All articles tagged with #theme parks
A guest at Walt Disney World's Galaxy's Edge blew a kiss toward a patrolling Stormtrooper; the officer reacted with a savage, ground-level stomp gesture and a cheeky 'Thank you for supporting the First Order,' a moment captured by bystanders and fueling playful reactions online.
Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro is reportedly exploring a 'super app' that would merge Disney+ with real‑world experiences like the Cruise Line Navigator and other Disney services, aiming to put parks, resorts, and cruises at fans' fingertips. The concept is early and it's unclear whether it would be advertising-driven or offer deeper app integrations; it could also be inconvenient for viewers who mainly want streaming. Timing and feasibility remain uncertain as Disney experiments with integrating fan relationships across its businesses.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom reopened after a year of upgrades, featuring a complete track replacement, new trains with refreshed interiors, a lower height requirement (38 inches), updated queue storytelling and signage, a revamped Rainbow Caverns opening scene, enhanced Audio-Animatronics and props, and added exit gates—delivering a smoother, more immersive Wild West ride.
Disney Parks Blog reveals expanded lore for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as Magic Kingdom prepares to reopen after a year-long refurbishment on May 3, 2026. The tale centers on Barnabas T. Bullion and the Big Thunder Mining Company, the decaying town of Tumbleweed, and characters like Professor Cumulus Isobar, with park guests encountering detailed queue props and playful train names. The update also notes global variants of the ride and a revised opening scene, climax, and a lowered height requirement for riders.
Video from the Seville Fair shows a cable snapping on a bungee-style ride, launching a two-seater capsule and sending riders plunging mid-launch; four people were injured, including two children, with some treated on scene and others transported to a medical center. Firefighters sealed off the ride as Spain’s National Police opened an investigation; the mayor warned it could have been a real tragedy, inspectors say the ride had previously passed inspection, and the families of two boys on the ride plan to sue.
Disney World is reshaping Frontierland into the Piston Peak National Park expansion, with construction walls, narrowed walkways, and the removal of staples like Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Frontierland boardwalk; Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is under refurbishment through 2026 as other attractions close or relocate, signaling the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history that some fans lament as Frontierland’s legacy fades.
Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro told shareholders that Disney Parks pricing will emphasize a range of options to balance value, guest satisfaction and attendance, citing a $50 kids ticket offer for ages 3–9 and promotions like free dining, as the company pursues a $60 billion, 10-year investment plan that includes new developments such as a park in Abu Dhabi and ongoing efforts to manage daily attendance and guest experience.
Josh D’Amaro officially becomes Disney’s CEO at the annual shareholder meeting, succeeding Bob Iger and signaling a renewed focus on the company’s core growth engines—theme parks and streaming. The former Disney Experiences chair will also serve as Iger’s successor while Iger remains as a senior advisor through year-end, as Disney continues park investments and works to maintain profitability in streaming amid ongoing corporate reshuffling.
Disney World unveils a broad Summer 2026 lineup across Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom, with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin overhauled and reopening in April, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refreshed and reopening in early May, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster reimagined as a Muppets-themed ride featuring The Electric Mayhem, a new Walt Disney Studios Courtyard at Hollywood Studios with Drawn to Wonderland and Olaf drawing classes, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, a Mandalorian/Grogu storyline on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT, Bluey’s Wild World at Animal Kingdom, plus limited-time summer experiences (Jessie’s Roundup, GoofyCore, Disney Springs Dance Party, Disney Friends at the water parks, H2O Glow After Hours), 30 minutes of early park entry for resort guests, extended resort perks, and a slate of deals including 4-Day/4-Park Magic Tickets from $109/day, Free Disney Dining Plan with a qualifying package, and hotel discounts up to 30–40% for select groups.
Six Flags has agreed to sell seven of its theme parks—four in the Midwest—for $331 million to EPR Properties. The parks include Worlds of Fun (Kansas City), Valleyfair (Minneapolis), Six Flags St. Louis, Schlitterbahn Galveston, Michigan's Adventure (Grand Rapids), Six Flags Great Escape (Queensbury, NY), and Six Flags La Ronde (Montreal). Six Flags Great America in the Chicago area is not included. After the sale, the U.S. parks will be leased to Enchanted Parks and the Canadian park to La Ronde Operations, with regular operations continuing through the 2026 season.
Six Flags is selling The Great Escape and six other parks to EPR Properties. Officials say guest experience will not be affected, with parks continuing regular hours, 2026 pass honors, and brand rights retained by Six Flags through 2026.
Hollywood Reporter profiles Josh D’Amaro, tracing his 30-year Disney ascent—from Disneyland strategy roles to leading Experiences and, ultimately, to being tapped as CEO. The piece stresses his rare mix of creativity and quantitative business sense, his close relationships with top creatives (Feige, Docter, Lee) and his openness to risk-taking, and notes the board-led succession following Iger’s return. It also covers a roughly $38 million pay package and relocation prospects, and frames his plan to steer Disney across parks, films, streaming, gaming (including Fortnite) and emerging OpenAI partnerships, all while listening to fans and keeping senior executives engaged.
Disney names theme parks chief Josh D’Amaro as its next chief executive, replacing Bob Iger who will become a senior adviser; Dana Walden is named president and chief creative officer. D’Amaro will lead Disney’s 230,000-strong workforce, overseeing parks, studios and streaming strategy, with a pay package around $38.5 million and a board seat to follow after the March shareholder meeting.
Disney posted about $26 billion in Q1 revenue (up 5%), led by strong theme-park performance and streaming growth, helped by the Disney Destiny cruise launch, but a 15-day YouTube TV blackout and higher marketing and production costs trimmed operating income. Investor focus also centers on CEO succession, with Josh D’Amaro seen as a leading contender as Bob Iger contemplates next steps.
Disney warned its U.S. theme parks will be affected by weaker international visitation, even as it pivots to marketing to U.S. customers and still expects modest growth. International arrivals to the U.S. fell last year, with Canada dropping sharply, and potential policy moves like social-media history checks could further dampen travel. In the latest quarter, park attendance rose modestly and parks revenue surpassed $10 billion, but company profits declined due to higher costs, and Disney’s stock slipped about 4%. Despite headwinds, executives said U.S. park bookings are tracking toward roughly 5% growth this year.