IAAPA Expo is always a busy time for the attractions industry — there’s always so much to do and see. The expo has come and gone, but this week, hosts Ashley and Allison are recapping their time at the expo — from the odd things on display to the announcements that were shared.
In news that shocked Hollywood and Wall Street, The Walt Disney Company announced late Sunday that Bob Iger would be returning as CEO and Bob Chapek would be leaving. In this week's podcast episode, Ashley and Allison discuss the big news, Chapek’s departure and what Iger’s return means for the company.
After a two-year absence, ICE! returns to Gaylord Palms. And this year, the frigid exhibit features hand-crafted ice sculptures inspired by Dr. Seuss’s "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." We talk with the people behind it all! Plus, Ashley and Allison check in on some of the holiday offerings now underway.
After a nearly three-year hiatus, Fantasmic! has returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In this week’s episode, digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker discuss the updates made to the show. Plus, Universal Orlando is closing multiple KidZone attractions, and we get an early Halloween Horror Nights announcement.
It’s time to shift into holiday mode at least at the theme parks, anyway. With Halloween in the rearview mirror, the parks are now getting ready for their holiday events, and some already have the decorations up. In this week’s episode we break down the different holiday offering this season. Plus, a few news items to share.
It's not quite Christmas season yet, so Ashley and Allison take a trip to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando to bring you the Attractions Insider's take on what's different one year since the spooky event's debut.
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay have revealed more details about their upcoming 2023 attractions. In this week’s episode, we dive into everything the parks shared about the new thrill rides they’re building. Plus, we discuss Disney Genie+ pricing and Gatorland reopening.
There’s always so much going on at the theme parks, and it can be hard to keep up. That's why we're here! In this week's episode, Ashley and Allison round up the biggest attractions news from the past couple of weeks to keep you in the know.
EPCOT recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. When it first opened on Oct. 1, 1982, it became Disney's second Florida theme park. In this episode, Ashley and Allison discuss the celebration, take a look back at some of their favorite EPCOT memories and look ahead to what's next.
Brick by kid and family-friendly brick — From new attractions to special events, there's a lot happening at LEGOLAND Florida. Banks Lee, the resort's marketing support specialist, joins Ashley and Allison to share his insights on a new Attractions Insider podcast episode.
Huge announcements and an exciting look into the future — Disney's D23 Expo is in the books, after executives shared what's coming to theme parks around the world, including Disney World. And Attractions Insider was there! Digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker break down all the big reveals.
Halloween Horror Nights is back — and going back to the basics for its 31st year! Digital journalist Ashley Carter details all the haunted houses and scare zones that await terrified guests and shares tips for helping them make the most of the crowded event. Plus, Spectrum Bay News 9 entertainment reporter Virginia Johnson joins in to talk about the special preview they got before the event kicked off!
Get the ultimate insider's take on D23 Expo! Disney’s massive fan event starts soon, and VP Michael Vargo joins the Attractions Insider podcast for a special bonus episode to offer a preview of what to expect this weekend.
As Halloween Horror Nights, Howl-O-Scream — and events all over Central Florida and Tampa Bay — gear up for a scary start to the season, Ashley Carter and Allison Walker break down all the biggest theme park events, plus nighttime haunts and family-friendly attractions. This week's episode is your guide to getting your scare on!
ICE!, the holiday-themed attraction, is returning to Gaylord Palms after a two-year absence, and we’re diving into all the details about this year’s theme. Plus, Universal Orlando has revealed the full lineup for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, so we're breaking down everything we know about the haunted houses, scare zones and more.
A number of food festivals are underway at the theme parks, and this week, hosts Ashley Carter and Allison Walker take a deeper look at them. For the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, we hear from one of the Disney chefs, who talks about what went into crafting the menu for this year’s event. We also hear from the chef responsible for the new menu at SeaWorld Orlando's Craft Beer Festival. And we share details about Busch Gardens' Bier Fest. But first, a few updates on Disney Genie+ ...
