Theme park news for October 28, 2026 is led by the Themed Entertainment Association’s newly released 2025 attendance index, which shows Universal Epic Universe helping push Orlando’s three Universal theme parks to roughly 22.5 million combined visits in its debut partial year.
This roundup also covers a new general manager at Eldridge Park’s historic carousel, a Magic Kingdom holiday party sellout, a false-alarm scare near Cedar Point, Waymo’s expanding Orlando footprint, and a new Disney California Adventure food kiosk in the theme parks beat, plus live music news including Jay-Z’s Super Bowl LXI halftime announcement and fresh Latin Grammy performer additions.
The TLDR
- Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: Universal Epic Universe Fuels Orlando’s 2025 Attendance Gains
- Live Music & Venues: Jay-Z to Headline Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium
Theme Parks & Roller Coasters
Universal Epic Universe Fuels Orlando’s 2025 Attendance Gains
The Themed Entertainment Association’s 2025 attendance index found that Universal Epic Universe, which opened May 22, 2025, drew an estimated 4 million visits in its first partial year, according to Attractions Magazine. Combined, Universal Orlando’s three parks reached roughly 22.5 million visits in 2025, up from about 18.95 million across two parks in 2024, even as several established Orlando parks saw declines. Epic Universe still ranked outside the global top 25, landing 13th among North American parks in its debut partial year.
Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society Hires New General Manager
The nonprofit behind Eldridge Park’s historic carousel has hired Tarrah Seaver of Horseheads, New York, as the vintage amusement park’s new general manager, according to Amusement Today. Board President Mike “Robby” Robertson said the group wanted a manager who understands “the balance between the business and community side” of running the park. Seaver previously owned a bakery in Corning, New York, for nearly eight years. Long-running attractions like Six Flags Over Georgia’s Great American Scream Machine show how legacy parks keep drawing fans decade after decade, and Eldridge Park’s new leadership is aiming for the same longevity on a community scale.
Two More Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates Sell Out
Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has sold out two more nights, Nov. 15 and Dec. 3, bringing the 2026 season’s sold-out total to 13 dates, according to WDW News Today. The hard-ticket event runs select nights from Nov. 8 through Dec. 22, 2026, with adult tickets previously priced between $194 and $229 plus tax. Several November and December dates remain available for fans still hoping to attend.
‘Covered in Blood’ 911 Call Near Cedar Point Turns Out to Be a Scare Actor
An off-duty officer flagged a person “covered in blood” entering a vehicle at a travel stop roughly 14 miles from Cedar Point on Oct. 25, prompting a brief police response, according to Inside the Magic. Officers determined within two minutes that the person was a Cedar Point HalloWeekends scare actor still wearing stage blood from their costume, and no actual incident had occurred. It’s a reminder that Halloween season brings its share of off-site double-takes for local police near haunted attractions.
Waymo Expands Self-Driving Service Across Orlando
Waymo has grown its self-driving rideshare coverage in Orlando by 53 square miles, nearly doubling its footprint to 120 square miles, according to Attractions Magazine. The expansion adds the International Drive tourist corridor and new stops near the Orlando Science Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and Orlando City Hall. Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport remain outside Waymo’s service area for now.
Disney California Adventure Reveals Bountiful Valley Brews Menu
Disney has shared the opening menu for Bountiful Valley Brews, a permanent food and drink kiosk opening next month at Disney California Adventure, according to a Disney Eats announcement reported by WDW News Today. The lineup leans into drinks, including a pomegranate-blueberry martini, a strawberry-mango margarita, a whiskey peach tea, craft beer, and micheladas, alongside one food item: a pepperoni pizza egg roll with pesto dipping sauce.
Live Music & Venues
Jay-Z to Headline Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show at SoFi Stadium
The NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music announced that Jay-Z will headline the Super Bowl LXI halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 14, 2027, according to Pollstar. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the invitation traces back to a 2019 conversation, around the time the NFL and Roc Nation first signed their entertainment partnership. Jay-Z marked the announcement by calling it the result of “thirty years of music, work, and culture.”
Latin Grammy Awards Add Cristian Castro, Grupo Frontera to Performer Lineup
The Latin Recording Academy announced additional performers for the Nov. 12 Latin Grammy Awards, including Cristian Castro, Grupo Frontera, The Warning, Feid, Reik, and Camila Fernández, according to Pollstar. Roselyn Sánchez will host the 27th annual ceremony, which will also include a tribute marking the 100th anniversary of José Alfredo Jiménez’s birth.
Explore more: Great American Scream Machine, Doyt Perry Stadium.
Theme Park News FAQs
What is the biggest theme park news story for October 28, 2026?
The biggest story is the Themed Entertainment Association’s newly released 2025 attendance index, which found that Universal Epic Universe helped Orlando’s three Universal theme parks reach about 22.5 million combined visits in 2025, up from roughly 18.95 million the year before, according to Attractions Magazine.
Are tickets still available for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2026?
Yes, though availability is shrinking. As of Oct. 28, 2026, 13 nights of the hard-ticket Magic Kingdom event have sold out, including the newly added Nov. 15 and Dec. 3 dates, but several November and December nights remain open.
When is the Super Bowl LXI halftime show and who is performing?
Super Bowl LXI takes place Feb. 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Jay-Z has been announced as the halftime show headliner by the NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music.
When does Bountiful Valley Brews open at Disney California Adventure?
Bountiful Valley Brews, a permanent food and drink kiosk, is scheduled to open next month (November 2026) at Disney California Adventure, serving craft beer, cocktails, and a pepperoni pizza egg roll.
Was the Cedar Point ‘covered in blood’ incident real?
No. Police determined within two minutes that the person seen “covered in blood” near Cedar Point on Oct. 25 was a HalloWeekends scare actor still wearing stage makeup from their costume, and no actual incident occurred.
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Photo: Gfgbeach / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.