Theme Park Rangers

Universal Studios officially opened Minion Land. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and Central Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly discuss the new interactive attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, and the tasty treats offered: Think banana-flavored popcorn and banana bread beer. They then switch gears and focus on Halloween Horror Nights, the after-hours ticketed event that begins Sept. 1.

• Minion Land (2:32)
• Minion Blast (5:03)
• Minion Cafe (10:00)
• Character meet and greet (14:32)
• HHN houses (15:30)
• HHN scare zones, shows, taste of terror (26:12)

Sadly, Theme Park Rangers podcast says goodbye to Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice. Katie is leaving her post covering the business side of Central Florida attractions at the Sentinel. She is off on another adventure that will most definitely include fewer theme parks. But before she leaves, she talks with her colleague Dewayne Bevil about some of her favorite rides, how to pack for the parks and some personal pet peeves at area attractions.

• Favorite rides, park (2:15)
• Theme park bag essentials (11:19)
• Hidden hotspots (19:07)
• Theme park pet peeves (23:47)

The battle between Walt Disney Co. and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the fate of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District continues to heat up, but what does that mean for park guests? Orlando Sentinel reporters Katie Rice and Skyler Swisher have been covering this story since the beginning. They condense 14 months of developments into a 25-minute episode discussing what led us here, where the district stands now, are park guests feeling the impact of the turmoil and what’s next for Disney World.

• How Reedy Creek Improvement District came about (1:45)
• The dissolution of Reedy Creek (4:34)
• New board is not like the old board (7:25)
• The big plot twist nobody saw coming (9:55)
• Disney files federal lawsuit; Board countersues (12:32)
• Inside DeSantis’ mind (17:02)
• How will it impact future of Disney World? (20:32)
• Will this issue quietly go away? (23:50)

SeaWorld Orlando‘s annual passholders will get their first rides aboard Pipeline roller coaster starting May 12. The "surfing" coaster will open to the public May 27. Also new to SeaWorld are two great hammerhead sharks now living at the Shark Encounter attraction. The young male sharks, named Dutch and Dillon, were transferred from Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta in a collaborative effort to protect endangered species. Lastly, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice preview Mess Fest at the Orlando Science Center coming May 13-14. From slime to fizzy paint, guests can get hands-on with the ooiest, gooiest, messiest activities.

• SeaWorld's "surfing" coaster (1:00)
• Great hammerhead sharks (8:36)
• OSC Mess Fest (13:11)

On this episode of Theme Park Rangers, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the fire that damaged the Maleficent dragon at Disneyland and its impact on Disney World shows. They also introduce listeners to BBot, one of the latest security employees at the Orange County Convention Center. And the Wheel at Icon Park debuted an onboard gaming element called The Great Florida Road Trip. 

The Theme Park Rangers say goodbye to Poseidon’s Fury at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and celebrate Animal Kingdom’s birthday. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice share memories about the show that is closing May 9 (a replacement attraction has not been announced) and highlights from 25 years at Disney’s youngest park. Also discussed is a new immersive experience on I-Drive at the Orlando International Premium Outlets. Lonely Dog features New Zealand artist Ivan Clarke’s work animated and put to music in a unique setting.

Annual passed are back! Walt Disney World will start selling three levels of its annual passes to it theme parks again as of April 20. Coming back this month are the Incredi-Pass, the Sorcerer Pass and the Pirate Pass — all of which saw price increases of $50-$100 in December. The sales were suspended in November 2021. Disney guests can also look forward to new scenes and characters being added to the Star Tours attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. Will “Mandalorian” be respresented? Also on this episode of Theme Park Rangers podcast, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss how home advantage may have helped a “Jeopardy” contestant.

• Disney annual pass sales return (:47)
• Reservations loosening up? (7:18)
• Star Tours ride update (13:23)
• “Jeopardy” famous names category (18:51)

“I was absolutely flabbergasted,” Nathan Firesheets said about the people around the world — on social media and in person — cheering him on in the high moments and offering support in the low ones. Nathan, 34, an avid theme park fan from Georgia, watched those fans grow as he visited every Disney theme park worldwide and rode every operating ride in a marathon trip, giving himself roughly one day to complete each park and travel to the next. “It was equal parts travel logistics, physical endurance and Disney stuff.” Nathan discussed his global ride challenge and what’s next with Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice. 

