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I’ve been a fan of theme parks since I was young, but my interest waned during my early 20s. There was no specific reason for the change; other activities just took hold. When I started listening to podcasts in the mid-2000s, I was curious about the Disney shows. Hosts like Ricky Brigante, Lou Mongello, and the WDW Today guys made it easy to get re-engaged. Even so, I could never match their high level of fandom. There was still a distance between my perspective and theirs. That gap closed with the arrival of The Season Pass Podcast, which took a down-to-earth look at the industry by speaking directly to the people behind the magic. Doug Barnes and Brent Young were fans but also normal guys; the show just felt different.
My guest for this episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast is Doug Barnes, who started The Season Pass in 2007 with little idea of what it would become. It remains the place where big names from the past and present of theme parks tell their stories. Doug talks about the origins of his fandom and evolution of The Season Pass into an industry giant. Once Brent Young joined as co-host and they discovered the right format, high-profile guests became the norm on the show.
Doug also recounts what it was like to interview legends of Imagineering like Tony Baxter (at his house!). The Season Pass is still going strong after more than 320 episodes and continues to produce great content.
Show Notes: Doug Barnes
Learn more about The Season Pass Podcast on their official website.
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Another great podcast Dan! I’d heard of the Season Pass Podcast but for some reason had never listened, that’s all about to change. I’ve been scrolling through their archives and the guest list is nothing short of legendary.
I’m listening to the first episode (#114) of the Tim Delaney interview and I’m impressed how much information and entertainment they’ve packed into one podcast. I’ll definitely have to subscribe to their new episodes.
Getting back to TTSP, I enjoyed hearing the positive things Doug had to say about Knott’s Berry Farm. I’ve worked at Knott’s for 20 years and have seen a lot of ups and downs in my time. Thanks to the forward thinking management that has come on board the last 5 years, the park is undergoing a real renaissance.
Ron, you’re in for a real treat. There are so many great shows in the archive with both Disney Imagineers and the creative minds from other parks. The Season Pass was definitely one of the main influences for me when I started the podcast. I’m glad to have helped encourage you to give it a shot.