Robert Niles

About

Hi, and welcome to Theme Park Insider! 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.

In addition to editing Theme Park Insider, I have covered theme parks as a freelancer for Orange County Register and Los Angeles Times and commented about theme parks as a guest on CNN, NPR, CBS, and the BBC. Please contact me via themeparkinsider@gmail.com.

Recent Activity

Recent 'Blog Flume' posts from Robert:

• Universal, Disney detail plans for projections on animatronics (2026-07-17)
• Knott's delays preview for its Montezooma coaster (2026-07-17)
• Industry legend Dick Knoebel passes away (2026-07-16)
• The ultimate Disney Princess concert is coming to Disneyland (2026-07-16)
• Universal's 'Fast' failure shows importance of fresh starts (2026-07-15)
• New Disney World animation space gets an opening date (2026-07-15)
• Kumba readies its final roar at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (2026-07-14)
• United Parks faces another local tax dispute (2026-07-14)
• Disney makes a change for its D23 theme park reveal show (2026-07-13)
• New Gordon Ramsay restaurant opens at Disneyland (2026-07-13)
• Rope Drop: It's a big birthday week for theme parks (2026-07-12)
• Walk Time: It's a coaster comeback (2026-07-11)

Recent Discussion Board threads from Robert:

• Universal books Hellraiser for Halloween Horror Nights 2026 (2026-06-30)
• Six Flags delays Tormenta debut (2026-06-19)
• The best and worst things that Disneyland did this century (2026-06-18)
• Stranger Things returns for Halloween Horror Nights 2026 (2026-06-17)
• One for the FAQ: Disney World and Disneyland pin drop days (2026-06-02)
• What is the ceiling and the floor for Universal Kids Resort? (2026-05-28)