Bitesize Orlando July 2023 – Issue 25

I hope this news update finds you well and enjoying the start of your summer holidays. July and August are typically low news months as attention are generally focussed on the peak summer footfall in the parks but there is some tantalising tidbits coming out of Universal and SeaWorld already for those looking to visit next year. Let’s get straight into the Bitesize Orlando July 2023 news update. As always click the link of a story below that interests you or feel free to scroll the whole thing so you don’t miss a thing.

Website Updates

On the front end, it’s been a somewhat quiet month. My Busch Gardens Tampa visual guide has been live, as promised, for the last couple of weeks and I have already started work on my last visual guide for the main parks, Seaworld. To check out all my visual guides and subscribe so you don’t miss out on new content when it is available click the image below then hit that blu subscribe button in the top right.

Behind the scenes and a little way off into the future, I’ve been investing money, resources and time in new software and tools to enable me to better serve your planning needs. Animated explainer videos, professional quality leaflets and brochures to break down the enormous task of planning your first Orlando holiday not to mention HD videos of some of the attractions themselves filmed over my most recent visits and those in the future.

You may have noticed that my guidebook (available to all new subscribers) hasn’t been updated in a while. I started rewriting it a couple of months back before I realised the enormous amount of time it takes to do each iteration, time that could be better spent helping you plan your itineraries and updating the website, would be better spent elsewhere. I am by no means giving up on the guide, I am just looking at taking it online in a knowledgebase style (with printable pages of key information for certain subjects) which is far easier to keep updated and available wherever and whenever you need it. I am currently researching some options to best achieve this.

Disney World News July 2023

More Acts Added To Eat To The Beat Concert Series

The lineup was already packed but Disney has updated the Eat To The Beat concert series with more acts to almost complete the lineup.

The full lineup is now:

• July 27 – Funkafied
• July 28-29 – Orianthi (NEW)
• July 30-31 – FOR KING + COUNTRY (NEW)
• Aug. 1-3 – Funkafied
• Aug. 4-5 – Southern Avenue
• Aug. 6-7 – Tiffany
• Aug. 8-10 – Champagne
• Aug. 11-12 – Ruben Studdard with Haley Reinhart
• Aug. 13-14 – TBA
• Aug. 15-17 – M-80’s
• Aug. 18-21 – Joey Fatone & Friends
• Aug. 22-24 – The Female Collective
• Aug. 25-26 – Ayron Jones (NEW)
• Aug. 27-28 – Phillip Phillips (NEW)
• Aug. 29-31 – Element
• Sept. 1-2 – Baha Men
• Sept. 3-4 – MercyMe
• Sept. 5-7 – Foreigners Journey
• Sept. 8-9 – Ray Parker Jr.
• Sept. 10-11 – TobyMac
• Sept. 12-14 – Hooligans
• Sept. 15 – Monsieur Periné
• Sept. 16-17 – Raul Acosta & Oro Solido
• Sept. 18 – Latin Celebrity Talent – To Be Announced
• Sept. 19-21 – Audio Exchange
• Sept. 22-24 – Los Amigos Invisibles – (NEW)
• Sept. 25-26 – 98°
• Sept. 27-28 – Latin Ambition
• Sept. 29 – Oct. 2 – Boyz II Men
• Oct. 3-5 – Wish Radio
• Oct. 6-7 – Mark Wills
• Oct. 8-9 – Sugar Ray
• Oct. 10-12 – Icon Party Band
• Oct. 13-14 – Hoobastank
• Oct. 15-16 – Air Supply
• Oct. 17-19 – Evolution Motown
• Oct. 20-21 – Taylor Dayne
• Oct. 22-23 – Billy Ocean
• Oct. 24-26 – Sound Up
• Oct. 27-30 – Hanson
• Oct. 31-Nov. 2 – Rexine
• Nov. 3-4 – We The Kings (NEW)
• Nov. 5-6 – Sheila E.
• Nov. 7-9 – Epic Live
• Nov. 10-11 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• Nov. 12-13 – 38 Special

August 13th and 14th were initially going to be The Bacon Brothers (as in Kevin Bacon, the actor) but as quickly as they appeared, they also disappeared having pulled out of the lineup for no reason so Disney is still looking for an artist to fill that one remaining weekend.

Haunted Mansion Closing Briefly In August

Disney previously announced that the Hatbox Ghost would be coming to the Haunted Mansion on both coasts in the US. They have announced that Haunted Mansion will be closing briefly in August for “routine maintenance”.

3 days doesn’t seem like a lot of time to install the figure and reprogram the ride but at the very least 3 days could be enough time to lay the groundwork for us to see the Hatbox Ghost appearing before Halloween. Disney could even surprise us and have the effect in place with minimal downtime but don’t count on it and even Halloween could be a wishful dream.

