Latest news with #EpicUniverse
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How I pair travel credit cards with a high-yield savings account to maximize family vacations
Planning a family vacation is exciting. But when you start adding up the cost of flights, hotels, food, excursions, and other travel-related expenses, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Planning a debt-free family trip isn't always easy — especially if you're traveling with a large crowd. But the right financial tools can make it easier to focus on the fun instead of worrying about ending your vacation with a giant credit card bill. Below are some real-life tips on how my family combines a high-yield savings account (HYSA) with travel rewards credit cards to budget for vacations and stretch our travel funds further. We use points, miles, and savings to make the most of our family trips. Here's how you can do the same. Taking a big trip with my family of five can be an expensive undertaking. So, months in advance, I start saving. And I use a high-yield savings account to maximize my earning potential. A recent example of this strategy happened when my family planned a summer vacation to Orlando, Florida. As big theme park fans, we were excited to visit the new Universal Epic Universe theme park (recently opened in May 2025 with themed lands like Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon, and a new Wizarding World area). We also took in classic theme park favorites like Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, and Aquatica Orlando — adding plenty of exciting roller coasters, water adventures, and character meet-and-greets for our teens and preschooler. As you can imagine, any trip that included five theme park days required a lot of financial preparation. Here's how I planned ahead. I picked a high-yield savings account with a competitive interest rate so the money I saved earned the most interest possible. I figured out how much money I needed to save for the trip, divided the amount by the number of months until we planned to travel, and treated that number like a monthly expense in our budget. I scheduled automatic transfers into my HYSA to keep me on track with my vacation savings goals. By the time our trip rolled around, I had set aside enough money to cover travel expenses such as tickets, meals, and souvenirs. The cash reserve made it much easier to say yes to extra experiences as well, like Power-Up Bands at Super Nintendo World, a few too many Butterbeers, breakfast with Elmo and Friends at SeaWorld, and a mobility scooter rental that saved the day for a family member with a knee injury. (Pro tip: Renting a mobility device from an outside provider like Buena Vista Rentals can be much more affordable than expensive daily rentals from theme parks.) Read more: Vacation savings accounts: Are they worth it for families? While our HYSA covered daily costs, we still needed a way to afford the big expenses, such as flights and hotels, without going into vacation debt or dipping into other savings (like our emergency fund). That's where travel credit cards came into play. As a travel rewards enthusiast, I try to make the most of my everyday purchases with a rewards credit card that earns points I can later redeem toward travel-related purchases. I also value credit cards that offer travel-friendly perks such as travel credits, hotel and rental car status, airport lounge access, and more. Another smart strategy I sometimes use — especially when a high-cost trip is on the horizon — is to apply for a new rewards credit card with a sign-up bonus. With a welcome offer, I can earn bonus points or miles after meeting a minimum spend requirement. And that gives me the ability to redeem more rewards for airfare, hotel stays, rental cars, and other travel expenses. For our recent family theme park vacation, I already had plenty of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points banked from everyday purchases like groceries, gas, kids' sports, and a few recent home repairs. But if I'd been choosing a new travel credit card, I would have focused on credit cards with the best sign-up bonus offers. For example: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months. Redeeming your credit card rewards for maximum value does take a bit of strategy. But I find the effort worthwhile because it has helped me save thousands of dollars in travel expenses over time. On our recent theme park family vacation, we used credit card rewards to cover both hotel costs and flights for incredible savings. For lodging in particular, I was able to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to a Chase travel partner — Hyatt — at a one-to-one ratio. From there, I booked eight nights at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando for 15,000 points per night. The cash price of the resort stay would have cost $2,529. But I redeemed my points at a little over $0.02 each — a solid redemption value — and saved our family a ton of money in the process. The resort had everything we needed for a relaxing stay: multiple pools, water sports, on-site dining, a shuttle to nearby parks, and comfortable rooms with nightly fireworks views. Combining a high-yield savings account with travel rewards credit cards is a long-standing technique that our family uses to make vacation expenses both affordable and manageable. This approach provides a nice balance, allowing us to enjoy the benefits of travel rewards while