Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

🎃 VacationScares continues with three more Central Florida Halloween haunts! Taxidermied Tom and Jittery Jon are back to share their experiences at A Petrified Forest Scream Park, SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026!First, we head into the woods of Altamonte Springs for A Petrified Forest Scream Park, where this year's Chaos Reigns event features three original scare trails: The Craving, Drawn to Death, and Last Responders. We discuss our experiences at this independently operated Halloween attraction and what makes it different from the major theme park haunts.Next, we're heading to SeaWorld Orlando's Howl-O-Scream 2026 to discuss the haunted houses, scare zones, atmosphere, and our overall experiences at this year's event.Finally, we make our way to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026. We talk about our late-October visit, the haunted houses, scare zones, and how the event delivered as Halloween approached.With three different Halloween events to discuss, there's plenty of spooky fun, opinions, and conversation as we continue wrapping up the 2026 haunt season!💀 In this episode:A Petrified Forest Scream Park 2026 — Chaos ReignsThe Craving, Drawn to Death & Last RespondersSeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream 2026Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026Haunted houses, scare zones, atmosphere & overall experiencesOur thoughts on Central Florida's Halloween haunt season🎥 Watch our Halloween adventures:A Petrified Forest Scream Park 2026:https://youtu.be/8PxuW1Qe3gsBusch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream 2026:https://youtu.be/ScTDaCbNdF8SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream 2026:https://youtu.be/hpdlOq070pQ🌐 Follow Vacationeers Theme Parks & More!Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/X: https://x.com/VacationeerTomThanks for joining us for another fright-filled VacationScares episode!So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories!

🎃 VacationScares continues as Ian returns to Vacationeers Theme Parks & More!This week, we’re talking about two of Central Florida’s biggest Halloween events — Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights and SeaWorld Orlando’s Howl-O-Scream.Ian joins Tom to share his experiences at both events, including his thoughts on the houses, scares, atmosphere, and how HHN and Howl-O-Scream compared during his visits.Then Tom breaks down his recent Saturday night at Halloween Horror Nights and why Stay & Scream can be an absolute game changer, especially if you only have ONE night to experience HHN.This year, Stay & Scream works a little differently, with three houses beginning to open as early as 2 PM. Tom and Elena went without Express Passes on a busy holiday weekend, putting the strategy to the test.How much can you actually accomplish before the event officially gets rolling? Is Stay & Scream worth planning your entire HHN night around? And could it make the difference between seeing everything and leaving houses behind?Plus, Ian gives us another perspective on the 2026 Halloween season with his experiences at both HHN and SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream.👻 IN THIS EPISODE:• Ian returns to Vacationeers Theme Parks & More• Ian’s Halloween Horror Nights 2026 experience• Ian’s SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream experience• Comparing the atmosphere and scares of both events• Tom’s HHN Saturday holiday-weekend visit• How HHN Stay & Scream works in 2026• Three houses opening beginning at 2 PM• Experiencing HHN without Express• Why Stay & Scream is so valuable for one-night guests• Strategies for getting more done during your HHN visit🎥 WATCH TOM & ELENA’S HHN STAY & SCREAM VLOG:https://youtu.be/ydR2RzeQ5nk🎢 TRACK RIDES. COUNT MEMORIES.Track your theme park visits, attraction waits, ratings, trips and more with ThrillLedger:https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/🎙️ VACATIONEERS THEME PARKS & MOREhttps://vacationeerspodcast.com👕 MERCH:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/📱 FOLLOW VACATIONEER TOM:X: https://x.com/VacationeerTomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTomTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcastAre you ready to ride…?Until we stream again… keep making memories.

