Theme Park Rangers

Disney launches Genie park planning service and "KiteTails" show at Animal Kingdom. Universal bids farewell to Shrek 4-D attraction and temporarily shutters Revenge of the Mummy. Disney Genie: What free? (1:34) Disney Genie: Paid options (6:05) Disney Kite Tails at Animal Kingdom (14:54) Shrek going away (23:48) Mummy refurbishment (25:13)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice break down all the Disney World 50th anniversary festivities: The new spectaculars ("Harmonious" and "Enchantment"), the Beacons of Magic (Spaceship Earth is a showstopper), the huge (but overwhelmingly happy) crowds, the VIPs (Christina Aguilera made an appearance), and the long merchandise lines (both virtual and visible). 'Harmonio...

As part of its 50th anniversary, Walt Disney World has installed 50 golden character statues. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and photographer Joe Burbank discuss the figures — called the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection — that are spread throughout Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. 50 characters NOT 50 statues (1:16) Photography tips (...

Like an entree paired with the perfect wine, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and food writer Amy Drew Thompson come together to discuss the menu at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and the newest Disney World restaurant, Space 220. From drinking event to food focus (2:11) The lost souvenir cup (7:19) From food to frights: Icon House (10:16) A carnival for adults (12:14) Epcot's...

The very first SeaWorld Orlando's Howl-O-Scream debuted sporting a sea theme and other haunting elements. Tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the elaborate haunted houses, scare zones and shows and some unique offerings that allow guests to scare others or avoid being scared altogether (both for a fee).   Get your bearings: Grab a map! (1:36) Sea-themed haunted houses (4:02) Sca...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice dissect the haunted houses at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, ponder the pandemic precautions and sample some pumpkin guts — yum. Oh, and there's a visit from Jack the Clown. RIP/VIP access (:36) Scare zones (2:53) Repeats from 2020 (4:09) Intellectual property vs. original houses (9:21) The Icons (15:03) Jack the Clown visit (19...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Disney World bringing back annual passes and area theme parks gearing up for Halloween amid COVID-19 spike. Disney annual passes return (51:28) Passes from $399 to $1299 (2:25) Reservations stay (6:00) Photo & water park passes (8:29) Evolution of ticket pricing (10:03) Halloween is here. Will it bring revenue? (12:04) HHN pre...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice dive into the preschool world of "Peppa Pig," a British animated series. Peppa has landed her own attraction — Peppa Pig Theme Park — currently under construction in the Legoland Florida parking lot. Dewayne donned a pink hard hat for a tour of the site. Getting to know Peppa Pig (:37) Capturing the preschool crowd (3:11) Multi-day, m...

"People have complained about Disney World's FastPass/FastPass+, I'm going to say, for more than 20 years. And now we're going to have something new to complain about," Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil summed up the reaction to Disney Genie, a a free planning service launching on the resort's app this fall. Obviously, the free part wasn't what caused the frustration. Disney revea...

Melissa Valiquette, vice president of Magic Kingdom, discusses "Disney Enchantment," the 50 golden character statues, Tron and the revamping of Splash Mountain. Melissa's origin story (1:18) Defending the cake (5:07) 'Making a 50-year old park look new again' (8:41) Happy places in the Magic Kingdom (15:22) 'Disney Enchantment' (18:08) Sleeper hit: Character statues (20:25) Beacons of Magic (21:25...

Shelby Honea, show producer for Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure, joins Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil to discuss ride challenges, creative choices and the revolutionary lockers. What is a show producer? (1:12) Calculated risks (5:31) Location, location, location (6:56) Hidden tricks (8:36) Care and feeding of raptors (9:11) Social media influences...

Orlando Sentinel food writer Amy Drew Thompson and tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil dish on some of the more than 100 food items and 120 beverages at Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival. 129 days long (1:18) Soup in July? (2:37) New offerings (5:36) Unusual eating spots with A/C! (10:43) Wings and beer (14:51) 8 marketplaces opening Oct. 1 (16:26) Cider flights (18:44) Merchandise (19:42)

"Behind the Attraction," a new series on Disney+, gives the back stories on some theme park favorites sprinkled with sarcasm. New Disney+ series (1:15) This is not 'The Imagineering Story' (2:50) Target audience (5:26) Internal struggle of Haunted Mansion (10:21) Choosing the featured attractions (14:36) From Star Tour to Galaxy's Edge (16:50)

Dewayne Bevil discusses the Fastpass replacement at Disneyland Paris that involves free virtual queues and a paid line-skipping service. What could it mean for Disney World? Disney World Fastpass: A look back (1:12) Standby Pass (3:24) Disney Premier Access (5:17) Money grab? (7:35) Getting Disney on the record (11:16) Epcot Food & Wine Festival menu (14:42) Disney Springs Flavors of Florida (19:2...

