The Attractions Group Podcast

🎙️ Calling all haunt fans and creative minds! 🎙️👻 🎃 Get ready for the thrilling conclusion of our "Behind the Scare" series on the Attractions Group Podcast! This week, host Clete Reinberger sits down with the legendary Scott Swenson of Scott Swenson Creative Development for an incredible interview you won't want to miss. Scott's insights into the world of immersive entertainment and scare desig...

🚀 HUGE Attractions Group Podcast Alert! 🚀 He's back! You absolutely need to tune in as hosts Clete Reinberger & David Detling sit down once again with Matt Eckert, President & CEO of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari! We dive into what makes Holiday World unique, how the park continues to innovate, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape the guest journey. Whether you’re an ind...

Prepare for a terrifyingly good time! 🎃 The Attractions Group Podcast Halloween Series, "Behind the Scare," is back with a new episode! Hosts David Detling and Clete Reinberger pull back the curtain on one of the Southwest's premier haunted events, Nightfall at Old Tucson. We sit down with Tony Sanders to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce this massive Halloween event in a h...

Join the Attractions Group Podcast hosts, Clete Reinberger and David Detling, for a fascinating conversation with industry veteran Matt Heller! Matt is the host of the incredibly popular AttractionPros Podcast and the founder of "The Performance Optimist," a resource dedicated to helping leaders create exceptional teams and guest experiences in the attractions industry. In this episode, Clete and...

Join us on a spine-chilling journey "Behind the Scare"! In this episode, the Attractions Group Podcast welcomes Brewer Lister and Chris Brown from Hersheypark for an exclusive deep dive into the creation of their hit Halloween event, Dark Nights. Learn the secrets of bringing the scares to life at this popular haunt experience. Brewer and Chris pull back the curtain on the design, storytelling, an...

Step into the fog with The Attractions Group Podcast! 🎃 Hosts David Detling and Clete Reinberger are back with another chilling episode of "Behind the Scare," and this time, they're joined by the ultimate expert in all things theme park technology, Matt Miller (America's Theme Park Technologist).   In this spine-tingling conversation, they dive deep into the highly anticipated "Universal's Horror...

Get ready for some pumpkin-spiced secrets! 🎃 In this episode of the "Behind the Scare" Halloween series, David Detling and Clete Reinberger dive into the world of Dollywood's stunning "Great Pumpkin Luminights." We're excited to welcome special guest Wes Ramey from Dollywood as he takes us on a journey "gourd" behind the scenes. Discover the magic, the artistry, and the incredible effort that goe...

Prepare for a terrifyingly good time! The Attractions Group Podcast "Behind the Scare" series is back with a spine-chilling new episode... #5. Hosts David Detling and Clete Reinberger sit down with the masters of fright and fun, Chief Creative Officer, Rich Hill and Drew Hunter from Sally Dark Rides. Get ready to go behind the scenes of some of the most iconic dark rides and animatronics in the wo...

Tune in to a fascinating conversation on the Attractions Group Podcast with special guest Elizabeth Ringas, President of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE)! Hosts David Detling and Clete Reinberger dive deep into the world of theme parks, addressing the recent news of two historic attractions closing: the beloved Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park and the iconic Log Flume at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. T...

Prepare for a terrifyingly good time! In Episode 3 of the Attractions Group Podcast, "Behind the Scare," we're diving headfirst into the world of Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights. We're thrilled to be joined by a true expert, Cassie Tucker from the Discover Universal Podcast! She'll be sharing incredible, behind-the-scenes insights into what it takes to create the world's premier Hallowe...

Join Attractions Group Podcast hosts Clete and David for a special episode of "Behind the Gourd," the sub-series of "Behind the Scare" that focuses on family-friendly fall festivities. In this episode, they sit down with Lauren Crosby, Fourth-Generation Owner and Director of Entertainment and Events at Holiday World, to get an exclusive look at the park's Happy Halloween Weekends. Lauren shares al...

"Behind the Scare": A Halloween Series by Attractions Group Podcast   🎃 Welcome to Behind the Scare, the ultimate Halloween series from the Attractions Group Podcast! This October, we’re pulling back the curtain on the haunted attraction industry to bring you exclusive stories and spine-chilling insights from the people who live and breathe Halloween. In our very first episode, we sit down with D...

