Two coasters open, while one closes
It's time for Theme Park Insider's weekly newsletter.
We have several roller coaster openings to report, even as one popular Disney coaster closes this weekend. But the bigger news this week might be the ongoing financial slide on the regional side in the U.S. theme park business. Welcome to Theme Park Insider’s weekend newsletter.
Week in review
Is it time to admit that the regional amusement park industry is in a recession? United Parks - the owner of the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks - reported a tough 2025 this week. That follows last week’s week results at Six Flags. Epic Universe boosted Universal’s theme parks in Orlando last year, and Disney’s theme park revenue is up, too. But the two largest regional theme park chains in the United States are falling even further behind the market leaders. We have the details from United’s earnings report at United Parks reports lower attendance, revenue in 2025.
Merlin Entertainments is investing in its Legoland theme parks in the U.S. this year. The company is spending $94 million on its new Lego Galaxy-themed attractions in Florida and California. We have on-ride POV video now for Galacticoaster, which is open in Florida and opens in California next week: Galacticoaster opens at Legoland Florida.
More roller coaster news: Universal filed a patent application this week for what amounts to a shock absorber system on thrill rides. Could this take at least some of the pain out of an emergency stop?.
Disney announced this week that Avengers star Robert Downey Jr. will be the godfather of the Disney Adventure cruise ship, which is on its way to its new home in Singapore. The Adventure stopped in Tokyo for resupply and a brief press opportunity, in which Disney Cruise Line announced Downey’s new gig. Disney Adventure sails its maiden voyage March 10.
Disneyland this week also announced a new guided tour at the park: Women Who Make the Magic Guided Tour. This $110 tour starts March 6 and highlights the work of women Imagineers and designers who contributed to the park, including Mary Blair, Harriet Burns, Alice Davis, Dorothea Redmond, Ruth Shellhorn, Leota Toombs and Kim Irvine. Reservations are available on the Disneyland website.
Disney this week also announced a major change in concept for the Animation Academy-style attraction that will open in The Walt Disney Studios land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World this summer. Live animator hosts are out, to replaced by an animatronic Olaf and recorded on-screen instruction from leading Disney animators. Is this a good move for the popular step drawing class? Olaf takes over Walt Disney World’s animation class.
Finally, Efteling this week announced the opening date for its new family drop ride. Hooghmoed - which shares a theme and backstory with the Baron 1898 roller coaster next door - will debut May 1. Get the details here: Efteling sets May debut for new family drop ride.
Week Ahead
Sunday is the final day for Aerosmith fans to ride the current version of Walt Disney World’s Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. The band is long gone from the preshow and the ride itself closes tomorrow for its transformation into a Muppets-themed Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, starring Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
The return of Butterbeer Season also kicks off tomorrow at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. The big addition this year? They’re making (Butterbeer) waffles! Butterbeer Season continues through May 31 at the U.S. parks.
In Japan, Universal Studios Japan’s 25th anniversary event, Discover U!, starts Wednesday. That’s also the start date for the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World. USJ’s anniversary event continues through January 11 next year, while the EPCOT festival runs through June 1 this year.
On the west coast, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival starts Friday, continuing through April 27. That means that Soarin’ Over California is back at the park for a while. Here are <a href=”https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disney-eats-disney-california-adventure-food-and-wine-festival-foodie-guide-2026/”>the menus for this year’s festival marketplaces</a>.
Down the road in Carlsbad, Lego Galaxy and Galacticoaster open on Friday at Legoland California. And the next day, March 7, Barracuda Strike opens at SeaWorld San Antonio. That’s the latest installation of United Parks’ order of Bolliger & Mabillard family inverted coasters.
Refurbishment schedule
January 5: Grizzly River Run closed at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
January 5 - November 19: Jurassic Park River Adventure closed at Islands of Adventure.
February 2 - March 13: Timber Mountain Log Ride closed at Knott’s Berry Farm.
February 17: Jungle Cruise closed at Disneyland. No reopening date yet.
February 17 - March 6: GhostRider closed at Knott’s Berry Farm.
February 19 - March 14: Stardust Racers closed at Universal Epic Universe.
February 22: Impressions de France closes at EPCOT. No reopening date yet.
February 23 - March 5: Jumpin’ Jellyfish closes at Disney California Adventure.
February 23: Conservation Station and the Wildlife Express Train close at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reopens as a Bluey experience this summer.
March 2 - 5: Tom Sawyer Island closes at Disneyland.
March 9 - 17: Golden Zephyr closes at Disney California Adventure.
March 30: Disneyland Monorail and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin close at Disneyland. No reopening dates yet.
April 6: Toy Story Midway Mania! closes at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
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Thank you for reading!
Robert Niles