Walk Time: Working overtime for D23
I suspect that everyone who has worked in a theme park knows this feeling. It's almost walk time - you're about to clock out, and then your lead asks, "can you extend?"
You think about the bills you have to pay, or the concert you want to see next month but cannot afford, and reply, "sure."
In my case this weekend, it's D23 week, so there's no taking time off this Saturday. Yet the Week in Review needs its time before the Disney Experiences Showcase starts tonight. So let's get to the news.
First, you can read my preview this year's Walt Disney Imagineering pavilion on the D23 show floor here: Disney D23 shows off its largest Imagineering pavilion ever. Or watch my walking tour.
After the D23 preview, I did get to see that Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration at Disney California Adventure. You can see my one-minute highlight reel on Theme Park Insider's Instagram. Or watch the full show on Disney+ tomorrow. The show offered some nice duets, in the middle of a mosh pit of a crowd that packed every inch of Paradise Park. One influencer said it was easier to get next to the stage to see Bieber at Coachella than it was to get a view of this show.
On Friday, the biggest parks news I saw out of D23 was a remark from creators on stage at The Simpsons panel that they were working with Universal Studios Hollywood to allow Treehouse of Horror overlays and themed food and beverage in Springfield during Halloween Horror Nights. That's been a no-go from Disney in the past.
That evening Disney hosted its Entertainment Showcase at the Honda Center, revealing a bunch of new movies and TV shows. No parks news, of course - that comes tonight.
Meanwhile, on a super-busy Friday, Jeff Elliott made the trip down to Dollywood for a first ride on the new NightFlight Expedition. Dollywood did not allow on-ride videos or photos, but Jeff details what you can expect on this hybrid coaster dark ride in his NightFlight Expedition ride review.
Across the country, AJ Hummel rode the new Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress for us yesterday, as Knott's Berry Farm hosted its media day for the revamped coaster: Montezooma returns to Knott’s Berry Farm.
Also yesterday, Silver Dollar City announced its new ride for 2027, Miner's Mountain Express, a Mack Rides family coaster: Silver Dollar City unveils its largest family roller coaster.
Legoland revealed this week that it will install a Halloween overlay on its new Galacticoasters in California and Florida. The coasters will offer 356 Halloween and fall-inspired elements that riders can use when designing their Lego Halloween Spaceship in the ride's preshow, from September 19 through November 1.
Also on the family Halloween beat, SeaWorld Orlando announced this week that it has licensed Sony Pictures Animation’s "Hotel Transylvania" for character appearances and a dance party at this year's Halloween Spooktacular, starting August 29. The park also will be offering a Hotel Transylvania "Monster Dread & Breakfast" at the SeaFire Inn during event days.
Again, check the front page this evening at 7pm Pacific for my live blog (and then recap) of the Disney Experiences Showcase, with news and commentary about all the announcements we expect and at least one surprise that you probably did not. Thank you for reading!
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