Theme Park Bits: Universal Ride Rumors, Halloween Horror Nights Behind-The-Scenes, New Reese’s Attraction
In this edition of Theme Park Bits:
With afourth Universal Orlando parkbeing all-but-confirmed now, ride rumors at the resort have undergone a shakeup as of late. In the video above, you can hear the latest rumblings on what’s in store for the slate of attractions at Universal Studios Florida, including the future (or lack thereof) of Fear Factor Live, Shrek 4-D, and Woody Woodpecker KidZone. There’s also some insight as to where Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic as well a potentialSecret Life of Petsdark ride and Jason Bourne stunt show might go.
If you’ve ever wondered how Halloween Horror Nights is put together at Universal Studios, the above video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the design process, from the creation of 3-D digital models to the building of immersive, 360-degree environments with special effects and scare-actors.
In case you missed it,Poltergeistis comingto Halloween Horror Nights and there’s also anew piece of artfromStranger Thingsillustrator Kyle Lambert teasing this year’s maze from that show.
PHOTOS: Halloween 2018 Merchandise Has Arrived at Walt Disney Worldhttps://t.co/QdHJhH9eB9pic.twitter.com/SuKU5dAzzF
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT)July 04, 2025
New 2018 Halloween merchandise is now available at Walt Disney World andon shopDisney.com.
The Disney character Orange Bird will grace his ownexclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cardthis year during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.WDW News Todayreports that the name Shutters has been, well, shuttered and the new waterfront restaurant at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will instead be named after Sebastian, the reggae crab fromThe Little Mermaid.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is reportedly building a huge race simulator for the new show Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, which debuts next year in the Sunset Showcase Theater. AsWDW News Todaynotes, this will bring to life a movie scene fromCars 3, giving the show an element that takes it beyond the current model of other shows where characters are merely trotted out on stage for a quick posing session.
Disney’s newest patent indicates that it is developing amoving floor technologyto simulate walking and enhance VR attractions like The VOID at Disney Springs.
The former AMC Theater building in Downtown Disney Anaheim has suddenly sprouted colorful banners, lanterns, plants, tables and chairs.#Disneylandpic.twitter.com/yk4wAk2mTN
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place)July 24, 2025
In Downtown Disney, the building once inhabited by AMC Theatres is showing some new signs of decorative life.
Tokyo Disney Resortrecently debutedtwo new stage shows and a new nighttime castle projection show as part of its 35th-anniversary celebration. Now comes news that it will be premiering anew Christmas stage showthis year, as well.
Reese’s Cupfusion combines the world’s love of chocolate & peanut butter with a new dark ride gaming experience for Summer 2019! Hear from Commander Cup herself and learn more athttps://t.co/Jygolo6iO4.#Hersheypark2019pic.twitter.com/3vcHguZZsu
— Hersheypark (@Hersheypark)August 17, 2025
Are you ravenous for Reese’s? Ifold commercialsare to be believed, then even vampires like Count Dracula love sinking their fangs into Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, sucking out all the peanut butter before consuming the chocolate. “There’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s.”
Personally, Reese’s was always my favorite candy, not to mention the top-selling candy brand in the U.S. Clearly, others crave the mushy perfection of those peanut butter cups. Now there’s an attraction calledReese’s Cupfusioncoming to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. The ride is a revamp of the Reese’s Xtreme Cup Challenge shooting ride.
