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. This week, we discuss IAAPA’s position on these critical topics, including how changes to youth employment laws and visa programs might address…
This week, we connect two seemingly unrelated stories—the devastating California wildfires and TikTok’s temporary shutdown—to explore a common theme: crisis planning. With wildfires displacing employees and closing theme parks, and TikTok’s uncertainty highlighting the risks of "rented land," we examine how the attractions industry can better prepare for disruptions. From…
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. During this presentation, you'll hear how Mojang Studios is joining forces with Merlin Entertainments…
On December 21, multiple drones from Sky Elements unexpectedly fell during a holiday show at Lake Eola, Orlando, injuring 7-year-old Zander Edgerton, who required open-heart surgery. Following the incident, on December 23rd, the FAA opened an investigation and suspended Sky Elements' Part 107 waiver, halting all night drone flights and…
In the final episode of 2024, Philip and Scott dive into the biggest trends that defined the year and will shape 2025. From the evolution of immersive experiences and the rise of personalization to integrating AI into attractions, the duo explores how the industry is adapting to meet guest expectations.…
Tokyo Disneyland operator Oriental Land unveiled an ambitious USD 2.1 billion plan to launch an "offshore theme park" cruise by 2028, aiming to reduce its reliance on Maihama operations. This approach mirrors Disney's investment in cruises, which we discussed last week. While Disney has a smaller share of the cruise…
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, is making waves with its IP-packed premium entertainment, like the Haunted Mansion Parlor, Tale of Moana, and Plaza de Coco dinner show. In essence, Disney is moving portions of the theme park experience onto their cruise ships, using a highly curated and…
A Florida jury has ordered United Parks to pay $5 million to the family of a 12-year-old who was injured during Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2022. The boy entered the Stanleyville Theater while it was not in use, accessed, and fell off the trampoline, lacerating his right…
This week on Green Tagged Theme Park in 30, Philip and Scott dive into key developments in the global attractions industry. China's theme parks are seeing a massive rebound, with a 71.8% surge in visitors and nearly 98% revenue growth in 2023, as discussed at IAAPA's APAC Breakfast. Meanwhile, Mexico's…
In this week’s Green Tagged, Philip and Scott unpack the networking and education opportunities that defined IAAPA Expo 2024, which broke records with 41,429 total attendees and over 140 educational sessions. Philip reflects on the IAAPA Fireside Chat, where industry leaders highlighted how partnerships like Merlin x Minecraft bridge the…
Get weekly BONUS shows on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GreenTagged Philip and Scott dissect Disney's Q3 earnings, celebrating Disney+'s profitability, billion-dollar blockbusters, and robust park performance. CEO Bob Iger calls it “a new era of growth,” but looming challenges like declining TV assets and leadership succession raise questions. Meanwhile, Six Flags announces…
In this week's Green Tagged, Philip and Scott dive into Six Flags' Q3 earnings report and their new three-year plan, "Project Accelerate." With attendance dipping slightly but per capita spending climbing, Six Flags has pivoted to a revenue-over-quantity strategy—a trend echoing the broader theme park industry. Project Accelerate aims to…
Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GreenTagged Universal promises 2025 will be its biggest year ever, but are those promises genuine or distractions covering up declining park revenue? This week saw two major announcements from Universal. First, Universal’s new experiment in year-round horror, Universal Horror Unleashed, will open…
It's our Halloween Special! We dive into Fun.com’s costume data to see how IP-driven favorites like Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, and Inside Out define the season, showing Halloween’s unique synergy across homes, media, and theme parks. We then delve into recent haunt visits: Scott’s behind-the-scenes look at Netherworld’s stellar operations and Philip’s…
Get weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/GreenTagged Universal Orlando Resort officially announced the opening date for their much-anticipated new theme park, Universal Epic Universe, slated for May 22, 2025. We discuss what this means for the park’s future and how it stacks up against industry expectations. Plus, Disney…
NOTE: This episode is AUDIO ONLY due to impacts from Hurricane Milton. Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GreenTagged Florida's weather is growing more extreme, and our strategic planning must evolve to meet it. This week, we devote to the aftermath of Hurricane Milton and its sweeping impact…
Could Universal's Fan Fest Nights Define the Future of Hard-Ticketed Events? Joining Star Trek, Back to the Future, and Dungeons & Dragons are anime experiences from One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen, expanding Universal’s reach into mainstream and niche fandoms. These additions leverage the studio’s scenic expertise and offer fans unique,…
Subscribe to our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes: patreon.com/GreenTagged IAAPA announced the IAAPA Expo Middle East in Abu Dhabi in 2026; this is perhaps one of the most significant signals that the industry is exploding in the Middle East. Back at home, Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme can't seem to…
In this episode, Philip and Scott discuss the latest findings from the IAAPA Q3 2024 Quarterly Outlook Survey, exploring how theme parks are navigating a challenging landscape of reduced capital, labor shortages, and shifting consumer behaviors. With per-capita spending fluctuating and North American parks lagging in recovery, we explore the…
It's our four-year anniversary, and we're celebrating by launching a Patreon for our Unhinged content. Find it here: https://www.patreon.com/GreenTagged This week, we discuss Dark Nights at Hershey Park and Field of Screams, which both opened last weekend. We also discuss Universal's new Butterbeer offering at CityWalk and the upcoming Wicked…
In this episode, Philip and Scott discuss their recent experiences at Oogie Boogie Bash, Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood, and Fear Factory. They highlight the immersive and consistent atmosphere at Oogie Boogie Bash, where guests can interact with villains in well-designed sets. They also discuss the unique elements of Halloween Horror…
Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) kicked off at Universal Studios Orlando this weekend. As the largest Halloween event in the world, HHN is a significant revenue generator for Universal, inspiring similar seasonal offerings at attractions worldwide. However, this year’s event falls short of expectations. Could the impending opening of Epic Universe…
The 2023 Global Attractions Attendance Report from TEA/AECOM just dropped, and we are diving deep into its findings. The report highlights the recovery of the global attractions industry after the pandemic and the performance of different theme parks worldwide. It also explores the trends in attendance and spending and the…
While Disney's income dip isn't exciting for investors, it signals that the tourism industry continues to moderate post-pandemic. Six Flags and Cedar Fair also released their final separate earnings; there's hope in those reports. Meanwhile, Universal has hijacked the news again by expanding Halloween Horror Nights to New York City.…
