Johnny Depp Returning for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is a Possibility
Variety recently reported that a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film is in development, and Johnny Depp’s involvement is being seriously considered. Given the character’s iconic status and the franchise’s reliance on his charisma, his return could revitalize the series and rekindle fan enthusiasm.
Disney hasn’t yet reached out to Johnny Depp, but the future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise remains uncertain. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is currently developing two scripts: one that incorporates Depp’s iconic character, Captain Jack Sparrow, and another that doesn’t. As a source told Variety, “Nothing has been ruled out,” suggesting that Depp’s return to the franchise is still a possibility.
The future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is shrouded in mystery. While details about the upcoming film are scarce, a spin-off starring Margot Robbie is also on the horizon.
Despite the potential financial benefits of a Depp return, it remains uncertain whether he would be willing to reprise his iconic role. In previous testimony, Depp expressed deep resentment towards Disney following the fallout from his legal battle with Amber Heard. He even stated that he would never work with the studio again.
While Warner Bros. also severed ties with Depp, recent reports suggest a potential shift in his stance regarding Disney. However, the studio has already explored alternative options, including a potential reboot with a new lead actor, such as Austin Butler. This decision was met with mixed reactions from fans, many of whom remain loyal to Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow.
To balance fan expectations and the need for fresh storytelling, Disney is aiming for a delicate approach. The upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film will serve as a reboot, paying homage to the original series while introducing new elements. Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, emphasized the importance of honoring the past while forging a new path. As for Depp’s involvement, Bailey remained noncommittal, leaving the door open to speculation.
The question now is whether Disney will reconsider its stance and invite Depp back to the franchise that made him a global star.
Events Coming to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2025
Universal Studios Hollywood is excited to announce its 2025 lineup, featuring thrilling new attractions, celebratory events, and popular returning experiences. Take a look at what’s coming to the resort next year.
Mar. 1-May 31: Butterbeer Season – This annual event celebrates the iconic beverage from the Harry Potter wizarding world with limited-time treats.
Apr. 25-May 18: Universal FanFest Nights – Get ready to celebrate the best of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming, and Anime with your fellow fans like never before. From the creators of Halloween Horror Nights, this all-new, after hours event brings you into the worlds of Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ with immersive experiences, celebratory moments, themed food, and exclusive merchandise that takes fandom to a whole new level.
May 1-31: Pass Member Collectible Giveaway
June: Pass Member Park Takeover – Pass members enjoy exclusive access to the park one evening with favorite rides and attractions, character meet-and-greets, photo ops, themed games, DJ’s, silent disco, and more.
Jun. 14-Aug. 10: New Summer Event – More info to come
July 4: Fourth of July Celebration – Join us on Independence Day for a spectacular 4th of July fireworks display
Aug.-Sep. 1: Back to Hogwarts – Celebrate all things Harry Potter during ‘Back to Hogwarts’.
Aug. 15-Sep. 30: Pass Member Appreciation Days
Sep. 4-Nov. 2: Halloween Horror Nights – You never feel more alive than when you’re scared to death at Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California’s scariest Halloween event. Bring your friends and you might survive.
Nov. 1-30: Pass Member Collectible Giveaway
Nov-Dec: Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood – Join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ throughout Hogsmeade™, see the spectacular tree at Universal CityWalk Hollywood, enjoy the Who-tacular festivities with the Grinch™ and Max during Grinchmas™ and top off the fun in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.
Dec: Pass Member Holiday Park Takeover
Dec. 31: EVE – Be part of Hollywood’s biggest New Year’s EVE celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood’s EVE event Dec. 31 where you can party the night away!
Ready to plan your 2025 visit to Universal Studios Hollywood? Contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan an epic vacation.
Orlando International Airport Entertains Passengers with Holiday Concerts
Ring in the holidays at Orlando International Airport with live music from Central Florida’s finest! Catch performances from local artists and ensembles through January 1st.