🎃 VacationScares continues with a full Halloween Horror Nights 2026 roundtable!Tom welcomes Jon Self, along with Kris and Dave from the Adventures by D YouTube channel, to talk all things Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights.We break down our experiences at this year’s event, including what worked, what didn’t, the overall atmosphere, scares, sets, and some of the moments that stood out during our visits.Then it’s time for the big one — our Halloween Horror Nights house rankings!With four different people around the table, you can probably guess that we don’t agree on everything. We compare our rankings, defend some choices, question others, and see which houses rise to the top of the group.👻 In this episode:• Our overall thoughts on Halloween Horror Nights 2026• What stood out from this year’s event• Favorite scares, sets, themes, and moments• Houses that exceeded our expectations• Houses that didn’t quite work for us• Tom’s house rankings• Jon’s house rankings• Kris and Dave’s house rankings• Where we agree — and where we definitely don’tA huge thanks to Kris and Dave from Adventures by D for joining us for this year’s HHN discussion!🎃 VacationScares is Vacationeers Theme Parks & More’s celebration of Halloween events, haunted attractions, spooky experiences, and everything that goes bump in the theme parks.👍 If you enjoy the episode, give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more theme park news, reviews, vlogs, livestreams, and VacationScares adventures.🌐 Vacationeers Theme Parks & Morehttps://vacationeerspodcast.com🎃 VacationScareshttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationscares/🎢 ThrillLedger – Track rides. Count memories.https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/👕 Vacationeers Merchhttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/📱 Follow Vacationeer TomX: https://x.com/VacationeerTomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTomTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast📱 Follow Jon SelfInstagram: @jon.self.37X: @pastorjonselfUntil we stream again… keep making memories.

This week on Vacationeers Theme Parks & More, Tom and Jon have a packed episode with major coaster news, another possible leadership shakeup at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and the results of the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards.We start with breaking news from Six Flags Magic Mountain, where X2 has been permanently retired. The one-of-a-kind 4D coaster had already been closed for months, but Six Flags has now confirmed that one of the park’s most recognizable attractions will not reopen. We look back at what made X2 so unique and what its loss means for a park built around its massive coaster lineup.Then we head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where Jon’s reporting at Main Street Magic indicates that park president Jon Vigue may already be leaving the position, despite only being officially introduced in June. United Parks & Resorts has not publicly confirmed a departure, and details surrounding the situation remain unclear, but if the report proves accurate it would continue an extraordinary stretch of turnover in the BGT president’s office. Main Street MagicAnd to close the episode, we dive into the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards.Central Florida had a huge showing this year, with VelociCoaster, Iron Gwazi and Stardust Racers all ranking among the Top 10 steel coasters, while Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment took Best Dark Ride. We go through the major winners, Florida’s rankings, and discuss what the results say about the current state of the theme park and coaster industry.Along the way, we also cover:🎢 Old Town Kissimmee being sold🎢 Fun Spot Atlanta’s liquidation🎃 LEGOLAND Florida’s Halloween overlay for The Dragon🌊 Kyle Miller being named President of United Parks & Resorts👻 SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream getting national attention🍔 Five Guys opening at Universal CityWalk🎭 Universal Mardi Gras 2027 running one week shorter🏛️ Continued demolition of The Lost Continent🦍 Skull Island: Reign of Kong reopening without its Kong finale🤖 Disney developing an AI-powered vacation-planning tool👹 New Monstropolis and Glob Theater details🧸 Toy Story 5 music arriving at Alien Swirling Saucers🚂 Walt Disney World Railroad refurbishment🐅 Bakso leaving Disney’s Animal Kingdom🍽️ Disney dining updates🌐 Disney’s continuing S.E.A. mystery🎂 Walt Disney World celebrating its 55th anniversary🎙️ Join Tom and Jon for VTPM280!Follow Vacationeers Theme Parks & More🌐 https://vacationeerspodcast.com▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast𝕏: https://x.com/VacationeerTom📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcastFollow Jon📸 Instagram: @jon.self.37𝕏: @pastorjonselfThrillLedgerTrack rides. Count memories.Track your park visits, attractions, posted and actual wait times, ratings, notes, stats and more with ThrillLedger.https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/Free version available.

