The rise of family coasters 🎢

SeaWorld, Universal and Busch Gardens all have one thing in common right now — they’re building family roller coasters.

That style of thrill ride is defined as being not as intense, which can appeal to a broader range of guests. The height requirement is typically around 42 inches with speeds to match.

“Penguin Trek” (SeaWorld Orlando) and “Phoenix Rising” (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) are slated to open this spring. While Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk) will open sometime next year at Epic Universe.

I’m liking the family coaster trend. In my opinion, Disney’s best new ride is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Anyway, I’m Haley, and I’m keeping you in the loop on theme park news.

Walt Disney World

♻ Recycling around the world helps around the resort

Before you throw away anything at Walt Disney World, always consider recycling. Sometimes, what you’ll be throwing away can be used elsewhere around the resort.

As part of a pilot program, glass from EPCOT’s World Showcase is being pulverized into sand-like material and then later used across the resort’s horse trails, filling holes on gravel roads.

News 6′s Ezzy Castro visited Fort Wilderness Resort as well as Walt Disney World’s nursery to see how pulverized glass is helping plants.

Test Track to undergo major update

Speaking of EPCOT, time is winding down to design and test-ride your virtual concept car. Test Track presented by Chevrolet will close temporarily beginning June 17.

No specific details have been given. Only that the attraction is entering a reimagining phase. The popular EPCOT attraction was brought up during last year’s Destination 23 presentation when executives talked about future ideas.

Click here to see the rendering of the reimagined attraction.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

A new Busch Gardens baby

When Luna, Busch Garden Tampa Bay’s resident bornean orangutan, went in for a routine ultrasound last Saturday, care teams noticed her baby was not in the right position. The urgent decision was then made to deliver the baby by cesarean section.

Both mom and newborn are doing well. Click here to read why the birth of the baby orangutan marks a milestone for the park.

By the way, I asked the park if they have an idea when a name will be announced (because I always need to know if an animal has a name), and I was told to “stay tuned.”

Universal Orlando Resort

Deal alert

Being a Florida resident has its perks when it comes to the parks!

If you were thinking of doing a day or a weekend at Univeral Orlando sometime this summer, might as well plan for four days. The theme park launched its “Buy 2 Days, Get 2 Days Free on a 2-Park 2-Day” offer exclusively to Florida residents.

If you’re planning a trip with kids, keep in mind DreamWorks Land opens this summer.

As we eagerly await the opening dates for some attractions, now is probably the best time to plan for a theme park trip.

As always, feel free to keep me in the loop through my email or reach out to me on my X or Instagram.

See you next week!