Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

Vacationeers Theme Parks & More
  • 4.6 (9)
  • Places & Travel
  • Biweekly

Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast discusses topics from vacation trip planning to trip reporting on vacations at theme parks, beaches, cruises, international travel & anywhere else a vacation may take you. We may sprinkle in a little theme park news or a game just for fun.

  1. 3d ago

    VacationScares 283: Howl-O-Scream 2026 at SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens Tampa + A Petrified Forest Scream Park

    🎃 VacationScares continues with three more Central Florida Halloween haunts!  Taxidermied Tom and Jittery Jon are back to share their experiences at A Petrified Forest Scream Park, SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026! First, we head into the woods of Altamonte Springs for A Petrified Forest Scream Park, where this year's Chaos Reigns event features three original scare trails: The Craving, Drawn to Death, and Last Responders. We discuss our experiences at this independently operated Halloween attraction and what makes it different from the major theme park haunts. Next, we're heading to SeaWorld Orlando's Howl-O-Scream 2026 to discuss the haunted houses, scare zones, atmosphere, and our overall experiences at this year's event. Finally, we make our way to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026. We talk about our late-October visit, the haunted houses, scare zones, and how the event delivered as Halloween approached. With three different Halloween events to discuss, there's plenty of spooky fun, opinions, and conversation as we continue wrapping up the 2026 haunt season! 💀 In this episode: A Petrified Forest Scream Park 2026 — Chaos ReignsThe Craving, Drawn to Death & Last RespondersSeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream 2026Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026Haunted houses, scare zones, atmosphere & overall experiencesOur thoughts on Central Florida's Halloween haunt season🎥 Watch our Halloween adventures: A Petrified Forest Scream Park 2026: https://youtu.be/8PxuW1Qe3gs Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026: https://youtu.be/ScTDaCbNdF8 SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream 2026: https://youtu.be/hpdlOq070pQ 🌐 Follow Vacationeers Theme Parks & More! Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom Thanks for joining us for another fright-filled VacationScares episode! So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories!

  2. Oct 22

    VacationScares 282: Why HHN Stay & Scream Is a Game Changer + Ian Returns!

    🎃 VacationScares continues as Ian returns to Vacationeers Theme Parks & More! This week, we’re talking about two of Central Florida’s biggest Halloween events — Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights and SeaWorld Orlando’s Howl-O-Scream. Ian joins Tom to share his experiences at both events, including his thoughts on the houses, scares, atmosphere, and how HHN and Howl-O-Scream compared during his visits. Then Tom breaks down his recent Saturday night at Halloween Horror Nights and why Stay & Scream can be an absolute game changer, especially if you only have ONE night to experience HHN. This year, Stay & Scream works a little differently, with three houses beginning to open as early as 2 PM. Tom and Elena went without Express Passes on a busy holiday weekend, putting the strategy to the test. How much can you actually accomplish before the event officially gets rolling? Is Stay & Scream worth planning your entire HHN night around? And could it make the difference between seeing everything and leaving houses behind? Plus, Ian gives us another perspective on the 2026 Halloween season with his experiences at both HHN and SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream. 👻 IN THIS EPISODE: • Ian returns to Vacationeers Theme Parks & More • Ian’s Halloween Horror Nights 2026 experience • Ian’s SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream experience • Comparing the atmosphere and scares of both events • Tom’s HHN Saturday holiday-weekend visit • How HHN Stay & Scream works in 2026 • Three houses opening beginning at 2 PM • Experiencing HHN without Express • Why Stay & Scream is so valuable for one-night guests • Strategies for getting more done during your HHN visit 🎥 WATCH TOM & ELENA’S HHN STAY & SCREAM VLOG: https://youtu.be/ydR2RzeQ5nk 🎢 TRACK RIDES. COUNT MEMORIES. Track your theme park visits, attraction waits, ratings, trips and more with ThrillLedger: https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ 🎙️ VACATIONEERS THEME PARKS & MORE https://vacationeerspodcast.com 👕 MERCH: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/ 📱 FOLLOW VACATIONEER TOM: X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast Are you ready to ride…? Until we stream again… keep making memories.

