When to Change a Theme Park, and When Not To

Three news items this week, all of them about change: when to make it, when to skip it, and how to communicate it. Disneyland is facing backlash after replacing one of the old skeletons in the Pirates of the Caribbean with a new projection-mapped animatronic. Screens and AI are deeply unpopular right now, and replacing a classic animatronic with a projection might have been a misstep. Enchanted Parks eliminated the legacy dining plan at its six former Six Flags properties. CEO James Harhi told A

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June 28, 2026

When to Change a Theme Park, and When Not To

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June 22, 2026

Universal Kids Resort: What Is Universal Thinking?

Universal has priced its new Universal Kids Resort 50% above local family-market alternatives, but does it justify the markup? The 20-acre Frisco park opened for press previews this week ahead of its July 1 launch, priced from $54.99 on weekdays to $79.99 over Labor Day weekend, and aimed at children aged 5 to 9. A family of four runs about $220 to $320 before parking and food, against $50 to $130 at local zoos, museums, indoor water parks, and family entertainment centers, most of which are cli

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June 14, 2026

QUICK HITS: Oogie Boogie, Universal Kids, Carousel of Progress, & More

This week is a catch-up: seven news items we hadn't gotten to yet, with a quick read on each.-Oogie Boogie Bash. Disneyland is replacing the Frightfully Fun parade with a Madame Leota's Swinging Wake cavalcade for 2026. For a limited-ticket event, swapping wait-and-watch for come-and-go gives guests more of their evening back, as long as it's well executed. -Magic of Disney Animation. Disney detailed the new Hollywood Studios building, designed as a set of small interactive rooms. This is the mi

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June 7, 2026

Disney Details Monstropolis, Six Flags Reveals Werewolf Gorge

Disney and Six Flags both shared details about new projects, and this week, we’ll compare them. Disney announced the story behind Monstropolis, the new Monsters, Inc. land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The experience is built around...

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