July's Theme Park Shake-Up: New Rides, Closures, and a Dash of Drama
📷 Image source: gizmodo.com
Universal's Epic Universe Leaks
The Park That Won't Stay Secret
Universal’s Epic Universe, set to open in 2025, is supposed to be under wraps—but leaks keep spilling like a kid’s soda on a roller coaster. This month, aerial shots and permit filings revealed a sprawling Super Nintendo World expansion, complete with what looks like a Donkey Kong-themed mine cart ride. Insiders whisper it’ll feature a groundbreaking track system that simulates jumps.
Meanwhile, Universal’s tight-lipped PR team is sweating harder than a visitor in a Florida August. The park’s 'How to Train Your Dragon' land also got a sneak peek, with construction photos showing Viking-style rooftops and what might be a massive animatronic Toothless. Fans are rabid, but Universal’s still playing coy, dropping only a vague 'more to come' in official statements.
Disney's Splash Mountain Saga
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Takes Shape
Disney’s long-promised overhaul of Splash Mountain—replacing the problematic 'Song of the South' theme with 'Princess and the Frog'—is finally showing progress. Construction walls at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom now feature concept art of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, showcasing glowing fireflies, jazz-loving alligators, and a drop finale set to a reworked version of 'Dig a Little Deeper.'
But not everyone’s cheering. Die-hard Splash fans are still mourning the loss of the original, flooding social media with #SaveSplashMountain posts. Meanwhile, Disney’s betting big on Tiana’s appeal, with Imagineers promising 'more animatronics than any ride since the '90s.' The pressure’s on: if this flops, it’ll be a PR nightmare worse than a broken-down ride on opening day.
Six Flags and Cedar Fair Merge
Roller Coaster Giants Tie the Knot
In a move that shocked exactly no one, Six Flags and Cedar Fair finalized their $8 billion merger this month, creating a theme park behemoth with 27 properties across North America. The deal’s been brewing since 2023, but July brought the final paperwork—and a ton of questions.
Will Cedar Point’s charm survive Six Flags’ budget cuts? Can they compete with Disney and Universal’s deep pockets? Analysts are skeptical, but CEO Richard Zimmerman insists the merger means 'better rides and fewer hotdog shortages.' Park fans, though, are already dreading the inevitable: more upcharges for skip-the-line passes and watered-down churros.
Legoland’s Dino Island Opens
A Playful—But Pricey—Prehistoric Adventure
Legoland Florida’s new Dino Island land is now open, and it’s a mixed bag. The star attraction, a raft ride through Lego dinosaurs, is a hit with kids, but parents are groaning at the $15 'premium' dino-themed chicken tenders. The land’s centerpiece—a 20-foot-tall Lego T-Rex—is impressive, but the 'interactive dig site' is basically a sandbox with a few plastic bones.
Still, Legoland’s betting on nostalgia and tiny plastic bricks to win. With Disney and Universal hiking prices, Legoland’s $99 kid tickets (adults pay $114) might look like a bargain—if you ignore the $20 parking fee.
SeaWorld’s Controversial Comeback
New Coasters, Old Problems
SeaWorld’s trying to rebrand itself as a thrill park, and July saw the debut of Penguin Trek, a family coaster with a polar theme. But the real story? Attendance is up, yet animal rights protests haven’t slowed. Activists staged a 'Blackfish Remembrance' outside the Orlando park, while inside, visitors lined up for the new coaster—proof that SeaWorld’s split identity isn’t going away.
CEO Marc Swanson keeps pushing the 'new era' narrative, but the park’s stock price tells another story: it’s down 12% this year. Can coasters really erase the shadow of Shamu? Investors aren’t convinced.
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