Welcome to Episode 245 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast!

Tom is joined by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) for a jam-packed episode featuring a fiery week of theme park news — literally! From Universal’s Rip Ride Rockit catching fire during demolition to Disney’s latest ticket price hikes, we cover every spark, shock, and surprise across the parks.

Then, Tom breaks down his California weekend getaway, with stops at Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood, and a full day at Disneyland that included Oogie Boogie Bash, 20 attractions, 8 Lightning Lanes, and a breakfast chimichanga that might just top Dole Whip.

• Busch Gardens Tampa: Iron Gwazi locker crackdown (paid lockers now enforced)
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Guest climbs Tempesto coaster (and gets arrested)
• Icon Park: 100,000 sq. ft. expansion with new Arte Museum coming in 2027
• Disney Parks: Ticket price increases, PhilharMagic refurbishment, virtual queue return
• Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby coming to Downtown Disney
• Muppets takeover of Rock ’n Roller Coaster confirmed for 2026
• Haunted Mansion guest incident at Disneyland
• Universal Orlando: Rip Ride Rockit fire during demolition
• Stardust Racers reopens after safety investigation
• Epic Universe teases Christmas events in Celestial Park and Wizarding World
• Banana Ball coming to ESPN Wide World of Sports (May 29–30, 2026)

• Stayed at Whiskey Hotel Hollywood and The Anaheim Hotel
• Lunch at Seaside on the Pier, Bloody Marys & bottomless mimosas
• Explored Santa Monica, Hollywood & Disneyland (20 attractions in one day!)
• Total cost: $2,425.55

🎢 A perfect mix of sunshine, churros, coasters, and chaos!

In Episode 244 of the VacationScares Podcast, Taxidermied Tom welcomes Decapitated Dave and Cadaver Kris from Adventures By D for a glowing good time! They kick things off with Wild Adventures Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Stone Mountain Park’s Pumpkin Festival before diving into Tom’s coast-to-coast Disney Halloween trip report.

Tom recounts his visits to both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure—then puts them head-to-head in a Halloween showdown. Which Disney party wins: East Coast nostalgia or West Coast villainy?

🕷️ Watch Adventures By D on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventuresByD

🛒 Get your Rip Ride Rockit shirts: https://amzn.to/4kMk06e

🎃 Visit: https://vacationeerspodcast.com

In Episode 243 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom covers a wild mix of theme park news and personal adventures.

News highlights include:

• The bizarre scuba-style robbery at Disney Springs’ Paddlefish
• A tragic death and lawsuits tied to Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers
• Glenwood Caverns’ $205M “nuclear verdict” over the Haunted Mine Drop
• Major new attractions: SeaWorld Orlando’s SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, Legoland’s Galacticoaster, Six Flags Over Texas’ record-breaking Tormenta Rampaging Run, Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition, and Universal’s Jurassic Park River Adventure refurb
• Sesame Place San Diego shifting to seasonal ops

Plus, Tom shares trip reports:

• Camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness (tent mishaps, golf cart fun, and eating big at Trail’s End)
• Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort (cabana rental, resort fee perks, rainy weekend, and Pier 60 livestream during the Verizon outage)

And don’t miss what’s really included in those resort fees — from yoga to bottled water.

🛒 Get your Rip Ride Rockit shirts: RIP Ride Rockit Tee | Graveyard Rip Ride Rockit Tee

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