Theme Park Insider

Rope Drop: Happy Easter - have a carrot?

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 13:40:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: As the "rope drop" starts a day at theme parks, the Sunday "Rope Drop" post kicks off the week here at Theme Park Insider. Here is what lies ahead for fans at the parks this week.

Let me start by wishing everyone a Happy Easter Sunday today. For the theme park industry, this means we are starting the final week of Spring Break season, so we have slightly smaller crowds to enjoy before the summer season kicks off in late May. But with carrot-munching Easter bunnies adorning store displays for the past couple of weeks, I wanted to bring up one of my favorite bits of pop culture trivia. Why is it that we see all these carrots at Easter?

It's not like carrots are an exclusively spring vegetable. A root vegetable, they can be cultivated throughout the year in warm climates and come to harvest mostly in late summer in the north. Carrots also are not a staple of rabbits' diets, either. Veterinarians recommend that carrots be no more than an occasional treat for rabbits, due to their high sugar content.

So why are carrots so associated with rabbits? It's due to one particular bunny - and it ain't the Easter Bunny. Bugs is the Bunny that first made the popular connection between rabbits and carrots. But why does Bugs chomp on them so often?

Again, it's not that Bugs Bunny was designed to evoke typical rabbit behavior. Far from that, munching carrots and Bugs' catchphrase "what's up, Doc?" were pop culture references that 1940s audiences would have clocked immediately as a caricature of Clark Gable. It's a reference to one scene in the Oscar-winning film, "It Happened One Night," when Gable crunches on carrots and first speaks the line that later generations would associate with Bugs.

So when you see carrots in the paws of cartoon bunnies today, and in the future, just remember... it's all because of Clark Gable.

On to the week ahead in theme parks. Six Flags New England reopens on Saturday, April 11. The park will preview its new Quantum Accelerator to passholders next weekend, in advance of its official debut on April 17. The Intamin family launch coaster features straddle seating and is the third such coaster to open in the United States in the past three years, following Arctic Rescue at SeaWorld San Diego and DarKoaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

As I mentioned yesterday, we are talking over on the Discussion Forum about strategies for visiting specific theme parks. Yesterday, I posted What is the best game plan for visiting Cedar Point? I will be posting threads later this week for sharing advice on visiting Kings Island and then for Universal Orlando's Epic Universe.

On Monday, Toy Story Midway Mania! closes for refurbishment at Disney California Adventure. There's no reopening date from Disneyland yet. The resort's other interactive dark ride, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, will close for refurb on April 13. Again, there's no official reopening date.

On Thursday, April 9, general tickets on sale for Disneyland's Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite event, which runs after park close on June 16 and 18. Limited numbers of pre-sale tickets will be available to Magic Key holders starting Tuesday, April 7, no earlier than 9am. Tickets will be available on the Disneyland website.

Refurbishment schedule

January 5 - November 19: Jurassic Park River Adventure closed at Islands of Adventure.
February 17: Jungle Cruise closed at Disneyland. No reopening date yet.
February 22: Impressions de France closed at EPCOT. No reopening date yet.
February 23: Conservation Station and the Wildlife Express Train closed at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Reopens as Bluey�s Wild World at Conservation Station on May 26.
February 27: Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind closed at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
February 27 - May 14: Pteranodon Flyers closed at Universal Islands of Adventure.
March 30: Disneyland Monorail and Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin close at Disneyland. No reopening dates yet.
April 6: Toy Story Midway Mania! closes at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
April 13: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters closes at Disneyland. No reopening date yet.
April 27: Silly Symphony Swings closes at Disney California Adventure. No reopening date yet.
June 1 - 16: Men in Black Alien Attack closed at Universal Studios Florida.
May 4: Pirates of the Caribbean closes at Disneyland. No reopening date yet.

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Walk Time: What is Mattel doing?

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 05:44:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: Let's start the recap this week with the fails. First up, the Barbie Dream Fest.

