Katapult

Katapult | Themed Attraction Podcast

Leisure EN ↓ 22 episodes

Insights and opinions from themed entertainment industry designers. Featuring theme parks, themed resorts, visitor attractions and museums.

Author

Katapult

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

www.katapult.co.uk

Latest episode

Jun 30, 2026

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Episodes

Ep #22: 25 Years of Katapult: Our Birthday with Co-Founders Dawn & Phil 30.06.2026

Katapult Co-Founders discuss the company's journey from 2007 onwards as they made the bold decision to focus solely on the leisure industry as we began delivering themed entertainment attractions around the world.

Ep #21: 25 Years of Katapult: Interview with Co-Founders Dawn & Phil, Part One 17.06.2026

From 90s club nights creators to international themed attraction designers, hear from the original Co-Founders, Dawn Foote and Phil Higgins, on their journey in founding and creating Katapult.

Ep #20: Studio Stories: The Gladiators Experience with Hayley Garnham and Amelia Maresca 28.05.2026

Welcome to Studio Stories presented by Rhianna McGonigal, a podcast series from Katapult as we explore the people we are and the projects we work on. This episode we talk to our design team Hayley Garnham and Amelia Maresca on the role we played in creating the Gladiators Experience. The Experience was created in collaboration with Live Nation Entertainment, MGM Studios, Patrick Doherty Design and...

Ep #19: From Performer To Producer In Themed Entertainment 15.04.2026

Join the Katapult team and special guest Katrina Mena Rick, themed entertainment professional (Disney Live Entertainment, Walt Disney Imagineering) as they discuss the power and passion for themed entertainment.

Ep #18: Studio Stories, Featuring James Lawbuary 17.03.2026

Welcome to Studio Stories presented by Rhianna McGonigal, a podcast series from Katapult as we explore the people we are and the projects we work on. This episode we talk to our Writer and Project Producer, James Lawbuary, about his involvement in our Helping Hands project and his love of rollercoasters.

Ep #17: Neuroinclusion in Themed Attractions 11.02.2026

Join Dr Cathy Manning from the University of Birmingham, alongside host, Robbie Jones, as they unveil details of a four-year PHD study into neuroinclusion within themed attractions, and take a deepdive into the impact of today's public spaces for the neuroinclusive community.

Ep #16: Studio Stories, Featuring Andy Gilmore 14.01.2026

Welcome to Studio Stories presented by Rhianna McGonigal, a new podcast feature from Katapult as we explore the people we are and the projects we work on. This episode we talk to our Art Director, Andy Gilmore and his involvement designing dream projects for The LEGO® Group and many more clients.

Ep #15: The Joy of Play: Crafting LEGO® Family Attractions 11.12.2025

Join our special guest Juliane Aufdembrinke, Senior Design Manager at The LEGO® Group, and Katapult Co-Founder Dawn Foote, as we discuss the importance of play within theme parks, visitor attractions and experiences.

Ep #14: Katapult Studios Stories, featuring George Ward-Thompson 10.11.2025

Welcome to Studio Stories, a new podcast feature from Katapult as we explore the people we are and the projects we work on. This episode we talk to our Production Assistant, George Ward-Thompson and his involvement on the WW2 Tunnels Experience we designed in Gibraltar.

Ep #13: How do we create horror beyond October? 13.10.2025

Join the Katapult team and special guest, Matt Clarkson from Simworx, as they delve into the world of horror attractions, exploring the thrill, technology and art of storytelling.

Ep #12: How do IPs become successful in themed attractions? 16.09.2025

Join our Co-Founder Phil Higgins and Aardman's Head of Attractions & Live Entertainment, Ngaio Harding-Hill, as they discuss the transition of digital content into fully-fledged physical experiences within theme parks.

Ep #11: How do you design a themed hotel suite? 16.09.2025

Discover the level of detail required to create a highly thematic, yet comfortable themed hotel suite as part of a theme park development. Learn how the narrative and initial moodboards, transforms into 3D rendered designs - ready for vendors to take into construction.

Ep #10: Unveiling the secrets of Pirate Cove 05.08.2025

In this conversation, Insights Director Robbie Jones and Creative Director Andy Sinclair-Harris discuss the creative process behind Pirate Cove, a themed attraction centered around pirates. They explore the inspiration for the project, the importance of escapism, and how they aim to reinvent pirate stories for a modern audience.

Ep #9: What makes for a perfect day at a theme park? 10.06.2025

We speak to Parkcast's Bex Callinswood, following news of NEW theme park developments coming to the UK, plus, her thoughts on what makes the perfect day out a theme park. We also review the top 10 reasons why guests leave theme parks unhappy, and how these issues could be solved!

Ep #8: Did you see that?! A deep dive into theme park Easter Eggs 14.04.2025

Join international theme park design company Katapult as they take a deep dive into the most hidden and secretive theme park Easter Eggs in existence.

Ep 7: How can we create the most emotive guest experiences in themed attractions? 07.03.2025

We go to theme parks for fun and laughter, but they always makes us feel so much more than this. Discover how powerful audio can make or break and experience on our latest podcast with Brian Yessian.

Ep 6: Do people really want to live at theme parks? 10.02.2025

Join Katapult Insights Director, Robbie Jones, and LDP's Senior Partner, Yael Coifman, as they debate why 25% of Generation Z are considering living permanently in theme parks.

Ep 5: What did Katapult do in 2024? 13.01.2025

Join Katapult Co-Founders Dawn Foote and Phil Higgins as they look back on a successful 2024, after growing the team and working on 3 dream projects in the year.

Ep #4: What are the best theme park rides in 2024? 17.12.2024

In this engaging conversation, Katapult Co-Founders Dawn and Phil discuss their top theme park rides for 2024, sharing personal experiences and insights from their travels around the world. They explore the thrill and joy of various rides, including Jurassic World Velocicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The discussion also touches o...

Ep #3: Are digital guest journeys delivering success in themed attractions? 12.11.2024

Katapult Insights Director Robbie Jones is joined by Attractions. IO's Ellen Kasinopoulou to talk about the current impact, issues and opportunities fo delivering a successful digital guest journey at theme parks and attractions. Topics covered, include: digital guest experience, theme parks, technology, guest journey, personalization, data analytics, human connection, AI, immersive experiences an...

Ep #2: Is there space for more IPs in themed entertainment? 15.10.2024

Following our recent visit to Brand Licensing Expo, we asked our Creative Director, Andy Sinclair-Harris, and Creative Strategy Director, Kelly Herrick, on whether there's still potential for IPs in theme parks and visitor attractions.

Ep #1: Are screen-based rides meeting the expectations of theme park guests? 24.09.2024

One of the key revelations from the Katapult Theme Park Fans Survey 2024, launched in the summer, was guests' tendency to enjoy traditional rides more than screen-based rides. Just 11% of respondents said they had more fun on screen-based systems, such as dark rides, VR and AR rides. We spoke to our Project Producer Alex Tyrrell on the findings.

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