THEME PARK

Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday announced that Super Nintendo World will officially open to the public on Feb. 17. The park also provided specifics that give clues into what we can expect when the land opens within Epic Universe, Universal’s newest Orlando theme park, in summer 2025. READ: Universal announces timeline for the opening of its new Epic Universe theme parkGuests can also purchase Power-Up bands, wristbands that sync with the Universal Studios Hollywood free downloadable app to enhance many of its interactive elements, including collecting digital coins. Visitors will be able to take home memorabilia from Super Nintendo World at the 1-UP Factory. The opening will mark the first Nintendo-themed land in the U.S., following the location at Universal Studios Japan.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials said construction of Universal’s brand-new theme park is on track for a summer 2025 opening. Executives said the busy summer travel season is the perfect time to open the Epic Universe theme park. Photos: Universal announces new Epic Universe theme park to open in summer of 2025Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 Universal announces new Epic Universe theme park to open in summer of 2025The theme park is being built along Sand Lake Road. Read: Universal Orlando to open first escape room experiences based on moviesUniversal believes national demand for themed attractions is high, and the new Terminal C at Orlando International Airport may bring in even more tourists. See: Universal unveils new Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience for 2023The park was initially expected to open next year, but was hit by delays from COVID-19.

An amusement park in Ohio is permanently closing the world’s second-tallest roller coaster.

A fight between children led to officers evacuating a parking garage at Universal Studios "out of an abundance of caution," according to Orlando police.

The first cultural representatives will come from Germany, Norway, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Canada starting in August.

Yes, there's snow in Florida.

Island H2O Live water park has several new murals that are encouraging guests to engage with, take photos and share on social media.

Daytona Lagoon announced Tuesday its hosting its 4th annual First Responder Weekend to honor “those who serve and protect the public.

Ginger and Matt speak to the creator of Universal's Velocicoaster.

Snow tubing returns to Florida at Snowcat ridge in early November.

Just hours before Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek was scheduled to speak, NBCUniversal’s CEO Jeff Shell made plenty of news with his candid openness during an...

After several delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, “Super Nintendo World” at Universal Studios Japan is now open. The amusement park is a bigger-than-life-size replica of the company’s most famous games, featuring characters like Mario, Luigi and Yoshi. CNN’s Selina Wang got an insider’s look at the new park, showing how guests enter through the warp pipe. The opening comes as the global theme park industry is struggling and theme parks are reopening in a patchwork around the world. There are plans to open Super Nintendo World in other parts of the world, including Orlando, where the opening has reportedly been delayed until 2025.

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ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World is set to once again open its gates to the Magic Kingdom following a lengthy closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with most families staying inside and not traveling, how crowded will the theme parks really be when they reopen? Park Capacity Capacity at 25% Magic Kingdom 57,000 people 14,250 people Epcot 34,093 people 8,523 people Hollywood Studios 30,843 people 7,710 people Animal Kingdom 37,671 people 9,417 peopleA park at 25% capacity would mean very minimal wait times. As we can all imagine, visiting a Disney theme park when it reopens will be a new experience for all -- no matter how many times you’ve visited. The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks will open first July 11, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening July 15.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Orlando plans to reopen its hotels to guests on June 2, more than two months after they were closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In a statement sent Friday, Universal said the hotels will be carefully managed in phases, and will reopen with a range of best practice and hygiene procedures. Universal's resorts include Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort-Surfside Inn and Suites. Social distancing and face coverings will be required for guests and employees in public areas at Universal resorts. There will also be hand sanitizer stations in public areas and elevator landings.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Central Florida’s newest water park, Island H2O Live!, announced that their water park would reopen on select days starting Saturday. “We are excited to reopen and provide an entertaining break from the day-to-day world,” states Island H2O Water Park General Manager Jim Kunau. Island H2O Water Park is implementing its new “Safe-Splash Guidelines” to help ensure the park operates safely, responsibly and sustainably. Team members also receive a temperature check and are sent home if their temperature exceeds 100.4 °F. All water that circulates through the water park is exposed to UV light in the filtration process.

[MORE: Here’s a glimpse at theme park reopening plans | Behind the closed gates: What’s been happening at Central Florida theme parks during pandemic closures]Disney is opening its Shanghai park cautiously as it evaluates reopening other parks around the world. (Disney)During a roundtable discussion, Disney executive George Kalogridis said the company is considering reopening its U.S. parks with 20% to 30% capacity. Park Capacity Capacity at 25% Magic Kingdom 57,000 people 14,250 people Epcot 34,093 people 8,523 people Hollywood Studios 30,843 people 7,710 people Animal Kingdom 37,671 people 9,417 peopleA park at 25% capacity would mean very minimal wait times. Chapek has said it’s ultimately up to how comfortable people are and how they react to the parks reopening their gates. The next time we visit a Disney theme park, it’ll be like going for the first time.

Disneyland has a temporary flight restriction that restricts pilots from flying anywhere near the park within 3,000 feet. However, our favorite sight was that of a closed Disneyland park without a single person to be seen. "Got the Matterhorn, got the Space Mountain -- Star Wars Land -- it's so cool," Muzio said while approaching the theme park. From 10,000 feet, you can really get a grasp of just how small the theme park is. While the view from above is great, I think we can all agree that nothing beats the view from the ground.

Once Disney amusement parks re-open after the coronavirus outbreak subsides, new security measures may be put into effect to prevent guests from getting sick. Disney officials said that upon entering the parks, you may have your temperature taken at the security checkpoint. Disney executive Bob Iger spoke about the new normal for the amusement parks in an interview with Barron's Magazine. He said temperature screenings are a possibility to meet health guidelines and make visitors feel safe. Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida are closed indefinitely during the pandemic.

A new attraction opening in central Kentucky celebrates the story of Noah's Ark. But millions of taxpayer dollars were used to build the massive ark replica, angering more than a few people in the state. Mark Strassmann has more.