Annautaq, a 5-month-old orphaned walrus, is settling in at SeaWorld Orlando. Plus, a Universal holiday takeover, Avengers: Doomsday merch at Islands of Adventure and more parks news.
SeaWorld Orlando’s newest resident had a very long trip to get there.
A rescued Pacific walrus calf named Annautaq has arrived at SeaWorld Orlando after a 4,000-mile trip from Alaska, Laughing Place reported Wednesday, Oct. 21. He’s 5 months old and weighs about 220 pounds.
Here’s his story, plus six more theme park updates from around the world.
Where did SeaWorld’s walrus pup come from?
A remote beach in Northern Alaska. A walrus herd left during heavy surf, and rescuers found the orphaned calf alone, hiding between the remains of two adult walruses, according to Laughing Place.
He was flown to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward for rehab. He did well, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided he couldn’t be released into the wild.
SeaWorld sent its own walrus experts to Alaska to help care for him and get him ready for the trip. He flew on multiple planes with caretakers beside him the whole way.
When can you see Annautaq at SeaWorld Orlando?
He’s still getting settled. He’s in a planned 30-day quarantine to protect the park’s other animals, Laughing Place reported. He gets up to six bottle feedings a day of a special high-fat formula.
He’ll eventually join SeaWorld’s herd of Uki, Kaboodle and Garfield. Uki, who’s 2, was also rescued and rehabbed in Alaska.
“As he settles in, we’ll make introductions to Garfield, Kaboodle and Uki at his pace,” said SeaWorld Orlando curator Jim Kinsler.
For now, you can see the other walruses in the habitat attached to Expedition Odyssey, the Arctic attraction that opened in 2025.
Here’s a full ride on this year’s Fire and Ice version of Expedition Odyssey, from Laughing Place:
What is the Universal Studios Hollywood Pass Member takeover?
Two after-hours holiday nights just for passholders, Dec. 1 and 2, from 7 to 11 p.m., WDW News Today reported. It’s free with a valid Annual or Season Pass, but you need a reservation.
RSVPs open Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. It falls during Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood, Nov. 21 to Jan. 3, with the new Illumination’s Merry Minions and the return of Grinchmas.
Why is Universal Orlando selling Avengers: Doomsday merch?
Because of a deal from 1994. Universal locked in theme park rights to many Marvel characters years before Disney bought Marvel in 2009, Attractions Magazine reported.
That’s why Marvel Super Hero Island at Islands of Adventure now has Avengers: Doomsday shirts, a Doctor Doom electronic mask and a Doctor Doom Nerf blaster. Attractions Magazine spotted them at the Marvel Alterniverse store on Oct. 21.
The deal also limits which Marvel characters Disney can use in its Florida parks.
What happened to EPCOT’s light-up pavement?
Most of it is gone. Disney has pulled out about two-thirds of the lights in World Celebration Gardens, WDWNT reported. Light-colored concrete with sparkly flecks has replaced them, still forming the EPCOT logo.
The lights had problems almost from the day the area opened in December 2023, with dark sections and cracked covers. PNP reported Oct. 10 that Disney was replacing them with concrete.
What other parks news should you know?
There’s more news from Disney parks.
Disney Vacation Club members can pick up a holiday keepsake at McKim’s Mile House on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights, WDWNT reported. They need a party ticket.
Auberge de Cendrillon at Disneyland Paris now charges 125 euros for its adult dinner with wine, up from 120 euros, WDWNT reported. Prawn risotto replaced the turbot.
Shanghai Disneyland is throwing Mickey and Minnie a 10-day birthday party, Nov. 9 to 18, with a different costume each day, MickeyBlog reported.
Who’s in the Pirates of the Caribbean immersive show?
George Maguire plays Captain Jack Sparrow and Phil Daniels plays Captain Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Immersive Adventure, MickeyBlog reported. It premieres in London in about four months.
Disney Theatrical Group and Secret Cinema are bringing The Curse of the Black Pearl to life at Greenwich Peninsula. Live actors, stunts and music will surround the audience.
So if you’re at SeaWorld Orlando this fall, swing by the walruses. Annautaq should be joining them before long.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Laughing Place (Oct. 21, 2026), Annautaq the walrus and Kinsler’s quote
WDW News Today, Shannen Ace (Oct. 21, 2026), the Universal Studios Hollywood takeover, EPCOT’s pavement lights and Auberge de Cendrillon
WDW News Today, Joy Hamilton (Oct. 21, 2026), the DVC keepsake
Attractions Magazine, Dani Meyering (Oct. 21, 2026), Avengers: Doomsday merch at Islands of Adventure
MickeyBlog (Oct. 20 and 21, 2026), Shanghai’s birthday celebration and the Pirates cast
Pirates & Princesses (Oct. 10, 2026), EPCOT’s pavement lights
Laughing Place on YouTube (May 22, 2026), the Expedition Odyssey ride video
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.