the industry, Six Flags reported that attendance dropped - okay, tanked - at its theme parks in the most recent quarter when compared to the year prior, when pandemic restrictions were just lifting. Six Flags’ CEO also ticked off some of the company’s most loyal fans with one of his comments, too, just like Disney’s did.
What’s Coming Next
New Coasters, Refreshed Lands Coming to Cedar Fair Parks: Five Cedar Fair theme parks have revealed their plans for new 2023 attractions, led by multi-attraction announcements from Cedar Point, Carowinds, and Canada's Wonderland. Let’s see what’s coming next year.
First Look at Knott's New Roller Coaster Trains: One of those “new” attractions is the rebuilt Montezooma’s roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm. Following the name reveal, Knott’s released a video teaser of the revamped coaster’s new trains.
Two New Mazes, Chaperone Policy Lead Knott's Scary Farm News: Staying with Knott’s for the moment, the park also announced the full line-up for the 49th annual Knott’s Scary Farm, including a new interactive vampire hunting maze, a new fantasy-themed maze, its first lights-on tour… plus the expansion of the park’s new “no unaccompanied minors” chaperone policy for all nights of Scary Farm.
Universal Orlando Completes Horror Nights Line-Up: Universal Studios Florida also announced the rest of the line-up for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights on the east coast, with six new mazes, plus announcements of five scare zones and two new shows. But where’s all the licensed IP?
Universal Orlando Announces 2022 Holiday Celebration Dates: Following HHN will be the Holidays at Universal Orlando, which looks a lot like previous years’. But we’ve got the official run dates now.
What Might Be Coming… Someday
Let’s dive (see what I did there?) into the U.S. Patent Office records to look at a couple of interesting theme park-related applications.
What, if anything, would you like to see the parks do with this tech?
Trip Reports
Jacob Sundstrom takes us for a tour of Irvine’s new Wild Rivers water park in A Long-Closed California Park Has Returned.
And James Koehl, our Cedar Point expert, reviews the park’s latest in Time to Hit the Beach for Cedar Point Nights.
I’ll Believe It When I Can Visit It
Paramount Signs Deal for New Theme Park in Bali
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Thank you - as always - for your time and attention. Best wishes for the week ahead,
Robert Niles, Editor