Theme Park Podcasts

Although podcasts have been around for a while now, they’re still a relatively unknown media source for many.  Interest in podcasts has increased recently, due largely in part to the buzz surrounding the popular crime series Serial, and the platform only seems to be growing.  So whether you’re new to podcasting, or just looking for some new shows to check out, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite theme park related podcasts.

When it comes to podcasts about the amusement industry, they usually fall into one of two categories:  Disney or Other.  We’ll break it down a little further than that by adding a third category for Universal Studios, but for most shows this is the way they pan out.  The Disney centric shows focus primarily on, you guessed it, the Disney parks, while the general shows cover topics from the entire industry.  Alright, now here are some of our favorites:

General Theme Park Shows

CoasterRadio
With an intro from none other than Neil Patrick Harris, this weekly podcast covers news and topics from theme parks across the globe.  Hosts Mike Collins and EB bring a light hearted, self-deprecating approach to their show that is really a lot of fun to listen to.  From interviews and trip reports to characters and the occasional game show segment, you never quite know what to expect when you tune in for a listen.

The Season Pass Podcast
Billing themselves as “the essential theme park podcast”, if you’re looking for discussions about your favorite theme park attractions straight from the people who design and create them, then this podcast is well worth your time.  Doug Barnes, Brent Young, and Robert Coker bring you in depth interviews from industry professionals that you’re not likely to hear anywhere else.  If you’re interested in the behind the scenes ins and outs of the theme park industry, this show is for you.

In the Loop
Although this show does feature the occasional interview, the main draw of this podcast is the free-flowing (and uncensored) dialogue between the hosts Clink Novak, The Legend, Drew the Intern, and recent additions Braedon, Dan, and Toronto Josh.  Every week they offer opinions on the latest industry news and rumors, and they also have a very active YouTube page.

Disney Shows

Inside the Magic
To be fair, this show hosted by Ricky Brigante is not completely focused on Disney, but the majority of the content is geared towards the Walt Huggers out there.  This is a very well-produced podcast with great transitions between segments and nice touches of background music throughout.  Ricky covers a lot of the special events in the parks and often has interviews that all theme park fans would enjoy.

The Unofficial Guide’s Disney Dish with Jim Hill
What this podcast lacks in production value, it more than makes up for with content.  For what amounts to not much more than a conversation between the hosts Jim Hill and Len Testa, the history and rumors that are discussed are remarkably fascinating.  Jim may not be the most reliable of sources, but he does seem to have an insider’s perspective and there’s no denying he’s a great story teller.  Len also does a great job of guiding the conversations.

Communicore Weekly
With quite possibly the best theme song of all the amusement park related podcasts, Communicore Weekly covers not just the parks but all things Disney.  From book and movie reviews to interesting things hidden throughout the parks (i.e. five legged goats), George Taylor and Jeff Heimbuch provide a fun and quirky show that Disney fans are sure to enjoy.  And as crazy as it sounds, they also wrote a musical.

Universal Studios Shows

Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast
It’s hard to believe that with the sheer volume of Disney related podcasts out there that it wasn’t until 2011 that a Universal podcast emerged on the scene.  It took a married couple from the United Kingdom, Lee and Tracey Mallaby, to create the first show focused solely on Universal Studios.  Joined by co-hosts Darren and Hunter, this weekly show explores news and rumors about the Universal Studios theme parks from around the world.

Parkscope Unprofessional Podcast Hour
Comprised of a group of guys and occasionally a cat, hosts Joe, Mike, Nick, Sean (and Baloo) cover theme park news from the entire industry but devote a large portion of their episodes to the Universal Orlando Resort.  These guys are usually the first ones to break news related to building and construction permits, so they have a good pulse on rumors and activities from around the resort. 

Orlando United Radio
Drew, BriMan, and hatetofly from the Orlando United forums come together on this podcast and discuss random topics related to Universal Studios.  Fans of rumors and speculation will enjoy this show since hatetofly has proven himself as a reliable source for insider information. 

Other Honorable Mentions

Pardon the Pixie Dust
The E Ticket Report
Inside Universal
WDW Today

So there’s the list of our favorite podcasts.  Feel free to chime in with your suggestions of new shows we should check out.  Thanks for reading!