Amusement parks are enduring vacation destinations for American families. The rides, the long lines for rides, the concessions, the long lines for concessions — these are practically familial rites of passage. Theme parks are also enormous moneymakers, with industry leaders such as Disney and Universal earning billions of dollars each year from their parks.In this episode, Gilbert Cruz chats with Brooks Barnes, who writes about show business (including theme parks), and Mekado Murphy, a film editor and thrill-seeker who reports on roller coasters. They talk about the state of the contemporary amusement park and the ups and downs of roller coasters around the world.On Today’s Episode:<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/mekado-murphy" target="_blank">Mekado Murphy</a> is the assistant film editor for The New York Times, and its unofficial roller coaster correspondent.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/brooks-barnes" target="_blank">Brooks Barnes</a> covers Hollywood for The New York Times.Background Reading:<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/travel/universal-epic-universe-orlando-rides.html" target="_blank">Riding Your Way Through Epic Universe</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/movies/nightmare-alley-childhood-carnival.html" target="_blank">See the Real Live Man Who Grew Up in a Carnival</a>Photo: Business Wire/Associated Press 
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