Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

Vacationeers Theme Parks & More
  • 4.6 (9)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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. MAR 15

    VTPM258: Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and Busch Gardens Tampa Food, Wine & Garden Festival

    On Episode 258 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon are back to talk theme park news, Orlando happenings, and what they’ve been up to lately. In the news, Butterbeer Season has officially arrived at Universal Orlando with new treats across the Wizarding World, Waymo self-driving robotaxis are now operating in Orlando, and Six Flags has confirmed the sale of seven parks to EPR Properties in a major shakeup for the industry. We also hit The Queue, including a rough Manta situation at SeaWorld Orlando, a packed outlet and SeaWorld visit that sent us to Aquatica instead, our 2026 Disney Springs Happy Hour Crawl, and a visit to Blizzard Beach and Winter Summerland Mini Golf. Then we dive into our main topics: Busch Gardens Tampa Food, Wine & Flowers Festival and EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Plus, the Rumor Report returns. In this episode:Butterbeer Season begins at Universal OrlandoSix Flags sells seven parks to EPR PropertiesWaymo robotaxis launch in OrlandoSeaWorld Orlando Manta incidentDisney Springs Happy Hour CrawlBlizzard Beach & Winter Summerland Mini GolfBusch Gardens Tampa Food, Wine & Flowers FestivalEPCOT International Flower & Garden FestivalRumors of more Vekoma at SeaWorld OrlandoSubscribe for more theme park podcasts, livestreams, vlogs, and Orlando area coverage. Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast X: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

    1h 11m

  2. MAR 1

    VTPM257: Victory Casino Cruise, Signia by Hilton Orlando Stay, News & More

    In Episode 257 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is flying solo after a technical glitch forced a full re-record — because sometimes the show must go on. This week we dive into major theme park industry updates and some real-world experiences: 🦈 Barracuda Strike gets its official opening date at SeaWorld San Antonio 🎸 A Luke Combs “Category 10” country bar is coming to Universal CityWalk 📉 Six Flags reports disappointing 2025 earnings — what went wrong? ✈️ Dollywood teams up with Allegiant for a themed “Flight #925” fan experience 🚇 The Boring Company is selected for a proposed underground transit system connecting Universal CityWalk and Epic Universe Plus: A stay at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Victory Casino Cruise on Valentine’s Day Responding to a viewer comment about off-plan dining options at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld The theme park world is evolving — bigger experiences, bigger risks, and bigger competition in Orlando and beyond. Listen in and let’s break it all down.

    38 min

  3. FEB 15

    VTPM256: SeaWorld Seven Seas Festival, Universal Mardi Gras, and the Florida State Fair

    🎢 Welcome to Episode 256 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast! This week we’re diving into festival season in Florida — from SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival (including sampler card value + my personal “winners and misses”), to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras (food booths, tribute store love, and parade observations), and a full rundown of our day at the Florida State Fair in Tampa (pigs, corgis, circus, and some very “atmosFAIR” food). 📰 News Roundup Busch Gardens Tampa: Cheetah Hunt is back openUniversal Orlando: Volcano Bay goes cashless on Feb 25 + Annual Pass promo (3 extra months)Disney: Josh D’Amaro CEO transition details + water park schedule updateDisney: New Disney Inspire Credit Card (we discuss what’s new and why it matters)Six Flags: Gold Pass/Membership Regional Park Access (4-region model)🎯 Main Topics SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival (Jan 30 – May 17 on select days)Universal Orlando Mardi Gras (Feb 7 – Apr 4, daily)Florida State Fair Tampa (Feb 5 – Feb 16)🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform 🌐 Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeerspodcast/ 🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom  So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

    1h 32m

  4. FEB 1

    VTPM255: Busch Gardens Tampa Mardi Gras, Epcot Festival of the Arts Plus News, Rumors & The Queue

    Tom and Jon are back with Episode 255 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast — and we’ve got a packed show with updates, rumors, festival talk, and a Halloween survey from United Parks for some intrigue. News we cover: Universal Orlando Resort announces Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (plus what it means for Fast & Furious: Supercharged)Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval concert lineup revealedRevenge of the Mummy incident update (medical examiner findings + attorney Ben Crump involvement)Missed last episode: the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! boulder incident at Disney's Hollywood StudiosDisney Skyliner closure window + other Walt Disney World Resort updates (including Cinderella Castle show adjustments)Garden Rocks Concert Series lineup drop at EPCOTHarambe Market reopening menu, plus Gideon's Bakehouse expanding with Six RavensSeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas concerts + Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Mardi Gras datesDevelopment Watch: Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks filed plans near the Disney areaRumor Report: Pokémon at Universal (global partnership is real — Orlando location is the speculation)Supercharged replacement guesses Main topics: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts thoughts Full recap of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Mardi Gras weekend: Serengeti Safari, food samples, Springs Taproom, and yes… the “lost lanyard” saga.More from Vacationeers: https://vacationeerspodcast.com Follow Tom: X/Twitter: @vacationeertom | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeerspodcast/ So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