Billed at "The Ultimate Barbie Fan Event," the three day event in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. last weekend drew immediate comparisons to 2024's dismal Willy Wonka experience in Scotland. With cheap backdrops and what looked like store-bought pink decorations on a bare convention center floor, Barbie Dream Fest blew up social media with complaints, eventually leading its organizer to promise full refunds.

What is going on at Mattel with its brand licensing? Mattel was right to point out that it did not create nor produce the Barbie Dream Fest - that was the work of Mischief Management. But, ultimately, Mattel is responsible for anything that carries its brands' names. Yes, the company hit it out of the park by agreeing to work with Greta Gerwig and Warner Bros. on the Barbie movie. But since then, in the themed entertainment space, Mattel has licensed two indoor theme parks - in Glendale, Ariz. and Bonner Springs, Kansas - neither of which have opened, with the Arizona park now almost two years behind its originally publicized opening date.

Yet that has not stopped other Mattel licensees from announcing a chain of Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks, even as fans remain waiting for the theme parks. And now, Mattel licenses this debacle in Florida.

It does not matter who drops the ball in situations such as this. When that happens, the entire team loses, and the name of this team is Mattel. Other brands should consider this a lesson. Signing a license agreement is not the final act in a deal. It's the beginning of a relationship. Brands that do not pay attention to and enforce standards in their license relationships should not be surprised when the result is a viral, game-losing failure.

The second viral "L" this week came from Disney. The company's popular new Olaf animatronic froze - in an unwelcome way - this week at Disneyland Paris' Disney Adventure World. The video went viral, showing Olaf stopping and falling backward, knocking the carrot nose from its face. Cast members responded immediately, replacing the nose and gently lifting Olaf into an upright position before carrying the animatronic snowman off stage.

Ultimately, it's a glitch from new tech. Yeah, it's bad show, but the swift and respectful reaction by cast members helped minimize that. The net result is a new meme for the Internet to enjoy. And unlike the Barbie Dream Fest, Olaf will be back and entertaining people at some point.

On the subject of theme park robots, one of our patent finds this week is a self-correcting robot from Universal. (Sorry, Olaf... too soon?) Meanwhile, Disney has published a patent application for an individualized warning system for heat stress in its theme parks: Disney wants to better warn guests about the weather.

Trip planning

Walt Disney World has a new summer ticket deal this week, with discounts on admission after 2pm at its theme parks. On the west coast, Universal has introduced a new dining pass at Universal Studios Hollywood. Follow those links to tell us what you think.

On the Discussion Forum this week, we are talking about the best "game plans" for visiting specific theme parks. First up are Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Follow those links to see the advice offered so far and to add yours, if you would like.

There will be a thread on strategy for visiting Cedar Point later today, followed by threads on Kings Island and Universal Orlando's Epic Universe later next week. Check out the Discussion Forum for these conversations, or start your own with any trip report or question you might have.

Universal switches it up for second Fan Fest Nights

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:20:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: We are just a few weeks away from the return of Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. So what is changing at this year's second annual event, and what can fans expect?

The big change this year is a new backlot experience. In place of last year's Back to the Future-themed Destination Hill Valley event in Courthouse Square, this year Universal's trams will be heading to Little Europe for Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot. Universal shared details last month about that experience: Here is how Scooby Doo will take on the Universal Monsters.

On the Lower Lot, last year's Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep walkthrough returns for another year. This one brings a game of D & D to life, with a Big Bad courtesy Jim Henson Creature Company. Here is our POV walkthrough video from last year's debut.

On the Upper Lot, the Star Trek experience is not returning this year, to be replaced with Forbidden Forest: Search for the Hippogriff in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal is sharing more details this week about this all-new experience, which will take place in the extended queue for the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

This will be a guided, pulsed experience rather than a conga-line walkthrough. Guests are encouraged to bring a Wizarding World interactive wand on the experience, which will feature several interactive opportunities. Having one of the wands is not required to go on the journey, however.