Immerse yourself in the sounds of the season at MCO. Enjoy a variety of musical performances, ranging from traditional choral music to contemporary jazz. Join us for a special Winter Celebration on December 19th, where you can meet Santa, MCO’s furry friends, the Paw Pilots, and enjoy festive activities like face painting and giveaways.
December 6
DON SOLEDAD Latin Jazz Guitarist 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Gates 1 – 59 Checkpoint
Food & Beverage Guide to New Wailulu Bar & Grill at Island Tower in Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Get ready to soak up the tropical vibes at Wailulu Bar & Grill! This new, casual pool bar and grill is opening its doors at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows on December 17th.
Whether enjoying specialty coffee and on-the-go morning pastries for breakfast, or venturing over for lunch or dinner, your taste buds will be going on a journey. The new Wailulu Bar & Grill menu celebrates the flavors of Polynesia with influences of the Pacific Islands, from Easter Island and New Zealand to Fiji and Guam.
Some of the cultural highlights include the Sweet Potato Hummus with Breadfruit Tostones, Spiced Ham Musubi, and Chocolate Cake with the essence of Kona coffee. But that’s not all. The beverage menu is masterfully crafted, combining modern flavors of the Polynesian Islands with classic ingredients like hibiscus flowers, sake, yuzu, pandan, oolong tea, coffee, and passionfruit. Some stand-out sips include cocktails, the Pandan Gin Gin Mule and Passionfruit and Pineapple Daiquiri, and non-alcoholic specialty beverages, the Hibiscus Iced Tea and Yuzu Oolong Tea Lemonade.
Tiny Town Twinkles: Festival of the Holidays Arrives at EPCOT
EPCOT’s beloved Tiny Town has transformed into a winter wonderland, welcoming the magic of the Festival of the Holidays. This miniature village, nestled within the Germany Pavilion, is now adorned with festive banners and twinkling lights, creating a charming scene that captures the spirit of the season.
Tiny Town’s residents have outdone themselves this year, adding delightful holiday touches to their homes and shops. Guests can wander through the miniature streets, marveling at the intricate details and festive cheer. It’s a truly enchanting experience for visitors of all ages.
The Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT runs through December 30th, offering a variety of holiday-themed entertainment, food, and merchandise. Be sure to visit Tiny Town and immerse yourself in the holiday magic!
Tis the Season for Sparkle By Unwrapping the Magical Epcot Festival of the Holidays Lug Bag
The Epcot Festival of the Holidays Lug Bag is a must-have for any Disney fan. This stylish and functional bag is perfect for carrying all your essentials while exploring the parks. The bag retails for $75 and is available at Epcot.
This Festival of the Holidays Lug crossbody bag is a true work of art. It’s stylized like a snowglobe, with the front panel of the bag filled with white and iridescent snowflake glitter. The festival wordmark is printed behind the snowflake glitter in light blue and gold, adding a touch of holiday magic. The illustration of World Showcase sits near the bottom of the window, reminding you of the beauty and diversity of the park.
The back of the crossbody features an embroidered pattern reminiscent of Spaceship Earth, a beloved icon of Epcot. A muted blue enamel Disney Parks | Lug badge is attached at the bottom, adding a touch of sophistication. The interior of the bag is lined with yellow fabric that has a repeating pattern of the festival wordmark, ornaments, and World Showcase buildings, making it both practical and festive.
With its unique design and high-quality materials, the Epcot Festival of the Holidays Lug Bag is sure to be a hit with Disney fans of all ages.
EPCOT’s beloved Club Cool has recently made a change to its iconic taste-testing experience. The attraction, which offers guests a chance to sample a variety of unique Coca-Cola flavors from around the world, has transitioned from paper cups to clear plastic cups.
While the new cups maintain the familiar red Coca-Cola logo, the switch to plastic has sparked some discussion among park visitors. While the clear plastic offers a better view of the colorful beverages, it departs from Disney’s recent efforts to promote sustainability and reduce single-use plastics.
As Disney continues to prioritize eco-friendly initiatives, this change raises questions about the balance between convenience and environmental impact.