Either way, if you’re visiting Magic Kingdom between the 7th and 9th of August and the Haunted Mansion is on your bucket list of rides, you may want to reschedule your visit.

Extended Evening Hours Returning This Autumn

Deluxe-level resort guests, listen up! Extended Evening Hours are returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this Autumn. Ride a select list of attractions with little to no wait and minimal crowds.

The dates to pencil in for Extra Evening Hours at Hollywood Studios are:

• September 30th
• October 5th
• October 11th
• October 19th
• October 25th

Extra Evening Hours are exclusive to guests of DVC properties and deluxe-level hotels as well as a couple of select partner hotels. Attractions that will be available are:

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Toy Story Mania!
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

There are some notable big hitters on this list as well as a huge omission. Both the park’s roller coasters will be thrilling guests but many will be disappointed to not see Star Wars Rise Of The Resistance on the list, although Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is included.

For the remainder of 2023, valid theme park admission AND a theme park reservation will be required or guests can park hop to Hollywood Studios after 2 pm providing they have first entered their original park reservation.

Universal Orlando News July 2023

Minion Land & New Attraction Soft Opens

The big news coming out of Universal Studios this month is the construction also have been taken down along Production Avenue, now dubbed Minion Land. From the middle of July, new headline attraction Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast has also been soft opening to Universal Orlando guests. A definite opening date.

There is a strict no-filming policy while the attraction remains in soft opening to avoid spoilers for the general public but news coming from riders confirms the following.

• There is no ride height but riders under 48″ but be supervised. Infants are not allowed
• Wheelchair users must remain in a standard wheelchair, motorised wheelchairs and ECV cannot be accommodated
• If you have a service animal or require a listening aid please speak to a cast member
• You must remain standing at all times
• There is one size of blaster travelling on a conveyer ahead of the ride. If the LED is red don’t pick it up, it still needs to charge
• Pair your blaster with the Universal Orlando app on your phone to keep track of your points and ear bonuses
• There are 9 rooms in total with a winding moving walkway. The safety railings along the walkway are about hip height on adults and clear so children can see through
• There are physical props and on-screen items to shoot at. Blasters have 2 triggers. One for shooting and one for earning bonuses

As well as the headline attraction you can now also visit Illumination’s Minion Cafe, Bake My Day, Pop-A-Nana and Freeze Ray Pops to add to your Minions-infused start at Universal Studios Florida.

Universal Updates It’s Disability Policies

In a quiet update, on the 13th of July Universal joined the Six Flags chain of parks and Sesame Place in Philadelphia in the US by updating its Attraction Assistance Pass requirements for all guests who must now register for an IBCCES Individual Access Pass (IAC) ahead of their visit. Only IBCCES (the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) can issue a IAP. Online registration at www.accessibilitycard.org consists of an online application including uploading of necessary documentation. Once all requirements for an IAP are met Universal Orlando team member will contact the cardholder to discuss what accommodation is needed for the queue line. You can register from 48 hours ahead of your visit.

More information regarding all types of impairment including wheelchairs, cognitive disabilities, prostheses and hearing and vision difficulties can be found at https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/gb/plan-your-visit/accessibility-information. More information and attraction-specific guidance can also be found by downloading the Universal Orlando Resort Guide for Rider Safety and Accessibility.

Universal Officially Confirms Dreamworks Land

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone closed in late 2022 and Universal took no time in demolishing most of the area without confirming what they were working on as a replacement. Dreamworks Land had been suspected for quite some time and now we have the official announcement from Universal that Dreamworks Land is coming to Universal Studios in mid to late 2024.

The new land has been confirmed to include popular yet under-utilised IP Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and Trolls plus more. According to the official press release from universal visitors will, Visitors will “share special moments with their favourite characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse” and explore interactive play areas and attractions inspired by others.

Construction is already going vertical near the entrance to the ET attraction which is not part of the new land and is still open despite being surrounded by construction walls. The new vertical structure is expected to be the new home of a Shrek meet and greet area themed to his house in the films.

Elsewhere in the land, aeriel photos show that the former Nuthouse coster has survived the wrecking ball as has part of the former Curious George water play area. Looking closely at the concept image released by Universal, the Nuthouse Coaster could become part of the trolls section while, at the back of the land, Curious George could become the Kung Fu Panda area, likely with a water play area.

The former Barney theatre has been home to a Dreamworks Experience in recent months has also been kept. No new show has been announced but a new Trolls sing-a-long show has been speculated to be filling this area and/or meet-and-greet experiences with Dreamworks characters that do not have their own area like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse.

