Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

🎢 Welcome to Episode 256 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast! This week we’re diving into festival season in Florida — from SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival (including sampler card value + my personal “winners and misses”), to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras (food booths, tribute store love, and parade observations), and a full rundown of our day at the Florida State Fair...

Tom and Jon are back with Episode 255 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast — and we’ve got a packed show with updates, rumors, festival talk, and a Halloween survey from United Parks for some intrigue. News we cover: Universal Orlando Resort announces Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (plus what it means for Fast & Furious: Supercharged) Universal Mardi Gras: International Flav...

In Episode 254, Tom is joined by Jon, Dave, and Kris for a full 2025 stats breakdown—YouTube performance, podcast numbers, park visit tracking, ride counts, and the takeaways your data is screaming at you. Plus: Disney Springs news, a Disney+ arbitration controversy update, a Universal Epic Universe incident making headlines, SeaWorld’s “duck lawsuit” dismissal, Disney summer deals, and Cool KIDS’...

Welcome to Episode 253 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast — and our first episode of 2026. After a short break from the news desk, Tom and Jon are back with a packed episode covering major industry headlines, park changes, Disney announcements, and a full Rumor Report segment where the fog rolls in and the fact-checking clocks out. In this episode, we discuss the passing of SeaWorl...

It’s the final VacationCheers episode of the season and the last podcast of 2025, so naturally we went big. In Episode 252, Tasseled Tom is joined by Caroling Kris for a holiday-packed rundown featuring a Tennessee Christmas weekend, festive theme parks, concerts, and haunted holidays. We kick things off with a Christmas-filled trip to Pigeon Forge, including our stay at the Hampton Inn & Suit...

Central Florida goes full sleigh-bell chaos, and we’re here to break it all down. In Episode 251 of the VacationCheers Podcast , Tom is joined by Jon as they kick things off with Jon’s firsthand experience at Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida , before diving headfirst into the heavy hitters: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town , SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration , and Holidays at Universal...

Episode 250 is here — and it’s time to take a victory lap. In this milestone episode of Vacationeers Theme Parks & More , we celebrate 250 episodes by breaking down the podcast by the numbers . From the most-discussed parks and seasonal spin-offs to co-host appearances, episode lengths, and how the show has evolved since Episode 1 in 2017, this episode is all about the journey. We look back at...

Welcome to Episode 249 of the VacationCheers Podcast ! I’m your jolly host, Twinkly Tom, joined by Christmas Kris, and today we’re diving face-first into Florida’s holiday trifecta: ❄ Now Snowing at Celebration 🎄 Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 🧊 ICE! at Gaylord Palms We break down the atmosphere, entertainment, food, surprises, and all the cozy-chaotic fun each of these holiday e...

🎢 Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast – Episode 248 Disney just debuted Zootopia: Better ZOOgether inside Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, replacing It’s Tough to Be a Bug , and we’ve got thoughts — including Tom’s favorite part! We also talk: 🦅 Soarin’ Across America (new version coming Summer 2026) 🐭 Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure returning in 2D 🎭 Six Flags’ DC Heroes Fest replacing Hol...

In the final VacationScares Podcast of 2025, Tom is joined by his skeleton crew of Jittery Jon, Deceased Dave, and Cremated Kris as they descend upon Atlanta for a triple-dose of terror! From the blood-soaked brilliance of Netherworld Haunted House, to the screams of Six Flags Over Georgia’s Fright Fest, to a rush of RMC airtime at Fun Spot America Atlanta—the crew breaks it all down. They share e...

In Episode 246 of the VacationeerScares Podcast , Taggled Tom is joined by Electrocuted Ian to discuss Ian’s two-night HHN trip to Orlando, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Howl-O-Scream, Total Terror Haunted Attraction in Virginia, and the Howl-O-Sprint 5K at SeaWorld Orlando! From possessed corn mazes and wolf attacks to holiday-horror hybrids, we cover it all — and decide which events truly deliver...

Welcome to Episode 245 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast ! Tom is joined by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) for a jam-packed episode featuring a fiery week of theme park news — literally! From Universal’s Rip Ride Rockit catching fire during demolition to Disney’s latest ticket price hikes , we cover every spark, shock, and surprise across the parks. Then, Tom breaks down his California...

