Podcasts about Disney Springs

This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfesso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors are turning theme parks into teaching tools. Plus, Jim continues his history of Disney Springs with the rise and fall of Pleasure Island's West Side expansion and what that meant for future Disney retail and dining districts. How professors are using Disney films, parks, and history to teach everything from religion to marketing The balance of “magic and strategy” that makes Disney both creative and calculated Surprising college courses inspired by Disney, from theme park architecture to environmental storytelling Why Epcot's Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is removing 3D effects and what it could mean for other attractions New Universal Orlando test for single attraction Express Passes and how guests are reacting Universal Kids Park in Texas reveals themed lands for Shrek, Trolls, and SpongeBob The forgotten Hyperion Wharf project that led to Disney Springs' modern design From academia to Pleasure Island, this episode connects the art of learning with the business of magic. Whether you're a Disney scholar, park historian, or just love a good origin story, this one's packed with imagination and insight. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Len and Jim welcome Dr. Jill Peterfesso from Guilford College to talk about her new book Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning. The conversation explores how Disney is studied in college classrooms, how its mix of “magic and strategy” reveals deeper lessons about creativity and culture, and why professors are turning theme parks into teaching tools. Plus, Jim continues his history of Disney Springs with the rise and fall of Pleasure Island's West Side expansion and what that meant for future Disney retail and dining districts. How professors are using Disney films, parks, and history to teach everything from religion to marketing The balance of “magic and strategy” that makes Disney both creative and calculated Surprising college courses inspired by Disney, from theme park architecture to environmental storytelling Why Epcot's Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is removing 3D effects and what it could mean for other attractions New Universal Orlando test for single attraction Express Passes and how guests are reacting Universal Kids Park in Texas reveals themed lands for Shrek, Trolls, and SpongeBob The forgotten Hyperion Wharf project that led to Disney Springs' modern design From academia to Pleasure Island, this episode connects the art of learning with the business of magic. Whether you're a Disney scholar, park historian, or just love a good origin story, this one's packed with imagination and insight. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello everyone and welcome to the WDW Mainstreet podcast. Pull up your stool with John and Doug as they discuss all of the latest news from around Walt Disney World and their worlds. The guys kick the showoff talking a little everyday life, football and the craziness going on around our country. Now what's going on in Disney, Spaceship Earth soft opens early, Christmas trees going up soon in Disney Springs, Zootopia has new artwork plus so much more going on around the world. So, grab yourself a cold one, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

We're heading down to the bayou for a live, on-site dining review of Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside Resort. This charming quick-service spot is one of our favorite places to slow down, grab a hearty meal, and soak in that peaceful Southern charm — and this time, we brought Stitch along for the adventure!We recorded right from the resort while waiting for our room to be ready, surrounded by the sounds of the Sassagoula River and the steady buzz of resort life. It was the perfect setting for an impromptu food review.We started with the Shrimp and Grits, a classic that hits all the right notes. The shrimp were perfectly cooked, the ham added a smoky punch, and the chardonnay gravy sauce tied everything together beautifully.Next up were the Jerk Barbecue Chicken Strips with Pineapple Salsa, one of several new specialty chicken strip flavors now showing up across Disney property. They were tossed fresh in sauce, topped with pineapple, and served over fries — crispy, tangy, and a little spicy.And of course, we couldn't wrap things up without dessert. The new Hand-Dipped Mickey Premium Bar, coated in white chocolate and topped with salted caramel pearls.If you're staying at Port Orleans Riverside or just stopping by for a bite, Riverside Mill Food Court delivers comfort, flavor, and that unmistakable Disney charm. Join us as we share our favorite bites by the bayou — one delicious dish at a time.

We're heading deep into the wilderness—and the savanna—for another round of Resort Wars, as we pit Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge against Disney's Wilderness Lodge in a Deluxe showdown of epic proportions. These two resorts share the same visionary architect, Peter Dominick, and both are masterclasses in immersive theming, craftsmanship, and storytelling. But which one delivers the stronger experience when it comes to comfort, dining, and Disney magic?From the African-inspired warmth of Animal Kingdom Lodge—with its thatched roofs, sweeping savannas, and authentic art collection—to the rustic majesty of Wilderness Lodge's Pacific Northwest design, this matchup is about atmosphere, emotion, and the little details that transport you. We'll compare everything from the crackling firelight in the grand lobby to the aroma of Boma's breakfast buffet, from serene savanna views to lakeside cabins with private hot tubs.Each round covers key categories like Theming & Atmosphere, Rooms & Comfort, Dining & Drinks, Transportation, Recreation, and Value for Money—plus, we'll share listener votes and personal memories to help declare a clear winner.Whether you're drawn to giraffes or geysers, this episode will help you decide which of these iconic Disney resorts deserves your next stay. Tune in for the storytelling, stay for the friendly debate—because in this Resort Wars, there can only be one Lodge left standing.

It may not even be Halloween yet, but the holiday season is already on its way — and Orlando's theme parks are gearing up with some of the most magical celebrations of the year! In this episode of Mom Street USA, we're sharing 10 must-do holiday experiences for families across Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND Florida. From meeting Santa and the Grinch, to dazzling parades, festive food, and gingerbread displays, there's something for everyone to enjoy.We'll cover both ticketed events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and free holiday offerings like the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs — so you can plan the perfect holiday trip that fits your family and your budget.✨ Here's what you'll find in this episode:

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney's latest round of price increases, Universal's updated safety policies, and a listener's perfect park-free resort itinerary. Disney's latest ticket and Lightning Lane price hikes and how far above inflation they've gone The long-awaited opening details for Zootopia: Better Zoo Gether at Animal Kingdom Universal's new accessibility rules following a tragic ride incident Planning the ultimate resort-only day at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge The untold history of Pleasure Island's Jazz Company and how it paved the way for Raglan Road From gated nightclubs to Guinness on tap, this week's show traces the evolution of Disney nightlife and how Raglan Road set the stage for everything that came after. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Len Testa uncover how a single Irish pub reshaped Disney Springs. From the forgotten Pleasure Island Jazz Company to the birth of Raglan Road, this episode reveals how one restaurant sparked a renaissance in Disney dining. Plus, the guys tackle Disney's latest round of price increases, Universal's updated safety policies, and a listener's perfect park-free resort itinerary. Disney's latest ticket and Lightning Lane price hikes and how far above inflation they've gone The long-awaited opening details for Zootopia: Better Zoo Gether at Animal Kingdom Universal's new accessibility rules following a tragic ride incident Planning the ultimate resort-only day at Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge The untold history of Pleasure Island's Jazz Company and how it paved the way for Raglan Road From gated nightclubs to Guinness on tap, this week's show traces the evolution of Disney nightlife and how Raglan Road set the stage for everything that came after. SHOW NOTES Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're going all the way back to the very beginning — opening day at each of Walt Disney World's four parks — to celebrate the attractions that started it all and are still bringing the magic today. From the charm of 1971's Magic Kingdom lineup to EPCOT's futuristic beginnings in 1982, the movie-magic launch of Disney MGM Studios (Hollywood Studios) in 1989, and the wild debut of Animal Kingdom in 1998, we are ranking the rides, shows, and experiences that have stood the test of time.We'll share opening day stats, fun facts, and a few “did you know?” surprises.It's a nostalgic ride through Disney history and a celebration of the classics that continue to define why we all fell in love with the parks in the first place. Which OG will take the top spot? Tune in to find out!

This week on Hysteria 51, we dive deep—literally and figuratively—into two bizarre stories that prove reality is way weirder than fiction.First up: A man in scuba gear robs a restaurant at Disney Springs and swims away through a lagoon like a Bond villain on spring break. It's equal parts daring heist, Florida headline, and splashy cosplay crime. Ocean's Eleven? More like Nemo's One.Then, we explore a mysterious dream phenomenon sweeping social media: complete strangers around the world are having the exact same dream—a mysterious man, an endless hallway, and an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Are we in a simulation? Or just due for a firmware update?It's submerged theft and subconscious synchronicity all in one delightfully unhinged episode. C-Bot tries dream-hacking, and Brent forgets his floaties.Listen now before your dreams turn into true crime scenes.Links & Resources

Hey there, and a very happy Wednesday to you! This is your Disney News for Wednesday, October 8th, 2025. I hope you're ready to find out what's happening in the world of Disney today! - Disneyland Tokyo's "Frozen Ever After" attraction opens, bringing Frozen's Arendelle to life for an icy adventure with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. - Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Disney World with trick-or-treating, Disney villain parades, and a spooky fireworks show. - Disney Springs unveils a new restaurant that serves creative dishes inspired by Disney's adventurous stories, perfect for food lovers. - Disney+ launches "Building the Dream: Disney's Imagineers," a documentary series that explores the creativity behind Disney's magical parks. Have a magical day and tune in again tomorrow for more updates.

