- 17
- Episodes
- 4
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Carousel of Theme Parks Podcast
Welcome to Zack Back’s Carousel of Theme Parks Podcast. Most carousels just go around and around without getting anywhere, but on this one, we will be talking Theme Parks! On this show, Zack explores the histories and stories behind some of your favorite theme parks from around the world and discusses the experiences when visiting them.
- Publisher
- Zack Back
- Category
- society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 23 Sept 2025
- Latest episode
- 19 Feb 2026
Latest episodes
17 episodes in the feed.
19 Feb 2026
2.6 PARK HISTORY - Efteling
It's time to explore Efteling. This episode has a lot of love built in because this park is truly inspiring and I still wish I was there right now. I hope you’ll enjoy this episode and that you enjoyed the small ‘Efteling Fairy Tale’ episode I released last week. I have at least one more of those short fairy tale episodes up my sleeve soon (haha!) but enjoy this full Park History episode. Please forgive me in advance for any and all bad pronunciations of Dutch words!!! Thanks for listening to 2 (!!) seasons of my podcast. It has been a real treat to bring you these episodes so far. I have more on the way, but Season 3 will be slightly delayed, as I am planning to take a short hiatus as I work on another big project (coming soon!). I also plan to change the way I record these episodes in order to make it easier to release them, so that is also part of the reason for the short hiatus. Thanks for being here for me and enjoy this episode! Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efteling (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efteling) https://translate.google.com/?sl=de&tl=en&text=erstling&op=translate (https://translate.google.com/?sl=de&tl=en&text=erstling&op=translate) https://www.efteling.com/en/about-efteling/history (https://www.efteling.com/en/about-efteling/history) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
13 Feb 2026
2.5.1 - BONUS - Efteling Fairy Tales 1 - The Six Servants
As I continue my research on Efteling for my upcoming episode, I wanted to share some of the Efteling-specific fairy tales that decorate the park's Sprookjesbos (Fairytale Forest). This story is titled 'The Six Servants' and is where 'Langnek (Long Neck)' is featured, which serves as one of the iconic pieces of the Sprookjesbos and Efteling marketing. Enjoy me reading it dramatically (i hope) and stay tuned for maybe a few others in the coming weeks! Source: Efteling Book of Fairy Tales (ISBN 978 90 216 6983 0) with text by Gerrie van Dongen and Ad Grooten and illustrations by Anton Pieck
5 Feb 2026
2.5 PARK HISTORY - Six Flags Over Texas
Hello everyone and welcome to this week’ episode 2.5: Six Flags Over Texas. This one is a bit lengthy as this park has been around since 1961 and has over 65 years of history! With lots of ride changes, ride name changes and some shuffling, this park has a lot to cover. Please excuse poor pronunciation of some of the Spanish words in this one, as some of these were tongue twisters for me! Stay tuned for my next episode and the finale to Season 2! Sources: https://guidetosfot.com/parkinfo/history/ (https://guidetosfot.com/parkinfo/history/) https://www.sfotsource.com/history-timeline/#1960s (https://www.sfotsource.com/history-timeline/#1960s) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Star_Carousel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Star_Carousel) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
20 Jan 2026
2.4 PARK HISTORY - Disneyland
I’m back! It's been a long time coming, but welcome to this episode on the history of Disneyland. After several rewrites, I have finally finished this episode. It has been a true passion project to research this park since it hearkens back to one of my personal heroes, Walt Disney. I hope you enjoy this episode and the stories it tells. On the heels of the upcoming documentary, Disneyland Handcrafted, this is truly the era of Disneyland. Thank you for your patience in getting this episode out. I have been spending every extra moment I had to make it happen, and I finally finished it after a busy holiday season for me. Please continue to have patience for the next episodes, but I should be back on somewhat of a schedule by the next episode. Stay tuned for the next park we will discover! Sources: https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/disneyland https://youtu.be/QpM9-zkK4OM?si=_cy-JWRkYlYA-9Ld Remembering Walt - Favorite Memories of Walt Disney by Amy Boothe Green and Howard E. Green (ISBN 0-7868-6348-X) Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Disney’s Magical Mid-Century by Don Hahn (ISBN 978-148473764-4), Pages 40-41 Walt Disney Imagineering - A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real