Today, we’re focusing on “designing with purpose” with my friend and mentor, Anthony Esparza. Anthony is an expert in creating unforgettable guest experiences. With a career spanning SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and more, he’s known for infusing every project with purpose. Join us for our second interview with An…

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of the project management realm. Our guest today is Jeff Burton, a former WED Enterprises Imagineer who has played a pivotal role in some of the most renowned attractions worldwide, such as Epcot, Disney MGM Studios, Euro Disney, and Sea World. Jeff, a second-generation Imagineer, is celebrated for his contr…

Our guest is Dark Ride master designer, John Wood of Sally Dark Rides. John is truly a pioneer and innovator in the theme park industry, and most specifically in the design, development and execution of some of the world’s most iconic dark rides. John co-founded Sally Dark Rides 45 years ago to turn his clients dreams into rideable realities, with …

In this mini-episode, Freddy announces the Storyland Studios Design Challenge for 2024. In partnership with Gensler, Storyland is offering a $25k grand prize to the individual or team that presents the winning attraction design concept. Go to designchallenge.storylandstudios.com for more information.…

Our guest is show control engineer, Linda Alcorn. Linda is a groundbreaking Theme Park show control engineer with over 40 years of experience bringing some of our favorite experiences to life. Linda, the first female electronic engineer at WED, played a pivotal role in shaping iconic projects like EPCOT and pavilions in Canada, France, and China. H…

Come See Us LIVE at IAAPA 2023 This quick episode gives you all the details of our LIVE Episode Recordings during IAAPA! Come visit the Storyland Studios Booth #1373 at 11am on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (11/14-17) to listen in on LIVE recordings of the Themed Attraction Podcast. Jeffrey Burton – Former WED Imagineer: Tuesday 11/14 @ 11AM Linda …

Our guest is Architect and Theme Park Master Planner, Jeff Damron. Jeff is a 30+ year veteran of themed entertainment and destination design providing his expertise as an architect, designer and master planner in theme park projects, hotels, resorts, casinos, and many other mixed-use projects where people can live, work and play. Most recently he c…

Our guests are David and Valeria Beaudry of Beaudry Interactive. This dynamic duo of dynamic experiences have developed the technology to bring to life in voice and personality some of our most beloved walk-around characters in parks today, including that tallest of yellow friends, Big Bird. They were honored with a TEA Thea Award for this technolo…

Our guest today is Theme Park Art Director, Daniel Kerscher. Daniel Kerscher is an Art Director for theme park projects worldwide with decades of experience ranging from Landmark Entertainment and the TAA Group. Most recently, he spent 6 years guiding the art direction at Europa-park and Mack Rides contributing his brilliant creativity in one of th…

Our guest is TEA Master and founder of The Bezark Company, Adam Bezark. His storied career from WDI to Landmark Entertainment Group allowed him opportunities to conceive and design monstrous IP attractions such as Jurassic Park: The Ride, the JAWS ride, and Terminator 2:3D for Universal. For WDI, he co-directed the beloved IllumiNations nighttime s…

Our guest this episode is Danusia Rogacki, Creative Services Manager at Canada’s Wonderland. Danusia is a long-time Canada’s Wonderland native, who started her career in Halloween haunts and park operations. Steeped in the park’s rich traditions, she now gives creative direction to the park’s themed offerings and seasonal special events. Connect wi…

In this episode of the Themed Attraction Podcast, our guest is Sina Bahram, the founder of Prime Access Consulting, and one of the Themed Entertainment Association’s first ever Catalyst Award recipients. Sina’s inclusive design firm helps attraction designers implement accessible solutions that make knowledge, culture, and technology available to t…

Our guests are Bob Rogers of BRC Imagination Arts, Mike West from Universal Creative, and John Wood of Sally Dark Rides. They share their perspectives on ride capacities and THRC. Connect with Bob at BRCweb.com, Mike via his company’s LinkedIn “Innovative West,” and John at SallyDarkRides.com. Show hosts: Mel McGowan & Freddy Martin Show design & p…

Our guest is Vince Kadlubek, founder and former CEO of Meow Wolf. Meow Wolf was started by Vince and several friends as a collective of artists who wanted to create art installations people could not only view, but walk into. And now it’s grown into a company of experiential arts who have built three of the most mind-bending location-based attracti…

Our guest is Christian Hope, Vice President of Paramount Studios Theme Parks & Resorts. Christian has contributed concept designs in development of world-class attractions here in the US and around the world. His concepts have resulted in some of the most visited location-based entertainment sites around including Disneyland Paris, Universal’s Isla…

Our guest is Tony Bruno, former VP of the Disneyland Resort Hotels & the Downtown Disney District. Under his guidance, over 4000 cast members operated The 4 Diamond Grand Californian Hotel & Disneyland Hotel – as well as the 49 unique brands that comprise Downtown Disney. Today he leads Hospitality Development at Storyland Studios helping other res…

Ben Thompson is a global themed entertainment and marketing strategist who spent the last 20 years in leadership roles at global monoliths like Mars Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and the Merlin Group, where he was responsible for opening 4 LEGOLAND®️ Parks and 40 location-based entertainment sites worldwide. Ben is now the Chief Strategy Officer a…

Our guest is Walt Disney Imagineering designer and art producer, Doris Hardoon. Doris joined the company for the Epcot project in 1979 helping to develop the China Pavilion. She lent her unique cultural perspective to international projects with Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Her crowning glory is found at Shanghai Disneyland, where she dev…

Jason Surrell is the Executive Creative Director at Storyland Studios. He was previously the Senior Creative Director on Universal’s newest theme park projects, Universal Studios Beijing and Epic Universe, as well as a creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering. Jason is an amazing storyteller, whether it be in the shows, attractions, or books h…

Brandon Kleyla made his mark as a production art director for Universal Creative and Walt Disney Imagineering, bringing his love of spatial storytelling to two of the most detailed and beautiful dive bars on the planet, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Resort, and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World. “Trader Brandon,” as …

In this episode, Joe Pine is going to help us trace the history and evolution of the world’s economies to what the themed entertainment industry currently knows as the “Experience Economy.” Besides being one of Mel’s thought leadership heroes, Joe Pine’s work has influenced much of his design philosophy and consequently many of the experiences he’s…

Our guest needs no introduction…because he’s always at the end of the show! Dr. Barry R. Hill, our very own show producer and designer, is the author of Imagineering an American Dreamscape: Genesis, Evolution, and Redemption of the Regional Theme Park. This book tells the long-overdue story of the regionals and the strong-willed individuals behind …

Our guests are two of the industry’s leading feasibility experts, the father/son duo Don and Doug Stewart of Economic Consulting Services. In the themed entertainment world, we like to think we build the impossible. But the impossible is not always feasible. The “Walt Disneys” of the world rely on experts like Don and Doug who do the homework to ev…

Joe Lanzisero is a 30-year Disney veteran who began his career in Disney animation and made the switch to Imagineering where he eventually became known as the theme park land expansion guy—think Critter Country & ToonTown in Anaheim, and Toy StoryLand, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point in Tokyo. Today, Joe is Executive Vice President at Zeitgeist Desi…

Eddie Sotto is a fixture in the themed entertainment industry best known for his contributions at Walt Disney Imagineering. He creative directed dozens of attractions at Disney Parks, including Main Street USA at Disneyland Paris, Mission: Space at Epcot, and the first ever trackless dark ride, “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt” at Tokyo Disneyland. Eddie’s work …