Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30

Philip Hernandez
  • 4.6 (10)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

An insider’s take on the theme park and themed entertainment industry trends, Green Tagged Covers the Top Theme Park News from each week. From theme parks to zoos and aquariums to haunted houses, we scour the world for what you need to know. We may not have all the answers, but we ask the right questions. Subscribe to PRO content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GreenTagged

  1. 2D AGO

    The State of the Attractions Industry in 2026

    This episode is structured as an environmental SWOT analysis of the attractions industry, intended to support 2026 strategic planning. Rather than focusing on individual announcements or company-specific outcomes, we identify the external forces currently shaping the business environment—capital flows, guest behavior, technology, politics, and global development patterns. The purpose is not to predict results, but to help teams assess which of these factors represent strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, or threats for their own organizations as they begin planning for the year ahead. Several conditions stand out. The largest capital projects are increasingly outside the United States, with major licensed developments underway or announced in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, the U.K., Europe, and Asia.  Guest expectations are fragmenting. A K-shaped economy is pushing design and pricing toward two ends of the spectrum—value-driven guests focused on affordability and VIP guests focused on convenience and time savings. “Creature comforts” such as better food, transparent pricing, and reduced friction are becoming baseline expectations, while museums and indoor attractions are gaining ground as guests seek reliability amid extreme weather and travel uncertainty. External pressures add further complexity: tariffs, immigration policy, volatility in international tourism, political instability, and declining trust in institutions and AI. Media consumption is shifting as well—social platforms now rival or surpass traditional outlets as primary sources of information.  This episode does not attempt to rank these forces or offer solutions. It is meant to serve as a starting framework—a way for teams to pressure-test assumptions, identify blind spots, and begin structured conversations about where to invest, where to hedge risk, and where flexibility will matter most in 2026. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    32 min

  2. 12/29/2025

    Universal Considers New Middle East Theme Park

    Universal Destinations & Experiences has begun early planning for a theme park in Saudi Arabia, according to an exclusive Wall Street Journal report. The project would be structured as a licensing deal with government-backed funding—the same model Disney announced for its Abu Dhabi park. This marks Universal's second attempt in the region. In 2008, the company broke ground on Universal Studios Dubailand, but the project stalled after constructing little more than an entrance arch when financing collapsed during the global financial crisis. For Universal—fresh off the opening of Epic Universe, with Universal Kids Resort (Texas) and a UK park in development—a Middle East licensing deal would establish a presence without capital risk. The licensing model solves multiple problems simultaneously. It generates immediate revenue, provides access to the region's growing tourism market, and avoids the extended profitability timelines that characterize parks Universal builds itself. The structure mirrors successful UAE projects at Yas Island, where SeaWorld, Ferrari World, and Warner Bros. World all operate under licensing or joint venture agreements with government-backed developers. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    39 min

  3. 12/21/2025

    Six Flags Swaps Coasters for Toons

    Six Flags Magic Mountain has delayed its highly anticipated “first-of-its-kind” coaster to 2027, citing the attraction’s complexity and a commitment to quality. The project—reported to be a Vekoma Thrill Glider—was part of the company’s broader $1 billion investment plan and would have been the park’s first major coaster addition since 2022. At the same time, Six Flags confirmed a significant pivot toward family-focused IP with the announcement of Looney Tunes Land, a fully reimagined children’s area opening in summer 2026 with upgraded storytelling, expanded green space, new theming, and refreshed dining. Taken together, these moves raise questions about where Six Flags is placing its near-term bets. Coasters are increasingly expensive and time-intensive to build, and ongoing tariff uncertainty may be influencing capital timelines. The decision to prioritize Looney Tunes—rather than Peanuts—could also signal a push toward IP diversification tied to Warner Bros., especially as broader questions remain about how Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm will coexist and differentiate within the same Southern California market. We explore whether this reflects a temporary pause on thrill-heavy investments, a reorientation toward families and reliability, or simply a pragmatic sequencing of projects while the company navigates post-merger integration and external pressures. We also touch briefly on winter and holiday programming that caught our attention, including China’s massive Ice-Snow World and Alton Towers’ Santa Sleepover in the U.K., as operators worldwide look for ways to stabilize attendance across unpredictable seasons. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    31 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    Netflix, Warner Bros., and what it means for Theme Parks

    Netflix announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a $72 billion deal—only to face an immediate hostile counterbid from Paramount. Either path would take months, if not years, to resolve and must clear regulatory and shareholder hurdles. But even at this early stage, the implications for themed entertainment are significant. Warner Bros. currently licenses its characters across a wide theme park footprint, including Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Movie World, and major IP deployments at Six Flags. Universal relies heavily on Warner Bros., most notably through Harry Potter. Control of Warner Bros. doesn’t just mean streaming libraries—it means leverage over some of the most nostalgia-driven areas in global parks. If Netflix ultimately prevails, Warner Bros. IP would sit inside a company already experimenting with location-based entertainment through Netflix House—a flexible, free-entry model designed to rotate IP quickly and respond to audience data. That pairing could accelerate Netflix’s ability to move franchises from screen to physical space without relying on traditional park operators. Paramount, by contrast, has shown little interest in themed entertainment and appears focused on consolidating legacy media assets, including cable networks Netflix doesn’t want. The biggest risk may sit with Comcast. Universal could find itself flanked on two sides: continuing to license Warner Bros. IP while competing against a vertically integrated Netflix that can deploy its own brands directly into physical spaces. While nothing changes overnight, the long-term balance of power between IP owners, licensors, and operators could shift sharply depending on who controls Warner Bros.—and how aggressively they choose to use it. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    30 min

