Theme park news this week was dominated by a world-record-shattering giga dive coaster inching toward its June 26 debut, a legendary wooden coaster rising from an extended closure, and Universal’s newest resort unveiling its first permanent nighttime spectacular. From Disney policy shifts to Halloween event launches and a beloved 50-year-old park celebrating its anniversary, the theme park news from June 15–21, 2026 packs in a full summer’s worth of developments you won’t want to miss.
New Rides & Coaster Openings
Tormenta Rampaging Run Sets Six World Records at Six Flags Over Texas — Opening June 26
The countdown is officially on at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, where Tormenta Rampaging Run opens June 26. This B&M giga dive coaster stands 309 feet tall, reaches 87 mph, and stretches 4,199 feet of track — simultaneously claiming the titles of world’s tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster, plus three additional records, for six total. Themed to the Spanish tradition of the running of the bulls, Tormenta earns a brand-new classification: the first-ever “giga dive coaster,” combining a giga’s massive scale with the iconic beyond-vertical drop of a dive machine. It is arguably the most significant new coaster opening of 2026.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Continues to Win Over Guests
Disney’s rethemed indoor launch coaster at Hollywood Studios — now starring Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem — opened Memorial Day weekend and has earned enthusiastic guest reviews well into June. Walt Disney Imagineering overhauled the entire experience with new ride vehicles, a fully redesigned pre-show, and a fresh Hollywood concert soundtrack featuring Electric Mayhem covers with guest artists. If you’re building a Walt Disney World trip around it, our complete Magic Kingdom height requirements guide covers every Walt Disney World ride-access tier so you can plan without surprises.
Alabama Adventure’s Rampage Wooden Coaster Reopens After Extended Closure
Fans of the Southeast’s classic woodens got big news when Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure welcomed back Rampage with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 19. The beloved wooden coaster, which originally debuted in 1998, had been sidelined for an extended period, making its return one of the most anticipated regional park moments of the summer. Park officials also teased a second major fan-favorite announcement tied to the same event — keeping anticipation high for what comes next at this underrated Alabama gem.
Fun-Plex Omaha Launches Mammoth, Nebraska’s Tallest Roller Coaster
Summer arrived large at Fun-Plex in Omaha, Nebraska, with the debut of Mammoth, the state’s newest and largest coaster at 70 feet tall. The park also unveiled a redesigned dry-side experience including the Fun-Plex Speedway go-kart attraction, plus a recurring Friday Night Rides event series that kicked off June 19. For a regional family park, this is a meaningful leap that puts Fun-Plex squarely on the Midwest coaster map.
Park News & Expansions
Carowinds Announces World-Record “Rip Roarin’ Falls” Log Flume for 2027
Carowinds made a massive 2027 announcement this week: Rip Roarin’ Falls, a WhiteWater-built super flume that will claim three world records simultaneously — tallest flume drop (100 feet), tallest reverse drop (42 feet), and tallest reverse camelback (32 feet). The 6.5-minute ride covers 2,240 feet of track and tops out at 50 mph, replacing the former Raging Rapids site that closed in 2019. A 35-inch height requirement keeps it accessible for families of all sizes, positioning Rip Roarin’ Falls to be a signature multi-generational draw for years to come.
Holiday World Teases “Project Flip Flop” — Largest Investment in Park History
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, sent the enthusiast community into a frenzy by announcing “Project Flip Flop,” a mystery 2027 attraction billed as the single largest investment in the park’s history. Located in “Boulder Canyon” on the site of the former Raging Rapids (closed 2023), the project has its own dedicated website and social channels — but zero details on ride type, height, or manufacturer. Speculation is running wide open across coaster forums, with water coasters and launched wooden rides among the top guesses.
Disney Springs Restricts Bus and Watercraft Access Starting June 28
Walt Disney World announced one of its largest Disney Springs policy changes in recent memory: starting June 28, guests boarding Disney Resort buses or the Sassagoula River Cruise at Disney Springs must provide proof of a confirmed resort stay or qualifying dining reservation at their destination hotel. The move ends the longtime casual use of Disney’s free transportation network by day-trippers and non-resort guests visiting the shopping district.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge Revealed as Full DVC Property with 876 Vacation Homes
A Florida state filing this week disclosed that Disney’s upcoming Lakeshore Lodge along Bay Lake at Walt Disney World will be structured entirely as a Disney Vacation Club timeshare property — comprising 876 vacation homes across 967 units. Non-Members will still be able to book cash night stays, consistent with other DVC resorts, but the filing also confirmed strict resale restrictions. The resort targets a summer 2027 opening and will join a Bay Lake waterfront that already includes Bay Lake Tower and The Grand Floridian Villas.
