Newsletter: In the Loop: ‘Exorcist’ maze coming to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

Welcome to another edition of In the Loop, the Los Angeles Times’ theme park newsletter. I’m Funland theme park blogger Brady MacDonald, and this week, we take a ride on the Slinky Dog coaster coming to Toy Story Land, shiver at the thought of “The Exorcist” haunted maze, check out a Marvel indoor theme park and contemplate a “Guardians of the Galaxy” attraction.

Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights will bring “The Exorcist” to life in a haunted maze at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando.

Toy Story Land

Disney’s Hollywood Studios releases new details about Toy Story Land, including a short video clip of the Slinky Dog Dash family coaster.

Alton Towers

Merlin Attractions, the parent company of the United Kingdom’s Alton Towers, admits to breaching health and safety laws during a June accident on the Smiler roller coaster that seriously injured five passengers.

Orange County tourism

Anaheim, the home of Disneyland, has seen tourism grow nearly 30% over the last five years.

Dubai

The $1-billion IMG Worlds of Adventure indoor theme park in Dubai is set to open Aug. 15 with attractions dedicated to Marvel Comics and Cartoon Network characters.

And finally

WDW News Today reports that Disney California Adventure is considering a “Guardians of the Galaxy” overlay for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction as an anchor for a Marvel Studios themed land.

Still need more theme park news? Check out the Los Angeles Times Funland theme park blog on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram. Also feel free to email me with any feedback on the newsletter.

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