Theme Park Rangers

Universal Orlando announced the new Epic Universe theme park on August 1. Blogger Alicia Stella, owner of OrlandoParkStop.com, has been investigating  the possibility of this new park for months.

-A new Universal Orlando theme park is coming (1:42)

-Will the new park include a “Wizarding World”? (2:34)

-Estimating when the new park will open (3:38)

-How will Disney respond? (9:07)

-Alicia’s wish list for the parks (21:10)

Theme Park Ranger Dewayne Bevil chatted with “Walt Disney World Hacks” author Susan Veness about how to best use FastPass+, make dining reservations, avoid scaring children and other tips.

-Best piece of advice (5:45)

-FastPass+ Hacks (6:45)

-Dining Hacks (10:40)

-Things that scare children (17:44)

-Things that confuse British tourists about the parks (20:15)

-Thoughts on new policies on smoking and strollers (24:48)

Chris Spokesmayne has turned his love of theme parks into a career by live streaming on YouTube his visits to area attractions (Magic Kingdom is his favorite).

Live streaming the parks (:48)

Who is watching? (3:49)

5-day a week job (7:11)

Are there days you wake up and don’t want to go to the parks? (9:02)

Audience often dictates actions (10:15)

‘Old Town Road’ parody ‘Main Street Road’ (11:57)

Disney World rap song (16:50)

Hacking the Millennium Falcon (22:17)

Looking into the future

Theme Park Rangers Dewayne Bevil and Patrick Connolly discuss why a trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral is a must for space geeks young and old.

Apollo 11 anniversary (1:02)

New/revamped Apollo/Saturn V Center (3:46)

Moon Tree Garden (9:44)

‘Awe-inspiring’ Atlantis reveal (13:45)

Astronaut Training Experience (15:43)

Back to the Moon in 2024 (18:07)

See a launch (19:36)

The Theme Park Rangers analyze stage shows, fireworks (new ones this year), and “free” snacks at after-hours events at Disney World and Universal Orlando.

Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park (1:26)

Little to no wait time for rides? Not really (10:26)

Not-So-Scary vs. Very Merry (12:34)

Cruella’s Halloween Hide-A-Way (15:07)

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (18:11)

Helpful hints for those curious about HHN (20:27)

Extra ticket events – is it worth it? (26:01)

While waiting in theme park lines, you can’t help but ponder just how much you are willing to pay to skip to the front. With that in mind, three Orlando Sentinel reporters headed to Universal Orlando to experience the parks and their ride queues to see if it is worth it to pay for the Express Pass.

Express Pass vs. single rider vs. regular line (1:57)

Single-rider crap shoot (5:34)

Waiting in standard queues (8:59)

How many rides per person? (11:44)

3 theories on when to use Express pass (16:41)

Mark Silverman, a voice actor from California, plays the famous voice you hear on the iconic Tower of Terror ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. He discusses how he imitated Twilight Zone host Rod Serling’s voice, and what it means to be part of a Disney ride.

Recreating the voice of Rod Serling (1:51)

Opening day July 1984 (4:37)

Talking skull from Pirates of the Caribbean ride (6:20)

Returning to Disney World for 25th anniversary of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (8:36)

After riding the new Harry Potter coaster at Universal Orlando, many declared Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure the best ride in Orlando. As a result, the Theme Park Rangers decided to pick their favorite experiences at each park.

Top rides at Universal Orlando, SeaWorld (:58)

Tethered to ride – Part 1 (4:17)

Top rides at Disney World (5:44)

Tethered to ride – Part 2 (10:52)

Rides they loathe (16:15)

The ride they would resuscitate (19:03)

Potential future favorites (21:06)

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure officially opens June 13 at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. But the Theme Park Rangers have already been on the roller coaster. They discuss their adventure into the Forbidden Forest and how the investment in Harry Potter is still paying off big for Universal.

Best seat -- motorbike or sidecar? (1:47)

SPOILERS: Ride surprises (2:41)

How does virtual line work (11:39)

Celebrity sightings (12:08)

Which ride is better Millennium Falcon or Hagrid? (18:

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporters Dewayne Bevil and Gabrielle Russon discuss their experience at the new Disneyland attraction, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, in Anaheim, Calif.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride (2:35)

Oga’s Cantina (9:03)

Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge dedication (13:52)

LIght sabers, droids,"authentic" batuu gear (20:36)

Hidden Mickeys (23:07)

Blue Milk (24:00)

How will Disney World handle their opening on Aug. 29? (25:59)