Newsletter: In the Loop: Disney developing Tower of Terror movie
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 look at Disney World injury reports, check out plans for a Tower of Terror movie, jump on Thorpe Park’s "psychological" thrill ride and pull back the curtain on the "Hollywood in the desert" theme park.
Hollywood in the desert
A $2.85-billion project boasting three theme parks in a Middle Eastern desert includes the world’s first “Hunger Games” rides along with attractions based on “Ghostbusters,” “Hotel Transylvania” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Set to debut in October 2016, the massive Dubai theme-park complex includes Motiongate Dubai, featuring zones based on a trio of Hollywood movie studios; Bollywood Park, showcasing Mumbai’s major film studios; and Legoland Dubai, catering to the grade-school crowd.
The Motiongate Dubai theme park will feature state-of-the-art “Hunger Games” attractions based on the dystopian book and film series.
(Lionsgate)
Disney World injuries
Florida ride safety regulators report a dozen Walt Disney World visitors suffered serious injuries or health problems during the third quarter of this year, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Legoland China
Merlin Entertainments signs an agreement with a Chinese partner to build a Legoland theme park in Shanghai.
Tower of Terror
Disney plans a movie based on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror indoor drop tower ride, according to Deadline Hollywood. The premise: Five people disappear when a hotel elevator is hit by lightning.
Short-term rentals
Anaheim extends a moratorium on short-term rentals operated through online sites such as Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway after complaints by homeowners near Disneyland.
Short-term rentals in Anaheim have gained popularity around the Disneyland resort.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
And finally...
Thorpe Park turns to illusionist and hypnotist Derren Brown to help develop a “psychological” thrill ride set to debut in March at the United Kingdom theme park.
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.
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