Theme Park Rangers

"You won't be bored on Ice Breaker," Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil shares after riding SeaWorld Orlando's newest roller coaster. The 90-second experience packs a lot of airtime — 13 moments to be exact.

• First impression (1:11)
• Seats is different than anything we have in town (3:11)
• Intensity: Family thrill (5:40)
• Gwazi = Family Thrill? (11:27)
• Theming & location (16:38)
• Premier rides (17:45)
• Rider reaction (18:47)
• Coasters on the horizon (20:52)

Universal Orlando's new theme park continues to take shape and Epcot's art fest is off and running. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss construction at Epic Universe and the allure of the Epcot International Arts Festival.

• Universal's Epic Universe (:55)
• Epcot International Festival of the Arts (15:13)
• Upcoming festivals at Universal, SeaWorld (25:18)

Actress, entrepreneur and a real part of the "Star Wars" universe, Ashley Eckstein, talks about how growing up with Disney World in her backyard helped catapult her career.

• Growing up Disney (1:18)
• Cast member at 16 (5:29)
• Orlando's Hollywood East phase (7:58)
• Moving to LA (11:34)
• Catching the voice acting bug (14:31)
• Becoming Ahsoka Tano (17:05)
• Her Universe clothing line (24:36)
• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (27:36)
• 40 for 40 challenge (32:01)
• New projects ahead (36:06)

Two new rides, touted as the tallest attractions of their kind in the world, just opened at Icon Park on International Drive. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil discusses the SlingShot and FreeFall. These thrill rides aren't made for everyone so listen before you commit.

• Icon Park (:39)
• Orlando Slingshot (2:42)
• Orlando Freefall (13:22)
• SeaWorld Ice Breaker (19:15)
• Theme Park Insider Awards (20:36)
• Theme Park Ranger Radar (25:28)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss what is ahead for area attractions in 2022, including new roller coasters at Epcot, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

• Typhoon Lagoon reopens (:54)
• Universal shuttering Shrek 4-D (3:02)
• Revenge of the Mummy ride temporarily closing (4:11)
• Peppa Pig Theme Park (5:13)
• Ice Breaker at SeaWorld (7:12)
• Busch Gardens' Iron Gwazi (8:52)
• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (10:29)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (13:27)
• More construction news (18:39)

In 2021 theme park guests took a spin on a new coaster, asked a Genie for tips, found a new scare zone and celebrated a big anniversary. Listen to this episode of Theme Park Rangers to find out what else made the list.

• "Disney look" (2:25)
• $15/hour (5:13)
• Cirque returns (6:39)
• Disney's Lake Nona move (8:05)
• Tarp over Miniland USA (9:29)
• Genie debuts (10:45)
• Howl-O-Scream (12:47)
• Big leadership changes (14:08)
• VelociCoaster opens (16:09)
• International tourism (18:57)
• Disney's 50th anniversary (20:22)
• The pandemic (23:19)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and food writer Amy Drew Thompson discuss the party atmosphere at Mango's Tropical Café on International Drive and the Latin American-inspired fare.

• The party atmosphere (1:04)
• Sexy show (4:08)
• Revamped menu (8:22)
• Pandemic relief (14:58)
• Dynamic digital art mural (16:47)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice take you on a tour of Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs to highlight the best of Disney's holiday celebrations.

• History of event (1:33)
• What's different this year? (4:09)
• Musical program adjusted (8:09)
• Backstage at Candlelight (12:12)
• Narrators (16:40)
• More Epcot festivities (18:01)
• Magic Kingdom: After-hours, Jingle Cruise (19:02)
• Animal Kingdom: Menagerie, projections, flotillas (21:13)
• Hollywood Studios: projections, singalong (25:00)
• Disney Springs: Tree stroll, holiday drinks (27:50)
• Decorated resorts (29:25)

That slight drop in temperature means it's time to celebrate the holidays in Orlando. Universal and SeaWorld have your every winter desire covered with ice skating shows, parades and concerts.

• Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure (1:27)
• Universal Studios parade (4:34)
• Mannheim Steamroller & Hogwarts projections (9:00)
• SeaWorld: Ice skating, Rudolph & Santa (11:40)
• ICON Park (18:20)
• Gatorland's Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down (19:31)

Orlando Sentinel theater critic Matthew J. Palm and tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil discuss the beauty, artistry and forced moments in "Drawn to Life," the new Cirque du Soleil show at Disney Springs.

• Seat perspective (1:41 )
• Theme and purpose (3:08)
• Multi-level approach to storytelling (5:36)
• Double, double wheel (7:46)
• Synchronized unicycle (11:11)
• Hand-to-hand acrobatic act (13:26)
• Disney elements sometimes feel forced (15:55)
• 2 original acts replaced (18:27)
• The art of animation and pencil guy (20:49)
• Behind the scenes: How do they do it? (23:06)
• 'Comforting sheets' (25:41)