Theme Park Insider

Mazloum takes over for D'Amaro to lead Disney's theme parks Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum will be the new Chairman of Disney Experiences. Mazloum replaces Josh D'Amaro, who will succeed Bob Iger as the CEO of The Walt Disney Company on March 18.

Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum will be the new Chairman of Disney Experiences. Mazloum replaces Josh D'Amaro, who will succeed Bob Iger as the CEO of The Walt Disney Company on March 18. Story at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202603...

IAAPA cancels 2026 Middle East Expo The 2026 IAAPA Expo Middle East had been scheduled for March 30-April 2 in Abu Dhabi. Instead, the inaugural Middle East Expo will happen in Abu Dhabi in April 2027.

And there it is. To the surprise of no one, IAAPA will not hold its first IAAPA Expo Middle East in Abu Dhabi this month. The event pushes back to April 2027. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202603...

Silver Dollar City opens its new Showboat experience Silver Dollar City has transformed the former Showboat Branson Belle into a new dinner cruise experience, starring the theme park's Rivertown Ramblers.

New today: Silver Dollar City has transformed the former Showboat Branson Belle into a new dinner cruise experience, starring the theme park's Rivertown Ramblers. Can't wait to see this one! Details at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202603...

Why Disney calls its employees 'cast members' As Disney's theme park lands have become more immersive, the training for the people working in them has become more detailed. It's not just about pushing buttons.

As Disney's theme park lands have become more immersive, the training for the people working in them has become more detailed. It's not just about pushing buttons. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202603...

Six Flags sells seven of its parks Six Flags made official this morning the deal that many have suspected for months. Seven of its theme parks will become 'Enchanted Parks' properties.

Six Flags made official this morning the deal that many have suspected for months. Seven of its theme parks will become 'Enchanted Parks' properties. Get the list at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202603...

United Parks reports lower attendance, revenue in 2025 Attendance and revenue dropped at the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens theme parks in 2025, parent company United Parks reported today.

Attendance and revenue dropped at the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens theme parks in 2025, parent company United Parks reported today. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Olaf takes over Walt Disney World's animation class Guests will find something missing when a reimagined Animation Academy class debuts at Disney's Hollywood Studios this summer - the live, in-theater animator.

An animated Olaf is in, and live, in-theater animators are out as Walt Disney World prepares a new Animation Academy experience this summer. Get the details at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Monsters Inc. ride gets a reprieve at California Adventure Mike and Sulley are getting rescued at Disney California Adventure - at least for the rest of 2026. The Monsters Inc. dark ride will not close until 2027, resort officials announced.

Mike and Sulley are getting rescued at Disney California Adventure - at least for the rest of 2026. The Monsters Inc. dark ride will not close until 2027, resort officials announced. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Six Flags welcomes first track piece for new coaster New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure this morning released video of the track piece's arrival. The purple track unloaded with what appears to be a Mack Rides launch system.

The first track piece has arrived for Six Flags Great Adventure's new, "record-breaking" launch coaster. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Country music is getting a new home at Universal Orlando Opry Entertainment Group announced today that it is developing a third installation of Luke Combs' Category 10 for the Universal Orlando Resort. The 33,000 square-foot, three-story venue will open nex...

A new home for country music is coming to Universal Orlando's CityWalk. Luke Combs' Category 10 is opening at the resort next year. Get the story at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Walk Time: Back on the road to fun, or under it? The week in review includes news about Disney buses, Universal's proposed tunnel, Six Flags' new pass benefits plan, and a new home for a creative leader.

The week in review includes news about Disney buses, Universal's proposed tunnel, Six Flags' pass benefits plan, and a new home for a creative leader. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Universal's new technology will let the magic flow through you You've done finger scans and facial recognition at theme parks. How about now getting a vascular scan? Universal has filed a patent application for a new system that would scan and map the veins in yo...

Finger scans? Facial recognition? Meh. How about a vascular scan that shows magic literally flowing through your veins? Here is what might be next from Universal's theme parks: www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

What is the best roller coaster park in the world? If you want to spend the best day possible riding roller coasters, where should you go? Based on votes by Theme Park Insider readers, here are our top 10 roller coaster parks in the world in 2026.

What is the best roller coaster park in the world? Our readers' choice is clear - get to America's Roller Coast for a day at Cedar Point. Read our full top 10 at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Colorado theme park files for bankruptcy after fatal fall To the surprise of pretty much no one who has been following this park, the owner of Colorado's Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has filed for bankruptcy.

The owner of Colorado's Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park has filed for bankruptcy, following a nine-figure judgment against the park for a 2021 death on its Haunted Drop Ride. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Walk Time: Changes at Disney with D'Amaro in charge? It's time for our week in review, with Disney announcing its new CEO and Six Flags making yet another change to its season pass program.

