InPark Tracks

We speak with CAVU president and CXO Mark Stepanian on how young professionals can best take advantage of the opportunities available in the industry.Music: Simply Cheerful  by Rafael KruxFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5435-simply-cheerfulLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/

InPark publisher Martin Palicki talks with AdventureLAB founder and CEO Klaus Sommer Paulsen about his new book, Integrated Storytelling by Design.Music: Simply Cheerful  by Rafael KruxFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5435-simply-cheerfulLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/

Alcorn McBride's Scott Harkless narrates his recent article for InPark Magazine highlighting his 20 years of experience in the industry. Jordan Zauha guest hosts.For more information on InPark Tracks and for a free subscription to InPark Magazine, visit inparkmagazine.com.The following music was used for this media project:"Odyssey" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Following up on our last episode from last season, Philip Hernandez interviews Selena McGill (Village Roadshow) and Gene Rogers (Lionsgate), both bringing the operator's perspective to this unique attraction. For more information on InPark Tracks and for a free subscription to InPark Magazine, visit inparkmagazine.com.The following music was used for this media project:Music: Epic Heroic Conquest by MusicLFilesFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8691-epic-heroic-conquestLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://cemmusicproject.wixsite.com/musiclibraryfiles

Philip Hernandez talks with CAVU's Mark Stepanian about The Twilight Saga: Midnight Ride attraction at Lionsgate Entertainment World in Zhuhai, China. In addition to providing an overview of the ride, Mark talks us through some of the special technologies that help make the attraction fully immersive.For more information on InPark Tracks and for a free subscription to InPark Magazine, visit inparkmagazine.com.The following music was used for this media project:Music: Epic Heroic Conquest by MusicLFilesFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8691-epic-heroic-conquestLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://cemmusicproject.wixsite.com/musiclibraryfiles

Join Philip Hernandez and the Haunted Attraction Network as they go behind the scenes of Hersheypark's Dark Nights haunt experience. For more information on InPark Tracks and for a free subscription to InPark Magazine, visit inparkmagazine.com.The following music was used for this media project:Music: Spooky Halloween 2 by Frank SchroeterFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9999-spooky-halloween-2License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frank.schroeter.52

InPark Editor Judith Rubin has a conversation with industry veteran Monty Lunde about the company (Technifex) and association (TEA) he founded. Monty updates us on changes in his business and the industry, with insights on what's to come.You can read the article companion to this interview in InPark Magazine issue #93.Better yet, subscribe to InPark for free.Music: Simply Cheerful  by Rafael KruxFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5435-simply-cheerfulLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/

In this episode we talk with Kile Ozier (The Guy) on the inspiration behind his book: IMEX (In my experience: secrets of making 'em cheer, weep...and sometimes write checks). Collecting his decades of experience in the industry, the book looks at how creative producers can build and manage project teams successfully.Music: Neonscapes by | e s c p | https://escp-music.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join us as we celebrate the one year anniversary of the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai by revisiting one of our favorite episodes as we explore the Japan Pavilion. New opening music "Awakening" by Vladimir Persan.----Join a small panel of Expo attendees as you journey through the dramatic Japan pavilion experience at Expo 2020 Dubai. Guests include Tina Kreitlow, Paul Williams, Yabunaka Aiko, Secretary General, Japan Pavilion, and Ishihara Kenichi, Director General, Trade Fair & Expo, Japan External Trade Organization. Watch a highlight video of the Japan pavilion experience here.  Experience the Japan pavilion virtually here. Music: FUJI by tubebackr. Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-ND 3.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0

Alcorn McBride's Scott Harkless reads from his latest column for InPark Magazine, found in IPM Issue #91. Scott talks about his tips for finding success through identifying your special skills and sticking with it.Sign up for a free subscription, so you don't miss this or ANY of our interesting articles.The following music was used for this media project:Music: Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8328-space-jazzLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://incompetech.com

This week's Top 5 News Stories as selected by the editors of InPark Magazine: $2.5 million plan for National Animation Museum approved in California; Fantawild Glorious Orient opens to visitors in Huaian, China; Shanghai Disneyland reopens after months of lockdown; SAW: The Experience opening in London, October 2022; Meow Wolf Co-Founder Matt King has died. Sign up for a free subscription, so you don't miss this or ANY of our interesting articles.

