Theme Park Rangers

Writer, director and former Walt Disney World cast member Greg Triggs chats with Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil about his days at Comedy Warehouse and his new novel, "That Which Makes Us Stronger." Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island (1:56) Adventurers Club (7:11) Comedy then & now (11:34) Coming to Disney (13:54) Super Soap Weekend (18:27) Thanks, Walt (21:07) Novel: 'That Which...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss when Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will make its debut at Epcot and details coming out about Universal's Halloween Horror Nights event. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (:59) Wonder of Xandar pavilion (3:28) Marvel at Disney (10:15) Roller coaster details (13:26) More Epcot changes (14:27) Universal's Halloween...

Orlando Sentinel theater writer Matthew J. Palm joins tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil to discuss the longevity of the frontier-styled dinner show, likely tweaks and the strawberry shortcake. "This brings me joy" (1:24) Dinner theater show (2:15) Elevating the experience (6:48) Tweaks over the years (12:46) The cost (13:54) Dad jokes galore (16:04) Dole Whip at Disney Springs (18:30)  

Orlando Sentinel food writer Amy Drew Thompson and tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil discuss their favorite bite, the rotating menu, a dish that brings the heat and a couple standout desserts at the 2022 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Epcot chef speaks (:45) New and spicy (2:05) Rotating menu (3:52) Generous portions (5:52) Cheapest thing at the park (8:09) Weird but best new offering...

"The pandemic took a lot of entertainment away from the parks," Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil explains. "It has slowly come back step by step." "Disney Festival of Fantasy" parade (:42) "Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire"(4:31) Aquatica's Reef Plunge (7:04) Gatorland Photographer Pass (13:13) Grad Bash at UOR (20:24)

The 2022 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is in full bloom at Walt Disney World with festive topiaries, a fresh menu and a return of the Garden Rocks concert series. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil discusses the interactive Blossoms of Fragrance garden, a giant Goofy topiary celebrating Disney World's 50th birthday, dishes that are worth the sometimes long waits and mus...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil discusses his maiden voyage aboard the Starcruiser, a two-day, two-night experience near Disney World's Hollywood Studios theme park.  Entering the Halcyon (:56) The immersion factor (5:00) Intergalactic meals (8:36) Batuu excursion (10:37) How much does it cost? (16:30) Costumes are encouraged (21:48) Bridge & lightsaber training (23:37) Is it worth...

When Jason Ginsburg created the Fake Theme Park account on Twitter in July 2010, his aim was to poke fun at all attractions. Now, almost 12 years later, he's saying goodbye to the make-believe world he created. The beginning (:55) "Building" the park (4:43) The art of mocking (7:52) Fake Theme Park vs real theme park (9:20) Saying goodbye (12:10) What's next? (17:55)

As the cost of a trip to Disney World continues to rise, fans question if the current guest experience is worth the hefty price. 'Disney doesn't care about you' (1:14) Prices going up, up, up (7:02) Brilliant marketing (13:12) Should Disney be more expensive? (14:08) Annual pass renewal rates way up (20:06) Still a value to many (21:51) What does the future hold?  (25:56)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice tackle two theme park happenings in this episode, merging the two into "Mardi Gwazi." Planet Mardi Gras (1:04) Expanded food (6:32) Lanyard system changes (10:18) Tribute & Monsters stores (11:26) Concerts (19:05) Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens (26:20)

"You won't be bored on Ice Breaker," Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil shares after riding SeaWorld Orlando's newest roller coaster. The 90-second experience packs a lot of airtime — 13 moments to be exact. First impression (1:11) Seats is different than anything we have in town (3:11) Intensity: Family thrill (5:40) Gwazi = Family Thrill? (11:27) Theming & location (16:38) Premier r...

Universal Orlando's new theme park continues to take shape and Epcot's art fest is off and running. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss construction at Epic Universe and the allure of the Epcot International Arts Festival. Universal's Epic Universe (:55) Epcot International Festival of the Arts (15:13) Upcoming festivals at Universal, SeaWorld (25:18)

Actress, entrepreneur and a real part of the "Star Wars" universe, Ashley Eckstein, talks about how growing up with Disney World in her backyard helped catapult her career.    Growing up Disney (1:18) Cast member at 16 (5:29) Orlando's Hollywood East phase (7:58) Moving to LA (11:34) Catching the voice acting bug (14:31) Becoming Ahsoka Tano (17:05) Her Universe clothing line (24:36) Star Wars: Ga...