We head to Magic Kingdom for a night of spooky fun at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2025! This is one of our favorite events of the year, and this season felt bigger, brighter, and somehow even more magical than before. From the moment we stepped through the fog and heard that “Boo to You” parade music drifting down Main Street, we knew we were in for a night packed with tricks, treats, and a whole lot of fun.But first, we tried the return of Salt & Straw's Tacolate (yes, a chocolate taco filled with cinnamon-ancho ice cream!) and every spooky limited time treat from Everglazed, including the Nutella Boston Scream, Haunted Hour, and Spooky Tombstone, and we even grabbed the limited-edition Chai Sugar Showgirl Cupcake from Sprinkles — a Taylor-inspired treat that might just steal the show.Then on to MNSSHP, where we break down everything you need to know before heading to the party yourself — from ticket details and arrival times to the best tips to help you make the most of your evening. We share when to grab your wristbands, how to beat the candy lines, and which characters you'll want to prioritize early before their queues fill up. And of course, we talk all about the incredible entertainment lineup — from the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks hosted by Jack Skellington, to the Boo-To-You Parade (complete with the Headless Horseman), and the always entertaining Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular with the Sanderson Sisters.We also talk costume comfort tips (Florida heat, anyone?), and give our best advice for making the most of those precious five hours of Halloween magic. Grab your candy bag and your Mickey ears — it's time to Boo-to-You right along with us!

 It may not even be Halloween yet, but the holiday season is already on its way — and Orlando's theme parks are gearing up with some of the most magical celebrations of the year! In this episode of Mom Street USA, we're sharing 10 must-do holiday experiences for families across Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND Florida. From meeting Santa and the Grinch, to dazzling parades, festive food, and gingerbread displays, there's something for everyone to enjoy.We'll cover both ticketed events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and free holiday offerings like the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs — so you can plan the perfect holiday trip that fits your family and your budget.✨ Here's what you'll find in this episode:

Send us a textThis week we're covering all the latest in theme park and Disney news! From the spooky new Scooby-Doo X Monsters experience at FanFest Nights and Universal Horror Unleashed: Krampus & Kin to exciting casting opportunities for Disneyland's upcoming musical, there's so much happening. Plus, we break down the Level 99 opening at Disney Springs and the hilarious new Marvel comedy show coming to Disney Cruise Line. If you love Disney, Universal, and everything in between, this episode is packed with news, updates, and fun fan insights!Don't miss her stories, laughs, and the Disney magic that keeps us all coming back for more!Join us in our completely free Discord https://discord.gg/4nAvKTgcRnCheck out all of our amazing sponsors!Getaway Todayhttps://www.getawaytoday.com/?referrerid=8636If you want to book a Disney Vacation, please use our friends at Getaway Today. Also, if you call 855-GET-AWAY and mention Walt's Apartment, you will get a special dose of magic Where In The Park The Podcast-“Discover the history behind the details of Disney parks and more on the Where In The Park podcast”https://whereinthepark.comCheck Out Sunken City Designs - from the mind of Louis Medinahttps://sunkencitydesigns.bigcartel.com

We're stepping straight into the fog at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights 2025. From August 29th through November 2nd, HHN returns with 10 haunted houses, 4 sinister scare zones, pulse-pounding live shows, and a menu of spooky bites and drinks you'll only find at the event.We'll walk you through this year's lineup, including heavy-hitter IPs like Five Nights at Freddy's, Terrifier, Jason Universe, and Fallout, along with original houses that promise some of the most creative scares of the season. Plus, we'll share tips on tickets, Express Passes, and the best strategies to make the most of your night.Hungry for more than frights? We'll also dig into HHN-exclusive food and drink offerings — from pizza skulls and Death by Cheese Stick to churro “paint palettes” and sinister mocktails. Whether you're planning your first trip or you're a fog-season veteran, this episode is your survival guide to conquering Halloween Horror Nights 2025.

On this episode, we chat about some news involving some new 2026 hotel and vacation package discounts that are available, and ways that Disney is gearing up of the holidays with merchandise, sold out parties, and refurbs. We also discuss the top rated and reviewed restaurants at Disney Springs, and whether we agree with the rankings, pulling ratings from Google Reviews, Trip Advisor, and Touring Plans.Join Club 32Help us to fund & grow the show by becoming part of Club 32! You'll get more additional content, CTM Apparel discounts, 1901 Candle Company discounts, private Facebook Group, private podcast & more! - head to ctmvip.com1901 Candle CompanyWe're excited to launch our brand new Disney Scented Candles & You Can Learn More at 1901candleco.com.CTM ApparelGet the best Disney, Universal and/or Pop Culture apparel that is hand made in our shop - shop at ctmshirts.comSubscribe To The Show & Leave Us A ReviewApple Podcasts - Click HereStitcher - Click HereSpotify - Click HereFollow Us on Social MediaCTM Facebook Group: @capthemagicTwitter: @capthemagicInstagram: @capthemagicVisit Us OnlineSubscribe to our YouTube Channel!Capture the Magic Podcast – find the latest episodes!Capture The Magic Apparel – you can find a great Disney-inspired t-shirt collection!Join Club 32! Our private group with access to exclusive livestreams, podcasts, and MORE! Visit ctmvip.comOur SponsorsZip Travel - visit vacationwithzip.com to see how they can help you have the vacation of a lifetime!

Jeremy and Phillip kick off a brand-new season of Cast Conversations with fresh energy and plenty of Disney fun! They dive into the latest Disney news, from a mysterious scuba heist at Disney Springs to the buzz about a possible Figment movie, before challenging each other in a hilarious round of Name That Ride—where the sounds of Disney attractions put their knowledge to the test.Then, the adventure continues as they welcome special guest Magically Maggy, a cast member from Pirates of the Caribbean. Maggy shares behind-the-scenes stories from one of Disney's most iconic rides, from the unforgettable smells of the attraction to pirate lingo and even some spooky ghost tales. Packed with laughs, insider details, and a true dose of Disney magic, this episode is the perfect start to an exciting new season!

This week we're hitting rewind and bringing back one of my favorite episodes from last year — just in time for spooky season.I was joined by James and Shannon, who have been hosting elaborate themed Halloween parties for their family and friends for more than a decade. We talked all about how they pick a theme, plan and design the décor, send out invites, and put together food and drinks — all while keeping everything budget-friendly.If you're looking for inspiration for your own Halloween bash, curious about the behind-the-scenes planning, or just love hearing creative traditions, this episode is packed with tips, tricks, and festive fun.So grab your pumpkin spice latte, light a candle, and enjoy this throwback conversation with James and Shannon.

We're heading down the bayou for a sibling showdown as Port Orleans Riverside takes on Port Orleans French Quarter in the latest round of Resort Wars. These two charming Moderates may share a name and a boat to Disney Springs, but when it comes to theming, food, amenities, and overall vibe—they couldn't be more different. We walk through seven battle rounds, comparing everything from room layouts and transportation to pool fun, recreation options, and value for your hard-earned vacation dollar. French Quarter brings that cozy, jazz-filled energy with colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and of course—those famous Mickey-shaped beignets. Riverside answers back with lush walking paths, Royal Guest Rooms, and the fan-favorite Yeeha Bob at River Roost Lounge. Along the way, we'll share our own experiences at both resorts, a few personal preferences, and what we think makes each one special. We also reveal the results from your votes in our Facebook poll—because this battle isn't just about us…it's about the whole Main Street Magic community. So grab your floatworks beignet or your fishing rod from Ol' Man Island, and let's settle this once and for all.

