Let's all go to IAAPA
News from the industry's biggest gathering, plus new Disneyland reviews and a $1 billion story from Six Flags.
IAAPA Expo puts the spotlight on new thrill rides: The show floor at the 2024 IAAPA Expo opened this morning to the event's more than 38,000 guests. Ride manufacturers wasted no time starting a full day of press conferences to reveal their upcoming attractions. Check out the reveals here, including the first double-launch roller coaster in Latin America, coming to a new park in Mexico in 2026.
Minecraft is coming to theme parks in the US, UK: Legoland's owner, Merlin Entertainments, has inked a deal to bring the popular video game Minecraft to two of its locations, in the U.S. and U.K.
Look inside Universal Orlando's new Harry Potter ride: Universal does not have a space on the show floor at this year's IAAPA Expo, but that's not keeping the company from getting into the reveals today, dropping new photos from inside the upcoming Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride at Universal Epic Universe.
Disney, Europa-Park lead new class of Thea Award winners: Disney's new Fantasy Springs and Zootopia theme park lands won Thea Awards from the Themed Entertainment Association this evening. Other winners of honors from the leading association of attraction designers included the new Voltron Nevera powered by Rimac roller coaster at Europa-Park, The Sphere in Las Vegas, and the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies. We have the full list of honorees.
Legends set to headline the return of IAAPA in Orlando: We will be at the show this afternoon for Bob Rogers' annual Legends panel. Look for a write-up on the site tonight.
New at Disneyland
Disneyland gets an upgrade with Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland's installation of Tiana's Bayou Adventure is a tighter edit of the story from Orlando. Disneyland's slightly smaller ride space puts everything closer to you, so characters and settings look bigger. It's all moving faster, too, amplifying the infectious zydeco beat of the ride's soundtrack.
Is Disneyland's new Barbecue Jamboree a hit? Disneyland has tried multiple barbecue restaurants over its nearly 70 years. Its latest effort is Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree. How does this one rate?
Miguel and Mirabel bring new holiday magic to Disneyland: It's time again for the Holidays at Disneyland Resort. For this year's celebration, Disneyland has added two new street shows for Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure. Read on for the show videos.
On the finance beat
Disney Parks report record revenue, income: Revenue and income were up to record levels at Disney's theme park division last year, though a drop in attendance at the international parks in the past three months drove down income for the final three months of the company's fiscal year.
Six Flags closes the world's tallest roller coaster: The king is dead. Six Flags Great Adventure confirmed this morning that it has closed Kingda Ka, the Intamin Accelerator coaster that has been the world's tallest roller coaster, at 456 feet.
Can a billion dollars write a new future for Six Flags? Let's talk about Six Flags $1 billion expansion plan for the next two years. Will all that spending help drive attendance to the Six Flags parks?
More news
Walt Disney World adds another single rider line: Walt Disney World has opened a single-rider line for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT.
Universal Orlando sets dates for return of Mardi Gras: The good times will roll again at Universal Orlando Resort, starting February 1, 2025.
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