Six Flags Expands Flexible Membership to Six Additional Parks
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation rolled out its subscription-style Membership program to six more parks starting June 8: Carowinds, Dorney Park, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Schlitterbahn New Braunfels now all offer multi-park cluster access for a monthly fee. The expansion brings more former Cedar Fair parks under the unified Six Flags guest-loyalty umbrella — a key step in merging the two companies’ pass structures after their 2024 combination. If Kings Island is on your list, our Kings Island height requirements guide has every ride tier mapped out for easy trip planning.
Six Flags Great America Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration on June 20
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, launched its 50th Anniversary Celebration on June 20, with festivities running through August 9. Highlights include a custom drone show, a nightly “50 Years of Thrills” parade, a “Memories in Motion” stage show, and decade-themed entertainment tracing the park’s origins back to its 1976 opening. A Firehouse Ice Cream Parlor pop-up serving nostalgic flavors from the park’s inaugural year adds a sweet finishing touch to the milestone season.
Park Tech & Events
Universal Epic Universe Reveals “Celestial Goodnight” Nighttime Spectacular
Universal Orlando officially announced its first permanent nighttime show at Epic Universe: Universal Celestial Goodnight, debuting July 7. The production features nearly 600 synchronized light fixtures, more than 350 fountains, seven million LED lights, and a fireworks finale woven through storytelling from all five Epic Universe themed worlds. If you’re planning a trip for the debut, our complete Universal Orlando Resort height requirements guide covers every attraction across the full resort campus so you can plan the whole day.
Stranger Things Final Season Returns to Halloween Horror Nights 2026
Universal confirmed that Stranger Things — featuring content from Netflix’s final season of the beloved sci-fi thriller — will anchor Halloween Horror Nights at both Universal Orlando (select nights August 28–November 1) and Universal Studios Hollywood (starting select nights September 3). Guests will walk through the Wheeler House, Hawkins National Laboratory, and the Upside Down while confronting Demogorgons and Vecna. It marks the franchise’s fourth appearance at HHN, following runs in 2018, 2019, and 2023.
Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 Tickets Now on Sale
Disney California Adventure’s beloved after-hours Halloween party went back on sale this week: Inspire Key Holders got first access on June 16, followed by general Magic Key holder access June 17, and public on sale June 18. Oogie Boogie Bash runs select nights August 18 through October 31, 2026, and historically sells out weeks in advance. If a Disneyland Halloween visit is on your radar, tickets are available now through the Disneyland Resort website.
Dorney Park Debuts “Viva La Fiesta” Latin Festival Starting June 20
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania, added a new seasonal event to its 2026 lineup: Viva La Fiesta, a Latin-inspired cultural festival running Saturdays and Sundays from June 20 through July 26. Live Latin music, dance performances, themed cuisine, and festive décor fill the park on event weekends. The launch follows earlier 2026 seasonal programming like the Splash! Water Parade, signaling an expanded and more diverse entertainment calendar for Dorney under Six Flags management.
Sources
- Amusement Today — Alabama Adventure’s Rampage roller coaster reopens June 19, 2026
- Attractions Magazine — Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas: six world records
- Theme Park Insider — Carowinds announces world-record Rip Roarin’ Falls log flume for 2027
- WDWNT — Disney Springs bans bus and watercraft access for non-resort guests June 2026
- PR Newswire — Six Flags Flexible Membership expands to six additional parks
Featured image — Photo: Martin Lewison / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Tormenta Rampaging Run open at Six Flags Over Texas?
Tormenta Rampaging Run opens June 26, 2026, at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. The B&M giga dive coaster stands 309 feet tall, reaches 87 mph, and covers 4,199 feet of track — breaking six world records simultaneously, including world’s tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster.
What is the new nighttime show at Universal Epic Universe?
Universal Celestial Goodnight is Epic Universe’s first permanent nighttime spectacular, debuting July 7, 2026. It features nearly 600 synchronized light fixtures, more than 350 fountains, seven million LED lights, and a fireworks finale built around storytelling from all five of Epic Universe’s themed worlds.
What happened to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was rethemed from Aerosmith to The Muppets and reopened as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets on May 26, 2026. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem now host guests on a high-speed Hollywood concert adventure, complete with redesigned vehicles, a new pre-show, and an updated Electric Mayhem soundtrack.
How can I buy Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 tickets?
Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 tickets went on general public sale June 18, 2026, through the Disneyland Resort website. The after-hours Halloween party at Disney California Adventure runs select nights August 18 through October 31, 2026, and typically sells out weeks ahead of each event date.
What is Holiday World’s “Project Flip Flop”?
Project Flip Flop is the codename for Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s mystery 2027 attraction in Santa Claus, Indiana — billed as the single largest investment in the park’s history. It will be built in “Boulder Canyon” on the former Raging Rapids site, but the park has not revealed the ride type, height, or manufacturer yet.