Theme park industry news and analysis as well as interviews with Attractions Industry leaders.
The Attractions Group Podcast
Claim This Podcastby attractionsgrouppodcast
155 episodes
Updated Daily
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44
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
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YouTube86
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Podcast Overview
Theme park industry news and analysis as well as interviews with Attractions Industry leaders.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/14/2023
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44
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality53
Social0
YouTube86
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excellent
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Recent Episodes
July 2, 2026
Season 5, Episode 40- Holiday World’s Massive Announcement, & Saying Goodbye to Fun Spot Atlanta!
Is the summer heatwave driving you crazy, or is it just the roller coaster news cycle heating up? In today's episode, David and Clete dive deep into a wild viral coaster marathon, break down a massive new ride announcement from a beloved theme park, and react to the shocking, bittersweet closure of a major regional park. From 1988 heatwaves and the legend of HVAC savior Willis Carrier to the future of elite RMC roller coasters, this episode covers the highest highs and lowest lows of the amusement park industry. 👇 Check out the breakdown below! EPISODE BREAKDOWN Summer Heatwaves & Climate Preferences. David and Clete kick off the chat discussing the intense July heat. David reminisces about his freshman year of high school in 1988—the summer his cousin "accidentally" broke his collarbone—which coincided with a historic Ohio heatwave featuring eight consecutive days over 100°F. The two compare their indoor climate preferences: David enjoys a controlled 70°F basement with 42% humidity, while Clete keeps his space at a brisk 65°F to 66°F alongside a dehumidifier. HVAC Trivia: The Legend of Willis Carrier. David highlights his ultimate hero, Willis Carrier, who famously invented the modern air conditioner. They note that Carrier also invented the dehumidifier, which they agree is scientifically the more complex and crucial component of true climate control. Bonus: Mr. Carrier ALSO invented the dehumidifier. An Exacta of Genius! Jason Labaran’s Epic Coaster Marathon. Clete shares a massive viral post from a roller coaster enthusiast group written by Jason Labaran, who happens to be Clete's current musical theatre castmate. Jason completed a mind-boggling 2.5-month trip hit every single Six Flags and Cedar Fair park, traveled through 49 states, and took an Alaskan cruise. Despite riding the country's biggest coasters, Jason’s primary takeaway was a newfound appreciation for how incredible GCI (Great Coasters International) wooden coasters are—specifically praising Texas Stingray, Mystic Timbers, and Renegade. Holiday World's New Coaster Announcement The hosts dive into Holiday World's pun-heavy, dive-competition-themed announcement video for their brand-new addition. Positioned right across the walkway from Splashin' Safari, this new addition marks Holiday World's 7th roller coaster, solidifying their reputation for unique, highly themed, and well-maintained rides. The Sad Closure of Fun Spot Atlanta On a heavier note, the duo reacts to the official press release confirming the closure of Fun Spot Atlanta. Clete expresses shock and sadness, noting that despite the park's strong history with group sales and local events, competing in a major metropolitan market ultimately proved too daunting. They praise the park's staff and pivot to the big question on every enthusiast's mind: what will happen to their critically acclaimed Rocky Mountain Construction coaster, AerieForce One? Other Parks that have gone before. Clete and David dive into the business environment that brought closures of several parks since.... well, Clete was born. No Geauga Lake... this park is referenced a lot; maybe a comment or two, but nothing that hasn't already been discussed AT LENGTH by others... Six Flags New Orleans (Jazzland), Six Flags America, California's Great America (coming soon...), and others that have shared a similar fate. In a future episode, we'll dive into the post mortem of the Myrtle Beach Hard Rock / Freestyle Park and Nashville's Opryland. JOIN THE CONVERSATION What do you think will happen to AerieForce One? Where should this elite RMC hybrid coaster be relocated? And are you excited about Holiday World’s brand-new themed addition? Drop your thoughts, theories, and your own personal climate control preferences in the comments below!If you enjoyed this deep dive into the world of theme parks, rollercoaster history, and industry news, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that NOTIFICATION
June 29, 2026
S5, E39- the Attractions Group Podcast | Theme Park Travel, Industry Technology & Major Coaster News
In this episode of the podcast, Clete and David are back after a brief recording hiatus to catch up on a packed summer of theme park travel, industry tech, and major coaster news! From a multi-park trip through Northern California to checking out the latest hospitality tech in San Antonio, there is plenty to dive into. Plus, a deep dive into the massive industry news regarding Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) shifting away from their longtime steel fabricator. What We Cover in This Episode Summer Coaster Trips: A firsthand review of California's Great America, including why Gold Striker still reigns supreme as one of the absolute best GCI wooden coasters. Park Operations & Line Jumping: A look at how park security handled a major line-jumping incident during peak school-field-trip season. Northern California & Texas Highlights: Thoughts on Sidewinder Safari at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio, and a ride on the new-for-2026 B&M inverted coaster, Barracuda Strike. HITEC 2026 San Antonio: Key takeaways from the Hospitality Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC). We discuss how backend tech like property management systems and Chargerback lost-and-found software directly impact the theme park guest experience. Major Industry News: Breaking down the recent announcement that B&M is cutting ties with Clermont Steel Fabricators, what this means for the infamous "B&M rattle" on newer models like Penguin Trek, and where fabrication might move next. Episode Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & The Summer Hiatus Recap: The guys catch up after a brief recording break, sharing initial thoughts on a packed summer of travel, theme park operations, and industry shifts. 