Join us on the Attractions Group Podcast for an exclusive interview with Matt Miller, a true visionary in the themed entertainment industry! 🎢 Previously a leader at Orlando Informer, Matt is now the Director of Creative Strategy & Portfolio at Innovated Studios, where he continues to shape the future of theme parks. In this episode, Matt breaks down the fascinating role of a "Theme Park Tech...

We’re back with Season 5 of the Attractions Group Podcast! To kick things off, we dive into Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia — a park with a unique mix of thrills, family fun, and immersive experiences. In this episode, we cover: - Six Flags spending cuts - What makes Wild Adventures stand out in the regional park landscape - The park’s blend of rides, animals, and entertainment - Insights int...

In the Season 4 finale of the Attractions Group Podcast, hosts Clete Reinberger and David Detling are wrapping up an incredible season and looking ahead to the future! This week, we dive into the latest and greatest in the theme park world, including: - New SeaWorld Parks: What's on the horizon for SeaWorld? Clete and David discuss the company's new ventures and what it means for the industry and...

In this fascinating replay from March 2023, we sit down with a true disruptor in the world of entertainment—pro wrestling legend and media mogul, Eric Bischoff! While he's best known for his role in the Monday Night Wars and creating the NWO, Eric's insights go far beyond the wrestling ring. In this episode, Eric proves that not all attractions involve roller coasters. We dive deep into the busine...

This week on the Attractions Group Podcast, David and Clete are back! Clete just returned from an A detailed recap of Clete's 15-park East Coast trip Reviews of coasters and attractions at Six Flags, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, and more! Tips for planning a multi-park theme park road trip The best and worst of the "Slammer" experience Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more theme...

Get ready to elevate your guest experience! This is your chance to catch the replay of our dynamic webinar from The Attractions Group, featuring Dan Cockerell. In "Delivering World-Class Experiences with Consistency," Dan, a seasoned former Disney World Vice President, unpacks his proven strategies for consistently creating unforgettable moments and exceptional service. Whether you're an attractio...

Step back to 2023 for a truly insightful conversation on the Attractions Group Podcast! In this compelling episode, former SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby dives deep into the principles of his powerful book, "Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders." Join hosts Ryan Suhr, Don Helbig (David Detling in the "third chair") as they unpack Joel Manby's unique leadership philosophy. Discover...

Get ready for a double dose of thrill and theme park insight! In this week's episode of The Attractions Group Podcast, hosts Clete Reinberger and David Detling dive deep into the exciting world of roller coasters. First up, they break down Legoland's highly anticipated new indoor roller coaster, discussing all the details revealed about this groundbreaking attraction set to open in 2026. Then, Cle...

Get ready for a mind-bending conversation with Jon Salisbury, CEO and Chief AI Officer, on the latest episode of the Attractions Group Podcast! In this exclusive interview, Jon dives deep into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the attractions industry. Discover cutting-edge insights on: The future of theme parks and attractions with AI integration How AI is enhancing visitor expe...

This 4th of July week, buckle up with Clete Reinberger and David Detling on the Attractions Group Podcast for an explosive discussion on everything happening in the world of theme parks and attractions! Get ready for deep dives into breaking attractions industry news and analysis you won't hear anywhere else. We're tearing into the monumental Six Flags & Cedar Fair merger, exploring the impact...

Get ready for an episode that transcends traditional boundaries! the Attractions Group Podcast is thrilled to welcome back Chuck Mingo, from Crossroads Church in Cincinnati. Crossroads is renowned for its ability to create incredibly immersive environments, and Chuck joins hosts David Detling and Clete Reinberger to unpack the key elements of immersive design and storytelling. Discover how a large...

Thrilled to share our latest podcast episode featuring John Dunlap, CEO of Five Star Parks & Attractions! 🎧 We dive deep into the exciting world of family entertainment centers, discussing the strategic vision behind Five Star's rapid growth, their commitment to guest experience, and the future of the attractions industry. You won't want to miss John's insights on leadership, innovation, and...

from 2021. (fast forward to about 5:30 in the recording. It was very early on in our Webinar days and it didn't get rolling until after the 5 minute mark).   Before the Attractions Group did podcasting, as an outgrowth from the challenges of the Pandemic- the Attractions Group conducted a series of Zoom Webinars featuring known industry professionals. Step into the magic of unparalleled Guest Serv...