Search Theme Park University
Categories
-
About Theme Park University
TPU covers how attractions are designed, constructed, operated and maintained.
In addition to theme parks, we cover anything in the world of themed entertainment from dinner shows to immersive theater, haunted attractions to miniature golf and much much more.
-
Passionate themed entertainment professionals and industry enthusiasts crave your expertise.
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Log in to comment
-
Dollywood Kicks Off 2021 Season With New Show: Harmonies Of The Heart
Dollywood is my favorite park in the United States without question. Sure, it’s got great roller coasters and fantastic food (you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the cinnamon bread). Personally what I love about Dollywood is the authenticity. Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: smack dab in the middle of the Great Smokey Mountains.
-
New IAAPA Report Shows How Hard The Pandemic Has Been On Attractions Industry
I think we all know by now that the attractions industry has been hit with a heavy blow due to the pandemic. Personally, I’m a numbers guy. Sure, we know some parks have yet to reopen and many others haven’t even come close to recovering. Just how bad are things? The International Association of Amusement
-
Who’s Moving Into The Barney Theater At Universal Studios Florida?
Regardless of what you personally thought of the Barney show at Universal Studios Florida, it definitely served its purpose. While far from the target demographic of folks looking for thrills and cutting edge attractions, Barney and friends was a place for the younger set to go while their older brothers and sisters went on the
-
What Is Universal Orlando Covering Up By Removing Their Own VelociCoaster Blog Posts?
Yet again, I am scratching my head on why Universal Orlando does things. Exactly a month ago, the Universal Orlando official blog started posting behind-the-scenes articles on the new Velocicoaster at Islands of Adventure. Yet, for some reason as of February 25, 2021, they have been taken down. Keep in mind, these articles were a
-
Since Joe Rhode Has Retired: Will The Yeti Ever Get Fixed?
It’s an issue Disney fans have had for years. When will the Yeti finally move again at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? He’s been broken for well over a decade and with Joe Rhode’s retirement, it seems all hope is lost. TPU reader James sends the following email: With Joe Rohde now gone from Imagineering is there
-
Unrealized Project Concept Art Takes On New Life
One of our favorite things to do here at Theme Park University is to look at what could have been. So many great concepts end up getting cut for various reasons. Anything from budget to licensing to just being impractical, there are more unrealized concepts floating around out there than what actually gets built in
-
Why Are Disney Animatronics Breaking All The Time?
You’ve seen the pictures and video all over social media. Every time a Disney animatronic breaks, we know about it. TPU reader Alison writes “Hey Josh, what happened to Disney’s maintenance for their animatronics? They used to be the leaders in the industry. Now they seem to be a joke. Is this because of careless
-
“Theme Park Fan: The Musical” To Debut February 6 On YouTube
In the world of theme park fandom, there are literally thousands of Instagrammers, YouTubers and bloggers. While there is some great content to be had on the web, there isn’t a lot of diversification out there. I’m thrilled when someone takes a swing and tries something completely different. Finally, a new type of content for
-
Now That Blue Man Group Is Moving Out Of Universal Orlando – What’s Moving In?
On February 1, 2021 Blue Man Group announced it was officially moving out of their digs at Universal Orlando. In an article we posted just a week prior, we had heard the writing had been on the wall for a while for the show. Now that it is official, what can we expect to happen
-
Does J.K. Rowling Rule The Wizarding World of Harry Potter With An Iron Fist?
Sometimes theme park legends can take on a life of their own. Today’s example: Does J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter book series) personally have a tight control over every aspect of Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Recently we got the following email from TPU reader Eric: I was recently at the WWoHP
-
Halloween Horror Nights Quests Patent Revealed
Often times we talk about theme park concepts that are brewing behind-the-scenes at theme parks that have not yet been announced. Some things we report on may never be announced and that’s part of the crazy world of how things work in the entertainment industry in general. Today, we can share with you an idea
-
Blue Man Group Extremely Unlikely To Return To Universal Orlando
When Blue Man Group opened at Universal Orlando in 2007, it was meant to draw people away from Cirque du Soleil at Walt Disney World. While the show drew in large crowds during the beginning of the run, within the last few years interest has fizzled out. Now we are hearing Blue Man Group may