Author: Theme Park Wizard

I am a huge fan of theme parks!

Legoland California to Eliminate Star Wars at Miniland U.S.A

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized
Image result for legoland star wars miniland

Legoland California has decided to retire their Star Wars area in Miniland U.S.A Merlin announced today. The attraction will close after the holiday season ends on January 6th, 2020. Legoland has said, ” Since opening in 2011 with additions made year after year, the Lego Star Wars Miniland model display has been popular for children and their parents, We are thrilled we were able to bring this generational experience to our guests and hope those who have yet to see it, or want to revisit with their friends, will come experience Lego Star Wars Miniland before it leaves us in January and before we prepare to build new memorable experiences for guests.”

In its place I hope another iconic city like Chicago goes up or the Grand Canyon. Comment below what would you like to see in its place? Also gives this page a follow for constant theme park updates.

Sea World San Diego Planning New Drone Show!

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized

Sea World has filed paper work with the city of San Diego indicating they want to have a drone show over Mission Bay. Sea World would be partnering with Intel, the same company who did drone shows in Las Vegas, Walt Disney World, and Universal Studios Hollywood, to operate their show.

Intel does amazing work on their drone shows and you know that if you have seen one of the shows listed above. According to the permits, the show would be around 5 minutes long and is expected to debut next year.

Sea World is very environmentally friendly and will monitor how their wildlife and birds are affected by the shows during the test runs. I am very excited for more drone shows in theme parks as after I saw the Dark Arts show at Universal my jaw dropped. Are you guys as excited as I am for this show? Do you prefer drone or fireworks shows? Let me know in the comments below and give this blog a follow if you want constant theme park updates.

Indiana Jones Set To Undergo Major Refurb at Disneyland

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized
Image result for indiana jones ride

Along with Snow White, another Disney classic is set to undergo a major refurb in 2020 and that would be Indiana Jones. Disney has filed a permit to replace the bridge and other props during a major refurb next year for the attraction. They will also refurb the rock work.

Are you excited for these two iconic attractions to get enhanced? Let me know down in the comments below!

Universal Orlando Has an Opening Date for its Next Hotel

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized

Universal today announced the opening date for the second half of the Endless Summer Resort to be called Dockside Inn and Suites.

Sunset Lounge
Concept art provided by Universal

This hotel will when open complete the Endless Summer Resort at Universal Orlando and it will be the eighth hotel within the resort and according to Universal this is just the beginning as they plan to add another 2,000 plus rooms in the coming years.

Dockside Inn and Suites is a 2,050 room hotel and will be affordable for everyone with rooms starting at $85 a night. The hotel will open March 17th, 2020 and be right across the street from the first phase, Surfside Inn and Suites.

Anyone staying at either hotel will get perks such as free transportation to the Universal Transit Hub and Citywalk, early entry into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the ability to charge merchandise to your room at Citywalk.

Will you be staying in this resort next time you visit Universal Orlando? Let me know in the comments below!

BREAKING NEWS: Tarzan’s Treehouse Closed Indefinitely Due to an Incident

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized
Image result for tarzans treehouse

At about 4:45 pm this evening an incident abruptly shut down Tarzan’s Treehouse. A male guest was jumping on the bridge very hard trying to show his son that the bridge would not break and of course it broke. Cast members quickly responded to the situation and evacuated and closed the bridge.

Guest images below show what the current cracked bridge looks like.

, Breaking News – Tarzan’s Treehouse Emergency Closes at Disneyland
Guest photos from Micechat of the bridge
, Breaking News – Tarzan’s Treehouse Emergency Closes at Disneyland
, Breaking News – Tarzan’s Treehouse Emergency Closes at Disneyland

This story will be updated as any new info comes in, as of now there are no reports of guest injuries.

Cedar Point Has Set Their 2020 Announcement Date for December 19th

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized

Right after Knott’s Berry Farm announced their new 2020 attraction, Cedar Point teased a new 2020 addition of their own. Cedar Point has said that on December 19th they will announce this mystery new attraction.

