The Season Pass: The Essential Theme Park Podcast

Nick goes behind the scenes of  The Nightmare Realm , a brand-new Halloween attraction making the journey from Ireland to London — and discovers that the locations are almost as terrifying as the haunts themselves! Nick is given a guided tour by Creative Director  Karl O'Connor , exploring two ambitious attractions currently being created in some very unusual spaces: an  asylum-themed maze inside...

As Disneyland Paris prepares to restore Space Mountain to its full glory Steve Bramson joins the Season Pass Podcast to take us back to where it all began. Steve composed the original music for Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune which opened at Disneyland Paris in 1995. Now more than 30 years later the attraction is being given a new lease of life and Steve reflects on the music he created for...

TSPP returns from Midsummer Scream 2026 at the Long Beach Convention Center to bring you reviews and audio from the floor. Plus a post-event conversation with Creative Director, Rick West, on ground zero.   Along with the MSS conversation Brent fills the audience in on the happening's with Dollywood's new attraction, Nightflight Expedition, as well as a review of the D23 Expo. Haunt walk-through a...

TSPP returns to preview Midsummer Scream 2026 (August 7-9) at the Long Beach Convention Center with Creative Director, Rick West. Along with conversation on the huge Halloween Event we pay tribute to the late great Richard Knoebel of Knoebels Amusement Resort, Doug's Knott's & Magic Mountain summer trip review, first haunt experience talk, and Six Flags Great Adventure's newly announced Bakunawa....

TSPP is going "old school" this week! American Coaster Enthusiast and the Director of the Legacy of Arrow Development & the Legacy of Schwarzkopf, Meow Wolf's Nicholas Laschkewitsch joins Doug, Brent, and Robert for a full-blown Roller Coaster Geek-Out! Discussion on Universal Coasters, Busch Gardens Kumba, Six Flags Magic Mountain Revolution, Knott's Montezooma's Revenge, plus plenty of Meow Wolf...

TSPP 2026 rolls on with a good friend returning to the Season Pass! Bob Rogers (Founder of BRC Imagination Arts) discusses his new book DEEP STORY; coming soon to a book store near you…or online. We celebrate the world of Themed Entertainment and Experience, as well as hash up some of Bob's past experiences in the industry and old classic Walt Disney stories. Enjoy. Links: Bob Rogers Website (Deep...

Join  Nick   Hutson  and Mike Jeavons for another packed episode of  Nick 's ERT Season Pass Podcast  as the duo dive headfirst into the latest developments surrounding the upcoming Universal United Kingdom Resort project! With infrastructure work accelerating, transport plans evolving and construction activity ramping up around the Bedford site,  Nick  and Mike break down what the newest announce...

What does the next decade look like for the UK theme park industry? Nick sits down with theme park commentator and analyst  Shawn Sanbrooke  for a wide-ranging discussion about the biggest developments shaping Britain's attractions landscape. We explore the latest progress on  Universal Studios Bedford , what the arrival of a major new resort could mean for the UK market, and how existing parks ma...

Nick is joined by Serena from CoasterForce for a passionate deep dive into the legendary Halloween event Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. A huge fan of the event, Serena shares what makes Halloween Horror Nights so special – from the immersive storytelling to the unforgettable haunted houses that have defined the event over the years. Together, Nick and Serena count down some...

TSPP returns in 2026 celebrating the life of a good friend and a legend in the Themed Entertainment Industry, Eddie Sotto. Christopher Merritt (Creative Director-Universal Creative/Author of Knott's Preserved, The Happiest Place on Earth) joins Doug, Brent, and Robert to look back on the incredible legacy of Eddie. Enjoy. Links: Chris Merritt & Don Hahn's The Happiest Place on Earth (Amazon Books)...

Nick is joined by Adam for a packed episode of  Nick's ERT , diving deep into the latest theme park news from the UK, Europe, and beyond. Adam is gearing up for his  second visit to Epic Universe , and the pair discuss what makes a return trip so exciting — and what Adam is most looking forward to experiencing again. Back on home turf, they break down  Paultons Park's  brand-new Viking land, discu...

Nick welcomes back return guest  Mike  for a timely and fascinating conversation about two huge pieces of Universal news. Fresh from a visit to  Epic Universe , Mike shares his on-the-ground impressions of Universal's newest theme park and how it's shaping expectations for the future of immersive entertainment. The discussion then turns much closer to home with the announcement of  Universal Studi...

Nick's ERT on The Season Pass Podcast Episode:  Nathan Brine – The Path to Paddington In this episode, Nick sits down with  Nathan Brine , Director of Live Stage Productions at  The Path Entertainment Group  — the team behind immersive attractions such as  Monopoly Lifesized , SAW Escape Experience London and other large-scale experiential productions. Nathan takes us behind the scenes of  Padding...