Six Flags bought ArieForce One, Universal is offering Florida residents a cheaper way into Epic Universe, Disney has opened The Magic of Disney Animation, and that's only the beginning of a packed theme park news episode!On Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast Episode 279, Tom and Jon catch up on the biggest theme park stories from the first half of September.🎢 Regional Park News• Six Flags purchases ArieForce One and plans to relocate the RMC coaster• Six Flags Magic Mountain announces the new Thrill Glider coaster• California's Great America confirms operations into 2027• Dollywood announces plans to honor Dolly Parton• Hersheypark's Tidal Force takes its final splash• Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi reveals a massive three-land Harry Potter expansion👻 SeaWorld & Busch Gardens• Howl-O-Scream 2026 is officially underway at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay• SeaWorld Orlando launches its 2026 Howl-O-Scream event• We share some thoughts now that we've actually experienced this year's Orlando-area events🌎 Universal Orlando• Animal Actors on Location! is closing at Universal Studios Florida• Universal Nights adds more Epic Universe dates• Florida residents can now get a special three-day ticket including Epic Universe starting at $85 per day• The Traitors: New Blood takes over the bars at Universal's Great Movie Escape• Rock the Universe announces its 2027 lineup• Joey Fatone's Fat One's Hot Dogs & Italian Ice gets its Universal CityWalk grand opening date — September 19, with Joey himself appearing for the celebration🏰 Walt Disney World• The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios• Disney announces Festival of the Arts and Flower & Garden dates for 2027• Disney After Hours returns to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios• New 2027 Walt Disney World discounts arrive• Disney announces the 2026 Candlelight Processional narrator lineup• Hurly-Burly prepares to open at Disney's BoardWalk• Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill permanently closes at Disney Springs, ending nearly three decades of Wolfgang Puck restaurants at the resortThere's a LOT happening, including some stories that could give us clues about where Universal goes next with Epic Universe Annual Pass access.🎢 ThrillLedger – Track rides. Count memories.Keep track of your theme park visits, rides, wait times, ratings, coaster credits, stats and more:https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/🎙️ Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcasthttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/🌐 Vacationeers Podcasthttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/▶️ YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast👕 Vacationeers Merchhttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/Follow TomX: https://x.com/VacationeerTomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTomFollow JonX: @pastorjonselfInstagram: @jon.self.37👍 Like the episode, subscribe and let us know in the comments:Where do YOU think Six Flags should relocate ArieForce One?

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is back for 2026 — and Jon was there on opening day to eat his way around the festival!On Episode 278 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon break down Jon’s picks for the best, worst, biggest surprises and best values from this year’s festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.Which new foods are actually worth your money? Which returning dishes still deserve their spot? Has the Italy booth finally redeemed itself? And why should you never take a Mickey-shaped macaron for a walk through EPCOT in the Florida heat?Before we eat, there’s plenty of theme park news to discuss, including:• The passing of Dolly Parton and her incredible legacy at Dollywood• Tim Curry, including his memorable role as S.I.R. in ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter• Peter Cullen, longtime voice of Eeyore and Optimus Prime• Dollywood opening NightFlight Expedition• The latest questions surrounding X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain• LEGOLAND Florida rebuilding Coastersaurus• New Brick or Treat details• SeaWorld Orlando introducing Pestilence for Howl-O-Scream• Halloween Spooktacular bringing Hotel Transylvania to SeaWorld Orlando• Fast & Furious: Supercharged permanently closing at Universal Studios Florida• Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift beginning technical rehearsals• Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle returning to Universal Orlando• Halloween Horror Nights 35 officially beginning• Disney retiring the Play Disney Parks app• EPCOT apparently giving up on the World Celebration pavement lighting• Disney Lakeshore Lodge receiving an opening date and new details• And more!Then it’s off to EPCOT as Jon takes us through his opening-day Food & Wine experience, including the Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie, Spicy Temaki Hand Roll, Blackberry Buckle, Paella Caldoso, Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron and plenty more.Some were great.Some were questionable.And apparently Jon actually found something he liked at the Italy booth.🍽️ Read Jon’s complete Best & Worst review at Attractions Magazine:https://attractionsmagazine.com/best-worst-food-epcot-food-wine-festival-2026/🎂 Read Jon’s Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron review at Main Street Magic:https://www.mainstmagic.com/mickey-celebration-macaron-epcot-food-wine-review/🎢 Track your theme park visits, rides, wait times, All-Day Dining and more with ThrillLedger:https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/🌐 Vacationeers:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/🎙️ Podcast:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/📺 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast👕 Merch:https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/

