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Welcome to Episode 253 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast — and our first episode of 2026.After a short break from the news desk, Tom and Jon are back with a packed episode covering major industry headlines, park changes, Disney announcements, and a full Rumor Report segment where the fog rolls in and the fact-checking clocks out.In this episode, we discuss the passing of SeaWorld Orlando's killer whale Katina and former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto, major IP news as Sony acquires control of the Peanuts brand, attraction updates across Florida parks, Disney's newly released 2026 calendar, ticket deals, and a mountain of announcements from Walt Disney World.Plus, we dive headfirst into rumors, including potential changes coming to Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Orlando rumors, and early speculation surrounding Halloween Horror Nights 2026, including rumored houses, scare zones, and live entertainment changes.Proceed with caution — this episode covers facts and speculation.
watch the video below: listen to the podcast below: It's time to close out yet another year of the Dandy Fun House. While all those “other shows” are slacking off and giving you retrospectives of everything they've already done in the past year, it is instead our tradition here at the Dandy Fun House to leave the past exactly there… in the past and instead look ahead to the brand spankin' new year coming at us like Frehley's Comet and take a glimpse at the coolest stuff we've been able to find that's waiting for us in 2026! We're going to look at theme parks, movies, pinball and of course the TOTY AWARD NOMINATION picks for the upcoming 2026 Toy of the Year Awards! Are you ready to get your kicks in 26? Then LET'S step into the FUN HOUSE! Hello and welcome to the Dandy Fun House 2025 year-end extravaganza where we wear the hats and blow our hooters about the very best in retro pop culture, toys and games and all the fun stuff! I’m your host Neil Dandy and in this episode we're going to look ahead at WHAT’S HOT ON THE HORIZON FOR 2026 in the worlds of theme parks, movies, pinball and my personal picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS (Toy of the Year). BUT FIRST! I have to show you these amazing DANDY FUN HOUSE T-Shirts before time runs out! Perfect for swaddling the baby new year, They have a front and a back so you don’t get cold and we even cut 4 holes in them! One to crawl your body into, one to stick your head out of and two to poke your arms through! Find them in the Dandy Fun Shop at the Dandy Fun House website at dandyfunhouse.com before the Dandy Ball Drops! Alrighty, hold on tighty and let’s get right into what's hot on the horizon for 2026 starting with… THEME PARKS! And up first is going to be UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD (which isn't actually in Hollywood, it's in Studio City kind of like the LA Angels baseball team is actually in Anaheim and how they call the Embassy Suites here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee “Nashville South” which we absolutely are not. But anyway that's a rabbit hole rant for another day.) Anyway, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS in the greater Los Angeles, California area is breaking ground on a new roller coaster where each individual car experiences its very own 360 degrees of rotation. The coaster is called FAST AND FURIOUS HOLLYWOOD DRIFT themed after the Fast and Furious movies obviously. This one is expected to peel out in 2026! And Legoland California is busy building the Lego Galaxy space-themed land including an indoor roller coaster. Over at Kings Island in Ohio they're opening what they are calling a new “dark ride” in 2026 called “PHANTOM THEATER: Opening Nightmare.” It's in the location that has most recently held an attraction called Boo Blasters but is apparently the site of a previous attraction also called PHANTOM THEATER and this is apparently the return of that attraction with some various upgrades. I went to the Kings Island website to get more information and there's just a teaser video showing two girls walking into Boo Blasters and ending up in the Phantom Theater which appears to be a very loose sendup on the Phantom of the Opera. The cartoon phantom character they show in the teaser graphic is obviously based on the classic Lon Chaney silent film character, and visitors ride inside cars that resemble opera boxes. So… yeah. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (my neck of the woods kinda sorta) will be undertaking a $50 million expansion and also opening the world's first ever hybrid indoor family coaster and whitewater river raft ride called the “Night Flight Expedition.” Then under at Sea World, Orlando Florida they're diving into a new dark ride called SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep. If you don't know what a dark ride is, it basically means it's indoors and you get moved from scene to scene. It doesn't necessarily mean it's actually dark. Anyway, this new dark ride at Sea World Orlando will be what they are calling a suspended dark ride. The only information about this ride currently is that the rider will “discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder.” NEW MOBILITY DEVICE POLICY AT SEA WORLD! And speaking of Sea World, they have a controversial new policy which has been making the news lately that has just rolled out regarding mobility devices for the disabled. It appears that rollator walkers with seats are no longer permitted. The official updated policy from the Sea World website is as follows: “For the safety of our guests and employees, rollator walkers with seats on them are not permitted at SeaWorld Orlando. Alternative personal transportation options, including standard wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs), are available. Walkers without a seat are permitted.” I'm guessing that more than a few guests were using their rollators like wheelchairs and it was causing some sort of safety concern in the parks. As someone who transports disabled people as my profession and handles mobility devices all day long, I can tell you from personal experience that a wheelchair itself is something you need to exercise caution with while pushing someone around. A rollator walker would be very, very easy to tip over if someone were attempting to use it as a wheelchair. So while I am disappointed at the inconvenience some disabled guests are going to face with this new policy, I want to be very careful not to demonize Sea World too quickly on this new policy. Guests can still borrow suitable mobility devices from guest services. Ok, time to work our flippers over to the world of PINBALL! Here are the rumored pinball releases expected in 2026 that caught my eye during the research for this episode. Please keep in mind these are only rumors… AMERICAN PINBALL is rumored to be releasing a CUPHEAD pinball machine in 2026 based on the wildly popular video game featuring some amazing vintage animation styles. I'll admit I'm not familiar with the character or the video game but I do love this vintage cartoon style! SPOOKY PINBALL is said to be working on a MOTORHEAD pinball machine for 2026. NO offense to guitarist Wurzel or drummer Mickey Dee (now playing with the Scorpions) who were crucial to keeping the band going in its later years, but I'm really hoping it honors the original lineup of Lemmy, Philthy Phil and Fast Eddie! BARRELS OF FUN PINBALL appears to be cooking up some GOONIES pinball for the new year! RAMPS PINBALL will be coming out with LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS! Oh please let the carnivorous plant eat the ball! And last but not least in our pinball 2026 rumours we have PINBALL ADVENTURES bringing us SUSHI MADNESS! Ni Ohashi Kudasai ! And if you're REALLY a pinball nut as we know you are, you'll want to put March 20th through the 22nd on your calendar because that's when Frisco, Texas braces itself for the annual TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL! Over 440 games. One incredible weekend! The website says tickets go on sale October 4th 2026. I have to imagine that's a typo and they really mean 2025 otherwise only those with the ability for reverse time travel will be able to attend. There will be tournaments and challenges, special guests and panels, exhibitors, parts, memorabilia, new games and there will be a special tech day for those trying to upgrade and/or fix their own machines. That's the TEXAS PINBALL FESTIVAL 2026! Rope you a ticket today! Yeehaw! Alright, I think we're ready to “steer” away from pinball and “drive” this herd into… MOVIES! First I'll start with letting you know a few of my favorite movies of 2025 before we get into what's ahead for 2026: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH: Ok, it was pretty much par for the course but it had Scarlett Johansson carrying the entire movie on her shoulders alone and she pulled it off amazingly! MICKEY 17: This is a movie about a guy who signs on to do very dangerous grunt work in space for a corporation and every time he gets killed, the company just prints out a new copy of him with all his same memories. The crux is that the new copy never knows if he's actually the person being reborn every time or if he really dies and the new copy just has his memories and merely thinks he's the same person. Weird stuff. THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS – After many fantastic fails at trying to make this work on the big screen, they finally got the Fantastic Four right! The retro future vibe was spot on and all the actors were perfect! SUPERMAN: I was really upset about losing Henry Cavill as Superman, but James Gunn came back with a fresh new fun feel on this one starring David Corenswet, even bringing in Supe's dog Krypto! This movie was just a great time! More please! THE SMASHING MACHINE: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a dramatic role co-starring Emily Blunt. It's the story of Mixed Martial arts and UFC Champion Mark Kerr and how he conquered his biggest opponent: addiction. And finally in my roundup of my favorite movies of 2025 I bring you… BUGONIA! This movie was a crazy trip with some really wild twists and many moments of pure cringe and I loved it! Starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons who seems to be showing up in everything lately! It's a story about two conspiracy nuts who kidnap a corporate CEO thinking she's a space alien trying to destroy the Earth. This was easily my biggest delightful surprise of 2025. But before we get to 2026, I'd like to give a special nod to TRON: ARES because I always expect anything starring Jared Leto to suck eggs and this did not! And SPINAL TAP II: The End Continues… Rest in peace Marty DiBergi. MOVIES I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! THE ODYSSEY Expected Jul 17, 2026: After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Circe along the way. starring Matt Damon, Mia Goth, and Anne Hathaway. This could be really good or it could be really stupid. I'm betting this is going to be good and double or nothing that Mia Goth will be a siren or maybe Medusa. I think she'd make a good Medusa! EVIL DEAD BURN Expected Jul 24, 2026 – I'm a sucker for the Evil Dead movies. This one is not likely to have any Bruce Campbell, but they're keeping the details under tight wraps for now so who knows? COYOTE VS. ACME Expected Aug 28, 2026 PG A story set in the ACME warehouse, the manufacturer of anything and everything used by the Looney Tunes characters. And apparently John Cena is voicing one of the characters! Oh please oh please oh please get this right! If 2025's “The Day The Earth Blew Up” starring Daffy Duck and Porky Pig is any indication, I think we can have high hopes here! Ooh, that’s another one of my favorites from 2025 I left off the list! INSPECTOR GADGET – No details are available but I think we're long overdue for some Go Go Gadget action! DUNE Part Three Expected Dec 18, 2026 It follows Muad’dib, heir to unimaginable power, as he brings to fruition the ancient scheme to create a superbeing ruler among men, not in the heavens. And according to imdb it’s starring Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Timothée Chalamet and Anya Taylor-Joy. Did you pick up what I just picked up? Zendaya is not listed as a cast member on IMDB! How can this IMD Be!? You tell me! PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN (untitled) – That's all we know folks. Hopefully they got things squared away with Johnny Depp. That is if they want to sell tickets. I AM LEGEND 2 – Military scientist Robert Neville seems the sole survivor in virus-ravaged New York. He’s waging a fight against “Darkseekers”, mutants resembling vampires trying to capture him as he searches for a cure. Starring Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan Alright! I could go for a sequel to I AM LEGEND! Especially when you add Michael B into the mix! I'd really like a sequel to iRobot but this'll do me for now! BLADE – That's right they are teasing a new Blade movie for 2026 with Mia Goth listed in the cast but of course the burning question is DO THEY HAVE WESLEY SNIPES??? They gave him a cameo as Blade in the Deadpool vs. Wolverine movie last year. But Snipes is NOT listed in the cast on IMDB as of yet! There is also an Untitled Denzel Washington Project Based on the historical figure of Hannibal, considered one of the greatest military commanders of all time. The film covers the crucial battles he led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War. You had me at Denzel, not to mention I love historical action movies. Bring it on! THE BRIDE Expected Mar 6, 2026 In 1930s Chicago, Dr. Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Christian Bale THIS IS THE ONE I'M WAITING FOR! Love Christian Bale and love the concept of setting the story of The Bride of Frankenstein in 1930's Chicago! Let's go! SCANDALOUS! This will be the story behind the Hollywood romance of Sammy Davis Jr. and actress Kim Novak. I love anything related to Sammy Davis Jr. “It's gonna be fantastic baby!” CLAYFACE – Expected Sep 11, 2026 A shape-shifting creature made of magical clay haunts Gotham City, alternating between villain and ally of Batman. Ok, it's a Batman villain and not a super obvious one! Looks interesting! EVEL KNIEVEL ON TOUR – This one is going to be about Legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel and apparently the drama that surrounded the run-up to his 1974 attempt at jumping the Snake River Canyon in Idaho.Starring Leonardo DiCaprio Ok, first of all, Evel was planning to jump the Grand Canyon but couldn't get the ok from the US Government so he made a deal with an Indian tribe to jump the Snake River Canyon seeing how it was located on sovereign tribal land. Anyway, a new movie about Evel Knievel? Heck yeah! THE HUNGER GAMES: SUNRISE ON THE REAPING – Expected Nov 20, 2026 This new installment of the Hunger Games will explore Panem 24 years before Katniss’ saga, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy participates. Ok, this could be alright. I'm not super excited about it but I could be swayed since it won't have Jennifer Lawrence in it. And that's it for THE MOVIES I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2026! Now for TOYS! What I like to do this time of year is see what toys from 2025 have been nominated in various categories for a coveted TOY OF THE YEAR award otherwise known as a TOTY and let you know my personal picks, not that anyone in the industry is giving me a vote. Maybe someday. BUT TODAY I bring you MY PERSONAL 2026 TOTY AWARD NOMINEE PICKS! ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR: I like Avatar Interactive Shoulder Banshee by Disney Consumer Products – This thing looks pretty cool. It's basically a small, colorful looking dragon that sits on your shoulder and attaches via a magnetic base you wear under your clothing. A handheld controller allows you to control head and wing movements as well as its voice. This thing is pretty darn awesome! In the COLLECTIBLES category: There are two different nominees that caught my eye. One is Sticki Rolls Series 2 by Sky Castle Toys which is basically charm bracelets marketed to girls with rolls of small stickers on them with different fun graphics. The other nominee I like is Wigglitz by ZB Designs. These are tiny toy figurines of almost every type of fun character you can imagine that have some sort of wiggly aspect to them, or better put: something that moves when you wiggle them. If I had to choose between these two, I'd probably go with Wigglitz because it's something you'll get continual enjoyment from whereas the Sticki Rolls are only fun until you run out of stickers. CONSTRUCTION PLAYSET OF THE YEAR: I have to give it to GeckoBot 2.0 by Thames & Kosmos, This is a kit where you build your very own robotic gecko that actually climbs up your windows. Thames & Kosmos just keeps knocking it out of the park! CREATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR: Crayola Marker Airbrush has got my vote (that is if I HAD A VOTE which I don't!). If you've ever dreamed of someday making awful-looking t-shirts and hats on the boardwalk, then THIS could be your starter kit! It's an actual working airbrush sprayer courtesy of everyone's favorite crayon company, Crayola! It even comes with various spray color cartridges so you start saying it by spraying it! DOLL OF THE YEAR: Admittedly, I as a 57 year old man should absolutely NOT be voicing my opinion on the Doll of the Year Award (DOTY award?) but if I had to choose from the list of 2026 nominees I would hands-down pick Woof & Co by Sunny Days