In the Loop: Wizarding World ride conjures a new path for theme park attractions

Newsletter: In the Loop: Wizarding World ride conjures a new path for theme park attractions

April 14, 2016 10 AM PT

Share via
- Email
- Facebook
- X
- LinkedIn
- Threads
- Reddit
- WhatsApp

Welcome to another edition of In the Loop, the Los Angeles Times’ theme park newsletter. I’m Funland theme park blogger Brady MacDonald, and this week, we celebrate the Wizarding World grand opening, climb aboard the Cobra’s Curse spinning coaster, contemplate another Disney World upcharge and go behind the scenes on a virtual reality coaster.

Wizarding World

Universal Studios Hollywood is challenging Disneyland’s position as king of the Southern California theme park mountain, thanks to $1.6 billion in upgrades, including the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The big investments in Wizarding World and other theme park attractions should pay off for the Southland economy, writes Times Business writer Hugo Martin.

The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey dark ride captures a crossroads facing the theme park industry: Does it move forward by creating virtual worlds or strikingly detailed practical sets?

Plus: Five Harry Potter theme park rides we don’t have but Vanity Fair thinks we probably need.

Lights shine behind Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Hollywood's new Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction.

Disney

Would you pay $69 for two hours of early ride time and breakfast at Florida’s Magic Kingdom, on top of admission? Upcharge fees are starting to erode the all-inclusive philosophy of Disney theme parks, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Meanwhile, Theme Park Insider’s Robert Niles writes that finding a replacement for Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger from outside the company will be nearly impossible -- but “there is one high-level executive out there whose experience does match Disney’s needs.”

And here’s a look at how Disney used shell companies to quietly buy tens of thousands of acres in Florida for Disney World.

Plus: Stunning aerial photos of Shanghai Disneyland under construction.

Busch Gardens

The snake-themed Cobra’s Curse coaster coming to Busch Gardens Tampa this summer will take riders on an archaeological trek in search of the legendary temple of a serpent king.

Alton Towers

Take a behind-the-scenes video tour showing how a flying coaster at Britain’s Alton Towers was transformed into the Galactica virtual reality experience.

Still need more theme park news? Check out the Los Angeles Times Funland theme park blog on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram. Also feel free to email me with any feedback on the newsletter.