Newsletter: In the Loop: The Force reigns at Disneyland’s new ‘Star Wars’ event
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 drop in on Orlando's theme park trade show, take a look at the "Lego Movie 4-D" coming to Legoland parks, check out the rides planned for Fox World Dubai and tour Star Wars Season of the Force at Disneyland.
Season of the Force
I review Star Wars Season of the Force at Disneyland with a series of videos highlighting the Hyperspace Mountain roller coaster, Star Tours: The Force Awakens flight simulator, “Path of the Jedi” movie, Launch Bay exhibit and Galactic Grill restaurant.
Times entertainment writer Todd Martens takes a look at how the “Star Wars” overlay alters the ever-changing nature and mission of Tomorrowland.
Catch up on all the updates from the media preview of Star Wars Season of the Force and check out photos from the event by Times staff photographer Allen J. Schaben.
And grab a seat on Hyperspace Mountain with this point-of-view video.
Space Mountain gets rethemed at Disneyland during the Star Wars Season of the Force event.
(Disney)
SeaWorld
'Blackfish' director Gabriela Cowperthwaite says her initial excitement about SeaWorld San Diego’s decision to modify its orca show waned when she learned "nothing meaningful will change for the whales."
Times’ readers decry SeaWorld’s move as nothing more than a PR stunt.
(K.C. Alfred / Tribune News Service)
Wizarding World
Universal Studios Hollywood nearly triples the cost of its annual pass in advance of the opening of Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
And artist’s rendering of Hogwart’s Castle, a key feature in Universal Studios Hollywood’s upcoming Harry Potter land.
(Universal)
Fox World Dubai
Theme Park Adventure takes a detailed ride-by-ride look at Fox World Dubai.
Short-term rentals
A surge in Disneyland-area short-term rentals booked through online sites such as Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway frustrates some Anaheim homeowners who complain about late-night parties, loud music and traffic.
Fred Cornejo of Anaheim stands in front of one of seven homes near his that were converted to short-term rentals. They are “totally destroying the neighborhood,” he says.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Lego Movie 4-D
The new “Lego Movie 4-D: A New Adventure” film coming to Legoland theme parks around the world in early 2016 seeks to replicate the offbeat humor and firecracker wit that made the original animated movie a hit with both critics and moviegoers.
Everyman construction worker Emmet Brickowski is making a comeback in a 12-minute Legoland movie.
(Legoland)
What's next
Check out the new rides and attractions coming soon to theme parks around the world at the International Assn. of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade show in Orlando, Fla.
Paris attacks
The terrorist attacks in the French capital force Disneyland Paris to shut its gates for four days.
Six Flags
New Jersey’s Six Flags Great Adventure announces plans for a new Caribbean Cove water play area in its Hurricane Harbor water 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.
The In the Loop theme park newsletter is taking next week off for Thanksgiving and will return on Dec. 3.
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