Entertainment. It's a collection of fashionable dogs of various breeds who all dress FABULOUS! Yeah, this is the one I'd go for. EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR: In this category I am really liking the SNAP CIRCUITS SPY KIT by Elenco Electronics. This has a bunch of components that you just snap together to make all sorts of cool stuff like a vibration sensor, motion detector, trip wire, voice changer and a whole lot more. Oh the trouble I would have gotten myself into if I had something like this when I was a kid! GAME OF THE YEAR: I've gotta tell you, there's not a bad one in the bunch of nominees this year for Game of the Year! They've got an EXPLODING KITTENS BOARD GAME where you actually flip the entire board and all the pieces stay in place! There's a Simon game (you know, the memory game Simon?) where they took it and incorporated it into a dance mat called SIMON JUMP. So you stomp out your moves on the dance mat! Then there's COWS IN SPACE where magnetic flying saucers dangle from your forehead via a sproingy headstrap and the object is to abduct cows from a field with your flying saucer! But the game that caught my attention the most was TETRIS TUMBLE XL! It's sort of like Giant Jenga except there is a base that rocks side to side and you roll a die to see what tetris pieces you have to stack on top of it and of course whoever makes the stack fall to the ground is the LOSER! I like this. It's like a great big fun yard game you could also play in your living room. TETRIS TUMBLE XL for Game of the Year is my choice! INFANT / TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, maybe another category I might not be the best judge for but I'm who you've got pal! And in this category I choose Pour ‘N’ Grow Pop-Up Garden by Yookidoo. This appears to be mainly a bath time toy kit but you could play with it really anywhere as long as you have some water onhand. It's pretty simple: you've got three different toys, The fill and water flower, Peek A Bee and Pop Up Worm. You pour water into them or onto them and the water turns some internal mechanisms to make the flower open, the worm come out and wiggle or gets the bee to play peek a bee with you! Very unique and inventive and in my opinion, the absolute best of this year's bunch! KIDULT TOY OF THE YEAR: Kidult? That means it's made for ages 14 and up. And I'm really torn down the middle between two nominees on this one. I like the Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 by MGA Entertainment which is an art kit for making your own food minis that you control the designs and colors of. Have you ever walked past a restaurant that had fake food on display showing examples of their most popular dishes? Well that's what you'll be making with this kit only really, really small. The name is way too long though. Or if you just want something cool to play with that doesn't really take any time and effort, I offer you the ZipString Aracna, which is a newer version of the ZipString string loop toy, but it attaches to your wrist so you can shoot it out like Spiderman! (although they obviously aren't allowed to actually invoke Spiderman but they sure are bending over backwards suggesting it as extremely as they legally can!) The really cool feature of this Kidult toy of the year nominee is the glow feature! Flip a switch on the ZipString wrist launcher, turn off the lights and do all sorts of awesome tricks and shapes in the dark with a glowing string loop. So… Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 or the the ZipString Aracna! The Miniverse Make it Mini Food Diner Series 4 triggers me relentlessly with that obnoxiously long name, so on that basis alone I am giving the nod to the ZipString Aracna! OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR: I think there should really be two sub categories here. One for younger kids and one for older. For the older kids, I was really blown away by the Crazy Cart Shuffle by Razor USA. This thing is like a Big Wheel or a Green Machine on steroids. Not only can you pedal around in this thing but you can spin and also drift. It's really neat. And speaking of neat, for the little ones I absolutely love the Outdoor Kitchen by Hape. It's not a real kitchen of course but it's a really cool miniature toy version of an outdoor kitchen setup! Come on TOTY Awards, let's break this one up by age groups! PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR: Ok, there were some good ones in here and maybe I'm judging on my own male bias from a bygone era but my favorite here was the Little Tikes Creative Construction Power Cuts Set by MGA Entertainment. It's a woodworking shop playset with an actual working , low-powered plastic chop saw which cuts through foam 2x4s and also comes with a play hammer, nails, measuring tape and carpenter pencil which is actually a marker. In the video demonstration I watched, the chop saw did struggle getting through the foam wood, but when you're talking about preschoolers, that's probably about the best you can hope for. We desperately need more encouragement and inspiring of our youth towards the skilled trades in my humble opinion and this is a refreshing step in that direction. Nicely done! SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR: I was truly taken by the Yes & Know Original Invisible Ink Trivia Game Books by Tree Town Toys. These are basically activity books where different things are revealed with the use of a special invisible ink pen. This looks fantastic for keeping the younguns busy on a road trip or maybe in a waiting room or anywhere you want to keep them distracted. That is until you run out of invisible ink and invisible ink activity books! And those are my picks for the 2026 TOTY AWARDS and THAT'S our look ahead at what's hot on the horizon for 2026! What are YOU looking forward to? Let me know! If you’re enjoying this episode on one of the socials, leave a comment. Otherwise you can email me at neil @ dandyfunhouse . com And even though I said I wasn't going to do a retrospective of this past year, I will tell you my favorite Dandy Fun House episode from this past year of 2025: Oh, who am I kidding? It's always the Halloween episode where the Dandy Fun House becomes the Dandy Spook Shack and I get to dress up like a ghoul. But my second favorite might have to be the deep dive into the iconic toy company WHAM-O! I learned so much doing that one! You might think I just come on here and already know all this stuff I talk about but on the contrary, I do a great deal of research in the weeks leading up to producing an episode and I'm constantly learning amazing new things which is why I really love doing this! DANDY FUN HOUSE Plans for 2026? More of the same of course! We're getting really close to monetization on YouTube. Technically we're already supposed to be there but YouTube gives conflicting information on this and is notorious for constantly moving the goalposts. So while we love publishing to YouTube, we certainly don't put all our Dandy Eggs in that basket. We also publish to Instagram, Facebook, X, Tik Tok and Rumble as well as our very own DANDY FUN HOUSE WEBSITE AT dandyfunhouse.com where you can watch the video, listen and subscribe to the podcast or read the entire episode in written form along with pictures! Who does that!? WE DO! THAT'S WHO! And we do it by hand. No AI stuff. Okay, full disclosure, we DO use AI to help transcribe the episodes into written form and also the captions for the short form videos, but it always gets things wrong so we always go over it personally and make the needed corrections. But while you're on our website checking out all the episodes and buying stuff from the Dandy Fun Shop, be sure to visit our PATRONAGE PAGE where you can support future productions with your modest financial gifts! SUPPORTERS gain access exclusive bonus content AND SUPER SUPPORTERS gain that same access plus I’ll personally send you something amazing from right here at the Dandy Fun House Studios if you include your mailing address! Podcast Listeners may often support through a donation link in your listening app of choice of the app offers it, I understand not all do. And your 5 star reviews wherever you can leave them are always highly appreciated! And THAT ladies and gentlemen sticks a fork in 2025. Please don't forget the reason for the season, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and come on back next year for some amazing new frivolities in 2026! You never know what kind of crazy trouble we could get into, right here at the Dandy Fun House where everything is always FUN AND DANDY! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody! Neil Dandy is the creator of The Dandy Fun House and the alter-ego of Neil Smith, the Big Cheese at Neil Smith Entertainment, follower of Jesus, musician, Emcee, Paratransit Driver and Author. Aren't you impressed?
