food IS a theme park
We here at DFB obviously enjoy theme parks.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
We’ll never turn down a trip to a Disney World park or say no to a day at Universal Orlando. Thrill rides, park food, and the exciting environment at a theme park are things we thoroughly enjoy. But what if that theme park is made up of rides featuring a popular video game that kids and adults have grown to love? Yep, we’ll probably enjoy that, too! This is why we’re excited about this new theme park announcement!
WHAT is going on with the crowds in Disney World?
Entrance to EPCOT
During the Q3 earnings call in August of 2024, Disney revealed that demand for its domestic parks had been “flat.” (CEO Bob Iger had actually predicted that attendance would go down.) One Disney executive explained that higher-income consumers are traveling internationally more, while lower-income consumers are feeling a little bit of stress. Disney also warned that there could be a continuation of those trends in terms of the “top line.” So just what’s happening with the crowds now? Has demand gone up or down since we last heard from Disney? We’ve got an update.
It takes a lot of work to keep a theme park running in tip-top shape — and a lot of employees to do it.
Orlando Sign
Orlando is home to several theme parks and not all of them are quite as large as Disney World or Universal. Some may not be filled with roller coasters and rides, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth checking out! You might not want to apply for a job at one in particular, though, and you’ll soon find out why.
We’ve been keeping an eye on Hurricane Milton as it soon makes landfall in Florida.
©NHC
The storm is currently passing through the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 4 storm — after holding as a Category 5 for most of Monday. A significant portion of the state is under a hurricane warning with many major theme parks expected to close ahead of the storm — which now includes SeaWorld Orlando.
Hurricane Milton will soon be making landfall in Florida.
©NOAA
We’ve been keeping an eye on the storm, which is currently churning through the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 4 storm — after holding as a Category 5 for most of Monday. Much of the state is under a hurricane warning with many expecting major theme parks to close in preparation for the storm — including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
When you hear the words ‘theme park’, Disney and Universal are probably the first names that come to mind.
But, we also know that there are so many other iconic theme parks across the country that deserve all the love and hype from theme park fans. And soon enough, there may be a new one to add to the list!
A recent theme park incident is making headlines. In Portland, Oregon, a group of guests at a local theme park called Oaks Park were trapped on a ride for approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Credit: KGW/KTVZ
When the incident occurred on June 14th, 2024, Portland firefighters responded to the scene and helped dozens of people trapped upside down on a ride called AtmosFEAR.
We’ve seen our fair share of wild theme park ideas.
Main Street Train Station in Disney World
Not only is an entire Pirates of the Caribbean theme park in development in the actual Caribbean, but we’re also extremely invested in the gravy-themed roller coaster created by former Disney Imagineers. And, soon enough, a chocolate-themed ride will be opening, too!
Universal Studios is KNOWN to be super cryptic in their announcements.
Universal Orlando
On March 25th, Universal shared a post on X that made us think that new details about EPIC Universe would arrive on March 28th. Since the background of the video matched the background in the EPIC Universe logo and the shooting star is next to 3.28.24, we were wondering if this was a hint that BIG news regarding the park would come out way soon. Now, we know that our hunch was correct!
Who else can’t wait for the opening of Epic Universe in Universal Orlando?
Universal Parks – Epic Universe ©Universal
The new theme park is set to open in 2025 and we’re so stoked! It’s going to be bringing new rides, attractions, restaurants, hotels, shops, and SO MUCH MORE. Finally, we just got the lowdown on one of the lands that you’ll be able to visit in Epic Universe and a specific ride you have to know about! Let’s talk about it!
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