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

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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:

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

In this episode of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon to catch up on recent theme park visits, livestreams, food reviews, and a packed round of theme park news.

We start in The Queue with updates from SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival, Universal Orlando’s UOAP Bonus Benefits, EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival livestreams, House of Blues, Gideon’s Bakehouse, Chicken Guy, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Discovery Cove.

Then we move into the news, including the latest quarterly results from Disney, Universal/Comcast, United Parks & Resorts, and Six Flags, plus major updates from around the theme park industry.

Stories discussed include:

• Universal Orlando confirming the phased closure of The Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure
• Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show temporarily closing for a reimagined version
• Universal replacing Thunder Falls Terrace with a new full-service dining concept
• Disney World reopening Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after refurbishment
• Disney Springs adding Level99 and Six Ravens this summer
• Walt Disney World adding its first new Magic Kingdom ferryboat since 1976
• SeaWorld Orlando’s Electric Ocean returning with a new drone show
• Six Flags bringing Holiday in the Park back to Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Great Adventure

From earnings reports to ferryboats, closing lands, returning festivals, drone shows, cookies, and theme park food, this episode covers a little bit of everything.

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

Tom is joined once again by Kris and Dave from Adventures by D and Dave’s Dugout Grill for a coaster-filled theme park road trip episode!

In Episode 263 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, the group talks about Kris and Dave’s recent visit to Six Flags Over Georgia during opening weekend, including their thoughts on the park, operations, rides, food, and overall experience.

They also recap their visit to Carowinds during its second weekend of the season, discussing the coaster lineup, park atmosphere, and how the trip compared to Six Flags Over Georgia.

Plus, Dave previews his upcoming visit to Six Flags Over Texas, sharing what he is looking forward to and how it fits into his growing theme park adventures.

Whether you love roller coasters, theme park road trips, Six Flags parks, or just hearing friends talk parks, this episode has plenty to dig into.

Listen to the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast:

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In Episode 262 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon for a packed episode covering Orlando theme park news, recent park visits, coaster rankings, and the final rotation of SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival menus.

We kick things off in The Queue with Jon’s Top 10 Coasters, Tom’s trip to see Collective Soul at Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando, Sofia’s prom night at EPCOT, and a visit to Magic Kingdom to ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Then we jump into the latest theme park news, including the troubling updates surrounding Sloth World Orlando, Blue Man Group returning to Orlando at ICON Park, the announced opening date and song list for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, and the return of Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon. We also discuss the announced dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival dates, and the new Paradise Nights after-hours dining experience coming to Discovery Cove this summer.

For the main topic, we break down SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival Rotation 3, compare it against the first two rotating menus, and discuss the best, worst, and most interesting items from the full rotating menu series.

Topics include:

• Jon’s Top 10 Coasters
• Collective Soul at Hard Rock Live
• EPCOT prom night
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin scores
• Sloth World Orlando news
• Blue Man Group returning to Orlando
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
• Disney H2O Glow After Hours
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates
• EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2026 dates
• Paradise Nights at Discovery Cove
• SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival Rotation 3
• Best and worst rotating menu items

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

On this episode of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom welcomes back Ian for a coaster-packed conversation as they each rank their top 10 roller coasters they’ve ridden.

With Tom’s coaster count at 229 and Ian’s at 206, there is plenty of track record behind these rankings. Along the way, they also give some love to their honorable mentions and call out a few rides that landed on their least favorite coaster lists. From elite airtime machines to rides that just did not do it for us, this is a fun, opinion-filled episode for coaster fans who love rankings, hot takes, and a little chaos.

Whose list is better? Which coasters made the cut? And which rides got absolutely no mercy?

Listen now and see where your favorites stack up against ours.

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Whether you agree with our rankings or think we completely lost the plot somewhere around steel, wood, or launch coasters, let us know your top 10.

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

Welcome to Episode 260 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast!

This week, Tom and Jon cover personal updates, theme park news, the latest Halloween Horror Nights speculation map, and a listener-driven main topic built around Chris’s Orlando vacation planning questions.

In The Queue, Jon talks about breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace, Tom talks about Easter weekend at the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, another visit to 3 Daughters Brewing Clearwater Beach, a stay at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, and seeing Helloween at House of Blues.

In the news, the guys discuss the passing of Buddy the Gator at Gatorland, changes coming to SeaWorld Orlando’s Expedition Odyssey, CityWalk updates at Universal Orlando, the return of free beer at SeaWorld, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopening, and the latest timing for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

In the Rumor Report, Tom and Jon discuss the latest Halloween Horror Nights speculation map and what it could mean for this year’s event.

Then in the main topic, Tom breaks down a long list of practical vacation-planning questions from listener Chris, including SeaWorld hotel perks, Quick Queue strategy, All-Day Dining timing, Aquatica logistics, ticket rules, Universal hotel strategy, Gatorland discounts, and more. It’s a useful discussion not just for Chris, but for anyone trying to plan a smoother Orlando theme park vacation.

Whether you’re plotting your rope drop, planning your first meal, decoding HHN rumors, or just trying not to get soaked on Journey to Atlantis, this episode is packed with practical tips and current updates.

Listen now and keep making memories.