Our Discussion Forum Is Open
Let's kick things off with some website news, then talk about Avatar at Disneyland, employee pay raises in Orlando, and more openings announcements from around the world.
Hello theme park fans and industry insiders! I’ve got some website news to kick off this week’s newsletter.
Theme Park Insider's Discussion Forum Returns: I am pleased to welcome back Theme Park Insider's Discussion Forum - a place for Theme Park Insider readers like you to ask and answer questions, share trip reports and rumors, and recommend great places and experiences to other theme park fans.
As part of this change, we have installed a new registration and log-in system on the website. I hope that the return of the Discussion Forum and our improved registration system will help make Theme Park Insider a place you want to spend more time... and a place that you can recommend more enthusiastically to others.
Please register, then submit or reply to a discussion at www.themeparkinsider.com/discussion. Thank you!
Now on to the rest of this week’s news…
Disney's Big Earnings Call, and More
Avatar Experience Coming to Disneyland: In Disney's first quarterly earnings call since returning as CEO, Bob Iger announced that Disneyland would be getting an Avatar "experience." Disney also announced that the theme parks are making bank, even as Disney+ continues to bleed red ink.
Disney Celebrates 100 Years in Super Bowl Commercial: The Walt Disney Company continued its 100th anniversary celebration with a new Super Bowl commercial that won high marks from viewers. We look back at the history of Disney theme parks and the Big Game, with an update featuring this year's "I'm Going to Disneyland" honoree.
Higher Pay for Orlando Theme Park Workers
Universal Orlando Raises Pay in Bid to Outpace Disney World: Universal Orlando will raise its starting rate for team members at the resort to $17 an hour, up $2 from the current $15 an hour, starting June 4. That will put Universal ahead of rival Walt Disney World on starting employee pay - at least for now.
More Theme Park News
Is This the End for Silver Dollar City's 'Fire In The Hole'? Silver Dollar City has announced that 2023 will be the final season for the "original" Fire In The Hole ride. So what about second Fire In The Hole?
SeaWorld Opens Research and Rescue Center in Abu Dhabi: SeaWorld has opened a research and rescue facility in Abu Dhabi in advance of its big new indoor theme park opening on the Yas Island resort later this year.
Plus:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Reveals Serengeti Flyer Opening Date
Magical Creatures to Take the Stage at Universal Studios Japan
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Robert Niles, Editor
Did you ever went to Universal studios Orlando Florida before