New thrills 'Top' the week
We've got a rave review for Cedar Point's new Top Thrill 2, along with coverage of Disney's Pixar Fest and a double dose of celebrity Ryans.
Welcome to May - the month when millions of families start their summer break. Will 2024 be a bigger year for theme parks? Several parks have debuted or previewed the new attractions this week. Will they be enough to entice fans and families to visit this summer?
Cedar Point’s new Top Thrill 2 is worth the wait: Cedar Point and Zamperla, the Italian firm that rethought and rebuilt the much-loved but sadly cursed Top Thrill Dragster, have created an incredible experience from the original concept and structure of Cedar Point’s iconic TTD. Check out James Koehl's full review, along with a double dose of on-ride videos.
Pixar Fest
An Insider's guide to Disneyland's Pixar Fest: With Tiana's Bayou Adventure not ready to open until later this year, Disneyland has returned to an event from six years ago to anchor its summer campaign for 2024.
Disney California Adventure premieres new Pixar parade: Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! features the Disney parade debuts of Pixar's Turning Red and Luca, joining several returning favorites. [With full show video]
Pixar's Together Forever fireworks return to Disneyland: Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular returns to Disneyland with the addition of more than a dozen new Pixar characters from the last time we saw the show, in 2018. [With full show video]
Pixar's Dug has something to say during Disneyland's Pixar Fest: Fans will be able to meet dozens of Pixar characters during the Disneyland Resort's Pixar Fest and that includes the opportunity to talk with one special Pixar character. [With video]
Next up at Universal
Universal Orlando sets opening date for DreamWorks Land: The new DreamWorks Land will open June 14 at Universal Studios Florida, the Universal Orlando Resort has announced. The land is just one part of the line-up of new experiences that the resort has announced for this summer, including a new nighttime lagoon show, Hogwarts projection show, and daily parade.
Earnings slip at Universal's theme parks to start the year: Universal's theme parks reported a modest increase in income, coupled with a decline in earnings, for the first three months of 2024.
Higher theme park attendance, spending expected this summer: Get ready to see more people spending more money at America's theme parks this summer. That's what the industry's leading trade association expects in to see in 2024.
New from the Ryans
Ryan Gosling surprises fans at Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal Studios Hollywood last weekend previewed its new "The Fall Guy Stuntacular Preshow," with a very special guest... "The Fall Guy" star Ryan Gosling.
Yas Island enlists Ryan Reynolds for new publicity campaign: We've had one Ryan this week, yes. But what about second Ryan?
More news
Goodbye Buzz - Wreck-It-Ralph to take over Disney ride: Oriental Land Co. - which owns and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort under license from Disney - announced that it will close its Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters ride in October to make way for a new experience.
Country Bear Vacation Hoedown set for return: The Country Bear Jamboree's original replacement is returning for a limited time in Japan, too.
Six Flags bets on AI, tech to improve guest experience: Six Flags is providing more details about the new technology it will be rolling out at its parks to enhance the guest experience.
Legoland California introduces its new parade characters: Legoland California has revealed the stars of its upcoming Lego World Parade, which will debut at the Carlsbad park later this year.
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Thanks again,
Robert Niles