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
<ul>
 <li>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.</li>
 <li>Zamperla’s full-size demo of its new interactive “flap-to-fly” ride, where sensors track arm movements to lift riders higher.</li>
 <li>The stacked-track, heart-shaped family coaster concept designed to fit high-capacity thrills into a tiny footprint.</li>
 <li>Mack Rides’ water-coaster hybrid for Dollywood: a tracked boat that transitions between basins, rapids, and coaster moments.</li>
 <li>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.</li>
 <li>Why Imagineers were quietly examining faux-fossil rockwork in a small booth—possible clues to future projects.</li>
 <li>A vendor’s dramatic countdown-clock presentation that fell apart when no one realized the microphone was dead.</li>
 <li>The team’s ongoing quest for pickle-flavored cotton candy and other baffling IAAPA food innovations.</li>
 <li>Len’s impromptu pitch to Doppelmayr about Universal’s transportation RFQ—and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response.</li>
 <li>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.</li>
</ul>
Full show notes available here: Show Notes
Hosts
Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: <a href="https://touringplans.com">touringplans.com</a>Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: <a href="https://jimhillmedia.com">jimhillmedia.com</a>Jim Shull (Veteran Imagineer) — X/Twitter: @JimShull | YouTube: @jimhshull | Website: <a href="https://jimhshull.com">jimhshull.com</a>
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</ul>
Producer Credits
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency<a href="https://strongmindedagency.com">https://strongmindedagency.com</a>
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 
<a href="https://unlockedmagic.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=disneydish">Unlocked Magic</a>.
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Inside IAAPA 2025: Big Rides, Bold Tech, and the Industry’s Next Moves (Ep. 559)

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