Theme park news this week delivers a high-voltage mix of coaster debuts, record-breaking announcements, milestone anniversaries, and a handful of surprises — here are the 15 biggest stories you need to know heading into summer 2026.
New Rides & Coaster Openings
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Marks One Week Open at Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrated the first week of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, which opened May 26 and instantly became one of the most-discussed new attractions at Walt Disney World. The Electric Mayhem band leads guests through a chaotic Hollywood recording-studio-to-concert sprint at 60 mph, featuring an entirely revamped pre-show, a reimagined G-Force Records queue, and a new soundtrack of Electric Mayhem covers performed with guest artists. Virtual queue access remains in place, so early-morning ride reservations are still essential. If you want context on the launch mechanics powering this iconic coaster, our guide to 8 Powerful Roller Coaster Launch Systems Explained covers everything from LSM to hydraulic launches.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Welcomes First Riders at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood’s first-ever outdoor high-speed roller coaster welcomed early riders in late May, with a full public debut expected this summer. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift tops out at 72 mph via Intamin multi-launch technology, making it the fastest coaster in the entire Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio. The 4,100-foot track features 360-degree spinning ride vehicles styled as Dom Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger, Brian’s 1994 Toyota Supra, Han’s RX-7, and other franchise icons — all built with sound-reduction technology to limit neighborhood noise. Universal Studios Florida is already confirmed for its own version of the coaster in 2027.
Werewolf Gorge Announced as World’s Longest Family Launch Coaster
Six Flags Fiesta Texas unveiled Werewolf Gorge on June 1, claiming the record as the world’s longest family launch coaster at 4,120 feet of Vekoma-built track. Four launches propel riders to 45 mph through a haunted silver-mine quarry where a centuries-old werewolf curse lurks, delivering 32 floater airtime moments and a dramatic mid-course rollback. The 39-inch height requirement makes it the ideal gateway coaster for younger thrill-seekers, while the immersive Museum of Cryptids queue adds serious storytelling depth. Werewolf Gorge is set to debut as part of the park’s 35th anniversary season in 2027.
Tormenta Rampaging Run Enters Active Testing Phase at Six Flags Over Texas
The most anticipated coaster of 2026 is rolling — Tormenta Rampaging Run is now running mechanical test cycles at Six Flags Over Texas, confirming the 309-foot record-breaking giga dive coaster is functional. The world’s tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster reaches 87 mph and drops riders 285 feet at a beyond-vertical 95-degree angle, shattering six world records. Despite the test cycles, a late-summer opening (July–August) is now the most realistic timeline after enthusiast-event ride previews scheduled for May were quietly dropped from itineraries. For a deep dive into the braking systems that handle those extreme vertical drops, see our breakdown of magnetic vs. friction coaster brakes.
Bluey’s Wild World Gets Standby Queue Access at Animal Kingdom
Walt Disney World upgraded Bluey’s Wild World at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on June 2, adding a standard standby queue and eliminating the earlier reservation-only return time system. Guests can now board the Wildlife Express Train at Harambe Station and walk up to the Conservation Station experience without pre-booking — a significant quality-of-life improvement for families arriving mid-day. The change reflects Disney’s ongoing refinement of its virtual-queue and reservation strategy as guest feedback pushes toward more flexible access.
Park News & Expansions
Epic Universe Marks One Year with Expansion Permits and New Character
Universal’s Epic Universe reached its first anniversary on May 22 having generated roughly $2 billion for Florida’s economy — and the celebration kicked off a week of significant news. A new character meet & greet, Captain Cacao, launched in Celestial Park, and limited-edition anniversary merchandise including a gold Power Up Band hit the shelves. More consequentially, construction permits have been filed tied to new buildings in the Dark Universe land and an expansion within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — the park’s first confirmed growth signals. Multi-day tickets were also updated this week to include all three Universal Orlando parks on every day of the pass.
Universal Kids Resort Texas Sets July 1 Opening
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas officially confirmed a July 1, 2026 public opening, with tickets and vacation packages now on sale. The park features seven themed lands — Shrek’s Swamp, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, Minions vs. Minions, TrollsFest, Puss in Boots Del Mar, and Gabby’s Dollhouse — as well as a 300-room hotel directly at the entrance. It marks Universal Destinations & Experiences’ first regional park built entirely for families with young children.
Dollywood Quietly Drops Spring Opening for NightFlight Expedition
NightFlight Expedition — Dollywood’s largest single attraction investment at over $50 million — had its “Spring 2026” opening window quietly removed from the park’s official website this week, with the page now reading simply “2026.” The first-of-its-kind hybrid experience combines a family coaster, dark ride, and whitewater-raft sequence inside Wildwood Grove, and team members are now directing guests to return “later this season.” A summer or early fall debut now appears most likely based on current progress reports from the enthusiast community.
Carousel of Progress Confirmed for Major Refresh with Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic
Disney officially confirmed that the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom will close July 6, 2026 for an extensive update, expected to reopen in 2027. The centerpiece addition is a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure in the show’s opening scene, inspired by the 1964 World’s Fair presentation. All four acts will shift to new time periods: a 1960s scene featuring the 1969 moon landing, a 1985 Halloween night, New Year’s Eve 1999, and a future scene set in an off-planet home. The update is among the most widely requested changes by long-tenured Disney fans.