budgeting for additional expenses our points and miles might not easily cover. The high-yield savings account makes it easy to set clear financial goals for vacation savings and make progress each month. And the high interest rate our HYSA offers helps us grow the vacation money we stash away at a faster rate. Meanwhile, our travel credit cards help us unlock high-value reward redemptions that stretch our budget even further. On this recent trip and many others, this combination has helped our family create wonderful memories — and zero vacation credit card debt — again and again. If you want to try combining an HYSA and travel rewards credit card to plan for your own family vacation, here are some tips that might help: Compare offers. Whether you're shopping for the best HYSA or the right travel credit card to fit your needs, it's smart to compare offers from multiple banks and credit card companies. Plan ahead. Give yourself as much time as possible to earn rewards, save money, and shop around for travel deals. Automate savings. Use automatic transfers to your HYSA to stay on track with your vacation savings goals (even if they're small). It's fine to add extra deposits when you can. Pay off your credit card. Whether you're trying to earn rewards for your trip or spending during vacation, it's important to pay off your full credit card balance each month. Creating credit card debt will offset the value of any rewards you earn, and it could damage your credit score if your credit utilization ratio increases. Family travel doesn't have to end with a giant pile of credit card debt at the end of your trip. By combining a high-yield savings account and smart travel rewards credit card choices, our family can enjoy the perks of travel while still staying on budget. If you're looking for smarter ways to save for your next family trip, this strategy might be worth trying.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
6 New Rollercoasters in the U.S. to Ride This Summer
Have a need for speed? We might have just the thing! As part of PEOPLE's 100 Reasons to Love America franchise — which celebrates the best of what to do, see and celebrate this summer — we picked six brand new rollercoasters to make the list. Nothing says warm-weather fun more than a trip to the amusement park with friends and family after all. From the record breaking Rapterra coaster at Kings Dominion that will now reign as the world's tallest and longest launched wing coaster to the Hiccup's Wing Gliders in Universal's brand new Epic Universe park, these are the coasters thrill-seekers of all ages will be lining up for. Superman At Epic Universe in Orlando, fans of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise are transported into the world of mythical creatures on this "winged flying machine.' The whole family will want to hop on Hiccup's Wing Gliders — named for the series' protagonist — which has riders swooping past familiar faces like Hiccup and Toothless around the Isle of Berk. Also inside Epic Universe is this duel-launch coaster that reaches speeds of up to 62 mph. To the sounds of "ethereal music," riders will zip around the stars and climb to a height of 133 feet for an experience that is truly out of this world. Inspired by the flight of the Jungle Hawk bird, the new Rapterra coaster at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Va. is the world's tallest and longest launched wing coaster, per the park's website. Rather than the typical roller coaster experience of starting with a climb uphill, Rapterra accelerates 65mph in four seconds, blasting riders right out of the station — imitating the bird's motion when its hunting for prey. When Siren's Curse at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio opens on June 28, it promises to be the 'tallest, longest, fastest tilt coaster in North America,' reaching speeds of up to 58 mph. Riders are brought up to the top of of the coaster's 160 foot peak before the track tilts down and releases passengers for a thrilling drop — the video alone will make your heart skip a beat! While coaster nuts had to say goodbye to the world's fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, when it was demolished at Six Flags Great Adventures in Jackson Township, N.J. earlier this year, one of the park's newest coasters is here to scratch a similar itch. According to the official website, The Flash: Vertical Velocity is 'North America's first super boomerang coaster,' and includes a 180-degree twisted drop that's followed by a Zero-G roll and "maximum" thrill level on the park's scale. At Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill., Wrath of Rakshasa is kicking off its reign as the "steepest and most inverted dive coaster in the world," per the park. With your feet dangling below you — for that little extra dose of thrill — the coaster sends riders through five different inversions at speeds of up to 67 mph. Read the original article on People
Travel Weekly
a day ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Epic Universe: An epic impact
