The opening of Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe park earlier this year has created new opportunities for theme-park lovers for the first time in nearly 25 years.

What's so special about the new Epic theme park? In this episode, retail editor Jamie Biesiada walks host Rebecca Tobin through innovations in ride technology, the queues and other Epic details - favorite or most surprising rides? -- and we talk about theme park performance in 2025 overall so far.

And we discuss a few new tidbits from Walt Disney World's Cool Kid summer promotion and disclose details of a new nighttime parade.

Summer series:

This episode is part of our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly discussions. This episode was recorded May 30 and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions https://www.expeditions.com/

Related links:

Jamie Biesiada's Cover Story: An Epic opening for Universal Orlando Resort https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Epic-Universe-opening-analysis-Universal-Orlando

Exploring the enchanting details at Epic Universe https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Enchanting-details-Epic-Universe

Waiting in line at Epic Universe: Which has the best queue https://www.travelweekly.com/Blogs/Dispatch/Best-queue-experience-Epic-Universe

It's an Epic era for Universal Orlando, and Celestial Park sets the tone https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Epic-Universe-new-era-Universal-Orlando-Resort

Walt Disney World's summer promo leads to a magic resort stay https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/The-magic-of-a-resort-day-at-Disney-World

Dispatch, Orlando: Discovering Disney's 'Cool Kid Summer' https://www.travelweekly.com/Blogs/Dispatch/Discovering-Disney-Cool-Kid-Summer

New Disney 'Starlight parade' opens at Magic Kingdom https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Disney-Starlight-nighttime-parade-debuts-at-Walt-Disney-World-Resort

A Disneyland park is coming to Abu Dhabi https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Disneyland-park-coming-to-Abu-Dhabi

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