Central Florida goes full sleigh-bell chaos, and we're here to break it all down.In Episode 251 of the VacationCheers Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon as they kick things off with Jon's firsthand experience at Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida, before diving headfirst into the heavy hitters: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Christmas Town, SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration, and Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort.From LEGOLAND's family-friendly seasonal fun to millions of lights, ice shows, sampler cards, Grinch sightings, wizarding holiday magic, and Macy's-style parades, we cover:What each event offersWhen they runWhat's included vs. up-chargeAnd what's actually worth your time (and money)Whether you're planning a holiday park crawl or just want to soak in the festive chaos from your couch, this episode has you covered.
TOP STORIES - Judge gives life sentence to man who rammed semi-truck into Tampa nightclub, shredded cheese sold in Florida supermarkets recalled due to metal fragments, SeaWorld Orlando files motion to dismiss duck lawsuit, South Florida firefighter arrested for ‘violent attack' on teens doing ‘ding-dong-ditch' prank; Study: Tampa is in the top 5 best US cities for singles.
TOP STORIES - Judge gives life sentence to man who rammed semi-truck into Tampa nightclub, shredded cheese sold in Florida supermarkets recalled due to metal fragments, SeaWorld Orlando files motion to dismiss duck lawsuit, South Florida firefighter arrested for ‘violent attack' on teens doing ‘ding-dong-ditch' prank; Study: Tampa is in the top 5 best US cities for singles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
IAAPA Expo 2025 set a new record with 38,520 verified attendees, more than 28,000 qualified buyers, and an expanded floor featuring over 1,100 exhibitorsgt-nov-23. Philip and Scott break down the trends that truly mattered this year: the push toward indoor attractions (from SeaWorld Orlando's new Vekoma indoor inverted coaster to Merlin's $90 million Galacticoaster installations), the explosion of 'interactive' dark rides like Sally's Phantom Theater and its new Mini™ dark ride heading to Qatar, and the rise of 'competitive socializing' through Triotech's new Montreal trio. They also discuss the operational side: Roller's new industry benchmark report showing mobile dominating bookings and F&B, membership driving repeat visitation, and digital wallets nearly doubling average spend. Across the board, the Expo revealed a sector leaning into indoor reliability, personalized experiences, and value-minded design. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.
Experience the magic of SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration 2025 as we explore all the festive food, treats, and holiday shows happening this season! From NEW entertainment to returning fan-favorites, this video gives you a full walk-through of everything you can enjoy during the event.✨ NEW Clyde & Seamore's Countdown to ChristmasLaugh along with Clyde, Seamore, mischievous otters, a comical elf, and a jolly walrus in this hilarious holiday comedy spectacular.
On The Shaw Report, Tom Cruise & Ana De Armas have split up. Call Of Duty is coming to the big screen. A previously unpublished Dr Suess book has been discovered, Sing The Fifty United States and it will be released next June. And wrapping up with news of an incident at SeaWorld Orlando that brought back memories for Lisa of Fabio and the goose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TOP STORIES - The latest on Hurricane Melissa's path and impact, Governor Ron DeSantis criticizes proposed property tax amendments, and a Florida driver tried to blame his mom for a “super speeder” arrest. Plus, a Hernando County man faces sex crime charges involving multiple children, the Senate once again stalls on daylight saving time reform, and a woman sues SeaWorld Orlando after a duck struck her during a roller coaster ride.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TOP STORIES - The latest on Hurricane Melissa's path and impact, Governor Ron DeSantis criticizes proposed property tax amendments, and a Florida driver tried to blame his mom for a “super speeder” arrest. Plus, a Hernando County man faces sex crime charges involving multiple children, the Senate once again stalls on daylight saving time reform, and a woman sues SeaWorld Orlando after a duck struck her during a roller coaster ride.
In Episode 246 of the VacationeerScares Podcast, Taggled Tom is joined by Electrocuted Ian to discuss Ian's two-night HHN trip to Orlando, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Howl-O-Scream, Total Terror Haunted Attraction in Virginia, and the Howl-O-Sprint 5K at SeaWorld Orlando!From possessed corn mazes and wolf attacks to holiday-horror hybrids, we cover it all — and decide which events truly deliver the screams this season.
This month, we recount a second trip to EPCOT's International Food and Wine Festival, dining at The Boathouse, bar hopping around Disney Springs, and checking out Oktoberfest and Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando. Join the conversation on social media @monoreelradio on all major platforms, or send us an email at monoreelradio@gmail.com. For links to anything you heard on the show, visit our website and if you want to experience the Disney magic for yourself, click here to start planning your next vacation.
This week, Mike and EB talk about the latest news and rumors from around the amusement industry...including the switch-a-roo regarding the Six Flags Haunted Attractions pass, a well known park operator who was interested in the defunct Desperado roller coaster AND details about the latest Universal resort. Plus, a long time guest returns and the guys record their voices for a favorite attraction live on-the-air! We also have in-park reports from Cedar Point, Sea World Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood.