The set-up is that you have come to the edge of the forest for a nighttime lesson. But your Hogwarts professor guide tells you that a Hippogriff is missing and you are needed to help find it. From there, it's into the forest, where you will encounter "an array of magical creatures and familiar beasts, from pixies to owls and spiders as well as the infamous Monster Book of Monsters," Universal said. The experience will include magical creatures making their debut at Universal Studios Hollywood, and guests with wands will be encouraged to use them to help their professor in the quest to find the Hippogriff.

Forbidden Forest: Search for the Hippogriff concept image courtesy Universal Studios Hollywood

Also this year, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon the Miracle: Moon Palace Chapter Deluxe is replacing last year's Jujutsu Kaisen 4D movie in the DreamWorks Theater. And One Piece is moving from a character zone in front of the entrance to Springfield over to the Waterworld theater. One Piece: Grand Pirate Show brings the upcharge Universal Studios Japan show to Hollywood for a live-action One Piece adventure that is included with Fan Fest Nights admission.

Super Nintendo World also will be open for Universal Fan Fest Nights, featuring an all-new Colorful Yoshi Celebration, in which fans can meet Yoshis throughout the Mushroom Kingdom.

Universal Fan Fest Nights starts Thursday, April 23 and runs after regular park hours on 12 nights through Saturday, May 16.

For tickets to this year's Universal Fan Fest Nights, please shop our partner's Universal Studios Hollywood tickets store for savings up to $13 on event admission and up to $67 on combo full day & night admission.

Disney wants to better warn guests about the weather

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:17:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: Anyone who has visited Walt Disney World during a hot Orlando summer probably can tell you the story At some point during the day, your body sends the alert: "It's too hot, and we can't take it anymore."

But what if you could get that message before everything became too hot for your body to handle? It's like having a hovering mother there to warn you, but the warning would be coming from an app on your phone, so you probably would be more likely to pay attention to it.

In a new patent application published today, Disney is proposing something just like that. "Predicting and Mitigating Effects of Environmental Conditions" describes a system that would use weather data, including local forecasts and on-site weather sensors, to provide alerts about adverse weather conditions that can ruin a day, or worse.

"Heat stress or exhaustion typically generates physical symptoms such as sweating, weakness, dizziness, fainting, nausea, muscle cramps, headache, rapid heartbeat, etc.," Disney's patent application said.

But rather than sending a warning to everyone in a wide area, the system would be designed to be tailored to individuals in specific areas. Coupled with biometric data from individuals, it could provide immediate warnings about heat stress before it takes you out. The system then could offer an alternative plan for you to take, to get you safe and comfortable again.

The system also could be used for internal purposes - such as alerting care teams when animals need to be brought in or to let gardeners know to provide shade or shelter to a plant display.

By tailoring warnings and resolutions to specific locations in specific circumstances and offering alternatives, the system could maximize uptime while maintaining safety by sending the message exactly when and where it is needed.

Ideally, the system wold "allow many activities to be continued in a more comfortable and less harmful manner, by helping to identify and prevent over exposure within a particular environment. This may allow construction work, athletes, tourists, and the like to more efficiently, enjoyably, and productively maintain a desired activity schedule, even in harsh environmental conditions, such as hot, humid summer days," the patent application said.

The application refers to warnings being sent to "a phone, tablet, smart watch, headmounted display, or other wearable device," so it is easy to imagine how this could be incorporated into Disney's theme park apps to help ensure that individual guests get the warnings and advice that they need during their visit.

You can read Disney's patent application here: Predicting and Mitigating Effects of Environmental Conditions.

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Universal proposes a self-correcting theme park robot

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:45:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: When I worked at Walt Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean, the only way that we knew that one of the pirates had - shall we say - gone rogue was when a guest told us as they exited their boat. The unload cast member would call up to tower. The lead in tower would then go do a ride-through, or assign someone coming off break to go ride, to confirm the report and call in the malfunction. If the character were important enough and the malfunction substantial, the lead would call the ride down until maintenance repaired the pirate.

