Welcome back to Theme Park Spot Talk — and this marks our 11th edition! Thanks for continuing this journey with us. This past week has been full of early Halloween excitement, a few surprise reveals, and even a fiery dragon invasion (well, sort of). Let’s dive right into the top five stories making waves in the theme park world this week!
As Disneyland approaches its 70th anniversary, Disney just unveiled an exciting new interactive experience called “Key to Disney” — a celebration of storytelling, innovation, and interactivity. Guests will be able to explore the park with a collectible digital key, unlocking surprises, immersive moments, and character interactions tied to different lands. It’s a unique way to celebrate seven decades of magic while looking toward the future.
Photo Courtesy of Universal Horror Unleashed
The horror just got real(er). Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas has confirmed the addition of a Texas Chainsaw Massacre-themed haunted house! Guests will step inside the infamous Sawyer house and come face-to-face with Leatherface in this year-round terrifying walkthrough. Universal is clearly committed to making Vegas scream year-round — and we’re totally here for it.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Walt Disney World dropped updates for this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and it’s looking fang-tastic! The biggest surprise? A new Jack Skellington character look, featuring an upgraded costume and even more expressive movements. Guests can also expect returning favorites like the Boo-to-You parade, exclusive treats, and spooky overlays. Halloween is creeping in early!
Photo Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando surprised fans this week with an early release of Halloween Horror Nights merchandise — and it’s fire! The designs feature vintage horror vibes and nods to fan-favorite icons. With Epic Universe dominating attention, it’s clear Universal is prepping for a barrage of HHN announcements soon. If you’re a collector, now’s the time to grab those spooky tees and gear.
Photo Courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Not your typical theme park news, but definitely worth a visit — Dragons Landing has officially opened at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! This limited-time exhibit features life-sized animatronic dragons, themed environments, and interactive learning stations. It’s a great add-on for families planning a Northeast Ohio trip, especially if Cedar Point is also on your itinerary.
This week’s video of the week goes to Theme Park Obsession, who dropped a fresh update on the upcoming Fast & Furious coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. The compact layout looks sleek and high-octane. Plus, they sneak in a bit of HHN Hollywood speculation for spooky fans.
Shoutout to @weird.wild.wonderful, who took a 2007 digital camera and captured moody, throwback-style photos of Epic Universe — and wow, it’s got a vibe! It’s a unique look at a modern park through a nostalgic lens.
If you haven’t checked out our new homepage redesign, now’s the time! We’ve been fine-tuning the layout to make everything easier to navigate and more visually fun. More updates are coming across the site — and as always, your suggestions are welcome. Thanks for being part of the CoasterMedia crew!
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That’s it for this week’s Theme Park Spot Talk. What story are you most excited about? Let us know.
Jeff 