Weekly bonus episodes on our Patreon. It’s our Halloween special! We dive into Fun.com’s costume data to see how IP-driven favorites like Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, and Inside Out define the season, showing Halloween’s unique synergy across homes, media, and theme parks. We then delve into recent haunt visits: Scott’s behind-the-scenes look at Netherworld’s stellar operations and Philip’s trip to Dark at Fort Edmonton, exploring how the event has expanded.

Get weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon here. Universal Orlando Resort officially announced the opening date for their much-anticipated new theme park, Universal Epic Universe, slated for May 22, 2025. We discuss what this means for the park’s future and how it stacks up against industry expectations. Plus, Disney is launching the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, offering guests a more flexible option similar to Universal’s Express Pass. We discuss how this new offering might change the guest experience and what it signals for the future of queue management at Disney parks. Tune in for insights on these major theme park developments and more!

Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon. Florida's weather is growing more extreme, and our strategic planning must evolve to meet it. This week, we focus on Hurricane Milton's aftermath and its sweeping impact on Florida’s theme parks, including closures, operational challenges, and recovery efforts. Then, we turn to the future and discuss why strategic planning for hurricanes may need to evolve.

Subscribe to our Patreon for weekly bonus shows. Could Universal's Fan Fest Nights Define the Future of Hard-Ticketed Events? Joining Star Trek, Back to the Future, and Dungeons & Dragons are anime experiences from One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen, expanding Universal’s reach into mainstream and niche fandoms. These additions leverage the studio’s scenic expertise and offer fans unique, interactive content. Universal’s "immersive pop-up" event strategy could shift theme parks' operations. Plus, a deep dive into the revitalization of Dark Harbor, with its larger footprint, modernized approach, and efforts to broaden Halloween’s appeal to a wider audience.

Subscribe to our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes. IAAPA announced the IAAPA Expo Middle East in Abu Dhabi in 2026; this is perhaps one of the most significant signals that the industry is exploding in the Middle East. Back at home, Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme can't seem to get its haunted houses open nationwide, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg faces curfews that impact guest experiences. Finally, SeaWorld lost an 11.4 million dollar licensing judgment against Sesame Workshop.

In this episode, Philip and Scott break down the latest findings from the IAAPA Q3 2024 Quarterly Outlook Survey, exploring how theme parks are navigating a challenging landscape of reduced capital, labor shortages, and shifting consumer behaviors. With per-capita spending fluctuating and North American parks lagging in recovery, we dive into the role of creativity and innovation in keeping attractions engaging. We also connect insights from the TEA/AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report and Disney's earnings call to comprehensively examine the industry's future. Listen for an in-depth discussion on how parks find new ways to thrive amid tightening budgets and operational challenges.

It's our four-year anniversary, and we're celebrating by launching a Patreon for our Unhinged content. Find it here. This week, we discuss Dark Nights at Hershey Park and Field of Screams, which both opened last weekend. We also discuss Universal's new Butterbeer offering at CityWalk and the upcoming Wicked experience before addressing the controversial funding cap on Disney's Aspire program. 

NEW: Subscribe to BONUS content on our Patreon. In this episode, Philip and Scott discuss their recent experiences at Oogie Boogie Bash, Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood, and Fear Factory. They highlight the immersive and consistent atmosphere at Oogie Boogie Bash, where guests can interact with villains in well-designed sets. They also discuss the unique elements of Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood, such as the use of sign language by actors in the A Quiet Place maze and the intense chainsaw-filled Texas Chainsaw Massacre maze. Additionally, they mention the collaboration between Halloween Horror Nights Singapore and luxury streetwear brand Wang Design for a haunted house called Under the Castle. They emphasize the importance of partnerships and storytelling in creating memorable experiences.

NEW: Subscribe to BONUS content on our Patreon. Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) kicked off at Universal Studios Orlando this weekend. As the largest Halloween event in the world, HHN is a significant revenue generator for Universal, inspiring similar seasonal offerings at attractions worldwide. However, this year’s event falls short of expectations. Could the impending opening of Epic Universe be stretching the team too thin? Or is Universal experimenting with a lower-budget experience to see how it impacts sales? In this video, Scott and Philip break down the highlights and challenges of HHN 2024.

NEW: Subscribe to BONUS content on our Patreon. The 2023 Global Attractions Attendance Report from TEA/AECOM just dropped, and we are diving deep into its findings. The report highlights the recovery of the global attractions industry after the pandemic and the performance of different theme parks worldwide.  It also explores the trends in attendance and spending and the potential for growth in other regions. Scott and Philip draw attention to the impact of weather on attendance, the need for parks to focus on guest experience and creature comforts, the significance of Halloween events, and the potential for special events to drive demand throughout the year.