Theme Parks

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Sanford woman sues Universal Studios Orlando for injuries on Stardust Racers coaster

A 49-year-old Sanford woman is suing the company that owns Epic Universe, claiming she suffers from permanent injuries after riding the new Stardust Racers roller coaster last April.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/25/sanford-woman-sues-universal-studios-orlando-for-injuries-on-stardust-racers-coaster/?

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Disney World is mosquito-less, thanks to civil engineer Joe Potter.

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Disney: After Hours tickets on sale soon for 2026 events

Walt Disney World has set the 2026 dates and attractions for its After Hours events at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot theme parks.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/29/disney-after-hours-0930/?

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Universal Orlando will reopen Stardust Racers Saturday with new restriction, 17 days after man’s death

Universal Orlando Resort will reopen its Stardust Racers rollercoaster on Saturday for the first time since the tragic death of rider Kevin Rodriguez Zavala last month, but guests in wheelchairs must be able to walk independently in order to ride, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/03/universal-studios-will-reopen-stardust-racers-saturday-17-days-after-mans-death/?

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Epic Universe boom continues as Orange tourist tax breaks another record

Orange County is now certain to break its annual record for tourist tax collections in the wake of the spring opening of Epic Universe, with Monday’s report of another boom month in August.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/06/epic-universe-boom-continues-as-orange-tourist-tax-breaks-another-record/?

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Disney World raises prices of annual passes

Walt Disney World has raised the prices on all levels of its annual passes to its four theme parks, effective immediately.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/08/disney-annual-passes-1010/?

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In Orlando theme parks, animatronics increase in number — and in realism

Mechanical birds, bears and princesses have chirped, growled and sung in Orlando’s theme parks for more than 50 years. The animatronic trend shows no signs of fading, as new figures arrive in new places at Walt Disney World, and Epic Universe introduces batches of lifelike characters.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/10/18/disney-parks-animatronics/?

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Universal: Epic Universe theme park leads Thea Awards list

Epic Universe, Central Florida’s newest theme park and the latest expansion of Universal Orlando Resort, has captured four Thea Awards, the worldwide honors given by the Themed Entertainment Association.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/18/iaapa-thea-awards-1120/?

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Mouse House embraces AI in $1B deal

Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios Disney's landmark OpenAI deal is a huge endorsement of AI-created content by one of the world's foremost creative companies, Axios' Sara Fischer and Jeffrey Cane write. ?What Disney gets: $1 billion of equity in OpenAI, plus the chance to buy more shares later. ? What OpenAI gets: Access to over 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters and accessories (lightsabers!) for users of its Sora AI image and video generation tool — plus Disney's stamp of approval. ?‍⚖️ The partnership comes as an emerging legal campaign adds pressure on AI firms to strike deals with content companies. ? Disney itself just sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google, alleging widespread copyright infringement for the use of its characters and IP across Google's AI products. ?‍? There's also rising fear among actors, artists and other creators over AI's threat to their jobs — and to humanity's creative output more broadly. Notably, Sora users won't be able to use Disney actors' likenesses or voices under the deal. OpenAI also promises to implement responsible trust and safety measures, "including age-appropriate policies and other reasonable controls across the service." ? Disney CEO Bob Iger on CNBC today: "No human generation has ever stood in the way of technological advance, and we don't intend to try." "We've always felt that if it's going to happen, including disruption of our current business models, then we should get on board." Go deeper.

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Disney parks chief Josh D’Amaro will take over for Bob Iger as CEO

Disney has named its parks chief Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as the entertainment giant’s top executive.

https://apnews.com/article/disney-ceo-iger-damaro-f1b32ea8c49226f0fbb266c1e6761285?

🐭 Disney's new era

Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios Josh D'Amaro being named Disney's next CEO marks the end of an era, Axios' Kerry Flynn writes. 💪 His ascension comes as Disney preps for the exit of Bob Iger, who helped build the company into an even bigger powerhouse through huge acquisitions (Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, etc.). 📆 D'Amaro will become CEO on March 18, with Iger sticking around through the year to ease the transition. Disney chair James Gorman: "Josh D'Amaro possesses that rare combination of inspiring leadership and innovation, a keen eye for strategic growth opportunities, and a deep passion for the Disney brand and its people." 🎢 D'Amaro started at Disney in 1998, and he previously oversaw the company's theme parks and Middle East expansion. This will be Iger's second exit as CEO. 🔑 He stepped down in 2020 after 15 years, handing the keys to longtime exec Bob Chapek. Chapek was fired in 2022, and Iger was brought back. Go deeper: Disney's succession looks different this time, by Axios' Kerry Flynn & Sara Fischer

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Disney’s transformation

Today was Josh D’Amaro’s first day as Disney CEO. In his previous role, he helped the entertainment giant launch a massive — and expensive — strategy to turbocharge its experiences around the world. Take a closer look.

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Disney's strong quarter driven by 'Toy Story 5' and the draw of its US theme parks

Disney's solid third quarter was driven by a $1 billion box office haul from “Toy Story 5” and the strong draw of U.S. theme parks that helped to offset continued weakness from international tourism. Read More.