Halloween season begins early in Central Florida with theme parks kicking off their Halloween-themed events in August and early September. As SeaWorld Orlando gears up for a second year of Howl-O-Scream, Attractions Insider host Ashley is joined by Kyle Smith, the park’s creative show operations manager, who shares details about the haunted houses, scare zones and other offerings planned for the event.
As Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights creeps closer, Ashley and Allison share some noteworthy updates. Speaking of Halloween, Legoland Florida has “monster” plans for its Brick-or-Treat. And finally, Disney has launched its new MagicBand+ device. Ashley took it for a spin and shares what she learned.
Get your first taste of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival as Ashley and Allison dig into the menu and share their thoughts on this year's most flavorful offerings from their recent trip to the theme park.
In case you didn’t know Disney World is getting a TRON attraction. The ride has been under construction for a few years now, but in the last few months, it’s really taken shape. Hosts Ashley and Allison talk about the latest details released about the attraction while we wait for it to open. But first, Ashley and Allison pay their respect to the former Tower of Terror billboard. And for the Shrek fans out there, they have an update on the character meet and greet at Universal.
A Princess and the Frog attraction is replacing Splash Mountain at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. In this episode, digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker talk about the latest details released for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. There are also some updates on Howl-O-Scream at both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. And is it too early to talk about Christmas? Disney World has shared its holiday plans, including the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Disney Wish, the newest cruise ship from Disney Cruise Line, is getting ready to officially set sail. Digital journalist Ashley Carter recently had a chance to go aboard the ship for its christening cruise. In this week’s episode of the Attractions Insider Podcast, she recap’s her time on the ship, sharing what it has to offer — from the live shows and new dining experiences to the AquaMouse attraction.
In this week’s episode of the Attractions Insider Podcast, hosts Ashley Carter and Allison Walker discuss the revamped “Finding Nemo” show over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the escape rooms planned for Universal CityWalk and the reopening of Disney World’’s fine dining location Victoria & Albert’s.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to develop theme park attractions? In this week’s episode of the Attractions Insider Podcast, digital journalist Ashley Carter talks with Jeff Hornick, vice president of attractions design and development for SeaWorld Parks. Jeff shares what he likes most about his job as well as what go him interested in the theme park industry.
SeaWorld is hard at work on a new coaster for 2023 — but splashing around only a few details. And Disney finally makes a big reveal for the "Princess and the Frog" transformation of its Splash Mountain attraction. In this week’s episode, digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker take you for a deep dive.
Universal Studios Florida has a new Tribute Store that pays homage to movies, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is ready to open a new attraction that takes a look at the future of space travel. Digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker discuss what you can find inside the new tribute store and how you can take a trip to space.
We’re now in the summer season, and people are planning or getting ready to trips. Central Florida is always top destination, especially the theme parks. That means it’s going to be busy. Digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker discuss navigating the parks in the summer — what to know before you go and how to make the most of your day. They also share tips, tricks and information about some of the special events going on at the parks during the summer.
It’s a monsters-heavy episode this week, as digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker discuss Universal Monsters: Legends Collide, the first Halloween Horror Nights house revealed for 2022. They also talk about the closure of Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters Cafe. And then it’s over to Adventure Island Tampa Bay, where there aren’t any monsters, but there are two new water slides.
A new attraction is opening soon at Epcot and it’s called Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Spectrum News digital journalist Ashley Carter and entertainment reporter Allison Walker had a chance to experience the attraction earlier this month during a media preview. In this episode they talk about what to expect, including the in the queue, the playlist of songs and those coaster rotations. They also dive into Epcot’s massive transformation which is still underway.
You can hug Mickey Mouse again. Yes, traditional character meet and greets have returned to Disney World and more offerings are on the way. In this week’s episode Ashley and Allison talk about meet and greets as well as details about the return of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. They also discuss some of the live shows coming back this year and how Disney is changing them up.
