Theme park news exploded this week as Disney’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER launched with a record number of simultaneous attraction openings, Six Flags unveiled a world-record family coaster project, and Universal set a hard opening date for its brand-new Texas resort — making late May 2026 one of the most story-rich weeks in theme park news in recent memory.
New Rides & Coaster Openings
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s beloved indoor thrill ride reopened May 26 with a full Muppets retheme, retiring the Aerosmith branding that had defined the attraction since 1999. The reimagined ride features Electric Mayhem performing a new soundtrack with contributions from Jennifer Hudson, Questlove, Def Leppard, and Kelly Clarkson. Annual Passholders got soft-opening access May 21–23 before the full public debut on launch day. It’s the highest-profile theme park ride retheme of 2026, and the new soundtrack concept is unlike anything Disney has attempted on a coaster.
Soarin’ Across America Takes Flight at EPCOT
Timed to America’s 250th birthday, Soarin’ Across America debuted May 26 at EPCOT, replacing the Soarin’ Around the World film that had run since 2016. Guests now glide over U.S. landmarks in a new aerial film scored by composer Bruce Broughton, with an optional trivia layer called “Soarin’ Challenge Across America” developed with National Geographic. The same new film will also play at Disneyland. Annual Passholder previews began May 19, giving Disney fans an early look at one of the most ambitious overlay projects the park has executed in years.
Bluey’s Wild World Opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed Australia’s favorite animated family with Bluey’s Wild World, a new experience debuting May 26 at Conservation Station. The area includes interactive games, character meet-and-greets with Bluey and Bingo, and a live animal habitat called Jumping Junction featuring kangaroos and wallabies native to Australia. A virtual queue is in place given high anticipated demand throughout the summer. It’s one of the most family-friendly additions to any Disney park this season.
Efteling Reveals Ravenring — An Interactive Flying Attraction
Dutch theme park Efteling announced Ravenring on May 27, a Vekoma-built interactive aerial carousel set to open in winter 2026. The attraction places 36 riders in 18 winged raven-shaped vehicles in the park’s reimagined Raveleijn area, with onboard levers that allow guests to control their vehicle’s tilt during flight. The opening will coincide with a renovated Raveleijn stage show produced in partnership with Puy du Fou. Ravenring builds on Efteling’s strong 2026 momentum, which also included the opening of the Hooghmoed child-friendly drop tower earlier this spring.
Jessie’s Roundup Debuts Early at Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe
Disney opened Jessie’s Roundup at Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe on May 24, a day ahead of the official Cool KIDS’ SUMMER kickoff. The Toy Story–themed interactive show stars Jessie leading western-style games, dancing, crafts, and Toy Story 5 tie-in activities across two distinct daily show segments. Guests who participate earn a deputy star sticker, and the experience runs through September 8, 2026 — giving families the full summer to catch it.
Park News & Expansions
Universal Kids Resort Texas Sets July 1 Opening Date
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas announced a July 1, 2026 opening date on May 28, with tickets and annual passes going on sale the same day starting at $54.99 per day. The 20-acre family park outside Dallas features seven themed lands, 11 dining options, and a 300-room on-site hotel, marking Universal’s first dedicated family park outside its flagship resort markets. For fans of Universal’s signature ride experiences, our guide to top Universal Orlando attractions outlines what to expect from the brand’s immersive storytelling approach.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas Reveals Werewolf Gorge — World’s Longest Family Launch Coaster
On May 30, Six Flags Fiesta Texas announced Werewolf Gorge, a Vekoma multi-launch coaster set to open during the park’s 35th anniversary season in 2027. The full announcement, made under a blue full moon at a special reveal event, is available on PR Newswire. At 4,120 feet with four launches, speeds up to 45 mph, and 32 floater airtime moments, it will be the world’s longest family launch coaster. Our in-depth explainer on roller coaster launch systems breaks down exactly how Vekoma’s multi-launch technology generates this kind of back-and-forth thrill.
Tormenta Rampaging Run Enters Testing at Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas’s record-breaking Tormenta Rampaging Run moved into testing phases in late May, with video of test runs circulating widely in the enthusiast community. The giga dive coaster stands 309 feet tall with a 285-foot beyond-vertical drop at a 95-degree angle — figures that will make it the world’s only giga dive coaster and break six world records at once, including highest Immelmann inversion at 218 feet. Themed around a bull-running festival in the fictional village Rancho de la Tormenta, the coaster was first highlighted in this blog’s May 17 weekly roundup and continues generating excitement with every test run.
