Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

Vacationeers Theme Parks & More
  • 4.6 (9)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated 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. 4d ago

    VTPM271: Aquatica Orlando & Adventure Island All-Day Dining Plus Jon’s SeaWorld AP Rewards Redemption Stats

    In this episode of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon are talking all about water park All-Day Dining at Aquatica Orlando and Adventure Island. At Aquatica Orlando, Tom and Jon both used the All-Day Dining plan on the same day. The plan cost $44.99 per person and allowed them to get an entrée, side or dessert, and fountain drink every 90 minutes during park hours. They compare each meal stop side-by-side, including Waterstone Grill, Kookaburra Kitchen, Papa’s Pizza, Walkabout Pizza, Mango Market, and more. Tom’s estimated Aquatica food and drink total came to about $175.36, saving around $130.37 compared to the $44.99 plan price. Jon’s estimated Aquatica total came to about $165.15, saving around $120.16. Combined, they estimate they received about $340.51 worth of food and drinks for $89.98 in dining plans, saving about $250.53. Then the discussion moves to Adventure Island, where Tom and Jon visited on separate days. Jon tried meals from Surfside Café, Mango Joe’s, and Colossal Pizza, with a total menu value of $166.96 and savings of $116.97. Tom’s Adventure Island visit included Surfside Café, Mango Joe’s, Colossal Pizza, and Captain Pete’s, with an estimated menu value of around $168 and savings of around $118. Along the way, they discuss food quality, value, menu confusion, portion sizes, best and worst picks, and which water park had the better All-Day Dining plan overall. So, is water park All-Day Dining actually worth it? Financially, yes. Emotionally? That depends how you feel about eating theme park food every 90 minutes like you’re training for the Buffet Olympics. Thanks for watching and listening. So until the next podcast, vlog, or livestream, keep making memories. Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/ Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/ X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/ ThrillLedger: Track rides. Count memories. https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/

    2h 2m

  2. Jul 1

    VTPM270: HHN Originals, Fun Spot Atlanta Closing, Universal & Disney News, Plus SeaWorld Orlando Electric Ocean Shows

    In Episode 270 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon for a packed theme park news episode covering major stories from Disney, Universal, United Parks, Six Flags, and more. The big breaking story this week is Fun Spot America Atlanta announcing it will permanently close after its final operating day on August 2, 2026. Tom and Jon discuss what that could mean for ArieForce One, the Rocky Mountain Construction coaster that quickly became the park’s signature attraction. They also cover Six Flags Over Texas delaying Tormenta Rampaging Run, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay naming Jon Vigue as its new park president, Universal Epic Universe adding Universal Celestial Goodnight, Universal Orlando’s July 4th entertainment plans, and the latest Halloween Horror Nights 35 house announcements, including Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright-Tacular!, MADLANDS: Caged Cannibals, Cybergoria, and INVASION: Alien Abduction. On the Disney side, the episode covers the Disneyland Tiana’s Bayou Adventure guest incident, Walt Disney World’s July 4th fireworks offerings, Disney’s 2026 holiday announcements, the permanent retirement of the Grand Floridian gingerbread house, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates, Disney Jollywood Nights extending into January, EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, Oogie Boogie Bash replacing Frightfully Fun Parade with Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake, the Eat to the Beat concert lineup, Disney BoardWalk updates, Disney Lakeshore Lodge details, and Level99 opening at Disney Springs. Plus, Tom and Jon check in on recent Vacationeers YouTube videos, Jon’s Disney food stops, SeaWorld Orlando’s Electric Ocean entertainment, and what’s coming in Episode 271. Use discount code Launch15 for 15% off annual ThrillLedger plans through August 31. Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcastWebsite: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/ThrillLedger: https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/

    1h 45m

  3. Jun 24

    VTPM269: Dave’s First Visit to Six Flags Over Texas

    In this episode of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom welcomes back Dave from the Adventures by D and Dave’s Dugout Grill YouTube channels. Dave discusses his first-ever visit to Six Flags Over Texas, sharing his initial thoughts on the park, what the overall day was like, and the rides he was able and not able to experience during his visit. From first impressions to ride reactions, Dave gives us a first-timer’s perspective on the original Six Flags park.  Was Six Flags Over Texas better than expected? Did the park make a strong first impression? And most importantly, would Dave go back? Grab a seat, lower your restraint, and enjoy Episode 269 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast. So until the next blog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

    50 min

  4. Jun 15

    VTPM268: FIFA Fun at Legoland & Universal, Tom’s SeaWorld Family Day, Epcot’s Biergarten Review & May Theme Park Stats

    This week, we break away from our normal format because Tom was not prepared — but it’s his birthday month, so cut him some slack. Tom and Jon “kick” things off with a look at the FIFA® World Cup 2026 Experience at LEGOLAND Florida, then head over to Universal Orlando Resort where FIFA has taken over CityWalk and the Universal Mega Movie Parade has returned for the summer. Tom also shares details from his day-of-recording visit to SeaWorld Orlando with Elena and some of her family, including the usual mix of plans, surprises, and theme park reality setting in. Then Jon gives us his review of his dining experience at Biergarten Restaurant in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion before we wrap things up with something new: May theme park stats tracked by Tom’s soon-to-be-released ThrillLedger app. It’s FIFA, food, family, stats, and a host who definitely had a plan… until he didn’t. In this episode: Why Episode 268 breaks from the usual formatLEGOLAND Florida’s FIFA® World Cup 2026 ExperienceUniversal CityWalk’s FIFA World Cup Watch PartyThe return of Universal Mega Movie ParadeTom’s SeaWorld Orlando visit with Elena and familyJon’s Biergarten Restaurant dining experience at EPCOTMay theme park stats from Tom and JonA preview of how ThrillLedger tracks park visits, attractions, and moreSo until the next podcast, vlog or livestream, keep making memories.

