Theme park and attraction news, rumors and videos.
Bob Jackson, aka Yehaa Bob, packed audiences into Walt Disney World’s River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside for over two decades. On Sept. 29, Jackson announced via Facebook that Disney pulled the plug on his long-time Yehaa Bob act.
And that’s how it ends, not with a bang but with a whimper. I’ve just learned my act will not be returning to Disney. I made so many friends over the last 23 years, it was a great time, we had a lot of laughs together.”
Soarin’ Over California was one of the attractions available on opening day of Disney California Adventure in 2001. Since then, the immensely popular ride was duplicated at Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park in 2005 as part of the “Happiest Celebration on Earth” for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary. Fans can also find versions of Soarin’ at Shanghai Disneyland Park as well as Tokyo DisneySea. Now you don’t even need to visit a Disney Park to ride Soarin’, as clones of the attraction are popping up around the word.
Many Halloween fans are missing some of their favorite parts of the season, with regions around the country discouraging trick-or-treating and many popular theme park events canceled altogether. However, one group of fans is taking matters into their own hands and organizing Virtual Halloween 2020 to satisfy their holiday craving in fun, creative and horrific ways.
Every fall, from mid-September through October, Branson, Mo.’s Silver Dollar City theme park hosts a Harvest Festival with hundreds of craftsmen, cowboy cooking, and glowing pumpkins. For over 60 years, the 1880’s theme park has refined their artisan craft festival into a large scale celebration of the fall season in the Ozark Mountains.
In a recent question and answer session, Christine McCarthy, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Walt Disney Company, shared an update regarding the status of Disney Cruise Line’s next ship, the “Disney Wish”.
In response to the question of when to expect the three new cruise ships scheduled for 2021 – 2023, McCarthy replied, “The shipyard we utilize for our cruise ships, Meyer Werft, was impacted [by COVID] and we encountered a delay. We’re in negotiations and discussions with the shipyard to finalize dates, but as soon as we have those, we’ll make an announcement for when the fifth ship will be delivered. But it is delayed from what we originally anticipated.”
Disney Cruise Line’s “Disney Wish” was orignally scheduled for delivery in late 2021 and expected to set sail beginning in January 2022. No new date was released for delivery of the “Disney Wish” at this time. During the D23 Expo 2019, Disney Cruise Line shared the first details of the newest ship including that Rapunzel would be the character adorning the stern.
McCarthy then addressed new rides and attractions scheduled for the Disney Parks. Confirming that attractions currently under construction remained a priority for The Walt Disney Company. Specific priorities mentioned by McCarthy for completion included the “Star Wars Hotel” at Walt Disney World, Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure as well as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland.
While McCarthy included three projects as priorities for the Disney Parks, there was no mention as to their timeline for opening. Disney previously announced that reservations Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, the “Star Wars Hotel”, would open later this year for a 2021 opening. The Marvel Avengers Campus was expected to open July 18, 2020, but the Disneyland Resort has yet to reopen since shutting down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Disneyland’s version of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has already been pushed back from 2022 to 2023. Finally, there was no mention of Tron Lightcycle / Run slated to open in 2021 at the Magic Kingdom, or the multiple ongoing projects at Epcot including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Space 220 restaurant, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, nor others.
Similar to the questions about ongoing Disney Parks projects, there are many unknowns about Disney Cruise Line. In addition to the delay of the “Disney Wish”, it is currently not known when Disney Cruise Line will resume sailing. In accordance with Cruise Lines International Association, Disney Cruise Line has extended the cancellation of sailings through at least Oct. 31, 2020. In addition, Disney Cruise Line has removed a number of December sailings from online booking.
Lego Factory Adventure will be an innovative dark ride that transforms riders into Lego minifigure versions of themselves. The attraction will debute at Legoland New York when the theme park opens in 2021.
Carnival Celebration will be the sister ship to Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras when it debuts in 2022. This second Excel class ship will sail from Port Miami in time for Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th Anniversary.
Nestled in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is arguably one of America’s most beautiful theme parks. To recognize frontline workers, first responders, public employees and military currently serving our communities and country, Dollywood is offering an “Everyday Heroes” admission ticket for $39 (a savings of $40). In addition, everyone in the general public can purchase an admission ticket for the kids price of $69 (a $10 savings). Both offers are valid until Sept. 21.
Imagine Resorts & Hotels announced their intention to build a family destination waterpark resort in Hollister, Mo., a suburb of the tourist destination of Branson, approximately 10 miles from the Silver Dollar City theme park. Renderings provided depict a themed resort with multiple familiar toy brands such as My Little Pony, Transformers, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, and more.
Marvel Comics has a long history with horror, dating back to before it was even Marvel Comics. This October, it will take its classic heroes and transform them into horror fantasies.
