The Themed Attraction Podcast

The Themed Attraction Podcast

By McGowan, Martin & HillBusinessArtsVisual ArtsCareers
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The Themed Attraction Podcast episodes

  • TA Podcast E35: Tony Bruno
    Our guest is Tony Bruno, former VP of the Disneyland Resort Hotels & the Downtown Disney District.
    Under his guidance, over 4000 cast members operated The 4 Diamond Grand Californian Hotel & Disneyland Hotel - as well as the 49 unique brands that comprise Downtown Disney. Today he leads Hospitality Development at Storyland Studios helping other resort brands elevate their hospitality initiatives to include exclusive and unforgettable experiences.
    57 min
  • TA Podcast E34: Ben Thompson
    Ben Thompson is a global themed entertainment and marketing strategist who spent the last 20 years in leadership roles at global monoliths like Mars Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and the Merlin Group, where he was responsible for opening 4 LEGOLAND®️ Parks and 40 location-based entertainment sites worldwide. Ben is now the Chief Strategy Officer at Storyland Studios London office and heads up their international projects.
    1 hr 1 min
  • TA Podcast E33: Doris Hardoon

    Our guest is Walt Disney Imagineering designer and art producer, Doris Hardoon.

    Doris joined the company for the Epcot project in 1979 helping to develop the China Pavilion. She lent her unique cultural perspective to international projects with Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Her crowning glory is found at Shanghai Disneyland, where she developed the legendary design voice for the resort that is “authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”

    Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy Martin

    Show design & production: Barry R. Hill

    Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.

    Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!

    1 hr 23 min
  • TA Podcast E32: Jason Surrell
    Jason Surrell is the Executive Creative Director at Storyland Studios. He was previously the Senior Creative Director on Universal’s newest theme park projects, Universal Studios Beijing and Epic Universe, as well as a creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering. Jason is an amazing storyteller, whether it be in the shows, attractions, or books he’s written. And he’s a great storyteller in person as well. 
    Our guest this episode is Jason Surrell. Twitter 
    Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy Martin       
    Show design & production: Barry R. Hill                              
    Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.
    Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!
    1 hr 32 min
  • TA Podcast E31: Brandon Kleyla

    Brandon Kleyla made his mark as a production art director for Universal Creative and Walt Disney Imagineering, bringing his love of spatial storytelling to two of the most detailed and beautiful dive bars on the planet, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort, and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World. “Trader Brandon,” as his friends call him, is also an author and artist in his own right, culminating in comic books, apparel, tiki mugs, and one of the most laid back Instagram Live shows you’ll ever find.

    Our guest this episode is Trader Brandon Kleyla. LinkedIn / Instagram

    Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy Martin

    Show design & production: Barry R. Hill

    Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.

    Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!

    1 hr 17 min
  • TA Podcast E30: Joe Pine

    In this episode, Joe Pine is going to help us trace the history and evolution of the world’s economies to what the themed entertainment industry currently knows as the “Experience Economy.” Besides being one of Mel’s thought leadership heroes, Joe Pine’s work has influenced much of his design philosophy and consequently many of the experiences he’s developed for clients around the world.

    Our guest this episode is Joe Pine. LinkedIn / Twitter / Amazon

    Show hosts: Mel McGowan  & Freddy Martin

    Show design & production: Barry R. Hill

    Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.

    Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com  for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!

    1 hr 21 min
  • TA Podcast E29: Dr. Barry R. Hill
    Our guest needs no introduction…because he’s always at the end of the show! Dr. Barry R. Hill, our very own show producer and designer, is the author of Imagineering an American Dreamscape: Genesis, Evolution, and Redemption of the Regional Theme Park. This book tells the long-overdue story of the regionals and the strong-willed individuals behind them—where they came from, how they got started, and how they’ve changed over the decades. Featuring a special chapter by our co-host Mel McGowan, it’s a fascinating read that took us down memory lane as we discuss the non-Disney parks we all grew up with.
    Find out more at www.rivershorecreative.com.
    1 hr 6 min
  • TA Podcast E28: Don & Doug Stewart

    Our guests are two of the industry’s leading feasibility experts, the father/son duo Don and Doug Stewart of Economic Consulting Services. In the themed entertainment world, we like to think we build the impossible. But the impossible is not always feasible. The “Walt Disneys” of the world rely on experts like Don and Doug who do the homework to evaluate if a theme park dream will be a financial success or a flop.

    Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy Martin

    Show design & production: Barry R. Hill

    Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.

    Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!

    53 min
  • TA Podcast E27: Joe Lanzisero

    Joe Lanzisero is a 30-year Disney veteran who began his career in Disney animation and made the switch to Imagineering where he eventually became known as the theme park land expansion guy—think Critter Country & ToonTown in Anaheim, and Toy StoryLand, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point in Tokyo.

    Today, Joe is Executive Vice President at Zeitgeist Design directing many projects for theme parks, cruise lines, museums and more, and is one of the world’s top go-to leaders for UX design.

    Show hosts: Mel McGowan  & Freddy Martin

    Show design & production: Barry R. Hill

    Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.

    Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com  for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!

    1 hr 8 min
  • TA Podcast E26: Eddie Sotto

    Eddie Sotto is a fixture in the themed entertainment industry best known for his contributions at Walt Disney Imagineering. He creative directed dozens of attractions at Disney Parks, including Main Street USA at Disneyland Paris, Mission: Space at Epcot, and the first ever trackless dark ride, “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt” at Tokyo Disneyland.

    Eddie’s work extends beyond the Disney berm. Today, Eddie’s company, SottoStudios/LA, creates unique brand experiences for companies like NASA, Pepsi, Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin.

    Show hosts: Mel McGowan  & Freddy Martin

    Show design & production: Barry R. Hill

    Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music by the Lost Dogs.

    Give us a shoutout on iTunes; we love the attention, and browse www.themedattraction.com  for even more on the attractions industry. Thanks for listening!

    1 hr 17 min

About The Themed Attraction Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Mel McGowan, Freddy Martin & friends discuss theme park design with themed entertainment industry experts.