It's the sequel no one asked for, set in a place no one expected! Prepare to put on your imaginary 3-D glasses as Dana and Bill on The Dana Buckler Show tackle the glorious mess that is Jaws 3-D with a full-length audio commentary!This time, the Brody boys, Mike (Dennis Quaid) and Sean (John Putch), are working at the brand new SeaWorld Orlando, featuring incredible underwater tunnels. What could possibly go wrong when a massive, 35-foot mother great white shark decides to make the park its new all-you-can-eat buffet?Join us as we break down the bizarre shift in setting, the truly unforgettable and often hilariously bad 3-D effects (that famous glass smash!), the incredibly resilient dolphins, and Louis Gossett Jr.'s Oscar-worthy performance as the theme park manager. It may be the black sheep of the franchise, but it's a guaranteed blast to watch and riff on. Get the movie loaded and get ready to be submerged in high-definition low-budget chaos!#Jaws3D #Jaws #MovieCommentary #Podcast #DanaBucklerShow #SeaWorld #80sMovies #3DMovie #SoBadItsGood #SharkMovie #DennisQuaid #FilmCommentary #CultClassicJoin our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/danabucklershowJoin my Patreon for early access to all episodes, plus a new exclusive podcast, go to Patreon.com/howisthismovieHelp Support our work : Cash App $DanaBuckler or Venmo @DanaABuckler Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform by going to https://linktr.ee/DanaBucklerShow
In Episode 243 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom covers a wild mix of theme park news and personal adventures.News highlights include:The bizarre scuba-style robbery at Disney Springs' PaddlefishA tragic death and lawsuits tied to Epic Universe's Stardust RacersGlenwood Caverns' $205M “nuclear verdict” over the Haunted Mine DropMajor new attractions: SeaWorld Orlando's SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, Legoland's Galacticoaster, Six Flags Over Texas' record-breaking Tormenta Rampaging Run, Dollywood's NightFlight Expedition, and Universal's Jurassic Park River Adventure refurbSesame Place San Diego shifting to seasonal opsPlus, Tom shares trip reports:Camping at Disney's Fort Wilderness (tent mishaps, golf cart fun, and eating big at Trail's End)Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort (cabana rental, resort fee perks, rainy weekend, and Pier 60 livestream during the Verizon outage)And don't miss what's really included in those resort fees — from yoga to bottled water.
Matt and Eric take a vacation at Calvin Bouchard's SeaWorld Orlando for JAWS 3(D) - a silly sequel about the Brody boys encountering a 35-foot mama shark in an amusement park (with terrible dolphin thespians).
Join Attractions Magazine contributing writers and correspondents as they bring you news and discussion about all things themed entertainment and parks, including Disney, Universal Studios and beyond on The Attractions Podcast. Topics of conversation on this week's episode of The Attractions Podcast: Space 220 Lounge debuting new menu at Epcot | Sneak peek & review Jurassic Park River Adventure closing for most of 2026 at Universal Islands of Adventure Stardust Racers remains closed after guest's death following ride on Epic Universe coaster SeaWorld Orlando opening suspended dark ride in 2026, SeaQuest Dollywood's 2026 ride revealed: NightFlight Expedition coaster/whitewater hybrid The Attractions Podcast is brought to you by MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. They provide premium service and expert advice to get the most for your vacation time and dollars. Visit them at mei-travel.com. We welcome your suggestions and want you to be a part of the discussion. Please send your comments to info@attractionsmagazine.com with the subject line “The Attractions Podcast.” Statements or opinions herein are those of the hosts and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the producers, Dream Together Media LLC, or staff.
Welcome to another jam-packed episode of **Remy's Roundtable: The Florida Theme Park Podcast** with your hosts Remy, Jen, and Mike! This week's episode is full of thrills, laughs, food, and even a little bit of true crime.We kick things off with a **theme park challenge game** where the crew puts their creativity to the test: *If you only had $15 to build your dream park, which roller coasters would you pick?* Remy, Jen, and Mike debate, bargain, and build their ultimate parks—featuring legendary rides, classic coasters, and some surprising choices. Who had the best park? You be the judge!Then, in **The Latest Theme Park Updates**, the Roundtable dives into one of the biggest news stories making headlines across the country: the **Paddlefish Robbery at Disney Springs**, where a scuba-clad thief swam away with over $10,000. The crew breaks down the bizarre details of this case while also keeping an eye on the fun side of Disney Springs. On top of that, they discuss the exciting announcement from **SeaWorld Orlando**—a brand-new dark ride set to open in Florida in 2026! Could this be SeaWorld's next big hit?Next, Jen brings history to life with her fan-favorite segment, **This Week in Disney History**. From TV premieres to park milestones, Jen highlights the magical moments from Disney's past that still shape the parks and entertainment world we love today.And finally, it's time for everyone's favorite foodie segment—**Mike's Munchies**! This week, Mike takes the crew (and listeners) to **The Basket at Wine Bar George** in Disney Springs. From handcrafted bites to refreshing drinks, Mike gives a full breakdown of what he ordered, how much he spent (a total of $85), and how Remy's special discount saved the day by bringing the bill down to $73. Was it worth the price? Tune in to hear Mike's final verdict.It's another episode full of **theme park fun, insider updates, foodie adventures, and roundtable banter** that you won't want to miss.
Summary In this episode, Shelby and Courtney welcome Kristin, a long-time listener who shares her inspiring journey of pursuing her dream of becoming a dolphin trainer. The conversation explores themes of manifestation, positivity, and the importance of taking risks. Kristin recounts her wedding experiences (destination wedding in Orlando!), her love for Disney, and the challenges she faced in her career transition. The episode emphasizes the power of a positive mindset and the significance of community connections in achieving one's dreams. In this engaging conversation, Kristin shares her inspiring journey to becoming a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld Orlando, detailing the rigorous training process, her passion for animal care, and the importance of pursuing one's dreams. She reflects on the challenges and motivations that drive her, including the support of her husband and the legacy of her mother. The discussion also touches on the significance of life experiences over formal education, memorable Disney moments, and the joy of running a small business. Kristin's story is a testament to the power of following one's passion and the unique experiences that shape our lives. Note: All the opinions and viewpoints Kristin shares are her own. She does not speak for the brand or the company. Takeaways Kristin's journey began with a childhood dream of being a dolphin trainer. Manifestation plays a crucial role in achieving dreams. Positive mindset can lead to unexpected opportunities. Taking risks can result in significant rewards. Connections made through social media can lead to real-life friendships. Planning and preparation are essential for success. Overcoming challenges requires resilience and determination. The importance of celebrating small victories along the way. Surrounding oneself with positivity can enhance life experiences. Sharing personal stories can inspire others to pursue their dreams. Animals have distinct personalities and behaviors. Changing careers is possible at any age. The importance of having a strong 'why' behind your actions. Listening and respecting those with more experience is crucial. Husbandry involves voluntary animal care and training. Life experiences can be more valuable than formal education. Chasing dreams keeps life exciting and fulfilling. Memories from childhood trips can shape our perspectives. Running a small business can support your passions.
Looking for the best SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass in 2025?
In the continuing VacationScares saga, Tom and Jon discuss their opening weekend visits to both SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream.