InPark Magazine Publisher Martin Palicki speaks with Lost Island Lost Island Amusement Park General Manager Eric Bertch about the park's development. Lost Island Theme Park is the cover story feature of InPark Magazine Issue #92, available in late July. Sign up for a free subscription so you don't miss this or ANY of our interesting articles. Audio used in this episode includes: Audio courtesy of station KCRG; "Tiki Bar Mixer" by Kevin MacLeod (License here); "Secret of Tiki Island" by Kevin MacLeod (License here).

LBE was the theme for this year's Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. We visited the show and here are highlights from our conversations with Crayola and FELD Entertainment.

The 108-year-old San Antonio Zoo is located in a big hospitality city. With two theme parks, the Alamo, the Riverwalk, World Heritage Sites, and more, there's plenty to see and do in San Antonio. So how do they keep it fresh and give visitors a reason to keep coming back? The zoo is currently addressing that through a multi-year re-development and re-imagining process. InPark Magazine's Joe Kleiman sat down with Tim Morrow, San Antonio Zoo's CEO, to talk about the changes and plans. 

Stories Covered in this episode: Puy du Fou to create first U.S. immersive show for “The 407” in Tennessee; IAAPA Expo Asia Virtual Conference launches on Connect+ platform June 21-22, 2022; Why LBE is the consumer experience of the future; LEGOLAND Korea Resort opens as the tenth LEGOLAND worldwide; Fårup Sommerland debuts Fønix, its new Vekoma-built coaster. 

Jordan and Martin explore the dining experience inside Epcot's Space 220 restaurant, part of several new experiences added to Epcot as part of the Walt Disney World Resort's 50th anniversary celebration. Music credits: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod (Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired). License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

InPark's Martin Palicki and Jordan Zauha talk about some of the recent and upcoming changes at Epcot in the Walt Disney World Resort. Highlights from interviews with Imagineers are peppered throughout the conversation on Epcot's transformation, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Music credits: Adventures In Adventureland by Kevin MacLeod (License here) and Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod (License here). 

InPark's Judith Rubin interviews Phil Hettema and Erik Neergaard on how their companies, The Hettema Group and Themespace, are joining forces to become the new THG.  Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Every week, the InPark Magazine Editors send out their Top 5 news stories. Today, we're reading summaries of those stories for you. Think of this as a curated audio digest of the most important stories from the past week. Stories: Gardaland premieres first Jumanji theme park ride, Futura Form brings animatronics and theming to life; EPCOT's newest attraction Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind gets official opening date; Storyland Studios to plan and design series of Sports Illustrated resorts, first location set for this year; Christie projectors deliver new recurring projection show at India's Red Fort Festival; Licensing Expo releases its timetable for this year's in-person events.

On March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai closed its gates forever and began its transformation into District 2020, a new urban center on the outskirts of Dubai. In honor of the closing of Expo, we bring you one of our most popular episodes to date: Voices of Expo. Listen to three workers at Expo 2020 Dubai talk about their pavilions and the experiences they are having that make for an important and memorable World's Fair. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

InPark Editor Judith Rubin chats with Christie's Larry Paul and Joel St-Denis on what the attractions industry needs to know about RGB laser projection. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here. Music: Perspectives by Kevin MacLeod (https://filmmusic.io/standard-license) & FUJI by tubebackr. Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-ND 3.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0 

Clara Rice (RWS Entertainment Group) talks with Luc Mayrand (Walt Disney Imagineering) about his role in chairing the Thea Awards Judging Committee and co-chairing the TEA Summit, taking place April 21-23, 2022 in Anaheim, California. 

In honor of Ravinia's announcement this week of their 2022 concert lineup, we go back to InPark Track's first episode and the first in a three-part series on the creation of Ravinia's Music Box Theater, an immersive theatrical experience that opened in the summer of 2021. 

We bring you an excerpt from our friends at Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 as Scott Swenson and Philip Hernandez discuss PLASA's recent report on the live events industry and its path towards  post-pandemic recovery. In addition to presenting highlights of the report, Scott and Philip take key findings and apply them to the attractions industry.

