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

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We're Kevin, Amanda, & Kim from Where In The Park! Join us each episode as we discuss the history, stories, and secrets behind the details of your favorite theme parks, from Disney to Universal Studios and beyond. 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Discover even more details with seek-&-find game packs from WhereInThePark.com! Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off your next adventure! 👉Meet the WITP Team! Check out the Events page to see where we will be next! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find posts on today's full episode, as well as individual pages about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us on social: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, we'll see you somewhere in the park!

  1. Marvel’s Theme Park Origin Story: Comics, Contracts, and Coasters

    3D AGO

    Marvel’s Theme Park Origin Story: Comics, Contracts, and Coasters

    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 that shaped where Marvel characters ended up in theme parks across the United States. From Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and the Fantastic Four… to Universal’s Marvel contract, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Doctor Doom, and the complicated reason Marvel still exists in some parks but not others—this is the history behind one of the most fascinating lands in theme park design. If you’ve ever wondered why Marvel is at Universal Orlando, why Disney can only use certain Marvel characters in certain parks, or how comic book history connects to the attractions we ride today, this episode is for you. In this episode:  The early history of comic books and how Marvel began  The evolution from Timely Comics to Atlas to Marvel Comics How Stan Lee and the “Marvel Method” helped shape the brand  Why Universal originally planned a DC Comics land instead  How Marvel Super Hero Island came to life at Islands of Adventure  Hidden details, Easter eggs, and ride history inside the land  Why Marvel theme park rights in the U.S. are still so complicated today 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    44 min
  2. Norway Pavilion: Vikings, Villages, & Folklore

    MAR 31

    Norway Pavilion: Vikings, Villages, & Folklore

    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, we stroll through the Stave Church, pause at the Grete Waitz statue, admire the intricate rune carvings, and take a closer look at fan-favorite locations like Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, and the shops and architecture inspired by real places in Norway. We also dive into the history of Maelstrom, the transformation into Frozen Ever After, and some of the Imagineers and artists who helped shape the pavilion — including John Hench, Tom E. Fitzgerald, Joe Rohde, Jack Ferges, and more. If you’ve ever wondered why Norway feels so different from the rest of World Showcase… this episode is for you. 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    36 min
  3. Park Press: March 2026 – Events, Updates & What’s Next in the Parks

    MAR 20

    Park Press: March 2026 – Events, Updates & What’s Next in the Parks

    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 take a look ahead at upcoming park days and events, highlight what’s coming next for Where In The Park, and share a special review from one of our listeners (thank you, TylerJ09!).  Plus, we’re giving you a preview of upcoming episodes—including Norway, Marvel at Islands of Adventure, and more detail-focused explorations you won’t want to miss.  Whether you’re planning your next visit or just love staying in the loop, Park Press is here to keep you connected to the parks and the Where In The Park Team! 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    44 min
  4. Carl Laemmle and Irving Thalberg: The Tributes at Universal Studios Hollywood

    MAR 7

    Carl Laemmle and Irving Thalberg: The Tributes at Universal Studios Hollywood

    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, the legendary producer often called the “Boy Wonder of Hollywood.” From Laemmle’s humble beginnings running a nickelodeon theater in Chicago to Thalberg revolutionizing the way movies were produced, these two men helped define early Hollywood and the modern film industry. Along the way, we’ll also explore how their legacies appear throughout Universal Studios Hollywood today—from Laemmle Court to the Thalberg Talent Agency façade—and why these names deserve a closer look the next time you walk through the park. If you love theme park history, classic Hollywood, and the hidden stories behind the details, this episode is for you. 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    27 min
  5. Universal Boulevard: Real Hollywood Hidden in Universal Studios Hollywood

    MAR 3

    Universal Boulevard: Real Hollywood Hidden in Universal Studios Hollywood

    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, we’re connecting the dots between the theme park and the historic architecture of Hollywood Boulevard. We compare Universal’s design choices to real locations like Bullocks Wilshire, the Hillview Apartments, the Attie Building, and the Hollywood Pantages Theatre — breaking down the architectural styles, hidden references, and subtle storytelling built into this 2016 expansion. You may walk this street every visit… but after this episode, you’ll never see it the same way again. 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    21 min
  6. EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion: Exploring the Architecture, Culture, and Details

    FEB 22

    EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion: Exploring the Architecture, Culture, and Details

    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 examine: • The composite pyramid is inspired by Maya, Aztec, and Toltec civilizations • The real-life San Ángel Inn in Mexico City and how it influenced the restaurant at EPCOT • Talavera tiles, Mariachi Cobre, and the layered colonial plaza design • The original attraction El Río del Tiempo and its “Three Cultures” narrative • The transformation into Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros We’ll also explore the work of Imagineers like X. Atencio, Eddie Martinez, Ray Aragon, and a young Joe Rohde — and how authenticity, tourism, and storytelling intersect inside this pavilion. Next time you walk into Mexico, you may see it a little differently. 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    45 min
  7. Pixar Pal-A-Round and the History of the Ferris Wheel

    FEB 14

    Pixar Pal-A-Round and the History of the Ferris Wheel

    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 explore: • The origin of the Ferris Wheel and George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. • The engineering rivalry to outshine the Eiffel Tower • The rise of Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel and the eccentric sliding gondola design • Disneyland’s early (and short-lived) Ferris Wheel experiments • Why Pixar Pal-A-Round is technically not a traditional Ferris Wheel • How Disney California Adventure’s version became one of the most thrilling attractions at any Disney park From World’s Fair innovation to seaside amusement parks to Pixar Pier, this episode uncovers how history, engineering, and theme park design all come together 160 feet above Paradise Bay. Whether you ride swinging or non-swinging… you’ll never look at this wheel the same way again. 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    44 min
  8. Hooray for Hollywood (Part 6): Hats, Tributes, and Movie-Making Magic

    FEB 6

    Hooray for Hollywood (Part 6): Hats, Tributes, and Movie-Making Magic

    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 street signs—and how they quietly nod to early Hollywood families💚 The ever-changing corner now known as Wicked: The Experience, from film memorabilia and Lucy: A Tribute to Hello Kitty, UNIVRS, and beyond🎨 The Universal Studios Store mural, packed with visual references to filmmaking history, plus a bronze plaque honoring Chuck Lindberg, a behind-the-scenes merchandise legendIf you’ve loved this deep dive into the real-world inspirations behind Universal’s Hollywood Boulevard, this finale ties it all together. 👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure! 👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation of this episode in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find pictures about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening!

    29 min
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About

We're Kevin, Amanda, & Kim from Where In The Park! Join us each episode as we discuss the history, stories, and secrets behind the details of your favorite theme parks, from Disney to Universal Studios and beyond. 👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation in our free Facebook Group here! 👉Discover even more details with seek-&-find game packs from WhereInThePark.com! Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off your next adventure! 👉Meet the WITP Team! Check out the Events page to see where we will be next! 👉Prefer to read along instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here, where you'll find posts on today's full episode, as well as individual pages about key details discussed! WhereInThePark.com/Podcast 👉Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts throughout the year, be notified of new games, and stay up to date on all things WITP! 👉Follow us on social: Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, we'll see you somewhere in the park!

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