It has been another busy week across the theme park world, with Universal setting an opening date for its new family-focused resort in Texas, Disney opening two major Walt Disney World updates, Efteling revealing a new attraction, and Thorpe Park’s new guest space officially welcoming visitors.

There may not have been quite the same UK headline moment as last week’s major ride openings, but there has still been plenty for theme park fans to catch up on.

From Universal Kids Resort to The Muppets, Soarin’, Efteling and Thorpe Park, here are the stories worth knowing from this week.

Universal Kids Resort gets an opening date

One of the biggest stories this week came from Universal, with Universal Kids Resort now officially set to open in Frisco, Texas on 1 July 2026.

The new resort is a very different kind of Universal project. Rather than being another huge destination park in the style of Orlando or Hollywood, Universal Kids Resort is designed specifically for families with younger children, bringing a smaller, more playful version of Universal’s theme park approach to a regional market.

The park will feature seven lands based around Shrek, Jurassic World, SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions, Trolls, Puss in Boots and Gabby’s Dollhouse. Tickets, hotel packages and the resort’s first annual pass option are now on sale, with the on-site Universal Kids Resort Hotel also forming part of the offer.

For Universal, this feels like a very interesting move. The company is clearly no longer thinking only in terms of giant destination resorts. Between Epic Universe, Universal Kids Resort, the planned UK resort near Bedford and future horror-focused experiences, Universal is building a much wider theme park portfolio.

It also matters for UK fans because it shows how ambitious Universal’s expansion strategy has become. Bedford is obviously the project closest to home for us, but Texas is another reminder that Universal is trying to reach new audiences in new ways.

The Muppets have officially taken over Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster

Over at Walt Disney World, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets officially opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on 26 May.

The retheme replaces the former Aerosmith version of the indoor launch coaster, with The Electric Mayhem now taking centre stage. The ride keeps the same high-speed coaster layout, but gives the attraction a new story, soundtrack and Muppets personality.

This has been one of Disney’s most talked-about rethemes of the year, partly because Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is such a familiar Hollywood Studios attraction, and partly because The Muppets still have a very loyal fanbase.

On paper, it is a surprisingly natural fit. A chaotic rock band, a recording studio, a concert dash across Hollywood and a launch coaster all sit together pretty neatly. It also gives Disney a way to keep a major thrill ride feeling fresh without needing to build an entirely new coaster from scratch.

The big question now is how fans respond once the opening excitement settles down. Rethemes can be divisive, especially when they replace something people have known for years, but this one at least feels like it has a clear identity.

Soarin’ Across America opens at EPCOT

Disney also opened Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT this week, giving the long-running flight simulator a new film focused on landscapes and landmarks across the United States.

The new version began at Walt Disney World on 26 May, with Disneyland Resort set to follow on 2 July. Disney has tied the update into America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, with the experience showcasing coastlines, cityscapes, natural landscapes and familiar Soarin’ elements such as music, motion, wind and scent.

This is not the kind of update that will generate the same loud reaction as a Muppets coaster, but it is still meaningful.

Soarin’ remains one of Disney’s most broadly appealing attractions. It is accessible, family-friendly and easy to recommend to almost anyone. A new film gives regular EPCOT visitors a reason to return, while still keeping the attraction’s core format intact.

For UK visitors planning future Florida trips, this is one of those smaller updates that could quietly improve a park day. It is not a new headline ride, but it is another refreshed experience on the itinerary.

Efteling reveals Ravenring

In Europe, Efteling revealed the name and design of its new Raveleijn attraction this week: Ravenring.

The new ride is due to open this winter as part of the renewed Raveleijn themed world. It will feature 18 winged vehicles carrying 36 riders, with guests taking part in what Efteling describes as a flight ritual inspired by ravens.

The attraction will sit just outside the city walls of Raveleijn, with riders able to control how steeply their vehicle tilts during the experience. Efteling has also confirmed that the wider Raveleijn area is being renewed, including a refreshed show with a new storyline and special effects.

This is exactly the kind of addition Efteling does well. It may not be trying to compete with the biggest coaster announcements in Europe, but it does sound like a very Efteling-style attraction: theatrical, story-led and visually distinctive.

For UK theme park fans who enjoy European parks, Ravenring will be one to keep an eye on later this year.

Thorpe Park’s Launch Pad officially opens

Back in the UK, Thorpe Park’s Launch Pad has officially opened.

The new area replaces the former Amity Beach space and is designed as more of a rest, food, drink and recharge zone than a traditional attraction. That might not sound as exciting as a new ride, but it could still be a useful addition for Thorpe Park guests.

Thorpe has one of the strongest coaster line-ups in the UK, especially after Hyperia, but the park has often needed more comfortable places to pause between rides. Launch Pad appears to be aimed at exactly that gap, with seating, shade, a shop and flexible space that could potentially support seasonal events.

It is also the sort of update that matters more in practice than it does in a headline. A good theme park day is not just about the rides. It is also about where you eat, where you sit, how you move around the park and whether there are places to reset during a busy day.

If Launch Pad helps with that, it could prove to be a sensible addition.

Epic Universe ticket prices spark more discussion

Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe has also been back in the conversation this week, with renewed discussion around 2026 ticket pricing and annual passholder access.

Epic Universe is still not included in Universal Orlando annual passes, meaning passholders who want to visit the park need to buy separate one-day admission. However, Attractions Magazine reported this week that some annual passholder ticket prices for selected late August 2026 dates had dropped below $100 before tax.

That has reignited debate about how Universal is handling Epic Universe now that the park is moving beyond its first year.

From a guest point of view, it is easy to understand why people want clearer annual pass access. From Universal’s point of view, Epic Universe is still a major new product, and the company is likely to be careful about how quickly it folds the park into wider pass benefits.

Either way, pricing around Epic Universe will continue to be one of the more interesting Orlando stories to watch.

Aviktas and Valgard settle into half-term

In the UK, two of the biggest recent openings are now moving beyond their launch moments.

Aviktas at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Valgard: Realm of the Vikings at Paultons Park both opened recently, and the focus now shifts from opening-day excitement to how they perform during busier family periods like May half-term.

That is often when new additions start to prove their real value. Opening day gives fans the first reaction, but half-term shows how a new ride or land fits into a normal park day, how it handles queues, and whether it gives guests a reason to return.

For Blackpool, Aviktas gives the park a major new thrill headline. For Paultons, Valgard continues the park’s gradual move towards a wider family and thrill audience, without losing the younger family market that made it so successful.

Final thoughts

This week has been a good reminder that theme park news does not always come in one obvious form.

Universal Kids Resort getting an opening date is a major expansion story. Disney opening The Muppets coaster and Soarin’ Across America gives Walt Disney World two fresh talking points for summer. Efteling’s Ravenring reveal adds another interesting European project to watch. Thorpe Park’s Launch Pad shows that guest experience improvements can matter just as much as headline rides.

There is also a clear theme running through a lot of these stories: parks are thinking about more than just big rollercoasters.

Family resorts, refreshed classics, themed lands, rest spaces, price strategy and long-term expansion are all part of the wider picture.

With summer getting closer, the pace is only going to keep building.