Orlando Parks V.I.P.: Best theme park news of the year

Strap in for a thrill ride through Central Florida’s best and newest attractions in 2024. Skip the lines to get your seat in the front row for this look back at the year’s most electrifying additions making waves in the theme park capital.

FOX 35 Special: Walk on the Wild Side

Take a walk on the wild side with a 60-minute special showcasing the latest animal additions to Central Florida's zoos and theme parks. Get face to snout with the most recent furry, feathered, and finned arrivals, celebrating the expansion of wildlife families in the region's beloved attractions. Witness the joy of new life and the care that goes into nurturing these captivating creatures.

The best theme park news from 2024

FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte sits down with some Florida theme park experts to talk about the biggest announcements at Walt Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, and Legoland Florida in 2024 -- and the new stuff coming in 2025.

Top holiday events & eats in Florida's theme parks

The holiday season is here on Orlando Parks V.I.P. and we are giving you the top holiday scenes and eats to check out this winter! EYNTK.info's Tharin White joins FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte to break it all down. Universal Orlando has a new projection show on Hogwarts Castle, Walt Disney World and Disney Springs have transformed into winter wonderlands. LEGOLAND Florida has their own Bricktastic holiday season featuring a LEGO Santa, to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, and Snowcat Ridge's hefty holiday offerings. Plus, a look at the top treats and drinks to get the most bang for your buck this winter.

LEGOLAND Florida: Deals, tips and secrets of the park

Join host Hannah Mackenzie and her guests, Banks Lee and Stephanie Bechara, for a special episode of "Orlando Parks V.I.P." focused on LEGOLAND® Florida. Get an up-close look at the newest attraction, a life-size Ferrari built from over half a million LEGO bricks, and discover where to score the best deals for your LEGOLAND visit. Before you go, the team shares three essential tips to maximize your enjoyment at the park, including the must-try food item that will delight your taste buds. Plus, they'll reveal top secrets of the park that will enhance your experience and make you feel like a true V.I.P.

What Epic opening date means for 'theme park wars'

Epic Universe is scheduled to open May 22, 2025, Universal announced Thursday. Tharin White, lead publisher of EYNTK.info, joined FOX 35 News+ to talk about tickets, what the announcement means for the "theme park wars," and the pressure it puts on Disney.

HHN expert spills scare secrets, teases HHN 2025

In the chilling latest "Orlando Parks V.I.P." episode, host Stephanie Buffamonte and fright-fan Tharin White conjure the secrets from Universal Studios' architect of fear. The brain behind the bloodcurdling Halloween Horror Nights houses talks all things terror, and teases the devilish details of next season's spine-tingling spectacles. Dare to watch as Stephanie and Tharin step into the fog, embracing their inner scream queens for a ghoulishly ghostly firsthand fright-fest, giving viewers a shriek peek of the horror that lurks in the shadows.

Inside Disney's Kilimanjaro Safaris: Meet Mollie

FOX 35 went behind-the-scenes and out on the savanna with Mollie, an expert tour guide at Disney's Kilimanjaro Safaris, a staple attraction at Animal Kingdom, to learn not only about her love for animals, being a tour guide, but also to get an upclose look at the animals that call Disney home.

Survive Halloween Horror Nights: One Night Guide

In this exhilarating episode of "Orlando Parks V.I.P.," host Stephanie Buffamonte takes us on a spine-tingling journey into the heart of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. Accompanied by theme park aficionados Tharin White and Angel Sanchez, Stephanie uncovers the most haunting secrets of the event. The experts reveal a list of the top haunted houses guaranteed to thrill, with particular mention of the single scariest house that stands out for its bone-chilling aura. They delve into how the carefully crafted smells enhance the immersive experience, making the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. To ensure viewers squeeze every last drop of terror from their tickets, the trio shares invaluable tips on maximizing the Halloween Horror Nights experience. They shine the spotlight on the most meticulously crafted scare zones that are sure to send shivers down your spine. For attendees looking to capture the memories, the episode provides expert advice on snapping the best photos amidst the screams at HHN, including how to get that perfect shot with the terrifying scare actors. They even reveal the secret to engaging in a magical duel with a death eater from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Whether you're a fearless thrill-seeker or an enthusiastic Harry Potter fan, this episode is your ultimate guide to conquering Universal's Halloween Horror Nights like a pro.