As for a timeline for the new area, construction has been going at breakneck speed but no official opening date has been announced, just a vague 2024. Construction permits for the new area are in place until September so Universal could be aiming for a summer 2024 opening to grab some more of the all-important summer crowds from Disney next year ahead of their grand unveiling of Epic Universe in 2025.

Interestingly, Universal ended the press release by saying that the new “Dreamworks Land” would be part of a series of new entertainment experiences coming to the Resort in 2024. This could be a hint to the new nighttime show they are working on in the lagoon.

“As guests step into this new land, their imaginations will run wild as they take in the vibrant colors, sights and sounds that surround them,” 

Official Announcement From Universal The Dreamworks Land Is Coming To Universal Studios In 2024

More Houses Announced For Halloween Horror Nights 2023

Universal has lifted the veil on 4 more all-new haunted houses headed to Universal Studios Florida’s annual Halloween Horror Nights event. Until now we only knew one house name for this season; ‘The Last Of Us‘, a terrifying all-new haunted house based on the award-winning post-pandemic video game.

A couple of weeks back, ‘Stranger Things 4‘ joined The Last Of Us as the second of 10 terrifying houses at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event. Band together with your scare squad to resist Vecna’s gruesome curse as you travel through iconic scenes from the show including Hawkins Lab, the Creel House and Vecna’s monstrous Mind Lair. Check out the teaser trailer for the new house below.

Now we know the names of 3 more all-new haunted houses: ‘Chucky Ultimate Kill Count‘ lets everyone’s favourite knife-loving nightmare doll loose to star in his very own haunted slaughterhouse for the very first time.

‘The Exorcist: Believer‘ is inspired by a new movie being released in October (yes, another one!). This time we are transported to a Haitian street market where a doll with one more peeper than it should have opens a demonic portal that sucks 2 girls in. 3 days later they are found with no memory but soon exhibit strange behaviour. Cue the exorcism. Again!

‘Universal Monsters; Unmasked‘ Be transported to the mysterious catacombs of Paris where the burial ground hold a dark secret. Come face to face with some of Universal’s most notorious creatures including the Phantom Of The Opera, The Invisible Man, the Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde who want to seek vengeance against all those that dare to travel through their dark tunnels.

Check out two trailer videos that Universal have released, the first for Stranger Things 4 and the other for The Exorcist: Believer.

Along with 10 houses (5 more to be announced), Halloween Horror Nights will have 5 sinister scare zones and live entertainment as well as the chance to ride some of your favourite attractions. The scares begin on select nights in September and run through October and a couple of days into November. Check the calendar on the link above for the schedule and to book tickets (in US dollars). alternatively your UK ticket agent should sell tickets in sterling if you would rather not go through the exchange rate.

Seaworld Orlando News July 2023

SeaWorld Debuts Discovery Cove VIP Experience

Seaworld wants to connect with visitors even more than it has in recent times and now offers a new VIP experience at the main Seaworld Adventure Park which I covered last month. Discovery Cove now has an Ultimate VIP experience for guests to enjoy.

The Discovery Cove Ultimate VIP Experience, available now as an add-on to your entry ticket provides the “ultimate curated and customised visit” according to Brad Gilmour, Discovery Cove’s Park President. The add-on includes:

Entry to Discover Cove is already steep as all meals and most drinks are included but the VIP package includes signature drinks and table service at your cabana so no need to hop to the buffet. Your cabana also comes with a stocked mini-fridge.

Prices for the package start at $1,899 for up to 8 people. Remember that an entry ticket to Discovery Cove is also needed and currently that ticket also includes 2 weeks of entry to SeaWorld and Aquatica with an option to include Busch Gardens as well. Free parking is included as is return coach transport between SeaWorld and Busch Gardens if you would rather not drive. The prices may seem staggering but for a party of 8 people, it’s actually a very reasonable price at just over $315 each on top of your entry ticket.

SeaWorld Kinda Confirms 2024 Roller Coaster Addition

SeaWorld’s social team has been getting in on the Amazon Prime Day fun with a not-so-cryptic tweet about their new 2024 attraction.

Land Clearing has been going on for a while around Antarctica: Empire Of The Penguin leading to speculation that a new roller coaster could be on the way to SeaWorld really wants to keep the self-titled moniker of ‘Roller Coaster Capital Of Orlando’.

The speculation started before land clearing and even before this year’s new addition, Pipeline even opened, when the ‘Empire Of The Penguin’ simulator attraction failed to reopen from its enforced covid shutdown. Signage of that attraction is now nonexistent from my most recent visit to the park and all mention of it has been erased from Seaworld’s Website. The attraction would have marked 10 years this last May but guest satisfaction was always ‘meh’ despite sometimes long queues.