While Epic Universe has already spurred increased business for travel agencies, they are far from the only ones benefitting: Throughout its construction, the park has produced economic impact to the tune of billions of dollars throughout the country, and it is expected to generate billions more now that it is fully operational. Much of that is in central Florida. 'When a major new park debuts, the entire region benefits,' said Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando. 'Visitors don't just go to one park — they stay in our hotels and resorts, dine in local restaurants, shop in our stores and explore our diverse attractions. It's truly a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats scenario, from global brands to our small businesses.' Universal Destinations & Experiences engaged economist Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida's (UCF) Institute for Economic Forecasting, to perform an analysis of Epic's impact locally and nationally. The report found that Epic's five-year economic impact from 2019 to 2023 totaled $44 billion and that the construction of the park generated 65,000 jobs across the country. Further, in its first year of operation, Epic is expected to generate an economic impact of $2 billion in Florida. Visit Orlando's Matej called Epic's opening a 'landmark moment' for the region, the most visited in the U.S. with 75.3 million visitors in 2024. Stays this year are already trending positively: From April to June, hotel bookings were pacing 2.5% ahead of the same period last year, according to Matej. Short-term rental bookings were up 16%. 'For more than five decades, theme parks have played a key role in transforming Orlando from citrus groves into a global tourism destination — driving growth, expanding infrastructure and boosting the local economy,' she said. Jorge Ridderstaat, associate professor of finance, accounting and econometrics at UCF's Rosen College, said the park's overall economic impact expanded well beyond Florida in its planning and construction phase. Going forward, it will be felt more in Florida and the Orlando area, he said, with an estimated $1 billion in additional tax revenue and nearly 18,000 direct employees. 'The direct and indirect economic impacts are major.' Jorge Ridderstaat, UCF 'There's also an indirect effect, and that's coming from additional restaurants, hotels; and you can even think about banking activities,' Ridderstaat said. 'The direct and indirect impacts are major here.' Universal's other projects under development may be smaller in scale than Epic but will provide significant economic benefits. Universal Horror Unleashed, a year-round attraction in Las Vegas, will open this year; the Universal Kids Resort is slated to open in Texas in 2026; and Universal's first theme park in England is set to debut in 2031. Ridderstaat said the new parks would impact local and national economies as well as motivate other operators to compete. 'Because these technologies being used are very sophisticated, that gives a run on Disney to increase the quality of their product,' he said. 'Because otherwise, you don't catch these types of people who are interested in innovative types of products. I think that's a challenge for the competition.'
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Epic Universe Ride Reviews: What's Worth The Lines
As you probably already know, Universal just recently opened its long-awaited third theme park in Orlando: Universal Epic Universe. Not only is this Universal's first new US park in over 20 years, but nearly every attraction inside Epic Universe is completely exclusive to the resort, meaning you won't find them at Universal Studios Hollywood, Japan, or any of their other parks around the world. From brand-new coasters to some truly impressive immersive dark rides and interactive experiences, the park is offering something completely fresh to guests. The attractions are located within the park's five immersive worlds: the retro-futuristic hub land Celestial Park, a Harry Potter land set in 1920s Paris and the Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe based on the Universal Classic Monsters, Super Nintendo World (a clone land of the one they have in Japan and Hollywood), and Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon. As I mentioned in my food review post, I was lucky enough to be invited by Universal to attend the media preview ahead of Epic Universe's grand opening. Over the past few years, Universal had slowly been dropping details about the rides, and with soft previews running for a couple of months before my visit, I had a pretty solid idea of what to expect going in — at least, I thought I did. Here I am frying in the sun in front of Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, one of the attractions I was most EXCITED to ride. Now, while the park doesn't have a ton of rides, it would be hard to do them all because of the crowds and the size of the park. So, I rode as many attractions as I could in order to give you my thoughts on them and, most importantly, whether they're worth waiting in line for. Full disclosure: While I was invited by Universal to Epic Universe, all opinions are my own. Hiccup's Wing Gliders in Isle of Berk Thoughts: Tucked away in the Isle of Berk, this coaster might not have the hype of Stardust Racers or the name recognition of a Harry Potter attraction, but don't sleep on it because this ride delivers in a huge way. It also travels throughout part of the land giving you great views of the Isle of Berk, while making you feel like you're flying on a dragon. I rode it more than once, and it was just as exciting the second time speaking of Harry Potter, this ride gets a lot of comparisons to Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and I can see why. I'd say this is a less scary version of Hagrid' I don't know if this is truly a family coaster, as it