Can anyone get a breath of fresh air?
We’ve got Canadian wildfires closing theme parks on the east coast. Murphy’s law is delaying coasters in California. United Parks is facing yet another threatened court case from a partner. And Disney fans (or are they just flippers?) flooded the resort on both coasts early Friday morning.
Welcome to another wild week on Theme Park Insider.
Knott’s delays preview for its Montezooma coaster
Kumba readies its final roar at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
On the coaster beat, I also want to note that Universal Studios Hollywood has disputed a widely-shared local media report that Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift has been delayed until later this year. A park spokesperson said that report is false and that the park expects to announce an opening date “soon.” Jake and I talked about what’s holding up Hollywood Drift on this week’s Theme Park Insider Podcast.
In other news,
United Parks faces another local tax dispute
Lorcana mess at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney
Universal, Disney detail plans for projections on animatronics
The ultimate Disney Princess concert is coming to Disneyland
Before we wrap the week in review, on behalf of the Theme Park Insider community, I want to extend our condolences to the Knoebel and Knoebels Amusement Resort families: Industry legend Dick Knoebel passes away.
The week ahead
Well, we’re not getting that promised Montezooma media preview on Monday. But fans looking for something fresh can head down the 5 to Carlsbad, where the 2026 Lego Festival is kicking off at Legoland California. The event is also opening Monday at Legoland Florida. This year’s Lego Festival runs through August 16 in Florida and August 30 in California.
On Thursday, Comcast hosts its first quarterly earnings call since announcing the NBCUniversal split. We’ll see how the parks have been doing this spring and early summer vacation season, too.
Attraction closings and openings
Here are the current refurbishment schedules from Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
Silly Symphony Swings is closed at Disney California Adventure with no reopening date yet.
Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show is closed at Universal Studios Florida. Estimated reopening in winter 2026.
Carousel of Progress is closed at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. New show debuts in 2027.
July 20-23: Matterhorn Bobsleds closes at Disneyland.
August 8-20: Haunted Mansion closes at Disneyland for Holiday overlay.
August 16: Last day ever for Fast & Furious - Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida.
September 15-20: The Untrainable Dragon closes at Universal Epic Universe.
October 26: Volcano Bay closes for the season, with a planned return on or before April 1, 2027.
November 20: Jurassic Park River Adventure reopens at Islands of Adventure.
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Best wishes for a great weekend!
Robert Niles