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Dynamic pricing can be one of the most powerful tools available to visitor attractions but only when it's used well. Andy Povey is joined by pricing expert Adriaan Van Der Hek to discuss the practical realities of dynamic pricing, how it benefits both attractions and visitors, and why getting your pricing strategy right can drive higher revenue, better attendance and happier guests. Topics Discuss...

In this Summer Special of Skip the Queue, guest host and attractions industry journalist Owen Ralph is joined by three theme park operators for a closer look at their new offerings for 2026. Lawrence Mancey discusses Paultons Park’s £12 million themed area Valgard, the largest ever investment at the UK park, also home to Peppa Pig World. He explains how the viking theme was a ‘no-brainer’, why the...

In this episode, Matt Stubbs, Creative Director at Little Lion Entertainment, shares insights into the innovative world of immersive entertainment, from the origins of the Crystal Maze to the cutting-edge Arcade Arena concept. Discover how technology, storytelling, and experiential design are shaping the future of location-based entertainment. Topics Discussed The evolution of immersive experience...

In this episode, Andy Povey is joined by Duncan Phillips, Founder and Managing Director of DP Leisure and DP Associates, the team behind 360 Play. They discuss the potential impact of Universal's proposed UK resort, the opportunities it could create for attractions, and how operators can adapt to changing guest expectations. Duncan shares his thoughts on destination thinking, collaboration, compet...

In this episode of Skip the Queue, guest host Olly Reed from Navigate is joined by Rob Comley of Chester Zoo and Simon Townsend of the Eden Project to discuss the growing impact of weather forecasting apps on visitor attractions. They discuss how simple weather icons can influence consumer behaviour, with misleading rain forecasts causing significant drops in attendance even when poor weather neve...

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Bala McAlinn, Managing Director Complete Works to discuss how visitor attractions can balance technology with authentic human interaction. Bala shares how storytelling, performance techniques and well-trained frontline teams can transform guest experiences, increase revenue and encourage repeat visits, while exploring why technology should...

Andy Povey is joined by Lawrence Roots to explore the growing importance of the UK Theme Park Awards and why they matter to operators across the visitor attraction industry. Lawrence shares how the awards recognise excellence across parks of all sizes, combine expert judging with public voting, and help raise standards across the sector. They also talk about the emerging trends in the UK theme par...

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Dominique Bouchard, Heritage and Engagement Director at Leeds Castle and incoming Creative Director at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming heritage storytelling. They discuss the creation of the world’s first interactive historical AI avatar, how Leeds Castle brought Queen Eleanor of Cas...

In this Skip the Queue podcast episode, our guest host Ruth Read, Director of blooloop and greenloop, is joined by Vero Celis, CEO and Founder of Valumia and Sustainability Advisor at Skutek Consulting, and Marie Rayner, Director of Project Development and Sustainability Lead at Storyland Studios, to discuss sustainability in the attractions industry, focusing on practical climate action, key risk...

Andy Povey is joined by Andy Zimmerman, CEO of Journey, the global design and innovation agency behind some of the world's most innovative immersive experiences. Andy shares how Journey blends storytelling, technology, and multidisciplinary creativity to transform everything from theme parks and observation decks to healthcare and live entertainment. They discuss the shift from digital to real-wor...

Andy Povey is joined by Debs Griffin, Director of Sundown Adventureland, to explore a family-run theme park shaped by three generations of women. The conversation covers its growth into a leading destination for young families, alongside insights on expansion, operations, and maintaining a clear focus on imaginative play for children under 10.   Topics Discussed Origins and growth of Sundown Adven...

In this episode, Andy Povey is joined by Matthew Philpott, Head of Marketing at Bristol Zoological Society to discuss the transformation of Bristol Zoological Society and the move from Bristol Zoo Gardens to the larger, conservation focused Bristol Zoo Project. They explore how the new site prioritises animal welfare through natural habitats, the challenges of relocating animals including gorillas...

In this episode of Skip the Queue , Andy Povey is joined by Donna Speed, CEO of We The Curious, to explore how curiosity can transform visitor experiences. Following major challenges, including COVID-19 and a devastating fire in 2022, the organisation rebuilt with a strong community-first approach, taking science directly to people through outreach while the venue was closed. The conversation focu...