does have multiple launches, sharp turns, and some surprise bursts of speed. If you have kids and they're not used to roller coasters, I don't know if this would be a good first one to bring them on (unless they're on the older side or have ridden Hagrid's before). One con is that a lot of the queue is outdoors and not all of it is shaded, so in the heat, this could make waiting for the ride unpleasant. Bottom line: This is a must-do. Hiccup's Wing Gliders might not be the flashiest ride at Epic Universe, but it's easily one of the best. If you're a fan of Hagrid's or just want a coaster that nails the balance between thrills and fun, make this one a priority!!! Dragon Racer's Rally in Isle of Berk Thoughts: I didn't know what to expect from Dragon Racer's Rally. I hadn't really seen anything about it on TikTok or YouTube. Now, it looks super fun from the outside, with riders spinning and flipping through the sky like they're training to become full-on dragon racers. But once I got on, the experience kind of ride gives you some control over your "dragon vehicle," letting you attempt barrel rolls by shifting the wings yourself. In theory, that sounds cool, but in practice, I found it awkward and harder to pull off than expected. I spent more time trying to make the ride fun than actually enjoying it. I would say that on the plus side, it seemed like the queue, while outdoors, was shaded. Bottom line: This is a skip. Unless the line is a short wait, then it could be worth giving it a shot. Honestly, with Hiccup's Wing Gliders being such a standout attraction next door, I wouldn't rush back for this one. Meeting Toothless at Haddock Paddock in the Isle of Berk Thoughts: Okay, so this isn't really an attraction, and more of a meet-and-greet photo opp. I also get that a photo with Toothless sounds like a must-do, especially if you've got kids who love How to Train Your Dragon (some of the most popular animated films of recent years). But trying to get a photo with Toothless ended up being one of the more disappointing parts of my line was long, like, surprisingly long, and to make things worse, there's virtually no shade while you wait. In the Florida heat, that was a brutal combo, and I can't imagine trying to do it with kids. I never ended up getting my photo because my phone was running out of battery, and I ended up getting out of line. Bottom line: Unless you're a die-hard Toothless fan, this is one experience you can probably skip. With that said, I understand that with kids, you might not have the option to ignore this one, so it would be worth doing first thing in the morning (when it's cooler) or in the evening, when most people have already done it. And prepare your kids for realistic expectations about waiting in line for this one! Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in Dark Universe Thoughts: We got a lot of first looks, concept art, and previews of the animatronics for Monsters Unchained. All of this led to it being one of the most highly anticipated attractions at Epic Universe, and from a technical and visual standpoint, it really is one of the best rides at any theme park anywhere. The queue alone is jaw-dropping, with very detailed sets and effects that really set the tone. Of course, the animatronics throughout the ride are next-level impressive. Another thing, I found it refreshing to see an attraction (and land) that wasn't tied to an existing IP. Sure, it's based on the Universal Monsters, but not based on the old movies. An original concept in a big theme park in 2025? That alone earns it is where I might get people yelling at me: Once the ride actually starts, things get a little shaky. The storyline felt oddly pieced together. Not that rides need huge storylines, but this one just didn't pay off narratively. Also, the ride system is the exact one used in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which immediately made me compare it to that, and IMHO, this ride isn't as good as Forbidden Journey. Bottom line: Okay, this one I think is just going to be a difference of opinion, but I would skip it. However, I know people love this ride, so you might too. If anything, it's worth checking out for the visuals and top-tier tech, and immersive world. Also, I would NOT bring little kids onto this ride because they might find this pretty scary. Curse of the Werewolf in Dark Universe Thoughts: I am going to state the common complaint about this ride: Yes, it's short, but it's also a ton of fun from start to finish and packs in a surprising amount of thrills for its size. With quick turns, smooth launches, and just the right amount of intensity, it strikes a great balance between family-friendly and genuinely thrilling (like there were a few moments where I thought my phone was going to fly out of my pocket). It also has a spinning coaster ride system, which makes it unique from most other coasters. Another pro is that this ride's queue, while outdoors, is forest-themed, so there are lots of trees to help protect you from the sun. Bottom line: Even if it's not the flashiest or longest ride at Epic Universe, Curse of the Werewolf is absolutely worth hopping on, especially if you love a smooth coaster with smaller thrills and zero filler. Constellation Carousel in Celestial Park Thoughts: I'll admit, I wasn't expecting to be wowed by a carousel, but Constellation Carousel ended up being a delightful surprise. From the glowing, Art Nouveau-style creatures to the starry lighting and ethereal