Vacationeers Theme Parks & more

Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast

About me and the show

I began the VTPM podcast in 2017 as a way for my son, Ian, and I to share our love for theme parks and roller coasters. My sister, Joanna, joined us as well. We cover everything from cruising to theme parks and whatever else you may do on a vacation. We have great guests and try to provide the very best trip planning advice. At the end of the day, it’s all about having fun and trying to “keep making memories”.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Always enjoy tuning in for their unique takes and trip stories. they often have a completely different experience from ours, but we love to hear their opinions on things!

— Murph008

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I like these guys. It’s a family and their extended family who share their planning and adventures at theme parks. You get to hear costs, what they thought of things and how they plan. Good Stuff.

— KD_KD

Welcome to Episode 253 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast — and our first episode of 2026.
In this episode, we discuss the passing of SeaWorld Orlando’s killer whale Katina and former Disney Imagineer Eddie Sotto, major IP news as Sony acquires control of the Peanuts brand, attraction updates across Florida parks, Disney’s newly released 2026 calendar, ticket deals, and a mountain of announcements from Walt Disney World.
Plus, we dive headfirst into rumors, including potential changes coming to Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Orlando rumors, and early speculation surrounding Halloween Horror Nights 2026, including rumored houses, scare zones, and live entertainment changes.
VacationCheers Episode 252 wraps up the holiday season and closes out 2025 with a festive final episode. Tasseled Tom and Caroling Kris recap a Tennessee Christmas weekend in Pigeon Forge, including Enchanted Christmas at Anakeesta, Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, plus holiday events at Wild Adventures, a Haunted Christmas at Red Vein, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It’s a merry mix of theme parks, travel, shows, and year-end reflections as we say thank you for an incredible 2025 and look ahead to 2026.
Tom and Jon break down Christmas events at LEGOLAND Florida, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Orlando — lights, shows, food, and what’s worth doing this season.
In this milestone episode of Vacationeers Theme Parks & More, we celebrate 250 episodes by breaking down the podcast by the numbers. From the most-discussed parks and seasonal spin-offs to co-host appearances, episode lengths, and how the show has evolved since Episode 1 in 2017, this episode is all about the journey.
I’m your jolly host, Twinkly Tom, joined by Christmas Kris, and today we’re diving face-first into Florida’s holiday trifecta:
❄ Now Snowing at Celebration
🎄 Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
🧊 ICE! at Gaylord Palms
We break down the atmosphere, entertainment, food, surprises, and all the cozy-chaotic fun each of these holiday events brings to Central Florida. Whether you’re hunting for snowfall in 70-degree weather or freezing your mittens off inside a 9-degree ice cavern, there’s something magical waiting for you.
Disney just debuted Zootopia: Better ZOOgether inside Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, replacing It’s Tough to Be a Bug, and we’ve got thoughts — including Tom’s favorite part!
In the final VacationScares Podcast of 2025, Tom is joined by his skeleton crew of Jittery Jon, Deceased Dave, and Cremated Kris as they descend upon Atlanta for a triple-dose of terror! From the blood-soaked brilliance of Netherworld Haunted House, to the screams of Six Flags Over Georgia’s Fright Fest, to a rush of RMC airtime at Fun Spot America Atlanta—the crew breaks it all down.
They share every scream, scare, and coaster count (including Tom’s 227th!), plus Jon recounts his own Halloween Horror Nights experience from Orlando. It’s an episode packed with haunted thrills, theme park chills, and plenty of laughs from beyond the grave.
In Episode 246 of the VacationeerScares Podcast, Taggled Tom is joined by Electrocuted Ian to discuss Ian’s two-night HHN trip to Orlando, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Howl-O-Scream, Total Terror Haunted Attraction in Virginia, and the Howl-O-Sprint 5K at SeaWorld Orlando!
Tom is joined by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) for a jam-packed episode featuring a fiery week of theme park news — literally! From Universal’s Rip Ride Rockit catching fire during demolition to Disney’s latest ticket price hikes, we cover every spark, shock, and surprise across the parks.
Then, Tom breaks down his California weekend getaway, with stops at Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood, and a full day at Disneyland that included Oogie Boogie Bash, 20 attractions, 8 Lightning Lanes, and a breakfast chimichanga that might just top Dole Whip.
In Episode 244 of the VacationScares Podcast, Taxidermied Tom welcomes Decapitated Dave and Cadaver Kris from Adventures By D for a glowing good time! They kick things off with Wild Adventures Great Pumpkin LumiNights and Stone Mountain Park’s Pumpkin Festival before diving into Tom’s coast-to-coast Disney Halloween trip report.
Tom recounts his visits to both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure—then puts them head-to-head in a Halloween showdown. Which Disney party wins: East Coast nostalgia or West Coast villainy?
In Episode 243 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom covers a wild mix of theme park news and personal adventures.
News highlights include:
The bizarre scuba-style robbery at Disney Springs’ Paddlefish
A tragic death and lawsuits tied to Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers
Glenwood Caverns’ $205M “nuclear verdict” over the Haunted Mine Drop
Major new attractions: SeaWorld Orlando’s SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, Legoland’s Galacticoaster, Six Flags Over Texas’ record-breaking Tormenta Rampaging Run, Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition, and Universal’s Jurassic Park River Adventure refurb
Sesame Place San Diego shifting to seasonal ops
Plus, Tom shares trip reports:
Camping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness (tent mishaps, golf cart fun, and eating big at Trail’s End)
Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort (cabana rental, resort fee perks, rainy weekend, and Pier 60 livestream during the Verizon outage)
In Episode 242 of the VacationeersScares Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) for a jam-packed Halloween recap. Tom dives into his latest experiences at Halloween Horror Nights, including Stay & Scream, food booths, and shows like Nightmare Fuel and Haunt-O-Phonic. He also shares his impressions of Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park with its unique interactive houses, Zombie Paintball, and standout interactive haunts. They also head to LEGOLAND Florida’s Brick or Treat, complete with trick-or-treating, meet & greets, and the Monster Skytacular drone show—plus the big announcement of the new Galacticoaster family indoor coaster opening in 2026.
In Episode 241 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is joined by Jon Self to cover the latest theme park news and more.
The panel reviews the 2025 Golden Ticket Awards, where Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe dominated, Volcano Bay finally toppled Schlitterbahn’s 26-year reign, and Carowinds’ Fury 325 and Knoebels’ Phoenix kept their winning streaks alive.
Beyond the news, Tom shares his experience dining at the Beak & Barrel Tavern at Magic Kingdom, while Jon dishes on EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival, including the items you might want to avoid this year.
In the continuing VacationScares saga, Tom and Jon discuss their opening weekend visits to both SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream.
The first VacationScares episode of 2025 is here! Tom, Kris, Dave, and Jon dive into HHN Orlando’s Premium Scream Night and Opening Weekend, ranking the houses and sharing honest impressions.
In Episode 238 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Disney unveils glowing caverns and Zootopia fun, SeaWorld brings back Atlantis and a spooky sprint, Universal boosts Express Pass, and Tom shares trip reports from Disney Springs and beyond.

