Theme park news today is led by Six Flags’ decision to add seatbelts to its Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, a direct response to a fatal fall on the ride earlier this month.
This theme park news roundup also covers construction progress on Holiday World’s new water coaster, a free Halloween-day event at Great Escape, zoo and aquarium honors, and fresh Disney park announcements out of Tokyo and Paris. On the music side, there’s also news from the Doobie Brothers and Disturbed.
The TLDR
- Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: Six Flags Will Add Seatbelts to Goliath After Fatal Fall
- Live Music & Venues: The Doobie Brothers Announce 2027 Fontainebleau Las Vegas Residency
Theme Parks & Roller Coasters
Six Flags Will Add Seatbelts to Goliath After Fatal Fall
Six Flags says it will install seatbelts on its Goliath coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia and other coasters that use a similar lap-bar restraint, following the death of a rider who fell from Goliath earlier this month. In a letter to customers reported by blooloop, CEO John Reilly said the company is “reinforcing safety precautions at our parks and taking additional measures.” Six Flags did not specify which other coasters would get the added restraints or when installation would be complete.
Holiday World’s New Water Coaster Reaches Lift Hill Milestone
Construction crews “crowned” the 90-foot lift hill on Holiday World’s upcoming Cannonball! water coaster last week, according to Amusement Today. The ride’s 75-foot drop is billed as the tallest drop on a water roller coaster in North America, and Cannonball! will be the first water roller coaster built in the Midwest. The station building is also underway, with the park targeting a 2027 opening.
Great Escape Adds Free Halloween-Day Boo Fest
Great Escape in Queensbury, New York, will open specially on Halloween itself, Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 5 p.m., for a free “Boo Fest” celebration, Amusement Today reports. Admission covers family-friendly Halloween activities and a show, plus trick-or-treating at the Storytown houses in Buckaroo Junction. Unlimited ride wristbands are available separately for guests who want to ride that day.
blooloop Reveals Its 2026 Zoo and Aquarium Influencer List
blooloop has published its fifth annual blooloop 50 Zoo and Aquarium Influencer List for 2026, produced this year in partnership with WAZA, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, according to blooloop. The honorees were chosen through peer nomination and judged by a panel that included WAZA president David Field. The list recognizes zoo and aquarium professionals for conservation and education work beyond their home institutions.
Tokyo Disneyland Resort Sets Dates for 2027 New Year’s Event
Tokyo Disneyland Resort has announced its New Year’s event will run Jan. 1-11, 2027, featuring a twice-daily parade with Mickey Mouse and friends dressed in traditional Japanese attire, per WDW News Today. The park will also display traditional kadomatsu decorations and offer limited-time food and merchandise tied to the celebration. The announcement was made via the resort’s official Instagram account.
Jack in the Box Teases a Possible ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Tie-In
In lighter theme park news, Jack in the Box posted a teaser showing its mascot dressed as Doctor Doom, fueling speculation about a Marvel promotion tied to “Avengers: Doomsday,” according to Attractions Magazine. The chain hasn’t confirmed specifics, though the outlet notes a themed meal or collectible items are possible. Jack in the Box previously ran a Marvel promotion tied to “Deadpool & Wolverine” in 2024.
Disneyland Paris Sets Closure Date for Indiana Jones Ride’s Biggest Refurbishment
Disneyland Paris will close Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril on Jan. 4, 2027, for what the park calls its most extensive renovation since the ride opened in 1993, per Inside the Magic. Planned work includes rebuilding sections of the stone temple, restoring the queue’s wooden walkways and the attraction’s featured 4×4 vehicle, and upgrading lighting throughout. No reopening date has been announced.
Where to Find ‘Scream’ 30th Anniversary Collectibles
Rounding out today’s theme park news on the parks side, theaters including AMC, Cinemark, and Regal are selling Ghostface-themed popcorn buckets, cups, and a talking plush to mark the 30th anniversary of “Scream,” according to Attractions Magazine. AMC’s collection launches in theaters Oct. 29, while several items at other chains are already selling out online. Prices for the larger collectible pieces run up to around $80.
Live Music & Venues
The Doobie Brothers Announce 2027 Fontainebleau Las Vegas Residency
The Doobie Brothers will play a nine-show residency at Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ BleauLive Theater in 2027, marking the band’s debut at the resort, per Pollstar. Shows are set for Feb. 26-27, March 5-6, and Aug. 27-28, plus Sept. 1, 3, and 4. Tickets go on sale to the general public Oct. 30.
Disturbed to Play ‘The Sickness’ in Full on 2027 Australia and New Zealand Tour
Disturbed will perform its debut album “The Sickness” in full, followed by a greatest-hits set, on its first Australia and New Zealand headline tour in more than a decade, set for April and May 2027. The band announced arena dates in Auckland, Christchurch, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth, as reported by Billboard. General on-sale begins Oct. 30.
Explore more: Six Flags Over Georgia, Audi Field.
Theme Park & Live Entertainment News FAQs
Why is Six Flags adding seatbelts to the Goliath coaster?
Six Flags announced the change after a rider died in a fall from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia earlier in October 2026. The company says it’s adding seatbelts to Goliath and other coasters with similar lap-bar restraints as part of a broader safety push.
When does Holiday World’s Cannonball! water coaster open?
Holiday World hasn’t given an exact opening date, but construction, including the lift hill, was underway and on schedule as of late October 2026. It will be the first water roller coaster in the Midwest when it opens.
Is Great Escape open on Halloween 2026?
Yes. Great Escape will open specially on Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 5 p.m., with free admission to its Boo Fest activities, including trick-or-treating and a family show.
When will the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland Paris close?
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril is scheduled to close Jan. 4, 2027, for its most extensive refurbishment since opening in 1993. Disneyland Paris hasn’t announced a reopening date.
When do tickets go on sale for the Doobie Brothers’ Fontainebleau residency?
General on-sale begins Oct. 30, 2026, with early access for Citi cardmembers starting Oct. 27. The nine-show residency runs across dates in February, March, August, and September 2027 at BleauLive Theater.
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Photo: hagerman / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.