Six Flags Great Adventure Debuts Shoreline Pier Boardwalk Expansion
Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey is launching Shoreline Pier — a new waterfront boardwalk area featuring expanded retail, dining, and entertainment — along with a brand-new twice-daily parade for summer 2026. The development continues the broader investment program Six Flags committed to following the 2024 Cedar Fair merger, and additional seasonal wildlife encounter events are planned throughout the summer. Fans of the park’s coaster lineup may also want to revisit 6 Best Kings Island Coaster Experiences in Ohio for a cross-brand perspective on what the merged portfolio now offers.
Park Tech & Events
IAAPA Expo Asia Gathers Global Industry in Hong Kong
The attractions industry’s flagship international trade event, IAAPA Expo Asia, runs June 9–12 in Hong Kong, drawing ride manufacturers, theme park operators, and technology vendors from around the world. Announcements expected to emerge from the floor include new ride installations, immersive show-system partnerships, and sustainability commitments from manufacturers including Intamin, Mack Rides, Vekoma, and Zamperla. The event comes as global theme park attendance continues a multi-year rebound and capital investment in new attractions hits a high not seen since before 2020.
Six Flags Expands Flexible Membership to Six More Parks
Six Flags rolled out its Flexible Membership Program to six additional parks this month, enabling subscribers to access multiple properties under a single year-round membership. Kings Dominion joined the program independently, giving its members access to Carowinds, Six Flags Great Adventure, and partner parks under the same subscription tier. The move mirrors Universal’s multi-park ticketing update and Disney’s park-hopper model as regional operators compete aggressively for season-pass dollars heading into peak summer season.
Disney Cruise Line Launches Three Sweeping Fleetwide Policy Changes
Disney Cruise Line began a phased rollout of three significant new guest policies this week, starting June 3. Guests 21 and older may now bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne — or six 12-oz beers — aboard at embarkation, with a corkage fee reduced to $20. Selfie sticks and folding tripods under 18 inches are now permitted throughout the ship. Stateroom decorations are restricted to door-only placement. The policies completed their rollout across the full fleet by June 8.
LEGOLAND California Hosts Global Soccer Celebration in MINILAND USA
LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad is running a special soccer takeover inside MINILAND USA this month, centering on a scale LEGO replica of SoFi Stadium decked out for the ongoing FIFA World Cup festivities hosted in the Los Angeles area. Interactive elements tie into the global LEGO soccer celebration, giving families an educational and hands-on complement to the larger event footprint in Southern California. LEGOLAND’s park model continues to attract guests seeking a lower-intensity alternative to the large-gate Universal and Disney properties nearby.
Enchanted Forest Water Safari Opens 70th Anniversary Season on June 10
New York’s largest water theme park, Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge, officially opens its 70th anniversary season on Wednesday, June 10. The park has been a Adirondacks vacation staple since 1956 and continues to draw families for its classic-park experience rooted in slides, wave pools, and themed attractions. The anniversary season is expected to feature special programming and retrospective events throughout the summer.
Sources
- Amusement Today — Six Flags Fiesta Texas Unleashes Werewolf Gorge, the World’s Longest Family Launch Roller Coaster
- AllEars.Net — Six Flags Announces NEW Record-Breaking Roller Coaster
- Carry On The Magic Vacations — Theme Park News, June 1, 2026
- Orlando Park Stop — Epic Universe One-Year Anniversary News: New Sky Lights, Captain Cacao, and Expansion Permits
- Inside the Magic — Dollywood Pulls Planned Opening From Official Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets officially opened on May 26, 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. The ride features The Electric Mayhem band in an all-new Hollywood adventure and currently uses a virtual queue for guest access.
What is Werewolf Gorge and where is it located?
Werewolf Gorge is a record-setting family launch coaster announced on June 1, 2026 for Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. Built by Vekoma, it spans 4,120 feet — the longest family launch coaster ever built — with four launches reaching 45 mph, 32 floater airtime moments, and a werewolf-curse storyline set in a haunted silver mine. It opens in 2027 as part of the park’s 35th anniversary season.
Is Tormenta Rampaging Run open yet at Six Flags Over Texas?
No. As of early June 2026, Tormenta Rampaging Run is in active mechanical testing and does not have a confirmed public opening date. Current projections from the enthusiast community point to a late summer 2026 debut — likely July or August — after May preview events were removed from park schedules.
What is happening with Epic Universe’s first anniversary?
Universal’s Epic Universe marked its first anniversary on May 22, 2026, with the park having generated roughly $2 billion for Florida’s economy in year one. Anniversary week highlights included the debut of Captain Cacao as a new character meet & greet, limited-edition gold Power Up Bands, and construction permit filings pointing to expansion in the Dark Universe and Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas.
When does Universal Kids Resort in Texas open and what is inside?
Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas officially opens on July 1, 2026. The park includes seven themed lands — Shrek’s Swamp, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, Minions vs. Minions, TrollsFest, Puss in Boots Del Mar, and Gabby’s Dollhouse — plus a 300-room on-site hotel. Tickets and vacation packages are currently available for purchase.