Join a small panel of Expo attendees as you journey through the dramatic Japan pavilion experience at Expo 2020 Dubai. Guests include Tina Kreitlow, Paul Williams, Yabunaka Aiko, Secretary General, Japan Pavilion, and Ishihara Kenichi, Director General, Trade Fair & Expo, Japan External Trade Organization. Watch a highlight video of the Japan pavilion experience here.  Experience the Japan pavilion virtually here. Music: FUJI by tubebackr. Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-ND 3.0). https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0

This week's episode comprises of rough, largely unedited audio from a panel of professionals involved in the creation of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, held at a media preview in advance of the interactive experience's opening. Panelists: Scott Trowbridge [Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering], Brian Piasecki [Culinary Director, Disney Parks], Matt Martin [Senior Creative Executive, Lucasfilm Story Group], Brad Schoeneberg [Vice President, Brand Merchandising, Disney Parks], Ann Morrow Johnson [Executive Producer & Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering], Jerome Smith [General Manager, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser], Wendy Anderson [Executive Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering], Doug Chiang [Vice President/Creative Director, Lucasfilm Creative].  Read InPark's review here. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.  

InPark's Martin Palicki rides Busch Gardens Tampa's newest roller coaster and speaks with the park's director of design and engineering, Andrew Schaffer. Watch a video of InPark at Busch Gardens Tampa here. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here. 

In 2030, Shedd Aquarium will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Over the next 8 years leading up to the anniversary, they're investing half a billion dollars. The multi-faceted Centennial Commitment is a transformational investment in Chicago communities and aquatic ecosystems around the world. In this episode of InPark tracks, we'll dive into the details of the development. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Disney Executive Producer and Executive Creative Director for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Ann Morrow Johnson shares insight on what the three-day, two-night experience at the Walt Disney World resort will be like when it opens on March 1, 2022.  Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Alcorn McBride's Scott Harkless shares advice for improving  customer experience through collaboration. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Mycotoo's Fri Forjindam speaks to IPM's Martin Palicki about the continuing conversation between retail developers and experience designers, as well as the recent MAPIC conference that brought them all together. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here. Music for today's show is Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod. License here.

Scott Harkless (Alcorn McBride) takes inspiration from the Wright Brothers and relates how attraction design relies on a big-picture approach for success, particularly when it comes to technology integration and development. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Listen to three workers at Expo 2020 Dubai talk about their pavilions and the experiences they are having that make for an important and memorable World's Fair. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Dr. Kathryn Woodcock, P.Eng., C.C.P.E., I.C.A.E reads from her InPark Magazine article highlighting the importance of inclusive design for attractions and entertainment. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

InPark publisher  Martin Palicki interviews Themed Entertainment Association executive director, Lindsey Nelson . Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

 Will the travel requirements and long trade show days be worth attending IAAPA Expo 2021? InPark Tracks recruited four industry professionals to answer those questions and more while reporting from IAAPA's signature event in Orlando, Florida.  Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

In this exclusive interview, InPark's Judith Rubin sits down with WDI President Bob Weis as he prepares to transition to the role of Global Ambassador. Bob talks about how Imagineering has evolved during his tenure, shares his plans for the future and pays tribute to the late Marty Sklar.

As part of his ongoing series of articles for InPark, Alcorn McBride's Scott Harkless talks about the importance of a mission-driven culture. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Join IPT and Disney Show Director Mark Renfrow as we explore the music and technology behind The Magic Kingdom's newest nighttime spectacular, unveiled for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary.  Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

IPM editors Judith Rubin and Martin Palicki “talk turkey" about the week the industry returned to Orlando for the annual IAAPA Expo. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

Even though how we take photos has changed, we all still want that perfect pic with our friends. A new photo system from DNP designed for special venues helps simplify that process. Visual Terrain's David Green interviews DNP's Drew Temple. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

George Wade of Bay Laurel Advisors talks about how Intellectual Property continues to play a major role in the LBE market. This conversation with George, guided by InPark's Judith Rubin, explores the various elements and processes behind a good licensing deal. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

As part of his ongoing series of articles for InPark, Alcorn McBride's Scott Harkless talks about planning for success as pandemic restrictions ease and leisure travel resumes. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

In the final episode of our three-part series, we go behind the scenes to learn about the equipment and technology powering Ravinia's Music Box Theater. We close by talking with Leonard Bernstein's daughter Jamie about the impact of the attraction on the community. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

In the second episode of this three-part series, we explore the Ravinia Music Box Theater experience and find out more about how the attraction was created. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.

In the first of this three part series, we look at the inspiration behind the Ravinia Music Box Theater, an immersive experience opened in the summer of 2021 at the popular Chicagoland music festival, Ravinia. Grab your InPark Magazine subscription here.