I’d like to think of this newsletter as a glorious 3-hour finale to appease Sam Eagle.
Hi-ho, Haley here.
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Muppet*Vision 3D closes permanently to guests this weekend. Among the slew of Disney World attraction closures recently (or ones scheduled, we’ll get to that in a moment), I will say, this one stings.
It’s more than just a menagerie of Muppets that have entertained audiences for 34 years. The fact that this was Jim Henson’s final project has a lot to do with why it’s hard to say goodbye.
Muppet*Vision has created a rainbow connection network in my newsroom.
In an interview with my colleague Ken Pilcher, Ken told me about the time he got to cover Muppet*Vision when it first opened as part of the media.
I respect Ken a lot as a theme park historian, as he’s kept so much over the years. He even provided me with the media press kit of Muppet*Vision’s opening, which I’ve included clips in this web story.
Also included in the article are several images of memorabilia that belonged to News 6 Sports Director Jamie Seh‘s boyfriend, Jim, who was an Imagineer on the Muppet*Vision creative team.
My favorite little-known fact was on the security badge number seen in this jacket photo. It’s Henson’s birthday.
Jim also met Jim, which impressed me all the more.
The “wheelderness” is calling ⛰️
A permanent closure for a few Magic Kingdom attractions was imminent, and this week, we found out when they were happening.
Disney dropped the design layout for its new “Cars”-themed land.
Piston Peak National Park is inspired by the Rocky Mountain area, the American Frontier, and its national parks.
Piston Peak will be taking over the area currently occupied by Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat.
Legoland Florida
Oh-FISH-ally open 🐠
Legoland Florida has been brought to SEA LIFE!
The new aquarium designed for kids features 3,000+ creatures and a 180° ocean tunnel.
It was launched during World Oceans Day weekend as a celebration of marine life and a call to protect our oceans.
News 6 was there for the opening. Click here for a tour.
Universal Orlando
“Fallout” dropping in 🎮
With less than three months to go until Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando made its first IP house announcement for this year’s lineup.
Prime Video’s “Fallout,” the popular show based on the post-apocalyptic video game franchise of its namesake, will have guests wandering through events from the first season.
Along with the house announcement, Universal also launched its ticket sales.
SeaWorld Orlando
Penguin pop-up 🐧
Penguins have taken over downtown Orlando.
Following a post of pigeons last summer, Creative City Project, the organization powering Orlando’s performing arts scene, has teamed up with SeaWorld Orlando to promote its new emperor penguin exhibit.
When the penguins arrive at SeaWorld, they will be the only place in the Western Hemisphere where guests can see the birds in person.
The appearance of penguins has me wondering if Orlando will keep the inflatable “P”-name bird theme going. Peacocks next? Pelicans? Parrots?
Drones date 🌊
SeaWorld isn’t wasting any time on its Summer Spectacular.
It recently announced that it will include drones in its fireworks show.
That starts this weekend. For more details, click here.
A conservation milestone 🪸
SEA LIFE Florida isn’t the only attraction celebrating World Ocean’s Day.
SeaWorld’s Coral Rescue Center has been in business a couple years now, and has achieved a few milestones in coral conservation.
Kennedy Space Center
NASA nostalgia 🚀
Y2K is back!
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is hosting another “Kennedy Under the Stars” this summer.
There’s going to be an early-2000s vibe during the after-hours event. Guests will also be able to rub elbows with astronauts.
There were a lot of late additions in today’s newsletter.
My digital colleague Brenda Argueta took this photo of the Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station during his recent visit.
Remember to post your attraction photos on our PinIt! page.
Feel free to keep me in the loop through my email or reach out to me on my X or Instagram.
I am off next week. So I will check in after that.