Theme Park Spot Talk: Week of 7/04/2025

Sizzling Summer News, Haunting Hype, and a Farewell to a Desert Legend

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Happy 4th of July!

Hope you’re out enjoying the festivities with friends and family—just remember to stay safe so you can keep riding those coasters! While it’s been a relatively quiet week, there’s still some exciting theme park news to dive into. Let’s get to it:

Latest News

1

MONSTRUOS 3 Announced for HHN at
Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo Courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood

The monsters are back—and more terrifying than ever. Universal Studios Hollywood has officially announced the return of its popular Latin American-inspired maze with Monstruos 3: The Cursed Legacy for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. The third chapter will delve deeper into folklore legends, unleashing vengeful spirits, ancient curses, and mythic creatures rooted in cultural lore. It’s part of HHN Hollywood’s growing tradition of spotlighting unique, culturally rich horror experiences. If the previous Monstruos installments were any indication, this new version will be a must-see for haunt fans.

2

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Returns Fall 2025

Photo Courtesy of Disney

One of Walt Disney World’s most beloved events is back for 2025! The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kicks off this fall and will run for 90 delicious days. Over 35 global marketplaces will serve up inventive and classic dishes from around the world, giving guests endless reasons to eat and explore. Fan-favorite activities like Emile’s Fromage Montage and the Eat to the Beat concert series are also set to return. While full menus haven’t dropped yet, Disney has teased new culinary surprises and upgraded experiences to keep things fresh for repeat visitors.

3

Howl-O-Scream Orlando Kicks Off Its
5th Fright-Filled Year

Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando has begun to reveal plans for the fifth anniversary of its Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream. While full details are still under wraps, we know two popular scare zones—Blood Light District and another fan favorite—are confirmed to return, along with a collection of new and reimagined haunted houses. This year’s event promises to be the biggest yet, combining the eerie atmosphere SeaWorld is becoming known for with upgraded production value, intense scares, and chilling surprises lurking around every corner. It’s clear the event has carved out its own dark place in Florida’s Halloween scene.

4

Farewell to Buffalo Bill’s Coaster in Primm, Nevada

Photo Courtesy of CoasterKings

After years of on-again, off-again operations, the iconic Desperado roller coaster at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino will officially close indefinitely on July 7, 2025. Once one of the tallest and fastest coasters in the world, Desperado was a bucket-list ride for thrill-seekers crossing the California-Nevada border. Known for its dramatic first drop and desert setting, it was a signature symbol of roadside Americana. The closure marks the end of an era, and fans are encouraged to relive its glory by checking out POV videos online before the legendary ride fades into history.

5

Efteling Reveals “Hooghmoed” –
A New Chapter in the Baron 1898 Saga

Efteling, the fairytale theme park in the Netherlands, has pulled back the curtain on its newest attraction: Hooghmoed, debuting in 2026. Translating roughly to “pride” or “arrogance,” Hooghmoed will expand upon the backstory of Baron 1898, Efteling’s highly themed dive coaster. Though full ride details are still under wraps, the park shared a short teaser video hinting at a dark, atmospheric experience tied to the Baron’s mysterious world. Fans of immersive storytelling and gothic aesthetics have reason to be excited. The announcement also comes ahead of the August 1st opening of the new Efteling Grand Hotel, the park’s first luxury on-site hotel located inside the park gates.

Photo of the Week​

This week’s spotlight goes to a stunning shot of Alpen Fury at Canada’s Wonderland, captured by @_ryanp86 on Instagram. The photo showcases the thrilling tangle of overlapping tracks from the park’s newest coaster, giving us a taste of its intense alpine-inspired layout. The high-altitude theming and bold coaster design have already made waves among coaster fans, even though Canada’s Wonderland has yet to announce an official opening date. Thanks to @_ryanp86 for this amazing capture—be sure to give them a follow for more theme park photography gems.

Video of the Week​

Test Track at EPCOT – Then & Now

With Test Track 3.0 racing toward its reopening at EPCOT on July 22, now’s a perfect time to look back at how this fan-favorite has evolved. Attraction Magazine created a clever side-by-side comparison that shows all three versions of Test Track—1999, 2012, and the soon-to-be 2024 version—on one screen. It’s a fascinating ride through time that highlights how storytelling, tech, and design have shifted over the decades. Whether you’re a fan of the original crash-test dummy days or the sleek Tron-like redesign, this video is worth the watch.

CoasterMedia Update​

We’re already 18 issues deep into Theme Park Spot Talk! Missed one? Catch up anytime on our website. Plus, Halloween Guide updates are coming next week as I’ll be on staycation—with some family adventures in between. Stay tuned and have a fun (and safe) holiday week!

– CoasterMedia Team

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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.

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