Where In The Park Podcast - Discovering the Details of your Favorite Theme Parks

In this episode of the Where In The Park (WITP) Podcast, Amanda traces the history and evolution of Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego—from the park’s early years and the rise of the SkyTower “Tree of Lights,” through the 1973 energy crisis, and into the modern era of seasonal shows, character experiences, and holiday entertainment.

Along the way, we explore milestones like SnowWorld, the shifts in SeaWorld’s holiday show lineup over time, and how Christmas Celebration has continued to evolve into the park-wide seasonal tradition guests know today.

Check out our Blog Page at WhereInThePark.com/Podcast to see the full list of resources we referenced for this episode.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

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In this festive episode of the Where In The Park Podcast, we’re going from storybook to snow-filled Who-bilations as we unwrap the full story behind Grinchmas at Universal Studios.

Amanda traces the Grinch’s journey from:

• Dr. Seuss’s original 1957 story and its surprising inspirations
• The iconic 1966 TV special with Chuck Jones, Boris Karloff, and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
• The wild ride of film and TV rights changing hands over the decades
• Universal’s deal to bring Dr. Seuss into the parks and the creation of Seuss Landing
• The launch of Grinchmas alongside the 2000 live-action film—and how the event has evolved on both coasts

We’ll talk about early Grinchmas offerings like snow play areas, sledding hills, Whoville shows, and movie props, how the celebrations shifted over time, and why today’s Grinchmas still leans heavily on the Jim Carrey film’s aesthetic—even after new adaptations.

If you’ve ever taken a photo with the Grinch, watched the tree lighting, or heard “Where Are You, Christmas?” drifting through the park, this episode will give you a whole new appreciation for how it all came to be.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

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In honor of Walt Disney’s birthday, this week’s episode of the Where In The Park Podcast takes you on a journey through Disneyland and Disney California Adventure to uncover the subtle — and not-so-subtle — tributes to the man who started it all. Kevin spotlights the details that connect directly to Walt’s life, from the inspirations behind Main Street, U.S.A., to the early struggles and triumphs reflected on Buena Vista Street, and even the details found at the Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and beyond.

We explore the windows, statues, storytelling nods, and even the newest Walt Disney animatronic that keep his legacy alive in the parks today. Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or discovering these details for the first time, this episode celebrates the dreamer whose imagination changed the world.

Join us as we honor Walt on his birthday by discovering the many places where the magic of Walt Disney still shines.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereinthepark

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark

Ever wondered how Where In The Park got started? Or how our signature game packs help theme park lovers of all ages explore the parks in a whole new way?

In this special Black Friday episode, Amanda and Kevin sit down to share the full story—from the Disneyland scavenger hunt days to building a business that now spans theme parks across the U.S.

We break down:
 🎡 What the games are (and aren’t!)
 🧭 What the QR codes reveal
 📦 What’s inside a pack
 🎯 Who these games are perfect for
 💡 How we choose the park details

Whether you’re brand new to Where In The Park or you’ve played every series, this is a fun behind-the-scenes episode perfect for sharing during the holiday season.

🛍️ And yep—our Black Friday Sale is ON, so if you’ve been waiting to grab a bundle or stock up on gifts, now’s the time! Take 20% off all games - no coupon needed - at WhereInThePark.com! (Listening after the sale is over? No worries - just use code PODCAST10 at checkout to get 10% off!)

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereinthepark

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark

Windows With a View continues! In this episode, we take you further down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland to uncover the people honored in the next three windows: Claude Coats, Elias Disney, and Wathel Rogers.

From Claude Coats’ towering artistic legacy, to Elias Disney’s place in Walt’s family and the town-squared storytelling of Main Street, to Wathel Rogers’ groundbreaking work in early Audio-Animatronics — these windows reveal the fascinating histories behind the facades we pass every day.

Along the way, we explore:
 ✨ The evolution of the Emporium’s many façades
 ✨ The original lockers, storage companies, and early tenants of Main Street
 ✨ The model builders, early Imagineers, and park designers are represented in the windows
 ✨ Hidden details and fun facts woven into the architecture
 ✨ How these windows connect to the broader story of Disneyland’s design

This episode is filled with history, tributes, clever Imagineering touches, and Disneyland deep cuts — all straight from the extended Emporium block on Main Street.