We RETURN to the TSPP Mother Earth of Haunt..Knott's BerryFarm for Scary Farm 2025! Jeff Tucker joins Doug and Robert on all the happening for this year's Haunt Event and we are also joined by Maze Designer and Creative, Jon Asperin to discuss his 2025 works and guide us through a Walk-Though of his new creation, MARY. Spooky and chilling fun ahead, Enjoy. **Bonus audio at the end...Stereo Experie...

We are at SeaWorld San Diego for Howl-O-Scream 2025! Doug is joined by SeaWorld Entertainment Specialist, Alexander Krikes to learn more about the fifth year of the event, its five mazes, eight scare zones, shows and more. We are also joined by the rest of the event creative team on the stomping grounds of the incredible Monster Stomp music and dance spectacular—Jordan Mason - Entertainment Specia...

Nick and Hannah head to Universal Orlando's brand-new theme park,  Epic Universe ! From jaw-dropping rides to a few hiccups along the way, they share their honest take on everything this dazzling park has to offer. Expect lively discussion on the attractions, the food (of course!), and even the little errors that come with opening a park of this scale. Join us as we step through the portal and exp...

Doug reviews his experience at Midsummer Scream 2025 that was on August 15-17. Joining Doug from ground zero of Midsummer Scream is Creative Director Rick West. Enjoy. Links: Midsummer Scream Walt Disney Birthplace   MiceChat Season Pass Closing Song - Wheels by Enuff Z'nuff on iTunes Check Out The Season Pass Podcast Website at: www.seasonpasspodcast.com Like the TSPP Facebook page! - www.faceboo...

Doug and Robert will be returning to Midsummer Scream for 2025 on August 15-17. Here to tell us what we're in for is Midsummer Scream Creative Director (and long time friend of the Season Pass), Rick West. Enjoy. Links: Midsummer Scream Walt Disney Birthplace   MiceChat Season Pass Closing Song - Wheels by Enuff Z'nuff on iTunes Check Out The Season Pass Podcast Website at: www.seasonpasspodcast.c...

In this very special episode of  Nick's ERT , Nick is joined by fellow theme park aficionado Adam for a journey with a difference — quite literally! The pair hop on a train from London to Bedford to visit the proposed site for the UK's brand-new Universal Studios theme park. Join them on the rails as they chat candidly about what this massive project could mean for British tourism, the UK theme pa...

  *Subscribe @ iTunes* Doug, Brent and Robert celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the greatest themed entertainment stunt show ever, The WaterWorld Stunt Show at Universal Studios Hollywood! Also joining the conversation...some of the creative/production crew that made this BOMB SHOW happen: Eddie Newquist (Former Creative Director of Universal Creative/WaterWorld), Nick Drobins (Former Universal St...

In this thrilling episode, Hannah shares with Nick her journey from coaster-phobe to thrill-seeker! After a confidence-boosting trip to Europa Park, where she braved some of Europe's most iconic coasters, Hannah finally faced her biggest challenge yet: riding  Hyperia  at Thorpe Park. Listen in as they chat about the adrenaline, the nerves, and the unexpected joy of conquering major rides at Thorp...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* Doug, Brent and Robert are HERE!! In 2025!! Yes Ya'll! Brent revues his Epic Universe experience while Doug and Robert drool on their mics. BUT! Doug and Robert also share their talk on a 100 years of roller coasters on WNYC New York Public Radio with Brian Lehrer, Friday, April 11, 2025. We're back peeps! Enjoy. Links: Epic Universe Brian Lehrer Show: 100 Years of 100 Things:...

In this  super-sized  episode of  Nick's ERT , we're back on track with more theme park tea—because Universal's UK park plans just won't quit!  In the first half, Nick is joined by Hannah to take a wander through the latest changes coming to Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. From reimagined lands to possible new IPs, what's in store for the French mouse house and is this really in retaliation to...

In this very special episode of  Nick's ERT  for the  Season Pass Podcast , Nick is joined by Hannah, Chris, Nikki and Jamie as they dive headfirst into the now-confirmed plans for  Universal Studios UK , officially announced by the UK government! Set to open in  2031  with construction beginning in  2026 , the park will be built in  Bedford , marking a monumental moment in UK theme park history....

Doug, Brent and Robert talk with the creators of the new ACE Documentary "The Legacy of Schwarzkopf." Eight years after their widely successful and coaster audience pleasing "The Legacy of Arrow Development," the crew of the new film sit with TSPP to give insight, back story, tidbits, and filming experiences on creating this massive new historic film. So listen and hear from the power source: Nich...