It was a busy, busy week in the theme park world, with several announcements and updates from Disney and Universal.

WDW passholder blockout dates have been lifted, Dragon Challenge is closing for good and more.

In Case You Missed It:

  • Disney Legend Marty Sklar, Walt Disney’s right-hand man, died Thursday at the age of 83. Sklar was known as the Imagineer who worked closely with Walt and helped implement his vision for Disney World.
  • Good news for Walt Disney World annual passholders, the August blockout dates have been lifted. That means people with Silver and Weekday Select passes can enter the parks a little sooner.
  • You’ll soon have to say goodbye to Dragon Challenge at Universal’s Island of Adventure. The roller coaster will close in September to make way for a new Harry Potter-themed coaster.
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting a new area: Grand Avenue. It will be located in the former Streets of America section. A new pub, Baseline Tap House, is also coming to the area.
  • Tiger cubs are coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Officials say the cubs should be born sometime in August.
  • And, Universal theme park revenue increased 15.6 percent in the second quarter.

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