Subscribe to our new Patreon for BONUS content

Scott Swenson, ICAE

Scott Swenson, ICAE Profile Photo

For over 30 years, Scott Swenson has been bringing stories to life as a writer, director, producer, and performer. His work in theme parks, consumer events, live theatre, and television has given him a broad spectrum of experiences. In 2014, after 21 years with SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Scott formed Scott Swenson Creative Development. Since then he has been providing impactful experiences for clients around the world. Whether he is installing shows on cruise ships or creating seasonal festivals for theme parks, writing educational presentations for zoos and museums or training the next generation of attractions professionals, Scott is always finding new ways to tell stories that engage, educate and entertain.

Five TRENDS You Can’t Ignore: Mergers, Velvet Ropes, and the Rise of Festival-First Parks
June 8, 2025

Five TRENDS You Can’t Ignore: Mergers, Velvet Ropes, and the Rise of Festival-First Parks

In this special, we examine the last 18 months of news to surface the largest trends in the theme park world.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
Family Culture or Central Control? Herschend’s Acquisition & Six Flags’ Silo Smash
June 2, 2025

Family Culture or Central Control? Herschend’s Acquisition & Six Flags’ Silo Smash

Herschend finalized its acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s 24 U.S. attractions with a $1.1 billion leveraged loan—and vows 2025 will be a “listening year.”
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
Six Flags Presses “Reset”
May 26, 2025

Six Flags Presses “Reset”

"The Great Reset," Six Flags' new strategic plan, aims to reach 58 million in annual attendance and $3.8 billion in revenue by 2028.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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 Gaylord

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...
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
Can Universal Turn Spring Into “Second Halloween”? Inside Fan Fest Nights
May 4, 2025

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

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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
What United Airline's Strategic Shift Signals for Theme Parks & Tourism
April 18, 2025

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

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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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 Summit 2025

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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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 Landscape

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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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 Unpredictable Market

Amid tariff concerns and market volatility, we explore how Universal is strategically diversifying its entertainment portfolio.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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?
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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 Moves | Green Tagged

Is Disney’s success unstoppable? Despite rising ticket prices, hurricanes disrupting domestic parks, and the looming Epic Universe, Disney still delivered a strong quarter.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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?
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
Trump Policies and Theme Parks: Labor, Tariffs, Drones, and Ride Safety
Jan. 26, 2025

Trump Policies and Theme Parks: Labor, Tariffs, Drones, and Ride Safety

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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE
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.
Guests: Scott Swenson, ICAE , Philip Hernandez, ICAE