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey sits down with Jérôme Giacomoni, co-founder and Chairman of AEROPHILE, the world leader in tethered gas balloons and immersive aerial experiences. Jérôme shares the story of how AEROPHILE began with a simple idea, to “make everybody fly” and grew into a global company operating in multiple countries, including France and the U.S.Tune in to hear about the company's signature attractions, including tethered balloon flights, the innovative Aerobar concept, and high-profile projects such as how you can experience flying the Olympic cauldron in Paris. Jérôme also shares how AEROPHILE has leveraged its unique platform to explore scientific initiatives like air-quality and climate-change monitoring and how he Integrates unique revenue streams from sponsorship and advertising.Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden, with co host Andy Povey and roving reporter Claire Furnival.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. Show references:  https://www.aerophile.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-giacomoni-3074b7/Jérôme Giacomoni is co-founder of Groupe AEROPHILE and Chairman of AEROPHILE SAS. Since 1993, he has led the company to become the world leader in tethered gas balloons and balloon flights, operating iconic sites in France, the U.S., and Cambodia, and flying over 500,000 passengers annually. He also pioneered “flying food-tainment” with the Aerophare and Aerobar. Jérôme is a member of IAAPA, serves on the board of SNELAC, and is a Team France Export ambassador, earning multiple awards for entrepreneurship and innovation. Plus, live from the Day 2 of the IAAPA Expo Europe show floor, we catch up with:Rheanna Sorby –Marketing & Creative Director,  The Seasonal Grouphttps://theseasonalgroup.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rheanna-sorby-seasonal/Sohret Pakis – Polin Waterparkshttps://www.polin.com.tr/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohretpakis/Thomas Collin – Sales Manager, VEX Solutionshttps://www.vex-solutions.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-collin-18a476110/Peter Cliff – CEO // Founder, Conductr.https://conductr.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-cliff/Laura Baxter – Founder, Your CMOhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-baxter-4a756466/Josh Haywood – Resort Director, Crealy Theme Park & Resorthttps://www.crealy.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-haywood-68463630/ Transcriptions:  Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, the podcast about the world's best attractions and the people that work in them. I'm your host Paul Marden, and with my co-host Andy Povey and roving reporter Claire Furnival, we're here at IAAPA Expo Europe. In today's episode, I go on a trip on Santa's Enchanted Elevator with the Seasonal Group, and Claire meets Peter Cliff from Conductr. But before all that, let's head over to Andy.Andy Povey: Good morning, everybody. I'm joined today by Jerome Giacomoni from AEROPHILE for our French listeners. I hope I've got that right. Jerome is the chief exec of AEROPHILE and has been the co-founder and president of AEROPHILE. And AEROPHILE supply helium-based balloon observation opportunities. I probably got the marketing on that completely wrong, Jerome. So please, can you share with our listeners what AEROPHILE is all about?Jerome Giacomoni: So AEROPHILE is a company I created with Mathieu Gobbi, my partner, 32 years ago, with a very simple idea, make everybody fly, you know, and we use a balloon to fly. So we have a tethered balloon. We have a huge, big balloon inflated with helium, a gas lighter than air. And we go up to more or less 150 meters high. up to 30 passengers. So we are linked to the ground with a cable, and the cable is linked to a winch. So you have to imagine that you have a winch that— when we go up—pulls when we go down. This is the exact opposite of an elevator because the balloon wants to go higher and higher. We have a lifting force of four tons.Andy Povey:Wow.Jerome Giacomoni:Yes, it's a big one. And so we need a cable to keep it. And thanks to this lifting force, we can fight against the wind.Jerome Giacomoni: And so the balloon can swing when you have some wind because the balloon is just pulled by the cable itself.Andy Povey: And trust me, listeners, they look absolutely spectacular. Just before we started recording, I was admitting to Jerome that I'm scared of heights. So I've stood and watched. The dining balloon, Futuroscope, never managed to pluck up the courage to try it myself.Jerome Giacomoni: This is another concept, Andy. So we have built two concepts. One is a tethered balloon, a real one with helium, with a cable, with a winch, and we fly by ourselves. The balloon flies by itself, okay? We did another concept 20 years after we created our company, so 10 years before now, in 2013, which is what we call the aero bar. It's a flying bar, and you have an inflatable balloon. to cover the gondola, but it's a fake. This is a real elevator, and you have a gondola with some winches and a metallic structure, and you go up and down. So what you saw in Futuroscope is not a balloon. It's a real elevator.Jerome Giacomoni: And the one you can see in Disneyland Paris, Disney World, Orlando or San Diego Zoo are a real balloon named a tethered balloon. So I'm glad you fell down into the trick. You caught me. Yes, I'm glad about that. But we have really two different concepts.Andy Povey: But the concept, the thing that the guest is experiencing, isn't really related to whether it's a balloon or a lift.Jerome Giacomoni: No. i think it's very different okay i think the aerobar is fun and you have the feet in the sky you feel the thrill of height and everything but you stop at 35 meters it's it's quite high for a ride but it's not a real flight And I think the balloon is a real flight. We have a balloon in Paris. We have a balloon in Budapest, Berlin. And you see the city from the sky at 150 meters high, which is very high. So you really experience a flight. With the aerobar, you have a ride, okay? So both of them are related to the sky, are related to the view, but one is really a flight, the other one is really a ride.Andy Povey: That makes absolute sense.Andy Povey: It doesn't reassure me on my fear of heights anymore, that I would like to go up three times, four times taller, higher than the one I saw first. Very interesting. So, listeners, we're often talking about technology and attractions. There's a huge amount of talk about augmented reality, about AI, about motion simulators. The reason, Jerome, we asked you to come and talk to us is because you don't do any of that. No—your experience is fantastic and it's new and it's unique, but there's no technology or very little obvious technology.Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, quite little. You know, it's amazing because we do this for now 32 years, as I told you. The first balloon was inflated in 1994. We have sold 120 balloons in more than 40 countries. And each time with the balloon, you have a magical effect, you know, because the balloon itself is very nice— because the balloon itself is a show from people looking at it from the ground. And because... The flight experience is amazing because you are really in the sky. You are really looking at the ground, at the landscape. You have no noise, you know, when you take a helicopter or plane. You have a lot of noise. You are in an enclosed airplane or helicopter. Here you are outside. You are on a balcony flying at 150 meters. And wherever we are, always we have like a magical effect of the flight. And with the flying bar, we decided to do something different— where we say, 'Why drink on ground where you can drink in the sky?'Jerome Giacomoni: So we add the drink to the ride, you know. So you are on a table and you have what we say in French conviviality. So we share a drink. We go at 35 meters and you have the thrill of the view of the height and also the conviviality of drinking. So this is another concept, but both of them are universal. And wherever we do it, we have sold 20 aero bars worldwide.Jerome Giacomoni: Everybody is very happy to have this kind of ride. I would say we are on the side of the main market. You know, we have two niche products. The balloon is a niche product. And the AeroBar is a niche product where we have another experience than a normal ride, like a roller coaster or a flume or a spinning coaster.Andy Povey: You say you're a nice product, but the balloon in Paris for the Olympics, where you lifted the cauldron, had phenomenal numbers of visitors watching. That wasn't something you could go on.Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, it was an amazing opportunity. You know, sometimes life gives you some presents.Jerome Giacomoni: And imagine that we were contacted by the Olympic Organisation Committee one day, and we believed it was a joke. And they said, 'We need to talk to you.' And then we discovered that instead of flying humans, they asked us to fly a cauldron. So the Olympic cauldron. And we have like one year and a half of design and manufacturing.Jerome Giacomoni: And then, at 11 pm, 25, the balloon has to fly in front of everybody. I can tell you it was a very stressful time. But so nice and so amazing to have experiences. So, yes, the balloon suddenly was visible by everybody. And that's back now in Paris, isn't it? Yes. First of all, the balloon has to stay only twice— 15 days. You know, you have the Olympics and the Paralympics. So we were open only 30 days in total. And the success was so huge that every night, you have dozens of thousands of people coming to look at it. That's why the mayor of Paris and the French president decided to keep it.Jerome Giacomoni: And just after the deflation of the balloon, they call us back and say, 'Jerome and Mathieu, we would like to have the balloon back.' So we work again with the city of Paris and the French presidency, and we agreed to put the balloon.Jerome Giacomoni: Three times, three months. So from June 21st, in France, this is a music event, you know, the Day of Music. To September 14th, which is a day of sport. So every year until the Olympic game of LA, we will operate the balloon for three months in the summertime. Fantastic.Andy Povey: So, Jerome, you operate in lots and lots of different countries all over the world. I think it's 14 countries that you've been.Jerome Giacomoni: No, we sold, but we operate only in the US and in France.Andy Povey: Ah, okay. Interesting.Jerome Giacomoni: We own ourselves, we operate ourselves, six balloons in the 120 we have sold. So we operate three in Paris region. One, the Parc André Citroën, where we have the Generali balloon since 1999. One in Disneyland Paris since 2005. So we are in Disneyland Paris for now 20 years. Time is flying. And the last one, the Cold Run, which is a very specific event that we operate now for one year and for the next two years. And in the US, we operate Disney World Orlando in Disney Spring since 2009, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 2005, and Irvine. South of LA since 2007. So we operate now six balloons for a long, long time, except the cold run. And we keep selling balloons.Jerome Giacomoni: We sell more or less five to six balloons every year.Andy Povey: And how do you find the differences between the French culture and you're on either side of America, so the differences between the different coasts of America and France?Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, we... We are in the US, but we are also in Mexico, in a lot of countries in Asia. In the Middle East, we have a beautiful balloon in Dubai. We have a beautiful balloon in Seoul. So we work a lot with very different cultures. You know, it's very interesting to sell the same product to different cultures. So I would say... The main difference probably lies in the contract. It's very funny when you make the contract. I would say a 'yes' is not the same 'yes' depending on the culture. But everybody is, you know, you... You love people when you work worldwide. You learn a lot, you discover a lot. You have to learn with different cultures. And I have the chance in my professional life to experience that and to meet people from all over the world. And, you know, my job is to go on site, and discuss with someone, and see if it's possible or not to have a balloon at this place.Jerome Giacomoni: So it's always a beautiful job because I travel in a lot of countries in beautiful spots.Jerome Giacomoni: We don't succeed a lot because, if not, I would have sold thousands of balloons. We have always constraints with local authority, with food traffic, etc. But always, it's a pleasure to meet people. And once... The balloon is accepted by the local authority when the customer has a finance for it. Then start more or less a one-year work together between installation, work on site, inflation, and training of the team. And after... They fly with their own wings, even if we have no wings with our balloons.Andy Povey: Very good. And I imagine that you don't put balloons into ugly places.Jerome Giacomoni: We did, sometimes for specific contracts. Ugly, I won't use this name, but not very obvious, logical site. But it has happened. Sometimes we do for small events or for specific needs.Jerome Giacomoni: But yes, most of the time, the sites are very interesting.Andy Povey: So there are other things you're doing with the balloons. So the air quality messaging that you have above Paris. Tell us more about your opportunities to influence in other areas.Jerome Giacomoni: Yes, you know, the balloon is not only a ride, a passenger ride, but it's also an amazing opportunity for communication and for advertisement. So in the city center, like Paris, Berlin, or Seoul, the balloon is used also as a giant advertising billboard. So you have two revenues. You have the revenue of the passenger, but you have also the sponsor revenue.Jerome Giacomoni: When we started the balloon in Paris, it was extremely difficult to get the authorisation to have a balloon in Paris centre. We are two kilometres south of the Eiffel Tower. But you remember, we had the famous Millennium, the Y2K. uh and and so the mayor faris was looking for a new idea and we propose a balloon And they gave us only a one year and a half contract. And the investment was quite huge. And we told him, OK, we can do it, but we cannot do it for only one year and a half. Except if you accept that we have a name on the balloon, a naming and a sponsor on the balloon. And the mayor say yes. And we start another business where we put sponsor on the balloon. And this is a very good business because it makes a... activity immediately profitable so we did that in Paris in 1999 and in 2008 the balloon was like 10 years old because when you fly you have your the balloon is huge we talk about a 32 meters high balloon we talk about like a 12-story building.Jerome Giacomoni: So everybody knows the balloon in Paris. Everybody can see it. And so, when we fly, we have 400,000 people who immediately see us. So we decided to give citizen aspect. And we start— pour changer le couleur de la balle selon la qualité de l'air. C'était en 2008. Et parce que nous l'avons fait, nous avons des scientifiques... coming to us and say, 'Hey, this balloon is a wonderful platform to measure air quality because you make like a carrot of the air from zero to 150 meters. Jerome Giacomoni:  Can we bring some scientist instrument on the gondola? And we say yes. And then we start to make science. And then we start to make scientific publications, scientific publications. And then we start a new business where the balloon is not only a tethered gas balloon for passenger, it's only... advertising billboard and now it's only a scientific platform and so this is very interesting and the last things we have done in 2024 no this year in 2025 is to use the balloon for global climate change. As you know, we have two main gas pollutants for the climate change, CO2 and CH4. And the balloon is a perfect platform to measure evolution on CO2 and CH4. So we are working with a European group named ICOS. gathering all the best laboratories in Europe, who are making a huge study on how CO2 and CH4 how they are in each city.Jerome Giacomoni: And Paris has been chosen as a pilot city. So we are very glad to work with them. And so now the Balloon is also working on climate change. And we will have big, big, big LED screen. So we make some technology sometime, as you said, to inform people on the temperature elevation in Europe and in the world. And the news are very bad, as everybody knows.Andy Povey: But that's fascinating. I love the integration you've been able to take from this unique proposition and apply it to different markets, different problems.Jerome Giacomoni: You know, Andy, I think we have to exit from the box. My message to... all people who are listening to us.Jerome Giacomoni: Okay, passenger rides is very important. It's a key market for many of us. But sometimes we can use... another way to find new flow of revenue, like advertising, and we can be also helpful to our other citizens, like working freely for scientists to make measurements on pollutants of the air. This helps with both air quality and also climate change.Andy Povey: It's a beautiful concept, Jerome. I love it. Love it.Andy Povey: So, final question. Your experiences are obviously very unique. What advice would you have for a venue and possibly a smaller venue that doesn't have the resources to be able to build something 150 metres high or put something 150 metres into the air? What advice would you give them on how to make a compelling experience for visitors?Jerome Giacomoni: I really believe that you have to stick on your roots, okay? I mean that people want authenticity.Jerome Giacomoni: And as you know, we are very keen on balloons, as you can imagine. So we make in our, you know, Paris, it's in Paris where you have the first flight. Yeah. In 1783. Montgolfier, brothers. Yes, with the Montgolfier brothers, with Charles, the scientist. So we really stick on our roots. And I think where you are in Brittany, where you are in Japan, you have to follow your own road and your own path. By feeling what could be the good idea, but also what is your feeling inside you. You need to have something different that you feel very confident with.Andy Povey: Beautiful final thought, Jerome, I like it a lot. So listeners, stay authentic and be passionate.Jerome Giacomoni: Exactly, the right word is passionate.Paul Marden: Next up, let's get some soundbites from the show floor.Rheanna  Sorby: My name's Rheanna. I'm Marketing and Creative Director for the Seasonal Group. We are curators of Christmas magic all year round. Wow, wow.Paul Marden: So you make Christmas special?Rheanna  Sorby: We're the Christmas elves.Paul Marden: Awesome, awesome. I can see you've got such a great set of stands. What have you got here that you're exhibiting for the first time?Rheanna  Sorby: We have Santa's Enchanted Express, which is a three-minute experience that transports customers and guests from a very festive train station to the North Pole in just under three minutes. So it's quite a Christmas miracle. And it also transports on nine pallets. So it's a great return on investment for customers there if it's 24 people on. We also have our elevator experience, which went viral last year. And then we have VR, animatronics, and a lot of our famous items, like the snowman here, just dressed as a little, it's some sort of operator.Paul Marden: Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. So we don't have a lot of luck with lifts at the moment because the team got stuck in a lift yesterday for about 45 minutes. Stop it. We got rescued by the... Well, I didn't get in the lift. I walked because there wasn't enough room. But two of them had to be rescued by the fire brigadeRheanna  Sorby: Okay, so this might be triggering. Well, you know.Paul Marden: Oh, no, I found it hilarious.Paul Marden: I was hugely supportive on the outside, yelling into them.Paul Marden: But Santa won't let me get stuck in a lift today, will he? Absolutely not.Rheanna  Sorby: No, there's an emergency exit. Excellent.Paul Marden: So what's new and innovative then about the Santa Express? What are you bringing to market?Rheanna  Sorby: So a lot of our clients, we sell business to business. They're struggling to get people into shopping centres and we're finding that we need to create retail theatre. So that is something I see as a massive trend moving forward. People want nostalgia. They want an experience, something memorable. But also our customers need a way to return investment as well. So they hopefully will spend something with us and then ticket the experience. So that's something that we're pivoting our business towards. Trying to create a brand new experience every year. A lot of people are struggling nowadays, cost of living.Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely.Rheanna  Sorby: It's difficult, so we're trying to find a way that brings the Christmas magic to people's doors.Paul Marden: We are, where are we at the moment? We're in September, so we've still got a couple of months left before Christmas 2025, but that must be over for you.Rheanna  Sorby: No, the quality of the street is on the shelves. It's already happening. The install season starts literally on Monday for us. Really? Yes. When we get back, we land and then we start installing.Paul Marden: And so this is the busy time. So let's talk about Christmas 2026. What are the trends that you see coming along at that point?Rheanna  Sorby: Whimsical, whimsical. So we've got Wicked number two coming out. And we've also had all like the Whoville, that sort of style, the Grinch. So imagine pastels, furry trees, things that don't quite make sense, a lot of whimsical wonderland, I would say, trend-wise. But equally immersive experiences and how we can bring magic to you.Paul Marden: Wonderful, wonderful. Thank you ever so much. Rheanna, it's been lovely to meet you. Thank you for coming on the podcast. And let's go and visit Santa in his lift, shall we? Yeah, excellent.Paul Marden: And here it is. So we are surrounded by suites in an old-fashioned lift. And there's our doors closed.Paul Marden: Oh, how amazing is this? We're going up.Paul Marden: Ice like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Great Glass Elevator. This is amazing. We're up over the clouds. Just stunning. There's a train there. I think we're going to follow into the tunnel after the train. Yes.Paul Marden: Got cold, now we're underground. Now we're in the tunnel.Paul Marden: And I think this might be Santa's factory.Paul Marden: Let's get ready.Paul Marden: Merry Christmas. The big man's chair as well. Can I take a seat in the big man's chair? Ho, ho, ho.Sohret Pakis: Hi, Paul. My name is Shorhet Pakis. I'm the brand ambassador for Polin Waterparks.Paul Marden: What are you launching this year at IAAPA? What's new for you?Sohret Pakis:Last year, we have won two big awards for a themed water slide, which is... Stingray it was in Nantes in France and it was something big because you know it was like Europeans best water slide number one and I have a brass ring award winner about two million number one but last night in Porta Ventura Stingray has won the second time best water slide of Europe award. But we have something new about it. Last year when I was telling about Stingray, it was an eight-person slide. This year we have something new. Now the capacity went up to 10, especially when we're talking about all these queue management issues. So that's something wonderful. And also, you ask, what is new? This year, we have something very exciting. A parrot-themed stingray. It's the same slide, but it's parrot-themed.Sohret Pakis: It's coming to Dubai by January. It's going to be open.Paul Marden: So can I ask you, what makes that innovative? What's new about that?Sohret Pakis: Actually, it's a very specifically themed waterslide. You know that POLIN has been pioneer in RTM manufacturing and U-texture. It's kind of a composite material technology which we can make waterslides look.  Look like a character, actually. We are the company who did this first because we said that storytelling is very important. Yes, but you know, slides are just slides. So we just wanted the slides look like the characters in that story. Of course, behind that, there is huge material technology, composites technology, design technologies. Actually, that's the time when we introduced King Cobra years ago. And now with Stingray, we took it much further. So actually, the team looks perfectly like a Stingray, but at the same time, it's a water slide with so many features. It has two big towers and between the towers, there's a bridge. From each tower, two slides start with a very special mist roofing and very special bridge where you can just see what's happening all over the slide.Paul Marden: So the queuing experience is enriched so it doesn't feel quite so long and boring because you can watch what everyone is doing.Sohret Pakis: It is, yes.Paul Marden: Super impressive. So we have been asking everybody to think about what are their predictions for 2026?Sohret Pakis: Everybody is talking about AI. Everybody is talking about immersive. So AI, of course, will make a huge difference in operation, especially.Paul Marden: In what way?Sohret Pakis: Actually, in guest satisfaction, because personalisation is very important in our industry. Whoever comes to the park, they are the heroes at the park. And so actually, if the park can make them feel that they are the heroes, truly— if that's their birthday, if that's their wedding anniversary, so whatever. If the park can make you feel that you're special, and thanks to technology, now it's possible.Paul Marden: Absolutely. That's so interesting. Thank you so much for your insights and for joining us on Skip the Queue. Thank you.Thomas Collin: I'm Thomas, I'm from VEX Solutions, so we are a VR company at the start, and now we're going to the arcade with mixed reality as well. Okay, so that's a nice link. What are you launching here at IAFA? So here for the first time we are introducing VEX Party Dash. The Party Dash is a mixed reality arcade machine. So automated, people can go on it, play on it. You have two huge screens that are really highly interactive. You can walk on the screen, you can touch the screen. The goal is really to make you moving. So that's what we want to do with the Dash.Paul Marden: That's amazing, isn't it? So we're watching people at the moment. You can see lights up on the floor that they're stepping on and on the wall.Thomas Collin: What is really the key aspect of this product is that it's highly attractive. People, they just go around, they stop by it, they want to try it. Actually, we can say, 'Hey, come and try it,' because we watch you, we see you. So we can say, 'Hey, come and try it.' And people stop by, they play it. It's highly immersive, but also highly active. Yes. You're just not standing on an arcade, sitting down. No, you're really moving around. So, this is really good for kids and families. Absolutely. That's what we see.Paul Marden: So, where do you see this being used? What sort of attractions will take this?Thomas Collin: Actually, with this product, it can go either in the attraction side or either at the arcade side. So, you can play it as one game, and you can play a three-minute game like an arcade, or you can actually book for 15 minutes. Since there is not a single game, but multiple games, you can play different games, you can play different levels inside the main gate. So you have a high replayability. Because we want you to come back, we want to attract the gamers, and then make them come back.Paul Marden: 15 minutes with this much activity sounds like quite a tall order. It's a workout.Thomas Collin: It's a workout. It's a workout. Yeah, yeah, yeah.Peter Cliff: Hi, my name is Pete Cliff. I'm from Conductr. We're here in Barcelona and it's so exciting to be back at IAAPA. Now, what we're super excited about this year is talking about our collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Lines on Great Stirrup Cay. It's their new water park. It's a great project. We're excited to talk to people about it. It's also lovely to be back in Barcelona. It's been, I think, about six years since we were last back here, and it's always one of my favourite European cities for IAPA. It's great to meet with people from the industry, reconnect with old colleagues and friends, and really see what's happening. There's a huge amount of innovation and special projects that are launching all over the show floor. So yeah, great to be back, and can't wait to see what the future of the themed entertainment industry has to offer.Laura Baxter: My name is Laura Baxter. You may know me as the girl with the purple jumpsuit on LinkedIn. I am the head of marketing for Black Gang Shine, but have most recently just announced that I've gone into freelancing and I've launched your CMO.Paul Marden: And I have to say, the jumpsuits work because I was about 50 metres behind you earlier on and I spotted the Your CMO logo on the back of the jumpsuit, so well done for that. We've talked to a lot of suppliers with stands that are exhibiting. From your perspective, this is your first time stepping over to the dark side and coming to an IAPA. What's the experience like for you? What are you here to get out of the show?Laura Baxter: I'd say it's twofold. Mainly it is for networking. Obviously anybody who's anyone in the industry is here. But also, it's inspiration because I want to be able to talk about new and exciting stuff with... Potential clients that I may have and ideas still for Black Gang as well. So, when you walk around show floor, which is just so vibrant and there's so much going on everywhere—you turn, you can draw inspiration from so many of the suppliers here.Paul Marden: What have you seen that's innovative?Laura Baxter: There's a huge amount of stuff being done with tech and it's very interesting because I think that's where a lot of people are going to think that they need to go, because that's the way of the world now, and the next generation don't know life off of a screen and they're expecting to have these incredible digital experiences.Laura Baxter: I'm not convinced that is the way to go. But yes, it's still impressive tech. So for me, there are things that I stand back out and look at and I'm like, 'Whoa, that's really, really cool.'Laura Baxter: I'm not so sure it's potentially what consumers want, though, controversially.Paul Marden: It's really hard, isn't it? Because as a parent of young kids, you want them off the tech as much as you possibly can. But you need a hook. To be able to attract them, don't you? So there's been some amazing stuff here that bridges that gap between the real world and the tech world. So, summer season 2025 is over. What are your predictions about summer 26 and what operators should be thinking about right now?Laura Baxter: It's a really tough market, we all know that. Budgets are tight for households, so there is an awful lot more thought going into their spending and what they're doing and where they're choosing to take that little bit of disposable money that they do have. Therefore actually I don't think next year operators should be thinking about huge innovations or new attractions. I think they need to strip back to basics and nail their customer service. I think guest expectations now are so high. because they're parting with money that is a little bit more precious to them than perhaps if they don't leave at the end of that day having had a good experience they feel ripped off they're going to go straight to review platforms they're going to let it all out and actually you need to be focusing on making sure that every single touch point with that customer is bang on and we're talking pre-visit as well from the your website journey to buying it to the follow-up emails to the pre-visit emails to that first person they meet on front of house to the ride operators to the events team if you have that kind of entertainment on park if you are not nailing your experienceLaura Baxter: You are going to lose out well.Paul Marden: I think we should end it right there. That there is a nugget of gold.Paul Marden: So I am here with co-host Andy Povey and our good friend Josh Haywood from Crealy down in Devon.Josh Haywood: Hello.Paul Marden: It's the end of day two. What have you seen, Josh? What's blown your socks off?Josh Haywood: Good couple of days so far. We're probably into 40,000 steps, which is great. I think technology is the thing that struck me this week so far. Just the small changes that some of the operators and some of the manufacturers are putting into their existing kits. So, for example, I attended a seminar this morning about bowling. and normally temping bowling is temping bowling. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But now there's augmented reality, and they've got features on the lanes, and it's not about just taking all the pins down, it's taking pin one and six out, and all those things they're trying to do to reinvent older, more traditional attractions, which I think I find really interesting. Yeah. I think some of the seasonality stuff, the Christmas and Halloween stuff has been really good. We sat on a train and went on a journey and the seats rumbled and the sound and the visual effects, they were great.Paul Marden: I saw that. There was no room for me to go and sit on that train. It was amazing.Josh Haywood: I thought that was really good. And, you know, I've been really impressed with generally the show. I think you can get around it all as well. It feels really friendly. I think the sun shining always helps as well. It's not too tough, is it?Paul Marden: I mean, the last time we were in Barcelona, we were all wearing face masks. Absolutely, yes. So it's really refreshing to be back here. And not have that.Josh Haywood: Absolutely. And not have to queue to get in as well. I think that was interesting on the first day.Paul Marden: Oh, did they see you and then just wave you through?Josh Haywood: Red carpet was up for, of course, award-winning theme park and resort. Paul Marden: Mr. Hayward. Did you say award? Winnie and obviously you're on the back of your two awards in the theme park awards last week. How was that? And then we've got some really exciting news from Creeley.Josh Haywood: I saw it at the press this morning. Yes, so a couple of things happened last week. So first of all, we had our anniversary 25 years of Maximus the Coaster. The Vekoma Coaster, 25 years. The first coaster in Devon. It was Devon's first coaster, over half a million riders later. It's done 2 million miles around the track. It's great. So we did a sort of event for that, and we used it to sort of make some announcements about future attractions, which I'll tell you about in a minute. But then we went to the Theme Park Awards last week at Wickste Park, where... We've been the recipients of a few bronze and silvers, and we go being little old us and hope for the best. And then the award I really wanted to win was one of two: the best for families and the best for value. And when the family award came up, they said, 'In bronze is such and such, in silver.' And I was like, 'Well, there you go.' That's all that's left for another year. And then when they said the win at gold was cruelly for best for families, we were delighted. I got a bit emotional about it. I think we would just work so hard over the years to be the best in the Southwest, certainly. And certainly since we put Sootyland in as well. We won the award for Toddlers.Josh Haywood: So it was a double wham. And within 10 minutes as well. It wasn't separated. Within 10 minutes, I just got my breath back from the first one. And then we were up on stage again taking that second award. Oh, it's tough, isn't it? Which was great, yeah. Multi-award winning. Multi-award winning theme parking resort. Devon's finest. Most right in Devon. We're just going to... absolutely bleep the hell out of this for the next 12 months because who knows we may not win it again so we'll just shout from the treetops about this and then we also won thanks to martin rose and rose events uh silver for best entertainment event for the city show It's still very popular, the legacy brand. People love the Sooty show. And as I said at the awards, we sell loads of those puppets. People love a Sooty and a Sweep. So it's been a really good collaboration for us.Paul Marden: We were at our first away day for our Merak team back a few months ago down at Creeley, and I found a little sooty puppet underneath the lectern. I was absolutely chuffed to bits. And there he was, just sitting at the front of the away day, watching everything going on with Sue next to him.Josh Haywood: He's still popular. We understood when we put Cityland in, it wasn't going to be Peppa Pig. world and we didn't think for a minute we'd even sort of get to those heights of Thomas Land at Drayton Manor but it certainly hit a chord with the older market certainly the nannies and the granddads who remember such from when they were kids and you know it's a legacy brand and it works but what we have done really well is sort of corner that market for younger children and toddlers and we Sort of took some comments over the last 12 to 18 months that we may be missing the mark when it comes to the 8 to 12-year-olds, which we were pretty good at five or six years ago. So we've decided this year that we're going to invest in some thrill attractions. So we've just launched news that we've got two new rides going in next year. One, I can't tell you exactly because we're still going under. Got some planning issues, but we're going to have the Southwest tallest ride and the Southwest first inverted ride. So a multi-million pound investment going in and hopefully that will give us another boost that we need to kick on again. We've still got new accommodation going in. We'll still be doing new events and shows for next year.Josh Haywood: So it's going to be a bumper year for Crealy. Absolutely.  I really look forward to that.Paul Marden: I look forward to you being on the launch ride.Paul Marden: Me down on the ground watching and videoing.Josh Haywood: What they have said, which is really interesting, we spoke to an operator, there's only one other ride like it in the UK, and that operator said, whatever you do, make sure when you put the ride in, you fit a hose pipe and a tap right in. Because you may be washing the seats down more than you would usually on your current ride. So, yeah, it certainly will add that next level of ride experience to our family market.Paul Marden: Yeah, I think that's super important, isn't it? Mr. Povey, what have you seen today that has blown your socks off?Andy Povey: I'm really looking for the place to go and get some more soft, comfortable socks. I've walked so much. I've stood around and listened to so many fantastic talks, had so many brilliant conversations. I'm done. My feet hurt. I need to sit down and have a beer.Paul Marden: Well, I hate to break it to you, but there's another day left. And there's still more interviews to do. Still more opportunities for us to get some interesting stories on Skip the Queue.Andy Povey: Look forward to that.Paul Marden: Gentlemen, I think we're about done. So thank you ever so much. It has been a joy. And Mr. Povey, see you back here tomorrow. Josh, wonderful as always.Josh Haywood: Maybe see you at OrlandoPaul Marden: Oh. Absolutely, yeah.Josh Haywood: We'll do it againPaul Marden: Thanks for listening to today's episode. If you liked it, leave a comment in Spotify or Apple Podcasts. If you didn't, let us know on hello@skipthequeue.fm. Today's episode was a team effort for Sami and Emily from Plaster, Steve from Folland Co., as well as Claire and Wenalyn from Skip the Queue HQ. We're back again tomorrow for more fun from IAAPA, including Andreas Andersen from Liseberg, one of Scandinavia's most visited parks. See you all tomorrow. The 2025 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsTake the Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

