theme parks

Actors dressed as Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog perform on a float during the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on April 18, 2022. A new attraction starring the first African American princess in Disney's kingdom is opening at the company's theme parks in Florida and California. Some Disney followers see it as fitting that the attraction starring Tiana from the 2009 film “The Princess and the Frog” is opening in space formerly occupied by the Splash Mountain ride.

A new theme park attraction stars Disney's first Black princess

The Associated Press

Tiana's Bayou Adventure, based on the 2009 animated film "The Princess and the Frog," replaces Splash Mountain, which had ties to a 1946 movie that contained racist tropes.

State News

Disney plans a new Florida theme park after a settlement with its oversight board

The Associated Press

The five DeSantis-appointed supervisors who oversee the Disney World district will vote on a new development agreement Wednesday.

In this Jan. 15, 2020 file photo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse perform during a parade as they pass by the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Florida tourism officials say cases of the new coronavirus are having little visible impact on the state's biggest industry so far. Disney officials said in a statement that extra hand sanitizers were being placed throughout its four parks and more than two dozen hotels.

State News

Mickey Mouse can start hugging again at Disney parks in Florida

The Associated Press

Costumed characters haven’t been able to give hugs, sign autographs, or interact up close with fans because of the pandemic.

FILE—In this June 3, 2020 file photo, a Universal Studios employee takes the temperature of a guest entering the theme park in Orlando, Fla. Amusement parks of all sizes are adjusting everything from selling tickets to serving meals while trying to reassure the public and government leaders that they're safe to visit amid the coronavirus crisis and warnings against large gatherings. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

State News

DeSantis Touts Florida Theme Park Reopenings As 'Success Story'

Ryan Dailey

Governor Ron DeSantis joined executives from Florida theme parks Wednesday for a press conference to discuss the parks’ reopening.

View of a large rotating globe fountain in front of Universal Studios on September 18, 2016 in Sentosa island, Singapore

State News

Universal Studios Plans To Cap Attendance Once Open

Blaise Gainey

Universal Studios CEO John Sprouls says when the amusement park reopens, attendance will be capped. He’s part of the task force put together by Governor…