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PODCAST

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30

Philip Hernandez

An insider’s take on the theme park and themed entertainment industry trends, Green Tagged Covers the Top Theme Park News from each week. From theme parks to zoos and aquariums to haunted houses, we scour the world for what you need to know. We may not have all the answers, but we ask the right questions. Subscribe to PRO content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GreenTagged

news news commentary

All Episodes

31:01

Disney Q1 FY25 Earnings Deep Dive Earnings Deep Dive:...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2025/02/10

Is Disney’s success unstoppable? Despite rising ticket prices, hurricanes disrupting domestic parks, and the looming Epic Universe, Disney still delivered strong earnings. This week, we dive into Disney’s Q1 FY25 earnings to explore how robust international attendance propped up U.S. shortfalls, Bob Iger’s plans to make ESPN Flagship a 24/7 sports streaming powerhouse, and why Disney+ and Hulu are now three-quarters profitable—even with subscriber challenges. Plus, learn how the cruise line

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31:15

Merlin Slashes Entertainment Jobs as Trump’s Tariffs...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2025/02/03

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?This week, we break down how new tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada could lead to higher construction costs, delayed projects, and rising ticket prices. Meanwhile, Merlin’s staffing cuts in Florida, California, and the UK are raising concerns—are they shifting to third-party contractors, or is this

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32:40

Trump Policies and Theme Parks: Labor, Tariffs,...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2025/01/26

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 the looming labor crisis. We explore the financial strain tariffs could place on park development and why IAAPA advocates for federal no-fly zones over amusement parks to

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33:24

California Wildfires & TikTok Shutdown: Lessons for...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2025/01/20

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 employee housing to social media strategies, this episode delves into what parks must do to adapt to a world of increasing

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58:36

BONUS: How Merlin will Bring Minecraft into the Real...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2025/01/13

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 to bring Minecraft adventures to life in the real world through immersive and interactive attractions. Featured in this discussion: Kayleen Walters, VP of Franchise

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30:53

When you invent the drone, you also invent the drone...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2025/01/06

Subscribe to our Patreon for bonus episodes. 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 shows over populated areas. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB are underway, and Sky Elements has since canceled multiple

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31:29

2024 Trends Shaping 2025: Immersion, AI, and the...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/12/30

In the final episode of 2024, we dive into the most prominent 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. They discuss the balance between high- and low-tech solutions, the guest agency's role in storytelling, and why parks need to embrace AI as a tool for innovation. Plus, find out what these shifts mean for

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30:39

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

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/12/23

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 market, it has significantly less debt. Attendance rates rose from 63% in 2022 to 97% in 2024. Meanwhile, China's theme parks drive inbound tourism, now ranking alongside iconic

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31:06

Control vs. Collaboration: How Disney and United...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/12/16

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 controlled environment to deliver guest experiences that are no longer possible within the theme parks. Meanwhile, United Parks is taking the opposite approach by outsourcing elements of its

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31:33

Fan Fest Nights, Busch Gardens Owes in Suit, &...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/12/08

Universal Studios Hollywood’s 2025 event calendar dropped, including dates for Halloween Horror Nights and the debut of FanFest Nights. Plus, we unpack the $5 million lawsuit verdict against Busch Gardens Tampa, discussing its potential ripple effects across the industry. Finally, we look at Disneyland’s 70th anniversary plans, featuring the highly anticipated Walt Disney animatronic and the return of beloved shows like Paint the Night.Become a supporter of this podcast:

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31:40

Theme Park Growth in China, Luxury Resorts in Mexico,...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/12/01

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. Meanwhile, Mexico's Grupo Vidanta revealed groundbreaking details for VidantaWorld’s BON Luxury Theme Park, a $1.3 billion project opening in 2026. Finally, the Mattel Adventure Park opening has been delayed until 2025, reflecting ongoing challenges in the industry, from supply chain disruptions to

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31:07

IAAPA Expo 2024: Networking, Learning, and Building...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/11/25

Get weekly bonus episodes here. 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 digital and physical worlds to drive engagement. Meanwhile, Scott shares insights from the Entertainment Professionals Network

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31:12

Disney's Big Wins & Six Flags’ $1 Billion Bet: A Tale...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/11/17

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 a $1 billion investment over two years, featuring record-breaking coasters, dining upgrades, and seasonal events. Will Six Flags’ efforts match Disney’s IP-driven strategy, or is it a short-term

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32:24

Six Flags' Project Accelerate: Transformative...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/11/11

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 boost attendance to 55 million guests and reach a 35% Modified EBITDA margin by 2027. However, as Philip and Scott discuss, the plan lacks specific, measurable

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31:42

Universal Announces Horror Expansion in 2025 Amid...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/11/05

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 in Las Vegas next year – the same year as Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park. Next, Universal released information surrounding the animatronics coming to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment at

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31:50

SPECIAL: Halloween's Ecosystem

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/10/28

Weekly bonus episodes on our Patreon. 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 trip to Dark at Fort Edmonton, exploring how the event has expanded.Become a supporter of this podcast:

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30:45

Epic Universe Opening Date Announced & Disney’s New...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/10/20

Get weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon here. 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 is launching the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, offering guests a more flexible option similar to Universal’s Express Pass. We discuss how this new offering might change the guest

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31:59

The Aftermath: Hurricane Milton's Impact on Florida’s...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/10/13

Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon. Florida's weather is growing more extreme, and our strategic planning must evolve to meet it. This week, we focus on Hurricane Milton's aftermath and its sweeping impact on Florida’s theme parks, including closures, operational challenges, and recovery efforts. Then, we turn to the future and discuss why strategic planning for hurricanes may need to evolve. Become a supporter of this podcast:

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32:44

Universal's Fan Fest and Dark Harbor: The Future of...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/10/07

Subscribe to our Patreon for weekly bonus shows. 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, interactive content. Universal’s "immersive pop-up" event strategy could shift theme parks' operations. Plus, a

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31:32

Delays, Curfews, and Global Expansion: Halloween...

Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30 ·

2024/09/30

Subscribe to our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes. 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 get its haunted houses open nationwide, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg faces curfews that impact guest experiences. Finally, SeaWorld lost an 11.4 million dollar licensing judgment against Sesame Workshop.Become a supporter of

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276 results

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