Review of the News: April 25 – April 29

Monday April 25, 2015

Disney World Rolls Out Its Sneakiest Price Increase Yet
Disney quietly increased fountain and bottled beverage prices at its theme parks -- something that will nickel and dime the pocketbooks of many if not most of its park guests.

Britain set to get £2billion Disneyland-style theme park in 2021 with BBC and Paramount attractions
Measuring twice the size of the Olympic Park, the London Paramount Entertainment Resort is to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent. 


Tuesday April 26, 2015

Opening Date Set for World's Largest Theme Park in Dubai
On Sunday, officials from Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group announced the IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park in Dubai would officially open to the public on Aug. 15.

Fulton's Crab House at Disney Springs to change names
The owner, Levy Restaurants, revealed Monday that location will soon be called Paddlefish.


Wednesday April 27, 2015

Disney World Announces Free Dining Days for 2016
The freebie is what Disney calls a “dining plan,” which is good for two meals and one snack per person, per night of your stay.

'Exorcist' house set for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights
For the first time in the history of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, the classic film "The Exorcist" will be presented as a haunted house.


Thursday April 28, 2015

Kentucky Kingdom unveils new coaster Storm Chaser
Kentucky Kingdom opens for the third season of its "second coming" Saturday, and the park operators have sunk $8 million into a flashy, unique steel roller coaster dubbed Storm Chaser that they expect to be a major new attraction for the fairgrounds amusement park.

Six Gun City Sells Roller Coaster to Canadian Park
The small-sized coaster was sold to an amusement park in the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec, Canada, according to Tom Brady, general manager of the family-owned theme park.

Mass Effect attraction hits California’s Great America amusement park this summer
The experience will feature live performances and “4D effects” as it takes fans through a galactic adventure.

Disney getting set for new Soarin' ride at Epcot
The popular Epcot attraction has been closed since early January, preparing for a new version of the film that will take riders on a global journey and prompting a new name: Soarin' Around the World.

Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal
NBCUniversal on Thursday said it has reached an agreement to acquire DreamWorks Animation in a deal valued at $3.8 billion.

SeaWorld, Guy Harvey team up on ocean conservation
SeaWorld announced Wednesday that it is partnering with conservationist Guy Harvey to promote ocean health and shark conservation.


Friday April 29, 2015

Earffel Tower removed at Hollywood Studios
The Earfell Tower, one of the original and iconic structures of Disney's Hollywood Studios, has been removed, a Walt Disney World official confirmed Friday morning.