It's time for our week in review, with Disney announcing its new CEO and Six Flags making yet another change to its season pass program. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

How much money do you budget for family vacations? How much should a family spend to visit Disney? Or Universal, or Six Flags? Let's talk about what your family spent on trips last year and how your plans might be changing this year.

How much should a family spend to visit Disney? Or Universal, or Six Flags? Let's talk about what readers spent on trips last year and how plans might be changing in 2026. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Frozen Ever After set to return at EPCOT next week It looks like we have a reopening date for Walt Disney World's 'Frozen' ride. Imagineers are upgrading the indoor boat ride with new faces for the Elsa, Anna and Kristoff characters.

Like the Hollywood stars they now are, Elsa, Anna and Kristoff have been getting some face work done. Walt Disney World visitors will be able to see the results at EPCOT starting next week. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Be smart with kids' height checks on theme park rides Parents - if you are thinking about taking your children to Disney this summer, let's take a moment to talk about height limits.

Parents: If you are thinking about taking your children to Disney - or another theme park - this summer, let's take a moment to talk about height limits. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Flashback to our podcast one-on-one interview with Disney's Josh D'Amaro, who was just named as the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company: themeparkinsider.substack.com/p/talking-di...

Disney taps Josh D'Amaro as next CEO Josh D'Amaro will be the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Disney announced today.

Disney Experiences chairman Josh D'Amaro will be the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company, effective next month. Get the news at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Revenue, income up at Disney's theme parks Revenue and income rose at Disney's theme park segment in the last three months of 2025 over the same period one year ago, the company reported this morning.

No CEO announcement, but Disney confirmed that it is marketing more to domestic visitors to make up for declining international visitation at its US theme parks. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Rope Drop: Chill out with news from Disney, Universal We are looking ahead to Disney's earnings call this week, as well as a big attraction closure at Walt Disney World and the return of a popular festival at Universal Orlando.

We are looking ahead to Disney's earnings call this week, as well as a big attraction closure at Walt Disney World and the return of a popular festival at Universal Orlando. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202602...

Soarin' Over California returns for park anniversary The Disneyland Resort will be bringing back Soarin' Over California next week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney California Adventure park.

The Disneyland Resort will be bringing back Soarin' Over California next week to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney California Adventure park. Get all the celebration details at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202601...

Check out plans for new ride systems from Disney, Universal Let's look at this week's theme park patent applications, starting with a new articulated-arm ride system from Disney.

Let's look at this week's theme park patent applications, starting with a new articulated-arm ride system from Disney. Read the story at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202601...

Epic Universe drives record earnings at Universal theme parks Universal's new Orlando theme park drove higher revenue and record earnings for the company's theme park division in the final quarter of 2025, Comcast reported this morning.

Universal Orlando's new Epic Universe delivered for Universal's theme parks, driving record earnings for the division last year. www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202601...

Here is what to expect in Paris' new Disney Adventure World We have a new map for the revamp of the second gate at Disneyland Paris. Let's deep dive into what fans can expect from the park when its expansion opens in March.

Time for a deep dive into the new map for Disney Adventure World and all that fans can expect starting March 29... and beyond. Story at www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202601...

Knott's hires its pie-stealing coyote to replace Johnny Rockets Knott's announced today that the Johnny Rockets restaurant in Charleston Circle will close April 15. Taking its place will be Crafty's Kitchen - a new venture from the pie thief coyote in the Knott's ...

I love this. The owner of the brand a park is licensing goes bankrupt, and the park turns to its own, original IP for a creative replacement. Can't wait to see this from Knott's Berry Farm!

When is my child old enough to go to Walt Disney World? Visiting Walt Disney World is a rite of passage for many kids — and their parents. But when is a child old enough for a first trip to Disney World?

Visiting Walt Disney World is a rite of passage for many kids — and their parents. But when is a child old enough for a first trip to Disney World? Let's look at the pros and cons for different age groups.

Rope Drop: Disneyland welcomes back Paint the Night It's time to look ahead at what's happening in theme parks this week, including refurbishment closures, a runDisney race in Anaheim, and the return of a popular Disney parade.

It's time to look ahead at what's happening in theme parks this week, including refurbishment closures, a runDisney race in Anaheim, and the return of a popular Disney parade.

Walk Time: Checking in on Disney Abu Dhabi Here is our week in review, including Bob Iger and Josh D'Amaro in Abu Dhabi, Gordon Ramsey at Disneyland, and couple of big Universal announcements.

Here is our week in review, including Bob Iger and Josh D'Amaro in Abu Dhabi, Gordon Ramsey at Disneyland, and couple of big Universal announcements.