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Episodes

Magic, Money, and the Middle East: Disney’s Record Quarter
May 19, 2025

Magic, Money, and the Middle East: Disney’s Record Quarter

Disney’s stock jumped 7 % after a blockbuster Q2 - and we breakdown why.

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Pruning Parks, Powering Up Hotels: Six Flags Shutters as DC Invades Gaylord
May 11, 2025

Pruning Parks, Powering Up Hotels: Six Flags Shutters as DC Invades G…

Six Flags/Cedar Fair’s first post-merger casualty is Six Flags America, erasing 70 full-time and 700 seasonal jobs and $3.5 million in local tax revenue—freeing capital for “marquee” investments elsewhere. At the same time, M...

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Can Universal Turn Spring Into “Second Halloween”? Inside Fan Fest Nights
May 4, 2025

Can Universal Turn Spring Into “Second Halloween”? Inside Fan Fest Ni…

Universal Studios Hollywood is stress-testing a brand-new revenue season with Fan Fest Nights—12 evenings of Comic-Con-meets-HHN running April 25-May 18th from 7 p.m.–2 a.m.

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Comcast's Cash Machine: Can Epic Universe Replace Dying Cable?
April 28, 2025

Comcast's Cash Machine: Can Epic Universe Replace Dying Cable?

Cord-cutting continues to threaten Comcast, but it sees hope in its theme parks.

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INSIGHTS: The Uncertainty Epidemic
April 19, 2025

INSIGHTS: The Uncertainty Epidemic

Philip reads the inaugural "Green Tagged: Insights" newsletter analyzing what he calls "The Uncertainty Epidemic" affecting the attractions industry.

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What United Airline's Strategic Shift Signals for Theme Parks & Tourism
April 18, 2025

What United Airline's Strategic Shift Signals for Theme Parks & Touri…

Travel patterns are changing. United Airlines' latest earnings reveal a strategic pivot as they prepare for two economic scenarios in 2025, cutting domestic flight capacity by 4% while seeing surges in both premium and budget travelers.

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Universal Studios UK: A £50 Billion Brexit Comeback Strategy for 2031
April 12, 2025

Universal Studios UK: A £50 Billion Brexit Comeback Strategy for 2031

We break down Universal’s newly announced UK theme park, set to open in 2031, its location just 35 minutes from London, the promise of world-class immersive lands, and the potential to draw 8.5 million visitors in its first year.

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BONUS: Catalyzing Social Connection- IAAPA Chair Massimiliano Freddi’s Full Talk
April 9, 2025

BONUS: Catalyzing Social Connection- IAAPA Chair Massimiliano Freddi’…

In this bonus episode, we present the complete remarks from Massimiliano Freddi, IAAPA Chair of the Board and Wonderwood CEO, recorded at the IAAPA North America Summit. Hear Freddi’s powerful perspective on why attractions should become catalysts for...

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Disney's Operational Magic: Key Insights from IAAPA's North America Summit 2025
April 6, 2025

Disney's Operational Magic: Key Insights from IAAPA's North America S…

IAAPA's North America Summit (Mar 30-Apr 01, 2025) at the Disneyland Resort featured insightful presentations from Disney executives on the thoughtful redesign of Toontown.

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The US Has a Branding Problem: Tourism Decline Threatens Theme Parks
March 31, 2025

The US Has a Branding Problem: Tourism Decline Threatens Theme Parks

International tourism to the US is projected to decline by at least 5% this year instead of the expected 9% growth, threatening a $72 billion reduction in total travel spending.

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Park Power Play: Herschend's Bold Acquisition Reshapes the Theme Park Landscape
March 24, 2025

Park Power Play: Herschend's Bold Acquisition Reshapes the Theme Park…

This week we analyze Herschend's strategic acquisition of Palace Entertainment's U.S. properties, potentially establishing them as a major third-place challenger in the theme park industry.