On this episode of **Remy's Roundtable: The Florida Theme Park Podcast**, the Roundtable is packed with fun, updates, and a little bit of nerdy lightning science as **Remy, Jen, Mike, and Nicole** all come together for a lively discussion. This week is extra special because **Nicole is officially back on the Roundtable**, bringing her energy, insight, and her fan-favorite segment to the mix.The episode begins with **The Latest Theme Park Updates**, where Remy and Jen dive into the newest happenings across Florida's parks. From attraction announcements to construction progress, the big headline of the week is all about **the awards season for theme parks**. Listeners will hear which rides and attractions stood out this year, and it turns out that **Universal's Epic Universe dominated the competition**, walking away with the majority of the honors. Remy and Jen break down exactly what made those attractions stand out and why Epic Universe is already shaking up the industry even before its grand opening.Next up, **Jen takes us back in time with her beloved segment, This Week in Disney History**. She pulls fascinating stories, key milestones, and unforgettable moments from Disney's long and magical past. Whether it's the opening of a classic attraction, the release of a legendary film, or an important turning point for the parks, Jen always manages to bring the perfect blend of trivia and storytelling to give Disney fans their history fix.After that, it's time for Remy to shine with the **Ride of the Week** segment, and this week he takes us under the sea with **Journey to Atlantis (JTA)** at SeaWorld Orlando. Remy not only shares details about the attraction's history, theming, and thrill factor, but he also brings in his own personal experience—because he actually **worked on Journey to Atlantis during his time at SeaWorld**. From behind-the-scenes stories to Imagineering-style details about the hybrid water coaster/dark ride, this segment offers listeners a ride-through both as a fan and as a cast member who got to see the attraction up close every day.Normally, this would be the spot for **Mike's Munchies**, where Mike highlights a theme park restaurant and breaks down the menu, but don't worry—it's only on pause for this episode. Instead, since Nicole is back, we decided to move her signature segment, **Getting Nerdy with Nicole**, up in the rotation. And she didn't disappoint! Nicole digs into the fascinating (and slightly scary) topic of **lightning in Florida's theme parks**. If you've ever wondered about how lightning affects attractions, guests, and even some of the most iconic park landmarks, this is the segment for you. Nicole even shares the shocking story of **August 5th at Magic Kingdom**, when **Cinderella Castle was struck by lightning**, reminding us just how powerful Florida's weather can be.From **epic award winners** to **lightning strikes on castles**, from a **mythical SeaWorld adventure** to the **quirks of Disney history**, this episode has it all. So grab your headphones, settle in, and get ready for another electrifying, magical, and fun-filled ride with the crew on **Remy's Roundtable: The Florida Theme Park Podcast**.
Date Night Done Right with Dani Meyering with Orlando Date Night Guide with date night ideas, including Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando, Happy Frights and Haunting Nights at Leu Gardens, Oktoberfest Bash at Tactical Brewing, Twerkchella and more. See the complete list at https://www.orlandodatenightguide.com/things-to-do-22853/.
Date Night Done Right with Dani Meyering with Orlando Date Night Guide with date night ideas, including Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando, Happy Frights and Haunting Nights at Leu Gardens, Oktoberfest Bash at Tactical Brewing, Twerkchella and more. See the complete list at https://www.orlandodatenightguide.com/things-to-do-22853/.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Spooky season has officially arrived in Orlando, and the theme parks are pulling out all the stops! From kid-friendly trick-or-treating to terrifying haunted houses, there's something for everyone who loves Halloween magic (or mayhem). In this week's episode of Mom Street USA, we're taking you inside the biggest fall events across Central Florida so you can decide which ones are right for your family or friend group.
Spooky season has officially arrived in Orlando, and the theme parks are pulling out all the stops! From kid-friendly trick-or-treating to terrifying haunted houses, there's something for everyone who loves Halloween magic (or mayhem). In this week's episode of Mom Street USA, we're taking you inside the biggest fall events across Central Florida so you can decide which ones are right for your family or friend group.
In Episode 237 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon Self dive headfirst into spooky season with a packed show. We break down the latest theme park news and debut our brand-new “news” bumper!This week's news lineup includes:Busch Gardens Tampa's mid-meal Dragon Fire Grill closureSix Flags introducing haunted house upcharges for Halloween eventsUnited Parks Q2 earnings & how Epic Universe is boosting Orlando tourismSix Flags cutting 2026 capital spending & the uncertain future of the Snoopy licenseDisney's Q3 earnings with a massive jump in theme park incomeDisney Destiny cruise ship float-out and Magic Kingdom's new Beak and Barrel pirate pubThen, we unveil our SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream hype lists along with our Halloween Horror Nights hype list for 2025. Finally, we share our full “Halloween” season schedules—covering all the events we'll be attending this spooky season!
Elizabeth joins Virginia to chat about an upcoming trip to Walt Disney World and Sea World Orlando! Elizabeth, along with the assistance of her favorite travel agent (Amy Belfi), is planning this trip for her two kiddos and her mom. Along with spending a day in each of the four parks, they are also planning some resort time, reservations at some new (to them) restaurants, and some special add-ons like horseback riding. There may even be a surprise up Elizabeth's sleeve, but you'll have to tune in to find out. Trip Dates: July 15-22, 2025 Pre-Trip Interview: recorded 7/3/25 Episode Specific Links: Listen to Elizabeth's previous episodes of the show! Elizabeth's Travel Agent is Amy Belfi! Follow Amy on Instagram (@amybdoesdisney) and if you need a travel planner, check out Amy Does Disney. You can also listen to Amy's podcast episodes. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Marriott's Harbour Lake Orlando Sea World Orlando Discovery Cove Orlando People mentioned in this episode: Garrett and Haley - @duckworths.do.disney (Instagram) and @duckworthsdodisney (YouTube) Be Our Guest: Do you have an upcoming trip you'd like to share? Submit your trip information here to be considered as a podcast guest. Get in Touch: If you would like to reach out to Virginia for something other than a trip report guest submission (for that use the link above!), you may email whereilongtobepodcast@gmail.com. Follow: Instagram: @whereilongtobepodcast Facebook: @whereilongtobepodcast TikTok: @whereilongtobepodcast Website: whereilongtobepodcast.com
Six Flags posted a nearly $100 million loss in Q2—down from a $55 million profit a year ago—on 1.4 million fewer visitors, a smaller base of season passholders, and what it calls “adverse weather.” The company is looking to sell nonessential assets, while also running an aggressive August pass sale to bring in quick cash and rebuild its passholder base. Philip and Scott unpack why front-loading revenue can backfire if you can't keep guests returning to spend in-park, and how Six Flags' own investor day framed season passes as its growth engine. They also discuss CEO Richard Zimmerman's decision to step down by the end of 2025 and what it signals for the post-merger strategy. Plus, why SeaWorld Orlando is riding Epic Universe's wave to higher attendance—and what smaller operators can learn about “rising tide” tourism. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.
In Episode 234 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, host Tom is joined by special guest Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) to dive into the latest thrills and chills from the theme park world! The duo discusses the big announcement of Universal Horror Unleashed coming to Chicago in 2027, exciting updates from Magic Kingdom—including the reopening of Hall of Presidents and Astro Orbiter, and a touching new verse debuting in "It's a Small World."Tom and Jon also cover refurbishments at Buzz Lightyear and Spaceship Earth, the lineup for EPCOT's Eat To the Beat Concert Series, and exclusive insights from Tom's experience on Test Track 3.0. Plus, get ready for the frightful fun with announcements from Halloween Horror Nights Orlando—including houses like "Grave of Flesh," "Dolls Let's Play Dead," "GalKN - Monsters of the North," and the gruesome "Terrifier." They also share the latest house reveals for SeaWorld Orlando's Howl-O-Scream and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's spooky return of Stranglewood Estate.Closing out with food reviews from Yuengling Draft Haus in Downtown Tampa and insights into Jon's SeaWorld Platinum passes value, this episode is packed with updates you won't want to miss!