Cedar Point Shores Opens New Crosscurrent Slides for 2026
Cedar Point Shores water park opened May 23 with two new water slides named Crosscurrent as part of the park’s 2026 season expansion. The main Cedar Point amusement park opened for its 157th season on May 9, debuting the “Rock This Way” live band show at Red Garter Saloon. The park’s Barrels & Bites culinary event will follow later in the summer. It’s a solid start to the season for one of North America’s most storied coaster destinations.
Events, Tech & Industry
Disney’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER: One of the Biggest Single Days in Recent History
Disney World’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER celebration officially kicked off May 26 with what theme park observers called one of the most chaotic and exhilarating single days at the resort in years. The simultaneous openings of Muppets Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Soarin’ Across America, Bluey’s Wild World, and GoofyCore at EPCOT drove massive crowds and spiked wait times across all four parks. The sheer coordination required to debut this many experiences on one day is a logistical feat even by Disney standards, and the public response validated the strategy.
GoofyCore DJ Dance Party Returns to EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall
EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall transformed for summer 2026 into GoofyCore, a Goofy-hosted DJ dance party with interactive games and seven daily show slots running from 10:30 a.m. through 5:15 p.m. The activation is part of Disney’s broader push to fill parks with live, character-driven entertainment that doesn’t require new construction — a cost-effective way to create high-energy moments between major attraction experiences. GoofyCore ran successfully at EPCOT in a prior summer and returns with an expanded schedule.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Reaches First-Riders Milestone
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster welcomed its first official riders in late May, a critical milestone on the path to summer 2026 public opening. The 4,100-foot outdoor coaster reaches 72 mph with rotating cars that simulate drifting through Hollywood landmarks — and it will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor coaster, filling a long-standing gap in the west coast park’s ride portfolio. Enthusiast anticipation for this attraction has been building all spring.
Six Flags Great Adventure Unveils Shoreline Pier Boardwalk Reimagining
Six Flags Great Adventure announced Shoreline Pier, a reimagined boardwalk district bringing classic-style rides, expanded food and beverage offerings, and a refreshed seaside atmosphere to the New Jersey park. The new area blends nostalgic fair-style aesthetics with modern guest experience standards and is slated to open in late spring 2026. It’s part of Six Flags Entertainment Group’s ongoing park-by-park reinvestment strategy following the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair, and signals continued capital commitment to the Great Adventure property.
Sources
- Disney Parks Blog — Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets now open at Hollywood Studios
- AllEars.Net — One of the most chaotic days in recent Disney World history
- Blooloop — Efteling reveals Ravenring name and design
- PR Newswire — Six Flags Fiesta Texas unleashes Werewolf Gorge
- NBC DFW — Universal announces opening date for new Texas theme park
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Disney’s Cool KIDS’ SUMMER and what opened on May 26, 2026?
Cool KIDS’ SUMMER is Disney World’s 2026 summer celebration that launched May 26 with multiple simultaneous debuts: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Hollywood Studios, Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT, Bluey’s Wild World at Animal Kingdom, GoofyCore at EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall, and Jessie’s Roundup at Magic Kingdom.
What records will Six Flags Over Texas’s Tormenta Rampaging Run break?
Tormenta Rampaging Run will break at least six world records when it opens, including world’s tallest giga dive coaster at 309 feet, longest drop on a dive coaster at 285 feet, and highest Immelmann inversion at 218 feet. It is also the world’s only giga dive coaster.
When will Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas open and how much do tickets cost?
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas is set to open July 1, 2026. Tickets start at $54.99 per day, and annual passes went on sale May 28, 2026. The 20-acre park features seven themed lands and a 300-room on-site hotel.
What is Werewolf Gorge at Six Flags Fiesta Texas?
Werewolf Gorge is a Vekoma-built multi-launch coaster announced May 30, 2026, set to open during the park’s 35th anniversary season in 2027. At 4,120 feet with four launches, speeds up to 45 mph, and 32 floater airtime moments, it will become the world’s longest family launch roller coaster.
What is Efteling’s Ravenring attraction?
Ravenring is an interactive aerial carousel from Vekoma opening at Efteling in the Netherlands in winter 2026. It features 18 winged raven-shaped vehicles carrying 36 riders, with levers that let guests control their vehicle’s tilt angle during flight. It will open alongside a renovated Raveleijn stage show co-produced with Puy du Fou.