Remembering a lost Disney Legend
Richard Sherman passes away, just as the summer vacation season begins. So it's time to look back before we turn to look ahead.
Disney Legend Richard Sherman passes away: Theme park and Disney fans this week have been mourning the loss of a Disney Legend. Richard Sherman, along with his brother Robert, wrote some of the most enduing songs in Disney theme park history, including the theme to 'It's a Small World' as well as 'The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room' and 'There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow' from Carousel of Progress. He passed away over the weekend at the age of 95.
The summer season begins
As we share all the wonderful memories that Richard's music helped make over the years, it also is time to look ahead to many new attractions debuting as the 2024 summer vacation begins. We start - ever so briefly - in the United Kingdom, where Thorpe Park opened its new Mack Rides hyper coaster.
Hyperia soars as Britain's tallest and fastest roller coaster: At 236 feet and 80 mph, Hyperia is setting records. However....
Britain's new record-setting coaster sets a record no one wants: The coaster ran for only a day after opening officially before closing due to what appears to be mechanical issues. It's the second major coaster this year to close almost immediately after its official opening, joining Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster on 2024's "agony of defeat" list.
New rides and shows kick off the summer vacation season: Still, there's plenty more to thrill and entertain theme park fans this summer. Let's round up some of the more notable new attractions that debuted over the weekend.
First look at Maleficent's return to Fantasmic at Disneyland: And one of the biggest was the return of Disneyland's iconic nighttime spectacular after last year's fiery dragon mishap.
Check out our preview videos for other new attractions this week:
Birthdays
Happy birthday to the greatest theme park in the world: On May 28, 1999, the best theme park in the world officially opened to the public. Happy birthday this week to Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure.
SeaWorld celebrates its first anniversary in Abu Dhabi: And we also celebrate the first anniversary of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The Yas Island theme park officially opened on May 23, 2023.
Halloween
Universal Orlando continued its original-IP haunted house reveals for Halloween Horror Nights.
Get ready for more Halloween reveals at Midsummer Scream: Universal Orlando might have kicked off the Halloween hype season this past week with six original house reveals for its 2024 Halloween Horror Nights event, but an event bigger line-up of reveals is on the horizon.
More news
Orlando is getting a new Nickelodeon Hotel
Disney prepares a new musical adventure, with a twist
IAAPA sets new ways to honor industry leaders, innovators
Discussion
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Best wishes for a wonderful week,
Robert Niles