I have some thoughts on what this attraction may be based on what we can observe at the park right now. I can tell you this will not be a roller coaster as there have been no permits filed with the city and construction has not begun anywhere in the park for this new addition.

It could be a partnership with Triotech in bringing a new or refurbished/rethemed dark ride to the park, which I think would be a great addition to this park full of coasters. Cedar Point could also be partnering with Triotech to add animatronics to their river rapids ride as well. What do you think it will be? What do you want Cedar Point to get next? Let me know in the comments below!

Snow White’s Scary Adventures at Disneyland to Undergo Large Refurb in 2020

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized
Image result for snow white scary adventures disneyland

Disney today filed a permit with the city of Anaheim totaling $445,000 that calls for the refurb of Snow White’s Scary Adventures. The official wording of the permit is below.

“Disneyland – Snow Whites Scary Adventures – Tenanat Improvement: 6,212 sq ft to remove and replace show prop sets and scenes, install new structural beams, rockwork and new projector platforms. With electrical.”

My guess is that this refurb will start on January 7th which is the day after the Holidays end at the Disneyland Resort. Here’s hoping that other dark rides such as Mister Toad’s gets a face-lift as well. What do you think of this refurb? Are you excited for the changes? Let me know in the comments below!

Knott’s Berry Farm Records Record Attendance This Year!

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized
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Cedar Fair parks and particular Knott’s Berry Farm are having a record year attendance wise. Due to good weather days and loads of entertainment such as Knott’s Summer Nights and Ghost Town Alive and the debut of Calico River Rapids people have been flocking to Knott’s while Disney debuted Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and saw a 3% decline in attendance.

Image result for knott's beary tales
Photo courtesy of Knott’s Berry Farm

The record attendance is expected to continue as today Knott’s announced a new attraction, Knott’s Bear-y Tales, that will be coming in 2020. That new attraction plus Summer Nights, Ghost Town Alive, and all of the planned entertainment for the 100th Anniversary, Knott’s will be smashing attendance records for years to come it seems.

What do you think of the record attendance? Did you visit Knott’s this year? Are you planning to visit for the 100th Anniversary entertainment and attractions? Let me know in the comments below!

LegoLand to Open Park in Shanghai!

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized
legoland shanghai
Image courtesy of Merlin Entertainament

Merlin Entertainment announced today that they will be opening their 11th Legoland Park in Shnaghai sometime after 2023. Legoland’s next two parks are going to New York (2020) and South Korea (2022). Merlin said this will be the world’s largest Legoland Park and that it will make Shanghai an epic tourist destination with Disney in the East and Legoland in the West.

This resort will also include a 250 room hotel and if the above concept art is to be believed then the hotel will be inside the park which would be a first for a Legoland theme park. This resort is expected to cost $650 million.

Nick Varney who is the Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainment stated that he is, ” [Delighted] that we are able to realize the development of a Legoland Resort in Shanghai; one of the most vibrant cities in the world, a gateway city with modern consumers, Shanghai is already the home for many Merlin brands, and it has been our ambition for some time to build a full-scale theme park that offers the people of Shanghai and visitors to the area the opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique Legoland experience.”

Legoland Shanghai will be within an hour drive of 55 million people, so this park should have zero problems attracting people to come visit. Will you be one of the people visiting the park? Are you surprised at Merlin’s aggressive expansion with the Legoland theme parks? Let me know in the comments below and follow this blog for photo updates of construction of Legoland parks in New York, Korea, and now Shnaghai!

New Disney + Kiosks to be Set Up In Downtown Disney and Disney Springs

by Theme Park Wizard, posted in Uncategorized
Image result for disney plus

Starting November 12th you will be able to watch and learn more about Disney Plus in Downtown Disney and Disney Springs. There will be kiosks near paddlefish at Disney Springs and where the old DVC kiosk used to be (near LaBrea Bakery) in Downtown Disney for guests to learn all abput the streaming service including pricing and what shows the service has to offer.

Are you excited for Disney Plus? What shows are you most excited for? Comment your thoughts down below!