Reporter

Brady MacDonald

Brady MacDonald is a theme park reporter for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He’s covered the theme park industry for more than 25 years. He writes about Disney, Universal, Six Flags, SeaWorld, Cedar Fair and Legoland parks in Southern California, across the United States and around the world. As a member of the SCNG Features team, he also writes about entertainment, travel, pop culture, music, restaurants and craft beer.

The new Power Up Cafe on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood officially opens on Feb. 15 following a few weeks in soft-opening mode.

Universal Studios |
Universal’s new Nintendo cafe is fun, cute and fast – but is it any good?

February 9, 2024 at 9:27 a.m.

The new Power Up Cafe on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood officially opens on Feb. 15 following a few weeks in soft-opening mode.

The 2024 Knott’s Peanuts Celebration runs through Feb. 25 with stage shows, live music, character meet-and-greets and themed food and merchandise at the Buena Park theme park.

Knott's Berry Farm |
‘Secret’ Mac & Cheese festival turns Knott’s Berry Farm into the Cheesiest Place on Earth

February 8, 2024 at 12:04 p.m.

The 2024 Knott’s Peanuts Celebration runs through Feb. 25 with stage shows, live music, character meet-and-greets and themed food and merchandise at the Buena Park theme park.

Disney announces plans to invest $1.5 billion in Fortnite-maker Epic Games and collaborate on new video games and entertainment universes.

Disneyland |
Could Fortnite come to Disneyland now that Disneyland is heading to Fortnite?

February 7, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Disney announces plans to invest $1.5 billion in Fortnite-maker Epic Games and collaborate on new video games and entertainment universes.

A lot of stars would have to align for the 'Swelce' celebrity couple to end up on a Super Bowl LVIII victory float along Main Street U.S.A.

Disneyland |
Is Taylor Swift going to Disneyland after the Super Bowl? Swifties hope so

February 7, 2024 at 9:58 a.m.

A lot of stars would have to align for the 'Swelce' celebrity couple to end up on a Super Bowl LVIII victory float along Main Street U.S.A.

The choice whether to close completely, close early or stay open during the heavy rains that have pummeled the Southland since Thursday has been a game-time decision each morning for the area’s weather-dependent theme parks.

Disneyland |
Disney California Adventure closing early as heavy rain again shuts down Knott’s and SeaWorld

February 6, 2024 at 10:11 a.m.

The choice whether to close completely, close early or stay open during the heavy rains that have pummeled the Southland since Thursday has been a game-time decision each morning for...

Southern California theme parks typically make the decision whether to close each morning due to weather conditions.

Disneyland |
Disneyland closing early as heavy rain closes Knott’s, Magic Mountain and SeaWorld

February 5, 2024 at 5:31 p.m.

Southern California theme parks typically make the decision whether to close each morning due to weather conditions.

The Great Maple restaurant serves as the flagship eatery in the newly-renovated Pixar Place Hotel that debuted this week at the Disneyland resort.

Disneyland |
5 best things I ate at Disneyland’s Great Maple restaurant

February 2, 2024 at 10:08 a.m.

The Great Maple restaurant serves as the flagship eatery in the newly-renovated Pixar Place Hotel that debuted this week at the Disneyland resort.

Disneyland, Universal Studios and other Southern California theme parks remain open despite the back-to-back storms forecast to wallop the Southland through early next week.

Knott's Berry Farm |
Knott’s Berry Farm and SeaWorld San Diego close due to ‘Pineapple Express’ storm

February 1, 2024 at 1:50 p.m.

Disneyland, Universal Studios and other Southern California theme parks remain open despite the back-to-back storms forecast to wallop the Southland through early next week.

The Celebrate Soulfully event honoring Black culture with authentic food and music will run throughout February at Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel.

Disneyland |
Disneyland kicks off Black History Month with food and music festival

February 1, 2024 at 2:31 p.m.

The Celebrate Soulfully event honoring Black culture with authentic food and music will run throughout February at Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel.

Riley's imaginary friend from the 2015 Pixar animated film 'Inside Out' is now posing for photos at Disneyland’s newly refreshed hotel in his first appearance at any Disney theme park resort worldwide.

Disneyland |
Bing Bong brings his rainbow wagon to Disneyland’s Pixar Place Hotel

January 31, 2024 at 12:51 p.m.

Riley's imaginary friend from the 2015 Pixar animated film 'Inside Out' is now posing for photos at Disneyland’s newly refreshed hotel in his first appearance at any Disney theme park...

All Stories