Theme Park Rangers

It's time to honor the highs and lows in 2022 theme parks news. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice compiled a list of notable happenings at Central Florida attractions and slotted them into the categories Biggest Head-spinners, Most Meh, and the Incomplete Trophy (aka Too Soon to Say). A new ride, a sudden departure and a visit to a galaxy far, far away all made the list

• Biggest Head Spinners (1:31)
• Most Meh (7:37)
• The Incomplete Trophy (aka Too Soon to Say) (15:05)

The live-stage musical "Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular" returns to Islands of Adventure and, after a two-year absence, ICE is back at Gaylord Palms with an ice-sculpture exhibit that portrays Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." In this episode of Theme Park Ranger, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice pop open a can of Who Hash and dish on all the holiday offerings at Universal Orlando and Gaylord Palms.

• Grinchmas at Universal (1:39)
• Set your expectations high (4:19)
• Changes over the years (9:36)
• Meet and greet with Grinch (15:12)
• Universal Studios festivities (18:27)
• Earl the Squirrel (21:05)
• ICE at Gaylord Palms (23:57)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss a Minions-base attraction coming to Universal Studios in summer 2023 and the newly opened Great Movie Escape at Universal CityWalk where participants solve brainteasers based on the "Jurassic World" and "Back to the Future" film franchises.

• More Minions coming (1:39)
• Minion blaster ride (3:36)
• Escape room first impressions (10:29)
• Variable experiences (16:20)
• Lobby design/2 bars (19:20)
• The Groove remnants (22:23)
• Is there a guaranteed escape? (24:18)

The clock is running if you want to ride Splash Mountain one more time before it closes. You have until Jan. 22 to experience the log ride in its current form. Then it will close and the transformation into Tiana's Bayou Adventure will begin. The new ride based on "The Princess and the Frog" will open in late 2024. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss details about the makeover and other news about holiday festivities at Disney World attractions.

• Splash Mountain closing date (1:41)
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure update (4:28)
• Candlelight Procession tweak (10:09)
• Festival of the Holidays (14:17)
• Guardians: 'Run, Run, Rocket' (17:32)
• Magic Kingdom festivities (22:09
• Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios (23:09)
• Decorations at resorts, Disney Springs (24:25)
• Universal's Escape Rooms (25:26)

There is a lot going on at Disney and Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil are on top of all the happenings. The two discuss Walt Disney's Co.'s decision to oust CEO Bob Chapek and reinstate former longtime CEO Bob Iger. Disney World also revealed increases in theme-park ticket prices and said for the first time it will charge extra for one-day tickets based on which park a customer reserves. Lastly, there are some changes to some holiday festivities offered at Epcot.

• Chapek is out. Iger is back. (:00)
• Reaction to Iger's return (6:05)
• Ticket prices increasing (9:23)
• Annual passes going up (15:53)
• Very Merry sold out (17:47)
• Candlelight Processional changes (19:07)
• 'Guardians of the Galaxy' ride overlay (19:36)

This week members of the theme park industry descended on the Orange County Convention Center to display their work, make a few deals and break a little news. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the happenings at IAAPA Expo (that's the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions for those not in the know).

• IAAPA: Wall-to-wall exhibitors (:00)
• SeaWorld reveals surfing ride vehicle (7:29)
• SeaWorld park in Abu Dhabi (13:10)
• New Icon Park game (17:17)
• Local IAAPA Brass Ring Award winners (23:55)

Mickey and pirates and scares, oh my! Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the return of an updated "Fantasmic" to Disney's Hollywood Studios, Universal Orlando's plans to close five KidZone attractions, an early Halloween Horror Nights announcement and a new opening date for Legoland's Pirate River Quest boat ride.

• 'Fantasmic' returns (:31)
• Intense crowd reaction (5:51)
• Spectacular changes (7:33)
• Universal closing 5 KidZone attractions (15:48)
• Universal announces first HHN 2023 house (24:43)
• Legoland ride has new opening date (28:23)

The Theme Park Rangers venture outside the parks this week to look at the intersection of tourism and agriculture in Central Florida. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice welcome the cool-for-Florida weather by breaking down some of the fall festivities at area farms.

• When tourism & agriculture meet (:00)
• A day on the farm (2:12)
• Pandemic push (6:21)
• Corn mazes & sunflowers (7:34)
• Hurricane Ian damage (9:03)
• Farmers pivot to agritourism (13:22)
• Central Florida Zoo reopens (14:56)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Pipeline: The Surf Coaster coming to SeaWorld Orlando in spring 2023. The roller coaster's restraint system, surfing stance and inversion will help guests feel like they are riding the waves.

• Pipeline: The Surf Coaster at SeaWorld (:00)
• 'Moana' attraction at Epcot (11:51)
• Tron at Magic Kingdom (14:09)
• 'Fantasmic''s official opening date (16:58)
• Pirate River Quest at LegoLand Florida delayed (20:10)
• Mardi Gras at Universal Studios (23:10)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss flooding caused by Hurricane Ian at Gatorland, Disney Genie+ pricing, Busch Garden's new ride and the investigation and planned dismantling of Orlando Free Fall.

• Gatorland flooding (1:13)
• Gatorland reopens with Halloween event (8:33)
• Disney Genie+ pricing (14:09)
• Fantasmic! returning (19:50)
• Busch Gardens swing ride (21:35)
• Free Fall coming down (25:51)