Theme Park Rangers

Universal invited Orlando Sentinel reporter Patrick Connolly to be a ‘scareactor’ for an evening at Halloween Horror Nights. He shares what he learned about the art of scaring: Makeup, character development and the science behind the surprise.

Scare zone: Vanity Ball (1:47)

Character: Harvest victim (3:14)

Professionally bloodied up (4:06)

The rules (7:20)

Did anyone try to slug you? (9:51)

How hard was it? (12:52)

Best part (16:07)

Worst part (16:40)

Time to take the makeup off (18:15)

The Disney Skyliner, free and now open to the public, gives Walt Disney World visitors new views and ways to get into its theme parks. The Theme Park Rangers discuss the pros (Epcot's station location) and cons (cabins are not air-conditioned) of the gondola-based transportation system.

Gondolas aren’t air-conditioned! (2:02)

Skyliner routes (6:21)

The views: good and bad (9:19)

Character wrappings (14:46)

Wait times, bathrooms and coffee (20:08)

Future hopes for Skyliner lines (26:30)

The end is near for Epcot’s “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” Sept. 30 is the last performance of the fireworks show that debuted 20 years ago. The Theme Park Rangers discuss the beloved spectacular and what is to come as Disney World replaces several of its nighttime shows.

Goodbye to ROE (1:20)

“I loved ‘IllumiNations’ from Day 1.’ (2:11)

Temporary replacement (7:43)

Permanent show coming in 2020 (8:52)

Goodbye Globe (10:45)

Blowing out the torches for the last time (23:32)

The smell of rotting flesh and scares lurking around every corner means Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is in full swing.The Theme Park Rangers discuss the scariest houses, best scare zones, the mazes that provide the most fun and new experiences awaiting park guests.

Scariest houses (2: 31)

Fun houses (7:56)

Tip to make the most of Ghostbusters house (10:33)

Is Halloween Horror Nights getting away from horror? (12:44)

Best scare zones (14:56)

New things (16:48)

Don’t miss these things (25:

SeaWorld Orlando and Tampa Bay Busch Gardens reveal details about new roller coasters Ice Breaker and Iron Gwazi. Theme park reporter Gabrielle Russon talks with Andrew Hyde, a freelance tourism writer, about the potential for these rides to transform the parks when they open in 2020.

Ice Breaker filling a void (3:36)

Iron Gwazi (5:42)

Is 2020 SeaWorld’s year? (10:55)

Building coasters while cutting costs (17:05)

This year’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios fully embraces the ’80s. Show director Patrick Braillard discusses key houses (‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Strangers Things’) and the neon chainsaws that will greet guests.

Anarch-cade scare zone (1:36)

Vanity Ball scare zone (2:55)

‘Ghostbusters’ (4:12)

‘Stranger Things’ (5:34)

Nightingales: Blood Pit (8:18)

Depths of Fear (11:12)

Yeti: Terror of the Yukon (12:58)

Universal’s classic monsters maze (16:55)

Carey, Ohio? (19:37

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is setting a new record at 87 days (Aug. 29-Nov. 23). So pace yourself,  We've sample the dishes and studied the menus to help you prep for your trip around the World Showcase.

Star Wars land and Food & Wine open on same day (1:10)

New things (3:30)

Cheese scavenger hunt (5:03)

New Donut Box Food Booth opening Oct. 1 (7:49)

Joey Fatone and Friends (12:24)

New merchandise that is brilliant! (14:43)

Final “Illuminations” fireworks show (17:20)

The Theme Park Rangers break down the many announcements at the D23 Expo that will impact Disney World – especially Epcot.

D23 – What is it? (1:43)

"Mary Poppins" attraction (3:45)

Dismantling Future World? (5:04)

"Guardians of the Galaxy" ride details (6:38)

New restaurant: Space 220 (7:22)

"Illuminations" replacements (13:12)

Spaceship Earth changes (15:30)

Big Disney news outside Orlando (20:15)

Cirque du Soleil news (22:34)

Star Wars Hotel (24:49)

Theme Park Rangers Dewayne Bevil and Gabrielle Russon leave no spire unturned as they discuss Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios with John Saccheri, who runs bigfatpanda.com.

First impressions (1:06)

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride (6:02)

The missing piece: Rise of the Resistance (8:51)

Lightsaber workshop a religious experience (13:56)

Oga’s Cantina: Weird drinks, DJ-R3X (16:41)

Theories on opening day crowds (27:00)

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios opens Aug. 29. Theme Park Rangers Dewayne Bevil and Gabrielle Russon discuss Star Wars fatigue/envy, and how Disney Land’s attendance decline may impact opening day in Orlando.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge fatigue/envy (:59)

Will Rise of the Resistance ride delay keep people away? (5:27)

Batuu (in Florida) is going to be hot and wet (7:13)

When a new land changes the dynamics of a park (13:42)

The evolution of Disney parks (16:49)