The Theme Park Trader Podcast

Join us for episode 486 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! Disney World is a playground, not your private film set. Today we’re tackling the "Main Character Syndrome" currently infecting our favorite theme parks. We’ve all been there: You’ve spent thousands on a family vacation, only to have your child’s core memories interrupted by a ring light, a gimbal, and a 30-year-old man screaming at his "chat" during the fireworks. In this episode, we’re calling out the Influencer Plague. We break down the "Deadly Sins" of vlogging—from using flashes on dark rides to blocking Main Street for "outfit transitions." We also pitch a radical new "Creator Policy" to give the parks back to the people they were actually built for: The kids. Also in this episode: We take a quick, sarcastic look at the bizarre grand opening of PAW Patrol Land at Chessington, where adult "furries" seem to be competing with toddlers for the shortest queues in the park.

Join us for episode 484 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! Disney’s Hollywood Studios is having a massive identity crisis. Is it a tribute to the Golden Age of Cinema, or just a parking lot for Star Wars and Toy Story? Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in the middle of a massive identity crisis. Is it a park about the magic of movies, or has it just become a storage locker for big franchises? On this episode of the Theme Park Trailer Podcast, Ryan and Donna are making the "Keep It or Kill It" calls for 2026. With Monstropolis construction moving fast and the Muppets taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, the duo spars over what needs to stay and what needs to be ripped out to save the park. In this episode: The Identity Battle: Is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway a worthy icon, or are we still grieving The Great Movie Ride? Galaxy’s Edge Wars: Should Disney finally kill the strict Sequel Trilogy timeline and let Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker walk around Batuu? Star Tours vs. Galaxy's Edge: Does the "Greatest Hits" version of Star Wars belong in a different land, or is it the best ride in the park? The Sunset Boulevard Debate: Does Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage still have that Broadway magic, or is it time for an Encanto or Wish takeover? Toy Story Land Problems: We love the "backyard" scale, but is it time to "Kill" the immersion to add much-needed shade and "human-sized" bathrooms? BaseLine TapHouse: Can the park's best "chill spot" survive the expansion of Grand Avenue? STAY TUNED: This is just the beginning. We’re debating so much that we’re splitting this into a Part Two, where we dive into the Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones, and the future of Animation Courtyard! What would YOU "Kill" at Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments!

Join us for episode 482 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! Are you even doing Magic Kingdom right… or are you just eating overpriced rubbish? In this episode of Theme Park Trader, we’re putting Walt Disney World’s most iconic park snacks to the ultimate test in our very own Magic Kingdom Snack Games. From the legendary Dole Whip to the controversial Mickey Pretzel, we’ve taken some of the most popular (and most overrated) snacks across the park and scored them across five categories: taste, value for money, uniqueness, convenience, and that all-important Disney magic factor. Along the way, we: Crown the best snack in Magic Kingdom (and it might surprise you) Expose the snacks that are all hype and no substance Debate whether nostalgia is clouding your judgement (yes, we’re looking at you 👀) And decide what’s actually worth your money on your next trip If you’ve ever wondered what to eat, what to skip, and what’s just not worth it — this is the episode for you.

Join us for episode 480 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! On this episode of the Theme Park Trailer Podcast, hosts Ryan and Donna debut a new segment, "Keep It or Kill It," putting Epcot under the microscope. They spar over which attractions and areas should stay, be refreshed, or be ripped out and rebuilt. Their fast-paced discussion covers the UK pavilion makeover, year‑round festivals, the culture of "drinking around the world," Figment and Spaceship Earth updates, nighttime shows, IP encroachment, and the American Adventure, finishing with plans for a possible part two.

Join us for episode 478 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! This week we are reading out poor reviews of Peter Pan's Flight and discussing the new Disney Cruise Line Ship, The Adventure! A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram. Also, check out our guide to the DDP in 2026.

Join us for episode 476 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! On this week's show, we go through The Magic of Disney Animation coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios in detail before playing a game of can you guess the restaurant from the one-star review. A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram. Also, check out our guide to the DDP in 2026.

Join us for episode 474 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! Whilst we promise to share our trip report from DLP with you soon, we couldn't record on the day that Dinoland U.S.A was closing forever at Disney's Animal Kingdom and not dedicate an episode to a land that has had such an impact on us over the years. Join us as we share the history, memories and of course, a few poor reviews! A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram. Also, check out our guide to the DDP in 2026.

Join us for episode 472 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! On this week's show, we discuss all things Disney Dining Plan at Walt Disney World and also how airlines seem to be going full-rip-off mode this Summer. A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram. Also, check out our guide to the DDP in 2026.

Join us for episode 470 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! We're feeling all festive this week as we share our experience of attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and read out some poor reviews! A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram.

Join us for episode 468 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! This week Donna and Ryan each run through their favourite lands across all four Walt Disney World parks—sharing the spots they love most, the ones they could happily spend all day in, and maybe even a few surprising picks along the way A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram.

Very short episode this week as we deal with a very busy weekend and illness in the house!

Join us for episode 465 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! This week, we’re joined by Arron and Sarah from Our Wandering Story as they unpack their latest Walt Disney World adventure. Go and check them out on TikTok and YouTube!

Join us for episode 463 of the Theme Park Trader Podcast! This week on Theme Park Trader, we’re doing something a little different — and possibly insane. We kick things off with not one, but two games: first, we try to guess the top five most purchased items in Walt Disney World, and then we move on to naming the largest theme parks in Florida (with varying degrees of confidence). After that warm-up, we dive straight into one of the most unintentionally hilarious corners of theme park fandom: the positive reviews of Fast & Furious: Supercharged. That’s right — we’ve dug through the internet to find the people who genuinely love one of the most notoriously bad attractions in Orlando. Buckle up, because things are about to get Supercharged… with misplaced enthusiasm. A reminder, if you have any questions for us, send us a message on TikTok or Instagram.