Two new rides, touted as the tallest attractions of their kind in the world, just opened at Icon Park on International Drive. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil discusses the SlingShot and FreeFall. These thrill rides aren't made for everyone so listen before you commit. Icon Park (:39) Orlando Slingshot (2:42) Orlando Freefall (13:22) SeaWorld Ice Breaker (19:15) Theme Park Insider A...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss what is ahead for area attractions in 2022, including new roller coasters at Epcot, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Typhoon Lagoon reopens (:54) Universal shuttering Shrek 4-D (3:02) Revenge of the Mummy ride temporarily closing (4:11) Peppa Pig Theme Park (5:13) Ice Breaker at SeaWorld (7:12) Busch Gardens' Iron Gwazi (8:52) Star...

In 2021 theme park guests took a spin on a new coaster, asked a Genie for tips, found a new scare zone and celebrated a big anniversary. Listen to this episode of Theme Park Rangers to find out what else made the list. "Disney look" (2:25) $15/hour (5:13) Cirque returns (6:39) Disney's Lake Nona move (8:05) Tarp over Miniland USA (9:29) Genie debuts (10:45) Howl-O-Scream (12:47) Big leadership cha...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and food writer Amy Drew Thompson discuss the party atmosphere at Mango's Tropical Café on International Drive and the Latin American-inspired fare. The party atmosphere (1:04) Sexy show (4:08) Revamped menu (8:22) Pandemic relief (14:58) Dynamic digital art mural (16:47)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice take you on a tour of Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs to highlight the best of Disney's holiday celebrations. History of event (1:33) What's different this year? (4:09) Musical program adjusted (8:09) Backstage at Candlelight (12:12) Narrators (16:40) More Epcot festivities (18:01) Magic King...

That slight drop in temperature means it's time to celebrate the holidays in Orlando. Universal and SeaWorld have your every winter desire covered with ice skating shows, parades and concerts. Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure (1:27) Universal Studios parade (4:34) Mannheim Steamroller & Hogwarts projections (9:00) SeaWorld: Ice skating, Rudolph & Santa (11:40) ICON Park (18:20) Gatorland's Holida...

Orlando Sentinel theater critic Matthew J. Palm and tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil discuss the beauty, artistry and forced moments in "Drawn to Life," the new Cirque du Soleil show at Disney Springs. Seat perspective (1:41 ) Theme and purpose (3:08) Multi-level approach to storytelling (5:36) Double, double wheel (7:46) Synchronized unicycle (11:11) Hand-to-hand acrobatic act  (13:26) Disney eleme...

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil was invited aboard Disney World's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser where he wielded a lightsaber, crawled into one of the cabin bunkbeds, and got the details on how passengers will interact with characters from the First Order and the Resistance. "Pardon our space dust" (1:55) Think cruise experience (6:22) How immersive is it? (8:25) Lightsaber ex...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the predicted influx of British tourists now travel restrictions have been lifted, the IAAPA Expo that opens next week, and Night of a Million Lights' return to Give Kids the World. British Invasion (:55) IAAPA Expo (5:15) Hairball for a cause (10:35) Night of a Million Lights (11:45)

Some 2,000 positions in Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division in California, are coming to Lake Nona. What does the move mean to Disney theme parks and Central Florida? What jobs are moving to Florida? (1:58) Why Lake Nona? (3:05) Culture shock (4:27) Three-month countdown starts now (7:35) How will this impact my park experience? (8:35) Orlando: The epicenter of the theme-park industr...

As the final weekend of Halloween festivities approaches, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice take a look at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and Disney's "Muppet Haunted Mansion." HHN vs. pandemic (1:37) "Muppet Haunted Mansion" (11:33) One last Halloween push (18:29)

From Disney Genie guest reaction to new rides coming to Legoland and Aquatica, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice cover a lot of ground in this episode of Theme Park Rangers.   Hands-on with Disney Genie (1:00) Candlelight Processional narrators (11:01) Disney Wish exhibit at Hollywood Studios (14:01) New Legoland boat ride (17:48) Peppa Pig Theme Park opening date (19...