Obviously, this procedure took a lot of time on a ride with a 10-minute cycle time. That meant that a whole lot of people might see the bad show of a deranged pirate before we could shut down the ride and get it fixed.

What if there were a better way? What if there were a system where the robots checked themselves and either corrected or called in a problem?

That - in essence - is what Universal is proposing in a new patent application, published today. "Systems and Methods for Maneuver Feedback" describes how a robot in an amusement park attraction can be controlled - and how that robot's controller can obtain and process information about the robot's position.

"The method includes determining, via the one or more processors of the controller, that the maneuver is executed unsuccessfully based on at least the position information or the orientation information," the parent application's abstract said. "Further still, the method includes adjusting, via the one or more processors of the controller, operation of at least the robot or the actuating device separate from the robot based on the maneuver being executed unsuccessfully."

If a theme park robot can know where it is and what it is doing, then it could do a lot more than just twist and wave and talk on a theme park ride. The application provides examples of how this system could allow a robot to bounce off a trampoline or leap from a ledge, making adjustments based on position readings to execute its programmed maneuver successfully.

Image from Universal's patent application

You can read the full application here: Systems and Methods for Maneuver Feedback.

Universal has another patent application, published today, that also addresses the collection and management of information in a theme park environment. "Asset Management Techniques" does not address what guests see in the park but rather how designers create those attractions. The application describes a system by which drones and other tools collect geolocated image data and sends it to a controller than creates a model of all those assets in the field, calculating the distance between them.

In short, it's a way for theme park designers to see a 3D model of their work as it takes shape on a construction site so that they can ensure that everything is going in where and how they want it.

"The lack of efficient and/or secured data sharing may inhibit efficient asset management, resulting in duplicated work with increased cost and decreased work efficiency. As such, techniques to securely and efficiently identify, track, and manage various assets associated with a facility development may be desirable," the patent application said.

Here is the complete application: Asset Management Techniques.

For a weekly update of Universal and theme park news, please sign up for Theme Park Insider's weekend newsletter.

Walt Disney World offers new summer afternoon ticket deal

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:10:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: The Walt Disney World Resort has announced a new summer ticket deal, as it looks to attract locals and other visitors in a year with increasing airfares and gas prices.

Disney's new "After 2 p.m. Ticket" goes on sale today and provides admission to one park per day starting at - you guessed it - 2pm. The ticket will be available for two days or three days. The tickets may be used between May 26 and July 29, and there is a four-day fuse on the two-day ticket with a five-day fuse on the three-day.

No park reservations are required and the ticket is available to anyone.

Prices vary by the start date of the ticket, ranging from $118-158 a day for the two-day and $116-155 a day for the three-day. For comparison, Disney's all-day ticket prices range from $157-179 a day for a regular two-day ticket and $154-175 a day for regular three-day admission.

Walt Disney World also is offering deals for Disney+ members who are enrolled in the Disney+ Perks program. (That is included with no extra charge with a Disney+ subscription. See perks.disneyplus.com.) Those members can book stays at select WDW hotels at special rates, starting tomorrow, for travel most nights between June 21 and August 15. Those rates start as low as $99 a night, plus tax, for Disney�s All-Star Sports Resort. A two-night minimum stay is required.

If you are interested in these and other Walt Disney World deals and would like some free help in booking, please please contact our travel agent for a free, no-obligation vacation quote.

Disney shares update on new Spider-Man coaster

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:44:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: Track installation is well underway on Disney's first Spider-Man roller coaster.

Shanghai Disneyland this morning posted a construction photo of the track on the as-yet-unnamed coaster, which will anchor a new Spider-Man-themed land at the Chinese theme park - the resort's ninth land.

Photo courtesy Shanghai Disney Resort

The photo calls back to a previously released concept art image for the ride.

Concept image courtesy Disney

Disney announced the coaster at the 2024 D23 event, with construction going vertical last September. Disney has not yet announced an opening date for the new Spider-Man coaster or land.