The simulator and accompanying habitat occupy a prime 4-acre spot of central SeaWorld real estate and SeaWorld looks to be upping the ante (and their roller coaster count) in 2024 with a new family roller coaster addition. Nothing official has been announced as yet but Seaworld’s latest tweet and accompanying comments don’t leave much to the imagination.

Previous roller coaster additions at Seaworld have been firmly aimed at the thrill market and if SeaWorld is to continue appealing to families a family attraction is needed to balance the larger coasters. The area so far cleared for the roller coaster is large but nowhere near as large a footprint as any of SeaWorld’s other roller coasters take up. Add in the closed area for the simulator, could we be seeing Seaworld’s first story coaster with indoor scenes that were part of the Empire Of The Penguin Simulator attraction?

Prime Day shopping got a little out of hand. pic.twitter.com/AFMEF0842r

— SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) July 21, 2023

Other hypotheses rightly point out SeaWorld’s other new attractions at other parks giving us a hint of what could be in store for Orlando in 2024. Orlando got the fantastic ‘Pipeline’ this year, the first of a kind stand-up coaster but 2 other SeaWorld Parks have opened straddle coasters in the last couple of months; DarKoaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Arctic Rescue at Seaworld San Diego. They join Wave Rider at San Antonio making Orlando the only US SeaWorld location without a straddle coaster.

OK, adding in Busch Gardens, Tampa doesn’t yet have one but the remnants of Jungala are ripe for a new attraction announcement (even if that particular rumour is heading towards a family woodie) plus Sand Serpent closing this month for “exciting new additions”. Could a straddle coaster have been heading to Seaworld in 2023 before ‘Pipeline’ stole the limelight?

Who knows, but it would make sense for Seaworld Parks to keep development costs down by opening up unique attractions based on the same ride mechanics at each of it’s parks encouraging annual pass sales and cross visits. SeaWorld’s other straddle coasters also have a lower height restriction (48 inches compared to Pipeline’s 54 inches) going along with the family coaster hypothesis.

Whatever is coming to Antarctica, it’s an exciting time to be planning a visit to SeaWorld which is fast winning over legions of new fans with exciting additions. If only they would turn their attention to Wild Arctic soon!

Legoland Florida News July 2024

Flying School Roller Coaster To Close Permanently

Another vestige of the Cypress Gardens era is to close permanently at Legoland Florida as they have announced that the Flying School junior suspended roller coaster is closing permanently. When the park was Cypress Gardens it was known as ‘Swamp Thing’.

Its last day of operation will be in 2 short weeks on National Roller Coaster Day, on the 16th of August. A replacement attraction hasn’t been announced, just that it is making way for “future awesomeness”.

Orlando Area News July 2023

Mears Connect & Sunshine Flyer To Merge

The two main competing return Disney World coach operators from Orlando International Airport have jointly announced that they are merging operations to become one entity titled ‘Mears Connect Driven By Sunshine’.

If you’ve seen the official press release floating around the internet don’t be fooled that Disney’s Magical Express is returning. It isn’t. The parks and hotels are plenty full enough without the service for Disney to go to the astronomical expense of bringing that back, yet, despite how load the online chants are online for its return.

Onto the good and bad of this news. Competition is good and beyond ride-share apps, there are precious few ways to actually get to and from Disney World without driving. This decision to merge previously competing services cuts that choice even further.

The competition also helps keep prices in check and they have been some the of best value options for getting to and from your Disney World hotel with generally minimal wait time, even during peak summer months which is also a sign that the tourist foot flow out fo Orlando Airport isn’t enough to sustain two coach transport services at a scale they need to operate to generate a profit.

“By merging operations, sharing ideas, expanding services, collaborating on what’s best for the guest, we believe we can provide an even better guest experience given the challenges and opportunities in today’s travel market.”

Rebecca K Horton, Chief Operating Officer for Mears Transport

Looking around the internet you can also see some horror stories of being abandoned or excessive wait times for buses due to a lack of either coaches or drivers which has been an issue like many industries in Florida since before COVID. Honestly, this appears to be bad luck rather than one service over the other so hopefully merging operations will improve wait times (mears used to promise no more than a 20-minute wait to board your bus but that promise was soon abandoned) thanks to combined operational capacities and human resources in a challenging market.

Mears Connect Driven By Sunshine still offers one of the most competitive 24/7 transport options from both Orlando Airport terminals (A/B and C), especially if you are travelling solo or as a couple and don’t mind a bit of a wait. Families may continue to be better served by using a ride share for a comparable price. If you’ve been burned by either service in the past this announcement won’t sway your transport of choice but for first-time visitors who want a hassle-free way to transfer to Disney World Mears Connect Driven By Sunshine is definitely worth putting on your watch list.

That’s it for another catchup, have a great start to the holidays and I will see you at the other end!