Universal to the UK, Zootopia in Shanghai
We have another big new land opening at a Disney theme park, while Universal eyes expansion into the United Kingdom.
Zootopia land opens at Shanghai Disneyland: Disney has opened its first-ever theme park land devote entirely to Zootopia. We have some highlights from the official opening ceremony last night. Keep following later today and this week for more coverage from Shanghai.
Development news
Universal confirms interest in building a UK theme park: Universal Destinations & Experiences is confirming that the company is in "early stages of exploring" the feasibility of a new theme park resort near Bedford in the United Kingdom.
SeaWorld Orlando files plans for its first hotel: SeaWorld has filed a Development Plan Review with Orange County for a 504-room hotel that it wishes to build on nearly 30 acres of back-of-house land at the corner of International Drive and Central Florida Parkway.
Orchestra buys amusement park for new amphitheater site: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and a subsidiary said they will build a $118 million "one-of-a-kind entertainment campus" on the site that has been Coney Island amusement park for more than 125 years.
New attractions
Walt Disney World to reboot its Little Mermaid show: The Little Mermaid is coming back to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Disney has announced that it will reboot its old Voyage of The Little Mermaid show with a new production, "The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure." The new show will open sometime in Fall 2024.
The roller coaster class of 2024 begins testing: Winter might be coming, but so are a bunch of new roller coasters for the 2024 season. Let's look at some teaser and testing videos from Holiday World, Europa-Park, and Cedar Point.
Manchester City opens new interactive attraction on Yas Island: Two of international soccer's biggest teams soon will be fighting not for a cup, but for tourists in the Middle East.
New restaurant opens at Walt Disney World: Walt Disney World's Disney Springs district has welcomed a new restaurant. Summer House on the Lake has opened on the West Side of Disney Springs.
More news from the week
New year to bring some big changes to Walt Disney World: We're just a few weeks away from the return of all-day Park Hopping at Walt Disney World, as well as the lifting of more advance reservation requirements.
Hong Kong Disneyland celebrates attendance mark
Disney's next cruise ship passes construction milestone
Former Disney theme parks chairman Dick Nunis passes away
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Best wishes and thank you for reading,
Robert