Here's what this week's news from the Middle East should have been

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 22:19:00 GMT

By Robert Niles: Today I was supposed to be in Abu Dhabi, bringing you the news about the next big theme park attractions coming to the Middle East.

The first-ever IAAPA Expo Middle East was supposed to be happening this week in Abu Dhabi. But IAAPA canceled this year's event after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran and then Iran responded, raining missile and drone debris across the region. With airlines canceling flights and governments advising against travel, there was no way for IAAPA and its exhibitors to stage the event.

So instead of reporting on official announcements from attraction developers, I instead will tell you what I expected to be writing about this week, and how I see these plans evolving.

The top story I expected to bring you would have detailed plans for two new attractions at Warner Bros. World on Yas Island: a new DC Comics-themed roller coaster for the park's Metropolis land, as well as an all-new Harry Potter-themed land for the indoor theme park.

Miral announced years ago that it would develop a Harry Potter land for Warner Bros. World, so that is, by itself, not news. And Miral has placed signs on the WBW property teasing the new DC coaster. The park has closed its Superman 360 theater attraction to make way for the new ride.

That is not a loss that I will mourn. As I wrote in my most recent trip report from the park, "there were significant synchronization problems with the 3D projection on this, making it uncomfortable to watch." Closing Superman 360 is an addition by subtraction, although inside sources tease that its Daily Planet facade and queue likely will be used for the new coaster.

The DC coaster will be the park's third, following the Intamin suspended family coaster Fast and Furry-ous and the spinning coaster Tom and Jerry Swiss Cheese Spin. Miral has two coasters on Yas Island that have placed in our Theme Park Insider top 50: Flying Aces at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Manta at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Both of those are Intamin creations. Another Intamin at that level would provide a welcome addition to Warner Bros. World.

That coaster has not yet gone vertical, but Miral has begun site preparation on a former surface parking lot just outside the park's entrance. Behind that, foundation work continues on the new Harry Potter land.

This land will bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to life in a theme park for the first time outside of a Universal park. However, Warner Bros. operates Harry Potter studio tour attractions in the United Kingdom and Japan, and the creative team at TAIT, whose Thinkwell developed those attractions as well as the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi park, is working on this new land.

In addition to the Warner Bros. World attractions, Miral executives have said that the company plans a new, record-breaking roller coaster at Ferrari World. That park's Formula Rossa lost its world speed coaster crown three months ago to the new Falcons Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya City.

This week could have brought official word about the Hogwarts-themed attractions that the new Harry Potter land will offer, as well as perhaps timelines and design concept art for the new coasters. However, all that news will have to wait until all parties involved are comfortable that people are ready to hear such announcements, given the current situation.

Yas Island will be the site of the next Disney theme park, which Disney and Miral executives announced last May. But Miral and its state backers in the UAE have learned from others' experience in announcing major attractions. If you do not offer other compelling new attractions in the meantime, fans simply will wait to visit until the Big New Thing opens.

The new coasters and Harry Potter land were intended to entice more fans to visit Yas Island while Disney was being designed and built. However, it's not the lure of a Disney park years in the future that is dissuading visits to the Emirate at the moment.

With phone alerts of missile warnings now ubiquitous across the UAE, flight schedules disrupted and airfares rising around the world, pretty much no one is planning a trip to Abu Dhabi right now. So there is no sense in wasting a PR opportunity by announcing anything this week, or probably for a while.

However, I am hearing no expressions of doubt from sources in the region that these projects will not go ahead at some point. So long as Abu Dhabi has the financial resources to pay for these attraction, Miral's IP and development partners have no incentive to back away. Only an existential threat to the Emirates would cause leadership to abandon its commitment to building its tourism economy.

So for now, it's time for something that until now has been pretty much unheard of in Abu Dhabi - a rain check. Plans for theme park attractions mean nothing when attacks are injuring and killing people across the region. Only when that stops and people are ready to think about such entertainment again will we get the news we were supposed to report this week.