by The Imagineers (ISBN 0-7868-8372-3), Page 15 Walt’s Revolution! By the Numbers by Harrison “Buzz” Price (ISBN 1-893951-06-5), Pages 26-27 https://www.disneyhistory101.com/disneyland/2022/1/23/blllw5g4liwzbfix3bt7clfnn4kn8t https://youtu.be/itcrhPh_Pzc?si=arWM2xAumnG8vRTI LIFE Magazine: Inside the Disney Parks: The Happiest Places on Earth, Volume 18, No 7, 2018, Pages 24 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0561265/?ref_=ttfc_ov_bk LIFE Magazine: Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom, Volume 16, No. 7, 2016, Page 73-75 Walt’s Apprentice - Keeping the Disney Dream Alive by Dick Nunis (ISBN 978-1-368-07804-7), Pages 45-48 https://youtu.be/1uc_29Qwyx4?si=66c9rMccwYQbpH1i https://mickeyvisit.com/opening-day-at-disneyland/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOUyv7tUTDI Dream It, Do It: My Half Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms by Marty Sklar, Pages 6 and 7 http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1966.htm http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1975.htm http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1985.htm http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl1990.htm http://www.kpolsson.com/disland/dl2000.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland https://youtu.be/FBZe2kbkCGU?si=kHXpDK9xWBO_SMw8 http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/2013/5/31/as-long-as-there-is-imagination-left-in-the-world-putting-th.html Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
18 Dec 2025
CHIT CHAT - Holidays in the Orlando Theme Parks
Welcome to this special edition CHIT CHAT on the Holidays at Orlando Theme Parks. In this episode I chat about many of the holiday offerings available at parks from around the Orlando area. Happy Holidays from me to you and I will see you on the next ride around the carousel for our next episode, Disneyland, somewhere in the new year. Thanks for being a listener of mine and I love you. Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Please rate and review the podcast wherever you get your podcast, too! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
13 Dec 2025
2.3 PARK HISTORY - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Welcome to this week’s (delayed) episode on Busch Gardens Williamsburg! I worked hard to get this one out on time, but alas, I did not. It in fact had a bit more research required than what I expected (oops) but here it is! Enjoy the episode as well as the chat after the history, where I discuss my trip this past summer to the park for the first time and how much I truly loved it (I need to be on Apollo’s Chariot again ASAP) The next episode of my Park History series will release in a few weeks after a brief holiday pause and will be about the first Disney park, Disneyland! I have a lot to research by then so please be with me as I really don’t know when I will release that episode. In the meantime, this next episode will be a simple Chit-Chat episode to keep the conversation going, so lookout for that one in the coming week or so. Have a fantastic listen! Sources: Back to Williamsburg - Kerry A. O'Brien - Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=2m2ud9neskYC&pg=PA30#v=onepage&q&f=false) Busch Gardens History « BGW Memories (https://bgwmemories.com/tag/busch-gardens-history/) Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busch_Gardens_Williamsburg#cite_note-4) Roman Rapids - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Rapids#Ride_experience) Escape from Pompeii - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki (https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Escape_from_Pompeii) Alpengeist - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpengeist) Story of Curse of Dark Kastle - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMD0kY4P5bY) Curse of DarKastle - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_DarKastle) Griffon - Coasterpedia - The Amusement Ride Wiki (https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Griffon) Verbolten - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbolten) DarKoaster: Escape The Storm - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DarKoaster:_Escape_The_Storm) Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bad_Wolf:_The_Wolf%27s_Revenge) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Please rate and review the podcast wherever you get your podcast, too, as I really appreciate it. Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
5 Dec 2025
2.2 PARK HISTORY - SeaWorld San Diego
