Explore every episode of the podcast Theme Park Insider
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podcast: August 20, 2026 | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:55:33 | |
Robert and Jake talk about the D23 Expo, Knott's Walt Disney-coded Scary Farm maze, and new attractions at Dollywood, Silver Dollar City and Lost Island. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| What to expect from Disney D23 | 13 Aug 2026 | 00:52:55 | |
Jake and Robert look forward to what to expect from Saturday’s Disney Experiences Showcase at D23. But not until they share their worst bird encounters from working at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, first. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Making it rain, in a good way | 07 Aug 2026 | 00:50:32 | |
On this week’s Theme Park Insider Podcast, Robert and Jake dive into this week’s financial reports from Disney (great!), Six Flags (promising!) and United Parks (uh, ew!) Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| What's new at Six Flags and Disney | 01 Aug 2026 | 00:40:53 | |
Jake and Robert talk about what’s coming to major parks in 2027, as well as this year’s Halloween plans, the Holiday Hunger Games, and what is Disney’s version of the Costco hot dog. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Inside Universal's 'soft' summer | 25 Jul 2026 | 00:52:41 | |
Robert and Jake break down Universal’s latest earnings call… and that “softness” that Universal reported in its theme park attendance. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Murphy's Law at Universal | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:47:55 | |
Robert and Jake discuss the latest Universal, Knott's, Disney, and United Parks news. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Time for a coaster comeback | 11 Jul 2026 | 00:50:49 | |
We’re back after a one-week break for the U.S. Independence Day holiday. So Jake and Robert are recapping two weeks of news in this week’s podcast episode. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| A tough week for coaster fans | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:53:14 | |
| What was Universal thinking in Texas? | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:44:56 | |
| Tell a story, or else! | 13 Jun 2026 | 00:45:14 | |
| What is a family coaster, anyway? | 06 Jun 2026 | 00:48:08 | |
| Ex-cast members talk Disney, and more | 30 May 2026 | 00:49:28 | |
The crew at ThemeParkInsider.com talks about the week's news from top theme parks around the world, including Disney and Universal. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Disneyland on the Mountain | 09 Oct 2023 | 00:27:28 | |
Robert Niles is joined by Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer, authors of "Disneyland on the Mountain," a new book looking at the history of Disney's never-built Mineral King ski resort in California. Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Talking Disney With Josh D'Amaro | 10 Jan 2023 | 00:22:19 | |
The Chairman of Disney Parks Experiences and Products joins Robert Niles to talk about Disney's relationship with its fans, its cast members... and local governments. https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202301/9326/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Bob Rogers and 40 Years of BRC Imagination Arts | 11 Nov 2021 | 00:59:15 | |
We talked with IAAPA Hall of Famer Bob Rogers about starting BRC Imagination Arts, 40 years of designing award-winning attractions and what's next for the themed entertainment design industry - such as custom, 20-liter steel whiskey kegs. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Making Jurassic World VelociCoaster, with Greg Hall | 30 Jul 2021 | 00:24:09 | |
Greg Hall, Creative Director at Universal Creative, talks about how Universal Orlando Resort brought this fan-favorite new roller coaster to life. Hall also shares with host Robert Niles some of the secrets that have made Jurassic World VelociCoaster such a beloved attraction at Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Making Music Soar, with Brian Yessian | 19 May 2021 | 00:22:10 | |
Music is one of those elements that can elevate an ordinary attraction into something great. We talk with an expert at making great attraction music - Brian Essien, the music director for the upcoming SkyFly: Soar America, a new flying theater that's coming this summer to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| How Do You Find the World's Best Attractions? | 14 Jan 2021 | 00:31:43 | |
What makes a theme park attraction world-class? I ask that question to the leaders of the Themed Entertainment Association's Thea Awards: Luc Mayrand from Walt Disney Imagineering and experience designer Dave Cobb, who talk about how the TEA finds and selects its Thea Award winners. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Making holiday magic at Universal Orlando | 24 Nov 2019 | 00:26:48 | |
What makes for a great holiday celebration at a major theme park resort? Universal Orlando's Vice President Entertainment, Deborah Buynak, and Senior Manager of Entertainment Creative Development and Show Direction, Lora Sauls, join Robert to talk about their unique approach at Universal Orlando for its holiday-based IP. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Halloween Horror Nights, with Michael Aiello and Blake Braswell | 20 Sep 2019 | 00:30:26 | |
Creative directors Michael Aiello and Blake Braswell talk about the development of Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights, including the inspiration for the event and how variety in concepts and tone help develop guest engagement through levels of interactivity. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Building a whole new world | 25 Aug 2019 | 00:58:04 | |
First, designers built attractions and lands, but now the very best build entire worlds. What drives theme park designers to create immersive worlds? What are the challenges in communicating with and engaging guests in these spaces? And what are the hallmarks of success? At the 2019 D23 Expo, Walt Disney Imagineering's Joe Rohde asked those questions of his colleagues Jeanette Lomboy, Luc Mayrand, and Scott Trowbridge, who talked about their roles in creating Aulani, Shanghai Disneyland's Treasure Cove, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, respectively. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Let the Good Times Roll, with Universal Orlando's Blake Braswell | 01 Mar 2019 | 00:18:03 | |
What does it take to put on one of the most popular Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans? Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras combines a Cajun food festival with a daily parade and live musical entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere that's all about experiencing the fun of one of the world's most popular and enduring celebrations. And each weekend, Universal brings in top-name musical acts for headliner concerts in the park, too. We talked with Blake Braswell, Entertainment Show Director at Universal Orlando Resort, to learn more about he and his team puts together Universal's Mardi Gras celebration. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Telling Original Stories, with Universal's Dale Mason | 27 Nov 2018 | 00:15:56 | |
Established IP can help in developing a world-class theme park or attraction, but it's not necessary. Dale Mason, Vice President and Executive Art Director at Universal Creative, talks about how he and he team developed the original mythology that drives Universal Orlando's acclaimed Volcano Bay park. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 'Battle for Eire' and the fight for VR's future | 07 Nov 2018 | 00:25:01 | |
Is there any future for virtual reality in theme parks? David Schaefer from Falcon's Creative Group joined me to talk about what theme parks have done with VR - and how they can do better with it in the future. Is VR just a first step toward augmented reality, or can theme parks create VR attractions that can leave fans thrilled instead of frustrated? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Getting in the game with sports-themed attractions | 30 Oct 2018 | 00:28:17 | |
Some of the most popular entertainment brands in the world are sports teams. With IP being king in theme parks these days, why don't we see more parks developing sports-themed attractions? I asked that question to the experts who have designed two of the leading examples of sports attractions in the world today - the team at JRA. JRA worked on creative design for Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Steelers Country land at Kennywood, which will feature the record-setting nine-inversion Steel Curtain roller coaster. Joining me for the conversation are Randy Smith, the project director for Ferrari World, Rick O'Connell, the design director for Steelers Country and Shawn McCoy, the Vice President at JRA. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Making Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi with designer Dave Cobb | 30 Sep 2018 | 00:51:31 | |
Dave Cobb and his team were tasked with designing what is now the world's largest indoor theme park for one of the biggest studios around. From inception to its public opening, Dave lets us in on the process of taking beloved characters and locations from the screen and bringing them to life in a world-class vacation destination. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themeparkinsider/support Get full access to Theme Park Insider at themeparkinsider.substack.com/subscribe | |||