Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #159 - Space Bison

It is our Christmas shopping episode! Join Joe and Josh Reichlin from Made to Thrill to discuss his website, merchandise, his inspirations, and why most theme park merchandise is so bad. Then we talk about all the D23 news including Galaxy's Edge attraction names, Illumination replacement banter, Epcot talk, and more!

Halloween Horror Nights 28 - Observations and Thoughts

This written review is a compliment to our podcast review of Halloween Horror Nights 28. For a first timers perspective of the event we recommend checking out Average Disney Nerd's podcast review.

In America, Halloween has been experiencing a kind of renaissance. Kids who grew up being told to value individuality and experiences over conformity and possessions find the holiday refreshingly undefined. Do you want to carve pumpkins and hand out candy to kids in a suburb? Do you want to dress as a sexy teacher and take shots at downtown club? Do you want to go on a hay ride and sip hot cider? Will you throw a party featuring "eyeball" deviled eggs and other spooky treats? Or will you totally ignore the holiday? Unlike other holidays which have been coopted by religious institutions, corporations, or nationalism, Halloween remains independent in the public conscious. The personal internalization of the holiday will always shine through.

Of the few Halloween institutions established the haunted house walk through remains a perennial favorite. Small businesses popped up to create walk through experiences and major amusement locations have built seasonal events around the concept. Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and Busch parks all transform their parks into halloween destinations but Universal's Halloween Horror Nights carved out a niche of movie quality haunted houses. While existing for nearly 30 years Halloween Horror Nights Orlando has exploded in popularity in the past decade from its use of familiar properties and cinematic presentation.

Image from Inside Universal

Now I sit in Pittsburgh after my Halloween Horror Nights vacation reminiscing about the event. As the fans and Universal approach the crossroads of the 30th anniversary I want to look at where the event was, where it is going, and offer thoughts on this year's event. In the end I hope to inspire everyone to look at the event in a different light, either as a long time attendee or someone booking their first trip soon.

Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour #158 - Halloweeen Horror Nights 28

Like the Chilean miners emerging from the mines, we have returned!

This episode we talk about two bat-shit insane stories: Six Flags and SeaWorld rumors along with how the Schlitterbahn co-owner and killer slide designer Jeff Henry is accused of human trafficking and drug related charges! What a terrible person!

Last but not least we give our full breakdown and review of Halloween Horror Nights 28. We talk houses, scare zones, the future of the event, and more! Stay till the end to see when the Advil PM Joe takes finally kicks in.