September has started with a surprisingly busy week across the theme park industry. Efteling has finally revealed when guests will be able to experience its completely rebuilt Raveleijn area, Universal Studios Japan has confirmed talks over land beside the existing park, and one of Universal Studios Florida's longest-running experiences is preparing to take its final bow.
There has also been more news from Epic Universe, a major Harry Potter announcement is now just hours away, and the former Six Flags St. Louis is beginning a completely new chapter.
Efteling reveals its €20 million Raveleijn transformation
Efteling has confirmed that the gates to Raveleijn will reopen on 1 December 2026, almost a year after the area closed for its extensive redevelopment.
The Dutch park is investing €20 million in the project, split between a completely new show, redevelopment of the wider themed area and a new attraction.
The centrepiece will be Raveleijn: Battle for the City, a new stunt production created in collaboration with French theme park Puy du Fou. Efteling says €10 million of the overall investment has gone into the show, which features a new storyline, extensively renovated sets and spectacular stunt sequences.
A further €5 million is being spent on the surrounding Raveleijn area, including refreshed food and beverage facilities and the new In den Ravenkorf souvenir shop.
The remaining €5 million is being invested in Ravenring, a completely new attraction featuring 18 raven-inspired winged vehicles. Up to 36 guests can ride at once, with riders able to control how steeply their individual vehicle tilts during the experience.
It is a substantial investment in one of Efteling's own stories rather than an outside IP, and another example of the park continuing to build increasingly complete themed worlds around its existing attractions.
Universal Studios Japan confirms talks over potential expansion land
Universal Studios Japan could be preparing for one of the biggest developments in its history.
On 1 September, USJ confirmed that it has entered preliminary discussions with Osaka City regarding a potential long-term lease of city-owned land in Sakurajima, immediately beside the existing resort.
The confirmation follows reports suggesting Universal could eventually invest between ¥200 billion and ¥300 billion in expanding the park, with around 60,000 square metres of additional land potentially available for development.
If an expansion does go ahead, it would give Universal Studios Japan something it has historically struggled with: space.
The Osaka park has continued to add major attractions including Super Nintendo World and Donkey Kong Country, but has largely had to redevelop or repurpose areas within its existing footprint.
There is an important caveat. Universal has not confirmed the reported investment figure, any attractions or even that an expansion will definitely happen. At this stage, the confirmed news is that discussions regarding the land are taking place.
Even so, securing additional space beside one of Universal's busiest theme parks would open up some very interesting possibilities for the next decade.
Animal Actors is closing at Universal Studios Florida
Another piece of Universal Studios Florida history is disappearing.
Animal Actors On Location! is set to perform for the final time on 2 November 2026, before permanently closing from 3 November.
The animal stunt show traces its roots back to Universal Studios Florida's opening year in 1990, although it has been renamed and reworked several times throughout its run.
The attraction remained one of the increasingly rare experiences connected to the park's original concept of taking guests behind the scenes of movie production.
Universal has confirmed that the location will eventually be used for a new experience, although it has not yet revealed what will replace Animal Actors.
Its closure continues the gradual transformation of Universal Studios Florida, where many of the attractions associated with the park's original "ride the movies" era have now disappeared.
Universal expands Epic Universe after-hours events
Universal Orlando has expanded its new Universal Nights after-hours event at Epic Universe following demand for the initial dates.
The separately ticketed experience will now take place across five nights, with additional events scheduled for 24 October, 6 November and 20 November. They join the previously announced 3 October and 17 October dates.
Universal Nights gives a limited number of guests access to Epic Universe after the park closes to daytime visitors, with attractions operating across its five worlds alongside entertainment, character appearances and included snacks.
It is an interesting move for Universal, particularly as ticketed after-hours events have become an increasingly established part of the Orlando theme park calendar.
Epic Universe also feels particularly well suited to the concept. The park's portals, lighting and Celestial Park are arguably at their most impressive after sunset, while Universal Celestial Goodnight has helped make the end of the evening an attraction in itself.
Three Harry Potter lands in Abu Dhabi will be revealed on Monday
One of next week's biggest stories has also been set up during the past few days.
The annual Back to Hogwarts Showcase confirmed that three Harry Potter-themed lands are planned for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, significantly expanding on the single Harry Potter area originally announced for the indoor Yas Island park.
A teaser featuring the enchanted Ford Anglia confirmed that the names of those three lands will be revealed on 7 September.
There is still plenty we do not know. Attractions, restaurants and an official opening date have yet to be revealed, but the sheer scale implied by three separate themed areas makes the project particularly interesting.
It will also be the Middle East's first permanent Harry Potter theme park destination and, unlike the Wizarding World lands elsewhere around the world, will sit outside Universal's theme park portfolio.
We will be watching Monday's reveal closely.
Six Flags St. Louis becomes Mid America Adventure
Finally, one of America's long-running Six Flags parks officially has a new identity.
Six Flags St. Louis has been renamed Mid America Adventure following its move into the Enchanted Parks group.
The Missouri park has received a new name, logo and branding, with its new operator positioning the change as the beginning of a new era for the resort.
The park's Fright Fest branding will remain in place for the 2026 Halloween season, while new Mid America Adventure season passes are already being promoted for 2027.
It is a significant break from more than five decades of Six Flags branding and makes the park one to watch as its new owners begin shaping its future.
What we're watching next
The immediate story to watch is Abu Dhabi. The three Harry Potter lands are due to be officially named on Monday, and depending on how much Warner Bros. and Miral reveal alongside those names, it could quickly become one of September's biggest theme park announcements.
Universal Studios Japan is another developing story worth following. The park has been careful not to confirm the reported scale of the potential expansion, but its acknowledgement that discussions over neighbouring land are taking place means this has moved beyond simple industry speculation.
And with Halloween season now properly getting underway across Europe and the United States, September should bring plenty more announcements as parks shift out of their summer schedules and into one of the busiest periods of the theme park calendar.