music, the theming wonderfully matches Celestial really makes it stand out is the movement; the carousel vehicles don't just go up and down (pretty high!), they gently perform 360-degree rotations, which adds an almost floating sensation that's totally unique. Bottom line: Yes, this is just a carousel, but it's absolutely one you shouldn't skip. It's beautifully designed and whimsical, and perfect for the entire family. One thing I would recommend is riding this at night, when all the lights and effects are more visible and the carousel takes on a dreamy look. Stardust Racers in Celestial Park Thoughts: Stardust Racers is hands-down one of the must-do rides at Epic Universe. As the park's signature high-speed roller coaster and one of its overall signature rides, it delivers exactly what you'd hope for: an adrenaline-packed thrill ride. The dual-track setup adds an extra layer of excitement, especially when the coasters seem to narrowly miss each other in a perfectly timed near-collision said, if you're going in expecting something as intense or wild as VelociCoaster over at Islands of Adventure, temper those expectations just a tiny, tiny little bit. Stardust Racers is thrilling and fast, but with slightly less intensity. Bottom line: Do NOT skip!!! Stardust Racers is a fast-paced coaster that absolutely earns its place as a headliner. And likely a ride you might want to ride way more than once. Also, the green side is slightly more intense than the yellow side, if that makes a difference to you! Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge in Super Nintendo World Thoughts: I've ridden this ride before at Universal Studios Hollywood, so I knew exactly what I was getting into. First off, it's definitely a cool concept, but the actual ride just doesn't land for me. The queue and theming are incredible (walking through Bowser's Castle is a legit highlight, and it's filled with a TON of Easter eggs), but once you're on the ride, it starts to fall apart a bit. The augmented reality headset is clunky and can be confusing, especially if it's your first time riding. It's hard to tell what's actually happening in the game part, and the gameplay mechanics (steering, aiming, and trying to hit targets) just feel a little awkward and overwhelming. Bottom line: If you've never been on it before, it's absolutely worth doing once just to experience it all, especially if you're a Nintendo fan. But it's definitely not something I'd wait more than 30–40 minutes for. Yoshi's Adventure in Super Nintendo World Thoughts: This ride is an exact clone of the one they have at Universal Studios Japan (in fact, the whole land seems to be an exact clone). I don't think I have ever done a POV watch of the attraction on YouTube, so I had no idea what to expect. I really, really, really wanted to like Yoshi's Adventure because it looks adorable, gives scenic views of the land, and adds so much kinetic energy to the land. But unfortunately, the experience just didn't do it for me. Views aside, the ride is extremely boring, with most of it out in the open sun with very little there's a light gameplay element where you're supposed to search for colored eggs, but I genuinely didn't realize that was even part of it until halfway through because I heard the people in front and behind me asking themselves if there was a game involved. Bottom line: I'd skip it. Yoshi's Adventure might be best for younger kids, who will enjoy the visuals. It's definitely not something I'd wait in line for. Mine-Cart Madness in Donkey Kong Country (located within Super Mario World) Thoughts: I had seen a few POV TikToks of this ride when it first opened in Japan, so I was really excited to ride this. And, it lived up to everything I expected, in fact, I walked off loving it way more than I expected. The ride does a great job mixing impressive tech, amazing animatronics, and some genuinely thrilling moments!!! Of course, there's also the "boom coaster" system that creates the illusion your cart is leaping across broken tracks, and it totally works. (Though I actually think it might even look better from the outside than while you're actually on it.)While some people have said the ride is too short, I actually thought the length was just right. Along with the other complaint that the ride is too shaky, as it's mimicking the sensation of being on a rickety mine track, which I also didn't mind, as I thought it added to the ride. With that said, be prepared because it is really shaky, and don't pull out your phones and try to film because I saw more than one person almost lose it due to the shaking. Bottom line: Mine-Cart Madness is a must-ride, full of great theming and thrills. This is also a great coaster for kids who are ready to ride something with a little more intensity to it. Le Cirque Arcanus in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Thoughts: Going into Le Cirque Arcanus, I had no idea what to expect. In fact, I might have skipped the show had the people I was with not suggested we check it out. I'd heard mixed things, with some people saying it wasn't good. But after seeing it myself? I honestly don't understand the criticism. I was genuinely impressed!Based on a traveling wizarding circus from the Fantastic Beasts films, the show blends live performance, optical illusions, and large-scale puppetry in a way that's visually striking and super immersive. The performers were great, and the puppets and magical creatures were especially well done. Also, the