Newsletter: In the Loop: First glimpse of Disneyland riverfront post-Star Wars Land

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 battle monstrous sea monsters in Pacific Rim 5-D, sail along Disneyland’s shortened Rivers of America, book our flight for Shanghai Disneyland and fight alongside Captain Jack Sparrow in Eye of the Storm.

Disneyland

Disneyland releases an artist rendering of the Rivers of America waterfront area in Frontierland following construction of the 14-acre Star Wars Land.

Meanwhile: ABC’s “Wonderful World of Disney” celebrates the 60th anniversary of Disneyland during an upcoming episode.

Shanghai Disneyland

The Walt Disney Co. sets the official opening date for the $5.5-billion Shanghai Disneyland resort: June 16.

Also: The site Disney and More offers a detailed sneak peek at Eye of the Storm, the Pirates of the Caribbean stunt show coming to Shanghai Disneyland.

‘Pacific Rim 5-D’

A new motion-simulator attraction based on the “Pacific Rim” science fiction monster movie by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro brings the war between gigantic robots and monstrous sea creatures to a Northern California amusement park.

SeaWorld

SeaWorld and state regulators agree to settle safety citations alleging the San Diego marine park failed to protect its trainers when working closely with killer whales.

A settlement between SeaWorld San Diego and state regulators spells out how close trainers can be to the water’s edge — 18 inches to 3 feet — when working with the killer whales on so-called slideouts that are part of the Shamu show.

(Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Legoland California

Legoland California wants to build a second hotel at the Carlsbad theme park, just two years after the first hotel opened.

Locals only

On sale now: Southern California resident flex tickets let you visit Disneyland one day and Disney California Adventure on another day.

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.

MORE

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8 unanswered questions about Disneyland’s Star Wars Land

Disneyland 2055: What the future may hold for the original Disney park

Disneyland 1955: ‘Walt’s Folly’ got off to a nightmare start

21 creepiest abandoned amusement parks

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