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 pay tribute to Disneyland’s Rivers of America, pull back the curtain on Wizarding World West and set sail on Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean.

Wizarding World

Harry Potter has a new boss at Warner Bros. studios. Former Walt Disney Co. executive Pam Lifford will oversee Warner’s theme park business, which includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Plus: We tackle a few questions about what’s in store for fans when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens in April.


The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens April 7 at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Universal Studios)

Rise of the drones

The Walt Disney Co. asks the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to use drones at Disneyland and Disney World for entertainment purposes, including fireworks shows.

Shanghai Disneyland


Spoiler alert: Check out this scene-by-scene breakdown of the new Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure boat ride coming to Shanghai Disneyland.

Walt Disney Imagineering

The Walt Disney Co. names a new president overseeing Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative arm of the company responsible for designing theme parks and attractions.


Rivers of America

Mice Chat writes an ode to the Rivers of America and explains what the changes to the waterway say about Disneyland and the Walt Disney Co.

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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