Holiday Magic, Personalized: Create Your Own Holiday Headband at Epcot
The holidays have arrived at Walt Disney World, and with them comes a wave of festive merchandise. One of the most exciting new offerings this year is the “Create Your Own Holiday Headband” at Epcot.
At a retail price of $11.99 per plush accessory, the “Create Your Own Holiday Headband” is a fun and affordable way to show off your Disney spirit and celebrate the holiday season in style.
This interactive experience allows guests to design their own unique holiday headband by choosing from a variety of adorable plush accessories. Among the newest additions to the collection are the charming Santa Mickey and Gingerbread icons, which quickly became fan favorites and are selling out rapidly.
The process of creating a personalized headband is simple and fun. Guests can select one to three plush accessories, such as the iconic holiday icons, and attach them to a basic headband. This allows for endless customization and creativity, making each headband truly one-of-a-kind.
Disneyland Resort Gears Up for 70th Anniversary Celebration with Exciting New Offerings
Get ready to celebrate 70 years of magic! Disneyland Resort is pulling out all the stops for its 70th Anniversary Celebration, kicking off on May 16th, 2025, and running through summer 2026. This epic event promises a year of unforgettable experiences, with limited-time entertainment, vibrant décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, and much more.
Today, Disney has unveiled a comprehensive guide to the 70th Anniversary Celebration, offering a sneak peek at the exciting offerings in store for guests. From new nighttime spectaculars to reimagined attractions and exclusive character experiences, Disneyland Resort is set to deliver a truly magical celebration.
Let’s dive into the details and discover all the enchanting experiences that await!
“World of Color Happiness!” Debuts at Disney California Adventure Park
This all-new “World of Color” show is inspired by Walt Disney’s words from the opening day park dedication from seven decades ago: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”
This nighttime spectacular will explore “happy” through a kaleidoscope of emotions, hosted by Joy and the other Emotions from the hit Pixar Animation Studios films, “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2.” Along the way, the Emotions manifest music and moments from favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios’ and Pixar Animation Studios’ stories, including “Turning Red,” “A Goofy Movie,” “Tangled,” “The Lion King” and so many more.
“World of Color Happiness!” will transform Paradise Bay with a brilliant array of signature fountains, dynamic lighting, colorful lasers, fog and dramatic flame effects, painting musical memories with all the wonder that only “World of Color” can create.
“Paint the Night” Parade Returns to Disneyland Park
This fan-favorite, dazzling nighttime parade will make its grand return to Disneyland for the 70th celebration, lighting up Main Street, U.S.A., with stunning color and more than a million brilliant LED lights.
Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to harness the power of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust and “Paint the Night” in Disney dreams, bringing to light beloved characters and stories from Pixar and Disney Animation films such as “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “Toy Story”, “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and more.
The “Paint the Night” parade features innovative floats, vibrant costumes, incredible special effects, unforgettable music and energetic performances.
“Wondrous Journeys” is Back at Disneyland Park
At night, Disneyland will become a magnificent canvas with the return of this beloved nighttime spectacular. “Wondrous Journeys” celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios classics that have inspired Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom. Throughout the show, you embark on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart as you experience moments from beloved stories like “Hercules,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Big Hero 6,” “Moana,” “Encanto” and more.
The show features state-of-the-art projection effects that transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America. On select nights, the show will be enhanced with fireworks.
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade at Disney California Adventure Park
As part of the fun, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” returns to the streets of California Adventure. This delightful daytime parade is filled with incredible music, dynamic and colorful floats, and nearly 30 favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios films, including “Luca,” “Turning Red,” “Up,” and more.
“Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular and “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade will temporarily pause to make way for seasonal Halloween and Holidays entertainment offerings, then resume at a later time.
Additional Entertainment and More Magic to Come
Even more details and magical touches will be coming to the resort for the 70th celebration.
Brilliant, colorful décor will adorn the entire resort, including an elegant medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals will all come dressed for the party in Town Square in Disneyland Park, in custom looks designed just for the occasion.