It takes some planning, the right equipment and a little math to capture the perfect, frozen-in-time image of Disney World fireworks. And sometimes it takes a little luck. Orlando Sentinel senior photographer Joe Burbank shares stories about his experience photographing fireworks and other Disney World icons. Challenges of shooting fireworks(1:08) Equipment and access (5:49) Photography = math (10...

On the 100th episode of Theme Park Rangers podcast, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil answers his most frequently asked questions and looks back on the guests that have offered insight and helped us reach this milestone. So you ride roller coasters for a living? (1:37) How often are you in the theme parks? (3:00) Do you get in for free? (5:28) What is your favorite park? (6:35) What'...

SeaWorld Orlando will offer an intense Halloween experience this year with Howl-O-Scream, an after-hours, extra-ticket event with haunted houses and scare zones. Orlando Sentinel reporters Dewayne Bevil and Patrick Connolly discuss the new offering and the Halloween events planned at Universal Orlando and Disney World. Halloween surprise in June (1:04) SeaWorld's kid-friendly event (3:12) Howl-O-S...

Tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil highlights festivities at Central Florida attractions coming this summer. Is VelociCoaster open? (:00) RESCUE exhibit Orlando Science Center (4:42) Earthquakes at WonderWorks (7:06) Free Pulse memorial (8:09) Legoland Mythica movie & hunt (9:38) SeaWorld Electric Ocean (11:44) Universal character meet and greet (13:10) Epcot festivals (15:16) Boo Bash at Magic Kingdo...

Tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil talks with John Saccheri, who runs the theme parks fan site Big Fat Panda, about recent changes that make the parks feel like they did before the pandemic and changes they hope will happen soon. Temperature screenings (1:59) Masks off for photos (2:35) "Cleanest trash cans in history" (3:20) "A Taste of Not So Scary" (4:57) "Celebration of Festival of the Lion King"...

Jurassic World VelociCoaster, the next thrill ride coming to Universal's Islands of Adventure, opened for annual passholder previews Sunday. Orlando Sentinel reporters Dewayne Bevil, Patrick Connolly and Kathleen Christiansen experienced the rollercoaster and lived to talk about all the twists, turns and inversions. Oh, and don't forget the dinosaurs. If Hagrid and Hulk had a baby (1:31) No over-t...

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil and podcast producer Wesley Alden have two different thoughts on the PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom. Dewayne thinks it is fine. Wesley is indifferent. But there are folks out there that can't get enough of the ride. Transportation of the future (2:51) Disney obsessions (4:48) Going through Space Mountain (7:20) Behind-the-scenes tour (11:06) A non-D...

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil goes on a hunt for tattoos at Disney World and comes up short. The search was spurred by changes in the Disney Look, the company's long-standing appearance guide. Castmembers can now have tattoos, fingernail polish and newly allowed hairstyles for the first time in Disney theme parks. Disney Look update: The hunt for tattoos (1:18) Live shows retu...

Scott Terrell, director of Animal and Science Operations at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts discusses recent animal births at Animal Kingdom and festivities planned to celebrate Earth Day. Baby alert! (1:09) Rhino prenatal care (4:00) Nigerian dwarf goats (5:11) The Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom (6:14) Earth Day festivities (7:09) Sand sculpture (10:49) Which animal gives you peace? (11:10)

Come on, Delaware! Country Bear Jamboree. Really? The Theme Park Rangers breakdown a recent poll by Upgraded Points that ranked  favorite Disney World rides by park, state and gender. VelociCoaster opening date (:40) Disney World loosens mask policy (2:24) Favorite ride at Magic Kingdom (3:24) Favorite ride at Epcot (7:04) Favorite ride at Hollywood Studios (9:25) Favorite ride at Animal Kingdom  ...

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil discusses the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal, and so many festivals at SeaWorld Orlando. Epcot International Food and Wine Festival (1:07) Disney holiday celebrations (8:45) So many SeaWorld festivals coming (11:08) Universal's HHN (16:08) Universal Legacy store at CityWalk (19:06) Disney at 50: Pr...