By Theme Park Magazine
April 1, 2025
After years of delivering theme park news, interviews, videos, and increasingly outlandish April Fools’ jokes, Theme Park Magazine has announced a significant shift in its editorial approach. The publication will no longer participate in the annual tradition of April Fools’ Day pranks — a statement being made on April 1st with absolutely zero irony.
The End of an Era
“We appreciate a good laugh as much as anyone who’s waited in a two-hour line for a new attraction only to have it break down at the loading platform,” said Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine, in a statement that was not at all fabricated for the purposes of this article. “But our April Fools’ stories have taken on lives of their own. It’s time we focus on delivering factual, accurate coverage of the world’s greatest theme parks and leave the fictional velociraptors to Universal’s actual attractions.”
Several memorable incidents, including the dinosaur disaster, pushed the boundaries between amusing fiction and mass confusion.
The Dinosaur Disaster
The decision comes after a series of incidents, most notably the “Jurassic World Petting Zoo” article, which, despite its clearly outlandish premise, resulted in thousands of families booking non-refundable vacations to Universal Orlando Resort, demanding to see the “adorable baby Velociraptors.”
The “Jurassic World Petting Zoo” article stands as the magazine’s most notorious prank.
“We received countless emails and calls from parents whose children were devastated to learn that ‘Cuddles the Carnotaurus’ wasn’t waiting to give them snuggles,” Tracy explained. “Universal had to hire additional security at Universal Orland Resort. One particularly determined visitor even attempted to climb the Jurassic Park VelociCoaster, claiming they had a ‘pre-paid dinosaur petting session’.”
Residential Confusion of Cosmic Proportions
The dinosaur petting zoo was just the tip of the prehistoric iceberg. When the magazine announced “Galactic Residences,” where the Guardians of the Galaxy ride was supposedly being transformed into luxury in-park condos, the housing market experienced a minor cosmic disturbance.
Real estate agents reported fielding calls for weeks about down payment options and HOA fees, with many asking how many Disney Vacation Club points would be required for a “Mission: BREAKOUT Penthouse.”
“One caller insisted they’d pay extra for a unit with ‘minimum drops’ and ‘views of Tivan’s collection,'” Tracy recalled. “Another wanted to know if the raccoon maintenance staff was included in the purchase price.”
DIY Disneyland Ride Kits by Walt Disney Imagineering
Then came the “Disneyland At Home” ride kit, which promised to deliver the “complete Disney experience” in a single box for the low price of $129.99. Complete with a limited edition trading pin for the first 1,000 orders and a suspiciously specific 1% discount for D23 members. Additional information provided to Theme Park Magazine subscribers noted that the kit included packets of “authentic Disney water” from Splash Mountain, a recording of distant screams, and a “FastPass to your bathroom.”
“The number of people who actually tried to place pre-orders through us was both flattering and mildly concerning,” Tracy admitted. “We received a call from Disneyland Secret Service saying our story was tying up Disneyland’s customer service line. They got 23,000 calls the first day the story premiered. We also received design proposals from fans suggesting additional elements for the ‘Deluxe Edition,’ including a scratch-and-sniff Turkey Leg card.”
Small World, Big Controversy
Even seemingly lighter fare, like the retheming of “it’s a small world” to feature a ring toss element and new song sparked a passionate online petition to “Save Our Sentimental Song!” At last count, it had over 23 signatures. Another petition, “Save Our Earworm,” gained 27 signatures.
“The petition included a threat to chain themselves to the attraction’s clock tower while singing the original song on endless repeat,” Tracy noted. “Which, when you think about it, is basically the experience of riding the attraction already.”
Epic Imagination Gone Wild
Perhaps most memorable was the “exclusive” report on Epic Universe’s “WonkyVision” experience, featuring a giant teddy bear troll guarding a bridge made of chocolate bars that would allegedly melt throughout the day, creating a “unique guest experience.” The concept was based on the attraction disaster in Scotland.
“We received inquiries about the troll’s meet-and-greet schedule, whether it accepted hugs, and if the chocolate bridge was safe for those with peanut allergies,” Tracy recalled. “One particularly creative response included architectural drawings for an improved bridge design using ‘structurally reinforced gummy bears.'”
A New Chapter in Theme Park Journalism
The unprecedented popularity of these April Fools’ articles—with the Jurassic World Petting Zoo piece remaining the magazine’s most viewed content of all time—ultimately highlighted the need for change.
“It was flattering, in a slightly terrifying way,” Tracy admitted. “”But when you have grandparents calling your office asking if the velociraptors are ‘friendly enough for toddlers,’ you start to rethink your life choices… and your April Fools’ strategy.”
So as you browse the internet today, April 1st, rest assured that any news from Theme Park Magazine will be grounded in absolute reality. No more imaginary petting zoos, no more fantasy timeshares, and definitely no more suggestions that classic attractions need TikTok-inspired makeovers.
We’ve learned our lesson. Really, we have.
…Or have we?
Explore More: Resources
- Theme Park Magazine’s April Fools section
- Article: Guardians of the Galaxy Ride to Close for Galactic Residences (April Fools 2024)
- Article: Epic Universe Unveils Willy Wonka Experience: WonkyVision (April Fools 2024)
- Article: Universal Studios to Open Jurassic World Petting Zoo in 2024 (April Fools 2023 – this one went viral)
- Article: Disneyland Reimagining ‘it’s a small world’ with a Ring-Toss Twist (April Fools 2023)
- Article: Walt Disney Imagineering Testing Stunning Disneyland At Home Ride Kit (April Fools 2022)
- Article: Wow! Paper Bag World Theme Park Announced for Brownsville, Texas (April Fools 2022)
The magic of themed experiences is meant to be shared, explored, and preserved. Theme Park Magazine is dedicated to doing just that, free from distractions and advertising. We rely on the passion of our readers to keep this mission alive. Your donation is a direct investment in the stories that inspire and transport us. Help us keep the focus on the wonder, not the ads. Support us directly via PayPal today. Your generosity fuels our passion. – Joe Tracy, Editor of Theme Park Magazine
