In Episode 257 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast, Tom is flying solo after a technical glitch forced a full re-record — because sometimes the show must go on.

This week we dive into major theme park industry updates and some real-world experiences:

🦈 Barracuda Strike gets its official opening date at SeaWorld San Antonio

🎸 A Luke Combs “Category 10” country bar is coming to Universal CityWalk

📉 Six Flags reports disappointing 2025 earnings — what went wrong?

✈️ Dollywood teams up with Allegiant for a themed “Flight #925” fan experience

🚇 The Boring Company is selected for a proposed underground transit system connecting Universal CityWalk and Epic Universe

Plus:

A stay at the Signia by Hilton Orlando

Victory Casino Cruise on Valentine’s Day

Responding to a viewer comment about off-plan dining options at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld

The theme park world is evolving — bigger experiences, bigger risks, and bigger competition in Orlando and beyond.

Listen in and let’s break it all down.

🎢 Welcome to Episode 256 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast!

This week we’re diving into festival season in Florida — from SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival (including sampler card value + my personal “winners and misses”), to Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras (food booths, tribute store love, and parade observations), and a full rundown of our day at the Florida State Fair in Tampa (pigs, corgis, circus, and some very “atmosFAIR” food).

📰 News Roundup

• Busch Gardens Tampa: Cheetah Hunt is back open
• Universal Orlando: Volcano Bay goes cashless on Feb 25 + Annual Pass promo (3 extra months)
• Disney: Josh D’Amaro CEO transition details + water park schedule update
• Disney: New Disney Inspire Credit Card (we discuss what’s new and why it matters)
• Six Flags: Gold Pass/Membership Regional Park Access (4-region model)

🎯 Main Topics

• SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Food Festival (Jan 30 – May 17 on select days)
• Universal Orlando Mardi Gras (Feb 7 – Apr 4, daily)
• Florida State Fair Tampa (Feb 5 – Feb 16)

🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform

🌐 Website: https://vacationeerspodcast.com

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeerspodcast/

🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/vacationeertom

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So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.

Tom and Jon are back with Episode 255 of the Vacationeers Theme Parks & More Podcast — and we’ve got a packed show with updates, rumors, festival talk, and a Halloween survey from United Parks for some intrigue.

News we cover:

• Universal Orlando Resort announces Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (plus what it means for Fast & Furious: Supercharged)
• Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval concert lineup revealed
• Revenge of the Mummy incident update (medical examiner findings + attorney Ben Crump involvement)
• Missed last episode: the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! boulder incident at Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Disney Skyliner closure window + other Walt Disney World Resort updates (including Cinderella Castle show adjustments)
• Garden Rocks Concert Series lineup drop at EPCOT
• Harambe Market reopening menu, plus Gideon's Bakehouse expanding with Six Ravens
• SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas concerts + Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Mardi Gras dates
• Development Watch: Mattel Wonder Indoor Waterparks filed plans near the Disney area

Rumor Report:

• Pokémon at Universal (global partnership is real — Orlando location is the speculation)
• Supercharged replacement guesses

Main topics:

• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts thoughts
• Full recap of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Mardi Gras weekend: Serengeti Safari, food samples, Springs Taproom, and yes… the “lost lanyard” saga.

More from Vacationeers: https://vacationeerspodcast.com

Follow Tom: X/Twitter: @vacationeertom | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacationeerspodcast/

So until the next vlog, podcast or livestream, keep making memories.