Episode OverviewJoin travel advisors Ryan and Julie as they take you on an epic Disney Springs quick service food crawl! Discover the best no-reservation dining options at Walt Disney World's premier shopping and dining district. From Spanish tapas to Asian street food, this episode is your guide to maximizing your Disney Springs dining experience.What You'll LearnBest Disney Springs Quick Service Restaurants - Five must-try spots that don't require reservationsDisney World Dining Tips - How to enjoy celebrity chef cuisine without breaking the budgetDisney Springs Food Guide - Insider recommendations from experienced travel professionalsWalt Disney World Quick Service - Perfect options for families and groupsRestaurants Featured1. Pepe by José AndrésCuisine: Spanish tapas and sandwichesMust-Try: Feta with Jamón, Manchego & tomato, Chicken Croquetas, ChurrosLocation: Near World of M&Ms and Cirque du Soleil2. Salt & Straw Ice CreamSpecialty: Artisanal ice cream with unique flavorsPopular Flavors: Panther Coffee Resche, Guava & Cheese Donut, Olive OilPro Tip: Try unlimited samples before ordering3. Morimoto Asia Street FoodCuisine: Pan-Asian by Iron Chef MorimotoStandout Dish: Spare ribs (also available at full-service restaurant)Style: Glass case display for easy ordering4. Jock Lindsey's Hangar BarTheme: Indiana Jones-inspired bar and eaterySignature Item: Cargo Loaded Pretzel (charcuterie-style appetizer)Atmosphere: Indoor/outdoor seating with waterfront views5. Eet by Maneet ChauhanCuisine: Modern Indian street foodFeatured Items: Chicken Tikka Masala Flatbread, SamosasLocation: Near Disney's Days of Christmas shopExpert Travel TipsPerfect for Disney World veterans seeking new experiencesGreat alternative when table service reservations are unavailableIdeal for groups wanting flexible, no-commitment diningBudget-friendly way to experience celebrity chef cuisineKeywords: Disney Springs restaurants, Disney World quick service, Walt Disney World dining, Disney Springs food guide, no reservation Disney dining, Disney food crawl, travel advisors, Disney Springs tipsSupport the showLove the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1197029/supporters/new Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website www.allthingstravelpodcast.com and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation" Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page! Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show! Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

