Disney's big week
From Tokyo Disney to Walt Disney World to Disney Cruise Line, we cover all the openings as well as the rest of the week's news from the industry.
It's been a big, big week for Disney fans, with new attractions debuting all over the world. We start at the world's most visited theme park - Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, my old home park.
Disney makes a better splash with Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Tiana's Bayou Adventure stands as the bravest creative decision I have seen in more than 20 years covering this industry. Here is my deep dive into how we got here, and why Tiana's Bayou Adventure is a better attraction than its Splash Mountain predecessor. [With new on-ride video]
Before the Tiana's press event this week, the Disney Cruise Line hosted media on a Disney Magic cruise from Fort Lauderdale to preview the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point - Disney's new private destination on the island of Eleuthera.
The Bahamas' art and music come alive on Disney Lookout Cay: For its second private destination in The Bahamas, Disney Cruise Line has added a dash of local flavor. [With video of the new Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration show]
Nature makes the magic at Lighthouse Point: Never have I wanted so much to share a destination with you, while also fearing to share it. If you are on a Disney Cruise that calls at Lookout Cay, make time in your day for the Nature Trail. Just don't too many of you do that at once, please.
Find a taste of the islands on Disney Lookout Cay: Visitors to the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point can see and hear its Bahamian flavor. But can they taste it? [With video]
After Lookout Cay, dive deeper into the art of The Bahamas: For all the complaints that cruise passengers have about their ships stopping in Nassau, I guarantee you that Bahamians have things to say about that, too. Which brings me to my recommendation for what to do in Nassau.
This week also saw the official public opening of the Tokyo Disney Resort's major new expansion project, Fantasy Springs.
Tokyo Disney opens its new Fantasy Springs: Tokyo Disney kicked off the opening with a drone show, followed by appearances by Disney and OLC executives the next morning.
Of special personal interest to me, here are couple more stories about attractions I used to work at the Magic Kingdom.
Disney's new Country Bears show gets an opening date: The all-new Country Bear Musical Jamboree will open in Frontierland's Grizzly Hall in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on July 17.
How 'free play' helped 'make my day' at Walt Disney World: Here is how I conquered my former nemesis at Walt Disney World, thanks to a rare Disney price cut.
More theme park news
Universal's previews an 'Epic' preview of its new park: Universal Orlando this week previewed its Epic Universe Preview Center for invited reporters. Located on CityWalk, the EUPC (yeah, I'm calling it that) offers merchandise themed to the new park and its four lands, but the real attraction here is the massive scale model that dominates the room.
'A Quiet Place' is coming to Universal's Halloween Horror Nights: Universal is inviting horror fans to find 'A Quiet Place' at its U.S. theme parks this fall.
Hyperia set for return at Thorpe Park: The extended downtime is ending for one of 2024's new roller coasters.
Knott's Camp Snoopy gets its reopening date: The park has redesigned its first-of-its-kind children's land, adding an enhanced backstory and new attractions. But it cut previously announced plans for a renovated theater space.
There's no shortcut to preventing line jumping: Let's talk about what theme parks can be - and should be - doing to keep people from jumping their queues.
Club Pixar, Marvel shows closing at Disney California Adventure: Disneyland has closed a Pixar Fest dance show and is preparing to close one of its Marvel-themed productions, too.
Fans could be the winners in Six Flags' NBA Finals bet: Every time two teams from cities with theme parks from the same company meet for a major sports championship, we get a friendly wager between those parks. This time, it's on the NBA Finals, where the Boston Celtics are playing the Dallas Mavericks. And theme park fans will have a stake in the outcome.
Thank you
It’s been an extra-busy week this week, and I have tried especially hard to bring my “A” game to it with unique and insightful analysis.
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Best wishes for another wonderful week,
Robert Niles