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The last ride is … EPIC 👋😉

(McReynolds)

Good morning, everyone. Happy Friday!

It’s Landon here with another theme park newsletter rolling into your inbox.

Well, my friends, I have a bit of news to share with you.

After stories covering Central Florida’s theme parks, my ride here at WKMG-TV News 6 is ending. 🥹 It’s been a wild ride bringing you fun and exciting stories week after week. I never would have dreamed that my journey here at the TV station would have turned into this. Thinking back on it, and scrolling through my phone, my first time out covering the theme parks started back in 2018 with the kickoff to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Since that time, I have helped bring you stories about new attractions opening, new experiences, major anniversary celebrations, food and drinks hitting a menu near you, and so much more! Since that time, I have helped create and grow this newsletter into what it is today. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it each week! 😊 It truly has been an awesome experience crafting it each week, and I have to say THANK YOU.

As for what comes next in my career, I won’t be traveling too far from the parks.

The “In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops” newsletter is not ending either, however, it’s making a stop for a week or two for a small refurbishment, as they say in the theme park world. I know the person who steps in and takes over this ride will continue to bring you the best stories they can soon.

That said, let’s do this one last time. 😌


Universal Orlando Resort

(Universal Orlando)

The first story that I must tell you about this week is honestly the best news for any theme park thrill-seeker! 🤩🤩 If you’ve been living under a rock this week, you might have missed the news about Universal Epic Universe. In a surprising twist this week, Universal Orlando unveiled exciting details about its newest park opening in 2025! This park is truly going to transport you out-of-this-world, to places beyond your wildest dreams. 😮

When guests step through the Chronos, the park’s main entrance portal, they will enter Celestial Park.

(Universal Orlando)

Universal said this area will put the “park” back in “theme park!” With its vast and beautiful gardens, this area will include shopping, dining options and attractions like the Constellation Carousel and the Starfall Racers dueling roller coaster. The area will also be in the shadows of the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room resort. 🛎️

👉 Click here to see an aerial flyover! 👈

(Universal Orlando)

Off Celestial Park will be four other themed lands including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon🐉 – Isle of Berk and the Universal monster land, Dark Universe. 🧛

Universal said this new theme park, which is taking shape as we speak, will transform its award-winning resort into a week-long destination for families from around the world. All I can say about the park – JAW DROPPING. 🤩 Central Florida has not seen a new major theme park open since Islands of Adventure back in 1999. Anyone else excited!?

Universal Orlando plans to release even more details about each of the themed lands in the months to come!

(Universal Orlando)

Another big story at Universal this week is the kickoff to the Mardi Gras season! 🎉

Get those feet ready to dance! Beginning Saturday, guests can expect dozens of food and drinks options from global Carnival celebrations, a lively parade, concerts from big singers and an all-new haunted riverboat Tribute Store. I managed to swing by the park this week to see some of the setup. The Tribute Store itself is incredible. I’m always amazed by Universal Orlando’s merchandise teams who visualize and think up the setup to each of these themed merchandise stores.

This week, I threw together an article for you to check out that lists all the foods on the menus. I will say, a mini-King Cake, beignets and a chicory coffee are on my must-try list. 😋 This weekend, country pop singer, Walker Hayes will perform for audiences who are in the park! If you want to eat and ride on a Mardi Gras float, don’t forget, Universal has an option that you may want to check out.

(Universal Orlando Resort)

One more story at Universal this week, if you’re in Universal CityWalk, be sure and check out this limited-time pop-up Harry Potter store that you can find inside the Universal Studios Store. 🪄 🛍️ Some of the merchandise was designed by a duo who helped bring some of the props to life inside the popular films.


SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens

(SeaWorld)

Over at SeaWorld Orlando, its parent company is getting a name change, and the park is bringing back its fan-favorite, the Seven Seas Food Festival. 🐠

I mentioned to you last week, but guests can expect to try food and drinks from a handful of markets scattered around the park. In addition to the flavors, the festival will have live concerts. 🎵 🎷 This weekend, Kool & the Gang and Josh Turner will take the stage! This week, SeaWorld also gave us new details about its Mardi Gras celebration that is taking place during the Seven Seas event. During the Mardi Gras festivities, which begins on Feb. 8, guests can expect a pop-up parade, live music, handfuls of beads and all-new food and drinks.

(SeaWorld)

SeaWorld also reached a major milestone on its new coaster, Penguin Trek. 🐧 🚧 👷 This week, the park announced it had finished construction on the ride track.

The all-new attraction is set to transport guests to the worlds of Antarctica sometime this spring.

Finally, if you missed it last weekend, the park continues its Sesame Street Birthday Celebration this weekend. 🎂 On top of that celebration, Elmo is celebrating his own birthday with photo-ops, story time moments and a sing-along!

(Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)

Real quick, over at SeaWorld’s sister park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, we learned that after a long-awaited delay, the SkyRide attraction is finally set to open back up for guests to ride! It’s been a long time coming for that.


Walt Disney World

Ending this week at Walt Disney World, the resort has been just a tad bit quiet, and I think a major theme park announcement might have something to do with that.

(Disney)

This week, the resort rolled out some new food options across the resort for its Celebrate Soulfully festivities. Anyone down for gumbo or Tiana’s Famous beignets at Magic Kingdom? 🥘 It all looks so good.

As we look to Valentine’s Day – Disney has several special treats that you and your sweetheart might want to try! ❤️ Speaking of sweethearts, Disney Weddings unveiled a new EPCOT venue if you’re looking to say I DO! 👰

Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, leaders shared news about a new addition! Meet Elijah, the park’s new okapi. The adorable new addition was born back in October but has been spending time with mom backstage since then. What makes him so special? Not only is he is the first okapi born at the park since 2012, but he’s also named after a 50-year cast member! Next time you’re out at the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, be sure to keep an eye out for him!

(Disney)

Well, I think that will do it this week.

It’s time to pull this train into the station one final time. I personally want to say THANK YOU again for reading this newsletter each week. It’s been a blast.

I hope you have a safe and incredible weekend!

See you all real soon.

-Landon 😃


About the Authors
Daniel Dahm headshot

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.