    1h 26m

  5. JAN 15

    VTPM254: 2025 Stats: The Spreadsheet Strikes Back

    In Episode 254, Tom is joined by Jon, Dave, and Kris for a full 2025 stats breakdown—YouTube performance, podcast numbers, park visit tracking, ride counts, and the takeaways your data is screaming at you. Plus: Disney Springs news, a Disney+ arbitration controversy update, a Universal Epic Universe incident making headlines, SeaWorld’s “duck lawsuit” dismissal, Disney summer deals, and Cool KIDS’ SUMMER 2026 park-by-park.

    1h 42m

  6. JAN 1

    VTPM253: 2026 Kicks Off with Big Changes, Big Deals & Big Rumors

    Welcome to Episode 253 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast — and our first episode of 2026. After a short break from the news desk, Tom and Jon are back with a packed episode covering major industry headlines, park changes, Disney announcements, and a full Rumor Report segment where the fog rolls in and the fact-checking clocks out. In this episode, we discuss the passing of SeaWorld Orlando’s killer whale Katina and former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto, major IP news as Sony acquires control of the Peanuts brand, attraction updates across Florida parks, Disney’s newly released 2026 calendar, ticket deals, and a mountain of announcements from Walt Disney World. Plus, we dive headfirst into rumors, including potential changes coming to Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Orlando rumors, and early speculation surrounding Halloween Horror Nights 2026, including rumored houses, scare zones, and live entertainment changes. Proceed with caution — this episode covers facts and speculation.

    1h 18m
  7. VacationCheers 252: A Tennessee Christmas, Plus Wild Adventures, TSO and Red Vein Haunted Christmas

    12/24/2025

    VacationCheers 252: A Tennessee Christmas, Plus Wild Adventures, TSO and Red Vein Haunted Christmas

    It’s the final VacationCheers episode of the season and the last podcast of 2025, so naturally we went big. In Episode 252, Tasseled Tom is joined by Caroling Kris for a holiday-packed rundown featuring a Tennessee Christmas weekend, festive theme parks, concerts, and haunted holidays. We kick things off with a Christmas-filled trip to Pigeon Forge, including our stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Pigeon Forge on the Parkway, dining mishaps (and wins) at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, and festive fun at Anakeesta during Enchanted Christmas. From there, it’s all aboard for Dollywood and their iconic Smoky Mountain Christmas. We talk about rides, shows, lights everywhere and first-time reactions to Big Bear Mountain and Dragonflier. We also touch on: • Wild Adventures Theme Park – Christmas Wild & Bright • Red Vein Haunted Christmas with Ian • Trans-Siberian Orchestra holiday magic with Joanna Along the way, there are injuries, veteran discounts, hot cocoa economics, percussion appreciation, and a few classic Vacationeers side quests. We close out the episode—and the year—by saying thank you for the support in 2025 and looking ahead to what’s coming in 2026.

    1h 38m
  8. VacationCheers 251: Legoland, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld & Universal Christmas Events Breakdown

    12/19/2025

    VacationCheers 251: Legoland, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld & Universal Christmas Events Breakdown

    Central Florida goes full sleigh-bell chaos, and we’re here to break it all down. In Episode 251 of the VacationCheers Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon as they kick things off with Jon’s firsthand experience at Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida, before diving headfirst into the heavy hitters: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town, SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration, and Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort. From LEGOLAND’s family-friendly seasonal fun to millions of lights, ice shows, sampler cards, Grinch sightings, wizarding holiday magic, and Macy’s-style parades, we cover: What each event offersWhen they runWhat’s included vs. up-chargeAnd what’s actually worth your time (and money)Whether you’re planning a holiday park crawl or just want to soak in the festive chaos from your couch, this episode has you covered. 🎄 Bring the cocoa 🎢 Watch the wait times 🎟️ Never lose your sampler card

    1h 16m
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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
    260
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019
  • Show Website
    Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

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