The Light Em And Hide Theme Park Podcast

Howdy, partners!  I rode the newly reopened Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on opening day… and then went back for my second ride just one day later.  In this episode, I share: - My raw, immediate second time ride reaction (silky smooth but surprisingly quiet) - The queue details, interactive elements, and why some kids (and parents) were losing it - My updated thoughts after the second ride + seein...

Live from Magic Kingdom's Frontierland during the opening weeks of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's 2026 reopening. We're on-location right after the May 3, 2026 grand reopening following the major mountain-top-to-cavern refurbishment. Hear our raw first-ride impressions, smoother new track, refreshed trains, enhanced effects, lowered height requirement (now 38 inches), updated queue, and all the n...

Planning a Walt Disney World trip for late spring or summer 2026? This episode is your complete guide to Cool Kids' Summer 2026 at Walt Disney World (May 26 – September 8). We break down the must-see new shows, real-world planning tips, Bluey accessibility advice, ride updates, and the best current hotel and ticket deals for both Florida residents and everyone else. Jessie's Roundup at Magic Kingd...

This episode was recorded live at Epcot Center at 9:06 AM on the Wednesday before Easter. The park was already packed and way times were at 105 minutes. Five minutes after park open to regular guests. I sat down at my favorite bench and thought about how lucky I was to be sitting on a bench at Epcot in the 75° sun, looking at a statue of Walt Disney. My friend and I were able to get on six rides t...

Found an old photo the other day of the family at Walt Disney World celebrating my aunt's 60th birthday. I wasn't on that trip myself, but seeing everyone together—smiles, park energy, all in one spot—hit hard years later. With my aunt and some others gone now, it brought back what it represented: getting a scattered family reunited for something special, the meals and rides that made it last, and...

Opening week at Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2026. Aengus said screw the Boston deep freeze, hopped a plane on a whim, and we went live while he finally tried the beignets the kids talked about in the last episode. Pork skewers burning, sugar all over us, ten-plus years of doing this together. Easily one of the funniest episodes we've ever done. If you're freezing your butt off up north and need a...

Live from Universal Mardi Gras Day 1 w/ Kids  Recorded right in the park on opening weekend of Mardi Gras 2026. My son Litem Jr (11) and daughter Little Litem (16) join me for this quick 13-minute chat straight from Universal Studios Florida. We talk about how great the place looks right now, the music, how killer the king cake and fresh beignets were (honest thoughts on taste, size, price), plus...

In this quick 15-minute update, I walk through every major closure, refurbishment, reopening, and permanent change happening at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort from January 19 through the end of February 2026. If you're booking a winter or early spring 2026 trip, this episode is for you. I cover exact dates, reasons for closures, and how they impact your plans—based only on confirme...

10-Minute Emergency Last-Minute Orlando Gifts (Arrives by the 25th at the time I record this. Guys – it's crunch time. Six days to Christmas. You still need something for the park vet in your life (or yourself) that doesn't make you have to get in the car and battle mall traffic or even hit the post office. Here's the quick list from my own Linktree shop – everything I actually use and trust: The...

A real recap of my Thanksgiving trip to Universal Orlando and Cabana Bay—check-in was a nightmare, but the feast, parade, and holiday vibes made it worth it. Hacks for your Christmas trips inside. Family-friendly, no fluff. Timestamps 00:28 – Intro & trip overview 00:58 – Thank you to Cabana Bay team members 01:30 – JetBlue flight in (no surprises) 01:50 – Check-in chaos at Cabana Bay (online chec...

It's Christmas season in Orlando, and we're keeping it upbeat. No whining about prices, just real dad hacks for getting the most out of Disney and Universal holidays with a 16-year-old and an 11-year-old. Rope-drop tricks, food that won't break you, quiet spots when you need a breather, and why the classics still win—even when Velocicoaster takes the poll. If you're planning Thanksgiving, Christma...

Thanksgiving at Universal Orlando 2025: Dining, Events, & Crowd Management Hacks Episode Title: Thanksgiving at Universal Orlando 2025: Dining, Events, & Crowd Management Hacks Episode Number: S11 E1 Release Date: Nov 16, 2025 Runtime: 15:30 Host: Litem (Orlando Dad) Category: Places & Travel (Society & Culture) Episode Summary: Litem breaks down Thanksgiving 2025 at Universal Orlando (Nov 27)— ch...

