Review of the News: October 5 – October 9

Monday October 5, 2015

Walt Disney World raises prices, adds PhotoPass to Annual Passholder Program
Beginning this week, Walt Disney World will introduce its new system, which includes PhotoPass and, you guessed it, increased prices.  

Disneyland Introduces New, More Expensive Passports
Disneyland raised prices for its annual passes this Sunday, which include a new exclusive, top-level, $1,049 Signature Plus Passport.

Disney Weighs Variable Theme Park Pricing
For the first time in the 60 years since Disneyland opened, Disney is considering switching to demand-based pricing at its domestic parks, where tickets would cost less or provide added benefits on slower days, and cost extra or come with more restrictions on dates when there tend to be too many people.


Tuesday October 6, 2015

First major rollercoaster installed in Dubai
The Dragon roller coaster is the first ride to be installed at Dubai Parks and Resorts, a Dh10.5 billion project set to open in October 2016 with three separate theme parks, a hotel, and a retail and dining district spread across 25 million square feet of land.

Universal Orlando Resort raises rates for parking by $3
In May, Universal Orlando Resort raised Florida resident annual passes from $189 to $214.99. And beginning today, regular parking rates have also increased from $17 to $20.

NBC Sports Grill and Brew set to open at Universal CityWalk
The NBC Sports Grill and Brew restaurant is set to open today at Universal CityWalk, according to a post on a Twitter account from a Universal Orlando official.


Wednesday October 7, 2015

SeaWorld reference mysteriously disappears from Florida Department of Education website
Animal activists took credit for SeaWorld disappearing from the Florida Department of Education's online lists of “Fun Florida Fieldtrips” and teacher discounts.  But shortly after an Orlando Sentinel reporter asked why SeaWorld had been removed, references to the theme park were back on the department's website.

Universal shuns outside transportation services as its shuttles expand
Universal, which is undergoing a growth spurt, is pursuing strategies that encourage tourists to use its own transportation services rather than outside ones. Universal provides a shuttle that's typically free for visitors at 22 hotels, mostly off its property. Last month, Universal started another service directly between its on-site hotels and Orlando International Airport.


Thursday October 8, 2015

Carowinds and PopCap Games To Debut World's First Intra-Active 3-D Attraction
Carowinds, the premier entertainment destination of the Carolinas, and PopCap Games, creator of some of the world's most beloved video game franchises, and an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) studio are leading the charge as innovators in the amusement park industry by announcing a new digital experience. Carowinds will open the world's first intra-active 3-D game experience, Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare: 3Z Arena, in spring 2016 – adding to the park's family line-up of thrills for all ages.

Inquiry begins into proposals to bring new haunted house to Legoland
Objectors to the proposed haunted house at Legoland Windsor Resort say the town’s infrastructure ‘can’t cope’ with more attractions being added to the park.


Friday October 9, 2015

SeaWorld whale tank expansion wins approval, with limits
The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved SeaWorld's $100 million plan to double the size of its killer whale habitat, despite the pleas of animal activists to release the behemoths into the ocean.  But the approval comes with a key condition: SeaWorld cannot breed any of the 11 whales in captivity in California.

Busch Gardens welcomes another baby aardvark
Park caretakers there are helping bottle-feed the cub, who was born on Sept. 18. They're monitoring the health of it and its mother Izzy.  The baby’s sex -- along with his or her name -- will be determined within the next few weeks. The newborn is Busch Gardens' fifth successful aardvark birth.