Best Spots for Universal's Mega Parade Viewing

On the latest Orlando Parks V.I.P., host Caitlin Marlow and theme park experts discuss Universal's Mega Movie Parade, the largest the park has seen, featuring classics and new hits, with tips on the best viewing spots. The episode also spotlights family-friendly venues like Dezerland Park, offering a rainy-day deal, and Arcade Monsters with a special for Central Florida families. Additionally, it introduces the Starlight Safari at Disney and an attractive Icon Park bundle for Florida residents, which includes access to the Orlando Eye and other attractions at a discounted rate. Guests staying at Universal Hotel receive the added benefit of an Express Pass to enjoy the rides with minimal wait times.

Penguin Trek | Free Disney birthday perk

In this rollercoaster ride of an episode of "Orlando Parks V.I.P.," FOX 35's Hannah Mackenzie soars into a conversation with theme park aficionado Tharin White. They dive into a 'flurry' of thrill over Seaworld's newest thrill, the Penguin Trek rollercoaster. Tharin spills the 'theme park tea', offering 'magical' secrets that are sure to 'cast a spell' on your park experience. Viewers will learn how to 'waltz' into the spotlight and get complimentary birthday recognition at Disney World, Universal Studios, and Disney Springs. And for that 'fairy-tale' touch, Tharin explains how families can 'snip' their budgets and still 'let down their hair', creating an enchanting Disney memory with their baby's first haircut for under $30. Buckle up for an episode jam-packed with whimsical insights that only a true 'park whisperer' could tell!

First Look: Inside Epic Universe's Helios Hotel

On the latest episode of Orlando Parks V.I.P., Tharin White, an acclaimed theme park expert, gives FOX Local an exclusive scoop on the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, destined for the highly-anticipated Epic Universe theme park. We delve into the just-released renderings of the hotel, discussing its opening timeline and the unique way it is integrated with the park's immersive experience. Tharin also demystifies the pricing, suggesting that luxury may come without the hefty price tag one might expect. He elaborates on how the hotel is designed to elevate the overall visitor experience, making it a seamless extension of the epic adventure that lies within the park's gates.

Disney eliminating 2 attractions amid expansion plans

Join Orlando Parks V.I.P. for a rapid-fire look at Walt Disney World’s exciting future. Theme park experts Tharin White and Drew Smith highlight the major 2025 plans, like the Test Track overhaul and the radiant "Disney Starlight" Nighttime Parade. The episode teases upcoming attractions for the Animal Kingdom and future expansions hinting at a Villains Land, with a brief nod to international Disney parks' novelties and Disney Cruise Line's expansion.

Final haunted house for HHN 2024 announced

The 10th and final haunted house coming to Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights has been revealed: Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines. Tharin White, founder of Everything You Need To Know, joined Garrett Wymer, host of FOX 35 News+, for a special edition of Orlando Parks V.I.P.

'Theme Park Shark' on Florida's summer fun

Dustin Sparage, the creator behind the "Theme Park Shark" blog, joins FOX 35's Marlisa Goldsmith for a special edition of Orlando Parks V.I.P. The two discuss the latest summer offerings from Universal Orlando Resort, including a new parade, "CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular," the new nighttime show; and the latest from Epic Universe, the highly-anticipated theme park coming in summer 2025.

First look inside 'Dark Universe' land at Epic Universe

Tharin White, creator of www.eyntk.info (Everything You Need To Know), and Kristen Wright, of @wrightdownmainstreet on Instagram, joined FOX 35's Orlando Parks V.I.P. to talk about the latest news from Universal, Walt Disney World, and Florida's other theme parks. In this episode, we dive into Dark Universe, the villain-inspired land coming to Epic Universe; Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum; and a look at some favorite spots to eat around the parks.