In Episode 244 of the VacationScares Podcast , Taxidermied Tom welcomes Decapitated Dave and Cadaver Kris from Adventures By D for a glowing good time! They kick things off with Wild Adventures Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Stone Mountain Park’s Pumpkin Festival before diving into Tom’s coast-to-coast Disney Halloween trip report. Tom recounts his visits to both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Part...

In Episode 243 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast , Tom covers a wild mix of theme park news and personal adventures. News highlights include: The bizarre scuba-style robbery at Disney Springs’ Paddlefish A tragic death and lawsuits tied to Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers Glenwood Caverns’ $205M “nuclear verdict” over the Haunted Mine Drop Major new attractions: SeaWorld Orlando’s...

In Episode 242 of the VacationeersScares Podcast , Tom is joined by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) for a jam-packed Halloween recap. Tom dives into his latest experiences at Halloween Horror Nights, including Stay & Scream, food booths, and shows like Nightmare Fuel and Haunt-O-Phonic. He also shares his impressions of Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park with its unique interactive houses, Zombie Paintball...

In Episode 241 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast , Tom is joined by Jon Self to cover the latest theme park news and more. They break down all the big updates from Disney Parks, including Cinderella Castle’s return to its classic colors, the new Tron: Ares overlay, and the long-awaited Carousel of Progress update. They also go over closures coming to Animal Kingdom, including Dino...

In the continuing VacationScares saga, Tom and Jon discuss their opening weekend visits to both SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream.  🛒 Merch: Rip Ride Rockit Tee Scaredy Cat Halloween Shirt Graveyard Rip Ride Rockit Tee I Came for the Boos (Disney) Follow & Support: Facebook: Vacationeers Theme Parks and More Twitter: @VacationeerTom | @pastorJonSelf Inst...

The first VacationScares episode of the 2025 season is here! Tom is joined by Kris and Dave from the Adventures by D YouTube channel , along with Jon Self, to break down everything from Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2025 . We start with Premium Scream Night —Tom gives his unfiltered opinion on whether it lived up to last year’s high bar. Then Dave and Kris share their opening weekend experience...

In Episode 238 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast , Tom and Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) dive into a packed slate of theme park news and trip reports. Disney announces a glowing Rainbow Caverns scene for Big Thunder Mountain, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! opens November 7 at Animal Kingdom, and World Princess Week brings concerts, treats, and merch galore. SeaWorld San Diego reopens Jou...

In Episode 237 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon Self dive headfirst into spooky season with a packed show. We break down the latest theme park news and debut our brand-new “news” bumper! This week’s news lineup includes: Busch Gardens Tampa’s mid-meal Dragon Fire Grill closure Six Flags introducing haunted house upcharges for Halloween events United Parks Q2 earnings...

In Episode 236 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast , Tom and Jon break down a week packed with theme park news and adventures! Six Flags parks are canceling their holiday events, Michigan’s Adventure shortens its season, and ICON Park’s Blue Man Group theater finally resumes construction. Tom also spotlights major updates for Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream—including the all-new M.A.R....

In Episode 235 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast , Tom and Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) recap a full day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg—from early morning rope drop antics to an unforgettable stop at the new Burgermeister’s Hideaway speakeasy. They share ride reviews for InvadR, The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, Verbolten, Pantheon, Apollo’s Chariot, Escape from Pompeii, Le Scoot,...

In Episode 234 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, host Tom is joined by special guest Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) to dive into the latest thrills and chills from the theme park world! The duo discusses the big announcement of Universal Horror Unleashed coming to Chicago in 2027, exciting updates from Magic Kingdom—including the reopening of Hall of Presidents and Astro Orbiter, and...

In Episode 233 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast , Tom celebrates his birthday with a stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and shares all the details. Also, Tom shares how he celebrated Father's Day at Disney Springs from City Works to Splitsville fun. Joined by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf), we also cover big theme park news, including EPCOT’s Test Track reopening date, Kings Dom...

In Episode 232 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom shares big Halloween Horror Nights 34 news including the reveal of the Fallout haunted house and Premium Scream Night plans. He also reviews EPCOT’s GEO 82 offerings and returns to Epic Universe for a second visit with a full meal at Blue Dragon Pan-Asian. Plus, coverage of major closures at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the end of H...