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Tariffs & Terror: Why and How Universal is Diversifying in an Unpredictable Market
March 16, 2025

Tariffs & Terror: Why and How Universal is Diversifying in an Unpredi…

Amid tariff concerns and market volatility, we explore how Universal is strategically diversifying its entertainment portfolio.

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Six Flags & United Parks Earnings: Optimism or Trouble?
March 8, 2025

Six Flags & United Parks Earnings: Optimism or Trouble?

Six Flags reported a $206 million net loss for 2024—but investors are cautiously optimistic.

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Will Horror Unleashed Succeed? And, Is China’s Tourism Coming Back?
March 2, 2025

Will Horror Unleashed Succeed? And, Is China’s Tourism Coming Back?

Universal’s Horror Unleashed is officially opening in Las Vegas on August 14th—but will it succeed? Meanwhile, China’s tourism industry is rebounding, but will it be enough?

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SPECIAL: LIVE From The IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit in Riyadh
Feb. 23, 2025

SPECIAL: LIVE From The IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit in Riyadh

Come with us to IAAPA's Middle East Trade Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Fantasy Springs Boosts Tokyo Disney as Universal Tests LARPing
Feb. 16, 2025

Fantasy Springs Boosts Tokyo Disney as Universal Tests LARPing

Tokyo Disney Resort is thriving with Fantasy Springs and seasonal events driving record-breaking revenue, while Universal Studios Hollywood is experimenting with a bold new event: Fan Fest Nights.

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Disney Q1 FY25 Earnings Deep Dive: Parks, Streaming, and ESPN’s Next Moves | Green Tagged
Feb. 10, 2025

Disney Q1 FY25 Earnings Deep Dive: Parks, Streaming, and ESPN’s Next …

Is Disney’s success unstoppable? Despite rising ticket prices, hurricanes disrupting domestic parks, and the looming Epic Universe, Disney still delivered a strong quarter.

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Merlin Slashes Entertainment Jobs as Trump’s Tariffs Loom
Feb. 3, 2025

Merlin Slashes Entertainment Jobs as Trump’s Tariffs Loom

Trump’s proposed tariffs could drive up costs for theme parks, and Merlin Entertainment is cutting live entertainment across multiple locations—but what does it all mean for the industry?

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Trump Policies and Theme Parks: Labor, Tariffs, Drones, and Ride Safety
Jan. 26, 2025

Trump Policies and Theme Parks: Labor, Tariffs, Drones, and Ride Safe…

Immigration reform, tariff hikes, federally controlled ride safety, and drone regulations - The Trump Administration's policies will shake up the theme park industry, and we must be ready.

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California Wildfires & TikTok Shutdown: Lessons for Attractions
Jan. 20, 2025

California Wildfires & TikTok Shutdown: Lessons for Attractions

This week, we connect two seemingly unrelated stories—the devastating California wildfires and TikTok’s temporary shutdown—to explore a common theme: crisis planning.

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BONUS: How Merlin will Bring Minecraft into the Real World
Jan. 13, 2025

BONUS: How Merlin will Bring Minecraft into the Real World

Scott is unavailable this week, so we're airing a panel discussion from IAAPA 2024. The panel, "IAAPA Fireside Chat: Inspiring Minds of the Industry," combines large and small attraction operators to discuss 2024 and industry trends.

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When you invent the drone, you also invent the drone crash
Jan. 6, 2025

When you invent the drone, you also invent the drone crash

Dones collided and crashed during a holiday show in Orlando, injuring a boy and sending shockwaves throughout the industry.

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2024 Trends Shaping 2025: Immersion, AI, and the Future of Attractions
Dec. 30, 2024

2024 Trends Shaping 2025: Immersion, AI, and the Future of Attractions

In the final episode of 2024, we dive into the most prominent trends that defined the year and will shape 2025.

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Cruising into the Future: Tokyo’s Plans and China’s Momentum
Dec. 23, 2024

Cruising into the Future: Tokyo’s Plans and China’s Momentum

Oriental Land expands cruises as China's Tourism Recovers; both underscore global trends toward experiential, human-centric attractions—but did the U.S. get that memo?

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