Six Flags bought ArieForce One, Universal is offering Florida residents a cheaper way into Epic Universe, Disney has opened The Magic of Disney Animation, and that's only the beginning of a packed theme park news episode!

On Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast Episode 279, Tom and Jon catch up on the biggest theme park stories from the first half of September.

🎢 Regional Park News

• Six Flags purchases ArieForce One and plans to relocate the RMC coaster

• Six Flags Magic Mountain announces the new Thrill Glider coaster

• California's Great America confirms operations into 2027

• Dollywood announces plans to honor Dolly Parton

• Hersheypark's Tidal Force takes its final splash

• Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi reveals a massive three-land Harry Potter expansion

👻 SeaWorld & Busch Gardens

• Howl-O-Scream 2026 is officially underway at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

• SeaWorld Orlando launches its 2026 Howl-O-Scream event

• We share some thoughts now that we've actually experienced this year's Orlando-area events

🌎 Universal Orlando

• Animal Actors on Location! is closing at Universal Studios Florida

• Universal Nights adds more Epic Universe dates

• Florida residents can now get a special three-day ticket including Epic Universe starting at $85 per day

• The Traitors: New Blood takes over the bars at Universal's Great Movie Escape

• Rock the Universe announces its 2027 lineup

• Joey Fatone's Fat One's Hot Dogs & Italian Ice gets its Universal CityWalk grand opening date — September 19, with Joey himself appearing for the celebration

🏰 Walt Disney World

• The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Disney announces Festival of the Arts and Flower & Garden dates for 2027

• Disney After Hours returns to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

• New 2027 Walt Disney World discounts arrive

• Disney announces the 2026 Candlelight Processional narrator lineup

• Hurly-Burly prepares to open at Disney's BoardWalk

• Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill permanently closes at Disney Springs, ending nearly three decades of Wolfgang Puck restaurants at the resort

There's a LOT happening, including some stories that could give us clues about where Universal goes next with Epic Universe Annual Pass access.

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Where do YOU think Six Flags should relocate ArieForce One?

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is back for 2026 — and Jon was there on opening day to eat his way around the festival!

On Episode 278 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon break down Jon’s picks for the best, worst, biggest surprises and best values from this year’s festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Which new foods are actually worth your money? Which returning dishes still deserve their spot? Has the Italy booth finally redeemed itself? And why should you never take a Mickey-shaped macaron for a walk through EPCOT in the Florida heat?

Before we eat, there’s plenty of theme park news to discuss, including:

• The passing of Dolly Parton and her incredible legacy at Dollywood

• Tim Curry, including his memorable role as S.I.R. in ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

• Peter Cullen, longtime voice of Eeyore and Optimus Prime

• Dollywood opening NightFlight Expedition

• The latest questions surrounding X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain

• LEGOLAND Florida rebuilding Coastersaurus

• New Brick or Treat details

• SeaWorld Orlando introducing Pestilence for Howl-O-Scream

• Halloween Spooktacular bringing Hotel Transylvania to SeaWorld Orlando

• Fast & Furious: Supercharged permanently closing at Universal Studios Florida

• Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift beginning technical rehearsals

• Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle returning to Universal Orlando

• Halloween Horror Nights 35 officially beginning

• Disney retiring the Play Disney Parks app

• EPCOT apparently giving up on the World Celebration pavement lighting

• Disney Lakeshore Lodge receiving an opening date and new details

• And more!

Then it’s off to EPCOT as Jon takes us through his opening-day Food & Wine experience, including the Chocolate-Pistachio Cookie, Spicy Temaki Hand Roll, Blackberry Buckle, Paella Caldoso, Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron and plenty more.

Some were great.

Some were questionable.

And apparently Jon actually found something he liked at the Italy booth.

🍽️ Read Jon’s complete Best & Worst review at Attractions Magazine:

https://attractionsmagazine.com/best-worst-food-epcot-food-wine-festival-2026/

🎂 Read Jon’s Mickey-Shaped Celebration Macaron review at Main Street Magic:

https://www.mainstmagic.com/mickey-celebration-macaron-epcot-food-wine-review/

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🎃 VacationScares is back!

Halloween season has officially arrived in Orlando, which means it's time to close the coffin on the regular Vacationeers Podcast and resurrect VacationScares for another season!

On Episode 277, Tom welcomes Joyless Jon Self back from the second Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of 2026 at Magic Kingdom. Jon shares his experience from the party, including the Halloween atmosphere, entertainment, food, attractions and what stood out during his night.

Then we turn our attention across town to Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Orlando Resort.

With the houses announced, it's time for one of our favorite preseason traditions: the HHN House Hype List.

Tom and Jon rank the HHN 35 haunted houses based entirely on how excited they are to experience them before ever stepping through the doors. Which houses immediately jumped to the top? Which ones have some convincing to do? And just how badly will these rankings age once HHN actually begins?

The screams have started.

VacationScares 2026 is officially underway.

👻 Featuring:

Tom – Vacationeer Tom

Jon Self – @pastorJonSelf

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