Outside the Disney Bubble
Disney Fanatic shares news and experiences that unfold outside of the Disney bubble, including news of Disney’s competitors and beyond.
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May- 2026 -9 May
Simpsons Out, Retro In: Universal Orlando Prepares for Massive ‘Classic Movie’ Transformation
Universal Orlando finds itself at an interesting crossroads as one of its most well-known lands faces an uncertain future. A long-running agreement tied to the area is believed to be nearing its end, and that timing has sparked new interest in what might happen next. Moments like this don’t come around often. When they do, they tend to lead to major updates rather than small adjustments. That’s wh
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9 May
Forget Disney and Universal, SeaWorld Orlando Is the Theme Park to Watch This Summer
Every summer in Orlando follows a familiar pattern. Disney makes an announcement, and Universal responds with its own. Writers then produce their “best of Orlando summer” guides, often placing SeaWorld near the bottom with only a brief mention and a stock photo of a dolphin. This tendency has become more of a reflex than a thoughtful judgment, often resulting from a park being in a com
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9 May
Nobody Is Warning Theme Park Visitors About Summer 2028 and They Really Should Be
Summer 2028 is two years away, and most people planning Orlando theme park vacations are not thinking about it yet. That is completely understandable. Two years is a long time. A lot has changed. Plans shift. Nobody is booking a June 2028 Walt Disney World trip in May 2026 unless they are extremely organized or extremely anxious about availability. But there is something happening in Orlando in Ju
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8 May
Major Problems Emerge for ‘Harry Potter’ Attraction, Asbestos Investigation Launched
The Wizarding World is expanding faster than ever. Warner Bros. Discovery is currently preparing a new Harry Potter television reboot for HBO, with production expected to begin soon. Universal is also expanding its investment in the franchise through new theme park experiences, including the Ministry of Magic-inspired land at Epic Universe, which is already rumored to be earmarked for future expan
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7 May
Jurassic Park Replacing a Universal Classic as Major Islands of Adventure Closure Confirmed
Universal Orlando just confirmed another major change for Islands of Adventure, and this one feels much bigger than a normal restaurant refurbishment. Thunder Falls Terrace inside Jurassic Park will permanently close later this summer before returning in 2027 as a completely reimagined dining experience. Universal says the replacement will become the new signature full-service restaurant for Islan
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7 May
Universal Is Closing the Restaurant That Has Been Beating Disney for Decades
Let's get something out of the way first. Mythos Restaurant at Universal's Islands of Adventure has a sign out front that says best theme park restaurant in the world. It has been said that for years. It earned that title multiple times over. And if you have spent any time in the theme park community arguing about where to eat inside an Orlando park, you already know that Mythos has been winning t
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7 May
The Best Summer Theme Park in Florida Right Now Is Not Disney World
Disney World is great. Nobody is saying it is not. But if you have a child under the age of six and you are planning a Central Florida theme park day this summer, there is a very real argument that the most enjoyable day your family could have right now is not happening inside Magic Kingdom. It is happening about 45 minutes down the road in Winter Haven, at a small park that does not get nearly en
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6 May
Deaths Connected to Sloth World in Orlando Continues to Grow
Every update on the Sloth World Orlando story has been harder to read than the one before it, and the news that arrived May 5 from the Central Florida Zoo is no different. A third sloth connected to the failed International Drive attraction has died in zoo care, and the circumstances surrounding the loss reflect exactly what the zoo's veterinary team warned about from the moment the 13 rescued ani
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5 May
Universal Orlando Sets Unusually Low Price for August 28 HHN35 Kickoff Weekend
There’s a moment every year when fall planning at Universal Orlando suddenly becomes real. Dates get circled. Houses get teased. And fans begin locking in their trips for one of the biggest events in theme parks. This year, though, something else is driving that early planning—and it has nothing to do with what’s inside the haunted houses. It’s the price. And for opening weekend, it’s not what any
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5 May
Islands of Adventure Ride Faces Another Delay as May Date Moves
There’s a difference between a ride being down… and a ride being gone. Right now, Pteranodon Flyers is sitting somewhere in between. If you’ve walked through Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure lately, you’ve probably noticed how quiet that section feels. The ride that once floated overhead—barely making a sound—is completely out of sight. No movement. No testing. Just walls and unanswered quest
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