🎃 VacationScares is back!Halloween season has officially arrived in Orlando, which means it's time to close the coffin on the regular Vacationeers Podcast and resurrect VacationScares for another season!On Episode 277, Tom welcomes Joyless Jon Self back from the second Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2026 at Magic Kingdom. Jon shares his experience from the party, including the Halloween atmosphere, entertainment, food, attractions and what stood out during his night.Then we turn our attention across town to Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Orlando Resort.With the houses announced, it's time for one of our favorite preseason traditions: the HHN House Hype List.Tom and Jon rank the HHN 35 haunted houses based entirely on how excited they are to experience them before ever stepping through the doors. Which houses immediately jumped to the top? Which ones have some convincing to do? And just how badly will these rankings age once HHN actually begins?The screams have started.VacationScares 2026 is officially underway.👻 Featuring: Tom – Vacationeer Tom Jon Self – @pastorJonSelf🎢 Track your theme park adventures with ThrillLedger: https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/ Track rides. Count memories.🌐 Vacationeers Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/🎙️ Podcast: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/🛍️ Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/📱 Follow Vacationeer Tom: X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast📱 Follow Jon Self: X: @pastorJonSelf Instagram: @jon.self.37

Disney dropped a mountain of theme park news at D23 2026, and we're digging through the biggest announcements, surprises, and updates from around the world.At Walt Disney World, we finally learned what the two attractions inside Villains Land will be, got new details and names for the Cars attractions coming to Magic Kingdom, and learned that Spaceship Earth is getting a major update. But perhaps the biggest EPCOT surprise of all: Dreamfinder is coming back with Figment!And somehow, after all these years, Disney says they're finally going to bring the Expedition Everest Yeti back to life.We also discuss the major reimagining of Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, new details about Indiana Jones and Encanto at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the rollout of Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios, Disneyland's massive Tomorrowland overhaul, the upcoming Coco attraction, Avengers Campus, Disneyland Paris' new Lion King attraction, and much more.So which D23 announcement has us the most excited — and which projects still leave us with way more questions than answers?Join us for our complete D23 2026 Disney Parks recap!🎢 ThrillLedger — Track rides. Count memories. https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast𝕏 X: https://x.com/VacationeerTom📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom👕 Merch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/

