While some notable attraction closures are happening at Disney World, a few upcoming ones hit hard.
Hello subscribers, it’s Haley, here with your weekly edition of the In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops newsletter.
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This week, Disney World Imagineering filed a notice to start demolition work in Dinoland U.S.A. This first phase of closures impacts Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, Fossil Fun Games and TriceraTop Spin.
Starting Monday, construction walls will be going up around the Chester and Hester Dino-Rama area to make way for the Tropical Americas-themed land.
As famed Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde described, this area was not only its own amusement park but also a tribute to roadside America.
I think that detail adds to the sentimentalism and why saying goodbye to Dinoland is a little hard.
Here’s a rundown of what’s closing and staying open for now at Dinoland.
At the end of the article, be sure to vote in our poll that pertains to permanent and temporarily closed attractions.
Here’s what else is happening at Central Florida theme parks.
Walt Disney World
One little popcorn bucket lights up for you 💡
With any EPCOT International Festival of the Arts festival, we can expect to find a Figment-themed popcorn bucket.
Disney revealed not only the lineup of food kiosks for the festival but what surely will be a sought-after novelty.
The Figment Premium Popcorn Bucket with Rainbow Popcorn is a lightbulb and yes, it lights up!
This marks the fourth edition of the Figment popcorn bucket. You might remember, Disney in 2022 introduced the first one, which guests spent hours in line for.
Run & registration 🏃♂️
The flagship race event at Walt Disney World is underway.
Runners participating in the first leg of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend endured some chilly mornings with cold snaps coming through Central Florida.
If a Walt Disney World race has always been on your bucket list, there are plenty of future events to consider.
According to the runDisney calendar, there are important registration dates coming up for next year.
Be sure to have that registration in the books before you start the training.
SeaWorld Orlando
Chicken of the SeaWorld 🐔
I vividly remember the days when the only place you’d find a Chick-fil-A was at the mall next to the Great Steak & Potato Co. and Subway.
Pretty soon, you can get your Chick-fil-A fix at a theme park.
Officials at SeaWorld Orlando confirmed that the chicken chain is opening up a location inside the park.
SeaWorld hasn’t announced an opening date or if there will be a limited menu.
There are, however, job postings on SeaWorld’s website.
Go behind the “Sea”
You can learn a lot just being on the public side of animal exhibits at SeaWorld, so just imagine the knowledge you can gain going behind the scenes.
“Inside Look” returns this month. The guest-favorite event is included with park admission and provides access to zoological specialists and places not typically available to the public.
Click here for a rundown of experiences being offered.
Busch Gardens
Big Easy, big thrills ⚜️
I get good vibes just talking about theme park Mardi Gras celebrations.
This weekend, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will kick off its Mardi Gras celebration.
It’ll be a bead-tossing good time with a parade, live music and Big Easy-inspired cuisine.
Universal Orlando
Bands and beignets 🎵
Universal Orlando typically puts together a solid lineup of musical acts for its Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval celebration, and this year is no exception.
There is a variety of musical genres. I have a feeling many Jonas Brothers fans bookmarked Joe Jonas’ night.
I felt my ‘90s heart skip a beat when I saw TLC on the list.
Concerts will be on select nights throughout the Mardi Gras celebration. The first show is on Feb. 1, the same night the celebration kicks off.
For the full concert lineup and list of food offerings, click here.
If you head out to the parks for any upcoming festival or event, be sure to post photos on our PinIt! page. There’s an In The Loop channel.
Feel free to keep me in the loop on all things theme parks through my email or reach out to me on my X or Instagram.
I’m excited to check in with you next week with a first look at something epic.