Halloween is here!
Halloween season has started to arrive at theme parks across America, but I can't help looking ahead to more great news about what is coming in 2025.
Halloween season has started to arrive at theme parks across America, but I can't help looking ahead to more great news about what is coming in 2025.
Back to the Future, Star Trek to return to Universal theme park: Universal Studios Hollywood is introducing an all-new after-hours event next spring. And the park will be calling on some of its classic franchises to feature during it.
Disneyland gets an early start on Halloween Time: The calendar might still say "summer," but Disneyland already is calling it fall. The resort kicked off its Halloween Time event Friday - the earliest start ever for Disneyland's annual fall festival.
Over in Europe, Russell Meyer continues his roadtrip report with a two-parter on Efteling, a two-time winner of our Theme Park Insider Award as the world's best theme park.
Meanwhile, we have more news about attraction closings and an opening.
Classic roller coaster set to close at Busch Gardens: The Tampa, Florida theme park announced that the 1980 Schwarzkopf Silverarrow will make its last runs on Labor Day - Monday, September 2, 2024.
Disneyland looks to repeat history with its Red Cars: Just like their real-life predecessors, Disney's Red Cars soon will be fading into history, in the name of progress.
Hersheypark plans record-setting swing ride: On the plus side for ride counts, the Pennsylvania theme park announced that it will open Twizzlers Twisted Gravity next summer. The S&S Screamin' Swing will send riders 137 feet in the air, to a top speed of 68 miles per hour.
Halloween updates
Knott's Scary Farm reveals its new mazes for 2024: The theme park industry's original after-hours, hard-ticket Halloween event will return for its 51st year on September 19, running select nights through November 2. And fans again will be getting two new mazes this year.
Six Flags shares first looks at Saw, Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Harry Potter's Death Eaters return to Universal Orlando
Vacation news and deals
Get ready for more 'After Hours' extras at Walt Disney World: Walt Disney World has set the dates and prices for its Disney After Hours events next year.
Disney Destiny set for November 2025 debut from Port Everglades: Disney is confirming the sail date and destinations for the inaugural cruise of the Disney Destiny next year.
Take a look inside Universal Orlando's new 'Grand Hotel': Universal Orlando revealed concept art for the final piece of its upcoming Universal Epic Universe theme park - the Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
Walt Disney World sets opening date for its next hotel: The Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will open to guests on December 17, Disney announced. Disney also revealed more details about the Disney Vacation Club property.
And speaking of Orlando theme park hotels, I am proud to announce that we have a new resource available via Theme Park Insider for readers looking to book Disney vacations. Academy Travel, which is a Diamond Level travel agency for both Disney and Universal, has joined Theme Park Insider as a sponsor.
I have been looking for years for an agency to work with, to help connect Theme Park Insider readers with the best deals on vacation packages to Disney and Universal. Ultimately, I did the "Insider" thing and talked with my connections at the parks - and managers were enthusiastic to recommend Academy Travel as their #1 seller for vacations: https://www.themeparkinsider.com/book-vacation/
You can find direct links here for complimentary, no-obligation quotes.
A portion of all travel booked with Academy Travel via links on Theme Park Insider goes to support Theme Park Insider, so thank you for helping the site while you get a great deal.
If you are just interested in tickets, we continue to link to great deals on those, as well. It's your last chance to book Disneyland's great three-day ticket deal. And we also have no-hassle links to buy tickets to Disney theme parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris.
Thank you, as always, for reading and supporting our work here on Theme Park Insider. Best wishes for a great week!
Robert