storytelling was really good, and I found myself wondering what was going to happen next. Bottom line: Le Cirque Arcanus might not be your typical theme park show, and yes, it could be a little intense for smaller kids, but for fans of darker fantasy and theatrical storytelling, it's absolutely worth checking out. Plus, its queue and theater spaces are nice and air conditioned, which makes it a perfect place to escape on a hot day. And lastly, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Thoughts: Immersive and detailed, like you stepped into the movie, from the moment you enter the queue, it's clear this ride is operating on another level. This is one of those rides that instantly cemented itself as a must-do, and not just for Harry Potter fans, but for anyone who loves immersive, story-driven you're on the ride, you find out the scale is massive, the details are rich, and the experience feels more in line with something like Pirates of the Caribbean. There is a scene where a Death Eater animatronic moves so fluidly that it took me a moment to realize he wasn't a person in a costume. Yes, the ride uses screens and a lot of them, a big complaint I've seen online. But honestly, it works 90% of the time. The screen effects are blended seamlessly with physical sets and effects, and it would've been nearly impossible to pull off the storyline demands without them. The transitions between practical and digital work well together, so that you're never really pulled out of the action. Bottom line: It goes without saying that this is a MUST-DO for me!!! My first thought upon entering the Battle at the Ministry was the line in Jurassic Park where John Hammond says, "Spared no expense." You can tell the amount of money and care Universal put into the attraction to make it big, bold, and flawlessly immersive!Now, there are no front-of-the-line passes available for this attraction, and waits can get into three-plus hours. So, if you go, keep that in mind as you might have to sacrifice doing other attractions to get on this one. Okay, with everything all said and done, most of the rides at Epic Universe absolutely live up to the hype! From the jaw-dropping scale of Battle at the Ministry to the unexpectedly fun Hiccup's Wing Gliders, these attractions are not only thrilling, they're also imaginative, ambitious, and soon-to-be classics. BTW, stay tuned, I'll be sharing my overall thoughts on the park experience and some helpful tips for making the most of your visit!!!
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
IAAPA Expo thinking bigger at convention center
The IAAPA Expo plans to expand its footprint at Orange County Convention Center, a move that is said to reflect the health of the tourism industry and the boom of related segments. The annual trade show will move in the convention center's West Concourse for the first time in 2026. Previously it has been only in the North and South concourses. 'The industry is growing. We see that with the projects like Epic Universe, but we also see it with all the smaller attractions, which happen everywhere now — if it's a Ripley's Mirror Maze or if it's a Puttshack or if it's a PopStroke — all those little attractions are actually contributing the success of the attraction industry,' said Jakob Wahl, president of the Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, a k a IAAPA. The expo is known for its vast, teeming trade floor that includes vendors of all manner of manufacturers and creative types, ranging from water-slide equipment to major roller coasters to plush animals for carnival games to theme park announcements. The assortment of participants has been diversifying, Wahl said. 'We have seen more and more resorts coming, more and more cruise ships,' he said. 'We have seen an increased growth of food and beverage vendors, and we're working on an increased focus on technology vendors. There are many, many companies in that space.' Gator with bungee-corded jaw rescued, relocated to Gatorland The 2025 expo floor is sold out with more than 1,100 vendors, some of which will set up shop in the convention center parking lot. The event had more than 40,000 attendees last year. IAAPA Expo, which also includes educational sessions and excursions to Central Florida attractions, introduced themed pavilions last year, including an area devoted to food and beverage companies and a Halloween-driven section. 'We want to expand and, at the same time, we want to use that expansion to further grow the show, to be more creative, to be more global and to be also more immersive,' Wahl said. 'This is where we will introduce some pavilions next year at the show to really cater to new industry, to new segments of our expo which might not have had the same presence as we thought in the past,' he said. Orlando's Titanic attraction adds recovered necklace to artifact lineup This year's expo begins Nov. 17, but the expansion into the West Concourse is scheduled to kick in next year. 'Such an expansion, actually, is not that easy to execute,' Wahl said. 'We actually start working up to one and a half years in advance on the floor plan.' IAAPA Expo has been an annual presence at the convention center since 2010. IAAPA moved its home base from Alexandria, Virginia, to Orlando in 2017 and later constructed its global headquarters on Taft-Vineland Road. Universal Studios: 'M3GAN' again has moves in theme park Email me at dbevil@ BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at