We're counting down our favorite places to watch “Happily Ever After” without ever setting foot inside Magic Kingdom. Whether you're skipping the park for the night, looking for a more relaxed vibe, or just want to enjoy the fireworks with a Dole Whip in hand — we've got you covered.We'll walk you through our Top 5 viewing spots, from beaches and marinas to resort rooftops and private fireworks cruises, including one often-overlooked honorable mention that offers peaceful charm and piped-in music. For each spot, we share the best angles, when to arrive, and what to grab for snacks or drinks before the show begins. Plus, if you're staying at one of these resorts, we've got extra tips to make your viewing experience even better — including which rooms offer a chance at in-room magic.And of course, we wrap it up with our #1 pick — a splurge-worthy option that puts you right on the water with unbeatable views and synchronized audio.So join us as we go beyond the park gates and still catch all the fireworks feels. This is one magical countdown you won't want to miss.

Welcome to episode 215 of Last Night's Coffee with Chuck and Jon! We appreciate everybody tuning in! This week the guys give a quick weekend review... followed by the Football Wrap Up... Then some news topics are covered including Jimmy Kimmel being removed from the Tonight Show... Macron's wife having to legally prove her gender... A stabbing at a Phish concert... A scuba robbery at Disney Springs.... and then the guys go into a Dirt Racing Segment where Chuck tries to educate Jon on some dirt track terminology... Thanks for tuning in Nightshifters!

