The Season Pass: The Essential Theme Park Podcast

Nick's ERT: Derren Brown's Ghost Train Media Night (With Spoilers)   Join Nick and friends (Keiron, Joss, Bob, Jon and many others) as they are let loose at the opening of Derren Brown's Ghost Train at Thorpe Park Resort.  This attraction has been three years in the making with over 1000 professionals involved.  It features virtual reality from HTC Vive and Figment; Ride motion from Intamin and Si...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* Doug Barnes and Arthur Levine of ThemeParks. About.com interview the original journalist (the O.J.) of the amusement industry—Author and Historian, Tim O'Brien. Discussion on how Tim got involved with the industry of amusement and theme parks, writing for the amazing Amusement Business publication, writing biographies on some of the most important figures in parks, marketing f...

It's the very first Season Pass Bonus episode...the Bonus Pass...I guess...uh, Murph Gantly joins Doug Barnes and Robert Coker to discuss Fake Theme Park's new video "I'm a Theme Park Pricness!" Enjoy this "special" episode of TSPP. Links: I'm a Theme Park Princess video by Fake Theme Park Fake Theme Park Facebook Page

*Subscribe @ iTunes* Coverage of the Knott's Berry Farm Ghost Town 75th Anniversary media event, on June 9th, 2016: Hosted by Doug Barnes and ThemeParkReview.com 's Rick West. Reviews of Ghost Town Alive, the freshly renovated Ghostrider wooden coaster, and the restored, renewed, Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. This show also includes interviews with Raffi Kaprelyan (Former GM, Knott's/Are...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* It's Day 1 of the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) Summit and Thea Awards - Focus on TEA Growth, Industry by the Numbers, the TEA AECOM Index, Thea Classic Award, and Ethics, Ethos…and the Elephant in the Room.  Interviews with: Jennie Nevin (COO, TEA) Steve Birket (VP, Birket Engineering/International Board President, TEA) Judy Rubin (InPark Magazine Editor/PR & Publica...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* TSPP is BACK, after a long hiatus! It's Press Pass 2016 - Brent and Robert review their first hand peek at the biggest attraction of the year, Shanghai Disneyland: TRON and Pirates galore! Plus, Doug has Live Coverage from the Mass Effect: New Earth media event at California's Great America; includes interviews w/ Christian Diekmann (VP of Strategic Growth at Cedar Fair), Nath...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* It's all about the premier of the NEW Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. Full audio of the opening event, plus the entire opening ceremony (with John Williams conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra), plus a review of the new immersive land with Seth Kubersky (Author of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando/Touring Plans), Tom Felton...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* The Seasoned Pros return with a new theme park list, this time, it’s all about EATS!  We look at the best theme parks and resorts for food and eateries.  Along with Arthur Levine of themeparks.about.com and Joel Bullock of coastercritic.com , special guest, Seth Kubersky of touringplans.com and the author The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, joins the group to narrow dow...

Join nick and Shawn as they discuss the year's theme park progress, with everything from Derren Brown's ghost train hype, Pandamonium at Chessington (which Nick scored the music for - because Nick does theme park audio) as well as talk of future trips for Nick and Shawn. 

*Subscribe @ iTunes* One of the most important pieces to creating a living immersive environment in the themed entertainment world is music. Music is the universal language that can engage emotion, promote excitement, evoke fear, and generate lasting memories.  Yessian  Music’s whole purpose is to transform an experience into a magical, multi-dimensional venture.  This episode, Doug and Brent sit...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* J ack Lindquist was not only the first President of Disneyland, but one of the most important innovators of theme park marketing. This podcast is a tribute to the amazing spokesperson that the themed entertainment industry lost on February 28, 2016. Here’s a recording of the 2013 IAAPA Disney Legends Panel, from Orlando, Florida. The presentation is based on the “Year of the A...

Join Nick as he sits down with Pete Cliff - the entertainments creative manager at the Alton Towers Resort - as he discusses how he and Nick created Scarefest (with Nick composing), what the mazes entailed and what the future may hold.   A bit of halloween in Spring always goes down well!   You’ll also hear a preview of a new song Pete and Nick have created for the Splash Landings hotel! 

