Rope Drop: Who's ready for a haunt?
This weekend is the big one for theme park haunt events, with Halloween season taking over parks across the country.
But before the scare actors hit the streets, theme park fans this week will welcome the official debut of the Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday. Watch the site Tuesday for coverage of the grand opening celebration and our review of Universal's fastest-ever coaster.
Down the road in Anaheim, it's Gay Days at the Disneyland Resort this week, from September 18 through the 20th.
Now for the Halloween stuff. The industry's original after-hours haunt event returns on Thursday with the debut of 2026's Knott's Scary Farm - so watch for our coverage on Friday. Elsewhere in California, Six Flags Fright Fest kicks off Friday at Magic Mountain, along with Queen Mary's Dark Harbor, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride in Griffith Park, and Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House up the coast in San Jose. On Saturday, Legoland California starts its Brick-or-Treat, while Six Flags Discovery Kingdom kicks off its Oktoberfest.
Around the country, Cedar Point HalloWeekends starts Thursday, followed by Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt and Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest on Friday, and Six Flags Great America Fright Fest on Saturday.
Planning a trip?
Here are the current refurbishment schedules from Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
Indiana Jones Adventure is closed at Disneyland, with no reopening date.
September 14: Mad Tea Party closes at Disneyland, with no reopening date.
September 14-16: Tom Sawyer Island closes at Disneyland.
September 15-20: The Untrainable Dragon closes at Universal Epic Universe.
September 21-24: Sailing Ship Columbia closes at Disneyland.
October 26: Volcano Bay closes for the season, with a planned return on or before April 1, 2027.
November 2: Tiana's Bayou Adventure closes at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, with no reopening date.
November 3: Animal Actors on Location closes permanently at Universal Studios Florida.
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.
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.
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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