Disneyland Park will debut a new character cavalcade called “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!” As it winds its way along the parade route, favorite characters will encourage you to dance and clap along in an energetic and contemporary celebration of seven decades of happiness.
In the evenings at California Adventure, the exterior of Carthay Circle Restaurant will invite everyone to “celebrate happy” during a special moment filled with music, lights, and projection effects. And at Disneyland, the facade of “it’s a small world” will also get a new projection show.
Plus, created in honor of the anniversary, an upbeat new theme song “Celebrate Happy” will be heard throughout various entertainment offerings.
More 70th Fun to Be Announced in Months Ahead
More joyful touches and magical details will be shared about the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration in the coming months.
Beginning May 16, 2025, and continuing through summer 2026, the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will honor seven decades of happiness and many moments of joy in the making in Anaheim, Calif. Guests can “celebrate happy” with limited-time entertainment and decor, such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals dressed in custom looks designed just for the occasion. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)
(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)
Everything Coming to Disneyland in 2025
Disneyland Resort is gearing up for a momentous celebration! As it approaches its 70th anniversary, the resort has unveiled an exciting lineup of events, festivals, and new experiences for 2025. Guests are encouraged to make the most of the magic with multi-day visits and overnight stays, immersing themselves in the wonder of Disneyland’s past, present, and future.
Disneyland Resort’s 70th Celebration begins May 16
Beginning May 16, 2025, and continuing through summer 2026, the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will honor seven decades of happiness and many moments of joy in the making. Families and friends will be able to “celebrate happy” with limited-time entertainment, colorful décor, food and beverages, collectible merchandise, and much more.
The fan-favorite “Paint the Night” parade will return to Disneyland Park, featuring stunning color, vibrant floats and more than a million brilliant LED lights. Guests can look forward to the new “World of Color Happiness!” nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure Park, which will draw inspiration from Walt Disney’s words from the opening day park dedication from seven decades ago: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” The beloved nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” will also dazzle Disneyland Park once again, enhanced with fireworks on select nights. The high-energy parade “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” will also return to Disney California Adventure Park.
“Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular and “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade will temporarily pause to make way for seasonal Halloween and Holidays entertainment offerings, then resume at a later time.
Also debuting are an energetic, new character cavalcade at Disneyland Park and special projections on the facades of Carthay Circle Restaurant and “it’s a small world.” To honor the anniversary, a new theme song “Celebrate Happy” will be heard in various entertainment offerings.
Brilliant, colorful décor will adorn the entire resort, including an elegant medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals will all come dressed for the party in Town Square at Disneyland, in custom looks designed just for the occasion.
Must-visit experiences and more happiness in the making
In 2025, guests can also enjoy many recently debuted and reimagined experiences, including Pixar Place Hotel, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, enhancements to New Orleans Square and Bayou Country at Disneyland Park, and more.
For the first time ever, guests will be able to see the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in the new show “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” which will eventually play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” after its initial debut at Disneyland park in 2025.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will debut at the Main Street Opera House theater at Disneyland Park on May 16, 2025. The attraction will feature a cinematic presentation of Walt Disney’s journey, culminating in a visit with Walt in his office, brought to life for the first time ever through the magic of Audio-Animatronics storytelling.
After welcoming new restaurants, the Avengers Reserve retail store, and The D-Lander Shop in 2024, the Downtown Disney District continues its transformation with more dining and shopping on the horizon. The Disney Wonderful World of Sweets shop and Parkside Market dining hall are scheduled to open in early 2025.
2025 festival and event calendar
Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park (Jan. 17-Feb. 16): Offerings inspired by Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions will ring in the Year of the Snake. In 2025, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will debut all-new outfits with representations of traditional Korean attire. Returning offerings include “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” on select days, “Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration” water short, daily live musical performances and Asian-inspired menu items across six Lunar New Year marketplaces and select dining locations.
Anaheim Ducks Day(Jan. 24): At Disney California Adventure Park, fans will be able to enjoy a cavalcade, appearances by select Anaheim Ducks players, themed games and more. Anaheim Ducks Day Overtime at the Downtown Disney District will be an exciting fan zone with entertainment, fun activities and photo opportunities.