In Episode 237 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom kicks off spooky season with the debut of their brand-new “news” bumper, covering major headlines from Busch Gardens, Six Flags, Disney, and United Parks. Then Tom and Jon Self share their 2025 Howl-O-Scream and Halloween Horror Nights hype lists and reveal their full Halloween season schedule.
In Episode 236 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom shares major theme park news—including canceled Six Flags and Michigan’s Adventure events, updates on Blue Man Group and Disney, plus fresh Howl-O-Scream and HHN reveals. Tom also recaps his Universal Orlando staycation, from Old Town fun to Epic Universe tips and resort reviews.
In Episode 235 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) recap a full day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg—from early morning rope drop antics to an unforgettable stop at the new Burgermeister’s Hideaway speakeasy. They share ride reviews for InvadR, The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, Verbolten, Pantheon, Apollo’s Chariot, Escape from Pompeii, Le Scoot, Griffon, and more. Hear why Big Bad Wolf topped Phoenix Rising, why Verbolten desperately needs some TLC, and how Tom scored six beers for just over two bucks thanks to the passholder deal. 🔗 Follow us: Facebook: Vacationeers Theme Parks and More | Twitter: @VacationeerTom @pastorJonSelf | Instagram: @vacationeerspodcast So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.
In Episode 234 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom and special guest Jon Self (@pastorJonSelf) dive into the latest theme park happenings, including the 2027 opening of Universal Horror Unleashed in Chicago and multiple updates from Magic Kingdom and EPCOT—like refurbishments and a heartfelt new verse for “It’s a Small World” penned by Richard Sherman. They break down Halloween Horror Nights Orlando’s four terrifying house reveals, new additions to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, and share their thoughts on the revamped Test Track 3.0 at EPCOT. Plus, they review Yuengling Draft Haus in Tampa, talk SeaWorld Platinum pass value, and catch up on Wild Oasis and Bands, Brew & BBQ fun.