Join Kevin as he shines a spotlight on three influential figures who helped shape Disney animation, Disneyland, and the early days of Imagineering.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereinthepark

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark

This week, we’re paying tribute to one of the most influential figures in theme park history: Jay Stein, the visionary leader who transformed Universal from a simple backlot tour into a global entertainment powerhouse.

Jay Stein’s creative instincts, bold leadership, and “ride the movies” philosophy forever changed how we experience theme parks. From reinventing the Universal Studio Tour to championing the creation of Universal Studios Florida, Jay paved the way for the cinematic, immersive attractions we know and love today.

In this episode, we explore:

• Jay’s rise through MCA and his impact on the early Studio Tour
• The creation of the first special-effects moments that defined Universal’s identity
• His lasting creative blueprint that still influences Universal Parks worldwide

Join us as we honor the life, career, and lasting impact of the man who made it possible for all of us to truly ride the movies.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark

Lights, legends, and a splash of soda shop sparkle — we’re back with Part 5 of our Hooray for Hollywood series!

In this episode, we take a glamorous stroll back down the left side of Hollywood Boulevard at Universal Studios Florida, exploring:

• 🕶️ The historic inspiration behind Studio Styles and its connection to the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• 🍦 The sweet nostalgia of Schwab’s Pharmacy and how it became Hollywood’s most iconic hangout
• 🎙️ A real working radio broadcast center hidden in plain sight
• 💃 And the elegant rooftop tribute to one of Hollywood’s most stylish social clubs

From real architects and actors to tribute stores and trivia, this stretch of the street is packed with details you’ve probably walked right past — until now.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereinthepark

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark

In this heartfelt episode of Where In The Park, we’re honoring Día de los Muertos — a beautiful tradition of remembrance that Disney respectfully brings to life each fall.

Join us as we explore the history of the holiday, the meaning behind its symbols (marigolds, papel picado, calaveras), and how these traditions are celebrated in the parks — from the Rancho del Zócalo display at Disneyland to Plaza de la Familia at California Adventure and the Remember Me! exhibit at EPCOT.

Learn how Pixar’s Coco helped shape new experiences, how Disney Imagineers like Dan Torres contributed to the park tributes, and why this isn’t just a seasonal overlay — it’s a celebration of legacy and life.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereinthepark

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark

Step into the pumpkin-lit streets of Disneyland as we uncover The Magical History of Halloween at Disney Parks! 🎃

In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast, Amanda takes you on a spellbinding journey through the history of Halloween at Disney Parks around the world — from the humble Parade of the Pumpkins in 1959 to today’s spectacular Halloween Time celebrations.

We’ll explore how Disney turned a one-day pumpkin parade into a multi-month global tradition, the origins of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the story behind the Halloween Tree in Frontierland, and why the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay became a fan-favorite blend of fright and delight.

✨ Highlights:

• Disneyland’s first Halloween in Holidayland (1959)
• The birth of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Haunted Mansion Holiday & the art of seasonal overlays
• Ray Bradbury’s Halloween Tree and the storytelling roots of the season
• How Disney’s “Not-So-Scary” approach redefined Halloween fun

So grab your candy bag and join us for a not-so-scary stroll through decades of Disney magic, mystery, and memories.

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereinthepark

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark

When the sun sets, the monsters come out… 🧟‍♂️

In this episode of the Where In The Park Podcast, Kevin dives into the haunted history of Halloween Haunts at theme parks — from the very first Knott’s Scary Farm in 1973 to today’s Halloween Horror Nights, Fright Fests, and Howl-O-Screams across the country.

⚠️ Content Disclaimer: This episode includes references to horror-related material and real tragedies that occurred at theme parks. We’ll provide clear warnings before those moments in the episode, but please listen at your own comfort level.

You’ll discover how the “scary season” found its footing in amusement parks, what early haunted attractions looked like, and how real-world events shaped the safety standards we have today.

🎢 Featuring:

• The origin of Knott’s Scary Farm and the first “scare zone”
• How Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights began
• The Six Flags Haunted Castle fire and its impact on haunt safety
• The rise of Cedar Fair’s Halloween Haunt and SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream
• Why fear, fun, and storytelling have become essential parts of theme park history

Whether you love thrills, chills, or just amazing theming, this episode pulls back the fog curtain on how theme parks embraced the spooky season.

✨To see the Articles referenced in this episode, check out the blog that accompanies this episode at WhereInThePark.com/Podcast✨

👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!

👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL

👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark

👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast

👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereinthepark

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereinthepark

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereinthepark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark