The Parkscope Podcast

Joe and Lane start out talking about nighttime Disney's Animal Kingdom before being joined by Mike and then Brian from Orlando to close out the show with some listener questions. Also Mike sanded wood.

Joe, Lane, and Nick reunite for the anniversary of their graduation pub crawl only to find the childhood town they grew up in has been invaded. Before their deaths they talk about local theme park news and updates, Shanghai Disneyland impressions, Disney Springs opening and STK, Grad Nights, Frozen Ever After opening, Mako testing, Kong AAs, Hulk details, Universal zoning land, CityWalk evicting tenants, and shortly touch on Joe's trip to Orlando.

Joe's quick takes on some news from this week. Hulk, Shanghai, etc.

Joe, Lane, Nick, and Sean convene for an emergency meeting of The Midnight Society to discuss Universal's proposed purchase of DreamWorlds Animation.

Joe, Mike, Nick, and Ann vow revenge of their heist partner after he steals all the gold from a caper in Venice. Tokyo Disneyland Resort additions, Kong updates, Volcano Bay construction, HHN26 houses, Paddlefish, and then a huge trip report from Mike and Ann!

Joe, Lane, Mike, and Nick celebrate a bachelor party in Las Vegas and wake up forgetting what happened and where the groom is. We talk about regional parks, the start of Halloween Horror Nights announcements, Magic Kingdom after hours event attendance, Disney's Awaken Summer media event, why it's really dumb to call Animal Kingdom at night "like a 5th park", Avatar, Star Wars, Toy Story Playland, Lane's Dark Side race rant, and Nick's Grad Bash.

Joe and Lane are joined by David Daut from Heroic Hollywood to talk about his first visits to Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. In addition we talk about Tom Staggs, Rivers of Light, Tower of Terror 'bars', MyMagic+, Kong, Disney Cruise Line, new wand experiences at Wizarding World Japan, and local craft beer (and water).

Joe is joined by Jon Green early in the morning to talk to him about the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood, live from in line!

Joe has some Hoof Hearted, Mike hates Guardians of the Galaxy, Lane talks about Dollywood, and Nick talks Marvel. Also SeaWorld, USH tickets, WDW parties, Hulk, and Kong.

Lane, Mike, and Nick talk about USH's permanent The Walking Dead House, Kong rumors and news, and Toothsome Chocolate Factor at CityWalk. Then LitemAndHyde joins the guys from Orlando for quick live update. Plus some listeners questions are answered!

Joe and Mike are two parapsychologists who start a ghost hunting business in New York after being fired from their plush university research gigs. Joining them are Jon Fu and Jonathan Green from Inside Universal to talk about the changes to Universal Studios Hollywood over the past two years, speakers, wood beams, press tours with Alan Gilmore, sight lines, grab and go food venues, stink pickles, tile flooring, Japan, and Mike being Lost in Translation. Make sure to follow Inside Universal on Twitter, YouTube, and check out USHForums.com!

Joe, Lane, and Mike are three actors who are sent to Mexico to audition for bandit fighter roles only to be confused by the locals as actual heroes. They then talk about VR coasters, Disney operations cuts, price increases, Kong updates, Rivers of Light, and future of Universal parks rumors.

Joe, Lane, Nick, and Sean are joined by internet legend Len Testa of the Unofficial Guide series, TouringPlans.com, and The Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill. We debate the price of steel, the German economy, Armani suits, concierge level on the Disney Cruise Line, Washington D.C. touring, ticket price increases, nighttime habits, best cheap hotels around Walt Disney World, and knee high sinks. Make sure to check out The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line and The Unofficial Guide to Washington D.C.!

NOTE: Apology for the crackling from Joe's microphone, it only lasts the first few minutes of recording. Joe and Nick are joined by Felipe and Meg to mostly talk about A Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, January 29th-31st. We also briefly discuss Universal Studios Hollywood's ticket changes and performance auditions for Reign of Kong?

Joe, Mike, Nick, and Sean start the new year off right by talking Shanghai Disneyland, Star Wars land, the validity of wine as an alcohol choice, Reign of Kong, Hulk, Volcano Bay, more UOR construction, snow, and take your questions.

Joe and Nick are joined by Seth Kubersky from The Unofficial Guide series and TouringPlans.com! Reporting live from Disney's Hollywood Studios, Seth describes the new Star Wars food and drink offerings, talks about the Star Wars launch bay, and Star Tours. Then we dive into metal detectors at parks, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood opening, Disneyland construction, goats, virtual reality, I Drive, Nick's weekend Orlando trip, answer your questions, and more!

Joe, Meg, and Sean talk SPOILERS about Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Do not listen until you've seen the movie, you've been warned!

Joe, Mike, and Sean discuss Joe's quick Orlando trip, Grinchmas, food, Christmas traditions, Universal's option on a contract for 450+ acres of land, Kong, Joe as Mini Me, and more!

We're back after a break! Joe and Mike are joined by Bob Sehlinger of The Unofficial Guide series to talk about New Fantasyland, SeaWorld's big announcements last week regarding rides and killer whales, and Race Through New York with Jimmy Fallon. We close out with an interview with Bob about his background, fandom of Disney and the parks, funny stories from his research trips, hilarious stories about Len Testa, and more!

Joe, Nick, and Sean discuss Disney Springs, The Incredible Hulk, their recent trip to Universal Orlando, and then dig right into Halloween Horror Nights 25 reviews! Make sure to enter in our giveaway of Halloween Horror Nights: The Unofficial Story and Guide 2015!

Joe is joined by Christopher Ripley, author of Halloween Horror Nights: The Unofficial Story and Guide 2015. We discuss Chris' history with the event, creation of the book, recount some fun stories from past events, turning points of Horror Nights, and more! And make sure to enter our giveaway of the book!

Joe, Nick, and Sean cover the news of Disaster!'s closing, Halloween Horror Nights unveil, Joe's trip to Kings Island and Michigan's Adventure, and then answer your questions.

Joe, Mike, and Nick are joined by Seth Kubersky, fresh off the publishing of his latest book The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. We talk D23, Seth's trip to Disneyland's 60th, the creation and specifics of the book, and then your questions! Win a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando: http://www.parkscope.net/p/the-unofficial-guide-to-universal.html

NOTE: Sorry for poor audio quality. Joe, Mike, Nick, and Sean are drunk on Disney Parks news and Rougabrew as we recap all the D23 Parks and Resorts announcements. Star Wars, Avatar, Shanghai, Skipper Canteen, Toy Story Land, and MORE! Make sure to also enter to win a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando!

Joe and Mike are joined by Brian from OU and friend of the site Lane to talk over the live presentation of D23 2015 Parks and Resorts Presentation. Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Avatar, Rivers of Light, and MORE!

Joe, Nick, and Sean conspire to talk D23 predictions and then answer your questions. Also make sure to enter our contest to win a copy of the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando by visiting Parkscope.net.

Joe, Nick, and Sean join forces to battle the evils of Universal third park rumors, talk Star Wars plans, Sapphire Falls news, and then answer your listener questions.

Joe, Mike, and Nick congress to discuss Portofino Bay, menu changes at UOR, and then spend a ton of time talking about Shanghai Disneyland announcements. And Joe has an Uh-Oa during the episode.

Joe, Mike, and Brian from OrlandoUnited.com are joined by the one, the only Jim Hill to discussion Disney's Hollywood Studios make over and closures, Star Wars, Toy Story Playland, Epcot changes, Illuminations replacement, Jurassic World, Marvel, Nintendo, and more.

Joe, Nick, and Sean are joined by Jon Fu from InsideUniversal.net to discuss banning selfie sticks, Fast and Furious Supercharged, the Universal Studios Hollywood Nighttime Tram Tour, capacity and parking woes at Hollywood, Disneyland pushing for admissions tax exemption in exchange for $1bn in expansion, Disney's Hollywood Studios rumors, Twister permits, and more.

Joe and Sean talk about Bethesda, Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft, Sony, and Nintendo's press conferences and announcements from E3 2015.

Joe drinks some 2XOne and is joined by Sean to talk about Nintendo NX, Nintendo on mobile, Persona 5, Fallout 4, Splatoon, Yooka-Laylee, and E3 predictions.

Joe, Mike (for a hot second), Nick, and Sean are joined by friends of the podcast Brian and Andy from OrlandoUnited.com to talk Raptors, new rollercoasters at Busch and SeaWorld, and Volcano Bay water park.

Joe, Mike, and Sean talk Star Wars Weekends, Wilderness Lodge, and then are joined by Seth Kubersky to talk Disneyland's 60th and Halloween Horror Nights 25. While we try to end the show we just end up talking about some video games.

We have a full house today with Joe, Mike, Nick, Sean, and Drew from OrlandoUnited.com. Skull Island: Rise of Kong. Nintendo at Universal (I still can't believe that's happening).

Joe, Nick, and Sean join to discuss SeaWorld's and Busch Gardens Tampa's new coasters, Innoventions closing, Cedar Point, exclusive beers, Project Dig, HHN25, NBC Sports Grill Brew bad name, The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, Marvel will always be at UOR, and then we cover Sean's trip and his love of bread!

Joe, Nick, and Lane talk abut their trip to MCO this past weekend with talk of SeaWorld, Diagon Alley, Cabana Bay, Celestina Warbeck, being picked for a wand, Trader Sam's, CowFish, and more!

Joe, Mike, Nick, and Sean are joined by Taylor from OrlandoInformer.com to discuss Six Flags, Polynesian, Trader Sam's, SeaWorld PR blunders, ad hominem attacks, Springfield west, King Kong AAs, HHN25, your questions, and more!

TONIGHT! Mike, Sean, and Joe talk about Innoventions West, Kong, Trader Sam's, Nintendo, and answer your questions!

Joe, Mike, and Nick hate on Disney and love Universal by praising the new MK hub, the cool new Adventureland restaurant concept, Innoventions closing at Disneyland, Mike's Disneyland vendetta, Disney chickening out by just adding 50% capacity to existing attractions, the hat's down ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, Universal's non-news on water bottle bans and ticket price increases, HHN 25, Gringotts downtime, Kong hype, and your questions!

Joe, Mike, Nick, and Sean get together to discuss measles, anniversaries, celebrations, Disney Springs, Sean's trip, Mike filing papers, Baloo meowing, warm butterbeer, and ghosts. Then we jump on twitter and answer your weird, last minute questions.

Joe, Mike, Nick, and Sean are joined by Brian from OrlandoUnited to discuss their involvement with and the results from the Saturday Six Top Universal Attractions poll. AVENGE DISASTER!

Happy New Year! Joe, Nick, and Sean talk about the Frozen meet and greet area in Epcot, Avatar movie delays, thoughts on IPs in parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios expansion rumors, Cowfish reaching out to guests because of a blogger, Kong, Sean likes old music, the new water park, Mardi Gras, and Baloo as the best spotting bro at a gym.

Joe and Sean get drunk, play video games, and discuss 2014. Topics include Microsoft's change in tune, broken games, bad people online, Nintendo's bad decisions, our favorite games we played this year, and 2015.

Joe, Nick, and Sean draw Cards Against Humanity cards then dive into SeaWorld, Cedar Point, the Polynesian, Avatar is doing something or another, Be Our Guest for breakfasts, Kong updates, and water park permits. Then Nick dives into his recent trip talking about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, HOT Butterbeer, and Cowfish. Happy Festivus y'all!

Joe and Nick are joined by Sam Gennawey, urban designer, planner, and author of the book 'Universal versus Disney: The Unofficial Guide to American Theme Parks' Greatest Rivalry'. We discuss the origins of the book, the creation of the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour, the developments that lead to the creation of Universal Studios Florida, the creation of Islands of Adventure, and much much more. This is just a sample of the full contents of the book, now available!

Joe and Nick are stuffed with food and give thanks by talking about the Great Movie Ride, hats, Animal Kingdom developments, WonderSea permits, what we're thankful for, and we answer your questions.

Joe, Nick, and Sean team up to discuss Pop Tarts, I-Drive, Tokyo Disneyland Expansion, Fifth Gate at WDW Discussions are Stupid, Cowfish, Kong, Frequent Fear, Building 88, 25th anniversaries, and answer your last minute questions!

Joe, Mike, and Nick are joined by the illustrious Derek Burgan and Seth Kubersky of the internet. We talk Disney Springs news, Disney Hollywood Studios rumors, UOR rumors, and talk about their touringplans.com trips on the Disney Cruise Line.

*NOTE: More than the usual amount of adult language in this episode* Joe, Mike, Nick, and Sean finally got to experience Diagon Alley in late September. After 10 minutes talking about beer and bars, we finally discuss all aspects of Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express. We cover the land, shops, food, drink, shows, and attractions. And you'll be surprised how angry we get each other over the owl shop.