THEME PARK NEWS ROUND-UP W/C 26 JANUARY 2026

3 quick stories to update you on this week. Here's a few updates to help get you through a likely theme park-less January.

Alton Towers Name Bluey Roller Coaster

We’ve known for a while now that the world’s first Bluey roller coaster is coming to Alton Towers in 2026, with the official name being shared this week. Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies will become the newest arrival in the CBeebies area, replacing the former Postman Pat ride that was removed during 2025.

Weirdly this will be the THIRD attraction at Alton Towers named after grannies. It joins the already operating Gangsta Granny: The Ride and JoJo & Gran Gran At Home.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coming to Universal Orlando

Later this year Universal Studios Hollywood will launch their exciting new Fast & The Furious themed coaster. The ride is set to feature controlled spinning cars and is being manufactured by Intamin, who have collaborated successfully with Universal before.

After the removal of the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit attraction at Universal Studios Orlando rumours have been circulating on what would replace it. Now we have the answer, a similar coaster to what is being created on the west coast, with the identical name of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. The layout will differ slightly, with a 170-foot-tall (52 m) vertical spike one of the highlights promised. The Orlando version will open in 2027 on a non-specified date, with the existing Fast & Furious attraction being removed, which seems to have delighted many regulars who find the dark ride notoriously bad.

Thorpe Beach Construction Begins

Diggers have arrived at Thorpe Park in Surrey, with the presumption that they are beginning work to remove at least some of the existing beach area close to the entrance dome. Thorpe Park previously applied for permission to replace this area with a new versatile events space, and although no announcement has been made, this seems to be pressing forward. Timing would suggest there are plans to use later this season, possibly for summer events, but most definitely as an extra space for the popular Fright Nights event.