  5. 12/07/2025

    The 2026 Guest Is Chasing Childhood Memories

    A new report reveals how Gen Z and Millennials plan to travel in 2026: 78% say they’ve recreated a childhood vacation or plan to, and 69% avoid overcrowded destinations; 67% cited escape from burnout as a motivator, and interest in wellness and sober travel experiences is rising. That context frames the debut of Netflix House, now open in King of Prussia, with another location opening this week in Dallas. The venue’s design aligns almost point-for-point with the survey data: flexible IP that can shift quickly with trends (including nostalgia plays like Stranger Things), free entry that lowers the barrier to budget-minded visitors, and pop-up-style attractions that avoid the overcrowding issues plaguing traditional destinations. Even the food program—mocktails, themed desserts, and in-house menu development—mirrors the rise of wellness-conscious, experience-driven dining. Also this week, a potential Warner Bros. sale could reshape nostalgic touchpoints across the industry—from DC lands to Looney Tunes to Wizarding World. With younger audiences gravitating toward familiar brands and shareable moments, whoever controls these IPs will exert enormous influence over the next decade of park development. Across all three stories, one trend stands out: guests are seeking comfort, flexibility, and low-pressure nostalgia—and the operators who can rotate content quickly and meet those expectations may have the advantage. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    31 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    Six Flags Appoints a New CEO — What It Means for the Parks

    Six Flags has appointed John Reilly as its new CEO—a leader who spent 21 years at SeaWorld and later held top roles at Palace Entertainment, the parent company of regional parks like Kennywood and Lake Compounce. Philip and Scott discuss why that résumé matters: Reilly comes from chains where executives wear multiple hats, work with tight budgets, and operate parks that feel far closer to the “scrappy” reality of Six Flags than the polished, expert-driven models of Disney or Universal. The hosts argue that this is exactly the kind of background a merged Six Flags–Cedar Fair company needs. With the chain in a cash-constrained moment and unlikely to embark on sweeping reinventions, the next CEO must be someone comfortable operating without endless capital—and capable of executing a plan that already exists but has repeatedly stalled. Reilly isn’t tied to either legacy culture, which Scott notes is a benefit: this is a new company, and bringing in someone from the outside avoids the baggage of “old Six Flags” or “old Cedar Fair.” Philip and Scott also briefly address the DOJ inquiry into United Parks’ mobility-device policy, noting that while it may generate headlines, it isn’t likely to have a meaningful industry-wide impact. The real story this week is whether Six Flags’ new leadership can finally move the merged company from planning to performance. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    32 min

  7. 11/24/2025

    IAAPA Expo 2025: Indoors, Interactive, and Value-Driven

    IAAPA Expo 2025 set a new record with 38,520 verified attendees, more than 28,000 qualified buyers, and an expanded floor featuring over 1,100 exhibitorsgt-nov-23. Philip and Scott break down the trends that truly mattered this year: the push toward indoor attractions (from SeaWorld Orlando’s new Vekoma indoor inverted coaster to Merlin’s $90 million Galacticoaster installations), the explosion of 'interactive' dark rides like Sally’s Phantom Theater and its new Mini™ dark ride heading to Qatar, and the rise of 'competitive socializing' through Triotech’s new Montreal trio. They also discuss the operational side: Roller’s new industry benchmark report showing mobile dominating bookings and F&B, membership driving repeat visitation, and digital wallets nearly doubling average spend. Across the board, the Expo revealed a sector leaning into indoor reliability, personalized experiences, and value-minded design. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    31 min

  8. 11/16/2025

    Six Flags Bets on Travis Kelce as Disney Faces a Cable Crisis

    Six Flags will attempt to leverage Travis Kelce’s 9% investment into a full branding partnership, leaning into ‘the new world.’ Meanwhile, Disney’s stock dipped 7% after its latest earnings show cable is collapsing faster than expected. Streaming and the parks remain its lifeboat, with both those sectors performing well, underscoring that the company’s future lies in IP that monetizes across screens and physical spaces. Finally, Herschend struck a deal to acquire Silverwood Theme Park. Philip and Scott unpack what these moves say about where the industry is heading—fewer ads, smaller screens, bigger personalities, and more mission-driven ownership. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon.

    31 min
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4.6
out of 5
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About

An insider’s take on the theme park and themed entertainment industry trends, Green Tagged Covers the Top Theme Park News from each week. From theme parks to zoos and aquariums to haunted houses, we scour the world for what you need to know. We may not have all the answers, but we ask the right questions. Subscribe to PRO content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GreenTagged

Information

  • Creator
    Philip Hernandez
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    285
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Philip Hernandez
  • Show Website
    Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30

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