Theme park news is led today by Universal Orlando’s confirmation that a new indoor thrill coaster is under construction in Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land, right next to the existing Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, with Kentucky Kingdom countering with a record-setting wooden coaster of its own for 2027.
Today’s theme park news roundup also includes Fun Spot America’s Black Friday season pass sale, Kings of Leon’s new album and 2027 tour, Céline Dion’s cameo at Metallica’s Sphere residency, and the public debut of Zoo Atlanta’s giant pandas.
The TLDR
- Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: Universal confirms a new indoor coaster for Epic Universe’s Dark Universe
- Live Music & Venues: Kings of Leon release new album, announce 2027 North American tour
- Zoos & Aquariums: Zoo Atlanta’s giant pandas make their public debut
Theme Parks & Roller Coasters
Universal confirms a new indoor coaster for Epic Universe’s Dark Universe
Universal Orlando Resort has confirmed that a new indoor thrill coaster is under construction in Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land, right next to the existing Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment dark ride. Per blooloop, the ride will be themed around the Universal Monsters franchise, though Universal hasn’t released a name or opening date yet — only saying it’s planned for “the years ahead.”
Kentucky Kingdom unveils Midnight Showdown, a record-setting wooden coaster for 2027
Kentucky Kingdom has announced Midnight Showdown, a horse racing-themed wooden roller coaster billed as the world’s largest indoor wooden coaster, opening in spring 2027. According to Amusement Today, the ride will be built by The Gravity Group with 1,130 feet of track, a top speed of 32 mph, and 11 airtime moments across two 10-rider trains. It will be the park’s seventh coaster and the centerpiece of Bluegrass Downs, a new land themed around Kentucky’s horse racing heritage — fans can compare it to some of the fastest wooden roller coasters in the world.
Fun Spot America launches Black Friday savings on 2027 season passes
Fun Spot America is running a Black Friday sale on 2027 season passes from November 13 through November 30. Per Amusement Today, the standard 2027 Season Pass drops to $89.95 (regularly $129.95) and the 2027 Ultimate Season Pass drops to $229.95 (regularly $289.95) at the park’s Orlando and Kissimmee locations.
Live Music & Venues
Kings of Leon release new album, announce 2027 North American tour
Kings of Leon released their tenth studio album, O My Beloved, on November 6 and simultaneously announced a 30-city North American tour for 2027. Per Pollstar, the tour runs from May 8 in Bristow, Virginia through October 15 at New York’s Madison Square Garden, with Band of Horses and Dexter and the Moonrocks joining as support on select dates.
Céline Dion plays air bass at Metallica’s Sphere residency
Céline Dion was spotted enthusiastically playing air bass during Metallica’s Life Burns Faster residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere on Thursday, November 5. Per Billboard, fan-filmed video showed Dion mimicking bassist Robert Trujillo’s moves from a suite inside the venue, and she mentioned that Metallica is her son Eddy’s favorite band.
Zoos & Aquariums
Zoo Atlanta’s giant pandas make their public debut
Zoo Atlanta’s giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, made their public debut at the newly renovated Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove on Friday, November 6. Per FOX 5 Atlanta, the pair arrived in Atlanta on September 27 from China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and the $6 million habitat renovation was funded by a grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. Readers curious about other animal habitats can check out zoos around the world.
Explore more: fastest wooden roller coasters, college football stadiums, zoos around the world.
Theme Park News FAQs
What new roller coaster is Universal building at Epic Universe?
Universal Orlando has confirmed a new indoor thrill coaster under construction in Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land, next to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. The ride’s name and opening date haven’t been announced; Universal says it’s planned for “the years ahead.”
When does Kentucky Kingdom’s Midnight Showdown open?
Midnight Showdown, billed as the world’s largest indoor wooden roller coaster, is set to open at Kentucky Kingdom in spring 2027. It will be the park’s seventh coaster, built by The Gravity Group inside the new Bluegrass Downs land.
How much are Fun Spot America’s Black Friday season passes?
From November 13 through November 30, Fun Spot America’s 2027 Season Pass is $89.95 (down from $129.95) and the 2027 Ultimate Season Pass is $229.95 (down from $289.95) at its Orlando and Kissimmee parks.
When did the giant pandas debut at Zoo Atlanta?
Ping Ping and Fu Shuang made their public debut at Zoo Atlanta’s newly renovated Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove on November 6, 2026, after arriving from China on September 27.
Is Kings of Leon touring North America in 2027?
Yes. Kings of Leon announced a 30-city North American tour running May 8 through October 15, 2027, with Band of Horses and Dexter and the Moonrocks as support on select dates.
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Photo: Gfgbeach / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.