Universal Studios officially opened Minion Land. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and Central Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly discuss the new interactive attraction, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast, and the tasty treats offered: Think banana-flavored popcorn and banana bread beer. They then switch gears and focus on Halloween Horror Nights, the after-hours ticketed event that begins Sept. 1.

• Minion Land (2:32)
• Minion Blast (5:03)
• Minion Cafe (10:00)
• Character meet and greet (14:32)
• HHN houses (15:30)
• HHN scare zones, shows, taste of terror (26:12)

Sadly, Theme Park Rangers podcast says goodbye to Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice. Katie is leaving her post covering the business side of Central Florida attractions at the Sentinel. She is off on another adventure that will most definitely include fewer theme parks. But before she leaves, she talks with her colleague Dewayne Bevil about some of her favorite rides, how to pack for the parks and some personal pet peeves at area attractions.

• Favorite rides, park (2:15)
• Theme park bag essentials (11:19)
• Hidden hotspots (19:07)
• Theme park pet peeves (23:47)

The battle between Walt Disney Co. and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the fate of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District continues to heat up, but what does that mean for park guests? Orlando Sentinel reporters Katie Rice and Skyler Swisher have been covering this story since the beginning. They condense 14 months of developments into a 25-minute episode discussing what led us here, where the district stands now, are park guests feeling the impact of the turmoil and what’s next for Disney World.

• How Reedy Creek Improvement District came about (1:45)
• The dissolution of Reedy Creek (4:34)
• New board is not like the old board (7:25)
• The big plot twist nobody saw coming (9:55)
• Disney files federal lawsuit; Board countersues (12:32)
• Inside DeSantis’ mind (17:02)
• How will it impact future of Disney World? (20:32)
• Will this issue quietly go away? (23:50)

SeaWorld Orlando‘s annual passholders will get their first rides aboard Pipeline roller coaster starting May 12. The "surfing" coaster will open to the public May 27. Also new to SeaWorld are two great hammerhead sharks now living at the Shark Encounter attraction. The young male sharks, named Dutch and Dillon, were transferred from Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta in a collaborative effort to protect endangered species. Lastly, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice preview Mess Fest at the Orlando Science Center coming May 13-14. From slime to fizzy paint, guests can get hands-on with the ooiest, gooiest, messiest activities.

• SeaWorld's "surfing" coaster (1:00)
• Great hammerhead sharks (8:36)
• OSC Mess Fest (13:11)

On this episode of Theme Park Rangers, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the fire that damaged the Maleficent dragon at Disneyland and its impact on Disney World shows. They also introduce listeners to BBot, one of the latest security employees at the Orange County Convention Center. And the Wheel at Icon Park debuted an onboard gaming element called The Great Florida Road Trip. 

• Disneyland fire (:38)
• Security robot at convention center (8:13)
• Great Florida Road Trip at Icon Park (15:43)

The Theme Park Rangers say goodbye to Poseidon’s Fury at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and celebrate Animal Kingdom’s birthday. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice share memories about the show that is closing May 9 (a replacement attraction has not been announced) and highlights from 25 years at Disney’s youngest park. Also discussed is a new immersive experience on I-Drive at the Orlando International Premium Outlets. Lonely Dog features New Zealand artist Ivan Clarke’s work animated and put to music in a unique setting.

• Poseidon’s Fury closing (:35)
• Animal Kingdom turns 25 (11:19)
• Loney Dog (19:11)

Annual passed are back! Walt Disney World will start selling three levels of its annual passes to it theme parks again as of April 20. Coming back this month are the Incredi-Pass, the Sorcerer Pass and the Pirate Pass — all of which saw price increases of $50-$100 in December. The sales were suspended in November 2021. Disney guests can also look forward to new scenes and characters being added to the Star Tours attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. Will “Mandalorian” be respresented? Also on this episode of Theme Park Rangers podcast, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss how home advantage may have helped a “Jeopardy” contestant.

• Disney annual pass sales return (:47)
• Reservations loosening up? (7:18)
• Star Tours ride update (13:23)
• “Jeopardy” famous names category (18:51)

“I was absolutely flabbergasted,” Nathan Firesheets said about the people around the world — on social media and in person — cheering him on in the high moments and offering support in the low ones. Nathan, 34, an avid theme park fan from Georgia, watched those fans grow as he visited every Disney theme park worldwide and rode every operating ride in a marathon trip, giving himself roughly one day to complete each park and travel to the next. “It was equal parts travel logistics, physical endurance and Disney stuff.” Nathan discussed his global ride challenge and what’s next with Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice. 

• Inspiration (1:19)
• Ride strategy (4:03)
• Travel logistics (9:42)
• Physical endurance (12:49)
• Focus on fun (17:37)
• Making trip personal (21:50)
• Going viral (25:37)
• What’s next? (28:14)