What kind of changes do you think should come to your home park? In this "Armchair Engineering" special, Sean and Alex disect Sea World Orlando and cover glaring issues, realistic solutions, positive changes, and anticipated expansions in this magnified examination of Central Florida's iconic marine life park.
Step behind the scenes at SeaWorld Orlando with these videos of the Inside Look event from 2020-2025!
Join Attractions Magazine contributing writers and correspondents as they bring you news and discussion about all things themed entertainment and parks, including Disney, Universal Studios and beyond on The Attractions Podcast. Topics of conversation on this week's episode of The Attractions Podcast: New Epic Universe restaurant(s) opening in 2026 SeaWorld Orlando debuts its first drone show Dollywood's new ride for 2026 Mack Rides' new rocking-boat ride system at Futuroscope will change theme parks Test Track reopening July 22 with ‘spirit of optimism' rooted in Epcot history The Attractions Podcast is brought to you by MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. They provide premium service and expert advice to get the most for your vacation time and dollars. Visit them at mei-travel.com. We welcome your suggestions and want you to be a part of the discussion. Please send your comments to info@attractionsmagazine.com with the subject line “The Attractions Podcast.” Statements or opinions herein are those of the hosts and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the producers, Dream Together Media LLC, or staff.
Surreal!Após o MD1® ser escolhido como único veículo do mundo para noticiar e mostrar em primeira mão com EXCLUSIVIDADE o novo show de drones do SeaWorld, mais uma vez pudemos fazer algo inédito! Fomos as primeiras pessoas do mundo ocidental à termos acesso aos ovos moradores do SeaWorld Orlando, os Emperors (Pinguins Imperadores).Mostramos tudo isso no nosso MD1 Live, um programa de Tv que passa no Brasil, nos EUA, emas também é veiculado no youtue do MD1 e do R7! Nesse EP, falamos de toda nossa experiência, mas a melhor de todas as informações, VOCÊ PODE ENTRAR NO HABITAT DOSO PINGUINS DO SEA WORLD!Então já aperta o play e se prepare para descobrir esse mundo gelado e encantador das aves que voam submersas na imensidão do mar!Para comprar sua viagem, ingressos, carro, hote, seguro, chip etc, só tem um lugar! MD1 TRAVEL! Boa viagem!!
Rossifari Podcast - Zoos, Aquariums, and Animal Conservation
Dateline: June 13, 2025. Rossifari Zoo News is back with a round up of the latest news in the world of zoos, aquariums, conservation, and animal weirdness! We start off with a quick catch up on meeeeeeee!Our headline story this week heads back to the Natural Bridge Zoo, which should probably be renamed the Natural Disaster Zoo at this point. We then move on to our births for the week, featuring animals from the National Aviary, Elmwood Park Zoo, Cape May County Zoo, the Bronx Zoo, and more.We then say goodbye to animals from Brookfield Zoo, Buttonwood Park Zoo, Happy Hollow Park Zoo, and more. We have additional Zoo News stories from SeaWorld Orlando, Sequoia Park Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo, and more.Conservation News stories include all positive stories, including new ocean protections, new info about lizards, and more!And we skip Other News this week.ROSSIFARI LINKS: patreon.com/rossifari to support the pod rossifari.com @rossifari on socials @rossifaripod on TikTok
Join us for a complete walkthrough of the Antarctica realm at SeaWorld Orlando!
Bora para mais um super episodio do Pod Entrar.E hoje vamos invadir o apartamento da rainha do tico e teco!Sejam bem vindos ao apartamento de Liz Macedo!-----------------------------------------------------------Agora que você já conheceu cada cantinho da casa da Liz Macedo, que tal descobrir como curtir os melhores parques de Orlando com refeições GRÁTIS? Aproveite essa oferta imperdível de ingressos para o SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay e Aquatica Orlando — e economize muito nas suas próximas férias!Garanta seus ingressos para 2 ou 3 parques com plano de refeições incluído em todas as visitas. Acesse aqui: https://www.decolar.com/ofertas-viagens/seaworld--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------✅ Canal de Cortes Oficialhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCab-x2Tf0zK3WLkKXG9Ot5Q✅ Instagram Oficial @poddelas - https://www.instagram.com/poddelas/✅ Facebook Oficial https://m.facebook.com/POD-DELAS-101517452551396/✅ Shortshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCItcEi_6J6l2iuhABXq1OTg✅ PodDelas Melhores Momentoshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYa1bLsG-RumuKrrznSdRHg✅ Playlist oficial com todos os episódioshttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXEx5PB_zX1qkkx06VRZFepiRHheozMSRAPRESENTADORES:
Wondering if SeaWorld Orlando's All-Day Dining Deal is really worth the price in 2025? In this video, we break down everything you need to know—from what's included, where you can eat, how often you can get food, and whether it's actually a good value.With SeaWorld's All-Day Dining Deal, you can eat and drink all day—as often as once every 90 minutes—for one low price at participating restaurants. Each time through the line, you receive 1 soft beverage or iced tea, 1 entrée, and 1 side or dessert. It's a convenient way to fuel up between rides, shows, and animal encounters.Participating restaurants include:
Sean, Alex and Sven come together to celebrate 50 years of Europe's 2nd busiest theme park resort! From limit-pushing rides to resort hotels and a water park, we take a look at the resort's history and discuss its future. This episode also includes a quick look at SeaWorld Orlando's new Expedition Odyssey flying theater attraction!
In this episode, Tom is joined once again by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) to talk theme parks, epic updates, and all the latest happenings from Universal Orlando, Disney Springs, and beyond.They cover recent visits to Universal (Butterbeer at CityWalk, VelociCoaster first-timers, and soggy Skull Island), Mother's Day eats at Disney Springs (including Elena's triple Earl of Sandwich run), and huge theme park news—like Busch Gardens Williamsburg's 50th anniversary, a new EPCOT lounge, and Disney's expansion to Abu Dhabi!Theme Park News Highlights:
Get a first look at SeaWorld Orlando's newest ride — Expedition Odyssey! In this video, you'll see a POV of the ride, hear our thoughts on how the ride compares to Wild Arctic, walk through the habitat, and see the updated gift shop with all-new Expedition Odyssey merchandise.Whether you're planning your next visit to SeaWorld or just want to see what's new, this video gives you a complete tour of the Expedition Odyssey area. From ride details and queue theming to marine habitats and souvenirs, you won't want to miss this sneak peek!
