Six Flags improves; Disney plans next steps

It’s D23 week for Disney fans. Tomorrow on the Theme Park Insider Podcast, Jake and I will dive into what fans can expect from this Saturday’s big Disney Parks reveal show… and what we think the fan and industry reaction might be.

This is not our version of wish-casting. Our conversation will be grounded in my many conversations with Disney Imagineers as well as Disney’s recent development plans. So please listen tomorrow!

Then follow along on the Theme Park Insider home page Saturday night for reactions as I live-blog then Disney Experiences Showcase. You can watch at home, too, as Disney to live stream D23’s Disney Parks presentation.

Last week, Six Flags completed the industry’s latest round of quarterly earnings reports with a strong showing: Six Flags find success in shedding parks.

The company also revealed 2027 plans for Six Flags Great Adventure: Six Flags’ Chicago park sets Yukon Territory retheme, expansion.

Six Flags also has kicked off its 2027 membership and season pass sales campaign. While base prices remain low (too low?), the company’s price increases for add-ons such as dining plans and Fast Lane has drawn harsh reactions: More Expensive than Disney?

Universal gave us its final reveals for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights in California: Universal headlines final 2026 Midsummer Scream reveals. Who’s ready to see Nikki from Obsession in the park?)

The Fast & Furious coaster soap opera continues, with a report that Universal Studios Hollywood will be installing more sound barriers around the new roller coaster between now and early September.

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.
August 16: Last day ever for Fast & Furious - Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida.
August 21: Haunted Mansion reopens as Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland.
September 8: Indiana Jones Adventure closes at Disneyland, with no reopening date.
September 8-11: Mark Twain Riverboat closes at Disneyland.
September 14: Mad Tea Party and Tom Sawyer Island close at Disneyland, with no reopening dates.
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.
January 4 - February 2, 2027: Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges closes at Islands of Adventure.
January 25 - February 4, 2027: Fyre Drill closes at Universal Epic Universe.
February 8-19, 2027: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey closes at Islands of Adventure.

You can find our one-page visitors guides to dozens of top theme parks around the world, including Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the Universal parks at www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews.

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Thank you for reading!

Robert Niles