Latest in Theme Parks

For a brand that touts its genius at "storytelling," the Magic Kingdom faces ever-growing problems in telling its own story. Symbolically, Disney has just broken ground on what it portrays as a "storyliving community" of 1,700 new “storytelling homes” in the desert town of Rancho Mirage, CA. "We are story tellers at…

Walt Disney chief financial officer Christine McCarthy said Wednesday that the company could record a $350 million squeeze on operating income in the current quarter – its fiscal third — from its Hong Kong and Shanghai theme parks, tempering a bit the parks division's upbeat narrative. Hong Kong Disneyland has…

UPDATED: A judge today denied a lawsuit brought by Florida taxpayers over Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to revoke Walt Disney World’s special Reedy Creek tax district, which has allowed Walt Disney World to self-govern — and self fund — its Orlando operations and local infrastructure. The litigants were concerned…

The sign outside the entrance to Florida’s Disney World has been a lightning rod for protests of late. This past weekend was no exception. Video surfaced online both Saturday and Sunday of protesters marching outside the entrance to the park holding Nazi flags, one seemingly dressed in a German WWII uniform. Two other…

Disney CEO Bob Chapek has made some very public mistakes of late, including his handling of the company’s response to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This weekend, Chapek returned to his alma mater, Indiana University, to receive an honorary doctorate and deliver a commencement speech. In it, he gave a…

The high priest of May the Fourth, Mark Hamill, has been doing a three-day walkup on Twitter to the most holy of Star Wars holidays: Star Wars Day. His latest is an irresistible installment today that invokes the song “Surfin’ Bird” by The Trashmen. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger was, as usual, ahead of the game with a…

Disney today dropped up-close video of what the new Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction will be like for Disney World guests. The ride opens May 27 in World Discovery at Epcot. The attraction is the first-ever “reverse launch” Disney rollercoaster and rotates 360 degrees so riders can see the action…

One of Disneyland’s most iconic rides, Space Mountain, is getting a major overhaul at one of the company’s popular parks. The attraction at Tokyo Disneyland Park will close in 2024 and reopen in 2027 after the renovation. The park’s Tomorrowland will also get an all-new plaza. The total cost of the makeover is…

The trams on the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tour trams are going electric. Four electric trams have been put in circulation to carry visitors through the historic Universal backlot — the theme park’s signature attraction — officials announced today. By 2025, the park plans to convert its entire fleet of 21…

UPDATED with LAFD statement: The power went out on some visitors at Universal Studios Hollywood today, no doubt the result — at least in part — of record temperatures across Los Angeles. Eleven people were rescued after becoming stuck on the Transformers ride. The Los Angeles County Fire Department was called to…

Florida State GOP Representative Spencer Roach said legislators have met twice to discuss repealing a statute that impacts how Disney can invest in its theme parks there. The move is retaliatory after the company and CEO Bob Chapek came out strongly against the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill just signed into law by…

Disney is set to welcome the Wall Street crowd to Orlando for two days next week at annual event that's still a go, even after a corporate retreat was nixed amid swirling headlines. The meeting provides analysts and investors a deep dive into the booming theme parks business that, despite all the attention to…