Top theme park news stories of 2023, so far
It's been a big six months for theme park news. Join us for a recap.
As many Americans celebrate Independence Day and summer vacations this Fourth of July week, let's look back at the biggest stories in the theme park industry over the first six months of 2023.
The top theme park news stories of 2023, so far: These are my picks for the most significant developments in the industry - for both fans and insiders - so far this year. We've got stories from Six Flags, Disney, Universal, and more. If there's another story out there that you think merits additional discussion, please tell us about that in the comments.
'Rogers: The Musical' delivers a winner for Disneyland: With the show scheduled for a limited, two-month run in the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure, Disney easily could have laid up and offered the cheap fan-service rehash that I feared. But the creative team did not do that. They made the heroic effort to tell a story worthy not just of Steve Rogers but also of the love and respect that so many Disneyland fans feel for that character. [With full show video]
How to bring a movie and video game to life in a theme park: While he was covering the grand opening of Uncharted: The Enigma of Penitence at PortAventura last month, Ben Mills interviewed two leaders of the attraction's creative team, Rich Hill and Logan Zawacki from Sally Dark Rides.
Crack closes one of the nation's top roller coasters: One of the nation's top roller coasters might be down for a while, following the development of what appears to be a significant crack on one of its supports. Pictures and video posted to social media show the crack on Carowinds' Fury 325, which is ranked number five on Theme Park Insider's list of top 25 roller coasters.
Disneyland Paris opens a new adventure under the sea: The giant squid animatronic is gone from Disneyland Paris' Les Mystères du Nautilus, replaced by screen media of more realistic ocean life. It's less Jules Verne and more Jacques Cousteau. But is that what Disney fans actually want?
More news
Disneyland suspends Oogie Boogie Bash ticket sales: The Disneyland Resort cut short sales for its Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween party soon after opening them last week, postponing ticket sales until at least tomorrow, when it will make an announcement about their return.
How to plan your trip to Disneyland and the Los Angeles area: In addition to our daily blog posts, we maintain visitors guides to more than 30 top parks from around the world. This week, I would like to focus on the parks in the greater Los Angeles area, as an invitation for theme park fans to come visit Theme Park Insider's hometown.
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Get the best deal on Disneyland's new summer discount: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are offering a three-day ticket discount for California residents, and we have a link to that deal, starting at just $78 a day - that’s less than what Disneyland is offering on its own website.
Check this fresh batch of amusement and water park ticket deals: If you have been thinking about visiting a regional amusement or water park in the U.S. this summer, we have some fresh admission deals for you, with dozens of Palace Entertainment destinations now available through our ticket partner.
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Robert Niles