Episode Details

Len Testa, Jim Hill, and veteran Imagineer Jim Shull hit the IAAPA Expo show floor in Orlando, exploring the newest ride systems, vendor innovations, and behind-the-scenes stories fueling the future of themed entertainment.

NEWS

• A look at how IAAPA blends professional showcase, industry reunion, and pop-up amusement park—complete with traffic, parking challenges, and surprises at every booth.
• Zamperla’s full-size demo of its new interactive “flap-to-fly” ride, where sensors track arm movements to lift riders higher.
• The stacked-track, heart-shaped family coaster concept designed to fit high-capacity thrills into a tiny footprint.
• Mack Rides’ water-coaster hybrid for Dollywood: a tracked boat that transitions between basins, rapids, and coaster moments.
• The debut of brand-new industry tech, including an AI park-operations platform launched just two weeks earlier—so new the vendor couldn’t answer most questions yet.
• Why Imagineers were quietly examining faux-fossil rockwork in a small booth—possible clues to future projects.
• A vendor’s dramatic countdown-clock presentation that fell apart when no one realized the microphone was dead.
• The team’s ongoing quest for pickle-flavored cotton candy and other baffling IAAPA food innovations.
• Len’s impromptu pitch to Doppelmayr about Universal’s transportation RFQ—and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response.
• Why IAAPA acts as “old home week” for themed entertainment pros, with surprise run-ins, backstage conversations, and stories that won’t be public for years.

Full show notes available here: Show Notes

Hosts

Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Jim Shull (Veteran Imagineer) — X/Twitter: @JimShull | YouTube: @jimhshull | Website: jimhshull.com

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Producer Credits

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
https://strongmindedagency.com

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store — offering discounted Disney theme park tickets, including special events. Save on your next trip with Unlocked Magic.

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