Robert Niles

Pasadena, California
Theme Park Insider member since 1999, when he started the website.

I am the site's founder and editor, as well as a former attractions host at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, where I worked at Pirates of the Caribbean, Tom Sawyer's Island, Country Bear Jamboree and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Since leaving Disney, I've worked as a reporter and editor for several major newspapers and websites. I now edit Theme Park Insider, as well as serve as the co-founder and producer of Violinist.com.

I cover attraction openings in Southern California and Central Florida and welcome press releases and news tips from parks covered on the site, as well as from all Theme Park Insider readers. Please use the button below to e-mail me.

You also can read more from me on TPI's Google Profile or connect with me on Google+.

Recent 'Blog Flume' posts from Robert:

• Construction is underway on Orlando's I-Drive Live (2013-05-22)
• Let's talk about international theme park travel with Stefan Zwanzger, 'The Theme Park Guy' (2013-05-22)
• Update from Orlando (2013-05-21)
• Spring ticket price increases begin at the Orlando theme parks (2013-05-20)
• Play your day at Walt Disney World's Epcot (2013-05-19)
• Vote of the week: What's the top animated franchise you want to see in a theme park? (2013-05-17)
• Look east -- far east -- for Disney's best response to Harry Potter (2013-05-16)
• Expect 'NextGen'-style animation and interactivity in Universal's Diagon Alley (2013-05-14)
• Merida meets 'Murica (2013-05-13)
• Plan your day at Disneyland (2013-05-12)

Plan your theme park vacation with our readers' travel guides:

Top U.S. Theme Parks

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Disneyland
Epcot
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Disney California Adventure
Universal Studios Florida
SeaWorld Orlando
Universal Studios Hollywood
SeaWorld San Diego
Busch Gardens Tampa

Other Top International Parks

Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo DisneySea
Disneyland Paris
Universal Studios Japan
Hong Kong Disneyland
Walt Disney Studios Paris
Europa Park
Efteling
Universal Studios Singapore

Readers' Top Themed Rides

Journey to the Center of the Earth
Transformers: The Ride
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Top Roller Coasters

El Toro
Leviathan
Maverick
Millennium Force
Intimidator

Top Theme Park Shows

Fantasmic!
Festival of the Lion King
Impressions de France
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
Mickey's PhilharMagic

Features, News and Advice

"Stories from a Theme Park Insider"
The Theme Park Insider Awards
What's under construction for 2013/4?
How to stay safe at a theme park

2013 Blog Posts

2012 Blog Posts

2011 Blog Posts

2010 Blog Posts

2009 Blog Posts

2008 Blog Posts

2007 Blog Posts

2006 Blog Posts

2005 Blog Posts

2004-2005