Welcome to this week’s episode where I chat about SeaWorld San Diego! This episode what a complicated one to research, as there is really not a lot of information out there about the park. I also made the decision to include a bit about the controversy that SeaWorld has been included in over the years, but tried to keep it as neutral as possible. Thank you for your understanding, and please excuse me rambling on about nothing at the end. Regardless, enjoy the episode and thank you for those who alerted me that I MADE YOUR SPOTIFY WRAPPED! That is so amazing and wild since this is such a new podcast. I love you all and thank you for supporting this little dream of mine! Sources: https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201307/3552/ (https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201307/3552/) https://www.biographies.net/people/en/george_millay (https://www.biographies.net/people/en/george_millay) https://www.gmtoday.com/travel/timeline-how-seaworld-grew-from-a-22-acre-park-to-a-nearly-200-acre-tourist/article_34f54172-fb3b-11ee-99e5-c323ebadc427.html (https://www.gmtoday.com/travel/timeline-how-seaworld-grew-from-a-22-acre-park-to-a-nearly-200-acre-tourist/article_34f54172-fb3b-11ee-99e5-c323ebadc427.html) https://www.themeparkinsider.com/art/news/seaworld-sd-1960s.jpg (https://www.themeparkinsider.com/art/news/seaworld-sd-1960s.jpg) https://behindthethrills.com/2019/03/seaworld-san-diego-from-1964-to-2019/ (https://behindthethrills.com/2019/03/seaworld-san-diego-from-1964-to-2019/) https://allthatsinteresting.com/shamu (https://allthatsinteresting.com/shamu) https://populartimelines.com/timeline/SeaWorld-San-Diego/full (https://populartimelines.com/timeline/SeaWorld-San-Diego/full) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaWorld_SkyTower (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaWorld_SkyTower) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Bermuda_Triangle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Bermuda_Triangle) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Arctic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Arctic) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_Atlantis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_Atlantis) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manta_(SeaWorld_San_Diego) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manta_(SeaWorld_San_Diego)) https://theconversation.com/blackfish-how-captive-killer-whale-documentary-ended-seaworlds-orca-breeding-programme-161775 (https://theconversation.com/blackfish-how-captive-killer-whale-documentary-ended-seaworlds-orca-breeding-programme-161775) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Eel_(roller_coaster) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Eel_(roller_coaster)) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_(roller_coaster) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_(roller_coaster)) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaWorld_San_Diego (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaWorld_San_Diego) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes. Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
27 Nov 2025
2.1 PARK HISTORY - Knott's Berry Farm
Hello everyone! I am back with this week’s episode on Knott’s Berry Farm. In this episode I discuss the history of this iconic park and the history of the boysenberry. So sit back and listen to this week’s stories! Thank you for hanging on while I have been away at Dollywood (as usual) and I will have plenty more episodes coming up soon as we dive deep for the second season of my podcast and the next lap around the carousel of theme parks. Sources: Knott’s Preserved by Christopher Merritt and J. Eric Lynxwiler (ISBN-13: 978-1-99-1-883318-97-0) Knott's Berry Farm - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knott%27s_Berry_Farm) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
13 Nov 2025
CHIT CHAT - Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
Welcome to this week’s Chit-Chat episode on my recent visit to Dollywood for their Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. I had a fantastic time experiencing the shows and seeing the lights here at the park for this event and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Join me as I discuss my park experience as well as my resort experience at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa. Sources: Learn more about the festival -> Dollywood Festivals & Events | Smoky Mountain Christmas (https://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/Smoky-Mountain-Christmas) Learn more about Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa -> DreamMore Resort & Spa | Dollywood Parks & Resorts | Pigeon Forge (https://www.dollywood.com/dreammore/) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast)
7 Nov 2025