*Subscribe @ iTunes* Here’s the Remastered copy of the infamous TSPP #28: The Barry Braverman Interview. Here’s the summary of the show, from May 19, 2008: On today’s episode  we have 2 former Disney Imagineers in the discussion room – Ryan Harmon (Creative Director and Principal of Zeitgeist)  returns to the Season Pass Discussion Room & a very Special appearance from Barry Braverman (Creative Co...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* It’s the return of Chad Emerson (Author of Project Future) and Emerson’s Disney Files! Discussion on the biggest theme park “Arms Race” we’ve ever witnessed: Disney Parks vs. Universal Studios. It’s Star Wars vs. Harry Potter, Avatar vs. King Kong, Pixar vs. Nintendo…Exciting!! A great look back at 2015, but a huge look into the future of this Themed Entertainment War! Brands...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* TSPP IS BACK For 2016! You should listen to this episode and then check out the happenings at the TEA, aka, Themed Entertainment Association. This episode, the guys get excited about the future of the TEA, but also, release the remaining conversations and interviews from the TEA Summit/Thea Awards of 2015, including: 2015 Buzz Price Thea Award Honoree Ron Miziker, Walt Disney...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* TSPP Did you know that the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World was created from being pissed-off?  Well it’s true. The Unofficial Guide returns for its second TSPP in a row!  This time we have the creator of the Unofficial Guide, himself, Bob Sehlinger.  Seth Kubersky returns, as well, to discuss the creation and history of the Unofficial Guide and its many renditions, plus,...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* TSPP is back with TouringPlans.com and the Unofficial Guide!  This episode we talk with authors Seth Kubersky and Guy Selga Jr., to discuss their careers in the industry and the newest compliments to the Unofficial Guide library The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando and the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2016!  Tons of Star Wars and Back to the Future talk included.  Enjoy...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* PGAV Returns to TSPP to discuss one of our favorite parks, Holiday World!  Mike Linenbroker (PGAV Senior Project Architect/Attraction Designer) and April Neil (PGAV Designer of Guest Experience) share their careers, PGAV Destinations, Past Projects, Holiday World, and their latest project Thunderbird! Links: PGAV Destinations Holiday World Touring Plans Walt Disney Birthplace ...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* The final podcast from Scare LA 2015— The Legend of Disneyland’s Hatbox Ghost! This presentation dives into the origin, creation, destruction, recreation and installation of the infamous ghoulish animatronic.  A panel conversation with Tony Baxter (Disney Legend/Imagineer), Daniel Joseph (Current Walt Disney Imagineer), and Fan Favorites Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily.  The present...

Nick Hutson and Robert Coker discuss the ERT (European Road Trip) that took place in August.  Join them for a three hour mega discussion! In a space of 7 days Nick and Robert visited 12 attractions across three different countries! They were, in no particular order, Madame Tussauds, Shrek's Adventure, Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park, The London Eye, Sea Life London. The...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* TSPP Returns to the OFFICIAL HOME of The Season Pass Podcast, Knott’s Berry Farm.  Discussion on the 2015 version of Knott’s Scary Farm’s Haunt, Plus plenty o’ guests: Elvira Returns for Elvira’s Asylum Lisa Heath- Knott’s Stage Director Gus Krueger- Designer of Dead of Winter John Cooke- Designer of Paranormal Inc/Special Ops: Infected HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Enjoy! The New TSPP A...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* Window To The Magic returns to Knott’s Scary Farm’s Haunt for the Season Pass Podcast to “ Surround Yourself With The Macabre! ” Binaural audio walk-throughs of Knott’s Haunt mazes ( In Audio Order ) w/ Skeleton Key Rooms :  The Gunslinger’s Grave: A Blood Moon Rises Pinocchio Unstrung Forevermore Paranormal Inc. Tooth Fairy Dead of Winter Black Magic My Bloody Clementine Voya...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* To celebrate Halloween, TSPP is at the biggest Halloween Convention in California, SCARE LA 2015!  Sounds from the floor, haunts, classes and more. Special appearances by David Markland (Co-Founder of Scare LA/Owner of Creepy LA), Ryan Batcheller (Owner/Lead Artist/Designer of Virtual Screams), Field of Screams’ Jeremy & Zach,  The Curse of Devil Swamp’s Lucas & Jose, Drunken...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* It's STILL Halloween! TSPP is at Six Flags Magic Mountain for the first ever episode based on Fright Fest at the super thrill park. Doug and Robert talk with the Scott Ramp, the head of Make-Up for Fright Fest & the owner of The Scream Team, and Mark Wing, the Creative Director for Six Flags Magic Mountain Entertainment, do discuss the event and their careers. There's also a r...

*Subscribe @ iTunes* It’s Halloween Again! TSPP begins the huge 2015 Haunt Adventure with a “Versus” Review! This episode is all about Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood and Halloween Scare Nights at Fake Theme Park! CEO and Owner of Fake Theme Park, Murph Gantly, joins Doug, Brent and Robert, for insight on the Halloween event at his park, plus his thoughts on the world famous...