00:00 - Hilarious intro, tech hiccups, and the unique chaos that only BLC could deliver.07:23 - Fred's Fredline News kicks off with a Brazilian plot involving a poison-laced surprise.14:40 - Scuba-heist conundrum at Disney Springs—gators might be the least of their worries!23:18 - Questionable innovations from the world of medicine—would you turn a tooth into an eye implant?31:45 - Oregon's “forever winner” lottery debacle and the ultimate cautionary tale.42:06 - Nick Cannon reflects on how his family expansion is a “trauma response.” Seriously?50:00 - The comeback of fencing, rogue emergency room stories, and nostalgic nods to Princess Bride.01:05:30 - Wrapping up the madness with dad jokes, tangents, and closing laughs. #blcpodcast #podcastingforthepeople #funny #podcast #greenvillesc #scpodcast #yeahthatgreenville Listen at: https://americasfavoritepodcast.com Tweet the Show: https://twitter.com/blcworld Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blcpodcast/ Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blcpodcast/ Buy Fred and Allan Beer: https://www.patreon.com/blcworld

This week on DW:60 we've got some quick updates about the Candlelight Processional lineup and Dinning Packages for the event, and a robbery at Disney Springs as a man steals almost $5,000 from Paddlefish while making his escape via scuba gear.

We're unpacking the latest from our recent trip with some good old-fashioned mousekeeping and several updated dining reviews,. We'll touch on the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour, a tip for fixing your MagicBand to access your room, plus a shoutout to Cast Member Madeline for spreading some serious magic at the Polynesian.Then it's all about the food. We've got a Wailulu Bar update on fries, a tasty pineapple-coconut bread breakfast, and a trip back to Beak & Barrel featuring poblano corn griddle cakes and skull mugs.We also stopped by Connections Eatery to try the French Onion Burger, which just might surprise you. We head over to ‘Ohana for the classic all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner experience with our thoughts on wings, dumplings, noodles, and the beloved bread pudding. Finally, we sit down for lunch at Tiffins, sampling coconut-ube cauliflower soup, lobster mac and cheese, and their signature burger—plus the new to us Roasted Street Corn Tres Leches dessert.It's a jam-packed episode full of updates, laughs, and food worth planning your next trip around.

This week the guys have turned the show over to the DDP patreon community. Many topics were submitted and the guys go in depth on many Disney topics including the Carousel of Progress, Cosmic Rewind songs, and much more. On the patreon side the guys are chatting Mission Impossible, Disney edition. After the recent robbery of Paddlefish at Disney Springs, the guys have to go in depth on this insane story. BECOME A PATREON MEMBER AND GET ACCESS TO THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP AND WEEKLY EXTRA CONTENT. If you would like to support all of the Disney Dads shows and help us bring you more content commercial free, click the link https://www.patreon.com/c/disneydadspodcast Book your next Disney vacation with Justin and Jamie at Away With Me Travel. Contact them today to start the magical planning process at show@awaywithmetravel.com

In the only major news item in September 2025 thus far, an as-yet unknown suspect dressed in scuba gear robbed the Paddlefish restaurant at Disney Springs and presumably escaped underwater.That's so insane we simply had to dedicate an entire episode to baseless speculation about this objectively hilarious crime.Don't forget to like, subscribe, rate, review, comment, share, and leave your shoes at the door.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/cticketpodCHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE:https://youtube.com/@cticketpod?si=ig6ODv0zvbaXuFPhFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@cticketpodINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cticketpod/TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CTicketPodEMAIL US:cticketpod@gmail.comMERCH AVAILABLE NOW!https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-c-ticket-podcastThe C-Ticket Podcast: It's not the best theme park podcast, but it's probably somebody's favorite!Hosted by Nick D'Ambrosia and James PerlasMusic:Delightful D Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Henry & Eddie bring you this week's biggest stories and wildest news - UFO the movie reveals kickstarter, Epstein's Birthday Book (it's filled with breasts), Kim Jong Un bans the words “hamburger”, “ice cream”, and "karaoke", Man dies on brand new Epic Universe ride "Stardust Racers", 95-year-old charged with murder of Holocaust survivor nursing home roommate, Scuba clad robber makes it away from Disney Springs resturant with 20,000 dollars, The Return of The Do-Do Bird, Listener E-mails, and MORE!Visit www.UFO.movie to support Henry's new film!Watch The Return of Gor Gor: An Interview with GWAR now For Live Shows, Merch, and More Visit: www.LastPodcastOnTheLeft.comKevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Last Podcast on the Left ad-free, plus get Friday episodes a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9.18: Taliban having no wi-fi or cable,  Disney Springs seafood restaurant robbed by a scuba diver, andOfficer Matt Sanders

Man Allegedly Urinates in Movie Theater During 'Demon Slayer,' Beaten Up and Arrested Cheating scandal rocks world stone skimming championships Investigators are searching for a man they say robbed a popular Disney Springs restaurant by swimming up in scuba gear and a wetsuit and then swimming away after he stole thousands of dollars. An influencer has riled up thousands of people on TikTok after posting a video of herself making homemade pasta from scratch on a plane, 30,000 feet in the air. FOLLOW TNR ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-7759604 FOLLOW TNR ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zlofzLZht7dYxjNcBNpWN FOLLOW TNR ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-round/id1797862560 WEBSITE: https://nextroundlive.com/ MOBILE APP: https://nextroundlive.com/the-ne.... SHOP THE NEXT ROUND STORE: https://nextround.store/ Like TNR on Facebook: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Twitter: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Instagram: / nextroundlive Follow everyone from the show on Twitter: Jim Dunaway: / jimdunaway Ryan Brown: / ryanbrownlive Lance Taylor: / thelancetaylor Scott Forester: / scottforestertv Tyler Johns: /TylerJohnsTNR Sponsor the show: sales@nextroundlive.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OK yes that thing happened, you know the one. But did you hear about the scuba diver thief at Disney World????Maureen has a book out, awful news happened, and $10k is missing from a paddleboat in Disney Springs. This certainly sounds like an episode of Says Who, doesn't it. Says Who is made possible by you, through your support of our Patreon at patreon.com/sayswho

Audio of a Spirit Airlines pilot getting in trouble, Ben ditches Ben & Jerry's, C-Lane got the Disney Springs robbery police report, Discord is in big trouble, the urine prank is spreading fast, apologizing over Chinese food, homeless camp chaos, Stranger Things got too strange and so much more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Audio of a Spirit Airlines pilot getting in trouble, Ben ditches Ben & Jerry's, C-Lane got the Disney Springs robbery police report, Discord is in big trouble, the urine prank is spreading fast, apologizing over Chinese food, homeless camp chaos, Stranger Things got too strange and so much more!

