Newsletter: In the Loop: Embattled SeaWorld to overhaul killer whale show

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 analyze SeaWorld’s decision to alter its killer whale show, take a ride on Dollywood’s Lightning Rod coaster, peek behind the scenes at Universal’s Jimmy Fallon attraction and check out Disneyland’s Rose Parade float.

SeaWorld

SeaWorld intends to phase out the circus acts and tricks from its longstanding killer whale show at its San Diego park next year as part of a strategy to reposition the embattled company amid persistent criticisms of how it treats its orcas.

Attendance has dropped over the last year at SeaWorld parks, but the rate of decline slows.

The Times Editorial Board applauds SeaWorld’s decision to phase out the shows and calls on the company to end its killer whale breeding program.

Plus, social media reaction to the announcement.

An orca whale performs during the One Ocean show at SeaWorld San Diego last year in San Diego.

(K.C. Alfred / Tribune News Service)

(K.C. Alfred / Tribune News Service)

Fox World

The $850-million Fox World Dubai theme park opening in 2018 will feature attractions based on movies and television shows such as "Aliens," "Titanic," "The Simpsons," "Ice Age" and "Planet of the Apes."

20th Century Fox is teaming up with Al Ahli Holding Group to build a theme park in Dubai, set to open in 2018.

(20th Century Fox Consumer Products)

(20th Century Fox)

Dollywood

Billed as the fastest wooden coaster in the world, the 73-mph Lightning Rod at Tennessee’s Dollywood will be themed as a 1950s hot rod with an injector scoop, header pipes and a flame paint job.

Dollywood’s inversionless Lightning Rod wooden coaster will feature 90-degree banked turns.

(Dollywood)

(Dollywood)

Disney parks

Walt Disney Co. reports fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations, thanks in part to a 10% increase in theme park revenue.

Captain Phasma from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is displayed at Disney’s D23 convention in Anaheim in August. The excitement over the upcoming film helped boost sales of classic Star Wars toys in Disney’s consumer products business, where sales increased 11% to $1.2 billion in the latest quarter.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Crime report

A former Disneyland Resort employee is sentenced to a year in jail after trying to trade theme park tickets for sex to an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to authorities.

Job losses

The United Kingdom’s Alton Towers plans to lay off 190 employees following a roller coaster accident that resulted in serious injuries.

Planet Hollywood at the Disney World resort announces the termination of 468 employees in advance of a six-month renovation.

Jimmy Fallon

Check out behind-the-scenes photos of Jimmy Fallon from "The Tonight Show"  filming scenes for his new Universal Orlando attraction.

And finally...

Disneyland reveals concept art for a three-part Rose Parade entry featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle as well as floats based on “Star Wars” and “Frozen.”

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