Theme Park Spot Talk: Week of 9/5/2025

From Destination D23 reveals to coaster test runs and spooky scares, this week’s roundup has it all!

written by Jeff 8 months ago 0 comments

Halloween Season is officially here! Universal Studios Hollywood kicked off Halloween Horror Nights yesterday, and tonight, the majority of Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream events begin. It’s going to be a scream-filled week, and fans everywhere are buzzing with excitement. This week, we also have a glimpse of what was announced at Destination D23 2025, plus a little incident at Hersheypark that thankfully ended safely. Let’s dive in!

Latest News

1 Destination D23 2025 Expo Wrap-Up

Photo Courtesy of Disney

The magic of Disney was on full display at Destination D23 2025, and fans are still talking about the reveals. Cinderella Castle is scheduled for a fresh new paint job, while Tron Lightcycle is getting an immersive overlay to enhance the ride experience. Disney Imagineers are also taking Villains to a new level, reimagining the architecture to create a brand-new Villains land.

The expo offered a behind-the-scenes look at these projects, showing how Disney continues to innovate and blend nostalgia with cutting-edge storytelling. From park enhancements to new attractions, it’s clear that Disney is planning big things to thrill fans for years to come.

2 Hersheypark Incident Resolved Safely

Photo Courtesy of CBS 21

Over the weekend, Hersheypark saw a tense moment when a young boy separated from his family and wandered into a closed monorail station. The boy, who is on the autism spectrum, eventually climbed onto the tracks for a brief walk, drawing the attention of a crowd below. Thankfully, another guest acted quickly, climbed up, and safely brought him back to his family.

Hersheypark has confirmed that the monorail has been closed since June after lightning damage, so the boy was never in immediate danger from an operating ride. While incidents like this are always concerning, it’s a relief to know that quick thinking and community support helped prevent harm and ensured everyone was safe.

3 World of Frozen Land on Track for Spring 2026

Photo Courtesy of Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris has confirmed that the highly anticipated World of Frozen land is now set to open in Spring 2026. This expansion will coincide with the renaming of the Studios park to Disney Adventure World and the reopening of the updated Ratatouille attraction early next year.

Fans can expect immersive environments, character interactions, and all the magic that makes Frozen come alive. This is one of the biggest additions to Disney parks in recent years, and it aligns with the park’s ongoing efforts to expand themed lands and modernize experiences for guests of all ages.

4 Dinoland USA Countdown: Dinosaur’s Final Rides

Photo Courtesy of Disney

With the closure of The Boneyard, only one attraction remains in Dinoland USA—the massive Dinosaur dark ride, formerly known as Countdown to Extinction. Disney has confirmed that February 1, 2026, will be the final day to ride this classic attraction before Dinoland USA begins its transformation into a new Indiana Jones-themed land.

Guests have the remainder of 2025 to enjoy one last lap on this thrilling dark ride, which has been a staple since 1998. Fans can expect Disney to honor the history of the ride while seamlessly transitioning into the next adventure for the park.

5 Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa Making Test Runs

Photo Courtesy of Orlando Informer

Exciting news for coaster enthusiasts: Kumba has been spotted making test runs over the past couple of weeks at Busch Gardens Tampa. Observant guests have even seen a train loaded with water dummies sitting on the brake run, signaling that a reopening may be imminent.

While rumors circulate about Kumba’s future, it’s clear that the park values this iconic coaster. After recent closures like Scorpion and Stanley Falls, it would make sense for Busch Gardens to maintain Kumba as a major thrill ride. Fans remain hopeful that it will continue thrilling guests for years to come.