The world famous Themed Attraction Podcast!
For your listening and podcasting pleasure, we introduce you to some of the best and brightest of the theme park world with our podcast content. Available on iTunes and YouTube now. More episodes added regularly.
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This episode features Mike Schwalm, Creative Director at Storyland Studios. Mike was previously a Creative Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering working with James Cameron and Joe Rohde’s team to bring the immersive “Pandora – The World of Avatar” to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He also worked on concept development for the Indiana Jones themed…
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Come along as Mel and Freddy dig into conversation with Mark Eades, one of the Disney Imagineers who helped bring Epcot to life back in the 80s. He cut his teeth in Disney animation and film and was called up to Imagineering by Marty Sklar to manage the production of Epcot’s film-based attractions. His attraction…
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In this episode, Mel and Freddy head up to the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains where we meet the new owners of SkyPark at Santa’s Village. Santa’s Village was a small regional storybook park built in 1955 and became a go-to destination for families looking for mountain-top fun. The park closed in 1998 and would have…
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In part 2 of their interview with Imagineer Tony Baxter, Mel and Freddy get into the nitty-gritty of the development of Splash Mountain with Michael Eisner, the extended story of California Adventure, and the pros and cons of attractions built around intellectual properties. “Mr. E-Ticket” doesn’t disappoint. Listen after the final credits for a hidden…
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The IAAPA Attractions Expo is the premier conference and trade show for members of the themed entertainment and experience industry. Peers from around the world gather to connect and see the latest in technology and innovations on display. At the 2018 expo, Freddy (and Themed Attraction Founder, Nate Naversen) grabbed a mic and took to…
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Mel and Freddy take a trip to the San Bernardino Mountains to interview Walt Disney Imagineering’s former Senior Vice President of creative development, Tony Baxter. Known as Mr. E-Ticket, Tony’s work includes Big Thunder Mountain, Journey Into Imagination, Star Tours, Splash Mountain, and The Indiana Jones Adventure. He led the creative teams who redesigned Fantasyland…
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Ryan Harmon, President and Chief Experience Officer for Zeitgeist Design & Production, takes us on his personal journey from a young Imagineering wanna-be dreamer, to becoming a real Imagineer, to now working all over the world. Contact Ryan at https://zeitgeist-usa.com. Please give us a review on iTunes to help more people find us and browse…
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This is a very special episode about a brand new themed attraction (opened 12/8/18) that is sure to do more than immerse or entertain. It could change the world. Our guest is Alissa Whiteley, Director of Poverty Encounter, a walk-through educational exhibit that transports guests to scenes of extreme poverty around the world. Alissa previously…
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Evermore Theme Park Our guests for this episode are the lead creative team for Evermore Park, a brand new theme park (or “experience park” as they call it) just opened outside of Salt Lake City Utah in late 2018. Josh Shipley (Evermore’s Chief Creative Officer) and Josh Steadman (Evermore’s Director of Show Design and Production)…
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Sam parked his beautiful RV outside our studio and spent the hour discussing the heart and soul of theme parks. What makes them special? Why do they keep missing the mark? And what’s his latest journey about as he crosses the country? Tune in for an amazing dive into the DNA of park design. Our…
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Well, we got to talking so long we had to break it up into two episodes. Make sure you go back and listen to part 1 (episode 2) where we hear Tom share his ideas on design, decisions, and lots of stories from the parks. Our guest for today is Tom Morris. Theme music composed by…
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Tom happened to be at the studio one day working with us on a project, so we snagged him for a bit longer to discuss his long, long, long history with Disneyland, Epcot, Paris, Hong Kong, and so on. Learn from The Master himself as he discusses design concepts, decision making, and tells lots of…
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Hop aboard and join us for our inaugural cruise down the best of themed design. We’ll be discussing the how-to and why of designing attractions with lots of great stories from your favorite parks and destinations. Keep your hands and feet inside the boat…and watch those crocodiles! Theme music composed by Rob Watson, closing music…