Fastpass at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort will be replaced by a paid Disney Genie+ option, Disney has announced. The new system will offer two packages, including all encompassing Disney Genie+ as well as individual paid access to an attraction’s ‘lightning lane’ entrance. Disney said of the new services over on the Disney Parks Blog: – Disney Genie+ service (available for purchase): For the price of $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland Resort, choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attraction ..read more

Walt Disney World has confirmed that the NBA Experience at Disney Springs will permanently close. The venue opened in August 2019 but closed along with the rest of the Resort during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. It has not reopened since and will now be permanently shuttered. Employees were notified by email, and the decision appears to have been reached mutually between Disney and the NBA. The NBA Experience at Disney Springs replaced Disney Quest, and the building that houses it is one of the largest at Disney Springs, leaving Disney with a huge unused space in ..read more

Being a UK-based Theme Park website, news from Universal Studios Beijing is few and far between for us, especially as we’re still under international travel restrictions. However, we spotted a great video of the Park’s Decepticoaster over on Twitter. The Decepticoaster is themed to the Decepticons from the Transformers franchise, a staple these days at Universal Parks, and is a take on Islands of Adventure’s Incredible Hulk coaster (more about that attraction over on our official YouTube channel!) Check out the coaster in action (via Roller Coaster Dream over on Twitter): The launch ..read more

We’ve had a glimmer of hope this week as the proposed London Resort has moved into its pre-procurement phase. The phase, which invites businesses to pitch to work on the project, is the next step in what has been a fraught planning process. Companies can register their interest on the official London Resort supplier site here, with the project emphasising the involvement of small to medium sized businesses (SMEs). Tim Aker, Development Manager for the Kent and Medway Federation of Small Businesses, who are working with the project, said: “The London Resort is a fantastic opportunity ..read more

We love Theme Parks here at Theme Park Portal, and we know you do too! Try your hand at our Theme Park crossword and test your knowledge of Parks around the World. Be warned though, it’s a tough one! Do you know your favourite Universal Park back to front? How about Walt Disney World? Consider us impressed, but what about the Theme Parks of Europe, Asia and Australia? We’re really giving you a brainteaser this time with this Theme Park crossword! For the Geeks: The History of the Crossword From the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament: “The first known published crossword puzzle was ..read more

Walt Disney World’s newest dining offering, the Space 220 Restaurant at Epcot, is due to open in mid-September 2021. The announcement date comes as part of the continuing series of Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary announcements. The celebration is due to begin officially on 1st October 2021. The Space 220 Restaurant’s opening has been delayed a number of times, and will be located next to the Mission: Space pavilion in the World Discovery section of Future World. Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley said in a statement: “The Space 220 restaurant is located adjacent to the Mission: SPACE a ..read more

Can we have a serious talk about the price of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser? Disney’s much-hyped and revolutionary hotel and entertainment experience has been rapidly nearing completion ahead of its spring 2022 opening (date still to be confirmed). Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser will be a fully immersive experience, with guests staying for two nights on board the Halcyon Starcruiser for an intergalactic adventure. Disney is promising character meets, out-of-this-world food and drink, and interactive experiences, with Star Wars’s famous lightsabers featuring prominently. On paper, it ..read more

The Legoland New York Hotel is now officially open, completing the initial opening of the Resort. The Legoland New York Theme Park opened on 29th May, 2021, and is the third Legoland Resort in the United States (after Legoland Florida and Legoland California). The Legoland New York Hotel features 250 rooms, with various Lego themes, and is open year-round (unlike the Theme Park which runs on a seasonal schedule). The hotel’s official website covers some of the highlights of the hotel: – Themed hotel with interactive LEGO features throughout. – A variety of LEGO themed rooms – Pirate ..read more

An accident at Scotland’s Landmark Forest Adventure Park has left two children with minor injuries. The Park’s Runaway Timber Train roller coaster, the only coaster at the Park, suffered what Police Scotland described as a “mechanical failure”. The accident happened at 11:30am, and Police, Fire and Ambulance services were called to the scene. In a statement, Landmark Forest Adventure Park said: “All passengers were safely and immediately evacuated, but emergency services were deployed as a precautionary measure. The rollercoaster will remain closed while a thorough investigation into ..read more

Merlin has announced the attraction line-up for Florida’s Peppa Pig Theme Park. The new stand-alone Park, which is being built adjacent to Legoland Florida, will focus on children’s attractions, adding plenty of fun for pre-schoolers at the Resort. The initial Park roster will feature 18 rides and attractions, including interactive play areas, a cinema and a junior roller coaster. You can check out a rendering of the Park map below: Image: Merlin Entertainments Whilst the map doesn’t show the complete attraction line-up (or give many details), you can check out the full list below: At ..read more