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Newsletter: In the Loop: Wizarding World gets an opening date at Universal Studios Hollywood

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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 sing along with the Disneyland Candlelight Processional, bid on 1963 blueprints for Disney World in St. Louis, check out the lights at Holiday in the Park and make plans to visit Wizarding World West.

Wizarding World

Universal Studios Hollywood officially sets the opening date of the West Coast version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: April 7.

Universal Studios Hollywood has unveiled details of its new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, set to open April 7. The image is an artist's rendering of Hogwarts Castle, a key feature in the new area.

Universal Studios Hollywood has unveiled details of its new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, set to open April 7. The image is an artist’s rendering of Hogwarts Castle, a key feature in the new area.

(Universal Creative)

(Universal Studios)

Ghost Town Alive

The new “Ghost Town Alive” interactive entertainment experience will inject Wild West characters and improv storytelling into the oldest area of Knott’s Berry Farm.

Swing by the sheriff's office for a crooked game of cards during the "Ghost Town Alive" interactive experience at Knott's Berry Farm.

Swing by the sheriff’s office for a crooked game of cards during the “Ghost Town Alive” interactive experience at Knott’s Berry Farm.

(Knott’s)

(Knott's)

20th Century Fox

Forbes takes a look at how 20th Century Fox benefits from licensing its brands to theme parks around the world.

SeaWorld

The parent company of SeaWorld San Diego gets additional time to challenge the conditions imposed by a state panel on the theme park's plan to expand its killer whale enclosure.

Orcas perform in the "One Ocean" killer whale show at SeaWorld San Diego in 2012. The park proposed a $100-million plan to nearly double the size of the whale enclosure.

Orcas perform in the “One Ocean” killer whale show at SeaWorld San Diego in 2012. The park proposed a $100-million plan to nearly double the size of the whale enclosure.

(SeaWorld Entertainment)

(SeaWorld)

Disney World

An auction house accepts bids for 1963 blueprints laying out ultimately abandoned plans for an indoor version of Disney World in downtown St. Louis.

Holiday celebrations

-- A 600-singer choir celebrates the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland, an annual holiday ceremony started by Walt Disney in 1958.

-- Check out this video from the “utterly fantastic and magical” Holiday in the Park light spectacular at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

-- And finally, the larger-than-life balloons seen in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City make their annual pilgrimage south to Universal Orlando.

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

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