At a recent Disney panel at the South by Southwest conference, Imagineers introduced a robotic rabbit wearing a helmet and roller skates. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss the robot, modeled after the character Judy Hopps from Disney’s 2016 animated film “Zootopia,” and when it might show up at Disney parks. Also on this episode, Tron Lightcycle / Run enters its soft opening phase before the Magic Kingdom ride’s official debut April 4 and construction work continues on Villain-Con Minion Blast, an attraction based on “Despicable Me” characters, at Universal Studios theme park.

Welcome to a Spring Break edition of Theme Park Rangers podcast where you can expect packed theme parks, heavy traffic and sunburnt tourists. In this episode, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the new “Toy Story” barbecue restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is scheduled to open March 23 and will surround diners in a “Toy Story” setting from floor to ceiling. Also on the horizon at Disney World parks are a Figment character meet and greet, Tron Lightcycle / Run’s opening day and progress at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Super Nintendo World officially opened Feb. 17 after weeks of previews and fan anticipation. The land, featuring characters from the Japanese video game company Nintendo’s Mario franchise, is the only land that Universal Orlando has confirmed is coming to Epic Universe. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss the immersive elements of the land, how it compares to Harry Potter’s popularity and what can be expected when it opens locally.

Topiaries are on display at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. New this year are Luisa, Mirabel, Antonio and Isabela from “Encanto” and Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog.” Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the visual elements, menu and musical lineup. They also discuss upcoming changes to the Disney parks reservation system and Tron Lightcycle / Run annual passholder previews.

• New and returning topiaries (:46)
• Food offerings (13:43)
• Orange Bird kicks Figment to the curb (18:19)
• Musical lineup extensive (22:09)
• Disney park reservation changes (27:31)
• Tron passholder previews (31:31)

Half of our Theme Park Rangers duo successfully secured at spot on the Tron Lightcycle / Run passholder preview. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice reveal the results from last week’s virtual queue waiting game. Meanwhile Dewayne joined a cast member on the yet-to-open Magic Kingdom ride and shares his experience. Tron officially opens to the public on April 4. He also visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to ride their new Serengeti Flyer (opening Feb. 27) and Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven to celebrate the attraction's one-year anniversary (”Turning One” party Feb. 24-26).

• Tron virtual queue results (:00)
• Locker system (3:17)
• Getting on the lightcycle (4:40)
• The ride experience (8:01)
• Theming (11:55)
• Storing backpacks vs. phones (14:08)
• Busch Gardens new ride (16:34)
• Peppa Pig birthday (23:49)

Excitement for Tron LIghtcycle / Run is mounting as Walt Disney World annual passholders began registering to preview the Magic Kingdom ride. And across the park work is happening on the rebranding of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is in full swing at Universal Studios. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the celebration that runs nightly through April 16. They offer tips on how best to navigate the parade (lots of beads and mythical creatures), festival foods (offerings go beyond typical Mardi Gras fare), and concerts (on select nights).

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice tackle Tron Lightcycle details, a Gatorland goodbye and the power outage at ICON Park in this episode of Theme Park Rangers podcast.

It’s the most brows-able of the Epcot fests. The International Festival of the Arts showcases Disney artists, culinary dishes that look as good as they taste and Broadway musicians. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Figment grape smoothies, a $4,000 painting and pin tables from 1982.

It’s festival season at area theme parks. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Universal’s Mardi Gras concert lineup and parade theme, new topiaries planned for Epcot flower and garden fest and other notable happenings at Central Florida attractions. 

Legoland Florida theme park launches a new boat ride and Disney World and Universal share some surprising news about park reservations, a big ride's opening date and new projects.

The new year is here and with it brings exciting changes to area theme parks. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss new rides opening in 2023 and several attractions that will close for good.

Legoland

• Pirate River Quest (1:19 )

Disney

• Tron (4:31)
• Splash Mountain closing (8:39)
• Epcot changes: Moana & new spectacular (12:28)

SeaWorld

• Surf coaster (14:05)

Universal 

• KidZone revamp (16:54)
• New Minions Land (19:26)
• New Passholder area at Islands of Adventure (20:42)
• HHN Chucky house (25:26)