Our theme parks reporter Jamie Biesiada was at Walt Disney World twice last month, and host Rebecca Tobin cruised on Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wish -- making it the perfect time to dig in on theme park changes, additions, Cool Kid Summer and our own personal recent experiences, from rides to resort restaurants, plus an update on Universal’s updates. 

This podcast was recorded June 4 and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors

Related reports:

Disney aims to simplify trip planning with tech updates https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Disney-simplifying-the-guest-experience-for-planning-trips

Dispatch, Disney World: Park offerings for preschoolers https://www.travelweekly.com/Blogs/Dispatch/Disney-World-park-offerings-for-preschoolers

Behind the magic: Maintaining Disney World's iconic landscapes https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/The-team-behind-Disney-World-maintenance-and-makeovers

Something for all ages on the Disney Wish (September 2022) https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Something-for-kids-of-all-ages-on-the-Disney-Wish

 

Our theme parks reporter Jamie Biesiada was at Walt Disney World twice last month, and host Rebecca Tobin cruised on Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wish -- making it the perfect time to dig in on theme park changes, additions, Cool Kid Summer and our own personal recent experiences, from rides to resort restaurants, plus an update on Universal&rsquo;s updates.&nbsp;
This podcast was recorded June 4 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors">https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors</a>
Related reports:
Disney aims to simplify trip planning with tech updates <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Disney-simplifying-the-guest-experience-for-planning-trips">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Disney-simplifying-the-guest-experience-for-planning-trips</a>
Dispatch, Disney World: Park offerings for preschoolers <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Blogs/Dispatch/Disney-World-park-offerings-for-preschoolers">https://www.travelweekly.com/Blogs/Dispatch/Disney-World-park-offerings-for-preschoolers</a>
Behind the magic: Maintaining Disney World's iconic landscapes <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/The-team-behind-Disney-World-maintenance-and-makeovers">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/The-team-behind-Disney-World-maintenance-and-makeovers</a>
Something for all ages on the Disney Wish (September 2022) <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Something-for-kids-of-all-ages-on-the-Disney-Wish">https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Something-for-kids-of-all-ages-on-the-Disney-Wish</a>
&nbsp;

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Theme park updates: Disney's cool kids, new rides, cruising and more

We recently published an episode about the exciting opportunities around travel in the U.S. – travel surrounding the 250th anniversary celebrations, traveling along route 66, Americana and more. We bring that episode back to you today, but as a bonus, we’re including a discussion with two of our reporters about more recent stories about U.S. travel trends.

In this segment, our tours editor Brinley Hineman has found new interest in historical U.S. tourism. And our editor at large Robert Silk has looked at ways that indigenous organizations and native tribes are approaching the 250th milestone and bringing their perspectives to visitors. 

The new segment was recorded June 26, and then we’ll dive into the original episode, which was recorded April 29.

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors

Related reports:

Tour companies keep America 250 celebrations going into 2027 https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Operators-keep-America-250-celebration-going-into-2027

Indigenous groups are telling their stories amid America 250 events https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Indigenous-groups-telling-their-story-amid-America-250

Special tours tap into Route 66 nostalgia https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Special-tours-Route-66-centennial

Travels with Darley: Travel information by state https://www.darley-newman.com/united-states

We recently published an episode about the exciting opportunities around travel in the U.S. &ndash; travel surrounding the 250th anniversary celebrations, traveling along route 66, Americana and more. We bring that episode back to you today, but as a bonus, we&rsquo;re including a discussion with two of our reporters about more recent stories about U.S. travel trends.
In this segment, our tours editor Brinley Hineman has found new interest in historical U.S. tourism. And our editor at large Robert Silk has looked at ways that indigenous organizations and native tribes are approaching the 250th milestone and bringing their perspectives to visitors.&nbsp;
The new segment was recorded June 26, and then we&rsquo;ll dive into the original episode, which was recorded April 29.
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors">https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors</a>
Related reports:
Tour companies keep America 250 celebrations going into 2027&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Operators-keep-America-250-celebration-going-into-2027">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Operators-keep-America-250-celebration-going-into-2027</a>
Indigenous groups are telling their stories amid America 250 events <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Indigenous-groups-telling-their-story-amid-America-250">https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Indigenous-groups-telling-their-story-amid-America-250</a>
Special tours tap into Route 66 nostalgia <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Special-tours-Route-66-centennial">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Special-tours-Route-66-centennial</a>
Travels with Darley: Travel information by state <a href="https://www.darley-newman.com/united-states">https://www.darley-newman.com/united-states</a>

U.S. travel during America's 250: New tours, indigenous perspectives

This new crop of ultra luxury cruise lines is fascinating, not just because many of them are associated with well known hotel brands, but because they’re appealing to a newer, younger demographic; one that might not have cruised -- or thought about cruising. What’s the appeal for them?

In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin and cruise editor Teri West talk with Christina Schlegel, the owner of Bluetail Travel, and Paul Tumposky, the chief revenue officer of Fora Travel, a about the appeal of lines like Four Seasons Yachts, Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection and Explora Journeys and the new pathways they’re opening up in cruising.

This episode was recorded May 29 and has been edited for length and clarity. 

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors

Stay on at the end of the luxury-cruise discussion for a sponsored interview with Brendan Vacations' North America sales manager Kevin Loftus and Mary Pat Sullivan, the executive vice president of marketing and brand partnerships for Northstar Travel Group.

