Here are today’s 10 verified theme park & live event stories, covering Theme Parks & Roller Coasters, Stadiums & Arenas and Live Music & Venues.
Every item below links to its original source.
The TLDR
- Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: The Magic of Disney Animation Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Stadiums & Arenas: Nationwide Arena Renovation Moves Forward With New RFQ
- Live Music & Venues: Dave Chappelle Announces Fall 2026 Arena Tour
Theme Parks & Roller Coasters
The Magic of Disney Animation Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios officially opened The Magic of Disney Animation on September 14, a new area called The Walt Disney Studios housed in a building styled after Burbank’s Roy E. Disney Animation Building. It’s the first space at Walt Disney World to reference all 65 Walt Disney Animation Studios feature films, with drawing-focused experiences including Drawn to Wonderland, Off the Page, and Olaf Draws, according to blooloop.
Live Preshow Spiel Quietly Removed From Muppets Coaster
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has swapped the live Cast Member safety spiel before the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets preshow for a pre-recorded announcement, months after the coaster’s Muppets re-theme opened. The change was first noted by Inside the Magic.
Attraktion! Launches Playblaster Interactive Device for Dark Rides
Media-based attractions company Attraktion! introduced Playblaster, a new interactive device built for dark rides, immersive attractions, and arcade-style games. The handheld tool lets riders aim, trigger effects, and collect points, giving operators a way to make ride-throughs more interactive, according to Park World.
Play Disney Parks App Shuts Down This Week
The Play Disney Parks app, which powers interactive experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, will be permanently retired on September 16. Disney announced the shutdown about a month ago, and the app will be pulled from app stores that day, according to WDWNT.
Universal Studios Japan Announces Winter 2026 Holiday Event
Universal Studios Japan announced its winter event, ‘Universal Holiday Wonders ~Discover U!!!~,’ running November 13, 2026 through January 17, 2027. The lineup includes a ‘Light Up the Night ~Christmas Celebration~’ display, the ‘Joy of Lights’ presentation, and the Universal Food Festival, with special ‘winter gifts’ tied to the park’s 25th anniversary, according to WDWNT.
Disneyland Scales Back Bluey Show Performances
Disneyland has cut back performances of Bluey’s Best Day Ever, which had run multiple times daily since its debut earlier this year. As of earlier this month, the show is running only Friday through Sunday, with Monday and Thursday performances set to resume September 28, according to Inside the Magic.
Stadiums & Arenas
Nationwide Arena Renovation Moves Forward With New RFQ
The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority has launched a request for qualifications for architectural design and engineering services for a renovation and modernization of Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The arena, located in the city’s Arena District, is home to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, according to Sports Venue Business.
Live Music & Venues
Dave Chappelle Announces Fall 2026 Arena Tour
Dave Chappelle announced a North American arena tour this fall, kicking off October 20 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The routing includes stops at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center and Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, with additional shows in markets including Houston, according to Pollstar.
AEG Presents Partners With Greenhouse Talent in Europe
AEG Presents has formed a partnership with Greenhouse Talent, an independent European concert promoter that has long served as AEG’s local promoter for shows in the Benelux region. AEG described the deal as formalizing an existing working relationship, according to Pollstar.
‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ Wins Big at 2026 Emmys
The 2026 Primetime Emmy Awards aired September 14 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with The Late Show With Stephen Colbert picking up the Outstanding Variety Series award in its final season. Widow’s Bay set new comedy-series win records, and musical performances during the show included sets from Reba McEntire and Noah Kahan, according to Billboard.
Explore more: Knott’s Scary Farm, The Pageant.
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Photo: DearCatastropheWaitress at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.