What the heck, Universal?
If anyone thought that 2022 would just slink away without a last-minute major industry bombshell, well, Universal Studios just dropped one. Plus a bunch of other theme park news, too.
Major Shakeup as Top Leaders Depart Universal Creative: Thierry Coup, Mike Hightower, and other leaders will taking an early retirement buyout and leaving the company, according to news reports. It's a rare shakeup for Universal as the company prepares to open its new Epic Universe theme park in 2025.
Universal Orlando Offers Fans Another 'Escape' Into the Movies: If you're up for spending $50+ for one hour immersed as an active participant in the world of Back to the Future or Jurassic World, then Universal's Great Movie Escape delivers what you've been looking for. But is "Escape" the right word to describe these new experiences?
Interactive Minion Attraction to Open at Universal Orlando Next Summer: Despicable Me fans who have wanted to attend a real-life Villain-Con will get their chance next year at Universal Orlando.
Meanwhile, Over at Disney...
Are After-Hours Events a Solution to Disneyland Ticket Problems? Disneyland After Dark is coming back in 2023. Disneyland fans concerned about the price of Disneyland tickets and availability of its park reservations probably ought to hope that Disney adds even more after-hours, hard-ticket events in the new year.
And Elsewhere...
Six Flags Park Announces New Coaster for 2023: It look a while, but a Six Flags park has announced a new roller coaster for the 2023. Six Flags Fiesta Texas announced at its FT92 Fan Event that it will install a Skyline Attractions racing P'Sghetti Bowl Children's Coaster next year.
London Eye Owner Bids for Attraction's Long-Term Approval: The original permits for the observation wheel on the Thames allowed the attraction through 2028, at which point the local planning commission would have to decide whether to retain it.
Stay tuned later this week as we open final-round voting for this year's Theme Park Insider Awards, with votes for the Best New Attraction, Best Halloween Event, and Best Holiday Event.
Thank you for reading!