Theme Park Rangers

Universal Studios Hollywood's Super Nintendo World officially opened Feb. 17 after weeks of previews and fan anticipation. The land, featuring characters from the Japanese video game company Nintendo's Mario franchise, is the only land that Universal Orlando has confirmed is coming to Epic Universe. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss the immersive elements of the land, how it compares to Harry Potter's popularity and what can be expected when it opens locally.

• Super Nintendo World opens in Hollywood (:00)
• Hollywood vs. Japan (2:31 )
• 'Blown away by the level of detail' (7:46)
• Harry Potter vs. Nintendo (10:53)
• Epic Universe facts and rumors (15:07)

Topiaries are on display at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. New this year are Luisa, Mirabel, Antonio and Isabela from "Encanto" and Princess Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog." Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the visual elements, menu and musical lineup. They also discuss upcoming changes to the Disney parks reservation system and Tron Lightcycle / Run annual passholder previews.

• New and returning topiaries (:46)
• Food offerings (13:43)
• Orange Bird kicks Figment to the curb (18:19)
• Musical lineup extensive (22:09)
• Disney park reservation changes (27:31)
• Tron passholder previews (31:31)

Half of our Theme Park Rangers duo successfully secured at spot on the Tron Lightcycle / Run passholder preview. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice reveal the results from last week's virtual queue waiting game. Meanwhile Dewayne joined a cast member on the yet-to-open Magic Kingdom ride and shares his experience. Tron officially opens to the public on April 4. He also visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to ride their new Serengeti Flyer (opening Feb. 27) and Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven to celebrate the attraction's one-year anniversary ("Turning One" party Feb. 24-26).

• Tron virtual queue results (:00)
• Locker system (3:17)
• Getting on the lightcycle (4:40)
• The ride experience (8:01)
• Theming (11:55)
• Storing backpacks vs. phones (14:08)
• Busch Gardens new ride (16:34)
• Peppa Pig birthday (23:49)

Excitement for Tron LIghtcycle / Run is mounting as Walt Disney World annual passholders began registering to preview the Magic Kingdom ride. And across the park work is happening on the rebranding of Splash Mountain into Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

• Tron preview (:34)
• Restraint system (6:08)
• The queue (12:52)
• 'Splash Mountain water' for sale (19:43)
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure progress (27:06)

Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is in full swing at Universal Studios. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the celebration that runs nightly through April 16. They offer tips on how best to navigate the parade (lots of beads and mythical creatures), festival foods (offerings go beyond typical Mardi Gras fare), and concerts (on select nights).

• Mardi Gras: First impressions (:38)
• Food offerings (3:32)
• Tribute store moves (11:54)
• Cursed Coconut Club (16:36)
• Parade & costumes (18:55)
• Concerts (28:17)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice tackle Tron Lightcycle details, a Gatorland goodbye and the power outage at ICON Park in this episode of Theme Park Rangers podcast.

• Tron ride virtual queue (1:35)
• RIP, Chester (7:54)
• Wheel at ICON Park (14:14)
• Garden Rocks concerts (17:26)

It's the most brows-able of the Epcot fests. The International Festival of the Arts showcases Disney artists, culinary dishes that look as good as they taste and Broadway musicians. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Figment grape smoothies, a $4,000 painting and pin tables from 1982.

• Most browsable festival (1:21)
• $4,000 painting (4:28)
• Disney artists (8:14)
• Walk-in masterpieces (10:14)
• Figment front and center (11:20)
• Tasting the art (13:13)
• Voices of Liberty (20:25)
• Figment popcorn buckets & pin tables (21:18)

It's festival season at area theme parks. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Universal's Mardi Gras concert lineup and parade theme, new topiaries planned for Epcot flower and garden fest and other notable happenings at Central Florida attractions.

• Universal's Mardi Gras (1:42)
• CityWalk hosts "Premier League Mornings Live" (10:52)
• Rock the Universe (13:59)
• Flower and Garden at Epcot (17:49)
• Splash Mountain closing this weekend (21:42)

Legoland Florida theme park launches a new boat ride and Disney World and Universal share some surprising news about park reservations, a big ride's opening date and new projects.

• Disney AP park-hopping news (1:01)
• Tron opening date (6:16)
• Return of firework shows (9:03)
• Legoland boat ride opens (11:10)
• Universal projects in Texas and Las Vegas (21:49)

The new year is here and with it brings exciting changes to area theme parks. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss new rides opening in 2023 and several attractions that will close for good.

Legoland

• Pirate River Quest (1:19 )

Disney

• Tron (4:31)
• Splash Mountain closing (8:39)
• Epcot changes: Moana & new spectacular (12:28)

SeaWorld

• Surf coaster (14:05)

Universal

• KidZone revamp (16:54)
• New Minions Land (19:26)
• New Passholder area at Islands of Adventure (20:42)
• HHN Chucky house (25:26)