Disney is (unsurprisingly) closing rides.

In a shocking move to no-one, Disney World announces permanent ride closures. 

I'm unsure how anyone can be surprised at this point when rides that have been on 'seasonal only' status for years finally close.

This week Disney World finally announced that 'Primeval Whirl' and 'Sititch's Great Escape' we're closed for good. Both rides have operated as 'seasonal only' for years. In the case of Stitch's Geat Escape, it's been on 'seasonal only' status since 2016. Primeval has been seasonal longer than I can even recall. The surprising bit out of this round of closures is that the 'River of Light' night show at Animal Kingdom will also be closed. The nighttime attraction was rather widely popular and has only been running for three years.

Which leaves the question, with the sudden cuts Disney has been making due to the loss of income from the coronavirus shutdown, will anything new actually go into these spaces?

Rumors have circulated for  years about Stitch's Great Escape being replaced. We've heard everything from 'Alien Encounters is coming back' to 'Wreck-it Ralph'.  As for Primeval Whirl, it's hard to say. Some speculate that we'll be seeing a re-theme to Dinoland USA while others think that the space will turn into another flat-ride. Again, I expect this is going to boil down to if (or when) Disney decides they are ready to spend money again.  I wouldn't expect too much for at least a year, if not longer.

Flooding at Valleyfair Causes Ride Closures

Water levels as of Monday night via Fresh Sights Digital Media

Despite high water and parts of the park being literally underwater today, Valley Fair is remaining open this week as only a small part of the park has been effected.

As you can see in the picture to the right, there's plenty of water in a few sections of the park and the parking lot has a good bit as well. All of this combined has forced the closure of not only parts of the lot, but also Renegade, Thunder Canyon and Excalibur.

Right now it's not sure when these rides will open, as only the water receding will dictate that (and as you can see they are definitely inundated), but the parking situation can be at the very least. For the remainder of this week Valley Fair is encouraging people to carpool if possible due to the main lot being limited.

According to Chanhassen Villager; "additional parking is being made available in the open field east of Valleyfair, as well as at the northern side of Canterbury Park, Stinnett said. A free shuttle is available for patrons who park by the racetrack. Valleyfair has also waived their parking fee while the floodwater conditions persist."