Where In The Park Podcast - Discovering the Details of your Favorite Theme Parks

What happens when you visit four different theme parks in just three days to experience one of the biggest holidays of the year? That's exactly what we set out to do over Fourth of July weekend! Join us as we compare the Independence Day celebrations at Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure , exploring how each park puts its own uniq...

It’s Kevin’s birthday week, and we’re celebrating with a special episode all about one of the creators behind Where In The Park! 🎉 This week, Amanda and Kim put Kevin in the hot seat with a fun round of questions covering everything from his favorite theme park memories and must-do attractions to the creation of Where In The Park and the little details that make the parks so special. Learn more a...

In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , we continue our Windows With A View series along Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, exploring the dedication windows hidden around the Carnation Café courtyard. Discover the stories behind Fred Joerger , Disneyland's legendary rockwork expert; the mysterious "Sam the Tailor" window that many believe may reference Disney Legend Sam M...

Welcome to the Park Press episode for June 2026 of the Where In The Park Podcast—your source for everything happening at WITP! In this episode, we’re sharing some exciting new updates at WITP, including our newest member of the team! Then, we dive into our theme park connections during our road trip to Rogue Comic Con, upcoming events in June and July, and what's on tap for the WITP Podcast....

This week on the Where In The Park Podcast, Amanda takes a heartfelt and detailed look at the life and legacy of Roger Tofte, creator of Enchanted Forest — the beloved family-owned theme park nestled in the forests of Oregon. From Roger’s early life in Wisconsin and service in the Navy during the Korean War, to hand-building Enchanted Forest alongside his wife Mavis and their children, this episod...

Join Kevin as the EPCOT World Showcase series continues with a deep dive into the China Pavilion. From the massive paifang gate and the Temple of Heaven-inspired theater to roof guardians, Fu Dogs, hidden Chinese symbolism, and the history behind Nine Dragons Restaurant, this episode explores how Disney Imagineers brought elements of ancient China into the park.  In this episode, you’ll discover:...

Join Amanda and Kevin as they sit down with Lynn Barron, co-host of The Sweep Spot podcast and co-author of the Cleaning the Kingdom books, for a deep dive into the history and evolution of the legendary Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. This episode focuses heavily on the Universal backlot experience — from classic attractions and retired effects to filmmaking history, tram tour evoluti...

**SPOILER WARNING** Join Kevin & Amanda as we give a full recap from Fan Fest 2026 at Universal Studios Hollywood and dive into the history behind some of the properties found at this year's event!  In this episode, you'll discover: - what we ate and how we scored each item - what we saw, what we enjoyed, and some suggestions for next year - some tips to make your experience even mor...

Welcome to the Park Press episode for April 2026 of the Where In The Park Podcast—your monthly source for everything happening at WITP! In this episode, we’re sharing some updates on two previous episodes of the podcast, specifically updates about locations at Universal Studios parks dedicated to Jay Stein and Irvine Thalberg. We’ll also cover the fun events we have attended since our last Park Pr...

In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , we continue our Windows With A View series along Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. This section of the park tells a surprising mix of stories—spanning community, archives, medicine… and even a few unexpected mysteries. We explore the legacy of Mary Anne Mang , the driving force behind the Disney VoluntEARS program, and Dave Smith , the founding a...

Before Marvel became a movie empire, it was a comic book company fighting to survive—and somehow, that story eventually led to Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure . In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , Kevin takes us back to the very beginning of comic books, the rise of Timely Comics , the creation of Marvel’s most iconic heroes, and the business decisions t...

In this next stop around EPCOT’s World Showcase, Kim takes us inside the Norway Pavilion — a space filled with Viking history, stunning architecture, hidden details, and a surprising amount of real Norwegian influence. From early plans for a Denmark pavilion to the eventual opening of Norway in 1988, this episode explores how the pavilion came to life and why it feels so immersive. Along the way,...

Welcome to the very first Park Press episode of the Where In The Park Podcast —your new monthly source for everything happening at WITP! In this episode, we’re recapping some of the biggest theme park moments from the past month, including the grand opening of LEGOLAND’s Space Land, seasonal festivals like SeaWorld San Diego’s Seven Seas Food Festival, and Knott’s Boysenberry Festival.  We’ll also...

In the previous episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , we explored several buildings along the entrance street at Universal Studios Hollywood . But many of those facades carry names of Laemmle and Thalberg - names that shaped the entire movie industry. So who were they? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating stories of Carl Laemmle , the founder of Universal Studios, and Irving Thalberg...

On this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , we continue our walk down the entrance corridor of Universal Studios Hollywood , uncovering the real-life Hollywood buildings that inspired the park’s facades. From the Art Deco details of the Jack Pierce Makeup Studio and the Laemmle Hollywood Apartments to the Thalberg Talent Agency and the Spanish Colonial Revival influences near Laemmle Court,...

In this deep dive around World Showcase, Amanda explores the rich history, layered storytelling, and architectural inspirations behind one of EPCOT’s most iconic pavilions. From the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair to early EPCOT concept models, government negotiations, and the artists who shaped its identity, we uncover how Mexico became the first stop around the lagoon. Inside the pavilion, we exam...

How did a 19th-century engineering marvel become one of the most surprising thrill rides at a Disney park? In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast, Kevin takes us on a journey from the invention of the wheel in ancient Mesopotamia to the massive Chicago World’s Fair Ferris Wheel of 1893 — and all the way to the swinging gondolas of the Pixar Pal-A-Round at Disney California Adventure. We...

In the final part of our Hooray for Hollywood series, we’re wrapping up our building-by-building tour of Hollywood Boulevard at Universal Studios Florida with one last stretch of stories. In this episode, Amanda explores: 🎩 The Brown Derby Hat Shop and how it connects back to the real Brown Derby restaurants in Los Angeles 🚏 A surprisingly rich story behind the Ivar, Selma, Rodeo, and Hollywood...

After exploring the history of LEGOLAND, we’re continuing the story with someone who helped shape it firsthand. In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , we sit down with D. Mark Snell , a veteran theme park attraction designer who served as the lead attraction designer for LEGOLAND California while working at Jack Rouse Associates . Mark shares what it was like designing a brand-new them...

Long before there were roller coasters, Miniland skylines, and yellow minifigures, there was a small woodworking shop in Billund, Denmark. In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , Kevin takes listeners on a comprehensive journey through the history of LEGOLAND —starting with Ole Kirk Christiansen’s early struggles, the invention of the LEGO brick, and the surprising path that led from fa...

Popcorn is one of the most iconic snacks at Disney parks—but have you ever noticed the tiny figures inside the popcorn carts, quietly turning the drum? In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , Amanda dives into the charming and often-overlooked history of the Roastie-Toasties —the miniature “workers” found inside popcorn carts at Disney parks around the world. We trace their origins all...

Before EPCOT had pavilions, festivals, or a lagoon lined with countries, it was something entirely different. In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast , we’re laying the groundwork for a brand-new monthly series by diving deep into the history of how EPCOT came to be—and why half of the park is dedicated to the World Showcase . From Walt Disney’s original plans for the Experimental Prototy...

The holidays at Disneyland didn’t just appear overnight—they were built thoughtfully, year by year, experiment by experiment. In this episode of the WITP Podcast, we’re focusing exclusively on Disneyland Resort , diving deep into how holiday traditions at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure began, evolved, and became some of the most beloved seasonal experiences in theme park history....

In this special interview episode of the Where In The Park Podcast, Amanda and Kevin sit down with Tyler Carter, Park President of SeaWorld San Diego, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about Christmas Celebration planning, park operations, and guest experience. In this episode, you'll discover: - Tyler's top priorities as Park President - The holiday planning timeline and milestones r...

In this episode of the Where In The Park (WITP) Podcast , Amanda traces the history and evolution of Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego —from the park’s early years and the rise of the SkyTower “Tree of Lights,” through the 1973 energy crisis , and into the modern era of seasonal shows, character experiences, and holiday entertainment. Along the way, we explore milestones like SnowWorld , the shifts...