Celebrate Gospel at Disneyland Park (Feb. 8 and 15): A resort tradition for more than a decade, the uplifting annual concert will return on Feb. 8 and Feb. 15, with performances by community choirs from across Southern California and award-winning artists.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (Feb. 28-April 21): This foodie event celebrates the Golden State with heaping helpings of creative menu items, ten marketplaces –
including two with new themes – live entertainment and the return of fan-favorites such as Chef Goofy, bookable culinary experiences, and the classic Soarin’ Over California attraction.
Season of the Force at Disneyland Park (March 28-May 11): “Fire of the Rising Moons” will perform nightly at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with epic, new projection effects ,and galactic music – enhanced with fireworks on select nights. Hyperspace Mountain will return to Tomorrowland, hurtling guests through the galaxy and encountering TIE fighters along the way.
Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party (Summer): The one-day event at Disney California Adventure Park and the two-day event at Downtown Disney District are set to return with entertainment, Disney Jr. character encounters and activities that families with young children will enjoy.
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort (Aug. 22-Oct. 31): Guests of all ages can enjoy eerily awesome fun throughout the resort, including uniquely themed attractions, not-so-scary entertainment, and autumn-inspired food and beverages.
Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park (Aug. 22-Nov. 2): The Academy Award®-winning Pixar Animation Studios film “Coco” comes to life at this celebration of the everlasting bonds of family and the spirit of Día de Los Muertos.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort (Nov. 14, 2025-Jan. 7, 2026): This enchanting season brings sparkling wintry décor, festive entertainment, and more. Disney Festival of Holidays will return to Disney California Adventure Park, featuring specialty menu items, live entertainment and family activities inspired by the diverse season of celebrations in Southern California.
Separately ticketed events scheduled in 2025
After-hours events for guests of all ages feature pre-party park mix-in, shorter wait times for select attractions, unique entertainment, themed food and beverages, plus unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the event.
Disneyland After Dark* events invites guests to play the night away during vivacious, themed parties at Disneyland Park:
• Sweethearts’ Nite (Jan. 21, 23, 28; Feb. 4, 6, 9, 11, 13): Couples, friends and families alike can celebrate love with a new cavalcade on Main Street, U.S.A., Royal Ball, encounters with character couples and lively music. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Dec. 12, 2024.
• 90s Nite(March 4 and 6): Dance parties, sing-alongs and more celebrate Disney films, music and pop culture from this iconic decade. “90s on Parade” will have nods to past parades, such as “The Lion King Celebration” and “Mulan Parade.” Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Dec. 12, 2024.
• Star Wars Nite (April 8, 10, 22, 24, 29; May 1, 4, 6): Galactic adventures await with appearances by Star Wars characters from the Light and Dark sides of the Force, unique gatherings and out-of-this-world photo opportunities. Ticket sale details will be announced at a later time.
• Pride Nite (June 16 and 18): This celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community brings allies and community members together to enjoy rainbow projections, colorful décor, fabulous entertainment and more. Ticket sale details will be announced at a later time.
Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party*: Guests are invited to dress up in costume** for this frightfully fun, after-hours Halloween party at Disney California Adventure Park with family-friendly tricks and treats. In 2025, the party will offer more nights than ever before with 31 different dates:
Disneyland Resort vacations offer value and variety
To welcome as many families and guests as possible, Disneyland Resort always provides a range of ticket, dining, and hotel options, as well as promotional offers throughout the year. With theme park reservations open 180 days in advance, guests may save by planning ahead and being flexible on dates – some days have tickets starting at $104. Guests can check for a list of available special ticket and hotel offers throughout the year on Disneyland.com/offers.
A limited-time Kids’ Special Ticket Offer is available to purchase now for visits between Jan. 7 through March 20, 2025. Children ages 3 through 9 can visit a Disneyland Resort theme park for as low as $50 per child with this special 1-Day, 1-Park ticket.***
Overnight stays at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort deliver a distinctly Disney experience and unique benefits, including convenient theme park access, early theme park entry****, and special activities at select times during the year.
