7 Essential Theme Park News Stories for Saturday, September 12, 2026: Six Flags Magic Mountain’s New Thrill Glider Coaster and Alison Krauss’s Tour Cancellation

September 12, 2026

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by tz

Theme park news today is led by Six Flags Magic Mountain’s announcement of Thrill Glider, a new Vekoma-built coaster set to open in 2027 as a world-first ride category combining flying, motorbike, and suspended-coaster technology.

Beyond today’s theme park news, the roundup also covers stadiums and arenas, where a federal investigation has reportedly opened into the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap case, and live music, where Alison Krauss & Union Station canceled their remaining tour dates and Goldenvoice scrapped its debut Ocean Way Festival in Santa Monica before it could happen.

The TLDR

  • Theme Parks & Roller Coasters: Six Flags Magic Mountain Announces Thrill Glider Coaster for 2027
  • Stadiums & Arenas: Federal Probe Opens Into Kawhi Leonard/Clippers Salary-Cap Case
  • Live Music & Venues: Alison Krauss & Union Station Cancel Remaining Tour Dates

Theme Parks & Roller Coasters

Six Flags Magic Mountain Announces Thrill Glider Coaster for 2027

Six Flags Magic Mountain has announced Thrill Glider, a new roller coaster from manufacturer Vekoma set to open in 2027 on the site of the former Golden Bear Theatre. The ride introduces a new ‘Thrillglider’ category, seating riders on flying, motorbike-style vehicles suspended beneath the track for a course reaching 107 feet with speeds up to 50 mph, five inversions, and 12 airtime moments. Park president Brian Oerding said the goal was to “pioneer an entirely new coaster category,” according to blooloop. Fans of coaster history can also revisit our profile of the vintage Dragon Coaster at Playland for a look at how far the ride category has come.

‘Enchanted Ensemble’ Mystery Pin Arrives at Disneyland

Disneyland has added the ‘Enchanted Ensemble’ mystery pin pouch to its lineup at the Westward Ho Trading Company, following its earlier debut at Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort. Each $11.99 orange pouch contains one randomly selected pin from a set that includes Mr. Toad, Ariel, Goofy, Yzma, Hercules, and Big Hero 6’s Mochi, per WDWNT.

Universal Orlando Opens ‘The Traitors’ Themed Bar at CityWalk

Universal Orlando has opened a temporary bar experience themed to NBC’s “The Traitors: New Blood” inside CityWalk’s Great Movie Escape. The takeover includes show-inspired décor, costume displays, and themed cocktails, and guests can visit without doing the escape room itself, according to Attractions Magazine.

Dollywood’s Harvest Festival Presented by Humana Returns

Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana returns to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, running September 14 through October 31. This year’s event adds LumiNights Dance Parties alongside the park’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights display, plus a separately ticketed after-hours Harvey’s Boo Bash on select October nights, per Amusement Today.

Stadiums & Arenas

Federal Probe Opens Into Kawhi Leonard/Clippers Salary-Cap Case

A federal investigation has reportedly been opened into alleged off-the-books payments at the center of the Kawhi Leonard/LA Clippers salary-cap saga, involving companies including Aspiration and Boingo Wireless. The probe follows the NBA’s own findings this month, which resulted in a one-year ban and $30 million fine for owner Steve Ballmer, the loss of five Clippers first-round draft picks, and a $700,000 fine for Leonard, according to Front Office Sports.

Live Music & Venues

Alison Krauss & Union Station Cancel Remaining Tour Dates

Alison Krauss & Union Station have canceled the 15 remaining dates of their Arcadia 2026 Tour after doctors advised Krauss to rest her voice. In a statement, Krauss said the decision was “not made lightly,” with the band offering full refunds for shows including stops at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and the Wynn Las Vegas, per Pollstar.

Goldenvoice’s Ocean Way Festival Canceled Before Its Debut

Goldenvoice’s inaugural Ocean Way Festival, planned for September 26-27 on the Santa Monica beachfront with headliners The Killers and Olivia Dean, has been canceled before it could take place. The City of Santa Monica pulled the plug, citing beach erosion caused by Hurricane Marie, and Goldenvoice has indicated it hopes to reschedule for 2027, according to Pollstar. The cancellation is a blow to the Los Angeles-area live music scene, home to historic stages like the Shrine Auditorium.

Explore more: Dragon Coaster at Playland, Shrine Auditorium.

Theme Park News FAQs

What’s the biggest theme park news today?

The biggest theme park news today is Six Flags Magic Mountain’s announcement of Thrill Glider, a Vekoma-built coaster opening in 2027 that introduces a new ‘Thrillglider’ ride category.

When is Dollywood’s Harvest Festival in 2026?

Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana runs September 14 through October 31, 2026, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and includes a new Harvey’s Boo Bash after-hours event.

Why did Alison Krauss & Union Station cancel their tour?

Alison Krauss & Union Station canceled the final 15 dates of their Arcadia 2026 Tour after doctors advised Krauss to rest her voice; the band is offering full refunds.

Why was Goldenvoice’s Ocean Way Festival canceled?

The City of Santa Monica canceled the debut Ocean Way Festival, which was set to headline The Killers and Olivia Dean on September 26-27, due to beach erosion caused by Hurricane Marie.

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Photo: Cabe6403 at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.