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Episodes

April 12, 2025

Universal Studios UK: A £50 Billion Brexit Comeback Strategy for 2031

We break down Universal’s newly announced UK theme park, set to open in 2031, its location just 35 minutes from London, the promise of world-class immersive lands, and the potential to draw 8.5 million visitors in its first year.

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April 9, 2025

BONUS: Catalyzing Social Connection- IAAPA Chair Massimiliano Freddi’…

In this bonus episode, we present the complete remarks from Massimiliano Freddi, IAAPA Chair of the Board and Wonderwood CEO, recorded at the IAAPA North America Summit. Hear Freddi’s powerful perspective on why attractions should become catalysts for...

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April 6, 2025

Disney's Operational Magic: Key Insights from IAAPA's North America S…

IAAPA's North America Summit (Mar 30-Apr 01, 2025) at the Disneyland Resort featured insightful presentations from Disney executives on the thoughtful redesign of Toontown.

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March 31, 2025

The US Has a Branding Problem: Tourism Decline Threatens Theme Parks

International tourism to the US is projected to decline by at least 5% this year instead of the expected 9% growth, threatening a $72 billion reduction in total travel spending.

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March 24, 2025

Park Power Play: Herschend's Bold Acquisition Reshapes the Theme Park…

This week we analyze Herschend's strategic acquisition of Palace Entertainment's U.S. properties, potentially establishing them as a major third-place challenger in the theme park industry.

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March 16, 2025

Tariffs & Terror: Why and How Universal is Diversifying in an Unpredi…

Amid tariff concerns and market volatility, we explore how Universal is strategically diversifying its entertainment portfolio.

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March 8, 2025

Six Flags & United Parks Earnings: Optimism or Trouble?

Six Flags reported a $206 million net loss for 2024—but investors are cautiously optimistic.

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March 2, 2025

Will Horror Unleashed Succeed? And, Is China’s Tourism Coming Back?

Universal’s Horror Unleashed is officially opening in Las Vegas on August 14th—but will it succeed? Meanwhile, China’s tourism industry is rebounding, but will it be enough?

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Feb. 23, 2025

SPECIAL: LIVE From The IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit in Riyadh

Come with us to IAAPA's Middle East Trade Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Feb. 16, 2025

Fantasy Springs Boosts Tokyo Disney as Universal Tests LARPing

Tokyo Disney Resort is thriving with Fantasy Springs and seasonal events driving record-breaking revenue, while Universal Studios Hollywood is experimenting with a bold new event: Fan Fest Nights.

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Feb. 10, 2025

Disney Q1 FY25 Earnings Deep Dive: Parks, Streaming, and ESPN’s Next …

Is Disney’s success unstoppable? Despite rising ticket prices, hurricanes disrupting domestic parks, and the looming Epic Universe, Disney still delivered a strong quarter.

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Feb. 3, 2025

Merlin Slashes Entertainment Jobs as Trump’s Tariffs Loom

Trump’s proposed tariffs could drive up costs for theme parks, and Merlin Entertainment is cutting live entertainment across multiple locations—but what does it all mean for the industry?

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Jan. 26, 2025

Trump Policies and Theme Parks: Labor, Tariffs, Drones, and Ride Safe…

Immigration reform, tariff hikes, federally controlled ride safety, and drone regulations - The Trump Administration's policies will shake up the theme park industry, and we must be ready.

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Jan. 20, 2025

California Wildfires & TikTok Shutdown: Lessons for Attractions

This week, we connect two seemingly unrelated stories—the devastating California wildfires and TikTok’s temporary shutdown—to explore a common theme: crisis planning.

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Jan. 13, 2025

BONUS: How Merlin will Bring Minecraft into the Real World

Scott is unavailable this week, so we're airing a panel discussion from IAAPA 2024. The panel, "IAAPA Fireside Chat: Inspiring Minds of the Industry," combines large and small attraction operators to discuss 2024 and industry trends.

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Jan. 6, 2025

When you invent the drone, you also invent the drone crash

Dones collided and crashed during a holiday show in Orlando, injuring a boy and sending shockwaves throughout the industry.

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Dec. 30, 2024

2024 Trends Shaping 2025: Immersion, AI, and the Future of Attractions

In the final episode of 2024, we dive into the most prominent trends that defined the year and will shape 2025.

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Dec. 23, 2024

Cruising into the Future: Tokyo’s Plans and China’s Momentum

Oriental Land expands cruises as China's Tourism Recovers; both underscore global trends toward experiential, human-centric attractions—but did the U.S. get that memo?

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Dec. 16, 2024

Control vs. Collaboration: How Disney and United Parks Are Re Shaping…

This episode explores how attractions balance control and collaboration to deliver better guest experiences.

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Dec. 8, 2024

Will Busch Gardens Suit Jeopardize Live Entertainment?

A Florida jury found Busch Gardens Tampa Bay partially at fault after a 12-year-old boy entered the Stanleyville Theater while it was not in use, accessed, and fell off the trampoline, lacerating his right kidney. This week, we discuss the impact of events like this on the industry. Plus - Universa…

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Dec. 1, 2024

Theme Park Growth in China, Luxury Resorts in Mexico, and Mattel Adve…

China was poised to become the new theme park capital of the world before the pandemic closed its tourism; new numbers show the sector is finally recovering. Will we see China resurface as a major tourism investor?

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Nov. 25, 2024

IAAPA Expo 2024: Networking, Learning, and Building the Future

Philip and Scott unpack the networking and education opportunities that defined IAAPA Expo 2024.

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Nov. 17, 2024

Disney's Big Wins & Six Flags’ $1 Billion Bet: A Tale of Two Strategi…

Philip and Scott dissect Disney's Q3 earnings, celebrating Disney+'s profitability, billion-dollar blockbusters, and robust park performance. CEO Bob Iger calls it “a new era of growth,” but challenges still loom.

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Nov. 11, 2024

Six Flags' Project Accelerate: Transformative Strategy or Missed Oppo…

In this week's Green Tagged, Philip and Scott dive into Six Flags' Q3 earnings report and their new three-year plan, "Project Accelerate."

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