    VacationScares 282: Why HHN Stay & Scream Is a Game Changer + Ian Returns!

  3. Oct 15

    VacationScares 281: Halloween Horror Nights 2026 Review & House Rankings

    🎃 VacationScares continues with a full Halloween Horror Nights 2026 roundtable! Tom welcomes Jon Self, along with Kris and Dave from the Adventures by D YouTube channel, to talk all things Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights. We break down our experiences at this year’s event, including what worked, what didn’t, the overall atmosphere, scares, sets, and some of the moments that stood out during our visits. Then it’s time for the big one — our Halloween Horror Nights house rankings! With four different people around the table, you can probably guess that we don’t agree on everything. We compare our rankings, defend some choices, question others, and see which houses rise to the top of the group. 👻 In this episode: • Our overall thoughts on Halloween Horror Nights 2026 • What stood out from this year’s event • Favorite scares, sets, themes, and moments • Houses that exceeded our expectations • Houses that didn’t quite work for us • Tom’s house rankings • Jon’s house rankings • Kris and Dave’s house rankings • Where we agree — and where we definitely don’t A huge thanks to Kris and Dave from Adventures by D for joining us for this year’s HHN discussion! 🎃 VacationScares is Vacationeers Theme Parks & More’s celebration of Halloween events, haunted attractions, spooky experiences, and everything that goes bump in the theme parks. 👍 If you enjoy the episode, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more theme park news, reviews, vlogs, livestreams, and VacationScares adventures. 🌐 Vacationeers Theme Parks & More https://vacationeerspodcast.com 🎃 VacationScares https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationscares/ 🎢 ThrillLedger – Track rides. Count memories. https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ 👕 Vacationeers Merch https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/ 📱 Follow Vacationeer Tom X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast 📱 Follow Jon Self Instagram: @jon.self.37 X: @pastorjonself Until we stream again… keep making memories.

    VacationScares 281: Halloween Horror Nights 2026 Review & House Rankings

  4. Oct 1

    VTPM280: X2 Is Gone, Busch Gardens President Gone Too? & Golden Ticket Awards

    This week on Vacationeers Theme Parks & More, Tom and Jon have a packed episode with major coaster news, another possible leadership shakeup at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and the results of the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards. We start with breaking news from Six Flags Magic Mountain, where X2 has been permanently retired. The one-of-a-kind 4D coaster had already been closed for months, but Six Flags has now confirmed that one of the park’s most recognizable attractions will not reopen. We look back at what made X2 so unique and what its loss means for a park built around its massive coaster lineup. Then we head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where Jon’s reporting at Main Street Magic indicates that park president Jon Vigue may already be leaving the position, despite only being officially introduced in June. United Parks & Resorts has not publicly confirmed a departure, and details surrounding the situation remain unclear, but if the report proves accurate it would continue an extraordinary stretch of turnover in the BGT president’s office. Main Street Magic And to close the episode, we dive into the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards. Central Florida had a huge showing this year, with VelociCoaster, Iron Gwazi and Stardust Racers all ranking among the Top 10 steel coasters, while Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment took Best Dark Ride. We go through the major winners, Florida’s rankings, and discuss what the results say about the current state of the theme park and coaster industry. Along the way, we also cover: 🎢 Old Town Kissimmee being sold 🎢 Fun Spot Atlanta’s liquidation 🎃 LEGOLAND Florida’s Halloween overlay for The Dragon 🌊 Kyle Miller being named President of United Parks & Resorts 👻 SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream getting national attention 🍔 Five Guys opening at Universal CityWalk 🎭 Universal Mardi Gras 2027 running one week shorter 🏛️ Continued demolition of The Lost Continent 🦍 Skull Island: Reign of Kong reopening without its Kong finale 🤖 Disney developing an AI-powered vacation-planning tool 👹 New Monstropolis and Glob Theater details 🧸 Toy Story 5 music arriving at Alien Swirling Saucers 🚂 Walt Disney World Railroad refurbishment 🐅 Bakso leaving Disney’s Animal Kingdom 🍽️ Disney dining updates 🌐 Disney’s continuing S.E.A. mystery 🎂 Walt Disney World celebrating its 55th anniversary 🎙️ Join Tom and Jon for VTPM280! Follow Vacationeers Theme Parks & More🌐 https://vacationeerspodcast.com ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast 𝕏: https://x.com/VacationeerTom 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast Follow Jon📸 Instagram: @jon.self.37 𝕏: @pastorjonself ThrillLedgerTrack rides. Count memories. Track your park visits, attractions, posted and actual wait times, ratings, notes, stats and more with ThrillLedger. https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ Free version available.