1.6 PARK HISTORY - Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Welcome to this week’s episode on Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari. In this episode we journey through the history of ‘America’s First Theme Park’ from its origins as Santa Claus Land to the park celebrating holidays that it is today. Then, chat with me about visiting the park and exploring all things Holiday World (and getting unlimited soft drinks!) This episode also marks the conclusion of one turn around the Carousel of Theme Parks Podcast. I hope that you have enjoyed the stories so far and continue to listen as we explore other parks coming up such as Knott’s Berry Farm! Keep up to date over the next few weeks as we begin our next turn of the carousel. Sources: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari: 75 Years of America’s First Theme Park by Jim Futrell, Ron Gustafson, Dave Hahner, Nell Hedge and Leah Koch (ISBN 9780253062895) Timeline: Santa Claus Land, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin' Safari Water Park (https://holidayworld.com/news/timeline-santa-claus-land-holiday-world-splashin-safari/) Good Gravy! Family Coaster | Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin' Safari Water Park (https://holidayworld.com/rides/good-gravy/) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
30 Oct 2025
1.5 PARK HISTORY - Phantasialand
Welcome to this week's episode on Phantasialand. I was really excited for this episode to share some of the lore of this unique theme park in Germany. Please forgive any mispronunciations of names in this episode. ENJOY! NEW THIS WEEK: View my script with footnote sources. Find it HERE (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H0pv7pOY5nYUJXvz9uEPxo8VeXFVrBBslH2nTy_rgCY/edit?usp=sharing) I had to use nearly 30 SOURCES for this episode, so check them out if you would like! Sources: https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-berlin/ https://parkworld-online.com/gottlieb-loffelhardt-1934-2011/ https://zauber-pedia.de/index.php?title=Richard_Schmidt https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/maerchenwald/ https://www.britannica.com/science/lignite https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-fantasy/ https://www.ksta.de/region/rhein-erft/bruehl/phantasialand-als-die-gruender-familie-noch-im-park-wohnte-4-908847 https://cheeseepedia.org/wiki/hofmann-monkey-show/ https://youtu.be/RNGHXoA8QPI https://www.anderswohin.de/phantasialand-mal-historisch-alte-plaene/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-china-town/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/geister-rikscha/ https://www.ksta.de/region/rhein-erft/bruehl/phantasialand-gruender-ueber-delphin-drama-und-entlaufene-loewen-946194 https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/phantasialand-chronik/ https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Crazy_Bats https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Colorado_Adventure https://youtu.be/mGCOr6Iv4PU https://ga.de/region/koeln-und-rheinland/phantasialand-mitgruender-richard-schmidt-mit-93-jahren-gestorben_aid-51361381 https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/mystery-castle/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-deep-in-africa/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/shows/die-6-drachen/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/maus-au-chocolat/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/themenbereiche/themenbereich-mystery/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/attraktionen/fly/ https://frei-zeit-blog.de/phantasialand/hotels/hotel-charles-lindbergh/ https://themeparkguide.co.uk/news-page/Phantasialand-A-New-Mystery-Begins https://www.wartezeiten.app/en/phantasialand/news/phantasialand-expansion-targeting-short-stay-visitors-2000.html#:~:text=The%20goal%20is%20to%20establish%20Phantasialand%20as%20a,with%20its%20unique%20themed%20worlds%20and%20personal%20experiences. Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
23 Oct 2025
1.4 PARK HISTORY - Europa-Park & Rulantica
Welcome to this week's episode on Europa-Park! This park is a place I truly love and I have been enamored with the history of it. Please, enjoy this episode as we explore the lore of the park and discuss my own visits. Sorry that this episode is a wee bit longer (haha) I oopsied and talked too long on my experiences! But I guess I also covered Rulantica, so there is that too. I also hope you like the new intro music! It is from an authentic Adolf Ruth Fairground Organ. You will see its significance in the episode, and I hope it will bring more 'carousel' to the podcast episodes going forward (or at least until I change it again) Sources: History - Company | Europa-Park - Unternehmensportal (https://corporate.europapark.com/en/company/historie/) Europa-Park: Europa.Gemeinsam.Erleben. - Die Chronik by Mack Media Balthasar Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Balthasar) Introduction Music (https://youtu.be/2CtwsCh7Kfk?si=5Q5IDEK_g08asLWT) recorded by Nick Williams Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
