Beetlejuice Gets an Immersive House, Six Flags Adds Stranger Things, and More (2024)

Summerween gives theme park fans a preview of what to expect this fall at Universal Studios, Disney Parks and Six Flags, with major IP coming to all the seasonal offerings.

From Beetlejuice Beetlejuice getting its own pop-up afterlife walk though, to Stranger Things and The Conjuring Universe moving to Fright Fest at Six Flags, to Ghostbusters returning at Universal Studios, there’s a lot of horror haunt fun on the way. Plus the Guardians of the Galaxy jump aboard the Treasure Disney Cruise, Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on sale, and Disney says goodbye to Genie+ as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure finally opens. And over at Universal Studios Orlando, Danny Elfman makes an epic announcement while cinema classics are celebrated all summer.

Spooky summer fun and more awaits in this week’s theme park news!

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Tickets are set to go on sale July 3 at 10 a.m. PT through www.BeetlejuiceExperience.com for WB’s immersive Beetlejuice Beetlejuice experience pop-up in Hollywood, CA opening August 23. If you go to the site now, you can sign up for a waitlist ahead of pre-sale access.

The 70-minute experience coincides with the release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, coming to theaters September 6. The official release describes “The Afterlife Experience” as an interactive “journey into the iconic universe of everyone’s favorite bio-exorcist through over 11,000 square feet of all new and movie- packed touchpoints. Featuring recreated sets, live entertainment, and various photo ops, fans will be immersed in the world of the recently deceased. Inside the experience, guests will knock three times to reveal a portal and cross the threshold into the Afterlife, where the one and only Beetlejuice awaits alongside a cast of eclectic ghosts.” So congratulations, you get to role play the whole being dead thing! “Grab an exclusive passport and take a seat in the Waiting Room next to a pair of ghosts; take your place on the cover of the Handbook for the Recently Deceased; come face to face with a legendary sandworm; and so much more. Themed food and beverage offerings will also be available for purchase at the Afterlife Diner.” And of course Beetlejuice, being the undead carny he is, will have exclusive merch you can buy when you exit back to life in the gift shop.

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This is really wild: a mega movie deal has clearly been struck at Six Flags, which recently merged with Cedar Fair, to bolster up its annual Halloween haunts across the country. This year’s Fright Fest looks like it’s coming in hot with Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures’ Saw franchise; Netflix’s Stranger Things and Army of the Dead; Warner Bros. Discovery’s The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun; and Legendary Entertainment’s Trick ‘r Treat—all at both Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles.

A few of these properties have been previously featured at Universal’s HHN, so this is a curious development, but it’s exciting to see more WB Discovery properties finally appear at Six Flags, which has a number of DC and animation IPs at its parks that are overdue for a boost in publicity. The announcement also detailed that additional Six Flags locations will be getting a mix of the above titles for their own Fright Fest offerings. For more info check out sixflags.com.

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That’s not all; Six Flags won’t be leaving behind its international parks. Fright Fest at Six Flags Mexico will feature an exclusive maze based on the bestselling comic series from DC Comics, DCeased.

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Jumping off those Netflix live experiences inspired by Bridgerton, Stranger Things, and Squid Game—Netflix House will bring experiences of that caliber to a mall near you (if you live in Pennsylvania or Texas). These special venues will bring fun interactive pop-up opportunities to explore the worlds of Netflix faves in unique ways; imagine a One Piece-inspired restaurant or Wednesday’s Nevermore school open house. The first two locations will debut at King of Prussia in Pennsylvania and Galleria Dallas next year. For more info visit Tudum.

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Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash have gone on sale and if you’re quick there’s still some around to nab for the highly popular West Coast Disney Parks event.

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Starting today visitors to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom can ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Here’s a clip of The Princess and the Frog’s voice cast trying out the ride.

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With the ride opening, here’s a look at what Princess and the Frog universe products you’ll be able to get your hands on finally!

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You can listen to the whole ride soundtrack online now.

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A new way to pay as you go for priority line access at Disney Parks has been re-tooled as Lightning Lane (no longer Genie+). For more information on how this can impact your upcoming vacation visit here.

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Seasonal favorites and more return to Walt Disney World, including Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Tickets are on sale now!

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Meow Wolf continues to pop up weird vibes in Texas as its upcoming portal in Houston gears up for opening, rumored to be sometime this fall.

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John Murdy, HHN creative director, talked about the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire house coming to Horror Nights on both coasts this year. He revealed that although we will be seeing characters and ghosts from the new film, that doesn’t count out iconic characters from the franchise’s past mythology. “This house is based on the 2024 film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire but it will also feature ghosts from the overall Ghostbusters franchise. Which Ghosts? I’m not gonna tell you. I think some things should be a surprise don’t you? And there are a lot of surprises in this house!” he said on X.

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Universal Studios’ Epic Universe theme park has us more hyped by the day. Especially with the news that legendary composer Danny Elfman will be scoring the Universal Monsters Dark Universe land. The musician took to X to confirm the news: “The Universal Monsters have always been such a big part of my life. I’m grateful and honored to have been chosen to compose the music for the new Dark Universe in @universalorlando. I can’t wait to go!!!”

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Here’s a preview of Universal Studios Florida’s Cinesational water show which combines aqua screens and light up drones to pay homage to homage the magic of the movies. See Jaws, Back to the Future, Shrek, Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters, and more come to life like you’ve never seen before on select nights through August 25.

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A new area has opened for interactive play at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Super Nintendo World. If you have a Power-Up Band, you can now check out gameplay at the new Frosted Glacier zone.

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.

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