Good Friday morning, everyone!
It’s Landon here with another exciting and, may I say, jam-packed theme park newsletter coming to you this week. I hope you have had a DINO-MITE week. Well, the only reason I say that is because I’m visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom this week to check out one of the park’s newest treats that you might want to try out the next time, you’re at Walt Disney World.
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Recently, they added some limited-time smores treats at select areas around the park. You can count me in on anything that serves marshmallows, chocolate and sweet goodness. I took on the Smoresosaurus Shake over at Restaurantosaurus.
First off, can I say how much I love this quick-service restaurant. It’s quirky, comedic and packed with dinosaur statues, skeletons and photographs. 🦕 The Smoresosaurus Shake has graham cracker crumbs, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and a dinosaur smore whipped on top! It was delicious. Other limited-time offerings include the Smores churro, Smores dessert pizza and Smores hot chocolate. You can find these foods in the mobile orders in the My Disney Experience app.
If you’re hungry now – I apologize – but before this train of thought goes extinct ☄️, I must tell you about another story HOT off the press this morning. Did you know today was National Popcorn Day!? 🍿
I recently got to talk with the man whose Orlando small business has POPPED into an overnight success, all thanks to Walt Disney World. His popcorn is now being sold on Disney Cruise Line and many of the theme parks. Beginning today, you can try their new limited-time Strawberry flavor at the Main Street Confectionery. I got a chance to try it last week – and it was beyond good. You will love it. 😃
All right, let’s get popping into some of this week’s stories at each of the theme parks.
Universal Orlando Resort
One of the bigger stories that just dropped this week was at Universal Orlando. We now know some of the big artists set to perform for guests during the Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval. These concerts will be free for guests to enjoy during the Mari Gras season, beginning Feb. 3 at Universal Studios Florida.
Some of this year’s big headliners include DJ Khaled, Ava Max and Luis Fonsi. The concerts are not the only thing you can see at this year’s event, you can also try dozens of delicious dishes, take in some rides or catch dozens of beads during the Mardi Gras parade.
Before we even get to Mardi Gras, next weekend, Universal Orlando will host its biggest Christian Music Festival. Tickets for Rock the Universe are now on sale. 🎶 The event will have Universal Studios Florida closing early, so, just be aware!
Walt Disney World
Heading over to Walt Disney World now.
If your dreams include taking a ride on the Disney Skyliner – you will have to wait. This week, the high-flying form of transportation closed for a scheduled refurbishment. It has been a while since the Disney Skyliner went down, so I imagine it was time. For people who are staying at resorts with Skyliner connections, Disney said bus transportation is available.
Over at EPCOT, people are currently enjoying the International Festival of the Arts. It runs through Feb. 19, allowing guests to purchase various pieces of art, try colorful and vibrant foods and so much more! Following the conclusion of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, Disney will take a short break before rolling out the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. 🌼 This week, we learned about some of the new topiaries set to take root ... and let me say – I’m super excited! Anyone else excited to see Guardians of the Galaxy’s “Groot” ... in plant form!?
If we move to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, we learned a little bit this week about the refreshed cabins that Disney Vacation Club members will be able to take advantage of starting this summer. Disney announced the changes last year saying the refresh was part of a larger collection of improvement projects. Disney released all the dates that you need to know if you plan on booking a stay as part of the Disney Vacation Club program.
Over at Disney Springs, we had a couple of small announcements.
Jaleo is teaming up with a local strawberry farm to bring you some Spanish-style delights just in time for strawberry season. 🍓 The new dishes and menu will come online beginning Jan. 29!
Meantime, over at Disney and Cirque’s “Drawn to Life,” the show hit a MAJOR milestone that has a lot of the cast and crew celebrating! If you haven’t seen this show – I highly recommend it! 🤡
SeaWorld Orlando
It’s time to move over and make a splash at SeaWorld Orlando.
👷 This week, we checked in on the construction of the park’s newest coaster, Penguin Trek.🐧
Crews are ramping up work on the roller coaster that is set to open to guests this spring. The ride is taking over an area in the park’s Antarctica area. SeaWorld Orlando said riders will embark on an unforgettable expedition that catapults them through the Antarctic wilderness at speeds of up to 43 mph across a 3,020-foot track. In their role as intrepid researchers, thrill seekers will navigate the icy track, narrowly escaping the clutches of an ice cave. The adventure grows as they burst onto an outdoor coaster track featuring two exhilarating launches and a maze of twists and turns.
Meanwhile, we also spotted some work happening right now at 🚧 Shamu Stadium.🚧
The main show pool that Orca Encounter takes place in is now drained and crews are working deep in the pool and areas around it. 👀 I reached out to SeaWorld to try and get some clues into what was happening, but I didn’t hear anything back. According to the SeaWorld app, orca presentations are still happening at the underwater viewing and “Dine with Orcas” areas.
This weekend is your final weekend to take in the “Inside Look” Weekend experience. I told you about this last week. It gives guests the opportunities to see some of the backstage areas where SeaWorld teams work and care for the park’s thousands of animals. If you’re heading out there, the park has brought back its free beer program for those 21+. 🍻
Legoland Florida Resort
We end this week’s newsletter at Legoland Florida Resort.
Beginning Saturday, the park will begin its LEGO NINJANGO Weekends. 🥷 Guests can immerse themselves in high-energy activities, captivating new shows, exclusive meet-and-greets with LEGO NINJAGO heroes and purchase incredible treats.
Meantime, we learned this week that the park’s new Ferrari Build & Race Experience will open in March. 🏎️ The LEGO Ferrari Build & Race Experience will feature a “build zone” that will allow guests to build their own race car, a “test zone” that lets guests fine-tune their vehicle’s performance and a “virtual race zone” that will allow guests to digitalize their car and race toward the checkered flag. Legoland said one of the biggest highlights of the new experience will be a life-sized Ferrari 296 GTS Hybrid race car, made entirely of LEGO bricks.
Smaller thrills🎡
Well, I think that will wrap things up from me this week!
I hope you all have a safe weekend. Stay warm out there – this weekend looks a little chilly!
-Landon 👋