Two attractions and one nighttime show at Walt Disney World have entertained their last guests.
Disney disclosed in an employee memo Thursday that three experiences at the resort have permanently closed: Primeval Whirl and Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Stitch’s Great Escape at Magic Kingdom.
The two attraction closures are far from a surprise. Stitch’s Great Escape had moved to a seasonal schedule in October 2016 and hasn’t operated since January 2018, with pictures later leaking online purporting to show the Stitch animatronic destroyed. The ride’s signage had long since been removed.
The off-the-shelf wild mouse coaster Primeval Whirl closed for several months in 2019 due to unscheduled maintenance, only reopening for seasonal operation over the holiday season.
Rivers of Light, however, was not expected to meet its demise. The first permanent lagoon show at Animal Kingdom debuted in 2017 after Disney built a new seating area for it. A second version of the show featuring Disney characters replaced the original in May 2019.
Legoland New York shows off construction progress
The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t shut down just existing theme parks, but delayed one that had yet to debut: Legoland New York.
The Goshen theme park is now set to open in spring 2021. A new video from Legoland offered an update on the park’s construction progress.
Legoland New York will feature seven themed lands and a new Legoland Hotel. It will be the third Legoland theme park in the U.S.
Cedar Point employees tested positive for COVID-19 before park reopened
Before Cedar Point reopened to guests earlier this month, three park employees tested positive for COVID-19.
“The affected employees were screened, as per usual, prior to park opening and prior to reporting to their work locations. Out of respect for the privacy of our associates, we do not provide details of any individual’s health status,” Cedar Point said in a statement from an unnamed spokesperson, according to WDIV-TV.
Cedar Point’s reopening came with a slew of new procedures, similar to other theme parks. Guests will need advanced reservations to enter the park, undergo a temperature screening and wear a face mask at all times. Physical distancing will be encouraged on rides, in queues and throughout the park.
As park spokesman Tony Clark told the Toledo Blade, the park won’t be able to open all of its rides due to a shortage of employees, with the ride lineup changing from day to day.