In this episode of Skip the Queue , Andy Povey speaks with Greg Hall from Universal Creative and Max MacEwan from Framestore about the creation of Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe . Inspired by the legacy of Universal Monsters , they explore how storytelling, technology, and psychology come together to create a thrilling yet re-rideable attraction. The conversation highlights the importanc...

In this episode of Skip the Queue , host Andy Povey is joined by Robbie Jones from Katapult to discuss how guest insights and psychology shape the design of modern visitor attractions. Robbie shares how Katapult works with IPs, theme parks and destinations to create experiences that focus on guest behaviour, emotions and expectations. The conversation centres on a groundbreaking four-year research...

In this special International Women’s Day episode of Skip the Queue , guest host Claire Furnival brings together four leaders from across the global visitor attractions industry to discuss progress, challenges and what comes next. Joining Claire are Emily Popovich of KMI International, Rachael Hamilton of Rise AV, Liz Sanchez Rasking of Looking Glass Strategies and Entertainment SHE-nanigans, and...

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Ray Hole of Ray Hole Architects for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about strategy, storytelling and the true economics of experience design. Key Topics Discussed The “Camelot” collaboration model in attraction development Experience economy vs. pure economics Primacy and recency effects in guest psychology Designing the...

In this live episode of Skip the Queue , recorded at the Association of Cultural Enterprises Conference, Andy Povey is joined by Richard Paterson, Chief Operating Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, to explore the delicate balance between commercial performance and heritage protection. Richard shares practical, real-world strategies for running sustainable cultural attractions in a challe...

In this episode of Skip the Queue , Andy Povey is joined by Mark Lofthouse, Creative Director and Business & Client Strategy Manager at RWS Global , a global entertainment company delivering experiences across attractions, live events and destination design. Mark shares his journey into the attractions industry, from starting out in haunted attractions as a teenager to leading creative strategy on...

In this episode of Skip the Queue , Andy Povey is joined by Simon Egan , Project Development Fellow at CAPCO , the creative studio behind some of the UK’s most immersive and story-led play environments. Simon shares his unexpected journey into the attractions industry, from co-creating the much-loved BeWILDerwood to founding CAPCO and championing play as a powerful driver of social connection, wel...

In this episode of Skip the Queue , Andy Povey explores how visitor attractions can improve website performance in 2026 using insight from the 4th Visitor Attractions Website Survey . Andy is joined by two contributors to the report: Simon Jones , Managing Director at Navigate Steve Mills , Director at Decision House They break down what visitors expect from attraction websites, how digital behavi...

This special Monday release of Skip the Queue marks Blue Monday , often labelled the most depressing day of the year. But is Blue Monday real, or just clever marketing? Andy Povey is joined by Emma Newell , Chair of the TEA Wellness Council , to unpack the truth behind Blue Monday and explore a much bigger issue facing the attractions industry: burnout . Key Topics Covered:  The truth about Blue M...

Step into the woods with us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s most iconic winter light trails: Windsor Great Park Illuminated . In this episode of Skip the Queue , Paul Marden is joined on-site by Rob Paul , Design Director at LCI Productions , and Kathryn Stafford , Senior Events Manager at IMG Events , to discuss how this 2.2km light trail continues to evolve, surprise and delight...

In this episode of Skip the Queue , Andy Povey is joined by Melissa Oviedo (TEA), Martin Palicki (InPark Magazine), and Ed Chih (ECA) to discuss the TEA Global Experience Index and trends shaping the attractions industry in 2026. Key Topics Covered: Overview of the TEA Global Experience Index and global attendance trends Shifts in guest expectations and evolving experiences Rise of immersive IP-dr...

Andy Povey is joined by two guests at the forefront of this space: Rob Liddell, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Science Unit, and Simon Clarke, Creative Director and Founder of Moonraker VFX. Fresh from announcing their new creative partnership, they’re here to share what happens when world-class storytelling meets cutting-edge visual effects in the world of immersive experiences.   Show Referen...