Rip ride retire 🎢

Time is winding down to get your final climbs in at Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

Hello, theme park chums. It’s Haley.

For 16 years, the Universal Studios tower coaster has treated guests to beats and thrills, while also serving as the backdrop for concerts.

The idea of selecting a song from a playlist to energize the ride was quite innovative when the coaster first opened.

When Daft Punk’s “Harder Better Faster Stronger” was a selection, that was always my go-to.

Rip Ride Rockit wraps up on Sunday. We don’t know what’s taking its place just yet, but construction is well underway, as well as the buzz.

If you find yourself reminiscing about Rip Ride, we’ll always have its appearance in “Sharknado 3.″

The home of horror 😱

Consider this newsletter a guide dump.

We’re two weeks out until Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, and we’ve got a full line-up of what’s all included.

Universal gradually dropped announcements over the last few months. Now you have a guide to help you flag those must-see houses and scare zones before you arrive.

More nights next to the volcano 🌋

Earlier this year, Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay announced its first nighttime event.

Turns out, it was a big hit, and Volcano Bay Nights is expanding this fall, and ZOINKS, we’ve got character interactions now.

Walt Disney World

Something’s up with Jack 💀

Halloween in mid-August is more like Hallo-hydration.

Friday marks the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, which means the Pumpkin King debuts a new facial look.

The new Jack Skellington (seen in the photo below on the right) is more authentic to the film.

Disney has also added new decorations around Magic Kingdom this year, and that enjoyment isn’t exclusive to a Not-So-Scary ticket.

Click here for an event guide. Click here for a food guide.

Destination Villains 😈

Fall means peak season for Disney Villains, and Disney is staging its misunderstood for the biggest fan event of the year.

Destination D23 runs the last weekend of August and based on the newly released schedule, there are several events fit for the nostalgic Millennial.

Blimey! 🏴‍☠️

Disney fans who were looking to be the first to dine at the Pirates of the Caribbean-themed pub at Magic Kingdom when it opens later this month were hornswoggled out of making a reservation.

Turns out, a tech issue prevented the launch of The Beak and Barrel reservation page on Thursday.

Disney posted the following message on the pub’s webpage.

“Arrgh! Too many pirates tried to pillage at The Beak and Barrel. Thank you for yer patience. Come back for the treasure ye seek when reservations set sail the week of August 18, 2025.”

Click here for a gander at the grub.

Grab those passports 🍷

Speaking of grub, Disney dropped the menus for this year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

The festival favorite kicks off later this month. I’ve got my eye on that crème brûlée trio.

SeaWorld Orlando

BBQ and barrel rolls 🎢🍖

SeaWorld Orlando’s ‘Bands, Brew, and BBQ’ is wrapping up soon, so on Saturday, you can chow down and throw down in SeaWorld’s National Roller Coaster Day Challenge.

Pro tip: you might want to save some stomach space — roller coasters and ribs might be a harsh mix.

Whether it’s feasts or frights, Central Florida’s theme park offers plenty to indulge in.

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

See you next week.