In Episode 267 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon to talk through a busy week of theme park updates, food reviews, and in-park testing.

We start with some “old breaking news,” including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure no longer being included with Universal Express beginning July 1, plus the news that Bad Bunny will voice a pizza character named Pizza with Sunglasses in Toy Story 5.

Then we head into Universal Orlando Resort’s opening weekend of Summer at Universal. We discuss the overall event atmosphere, the noticeable lack of a parade, and some of the featured summer food offerings. We also review a newer menu item that is not tied to the summer event but absolutely got our attention: the S’mores Cookie at Cafe 4 in Islands of Adventure.

Food discussed in this episode:

S’mores Cookie at Cafe 4 in Islands of Adventure — $6.29

We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat Platter at Richter’s Burger Co. in Universal Studios Florida — $22.99

Irene’s Creamsicle Cheesecake Calzone at Minion Cafe in Universal Studios Florida — $11.99

Finally, we talk about our Magic Kingdom visit on Wednesday, May 13, when the park closed early at 5:30 PM for a private event. Early close days are often rumored to have lighter crowds, so we rope-dropped the park to see if attraction wait times were actually lower.

Magic Kingdom ride timing discussed:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — delayed

Haunted Mansion — Posted 13 minutes / Actual 2 minutes

Jungle Cruise — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minute

Pirates of the Caribbean — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minute

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 1 minute

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — Posted 25 minutes / Actual 24 minutes

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — Posted 25 minutes

Space Mountain — Posted 5 minutes / Actual 13 minutes

Listen to Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast:

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So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

In Episode 266 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon recap a packed week of theme park visits, including AquaGlow at Aquatica, Pass Member perks gone wrong, Soarin’ Across America, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, Expedition Odyssey Fire & Ice, and Peppa Pig Theme Park.

They also discuss HHN’s newly announced Sinners house, the Mandalorian and Grogu update to Smugglers Run, and Bluey’s Wild World opening at Animal Kingdom.

In Episode 265 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon to break down their full Busch Gardens Tampa All-Day Dining 2026 experience from Saturday, May 9.

The park was open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, giving us a full 12-hour window to put the dining plan to the test. We ate at multiple locations across the park, including Zagora Café, Zambia Smokehouse, BG Cuban Café, Dragon Fire Grill, Oasis Pizza, and even made a stop at Giraffe Bar to use Busch Bucks.

We discuss what we ate, what worked, what didn’t, where the best value was, and whether Busch Gardens Tampa’s All-Day Dining is still worth it in 2026.

Our total if paid à la carte would have been $284.36. The All-Day Dining price was $60, and after using $20 in Busch Bucks, Tom’s actual cost was only $40 plus tax.

Watch the Busch Gardens Tampa All-Day Dining 2026 vlog:

https://youtu.be/3cj5klSCFig

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https://vacationeerspodcast.com/

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X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom

So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.