  5. Sep 15

    VTPM279: ArieForce One SOLD! Epic Universe Deals, Disney Animation & More Theme Park News

    Six Flags bought ArieForce One, Universal is offering Florida residents a cheaper way into Epic Universe, Disney has opened The Magic of Disney Animation, and that's only the beginning of a packed theme park news episode! On Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast Episode 279, Tom and Jon catch up on the biggest theme park stories from the first half of September. 🎢 Regional Park News • Six Flags purchases ArieForce One and plans to relocate the RMC coaster • Six Flags Magic Mountain announces the new Thrill Glider coaster • California's Great America confirms operations into 2027 • Dollywood announces plans to honor Dolly Parton • Hersheypark's Tidal Force takes its final splash • Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi reveals a massive three-land Harry Potter expansion 👻 SeaWorld & Busch Gardens • Howl-O-Scream 2026 is officially underway at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay • SeaWorld Orlando launches its 2026 Howl-O-Scream event • We share some thoughts now that we've actually experienced this year's Orlando-area events 🌎 Universal Orlando • Animal Actors on Location! is closing at Universal Studios Florida • Universal Nights adds more Epic Universe dates • Florida residents can now get a special three-day ticket including Epic Universe starting at $85 per day • The Traitors: New Blood takes over the bars at Universal's Great Movie Escape • Rock the Universe announces its 2027 lineup • Joey Fatone's Fat One's Hot Dogs & Italian Ice gets its Universal CityWalk grand opening date — September 19, with Joey himself appearing for the celebration 🏰 Walt Disney World • The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios • Disney announces Festival of the Arts and Flower & Garden dates for 2027 • Disney After Hours returns to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios • New 2027 Walt Disney World discounts arrive • Disney announces the 2026 Candlelight Processional narrator lineup • Hurly-Burly prepares to open at Disney's BoardWalk • Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill permanently closes at Disney Springs, ending nearly three decades of Wolfgang Puck restaurants at the resort There's a LOT happening, including some stories that could give us clues about where Universal goes next with Epic Universe Annual Pass access. 🎢 ThrillLedger – Track rides. Count memories. Keep track of your theme park visits, rides, wait times, ratings, coaster credits, stats and more: https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ 🎙️ Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/ 🌐 Vacationeers Podcast https://vacationeerspodcast.com/ ▶️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast 👕 Vacationeers Merch https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/ Follow TomX: https://x.com/VacationeerTom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom Follow JonX: @pastorjonself Instagram: @jon.self.37 👍 Like the episode, subscribe and let us know in the comments: Where do YOU think Six Flags should relocate ArieForce One?

  6. Sep 1

    VTPM278: EPCOT Food & Wine 2026: Best, Worst & Opening Day Review

    The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is back for 2026 — and Jon was there on opening day to eat his way around the festival! On Episode 278 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon break down Jon’s picks for the best, worst, biggest surprises and best values from this year’s festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Which new foods are actually worth your money? Which returning dishes still deserve their spot? Has the Italy booth finally redeemed itself? And why should you never take a Mickey-shaped macaron for a walk through EPCOT in the Florida heat? Before we eat, there’s plenty of theme park news to discuss, including: • The passing of Dolly Parton and her incredible legacy at Dollywood • Tim Curry, including his memorable role as S.I.R. in ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter • Peter Cullen, longtime voice of Eeyore and Optimus Prime • Dollywood opening NightFlight Expedition • The latest questions surrounding X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain • LEGOLAND Florida rebuilding Coastersaurus • New Brick or Treat details • SeaWorld Orlando introducing Pestilence for Howl-O-Scream • Halloween Spooktacular bringing Hotel Transylvania to SeaWorld Orlando • Fast & Furious: Supercharged permanently closing at Universal Studios Florida • Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift beginning technical rehearsals • Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle returning to Universal Orlando • Halloween Horror Nights 35 officially beginning • Disney retiring the Play Disney Parks app • EPCOT apparently giving up on the World Celebration pavement lighting • Disney Lakeshore Lodge receiving an opening date and new details • And more! Then it’s off to EPCOT as Jon takes us through his opening-day Food & Wine experience, including the Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie, Spicy Temaki Hand Roll, Blackberry Buckle, Paella Caldoso, Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron and plenty more. Some were great. Some were questionable. And apparently Jon actually found something he liked at the Italy booth. 🍽️ Read Jon’s complete Best & Worst review at Attractions Magazine: https://attractionsmagazine.com/best-worst-food-epcot-food-wine-festival-2026/ 🎂 Read Jon’s Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron review at Main Street Magic: https://www.mainstmagic.com/mickey-celebration-macaron-epcot-food-wine-review/ 🎢 Track your theme park visits, rides, wait times, All-Day Dining and more with ThrillLedger: https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ 🌐 Vacationeers: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/ 🎙️ Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast 👕 Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/

  7. Aug 23

    VacationScares 277: HHN 35 House Hype Lists + Jon Returns to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

    🎃 VacationScares is back! Halloween season has officially arrived in Orlando, which means it's time to close the coffin on the regular Vacationeers Podcast and resurrect VacationScares for another season! On Episode 277, Tom welcomes Joyless Jon Self back from the second Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2026 at Magic Kingdom. Jon shares his experience from the party, including the Halloween atmosphere, entertainment, food, attractions and what stood out during his night. Then we turn our attention across town to Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Orlando Resort. With the houses announced, it's time for one of our favorite preseason traditions: the HHN House Hype List. Tom and Jon rank the HHN 35 haunted houses based entirely on how excited they are to experience them before ever stepping through the doors. Which houses immediately jumped to the top? Which ones have some convincing to do? And just how badly will these rankings age once HHN actually begins? The screams have started. VacationScares 2026 is officially underway. 👻 Featuring: Tom – Vacationeer Tom Jon Self – @pastorJonSelf 🎢 Track your theme park adventures with ThrillLedger: https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ Track rides. Count memories. 🌐 Vacationeers Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/ 🎙️ Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/ 🛍️ Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/ 📱 Follow Vacationeer Tom: X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast 📱 Follow Jon Self: X: @pastorJonSelf Instagram: @jon.self.37

    VacationScares 277: HHN 35 House Hype Lists + Jon Returns to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

  8. Aug 19

    VTPM276: D23 2026 Recap: Villains Land Rides, Dreamfinder Returns, Yeti Fix & HUGE Disney Parks Updates

    Disney dropped a mountain of theme park news at D23 2026, and we're digging through the biggest announcements, surprises, and updates from around the world. At Walt Disney World, we finally learned what the two attractions inside Villains Land will be, got new details and names for the Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom, and learned that Spaceship Earth is getting a major update. But perhaps the biggest EPCOT surprise of all: Dreamfinder is coming back with Figment! And somehow, after all these years, Disney says they're finally going to bring the Expedition Everest Yeti back to life. We also discuss the major reimagining of Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, new details about Indiana Jones and Encanto at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the rollout of Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios, Disneyland's massive Tomorrowland overhaul, the upcoming Coco attraction, Avengers Campus, Disneyland Paris' new Lion King attraction, and much more. So which D23 announcement has us the most excited — and which projects still leave us with way more questions than answers? Join us for our complete D23 2026 Disney Parks recap! 🎢 ThrillLedger — Track rides. Count memories. https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast 𝕏 X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom 👕 Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/

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4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast discusses topics from vacation trip planning to trip reporting on vacations at theme parks, beaches, cruises, international travel & anywhere else a vacation may take you. We may sprinkle in a little theme park news or a game just for fun.

Information

  • Creator
    Vacationeers Theme Parks & More
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    285
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019
  • Show Website
    Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

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