🎢 Theme Park News Roundup: Universal & Disney Announcements for the Week of June 1st.
By Christina Bayne | Let’s Make Memories Travel
Planning a summer trip to Orlando or just love staying on top of theme park updates? Here’s your quick breakdown of everything happening this week at Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World—including new ride perks, summer events, cruise deals, and show debuts!
🦈 Universal Orlando News
🎉 JAWS 50th Anniversary Celebration: “Little Amity” Is Here
Universal Studios Florida is celebrating 50 years of JAWS with a themed overlay in the San Francisco area of the park, now called Little Amity. Running through July 6, 2025, this limited-time event includes:
Nostalgic Decorations: Red, white, and blue Amity Island décor straight from the movie.
Food Booths:
Captain Quint’s Boardwalk Snacks — try fried seafood, lobster taiyaki, and “Amity Island Iced Tea.”
Midway Grill — funnel cakes, Nathan’s hot dogs, and fun drink options.
Exclusive Merchandise: A scuba tank sipper with shark topper, mugs, retro t-shirts, and Passholder-only collectibles.
Photo Ops: Pose with the iconic hanging shark, vintage props, and even a shark attack recreation scene.
©Universal Parks Blog
Universal Studios Florida is celebrating 50 years of JAWS with this nostalgic photo op and exclusive limited-time merchandise. Shark-themed sippers, apparel, and collectibles are available now through July 6, 2025.
👻 Halloween Horror Nights 34 Teaser Drops
Universal released a static-filled teaser for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, sparking speculation about possible houses and returning icons. No official house announcements yet, but fans are on high alert. HHN 34 kicks off August 30, 2025.
The fog is rolling in… Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 34 is officially on the way! The first teaser just dropped, and fans are already speculating on which haunted houses will headline this year’s event.
🏍️ Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Adds Express Pass
Big news for Wizarding World fans: Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure now accepts Universal Express Pass!
Previously excluded from the Express lineup, this fan-favorite ride now offers a way to skip the standard 90–120 minute wait if you’re staying at a Premier hotel or upgrade your pass.
🏰 Walt Disney World News
🎭 Two New Shows Debut at Hollywood Studios
This week, Disney launched two brand-new live shows as part of its seasonal entertainment refresh:
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure:
A newly reimagined stage show filled with puppetry, musical numbers, and special effects.Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After:
A comedy musical where the villains fight for the title of the most misunderstood—expect great songs and crowd interaction.
Both shows are now running daily and are perfect for cooling off midday.
🚢 New Visa Cardmember Disney Cruise Discount
Disney just announced a new cruise line promotion exclusively for Visa Cardmembers. Disney Visa Cardmembers can receive a $250 onboard credit when they book select cruises using their Disney Visa Card. Disney Visa Cardmembers can book this offer now through Sept. 1, 2025 for travel on select August and September 2025 sailings.
If you’ve been eyeing a Disney Cruise, this may be a great time to book—and as always, we’re happy to help you lock in a deal.
🌟 New Nighttime Parade: Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away Premieres July 20
©Disney
Coming July 20, 2025: Disney’s all-new nighttime parade, ‘Starlight: Dream the Night Away,’ lights up Magic Kingdom with beautifully illuminated floats, original music, and fan-favorite characters like Moana and Miguel.
Walt Disney World is bringing back the magic of nighttime parades with the debut of “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” at Magic Kingdom, beginning July 20, 2025. This is the first new nighttime parade at the park in nearly a decade and is expected to become a major highlight for evening visitors.
What to expect:
✨ Stunning Nighttime Floats: Featuring beautifully illuminated floats themed to Encanto, Moana, Frozen, Coco, and more—all celebrating dreams and imagination.
🎶 All-New Soundtrack: The parade is set to an original song titled “Dream the Night Away”, blended with classic Disney music for a show-stopping experience.
🌙 Mickey & Friends Finale: The parade ends with Mickey, Minnie, and friends aboard a dazzling float themed around starlight and wishes.
This new offering gives guests an additional nighttime entertainment option to pair with fireworks and makes Magic Kingdom evenings even more magical.
🎭 Festival of Fantasy Parade Continues During the Day
If you're visiting earlier in the day, you’ll still be able to catch the popular “Festival of Fantasy Parade”, which continues to run during the afternoon. This colorful, high-energy parade features beloved characters like Rapunzel, Peter Pan, and Maleficent in her fire-breathing dragon form.
📅 Typical Showtimes: 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM daily, though times may vary by season or weather.
📲 Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for current schedules during your visit.
☀️ Bonus Summer Tips for Disney Visitors
🪩 Cool Kid Summer is Live at All Four Parks
If you're visiting Walt Disney World this summer, don’t miss Cool Kid Summer, running now through Labor Day. Highlights include:
DJ dance parties in every park
GoofyCore indoor games at EPCOT
Wilderness Explorer summer badges at Animal Kingdom
Surprise character meet-and-greets like Phineas and Ferb
It’s all included with park admission—no extra cost required.
🧭 Disney Springs Scavenger Hunt
Looking for a fun, free activity outside the parks? Disney Springs is hosting a summer scavenger hunt where you can pick up a guide and search for themed clues hidden around the district. Complete it for a small prize and a great way to explore in between meals and shopping.
✨ Ready to Plan Your Next Theme Park Adventure?
We help families plan stress-free vacations to Disney, Universal, cruises, and more—with insider tips, booking perks, and personalized support.
📧 Contact us today
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And if you prefer watching updates, check out this week’s YouTube video version right here:
📺 Watch the full update on YouTube
