Theme park fans were disappointed to learn that two popular attractions at Walt Disney Co. (DIS) and Universal theme parks will soon be closing. Both Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland’s Splash Mountain will close their doors after their final day of operation on January 22nd, 2023, to begin a transformation into new attractions.
Disney announced that Splash Mountain would be reimagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, based on the popular “Princess and the Frog” theme. Universal theme parks have not yet revealed its plans for the closing attraction.
The closures are a part of the ongoing competition between Disney and Universal theme parks to attract guests with new and updated rides and attractions. Many fans are eagerly anticipating the new experiences that will replace the beloved closing attractions.
Disneyland plans to reopen Mickey’s Toontown in early 2023 with a brand new ride. The beloved Toontown land has been closed for an overhaul since March 9, but will soon welcome guests once again with the addition of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The ride, which is already a hit at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, is sure to be a hit at Disneyland as well.
In other Disneyland news, Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland closed in September 2021 for retheming, and a reopening date has not been announced. The closure is part of a larger effort to update and modernize the Disneyland theme park.
Many visitors are eagerly awaiting the treehouse’s reopening, as it was a popular attraction among guests. It is unclear at this time what the new theme of the treehouse will be, but fans of the park are hoping for a fresh, exciting experience when it reopens.
Meanwhile, over at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, construction and test runs are underway for the highly anticipated Tron Lightcycle/Run roller coaster ride. The ride, which has been rising in the park, is set to be one of the most exciting attractions at the park when it opens.
A lot of fans are eager for updates on the reopening of Mickey’s Toontown and the opening of the Tron Lightcycle/Run roller coaster.
Universal Studios and Disney have been locked in fierce competition for theme park visitors in recent years. In 2010, Universal introduced the Wizarding World of Harry Potter land at its Islands of Adventure park in Orlando after a Wizarding World attraction was added to Universal Studios Orlando in 2014. In 2016, the Californian theme park Universal Studios Hollywood joined the fun with its own Wizarding World ride.
Meanwhile, Disney has been expanding and updating its own theme parks, including the addition of a new “Tomorrowland” area that is set to open in spring 2023.
Tom Williams, the former CEO of Universal Parks, claimed that “as far as parks go, it’s essentially just us and Disney.” Both companies are expected to continue updating and refurbishing their attractions in the coming years.
Universal Orlando Resorts announced the opening of two new escape room attractions at CityWalk, with themes inspired by the popular films “Jurassic World” and “Back to the Future.” The Great Movie Escape: “Jurassic World” immerses visitors in the world of the film, with sets and props that help bring the story to life.
The escape room begins with a short movie that sets the scene in which visitors become geneticists at a secret lab on Isla Nublar. But when one of the genetically-engineered dinosaurs escapes, it’s up to the visitors to help save other people on the island and protect valuable research.
A theme from the movie is also present in the “Back to the Future” escape room. Visitors will have the chance to step into the world of the film and experience the excitement of the story first-hand. Both escape rooms are designed to provide an interactive and immersive experience that will challenge and entertain guests. Universal Orlando Resorts is known for its innovative attractions, and these latest additions are sure to be a hit with fans of the films.
Universal Studios has teamed up with Escape Room experts and filmmakers to create a unique escape room experience. The “Great Movies Escape” will allow visitors to help Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, track down Biff, who has stolen a time travel device. The guests will have to navigate through different time periods, such as the Old West and 1955, to save the space-time continuum.
The experience will take place in a dark, foggy room with loud sounds being pumped in to add to the immersion. It will last 90 minutes, and guests will have to work together to solve challenges. “Nate Stevenson, the Universal’s Great Movie Escape Show Director, said that they love how the story and challenges are intertwined in a way that makes the experience feel immersive and like you are actively participating in the movie.
The escape room is designed for both escape room experts and newcomers. The price for a ticket to the Universal Studios theme park is currently set at $49.99, and this must be purchased separately from admission to the park. Individual tickets, as well as private parties of up to eight people, can be booked.
