It's D23 week
What are you hoping to see from Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the other parks this week?
It's D23 week! Disney theme park fans will get to hear - officially - on Saturday night what the company has planned for the next few years when Disney Experienced Chairman Josh D'Amaro takes the stage at Anaheim's Honda Center. So let's kick off the week by asking the important question:
What do Disney fans want to see from D23? Jump into the comments and tell us, or just read what other Theme Park Insider are suggesting.
Another amusement park chain might be for sale: While optimism abounds at Disney, things might be getting tense at another company. Just after the close of the Cedar Fair and Six Flags merger, the owner of the Palace Entertainment amusement park chain might be looking for a deal, according to a news report.
News from Universal
Discover a new Wizarding World in Universal's Epic Universe: Universal Orlando has confirmed details about the last remaining unannounced land at its upcoming Epic Universe theme park: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
It's time to go 'Back to Hogwarts' at Universal: Back to school is typically not a welcome time at theme parks. But for the park whose biggest icon is the world's most famous school, a back-to-school festival is a natural fit.
Universal adds Express option to Mario Kart queue: There's a new way to get onto Super Nintendo World's Mario Kart ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Hello Kitty Cafe coming to Universal Studios Hollywood: The Los Angeles area theme park announced that it soon will open a new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and Sanrio Smile Shop at Universal CityWalk.
Coming and going
Ride a record-setting wing coaster at Kings Dominion next year: Billed by the park as the world's tallest and longest launched wing coaster, Rapterra will stand 145 feet tall and run for 3,086 feet.
It's last call for a once record-setting flume ride: Cedar Point announced that it will close its Snake River Falls ride next month.
Disney Cruise news
Disney Cruise Line wrapped three days of reveals last week for its upcoming Disney Destiny. The third Wish-class ship will sail in 2025.
Meanwhile, the second Wish-class ship, Disney Treasure, is moving closer to its maiden sailing this December.
Analysis
Can Disney learn something from Southwest Airlines? If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, you probably have heard the news that the airline will be doing away with its long-time open seating policy. But there might be a lesson here that applies to an ongoing controversy at the Disney theme parks.
Skipping the line should not mean skipping the show: Skipping the line for a theme park ride should not mean that you end up skipping the show. Yet that happens often with the alternate queues that parks have set up for their attractions.
We also would like to wish a very happy birthday to Holiday World, which celebrated its anniversary this week.
Ticket deals
As always, our partners are offering deals for people looking for a break on theme park ticket prices. Among them:
Disneyland is offering a three-day ticket deal this summer that starts as low as $47 a day for kids ages 3-9 and $78 a day for adults: Disneyland tickets.
Universal Orlando is offering two free days at IOA, Universal Studios Florida or even its Volcano Bay water theme park, with the purchase of a three-day ticket: Universal Orlando tickets.
Thank you for reading, and as a reminder, you also can follow me on Sensible Talk, where my second weekly column is now online. Sign up at sensibletalk.substack.com/subscribe.
Best wishes,
Robert Niles