The Latest News From Disney Parks, Universal Studios Resorts, and More Fan-tastical Destinations

The Latest News From Disney Parks, Universal Studios Resorts, and More Fan-tastical Destinations

Universal Horror takes on Vegas, WB World rings in Year of the Rabbit, and major Disney Parks changes are underway.

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Universal Studios Halloween Experience Las Vegas Concept Art
Image: Universal Parks and Resorts

The Lunar New Year kicks off with centennials for Disney at its parks and Warner Bros. with special global events, but it’s Universal Studios that’s shaking things up with the announcement of two theme experiences opening outside of the coasts. And yes, one is a year-round Halloween Horror Nights project in Sin City’s Area 15.

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Catch up with the latest news from Disney Parks, Meow Wolf, Universal Studios, theaters, and experiential entertainment here!

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2 / 26

Universal Studios Goes Vegas

Universal Studios Goes Vegas

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We are so ready for Area 15 to grow, starting with the unprecedented news that Universal Studios is going to experiment with a year-round Halloween Horror Nights experience. Going by the press release we received, it’ll have the option to be a rotating space, featuring original HHN characters like Jack the Clown as well as Universal Pictures horror movies—from the classics up to modern Blumhouse and Jordan Peele releases. It sounds like the perfect storm to make the immersive hub a new space for participatory entertainment. We’re here for more than a theme park, but rides would be fun too!

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3 / 26

Universal Studios Family Park in Texas

Universal Studios Family Park in Texas

Universal Studios Frisco
Image: Universal Parks and Resorts

The park is said to feature lands and attractions based on family films, so it’s a sure bet you’ll see Dreamworks and Illumination characters in the 97-acre area in Frisco, Texas (that’s bigger than Orlando’s Islands of Adventure). So yes, more Minions are on the way!

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4 / 26

M3GAN Merch

M3GAN Merch

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The M3GAN capsule drop is available at UNIVRS at Universal Studios Hollywood Citywalk.

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5 / 26

Power Up!

Power Up!

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Super Nintendo World is opening soon; here’s our preview! 

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6 / 26

Toothsome Chocolate Factory & Savory Feast Kitchen

Toothsome Chocolate Factory & Savory Feast Kitchen

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Can’t wait for these steampunk-inspired milkshakes when the restaurant opens at Citywalk LA on January 27.

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7 / 26

Meet Marvel Characters Over Dinner at Universal Studios Orlando

Meet Marvel Characters Over Dinner at Universal Studios Orlando

Marvel character dinner
Screenshot: Universal Parks and Resorts

Yes, you read that right. The Marvel buffet meet and greet dinner has returned, and it’s filled with the ‘90s nostalgia version of the comic book characters. Make reservations here and have fun explaining this to the kids.

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8 / 26

Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras!

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Food, floats and music take over Universal Studios Orlando!

Here’s the musician line up for 2023:

February 4 Patti LaBelle

February 10 JVKE

February 11 Goo Goo Dolls

February 18 Maren Morris

February 19 WILLOW

February 25 3 Doors Down

March 4 Sean Paul

March 5 Lauren Daigle

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9 / 26

Cabana Bay

Cabana Bay

Checked In – Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Soak in the retro-futuristic vibes of Cabana Bay at Universal Studios Orlando Resort.

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10 / 26

Universal Studios Japan Launches E.T. Line Unlike Any Before

Universal Studios Japan Launches E.T. Line Unlike Any Before

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11 / 26

Alamo Drafthouse Tuesday Deal!

Alamo Drafthouse Tuesday Deal!

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It’s easier to do a dinner and a movie this way. Find showtimes at your local Drafthouse here.

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12 / 26

Meow Wolf Omega Mart for Adults

Meow Wolf Omega Mart for Adults

Omega Mart Night Shift
Image: Meow Wolf

The 21+ Night Shift adults-only evenings at Meow Wolf Omega Mart in Las Vegas will resume Thursdays in January, February, and March.

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Night Shift begins at 8:00 p.m on:

Thursday, January 26

Thursday, February 9

Thursday, February 23

Thursday, March 16

Thursday March 30

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13 / 26

Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros. 

Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros. 

Fever Candlelight Concert
Photo: Fever

Check out the Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros. concert series at venues all over the world. Cities include: London, New York, Toronto, Melbourne, Sydney, Paris, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Singapore, Montreal, Dallas, Miami, Madrid, Seattle, Houston, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Atlanta, Brisbane, Milan, São Paulo, Philadelphia, Mexico City – CDMX, and San Diego, with Los Angeles and more worldwide locations to be announced. This series will showcase the music from Warner Bros.’ 100-year-old catalogue. Find tickets here and featured arrangements below.