Related links: 

New luxury lines are connecting with a new generation of cruisers https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/New-luxury-lines-connecting-new-generation-of-cruisers

Orient Express’ first ship evokes the glamour of a bygone era https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Orient-Express-Corinthian-preview Aman at Sea opens for charter and group bookings https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Amangati-opens-for-charter-event-sales

On the Record: Four Seasons Yachts’ CEO Ben Trodd https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Ben-Trodd-Four-Seasons-Yachts

Ritz-Carlton luxury with ‘less is more’ touches on its first ship https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Ritz-Carlton-luxury-with-less-is-more-touches-on-Evrima

Bluetail Travel: https://www.bluetailtravel.com

Fora Travel: https://www.foratravel.com

This new crop of ultra luxury cruise lines is fascinating, not just because many of them are associated with well known hotel brands, but because they&rsquo;re appealing to a newer, younger demographic; one that might not have cruised -- or thought about cruising. What&rsquo;s the appeal for them?
In this episode, host Rebecca Tobin and cruise editor Teri West talk with Christina Schlegel, the owner of Bluetail Travel, and Paul Tumposky, the chief revenue officer of Fora Travel, a about the appeal of lines like Four Seasons Yachts, Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection and Explora Journeys and the new pathways they&rsquo;re opening up in cruising.
This episode was recorded May 29 and has been edited for length and clarity.&nbsp;
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors">https://www.brendanvacations.com/traveladvisors</a>
Stay on at the end of the luxury-cruise discussion for a sponsored interview with Brendan Vacations' North America sales manager Kevin Loftus and Mary Pat Sullivan, the executive vice president of marketing and brand partnerships for Northstar Travel Group.
Related links: 
New luxury lines are connecting with a new generation of cruisers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/New-luxury-lines-connecting-new-generation-of-cruisers">https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/New-luxury-lines-connecting-new-generation-of-cruisers</a>
Orient Express&rsquo; first ship evokes the glamour of a bygone era https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Orient-Express-Corinthian-preview Aman at Sea opens for charter and group bookings <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Amangati-opens-for-charter-event-sales">https://www.travelweekly.com/Luxury-Travel/Amangati-opens-for-charter-event-sales</a>
On the Record: Four Seasons Yachts&rsquo; CEO Ben Trodd <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Ben-Trodd-Four-Seasons-Yachts">https://www.travelweekly.com/On-The-Record/Ben-Trodd-Four-Seasons-Yachts</a>
Ritz-Carlton luxury with &lsquo;less is more&rsquo; touches on its first ship <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Ritz-Carlton-luxury-with-less-is-more-touches-on-Evrima">https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Ritz-Carlton-luxury-with-less-is-more-touches-on-Evrima</a>
Bluetail Travel: <a href="https://www.bluetailtravel.com">https://www.bluetailtravel.com</a>
Fora Travel: <a href="https://www.foratravel.com">https://www.foratravel.com</a>

How hotel brands are changing the face of luxury cruising

You might be surprised to hear it given some of the economic and geopolitical news this year, but the big news from the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Forum was a presentation from Jan Freitag, the national director of hospitality analytics at CoStar Group, and Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, that significantly revised upward their 2026 U.S. hotel forecasts from earlier this year.

For this conversation we’re turning to Freitag and Travel Weekly hospitality editor Christina Jelski to review the new forecast and what’s driving the rosy outlook. We talk about the current shape of the economy, interest in domestic travel, the enduring stability of the upper-end and luxury segment. And as the FIFA World Cup kicks off, we take yet another look at demand around the match cities and how some industry watchers may have been missing the story.

This episode was recorded June 12 and has been edited for length and clarity.

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations https://www.brendanvacations/com/traveladvisors

Related links

Early numbers brighten the 2026 forecast for U.S. hotels https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Early-numbers-brighten-2026-forecast-US-hotels

 Hotel data firms deliver good news at NYU event https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Industry-groups-unveil-revised-2026-US-hotel-forecast

Hotel group says World Cup demand is below expectations https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations

Folo episode on the World Cup with U.S. Travel's Erik Hanson https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/US-travel-and-FIFA-World-Cup

The USA is on full display https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/USA-on-full-display-250th-anniversary

CoStar Group https://www.costargroup.com/

You might be surprised to hear it given some of the economic and geopolitical news this year, but the big news from the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Forum was a presentation from Jan Freitag, the national director of hospitality analytics at CoStar Group, and Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, that significantly revised upward their 2026 U.S. hotel forecasts from earlier this year.
For this conversation we&rsquo;re turning to Freitag and Travel Weekly hospitality editor Christina Jelski to review the new forecast and what&rsquo;s driving the rosy outlook. We talk about the current shape of the economy, interest in domestic travel, the enduring stability of the upper-end and luxury segment. And as the FIFA World Cup kicks off, we take yet another look at demand around the match cities and how some industry watchers may have been missing the story.
This episode was recorded June 12 and has been edited for length and clarity.
Episode sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Brendan Vacations <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/en-us/travel-advisors">https://www.brendanvacations/com/traveladvisors</a>
Related links
Early numbers brighten the 2026 forecast for U.S. hotels <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Early-numbers-brighten-2026-forecast-US-hotels">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Early-numbers-brighten-2026-forecast-US-hotels</a>
&nbsp;Hotel data firms deliver good news at NYU event&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Industry-groups-unveil-revised-2026-US-hotel-forecast">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Industry-groups-unveil-revised-2026-US-hotel-forecast</a>
Hotel group says World Cup demand is below expectations <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/World-Cup-demand-is-below-expectations</a>
Folo episode on the World Cup with U.S. Travel's Erik Hanson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/US-travel-and-FIFA-World-Cup">https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Folo/US-travel-and-FIFA-World-Cup</a>
The USA is on full display <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/USA-on-full-display-250th-anniversary">https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/USA-on-full-display-250th-anniversary</a>
CoStar Group <a href="https://www.costargroup.com/">https://www.costargroup.com/</a>

Theme park updates: Disney's cool kids, new rides, cruising and more

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