Theme park news today is led by Universal Studios Hollywood’s move to install extra sound barriers around its new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster after noise complaints from nearby residents, alongside Tokyo Disneyland’s reveal of a new name for its reimagined Space Mountain attraction.
This theme park news roundup for Thursday, August 13, 2026 also covers American Dream’s real-life Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a new Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon, Efteling’s self-driving shuttle test, and a Fort Wayne Zoo giraffe birth, plus stadium news from Al Ahly SC and the Lakers’ record ownership sale, and live music updates on Steve Lacy’s new tour, a major event-infrastructure merger, and JYP Entertainment’s latest earnings.
The TLDR
- Universal Studios Hollywood: Two new sound barriers going up around the 72-mph Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster after resident noise complaints.
- Tokyo Disneyland: Reimagined Space Mountain coaster named ‘Earthrise’ as part of a $630 million Tomorrowland overhaul.
- American Dream: A real Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, themed to Five Nights at Freddy’s, confirmed for 2027.
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: A new Sorcerer Mickey balloon joins the 100th Macy’s parade this November.
- Efteling: The Dutch park is testing a self-driving shuttle between the park and its resorts.
- Fort Wayne Zoo: A 196-pound baby reticulated giraffe was born August 10 to parents Faye and Ezeji.
- Al Ahly SC: Egypt’s Al Ahly lands a naming-rights deal making its new stadium ‘Vodafone Stadium.’
- Los Angeles Lakers: Mark Walter is reportedly selling the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion.
- Steve Lacy: Lacy’s ‘Oh Yeah? Tour’ kicks off Sept. 27 in Minneapolis across 27 North American cities.
- eps/NUSSLI: Two of Europe’s biggest event-infrastructure firms merge into an 820-person operation.
- JYP Entertainment: JYP’s revenue fell 15% amid a Stray Kids tour gap and a second TWICE member’s agency exit.
Theme Parks & Roller Coasters
Universal Studios Hollywood Adds Sound Barriers to Fast & Furious Coaster
Universal Studios Hollywood is installing two additional sound barriers around Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift after nearby residents complained about rider screams during testing, according to blooloop. The 4,100-foot outdoor coaster, still in technical rehearsals, is set to be Universal’s fastest at up to 72 mph — a claim that would put it among the park’s most extreme rides, alongside some of the steepest roller coaster drops in the world. Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian’s office confirmed the barrier installation is underway, while Universal said the ride has been operating within local sound ordinance requirements.
Tokyo Disneyland Names Its Reimagined Space Mountain ‘Earthrise’
Tokyo Disneyland has revealed that its updated Space Mountain coaster will be called Space Mountain Earthrise, part of a 100 billion yen ($630 million) transformation of the park’s Tomorrowland area, per blooloop. The overhaul also brings a new Wreck-It Ralph attraction named Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue. Space Mountain Earthrise will add onboard audio to its ride vehicles for the first time at Tokyo Disney Resort, along with a new ride system and story.
American Dream to Open Real-Life Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza in 2027
American Dream’s mega-entertainment complex in New Jersey has confirmed plans to open a real Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, themed to the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise, sometime in 2027, according to Screamscape. It remains to be seen whether the venue will lean into the game’s darker horror elements or play it as a family-friendly pizzeria.
Sorcerer Mickey Balloon Set to Debut at 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
A new Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey balloon will join the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this November, alongside a companion Disney merchandise collection that launched August 13, reports Attractions Magazine. The balloon was unveiled the same day at Downtown Disney District during D23 Day at Disneyland Resort.
Efteling to Test Self-Driving Shuttle Bus
Netherlands theme park Efteling is testing a self-driving shuttle bus to ferry guests between the park and its on-site resorts, according to Screamscape. The park is treating the rollout as a technology trial rather than a permanent transportation system for now.
Fort Wayne Zoo Welcomes Baby Reticulated Giraffe
The Fort Wayne Zoo announced the birth of a male reticulated giraffe on August 10, born to mother Faye and father Ezeji, per Amusement Today. The calf stands 6 feet tall and weighs 196 pounds; his name will be announced later.
Stadiums & Arenas
Al Ahly’s New Stadium Gets Vodafone Naming Rights
Egyptian club Al Ahly SC has signed a naming-rights and technology partnership with Vodafone Egypt, meaning its new stadium will be known as Vodafone Stadium, according to Coliseum. Vodafone also becomes the club’s sole technology partner as part of the agreement tied to the Al Qalaa Al Hamraa sports-city development.
Mark Walter Reportedly Selling Lakers for Record $12.5 Billion
Just over a year after buying the Los Angeles Lakers from the Buss family in a then-record $10 billion deal, owner Mark Walter is reportedly agreeing to sell the franchise to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at a $12.5 billion valuation, according to Front Office Sports. The sale still requires approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors.
Live Music & Venues
Steve Lacy Announces ‘Oh Yeah? Tour’ Across North America
Steve Lacy will launch his “Oh Yeah? Tour” on September 27 at the Armory in Minneapolis, supporting his new album, according to Pollstar. The 27-city run includes stops in Toronto, Miami, and Los Angeles before wrapping in Vancouver, marking Lacy’s first headline tour since 2022.
Event Infrastructure Giants eps and NUSSLI Merge
Germany’s eps and Switzerland’s NUSSLI have merged into a single Europe-based provider of temporary event infrastructure, spanning stages, grandstands, crowd control, and temporary stadiums, per Pollstar. The combined company employs 820 people across 50 locations and counts Live Nation, Formula 1, and Coachella among its clients.
JYP Entertainment Reports 15% Revenue Dip Between Stray Kids Tours
JYP Entertainment posted a 15.1% year-over-year revenue drop in its second quarter, which it attributed to the timing gap between Stray Kids’ world tours, according to IQ Magazine. The results landed the same week TWICE’s Chaeyoung became the second member this month to announce her departure from the agency, though she remains part of the group.
Explore more: steepest roller coaster drops in the world, Manta at SeaWorld San Diego.
Theme Park News FAQs
Why is Universal Studios Hollywood adding sound barriers to Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift?
Nearby residents complained that riders’ screams on the new outdoor coaster were disturbing the neighborhood, so Universal is installing two additional sound barriers around the ride while it remains in technical rehearsals.
What will Tokyo Disneyland’s new Space Mountain be called?
The reimagined coaster will be named Space Mountain Earthrise, part of a 100 billion yen ($630 million) Tomorrowland transformation that also brings a new Wreck-It Ralph attraction, Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue.
When does Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza open at American Dream?
American Dream has confirmed the real-life, Five Nights at Freddy’s-themed restaurant for 2027, though an exact opening date hasn’t been announced yet.
Is Mark Walter really selling the Lakers?
Reports indicate Walter has agreed to sell the Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at a record $12.5 billion valuation, just over a year after buying the team for $10 billion; the deal still needs NBA Board of Governors approval.
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