16 Oct 2025
CHIT CHAT - Theme Park Souvenirs
Welcome to the first in-between episode that I think I will call 'Chit Chat' where I can chat about things that don't necessarily relate to a specific theme park history. In this episode, I discuss the history of theme park souvenirs: where did they start? I also open up about my theme park merchandise obsession (I believe it is now a personality trait oops). Sources from this episode: SOUVENIR Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/souvenir) Carnival Games - Guide to Value, Marks, History | WorthPoint Dictionary (https://www.worthpoint.com/dictionary/p/entertainment/carnival/carnival-games) The Early History of Theme Parks in America - Yesterday's America (https://yesterdaysamerica.com/the-early-history-of-theme-parks-in-america/#:~:text=history%2C%20Six%20Flags.-,Six%20Flags,amusement%20parks%20around%20the%20globe.) A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Evolution of Disney Theme Park Merchandis – mickeywarehouse (https://mickeywarehouse.com/blogs/news/a-trip-down-memory-lane-the-evolution-of-disney-theme-park-merchandise?srsltid=AfmBOoruGGjMObYkzdCmE1zb0k16RC7VHivwUYy2k9DzO4O2gu7-jwCC) A Short History of Disney Merchandising | by Renee Bugden | The Wonderful World of Disney | Medium (https://medium.com/the-wonderful-world-of-disney/a-short-history-of-disney-merchandising-b9441a94bbb4) The History of Knott's Berry Farm (https://www.knotts.com/blog/2020/april/the-history-of-knotts-berry-farm) Theme parks expect new rides to send merchandise sales soaring - Los Angeles Times (https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-mar-30-la-fi-theme-park-merchandise-20110330-story.html#:~:text=During%20Halloween%2C%20Disneyland%20routinely%20unveils,the%201978%20%E2%80%9CSuperman%E2%80%9D%20movie.) Music by EchoGateStudios (https://pixabay.com/users/echogatestudios-52624047/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=420127) from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=420127)Other sources I talk about: My Apple Music Playlists - Here (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/theme-park-mixtape/pl.u-8aAVoGasrxAK6M) Carousels & Coasters on TikTok - Here (https://www.tiktok.com/@amusementparkhistory?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc) See you next week as I explore Europa-Park! :)
9 Oct 2025
1.3 PARK HISTORY - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Welcome to Episode 1.3 - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! In this episode, we discover the history and stories of this park from the brewery tour with free beer at the end and a bird show to the rollercoaster park with live animals it is today. Also, in the second section, we talk about my experience visiting the park awhile back and my recommendations on getting through the park in one day! This episode also premieres my new microphone (everyone say YAY Zack Back!) ... so hopefully it sounds a little less ratchet and a little clearer. Please know I am still working out the kinks in the audio levels, so please give me grace! Sources for this week: BGT History.com - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/) Gwazi - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/defunct-attractions/gwazi/) Serengeti Plain - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/areas/serengeti-plain/) Old Swiss House - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/dining/defunct-dining/old-swiss-house/) Edge of Africa - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/animal-habitats/edge-of-africa/) SheiKra - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/roller-coasters/sheikra/) Timbuktu - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/areas/timbuktu/) Cheetah Hunt - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/roller-coasters/cheetah-hunt/) Falcon's Fury - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/rides/falcons-fury/) Cobra's Curse - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/roller-coasters/cobras-curse/) Tigris - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History (http://bgthistory.com/attractions/roller-coasters/tigris/) Iron Gwazi - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Gwazi) Phoenix Rising (roller coaster) - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Rising_(roller_coaster)) Sand Serpent - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_Serpent) Busch Gardens History (https://www.tampapix.com/buschgardens10.htm) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
1 Oct 2025
1.2 PARK HISTORY - Kings Island