Walt Disney World has introduced an innovative addition to its waste management system: solar-powered trash cans. The first of these high-tech cans has been spotted at EPCOT’s World Showcase, located in the Germany Pavilion. These futuristic trash cans combine cutting-edge technology with sustainable energy to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The new cans feature solar panels on their tops to power their operations, eliminating any reliance on external energy sources. Guests can dispose of trash hands-free using a foot pedal to open the chute, while Cast Members can access the interior using a dedicated handle. Lights on the cans indicate their status, showing whether they are empty, half full, or full. This status is also monitored remotely, enabling custodial teams to optimize their routes and empty trash only when needed.
In addition to monitoring capacity, these smart trash cans also compact trash as it accumulates, allowing for greater efficiency and fewer trips required for emptying. The solar-powered design aligns with Disney’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring the cans contribute minimally to the park’s carbon footprint.
What to Watch (and Play) Ahead of Universal’s Epic Universe May 2025 Opening
The countdown is on! Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is set to open on May 22, 2025, introducing five incredible lands that promise immersive adventures like never before. Whether you’re a fan of wizards, gamers, Vikings, classic monsters, or celestial journeys, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. To prepare for this epic experience, we’ve put together a guide to the movies, shows, and games you should watch (and play) to get the most out of your visit.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Step into the wizarding world like never before as Epic Universe brings together elements from Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Start your prep with a magical movie marathon:
“Fantastic Beasts” series: Follow Newt Scamander’s adventures through magical Paris in the 1920s (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,The Crimes of Grindelwald, and The Secrets of Dumbledore).
“Harry Potter” series: Revisit all eight films, especially Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows, to understand the lore of the Ministry of Magic and to be introduced to Delores Umbridge.
In this new land, you’ll explore wizarding Paris, interact with magical beasts, and travel to the British Ministry of Magic to witness thrilling scenes like Dolores Umbridge’s trial.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Get ready to jump, race, and explore in a vibrant land inspired by the Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong Country. The best way to prepare? Dust off your Nintendo console and start gaming:
Classics: The OGSuper Mario Bros. (1985) is a must-do, as well as Super Mario Worldwhich sees the first appearance of Yoshi.
Yoshi’s Adventures: Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Islandand Yoshi’s Crafted World.
Mario Kart series: Perfect your racing skills with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe before taking on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.
Donkey Kong Country: Revisit favorites like Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze ahead of exploring the new Donkey Kong coaster.
For movie fans, don’t miss The Super Mario Bros. Movie(2023), which captures the fun and whimsy of the Mario universe.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Live like a Viking in a land inspired by the beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise. To dive into the lore of Berk and its dragons:
Films: Watch the trilogy (How to Train Your Dragon,How to Train Your Dragon 2, and The Hidden World).
TV Series: Explore deeper stories with Dragons: Riders of Berk, which bridges the first two films and expands on dragon racing, a key element of the park’s Dragon Racer’s Rally ride.
With soaring rides like Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and live shows, this land is a dream come true for dragon lovers.
Dark Universe
Prepare for year-round thrills in a land dedicated to Universal’s iconic monsters. Start your spooky prep with classic horror films that inspired it all:
Essential Films: You are going to want to dig into the lore of the OG Universal Monster films, such as Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Invisible Man (1933), and The Wolf Man (1941).
Expanded Classics:Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1913), Dracula (1931), and The Mummy (1932) are great additions to the above list.
This land will feature rides like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, character encounters, and spine-chilling references to these timeless tales.
While no specific shows or games tie directly to this original land, Celestial Park promises to dazzle guests with lush landscapes, cosmic pathways, and sensory delights. It’s the perfect spot for fans who enjoy the wonder of exploration and storytelling.
With Epic Universe just months away, there’s no better time to start your journey into these incredible worlds. From binge-watching movies to powering up your gaming skills, preparing for this groundbreaking park opening will make your visit all the more memorable. What are you most excited to explore at Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments!