Send us a textIn this episode of The Extra Magic Hour- Sam, Joey, and Kevin discuss SeaWorld Orlando's newest attraction, review Disney's latest earnings call, and share their thoughts on Savannah Banana Day at Disneyland. Tune in for all the latest theme park news and fun insights!Check 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 magicThe Themepark Scavenger Hunt Game - Where In The Parkhttps://shop.whereinthepark.com/?ref=waltsaptpodcastCheck Out Sunken City Designs - from the mind of Louis MedinaWe are proud to be part of the Disney Podcast Family , checkout all the other great shows below https://linktr.ee/DisneyPodcastFamily
Ready to make the most of your SeaWorld Orlando visit? In this video, I'll show you exactly what you can ride, see, and do during the first hour the park is open! From top thrill rides to amazing animal encounters, having a plan for those first 60 minutes can set the tone for an incredible day. Whether you're aiming for the best coasters, animal exhibits, or a little bit of everything, this guide will help you hit the ground running.
Join Attractions Magazine contributing writers and correspondents as they bring you news and discussion about all things themed entertainment and parks, including Disney, Universal Studios and beyond on The Attractions Podcast. Topics of conversation on this week's episode of The Attractions Podcast: Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 Mandalorian update to Smugglers Run will let guests choose their path and interact with Grogu Epic Universe park hours for opening week in May 2025 SeaWorld Orlando arctic flying ride Expedition Odyssey opening May 9 with Uki the walrus Land of Oz opens at U.K. theme park with flying monkeys ride How ‘Elementa' in Los Angeles is shaping the future of dining shows | Interview DC super heroes coming to Orlando + 3 more cities at Gaylord hotels The Attractions Podcast is brought to you by MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. They provide premium service and expert advice to get the most for your vacation time and dollars. Visit them at mei-travel.com. We welcome your suggestions and want you to be a part of the discussion. Please send your comments to info@attractionsmagazine.com with the subject line “The Attractions Podcast.” Statements or opinions herein are those of the hosts and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the producers, Dream Together Media LLC, or staff.
Join Attractions Magazine contributing writers and correspondents as they bring you news and discussion about all things themed entertainment and parks, including Disney, Universal Studios and beyond on The Attractions Podcast. Topic of conversation on this week's episode of The Attractions Podcast: Photo tour: MSC World America | New cruise ship The Slidecoaster was my favorite part of sailing on Norwegian Aqua | Review SeaWorld Orlando All-Day Dining Plan: Cost, tips, & full-day review Knoebels: A free-admission amusement park for the family LA28 Olympic Games: One sport will be played at Universal Studios Hollywood on the set of ‘Back to the Future' Preview of Universal Studios Hollywood's ‘Star Trek' and ‘Dungeons & Dragons' experiences at Fan Fest Nights The Attractions Podcast is brought to you by MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. They provide premium service and expert advice to get the most for your vacation time and dollars. Visit them at mei-travel.com. We welcome your suggestions and want you to be a part of the discussion. Please send your comments to info@attractionsmagazine.com with the subject line “The Attractions Podcast.” Statements or opinions herein are those of the hosts and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the producers, Dream Together Media LLC, or staff.
“Overman was killed inside the park. The baby was caught inside the park. Its mother is inside the park.” We watched “Jaws 3-D” with our friends, the Dames of Doom themselves, Nicole and Tess from Doom Generation Podcast, and we're cancelling our Sea World annual passes! We'd like to think there is some sort of continuity to the first two Jaws films, but the Brody brothers have been aged up faster than a baby on a soap opera. Dennis Quaid steps in as the eldest Brody bro, and he's the head of attraction maintenance (or something) at Sea World Orlando, and he is VERY hot and heavy with the main marine biologist and animal trainer played by none other than Bess Armstrong (yes, the mom from My So-Called Life). Somehow, a mother great white shark is trapped in the park, and mama and baby are wreaking havoc. Younger Brody bro is afraid of the water (rightfully), but Lea Thompson and her sexy waterskiing wiles lure him in on several, many occasions. At some point, this turns more into a disaster movie than your average Jaws “thriller,” but the real-life Sea World setting makes the trapped tourists trope fun. The 3D gags are pretty much an afterthought, but this movie is HIGH CAMP. Big mama shark ramming headfirst into an undersea restaurant is Cinema! Listen, animal rights are a very real issue, and we're not advocating for Sea World, but the trained dolphins giving us a perfect freeze-frame ending worthy of a Lisa Frank notebook is epic. Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts! www.patreon.com/moviesthatmadeusgay Facebook/Instagram: @moviesthatmadeusgay Bluesky: @MTMUGPod.bsky.social Scott Youngbauer: Twitter @oscarscott / Instagram @scottyoungballer Peter Lozano: Twitter/Instagram Peterlasagna
Join Attractions Magazine contributing writers and correspondents as they bring you news and discussion about all things themed entertainment and parks, including Disney, Universal Studios and beyond on The Attractions Podcast. Topics of conversation on this week's episode of The Attractions Podcast: Star Wars hotel at Disney World to become offices for Imagineering ‘Coco,' ‘Incredibles' fans will be excited for these new Pixar Place Hotel suites Best and worst new food at SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival 2025 Best and worst new food at Universal Mardi Gras 2025 Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025: Guide to new after-hours event at Universal Studios Hollywood The Attractions Podcast is brought to you by MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. They provide premium service and expert advice to get the most for your vacation time and dollars. Visit them at mei-travel.com. We welcome your suggestions and want you to be a part of the discussion. Please send your comments to info@attractionsmagazine.com with the subject line “The Attractions Podcast.” Statements or opinions herein are those of the hosts and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the producers, Dream Together Media LLC, or staff.
Feeding the Starving Artist: Finding Success as an Arts Entrepreneur
Dave Goodman is an expert creative strategist, experience designer and entertainment producer. With a career spanning over 35 years of domestic and international entertainment and leadership experience, Dave has acquired a unique and diverse background... as an entrepreneur, creative strategic planner and corporate executive. His values and purpose-driven management style were honed during his tenure as Vice President and Executive Producer of Walt Disney Entertainment, (The Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort and The Walt Disney Special Events Group) and Anheuser Busch, (SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove).
Feeding the Starving Artist: Finding Success as an Arts Entrepreneur
Dave Goodman is an expert creative strategist, experience designer and entertainment producer. With a career spanning over 35 years of domestic and international entertainment and leadership experience, Dave has acquired a unique and diverse background... as an entrepreneur, creative strategic planner and corporate executive. His values and purpose-driven management style were honed during his tenure as Vice President and Executive Producer of Walt Disney Entertainment, (The Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort and The Walt Disney Special Events Group) and Anheuser Busch, (SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove).
In this episode; Adam confuses the Tillamook Dairy Company with Tilikum, the captive male orca who spent most of his life at SeaWorld Orlando, Ashley begs the question, "Where is the grit?", and they remind everyone that LaToya Jackson is always watching.