03:15 – Northern California Trip Report: A deep dive into California's Great America. Discussion includes park operations during peak school-field-trip season, a major line-jumping incident handled by security, and why Gold Striker remains a top-tier GCI wooden coaster. 15:45 – Six Flags Discovery Kingdom & Texas Swing: Transitioning over to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to look at Sidewinder Safari, followed by a quick trip to San Antonio to review SeaWorld's Texas Stingray and the brand-new 2026 B&M inverted coaster, Barracuda Strike. 28:10 – Hospitality Tech at HITEC 2026: Key takeaways from the Hospitality Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) in San Antonio. Exploring how backend tech—like advanced property management systems and Chargerback lost-and-found tracking—seamlessly shapes the guest experience at modern theme park resorts. 42:30 – B&M & Clermont Steel Fabricators Split: Breaking down the massive industry news of Bolliger & Mabillard ending their longtime partnership with Clermont Steel Fabricators. The guys discuss the implications for future ride manufacturing, track quality, and the infamous "B&M rattle" noted on recent models like Penguin Trek. 57:15 – Wrap-Up & What’s Next: A preview of the upcoming Substack article—a comprehensive theme park operator's guide to HITEC 2026—and closing thoughts. Join the Attractions Group Podcast as we recap a massive summer of coaster travel and industry-shaking news! We review Gold Striker, Texas Stingray, and the new Barracuda Strike, talk hospitality tech trends from HITEC 2026, and break down what B&M cutting ties with Clermont Steel Fabricators means for the future of roller coaster engineering. #ThemeParks #RollerCoasters #AmusementParks #ThemeParkIndustry #CoasterCommissions #BandM #BolligerAndMabillard #HITEC2026 #HospitalityTech #GoldStriker #BarracudaStrike #ThemeParkOperations #CoasterGeek #ClermontSteel #theAttractionsGroupPodcast Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, Amusement Parks, Theme Park Industry, Coaster Reviews, B&M, Bolliger and Mabillard, HITEC 2026, Hospitality Tech, Gold Striker, California's Great America, Texas Stingray, Barracuda Strike, Penguin Trek, Clermont Steel Fabricators
May 22, 2026
Gatemaster Technology CEO and Podcast Host, Sondra Shannon
Season 5, Episode 038 Sondra Shannon on Frankenstein Tech, the Dynamic Pricing Debate, and Gamifying the Guest Journey Are your attraction's systems working together, or are they quietly costing you millions? In this episode of The Attractions Group Podcast, hosts David Detling and Clete Reinberger sit down face-to-face at the IAAPA Global Headquarters in Orlando with Sondra Shannon, CEO of Gatemaster Technologies and host of the "LIVE with Sondra" podcast. Sondra shares her incredible journey from managing a Southern California laser tag facility at 19 years old to becoming the CEO of a premier attractions software company. Together, the trio dives deep into the operational friction points that ruin the guest experience, the real business numbers behind "Frankenstein" tech stacks, and why value-added packaging beats corporate dynamic pricing every single time. Whether you operate a local family entertainment center, a multi-acre water park, a museum, or a zoo, this episode is a masterclass in scaling your operations, using data ethically, and building long-term guest loyalty. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Integration Trap: How disconnected online and on-site ticketing systems can create massive revenue blind spots. The Truth About Dynamic Pricing: Why consumers are growing frustrated with fluctuating algorithmic pricing and how to use "value packaging" to protect your brand. AI & Forensic Data: How modern operators are using machine learning to track weather and review trends in seconds without losing the human touch. The Power of Gamification: A sneak peek into Gatemaster's upcoming G6 platform, employee onboarding achievements, and rewarding high-frequency visitors. The Reality of Going Live: Why imperfect, authentic human content connects deeper with an audience than a polished script. ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 - In-Room at IAAPA Global Headquarters 03:20 - From Super-User to CEO: The Gatemaster Foundation 05:10 - Software vs. Hardware: Knowing Your Core Competency 07:40 - Tracking the Guest Buying Journey & Fixing Friction 10:05 - Ethics of AI and Leveraging Forensic Data 14:50 - Why Dynamic Pricing is Being Challenged (And What to Do Instead) 20:00 - Pricing vs. Value in the Hospitality Industry 23:15 - Behind the Scenes of the Gatemaster Technology Summit 26:50 - Hosting "LIVE with Sondra" & The Value of Unfiltered Storytelling 31:10 - Future Tech: Gamification, Loyalty Programs, and the G6 Rollout 35:00 - Wrap-Up and Summer Season Outlook 🔗 Connect With Us & Our Guest Gatemaster Technology: https://gatemaster.com/ Listen to "LIVE with Sondra": https://gatemaster.com/media/live-with-sondra/ Connect with the Attractions Group the Attractions Group Official Website: https://www.theAttractionsGroup.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/attractions-group/ LinkedIn: Attractions Group Professional Network: /12649603 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/attractionsgroup X: https://x.com/attractions_grp Podcast Feed: https://theattractionsgrouppodcast.podbean.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1bcW3Vj9DL5avDAz9yyNdm #AttractionsIndustry #ThemeParks #AmusementParks #GuestExperience #AttractionsTech #Gatemaster #Podcast #BusinessOfFun #FEC #ThemeParkOperations
155 total episodes available
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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