Theme park news round-up - 1st November 2012

Darth Vader is expected to spend a lot more time hanging out at Disney theme parks during the coming years.

With most theme parks busy celebrating Halloween yesterday, there's relatively little to report ahead of Universal Orlando's planned major announcement today. The long, drawn-out process of trying to find a new operator for Kentucky Kingdom continues, while work on a second Pirates of the Caribbean-themed attraction at Walt Disney World is moving ahead.

Disney-LucasFilm

As fans continue to digest the news that Disney has bought out Star Wars creator LucasFilm, the Disney Parks YouTube channel has dusted off an old promotion for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. In the video, the Sith Lord enjoys a day out at Disneyland, with the new introduction teasing the potential for future attractions.

Kentucky Kingdom

The ongoing saga of the attempted rescue of the shuttered former Six Flags park continues, with the Kentucky State Fair Board now going through its third process to identify a new operator. It is strongly rumored that former owner Ed Hart's Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Company is the only bidder, having previously failed to reach a lease agreement during the first round of talks back in October 2011. The Courier-Journal reports that talks will take place between the Fair Board and Hart imminently to discuss how his latest proposal could be financed.

Full story: Courier-Journal

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Work on installing the new Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow walkthrough attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios is ongoing, and Orlando Park News is on hand with a photo update. The new addition will replace the former Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian attraction, which closed in September 2011.

Full story: Orlando Park News