Inside IAAPA 2025: Big Rides, Bold Tech, and the Industry’s Next Moves (Ep. 559)

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

• 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.
• Zamperla’s full-size demo of its new interactive “flap-to-fly” ride, where sensors track arm movements to lift riders higher.
• The stacked-track, heart-shaped family coaster concept designed to fit high-capacity thrills into a tiny footprint.
• Mack Rides’ water-coaster hybrid for Dollywood: a tracked boat that transitions between basins, rapids, and coaster moments.
• 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.
• Why Imagineers were quietly examining faux-fossil rockwork in a small booth—possible clues to future projects.
• A vendor’s dramatic countdown-clock presentation that fell apart when no one realized the microphone was dead.
• The team’s ongoing quest for pickle-flavored cotton candy and other baffling IAAPA food innovations.
• Len’s impromptu pitch to Doppelmayr about Universal’s transportation RFQ—and the unexpectedly enthusiastic response.
• 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.

Full show notes available here: Show Notes

Hosts

Len Testa — BlueSky: @lentesta.bsky.social | Instagram: @len.testa | Website: touringplans.com
Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com
Jim Shull (Veteran Imagineer) — X/Twitter: @JimShull | YouTube: @jimhshull | Website: jimhshull.com

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Producer Credits

Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency
https://strongmindedagency.com

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 Unlocked Magic.

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