Theme park news round-up - February 28, 2013

More than three years after Disney acquired Marvel, the company is finally ready to introduce its super hero characters to its theme parks. Hong Kong Disneyland will have the honour of hosting the first Marvel area, although details are thin on the ground at present. Meanwhile, the Disneyland Resort Paris has finally confirmed that a dark ride based on Pixar's Ratatouille will debut at Walt Disney Studios in 2014, while the ongoing revamp of X-Sector at Alton Towers is nearing completion.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is reportedly set to become the first Disney theme park to install a Marvel-themed land, featuring attractions based on the comic book firm's super hero characters.

Full story: Theme Park Tourist

Walt Disney Studios, Paris

The Disneyland Resort Paris has finally broken its silence over the under-construction Ratatouille dark ride at Walt Disney Studios, confirming that it will open in 2014.

Full story: Theme Park Tourist

Alton Towers

The ongoing revamp of the X Sector area is making solid progress ahead of the debut of The Smiler roller coaster in May. The repainting of Oblivion is nearly complete, as can be seen in aerial photos over at fansite Towers Times.

Full story: Towers Times

Cedar Point

Cedar Point has completed the circuit for its new GateKeeper roller coaster, with testing likely to begin soon ahead of its scheduled opening date on May 11, 2013.

Full story: Theme Park Tourist