    1h 17m

  5. Jun 8

    VTPM267: Summer at Universal Opening Weekend + Magic Kingdom Early Close Day

    In Episode 267 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon to talk through a busy week of theme park updates, food reviews, and in-park testing. We start with some “old breaking news,” including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure no longer being included with Universal Express beginning July 1, plus the news that Bad Bunny will voice a pizza character named Pizza with Sunglasses in Toy Story 5. Then we head into Universal Orlando Resort’s opening weekend of Summer at Universal. We discuss the overall event atmosphere, the noticeable lack of a parade, and some of the featured summer food offerings. We also review a newer menu item that is not tied to the summer event but absolutely got our attention: the S’mores Cookie at Cafe 4 in Islands of Adventure. Food discussed in this episode: S’mores Cookie at Cafe 4 in Islands of Adventure — $6.29 We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat Platter at Richter’s Burger Co. in Universal Studios Florida — $22.99 Irene’s Creamsicle Cheesecake Calzone at Minion Cafe in Universal Studios Florida — $11.99 Finally, we talk about our Magic Kingdom visit on Wednesday, May 13, when the park closed early at 5:30 PM for a private event. Early close days are often rumored to have lighter crowds, so we rope-dropped the park to see if attraction wait times were actually lower. Magic Kingdom ride timing discussed: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — delayed Haunted Mansion — Posted 13 minutes / Actual 2 minutes Jungle Cruise — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minute Pirates of the Caribbean — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minute Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minute Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — Posted 25 minutes / Actual 24 minutes Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — Posted 25 minutes Space Mountain — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 13 minutes Listen to Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/ Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/ Follow Tom: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeersPodcast X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

    43 min

  6. Jun 1

    VTPM266: Soarin’, Muppets, Expedition Odyssey Fire & Ice, AquaGlow, Peppa Pig & HHN Sinners

    In Episode 266 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon recap a packed week of theme park visits, including AquaGlow at Aquatica, Pass Member perks gone wrong, Soarin’ Across America, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, Expedition Odyssey Fire & Ice, and Peppa Pig Theme Park.  They also discuss HHN’s newly announced Sinners house, the Mandalorian and Grogu update to Smugglers Run, and Bluey’s Wild World opening at Animal Kingdom.

    1h 9m

  7. May 22

    VTPM265: Busch Gardens Tampa All-Day Dining: Is It Worth It in 2026?

    In Episode 265 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon to break down their full Busch Gardens Tampa All-Day Dining 2026 experience from Saturday, May 9. The park was open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, giving us a full 12-hour window to put the dining plan to the test. We ate at multiple locations across the park, including Zagora Café, Zambia Smokehouse, BG Cuban Café, Dragon Fire Grill, Oasis Pizza, and even made a stop at Giraffe Bar to use Busch Bucks. We discuss what we ate, what worked, what didn’t, where the best value was, and whether Busch Gardens Tampa’s All-Day Dining is still worth it in 2026. Our total if paid à la carte would have been $284.36. The All-Day Dining price was $60, and after using $20 in Busch Bucks, Tom’s actual cost was only $40 plus tax. Watch the Busch Gardens Tampa All-Day Dining 2026 vlog: https://youtu.be/3cj5klSCFig Visit our website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/ Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeersPodcast X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

    1h 27m

  8. May 15

    VTPM264: Discovery Cove for Mother’s Day, Lost Continent Closing, New Disney Ferryboat & Theme Park Earnings

    In this episode of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon to catch up on recent theme park visits, livestreams, food reviews, and a packed round of theme park news. We start in The Queue with updates from SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival, Universal Orlando’s UOAP Bonus Benefits, EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival livestreams, House of Blues, Gideon’s Bakehouse, Chicken Guy, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Discovery Cove. Then we move into the news, including the latest quarterly results from Disney, Universal/Comcast, United Parks & Resorts, and Six Flags, plus major updates from around the theme park industry. Stories discussed include: Universal Orlando confirming the phased closure of The Lost Continent at Islands of AdventureUniversal’s Horror Make-Up Show temporarily closing for a reimagined versionUniversal replacing Thunder Falls Terrace with a new full-service dining conceptDisney World reopening Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after refurbishmentDisney Springs adding Level99 and Six Ravens this summerWalt Disney World adding its first new Magic Kingdom ferryboat since 1976SeaWorld Orlando’s Electric Ocean returning with a new drone showSix Flags bringing Holiday in the Park back to Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Great AdventureFrom earnings reports to ferryboats, closing lands, returning festivals, drone shows, cookies, and theme park food, this episode covers a little bit of everything. So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

    48 min
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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
    273
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019
  • Show Website
    Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

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