Theme Park News From Disney, Universal Studios, and More Fan-tastical Destinations

Explore Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort with detailed biospheres inspired by the film’s animal metropolis. Go on a ride-along adventure with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde in Disney Parks’ latest E-ticket attraction Zootopia: Hot Pursuit.

It’s beginning to look like an animatronic takeover at Disney Parks.

Look at the pawpsicle, just like in the movie!

Disney Aulani presents a festive new show, He Mo‘olelo Hemolele: A Story of Faith, Hope & Aloha; it’s inspired by Disney Parks’ traditional holiday Candlelight Processional, but with Hawaiian cultural touches. Find out more here.

Take a look at the latest nighttime spectacular at Epcot.

Check out all the Festival of Holidays food at Disneyland here.

Experience the holidays at AREA15 with light-show exhibitions, festive foodie finds, and special screenings of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Check out:

Illuminarium’s festive overlay.

The Nightmare Before Christmas immersive showings

Museum Fiasco Holiday light show

NYE Feast at the Beast

New exhibitions are now open at Meow Wolf Las Vegas’ Omega Mart. Visit the wonderland of participatory art installations that transport you to surreal worlds, right down the street from the Vegas strip at AREA15. Get tickets here.

Holiday Rankin Bass-style variety fun, music, magic, and fantastical nautical rum tastings galore at Lost Spirits, Las Vegas’ very own literary immersive distillery. Get tickets here.

Year-round It franchise escape rooms await in Las Vegas with two experiences, each based on both WB horror films, and an official gift shop full of spooky Stephen King universe goods. Get tickets here.

Experience the visual spectacle of Sphere, now open in Las Vegas, with screenings of Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard From Earth. More info here.

Fans of Jon Favreau’s Chef—which was sandwiched (ahem) between his Marvel stint and current Star Wars gig—will be excited to learn the filmmaker has opened up a food truck in collaboration with the inspiration for the foodie tale, chef Roy Choi. This fast casual spot aims to be faithful to the spirit of the film; feed your fandom at the Park MGM in Las Vegas.

For more info check out pricing here.

Take a look at the festivities at Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure.

And if you’re visiting for New Years Eve both parks will be open until 1:00 a.m with celebrations are expanding to include festivities in both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Guests will be able to ring in the new year experiencing popular attractions across both parks and dance to DJ’s spinning party tunes. There will also be special appearances by beloved characters as the clock counts down to midnight at NYE celebration designated points in Universal Studios Florida’s Music Plaza area and Universal Islands of Adventure’s Port of Entry. Additionally Citywalk and select hotels of Universal Orlando will hold NYE events, too. For more info click here.

Find themed milkshakes at Schwab’s Pharmacy at Universal Studios Orlando.

Here’s what to expect at Universal Studios Hollywood for the holidays.

Universal Monsters demonstrate how to scare up some last-minute holiday gifts at the theme parks.

Ring in the New Year at Universal Studios Hollywood with live DJs, rides, and a countdown to 2024. Buy admission here.

Take a break from the cold if you’re in Denver, Colorado, this holiday season and visit Meow Wolf Convergence Station.

Ring in the New Year at Meow Wolf’s Real Unreal in Grapevine, Texas. You can now buy a ticket for 12/31 for access to the 21+ bash.

Ever wanted to party at the North Pole? Here’s your chance! Both the Los Angeles and New York locations are open through New Year’s Eve with a special party when the ball drops for 2024. More info here.

Musician Drake led the re-imagining and comeback for a collection of theme park rides and artwork originally put on display by artist and curator André Heller as part of a 1987 exhibit in Hamburg, Germany. Featuring work by Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, David Hockney, Sonia Delaunay, and others, it’s now revived in Los Angeles as Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy for a limited time.

Ring in the New Year at the McKittrick in NYC for one final hoorah at the immersive experience space.

Sleep No More is sold out for December but check online for availability for its final shows through February 2024, including a salon series which features conversations with creatives.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.