Vacationeers Theme Parks & More

In Episode 230 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined once again by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) to cover all the latest happenings from the theme park world and beyond.

Here’s what we’re talking about this week:

🎢 Theme Park News & Updates

• 🎉 Epic Universe is finally open! We break down opening day crowd levels, ride waits, and early impressions.
• 🧙‍♂️ Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure adds Express Pass access starting May 30.
• 🦓 Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa—an update may be on the way.
• 🌊 Blizzard Beach is back! Both Disney water parks are now open simultaneously for the first time since 2019.
• 🎭 Blue Man Group?
• 🎡 Major shake-up at Six Flags as 27 park presidents are removed.

🧳 Tom’s Travel Tales

• A wild trip to Richmond: SunPass mishaps, AC woes, and Arepas
• AC/DC concert in Tampa + the “Highway to Hell” (I-4 edition)
• Mini golf at Disney’s Winter Summerland
• Elena’s first visit to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

🇬🇧 London Trip Cancelled

Tom discusses the difficult decision to cancel his upcoming trip to London due to recent UK legal rulings affecting trans travelers. Hear what led to the change and the broader implications for LGBTQ+ tourism.

🎙️ Coaster Versus Segment

It's time for another head-to-head thrill ride showdown — which coasters reign supreme?

• VelociCoaster vs. Iron Gwazi
• Revenge of the Mummy vs. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Manta vs. Flight of Passage
• ...and many more!

📺 On YouTube

Don’t miss our recent vlogs and livestreams:

• Disney’s Character Warehouse
• San Juan Vlogs
• Yuengling Draft Haus
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort Tour
• 🕖 Livestreams every Wednesday at 7 PM ET!

📱 Follow & Support Us

Rock your own Rip Ride Rockit gear via our Amazon affiliate link: https://tinyurl.com/RIPRideMerch

Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom

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Follow Jon: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VacationeersPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeerspodcast/

📧 Contact: [email protected]

🎙️ Thanks for listening — and until we stream again… keep making memories!

In this episode, Tom is joined once again by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) to talk theme parks, epic updates, and all the latest happenings from Universal Orlando, Disney Springs, and beyond.

They cover recent visits to Universal (Butterbeer at CityWalk, VelociCoaster first-timers, and soggy Skull Island), Mother’s Day eats at Disney Springs (including Elena’s triple Earl of Sandwich run), and huge theme park news—like Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s 50th anniversary, a new EPCOT lounge, and Disney’s expansion to Abu Dhabi!

Theme Park News Highlights:

🎢 Six Flags America closing after 2025 season

🐺 Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge opens May 23, 2025

🌐 EPCOT’s GEO-82 Lounge & Fireworks Experience

🇦🇪 Disneyland Abu Dhabi Resort announced

🐧 SeaWorld Orlando’s Expedition Odyssey drama

🍽 Magic Kingdom’s new dining location: The Beak and Barrel

Follow & Support Us:

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Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

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📧 Contact: [email protected]

In this episode, Tom and Jon both talk about visiting Universal’s Epic Universe. Tom also discusses staying at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort to get early entry. 

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Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

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Contact the show at [email protected].

In this episode, Tom and Jon talk about Jon’s first visit to Universal’s Epic Universe. They start out by chatting about a big announcement from Tom and then his recent visit to Disney Springs. 

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Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

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Contact the show at [email protected].

In this episode, Tom and Dave from Adventures by D talk about Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort news. Then Dave outlines some of his Memorial Day week’s California vacation. 

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Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

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Contact the show at [email protected].

In this episode, Tom and Jon talk about experiencing Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Food & Wine Festival and news from Disney and Universal. 

Rip Ride Rockit Tee Link: https://tinyurl.com/RIPRideMerch

Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

New Vacationeers Tee: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G18TV2J

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Contact the show at [email protected].

In this episode, Tom and Jon talk about their 2025 happy hour crawl at Disney Springs, providing their thoughts and experiences at all of the Disney Springs happy hours. 

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Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

New Vacationeers Tee: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G18TV2J

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Contact the show at [email protected].

In this episode, Tom and Jon talk about Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival Food announcement. Tom also discusses visiting Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras event again where he ate, drank and threw beads from a parade float. Then Tom finishes with his first Florida State Fair visit at the Tampa fairgrounds, as well as his thoughts of staying at the Hilton Inn by Hilton Tampa Fairgrounds and Casino. 

Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

New Vacationeers Tee: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G18TV2J

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Contact the show at [email protected].

In this episode, Tom and Jon talk about attending Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras, new Epic Universe food options and Tom’s stay at the new Universal Stella Nova Resort. 

Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

New Vacationeers Tee: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G18TV2J

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VacationeersPodcast

Contact the show at [email protected].

In this episode, Tom and Jon talk about Jon’s hard hat tour of Wild Oasis at Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Tampa’s Mardi Gras event, preview of SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Festival and Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras. Then they end it with some news.

Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pastorjonself

Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

New Vacationeers Tee: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G18TV2J

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vacationeers_podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacationeerTom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VacationeersPodcast

Contact the show at [email protected].