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The program:

The Wizard of Oz - Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1939)

Casablanca - As Time Goes By (1942)

Singin’ in the Rain - Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

A Star is Born - The Man That Got Away (1954)

Scooby-Doo - Theme Song (1969)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - Pure Imagination (1971)

The Exorcist - Theme Song (Tubular Bells) (1973)

Purple Rain - Purple Rain (1984)

Batman - Main Theme (1989)

Friends - I’ll Be There for You (1995)

Selena - Dreaming of You (1997)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Suite (2001)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Hogwarts’ Anthem (2005)

Inception - Time (2010)

Man of Steel - Flight (2013)

Wonder Woman Suite (2017)

A Star is Born - Shallow (2018)

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14 / 26

The Year of the Bunny... Bugs Bunny, That Is!

The Year of the Bunny... Bugs Bunny, That Is!

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Again, we wish there was a WB World in the states because looks how amazing Bugs looks in his Lunar New Year fit in Abu Dhabi. It’s Year of the Rabbit and the WB centennial! I bet the studio has lots in store at its parks; we’ll have to live vicariously through vlogs and clips online.

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15 / 26

Polka Dot Day With Minnie and Loungefly

Polka Dot Day With Minnie and Loungefly

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Join Loungefly at this fun event this weekend in Los Angeles.

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16 / 26

Tron: Lightcycle/Run

Tron: Lightcycle/Run

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Tron coaster previews are due soon and if you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member or Passholder keep an eye on those emails.

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17 / 26

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

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Here’s a deal to save up to $700 on a two-night stay at a select Disney Resort hotels—that’s up to around $350 per night—when you stay on select Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyages from February 5 through October 2, 2023. And you can take the company up on the offer immediately before or after your voyage.

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18 / 26

Tasty Food at Artful Epcot

Tasty Food at Artful Epcot

5 Can’t Miss Items at EPCOT Festival of the Arts | Disney Eats

The Festival of the Arts runs until February 20. Check out our fave art from artists featured here.

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19 / 26

Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival

Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival

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From March 1- 5 Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival will return with new food offerings and new topiaries inspired by Encanto characters Mirabel, Antonio, and Luisa, as well as Isabel.

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20 / 26

Park Updates in Time for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Park Updates in Time for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway
Photo: Disney Parks

Per Disney Parks, new park hopping hours are in effect with 11:00am being the time one day/two park guests can move from their starter reservation park to the next. It’s perfect timing as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is set to open on January 27.

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Bonus! If you’re looking to buy a Magic Key, they’re now being offered based on intermittent Magic Key availability.

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21 / 26

Disney100 Themed Treats

Disney100 Themed Treats

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It’s the character details for us that make us so excited for the debut of treats and drinks in honor of Disney100. Here’s a guide to see what sweets you can find at Disneyland, where the year-long celebration will commence.

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22 / 26

Meet Marvel’s Moon Girl at Disney California Adventure

Meet Marvel’s Moon Girl at Disney California Adventure

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Screenshot: Disney Animation/Marvel Studios

Marvel fans will be able to meet Disney TV’s next star Moon Girl for a limited time, starting in mid-February at Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure Park. She’ll mark her first in-park appearance outside of an Easter egg in the queue for Web Slingers. It’s all a part of the Black History Month events Disney Parks will have underway, with gospel, live jazz, and a new video presentation by National Geographic in the lobby of the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland Park, celebrating the story of the historic relationship between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln (which will be a permanent installation).

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23 / 26

Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure

Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure

Oswald and Hortencia at Disney Parks
Photo: Disney Parks

Disney has brought out its lucky rabbit Oswald and his boo Ortensia the cat dressed in Lunar New Year attire to pay tribute to the holiday. And with the festivities comes new marketplaces with more Asian-inspired dishes. Check out the Disney Eats Foodie Guide for the full menu. And before the premiere of the new World of Color, the nighttime water show Hurry Home – Lunar New Year Celebration will feature on the waters of Paradise Bay.

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24 / 26

Donald Gets His Own Restaurant at Shanghai Disney

Donald Gets His Own Restaurant at Shanghai Disney

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Every duck has his day, and for Donald it’s when he opened Donald’s Dine ‘n Delights filled with classic American food fare in Disneytown at Shanghai Disneyland.

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25 / 26

Howl’s Moving Castle Ghibli Park Design

Howl’s Moving Castle Ghibli Park Design

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Opening in the future of Ghibli Park is a walkthrough recreation of Howl’s Moving Castle, set to debut with the phase two areas of the Miyazaki Amusement Center at Aichi Expo Memorial Park in Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya, Japan.


Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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