Theme Park Rangers

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil was invited aboard Disney World's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser where he wielded a lightsaber, crawled into one of the cabin bunkbeds, and got the details on how passengers will interact with characters from the First Order and the Resistance.

• "Pardon our space dust" (1:55)
• Think cruise experience (6:22)
• How immersive is it? (8:25)
• Lightsaber experience (14:48)
• Visiting Batuu (21:16)
• How much? (28:00)
• Intergalactic merchandise (32:39)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the predicted influx of British tourists now travel restrictions have been lifted, the IAAPA Expo that opens next week, and Night of a Million Lights' return to Give Kids the World.

• British Invasion (:55)
• IAAPA Expo (5:15)
• Hairball for a cause (10:35)
• Night of a Million Lights (11:45)

Some 2,000 positions in Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division in California, are coming to Lake Nona. What does the move mean to Disney theme parks and Central Florida?

• What jobs are moving to Florida? (1:58)
• Why Lake Nona? (3:05)
• Culture shock (4:27)
• Three-month countdown starts now (7:35)
• How will this impact my park experience? (8:35)
• Orlando: The epicenter of the theme-park industry (12:01)
• Storied history of California's Imagineering office (13:51)

As the final weekend of Halloween festivities approaches, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice take a look at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and Disney's "Muppet Haunted Mansion."

• HHN vs. pandemic (1:37)
• "Muppet Haunted Mansion" (11:33)
• One last Halloween push (18:29)

From Disney Genie guest reaction to new rides coming to Legoland and Aquatica, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice cover a lot of ground in this episode of Theme Park Rangers.

• Hands-on with Disney Genie (1:00)
• Candlelight Processional narrators (11:01)
• Disney Wish exhibit at Hollywood Studios (14:01)
• New Legoland boat ride (17:48)
• Peppa Pig Theme Park opening date (19:29)
• Ride refresh at Aquatica (20:25)
• Universal's 'Fear Factor Live' gone forever (22:28)

Disney launches Genie park planning service and "KiteTails" show at Animal Kingdom. Universal bids farewell to Shrek 4-D attraction and temporarily shutters Revenge of the Mummy.

• Disney Genie: What free? (1:34)
• Disney Genie: Paid options (6:05)
• Disney Kite Tails at Animal Kingdom (14:54)
• Shrek going away (23:48)
• Mummy refurbishment (25:13)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice break down all the Disney World 50th anniversary festivities: The new spectaculars ("Harmonious" and "Enchantment"), the Beacons of Magic (Spaceship Earth is a showstopper), the huge (but overwhelmingly happy) crowds, the VIPs (Christina Aguilera made an appearance), and the long merchandise lines (both virtual and visible).

• 'Harmonious' at Epcot (1:43)
• Beacons of Magic: Spaceship Earth (5:33)
• 'Enchantment' at Magic Kingdom (10:02)
• Praise for the Ratatouille (16:28)
• 50th takeaways: Crowds, VIPs (19:37 )
• Merchandise (23:55)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind preview (31:05)
• MagicBand+ (36:02)
• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (39:17)
• The future of Disney (41:47)

As part of its 50th anniversary, Walt Disney World has installed 50 golden character statues. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and photographer Joe Burbank discuss the figures — called the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection — that are spread throughout Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

• 50 characters NOT 50 statues (1:16)
• Photography tips (2:56)
• Tricky ones to locate (6:06)
• Best of the bunch (11:04)
• Interactive map (16:18)
• 50th anniversary festivities (19:34)

Like an entree paired with the perfect wine, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and food writer Amy Drew Thompson come together to discuss the menu at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and the newest Disney World restaurant, Space 220.

• From drinking event to food focus (2:11)
• The lost souvenir cup (7:19)
• From food to frights: Icon House (10:16)
• A carnival for adults (12:14)
• Epcot's Space 220 (14:38)
• The food: Prices and portions (18:54)
• 6-hour wait (22:00)

The very first SeaWorld Orlando's Howl-O-Scream debuted sporting a sea theme and other haunting elements. Tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the elaborate haunted houses, scare zones and shows and some unique offerings that allow guests to scare others or avoid being scared altogether (both for a fee).

• Get your bearings: Grab a map! (1:36)
• Sea-themed haunted houses (4:02)
• Scare zones & shows (6:43)
• Getting your money's worth (9:54)
• Creative director offers insight (11:47)
• Spooktacular starts Sept. 18 (16:27)
• COVID precautions (18:43)
• Additional fee to scare/avoid scares (21:05)