Building The World’s Best Theme Parks

The Chairman of Disney Parks Experiences and Products joins Robert Niles to talk about Disney's relationship with its fans, its cast members... and local governments. https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202301/9326/

We talked with IAAPA Hall of Famer Bob Rogers about starting BRC Imagination Arts, 40 years of designing award-winning attractions and what's next for the themed entertainment design industry - such as custom, 20-liter steel whiskey kegs. 

Greg Hall, Creative Director at Universal Creative, talks about how Universal Orlando Resort brought this fan-favorite new roller coaster to life. Hall also shares with host Robert Niles some of the secrets that have made Jurassic World VelociCoaster such a beloved attraction at Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park. 

Music is one of those elements that can elevate an ordinary attraction into something great. We talk with an expert at making great attraction music - Brian Essien, the music director for the upcoming SkyFly: Soar America, a new flying theater that's coming this summer to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

What makes a theme park attraction world-class?  I ask that question to the leaders of the Themed Entertainment Association's Thea Awards: Luc Mayrand from Walt Disney Imagineering and experience designer Dave Cobb, who talk about how the TEA finds and selects its Thea Award winners.

What makes for a great holiday celebration at a major theme park resort? Universal Orlando's Vice President Entertainment, Deborah Buynak, and Senior Manager of Entertainment Creative Development and Show Direction, Lora Sauls, join Robert to talk about their unique approach at Universal Orlando for its holiday-based IP.

Creative directors Michael Aiello and Blake Braswell talk about the development of Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights, including the inspiration for the event and how variety in concepts and tone help develop guest engagement through levels of interactivity.

First, designers built attractions and lands, but now the very best build entire worlds. What drives theme park designers to create immersive worlds? What are the challenges in communicating with and engaging guests in these spaces? And what are the hallmarks of success? At the 2019 D23 Expo, Walt Disney Imagineering's Joe Rohde asked those questions of his colleagues Jeanette Lomboy, Luc Mayrand, and Scott Trowbridge, who talked about their roles in creating Aulani, Shanghai Disneyland's Treasure Cove, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, respectively.

What does it take to put on one of the most popular Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans? Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras combines a Cajun food festival with a daily parade and live musical entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere that's all about experiencing the fun of one of the world's most popular and enduring celebrations. And each weekend, Universal brings in top-name musical acts for headliner concerts in the park, too. We talked with Blake Braswell, Entertainment Show Director at Universal Orlando Resort, to learn more about he and his team puts together Universal's Mardi Gras celebration.