Is this rock skipping cheating scandal for real? Also, will the US and China finally come to a deal over TikTok? We talk about LimeWire purchasing Fyre Festival, the Scuba diver who robbed a Disney restaurant, and lots more!

Nothing is scarier than getting held up by a man in scuba gear. Chicago’s best morning radio show now has a podcast! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and remember that the conversation always lives on the Q101 Facebook page. Brian & Kenzie are live every morning from 6a-10a on Q101. Subscribe to our channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@Q101 Like Q101 on Facebook HERE: https://www.facebook.com/q101chicago Follow Q101 on Twitter HERE: https://twitter.com/Q101Chicago Follow Q101 on Instagram HERE: https://www.instagram.com/q101chicago/?hl=en Follow Q101 on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@q101chicago?lang=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello Travelers! This week, Host Jeremy takes you for a walkabout through Disney Springs for some autumn and Halloween vibes - and merch!    Visit us a walkabouttheworld.com - find links to all the things - attraction episodes, Insta accounts of all the hosts, and even how to buy your own Walkabout shirt!   Look us up at @WalkaboutWDW on Instagram and drop us a note to say hi.   You can now also drop us at line at contact@walkabouttheworld.com. Say hi, tell us how you found us, and give us some suggestions on things you'd love to hear. Please consider giving us a rating and review wherever you listen - it really helps.   Walkabout The World is a weekly Disney podcast, always recorded on property at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort with the simple goal of making you feel like you are in the middle of the magic.

We dive into our very first stay at the stunning Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. This brand-new addition to one of Walt Disney World's most iconic resorts officially opened its doors on December 17, 2024. With modern Polynesian design, Moana-inspired touches, and some of the most unique room types on property (hello, Duo Studios!), this tower brings a fresh new vibe while still honoring the spirit of the original Poly.We break down everything from room categories and layouts to what views are worth the splurge, including Theme Park Views that let you watch Magic Kingdom fireworks right from your balcony. We share our thoughts on the brand-new Cove Pool and Moana's Voyage splash area, and explore the exclusive terrace gardens on each floor.Plus, we talk logistics: walking to the TTC, transportation options, how to score the best rates, and our favorite “pro tips” for making the most of your stay. This episode is your complete guide to Disney's newest deluxe resort experience.

Tuesday - FBI burns drugs at a pet shelter, what could go wrong? Robert Redford dies, a family sues SeaWorld over a roller coaster injury, and we talk about the Scuba robbery at Disney Springs. Rauce Thoughts on the Charlie Sheen documentary. Ray & Tricia from Sunset Walk talk Best of Chili Challenge. We review the Erik B & Rakim album Paid in Full for WYDTN. It's Only Money with Scott Brown with Edgewater Family Wealth answers listener questions. Plus, JCS News, Froggers Football Follow-up, JCS Trivia & You Heard it Here First.

Tuesday - FBI burns drugs at a pet shelter, what could go wrong? Robert Redford dies, a family sues SeaWorld over a roller coaster injury, and we talk about the Scuba robbery at Disney Springs. Rauce Thoughts on the Charlie Sheen documentary. Ray & Tricia from Sunset Walk talk Best of Chili Challenge. We review the Erik B & Rakim album Paid in Full for WYDTN. It's Only Money with Scott Brown with Edgewater Family Wealth answers listener questions. Plus, JCS News, Froggers Football Follow-up, JCS Trivia & You Heard it Here First. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man robbed a restaurant in Disney Springs by swimming up in scuba gear!

It's your Ill-Advised News, the stupid criminals of the day. Support the show and follow us here Twitter, Insta, Apple, Amazon, Spotify and the Edge! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday – A shortened JCS due to the TB Bucs on Monday Night Football. So we had to pack in the talk about people being fired for their reactions to the Charlie Kirk assassination. We also discuss public transportation in Orlando, the Emmy awards, comedy in the desert, and a midnight robbery at Disney Springs by a Scuba guy. All that and JCS news, trivia and your talkbacks.

Monday – A shortened JCS due to the TB Bucs on Monday Night Football. So we had to pack in the talk about people being fired for their reactions to the Charlie Kirk assassination. We also discuss public transportation in Orlando, the Emmy awards, comedy in the desert, and a midnight robbery at Disney Springs by a Scuba guy. All that and JCS news, trivia and your talkbacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're recording poolside at Disney's brand-new tower at the Polynesian Village Resort to talk all about the best Disney staycation resorts across several categories. Most people think of Walt Disney World as a place where you have to be in the parks from sunrise to fireworks, but we believe some of the very best Disney vacations happen when you never even step foot inside a park.For us, a Disney staycation is all about slowing down, relaxing, and enjoying everything the resorts have to offer. These aren't just hotels — they're destinations on their own. We're talking pools that feel like mini waterparks, restaurants that rival anything in Orlando, lounges with unbeatable theming, and hidden corners where you can kick back and unwind. Each resort has its own atmosphere, and some truly transport you to another world.In this episode, we're breaking it all down across several categories — from best pools and dining to most relaxing resorts, family favorites, and even a few hidden gems that often get overlooked. Whether you're planning your very first no-parks Disney getaway or you just want to know which resorts we think make for the perfect staycation, we've got you covered.

Thinking about staying at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort? In this episode of the Dream Wish Plan Podcast, I'm giving you a full overview of this charming Moderate resort along the Sassagoula River. You'll learn about: Room options, including 5th sleeper rooms and Royal Guest Rooms Dining picks like Riverside Mill, Boatwright's, and River Roost Lounge Pools, activities, and unique extras like fishing and carriage rides Transportation (yes, there's a boat to Disney Springs!) Pros & cons to help you decide if Riverside is right for you

We're diving into an epic Disney Resort showdown as two fan-favorite moderates go head-to-head: Caribbean Beach Resort vs. Coronado Springs Resort. It's a battle of beaches and bridges, towers and tropical villages, as we break down each resort across seven key categories to help you decide which one is right for your next Walt Disney World stay.First, we introduce both contenders. Caribbean Beach — Disney's very first moderate resort — brings that bright, beachy island energy, complete with a Skyliner hub, colorful villages, and family-friendly vibes. Meanwhile, Coronado Springs enters the ring with Spanish and Southwest-inspired architecture, top-notch dining, and the sleek, deluxe-style Gran Destino Tower, offering business-class comfort without the deluxe price tag.We go round by round through theming, rooms, dining, transportation, recreation, value, and even listener input, using your votes to help crown a winner. From rooftop tapas at Toledo to Sebastian's Bistro's coastal charm, and from the Dig Site pool to the Fuentes del Morro splash zone, both resorts bring serious perks to the table.So, which moderate resort comes out on top? Tune in as we weigh the magic, the convenience, and the cost to settle the debate once and for all.

We're taking you on a flavorful adventure across Walt Disney World with three unique stops that deliver everything from hidden menu gems to over-the-top themed cocktails. We start at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom, where we try the Enchanted Orange Dream — a refreshing, citrusy twist on DOLE Whip served with a playful candy rim. We also indulge in their off-menu Brazilian cheese bread (trust us, it's worth asking for), as well as two standout entrées: the Mess Hall Duck Fried Rice and the Nile Nellie's Noodle Bowl.Next, we head over to Disney Springs and drop into Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar for a mix of spooky snacks and creative concoctions. From deviled “zombie” eggs and mummy-wrapped sausages to the vibrant Cauldron Cooler and the nonalcoholic Snake Egg Surprise, this spot blends Indiana Jones-style theming with Halloween-ready flavor.Finally, we wrap things up at Beak & Barrel, the brand-new pirate lounge tucked into Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. With its moody décor, shareable plates, and immersive drinks served in skull mugs and topped with gold, it's already one of the most exciting new dining additions in the parks. Grab your appetite and join us!

We're taking you with us on a flavorful trip around the world — as we break down everything you need to know about the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, running August 28 through November 22.We share our top festival tips, from where to stay and how to pace yourself, to why sharing is not only caring — it's strategic. We talk budget hacks, gift card wristlets, and why weekends might not be your best bet.Then we dig into the Global Marketplaces, covering every single booth — the good, the bad, and the “seriously, who approved that recipe?” You'll hear which dishes blew us away, which ones missed the mark, and what you have to try before the festival ends.Plus, we chat Eat to the Beat concerts, scavenger hunts like Remy's Hide & Squeak and Pluto's Pumpkin Pursuit, and those extra little surprises that make Food & Wine more than just a snack crawl.So grab your festival passport and come hungry — because we're not holding back.