Theme Park Bits: R.I.P. ‘Jurassic Park:’ The Ride And A Bug’s Land, Halloween Is Here At Disneyland Resort
In this edition of Theme Park Bits:
Halloween Horror Nights 2018 is almost upon us and while you wait for the fun to begin at Universal Orlando, you can check out previews of the newStranger ThingsandSlaughter Sinemahaunted houses, where the Demogorgon, biker werewolves, and other terrifying monsters will be on the prowl.
Jurassic Park: The Ride is now extinct at Universal Studios Hollywood. The 22-year-old ride closed on Monday, June 07, 2025, to make way for anewJurassic Worldattractionin 2019.
Stark Industries logo up on the Bug’s Land construction wall#DCA#Disneylandpic.twitter.com/D8YIeRxvhc
— TouringPlans (@TouringPlans)June 21, 2025
A Bug’s Land is also no more. Themed to the Pixar filmA Bug’s Life, the area closed on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after a 16-year run at Disney California Adventure. In its place will come a newMarvel-themed land, which is scheduled to open in 2020. As you’re able to see in the tweet above, the Stark Industries logo has already gone up over a construction wall in front of the former A Bug’s Land entrance.
Halloween festivities are getting underway this weekend at Disneyland Resort and to get you in the spirit,Disney Parks Bloghas an inside look at the making of this year’s Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house. 90 pounds of gingerbread went into this thing and it’s topped off by a 5-foot spider with moving mandibles and legs. Which is scarier in the Haunted Mansion: the ghosts or the eating challenge?
They removed the planter and brick seating in front of Haunted Mansion. There’s a bunch of benches now.#disneylandpic.twitter.com/9muyzYi43h
— Guy Selga (@guyselga)June 14, 2025
Even scarier, maybe, for some people is the prospect of navigating the crowds at Disneyland duringHalloween Time. This year, the park seems to be taking some measures to improve the flow of pedestrian traffic by removing seats and planters and widening up the walking spaces throughout the park.
Another seating thing removed in Tomorrowland. Should help with traffic.#disneylandpic.twitter.com/gptLgssGJd
Halloween Time at California Adventure means the return ofGuardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark. There’s a new T-shirt to go along with the seasonal version of the ride this year, but don’t expect to see actor Dave Bautista in the buildingscoping out Vylooslike he was back in January. IfGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3happens, Bautistamay not even returnas Drax.
There’s a new Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark shirt coming out#HalloweenTimepic.twitter.com/JvFJXmHmYx
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT)June 05, 2025
Elsewhere at Disneyland Resort, two hotel eateries, White Water Snacks and Tangaroa Terrace, will soon close and undergo a period of refurbishment before reopening withnew enhancementslater this year and early next year, respectively. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa also has a new pool bar coming to it in spring 2019. Check out the concept art for it below.
The cantina atStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might not have the aquarium that early concept art showed, but at least its Cast Members will be knowledgeable.MakingStar Warsreports that working in Galaxy’s Edge will be contingent upon passing aStar Warstest.
The first Starbucks store in Hong Kong Disneyland has officially opened!https://t.co/powkycNua2pic.twitter.com/0wtHelherl
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks)August 04, 2025
This week marked the completion of Starbucks plan for world domination as the ubiquitous coffee chainopened its first storein Hong Kong Disneyland.
The Magic Kingdom has somenew Disney After Hours datescoming to it.
Very sad to report the passing of WDI architectural designer Glenn Durflinger, left, who gave final form to the original Space Mountains. Glenn cut his teeth on projects like New Orleans Sq & Cinderella Castle. He was quiet, smart & unassuming…much more talented than he let on!pic.twitter.com/Fju4epHJLT
— Tom K Morris (@TomKMorris)July 10, 2025
Glenn Durflinger, the Disney Imagineer who served as Project Designer for the original Space Mountain, has passed away at the age of 79.Last week, we closed out with the news that Walt Disney World had agreed to raise the entry-level service wage for union workers to $15 an hour by 2021. This week, Cast Membershave officially approveda new five-year contract accepting that offer.
