Theme park news today shares the spotlight with live music and stadiums, as Shakira’s Madrid residency set a streaming record with a surprise Dua Lipa cameo during her world tour, while Northwestern University debuted its new Ryan Field with a win over Penn State.
Today’s roundup also covers Walt Disney World swapping out Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’s queue trash cans ahead of its November refurbishment closure, a planned new Kawaii Slime Company shop coming to Disney Springs, Disney Parks announcer Jim Kirk’s cheery voiceover reimagining a frustrating commute, and the Milwaukee Brewers opening American Family Field’s roof for NLDS Game 2 after a wild Game 1 finish.
The TLDR
- Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: Disney swapped Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’s trash cans ahead of its November closure, announced a new Kawaii Slime Company shop for Disney Springs, and shared announcer Jim Kirk’s cheery commute voiceover.
- Stadiums & Arenas: Northwestern debuted its new $875 million Ryan Field with a win over Penn State, and the Brewers opened American Family Field’s roof for NLDS Game 2 after a wild Game 1 finish.
- Live Music & Venues: Shakira’s Madrid residency set a streaming record and brought out Dua Lipa for a surprise duet.
Theme Parks & Roller Coasters
Disney Parks Announcer Jim Kirk Turns a Traffic Jam Into a Theme Park Voiceover
Longtime Disney Parks voice actor Jim Kirk posted an Instagram Reel reimagining a frustrating morning commute as one of his cheerful Disney Parks-style announcements, narrating traffic delays with the same polished cadence fans recognize from park attractions, according to WDWNT. The clip was later featured on Chicago’s WGN 9 News.
Kawaii Slime Company Announces Planned Disney Springs Location
Kawaii Slime Company, a Las Vegas-based slime and novelty retailer that has operated a cart at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney since 2024, announced over the weekend that it is bringing a permanent location to the Marketplace neighborhood of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World, according to Inside the Magic. No opening date or store format has been announced yet.
Disney Swaps Out Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’s Contested Trash Cans, Confirms November Closure
Walt Disney World replaced the curved-lid, foot-pedal trash cans in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’s queue with classic metal waste bins overnight, after guests complained the newer design made it hard to balance food trays and operate the pedal, according to Inside the Magic. The Magic Kingdom attraction, which replaced Splash Mountain in 2024, is scheduled to close for its first refurbishment on Nov. 2, 2026.
Stadiums & Arenas
Northwestern’s New $875 Million Ryan Field Opens With Win Over Penn State
Northwestern University opened its new $875 million Ryan Field in Evanston on Oct. 2, 2026, with a win over Penn State, debuting the stadium almost exactly 100 years after the original Northwestern Stadium’s opening, complete with a pregame light show and fireworks, according to Coliseum. For another look at a new stadium build, see our profile of Birmingham’s Protective Stadium.
Brewers Open American Family Field’s Roof for NLDS Game 2 After Wild Game 1 Finish
The Milwaukee Brewers opened American Family Field’s retractable roof for Game 2 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, confirmed via the team’s roof hotline, according to Front Office Sports. The move followed a bizarre finish to Saturday’s Game 1, when a Padres fly ball struck the stadium’s closed roof and was caught for an out under the ballpark’s ground rules; Milwaukee held on to win that game 3-2.
Live Music & Venues
Shakira’s Madrid Residency Sets a Streaming Record and Welcomes Guest After Guest
Shakira’s Oct. 3, 2026 show in Madrid became Amazon Music’s most-viewed livestream by a female artist, the streaming service announced, as part of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour,” according to Pollstar. The same show brought out Dua Lipa for a surprise duet of “Antología,” continuing a run of guest appearances during the residency that has also included Laura Pausini and Alejandro Sanz, according to Billboard.
Explore more: Birmingham’s Protective Stadium, Zurich’s Hallenstadion.
Theme Park News FAQs
When does Tiana’s Bayou Adventure close for refurbishment?
The Magic Kingdom attraction is scheduled to close on Nov. 2, 2026, for its first refurbishment since replacing Splash Mountain in 2024.
What record did Shakira’s Madrid concert set?
Her Oct. 3, 2026 Madrid show became Amazon Music’s most-viewed livestream by a female artist, according to the streaming service.
How much did Northwestern’s new Ryan Field cost?
The new stadium cost $875 million and debuted on Oct. 2, 2026, with a win over Penn State.
Is Kawaii Slime Company opening a Disney Springs location?
Yes — the retailer announced plans for a store in Disney Springs’ Marketplace neighborhood, though an opening date hasn’t been set.
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Photo: Priscila Bruder / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.