Halloween season is taking over the theme park industry — and apparently everybody wants some of Universal's IP money.On Episode 275 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon look at the growing battle over licensed Halloween properties as Six Flags, United Parks and Universal roll out some big-name horror franchises.Six Flags is bringing Jason Voorhees to select parks with JASON: Blood Reign, while Cedar Point and Kings Dominion are opening a portal to Blizzard's Diablo franchise.United Parks is making one of its biggest moves yet into licensed Halloween IP, bringing I Know What You Did Last Summer to SeaWorld parks and Anaconda to Busch Gardens Tampa and Williamsburg. We go through the latest Howl-O-Scream houses and scare zones, along with some interesting comments from United Parks management about why IP could become increasingly important to the event.Over at Universal, Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness is coming to Halloween Horror Nights — and now Ozzy is getting his own themed HHN bar as well. We also discuss the latest HHN updates, Universal Orlando's 2026 holiday plans and Universal Nights tickets going on sale.Then we compare the latest quarterly results from Six Flags, United Parks and Disney Experiences. Disney had the strongest quarter of the three, while United Parks continues to see guests spend more money inside its parks even as attendance struggles.Disney is also using an internal J.A.R.V.I.S. AI system with Imagineers, and we look at what has already been revealed at D23 ahead of the big Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase.Before the news, it's time for The Queue!Tom talks about a recent SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica visit where he and Elena:Picked up their free Pass Member basting brushes.Hit Waterway Grill Bar's happy hour for a $5 beer and $9 cocktail.Tried the Jalapeño Cheese Warm Pretzel and Bougee Bratwurst at Red, White & BBQ — spending just 20 cents on each after using SeaWorld Bucks.Discovered Aquatica's Happy Hour promotion has ended.Ordered “single” scoops of ice cream that somehow turned into three scoops each…and then became free when the register went down.Used Beach Bucks and Pass Member discounts to grab kids meals and beers at Waterstone Grill for final out-of-pocket totals of just $2.67 and $2.71.Tom also talks about getting to Busch Gardens Tampa for Kumba's final weekend, arriving for 8 a.m. early entry and getting three final rides on the legendary coaster.And naturally, since every theme park company is licensing an IP for Halloween now, Tom has an announcement of his own:The IP-licensed Pitch Perfect condo Halloween event is apparently coming soon.🎙️ Vacationeers Theme Parks & More PodcastHosted by Tom with Jon🎢 ThrillLedger — Track rides. Count memories.https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/Use promo code LAUNCH15 for 15% off an annual subscription through August 2026.🏠 Vacationeers Property ServicesVeteran-Owned Vacation Home Care Near Disneyhttps://propertyservices.vacationeerspodcast.com/🌐 Vacationeers Podcasthttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/🎙️ Podcast Pagehttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/📺 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcast🛍️ Merchhttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/Follow TomX: https://x.com/VacationeerTomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTomFollow JonX: @pastorjonselfInstagram: @jon.self.37

Tom and Jon finally get around to The Queue segment that didn’t fit into Episode 273 and apparently theme park leftovers can still make a full meal.We begin at SeaWorld Orlando, where Tom discusses visiting on the final day of the park’s free-beer promotion and his experience with the locker system near Mako.Next, we head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Tom talks about unusually long security lines stretching beyond the tram area, his first look at the new Edge of Africa: Lion & Hyena Ridge, weather interfering with plans to ride Kumba and another round of free beer.There was also food involved, because naturally there was. Tom, Elena and Jon tried the 16-inch Family-Size Meat Lovers Pizza from Taproom Pizza for $33.99.Finally, Tom and Jon briefly discuss Six Flags Great Adventure’s newly announced Bakunawa. Coming in 2027, the massive spinning launch coaster is being promoted as a six-record-breaking attraction featuring a 382-foot climb, speeds of up to 100 mph and an upside-down launch.🎢 IN THIS EPISODE• SeaWorld Orlando’s final free-beer day• The Mako locker experience• Massive security lines at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay• Edge of Africa: Lion & Hyena Ridge• Weather interfering with one last Kumba ride• Busch Gardens’ free-beer promotion• Taproom Pizza’s Family-Size Meat Lovers Pizza• Six Flags Great Adventure’s Bakunawa announcement📺 RELATED VIDEOBusch Gardens’ New Lion & Hyena Ridge, Taproom Pizza and Free Beer:https://youtu.be/sj90pBzyhnA🎢 THRILLEDGERTrack your theme park visits, rides, wait times, ratings and memories with ThrillLedger.Track rides. Count memories.https://thrillledger.vacationeerspodcast.com/🏠 VACATIONEERS PROPERTY SERVICESVeteran-owned vacation-home care near Disney, including turnover cleaning, property inspections and detailed digital reports.https://propertyservices.vacationeerspodcast.com/🎙️ VACATIONEERS THEME PARKS & MORE PODCASThttps://vacationeerspodcast.com/vacationeers-theme-parks-more-podcast/🌐 VACATIONEERS PODCASTWebsite: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VacationeersPodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeer_tom/X: https://x.com/VacationeerTomMerch: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/merch/So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.