This episode is dedicated to saving all of you from yourselves if you are even thinking about buying a next-generation Harry Potter wand.  A 15-minute rant on the state of the wizarding world and how that section of the park has become a nightmare in all three Universal Studios parks in Florida.  Save yourself the money and loss of sanity. Not for those who don't like rants. This one ain't positiv...

Litem Jr and I review the Happiest Place on Turf! We had the fortune of crossing something off my bucket list. I've wanted to play a real Disney Golf course at Walt Disney World since I was his age and saw people teeing off from the monorail. What to avoid, what to expect, and how to save money. Enjoy one more piece of the magic and come along with us. May the Course Be With You!

Is fall a good time to visit the Florida Disney parks? YES!! Thinking of visiting Universal Orlando? Take that unexpected trip. What to expect from the weather, crowd level, and cost of hotels during each of the next 3 mos. If you can stand the heat, have some patience, and know what weekends to avoid, it's the best time of the year for your wallet. 

Part 2 of our trip report on EPIC UNIVERSE. Thoughts on how to stay cool in the new park (It's really hard to do during summer), Pizza Moon being "mid", and the kids' favorite Team Member interactions. Overall, the trip for AP Previews was a huge success, and we are all looking forward to heading back in the Fall. Enjoy!

The kids and I were fortunate enough to visit EPIC Universe during passholder previews. Would the park work out for teens and pre-teens? I'll let them tell you. In this episode, they discuss how they found out they were going and what it was like walking into Orlando's newest theme park. Dark Universe is our first installment of the series. Each one will be no longer than 30 minutes. Enjoy

I just had to record while visiting Disney World's most amazing hotels. Listen to the sounds, imagine the sights, and relive the magic of what is truly the crown jewel of the Walt Disney World Resort. The sounds of music, animals, cast members, and all the smells just came rushing back as I was editing this one. It's very short, but I hope it brings you fond memories. Jambo!

Universal Team Members aren't as well-known as their counterparts over at Disney World for guest service. In recent years, we have really had some out of this world experiences with Team Members at Universal Studios Orlando. This episode is a quick story about what a senior Team Leader did out of the blue at my family's second favorite attraction. You can love both places, and there are Cast Membe...

20 minute trip report on Day 2 of the Cabana Bay Staycation. This episode has a pop up shop for Team Members and Universal Annual Passholders with 50% discounts on tons of merchandise. Located RIGHT IN THE PARK. Where? Take a listen to find this hidden gem. (Think Cast Connection for Disney Cast, but open to the public inside Universal Studios)  Also MARDIS GRAS PARADE!!! All the details and why w...

Spring Break 2025! Decided to skip a trip to Disneyland in CA, and stick around Orlando this year. Litem Jr and Little Litem both had a blast checking into the towers overlooking Volcano Bay on this trip. The first of a few 20 minute episodes; this one features the St Paddy's Day scene at Finnegan's in USF, Pat O'Brien's dueling pianos featuring Irish tunes, and the rough start we had using the bu...

My trip to Disney Springs was interrupted by an incident that was so funny I had to report. Hope it makes you laugh. No country bears or pretzel bites were harmed in the recording of this quick podcast. 

Just a quick hello from a few locations as I relaxed in the sun and enjoyed the blessings of a beautiful day at some of my favorite places. Enjoy, and if you can afford it, buy at Copper Creek. I was shocked and someday I would like to have a piece of that peace.  

Litem Jr and I talk about a rare crowd level three (empty park pretty much) at Universal Studios Orlando. The costumes, the props, the Grinch, and the new Holiday Celestina Warbeck party. Enjoy

Greetings from ground zero of The GREAT STINK OFF. A tongue in cheek at the Run Disney and Halloween Horror Nights events which are going on today here in Orlando Florida. Who is the most ripe? the guests who just ran 10 kilometers in the Florida heat, or the folks in all black HHN garb that have been sweating all day in the hopes of being first in line for  Holiday decorations are up at the Walt...