**This is an attempt to repair audio quality issues from the first upload. Please excuse me for not noticing initially when I uploaded it that the sound was icky oops I legit do all this myself and I have no experience oops!** This week we explore the history of Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. Kings Island is a park that has been through a lot of changes in its over 50 year history. Since 1972, the park has thrilled millions of guests, and we discover in this episode that the history started far before that, in the 1880's in an apple orchard along the Ohio River. Join us as we discover all of this and more on this week's Park History episode. Sources used for this week's information: Kings Island : A Ride Through Time by Evan Ponstingle (ISBN: 978-1-7321210-8-9) Goodbye, Coney Island, Goodbye… by Paul Ilyinsky and Dick Perry (ISBN: 0-13-360230-3) Kings Island : A Photographic Journey by Barry R. Hill & John M. Keeter (ISBN: 978-1-7321210-9-6) Timeline of Kings Island’s History – Kings Island Central (https://kicentral.com/parkhistory/timeline/) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels!Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
23 Sept 2025
1.1 PARK HISTORY - Dollywood
Welcome to Episode 1.1, Dollywood of our Park History Deep Dive Series. In this episode I discuss the history of Dollywood and then talk about my recommendations for how to experience the park as a first time visitor or a repeat visitor. This park is super important to me, so I have a lot to say on the topic! Please note: The history portion is outdated (Already?!) as I recorded it before Dollywood's 2026 Wildwood Grove addition, NightFlight Expedition had been announced officially. I do mention it in the second segment of the episode, as I recorded it after the announcement. Sources for the History in this Episode: https://www.dollywood.com/about-us (https://www.dollywood.com/about-us) The Inventor's Mansion (https://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=1640.0) Dollywood Through the Years: The Surprising Transformation of the Theme Park (https://www.thesmokies.com/dollywood-history/) Lost Smoky Mountain Attractions - Rebel Railroad and Gold | HeySmokies (https://www.heysmokies.com/remember-when-lost-smoky-mountain-attractions-rebel-railroad-and-goldrush-junction/) The History of Dollywood - A Gaze Back to Memory Lane (https://smokymountains.com/dollywood/blog/the-history-of-dollywood) National Carousel Association - Index of North American Carousels (https://carousels.org/USACensus/stdqueries/census-INAC.html) Dentzel Carousel Company - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentzel_Carousel_Company) Eagle Mountain Sanctuary - Dollywood (https://dollyparton.com/family_destinations/dollywood/eagle-mountain-sanctuary) Chasing Rainbows Museum - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasing_Rainbows_Museum) Dollywood Inventor’s Mansion: The Mysterious Lost House on the Hill (https://www.thesmokies.com/dollywood-inventors-mansion/) Flooded Mine – Dollywood – Dark Ride Database (https://darkridedatabase.com/rides/flooded-mine-2/) Dollywood Map and Brochure (2025 - 1989) | (https://www.themeparkbrochures.net/dollywood-map-and-brochure/#dollywood-map-1994)ThemeParkBrochures.net (http://themeparkbrochures.net) 7 Old Dollywood Rides That You'll Be Sad to Learn No Longer Exist (https://www.thesmokies.com/old-dollywood-rides/) Please subscribe to the podcast on whatever your favorite platform is in order to keep up to date on the latest episodes! Also subscribe to our podcast social channels! Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carouselofthemeparkspodcast/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580854648465) X /Twitter (https://x.com/CoTPPodcast) Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@CarouselOfThemeParksPodcast) Find PDF files of all of my episodes, complete with citations and footnotes, as applicable through my GoogleDrive folder HERE (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mOsCYN63uIj4hPLsfO1tLSlxptbXhm0V?usp=sharing). Please note: Episodes 1.1-1.3 do not have footnotes. They were created before I decided to share my notes with the world. Citations are listed, as normal, but exact quotations are unknown from these sources. Episodes 1.4 and beyond include footnotes following each segment of cited text.
23 Sept 2025
Bonus: INTRO - Welcome Aboard the Carousel
Greetings and welcome aboard Zack Back's Carousel of Theme Parks Podcast. This is the first episode, created to help introduce you to me, the podcast idea and what we will be doing here on a regular basis. Please forgive me for the probably awful audio quality, as this is the first time I have ever done anything like this and there is definitely a learning curve with audio! I hope that from here we only go up in quality and probably the introduction tracks will change eventually. But for now, enjoy! Look out for the first **official** episode coming soon: Dollywood!
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