Theme Park Thrills and Spills with Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Release Date: 05/20/2025
Exploring the Colorado Trail with Darrow Kirkpatrick
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Dreaming of your next big hiking challenge? In this episode, Crystal and Joe welcome Darrow Kirkpatrick — retired financial writer, seasoned adventurer, and author of Two Sticks, One Path. Darrow takes us along his trek across the Colorado Trail, sharing lessons that will inspire your own outdoor adventures, whether you’re planning a weekend hike or a multi-week expedition. From practical packing strategies to mindset shifts that keep you moving when the trail gets tough, you’ll walk away with tools to make your next hike safer, lighter, and more rewarding. We’ll explore how to...
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Exploring Italy Through Adventure and Mystery
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
What do you get when you mix Vatican politics, mafia secrets, fine art forgery, and a dash of gelato? Award-winning mystery author Michael Balter joins us to share the real-life adventures that inspired his novel The Vatican Deal—a fast-paced thriller set against the backdrop of Rome, Florence, Naples, and Capri. But this episode isn’t just about fiction. Michael brings stories from his own globetrotting life: negotiating with the Vatican, almost buying a centuries-old foundry, and getting swept up in the magic (and madness) of Italy’s cities. From sipping espresso in ancient coffee...
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Greek Getaway: Athens, Santorini & Crete (with a VERY special guest!)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
What happens when you mix millennia-old ruins, sun-drenched islands, and gourmet Greek cuisine? You get an unforgettable adventure—plus a podcast episode to match. In this wanderlust-packed episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond are joined by a very special guest: Joe’s wife, Cheryl Saul-Sehy, a seasoned traveler with a keen eye for luxury, efficiency, and surprise gems you won't find on most itineraries. Together, they unpack their latest trip to Greece, spanning the historic streets of Athens, the Instagram-ready cliffs of Santorini, and the charming...
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YOUR Favorite Roadside and Roadtrip Attractions
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Ready to take the scenic route? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond fire up the engine of nostalgia and hit the metaphorical road to celebrate America’s quirkiest, kitschiest, and most unforgettable roadside attractions. Whether it's a giant ball of twine, a hidden sea beneath Tennessee, or that magical place you stumbled upon because someone in the car had to stop for a soda, this episode is a love letter to those wonderfully weird detours that turn a road trip into a full-blown adventure. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Crystal’s...
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The Ultimate Chicago Experience: What to See and Do
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Planning your first visit to Chicago? Don’t just snap a selfie at The Bean and call it a day—let Stacking Adventures hosts Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy be your insider guides to one of America's most vibrant, layered, and delicious cities. In this jam-packed episode, Crystal and Joe serve up their personal Top 5 experiences every first-time visitor to the Windy City has to try—plus a few lesser-known gems that even longtime locals might have missed. Think towering views from the not-Sears-anymore Tower, eye-opening museum...
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Kevin Adventures To Walt Disney World
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Dreaming of the ultimate Disney World vacation—but not the sky-high price tag? This week on Stacking Adventures, we sit down with Kevin Payne from Family Money Adventure to help you create maximum magic without maxing out your wallet. Kevin brings the goods: How to make the most of Genie+ without losing your mind (or your place in line) The best ways to dodge long waits and still hit all your must-do rides Pro tips for navigating the parks with kids and keeping your budget intact From culinary gems hidden across all four parks to smart strategies for picking your...
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Exploring Scotland: Golf, Sheep, and Scottish Shenanigans (Doug's Scotland Adventure Replay)
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Ever wonder how to mix castles, kilts, and a couple of sheep with your golf game? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Doug takes us along for his journey through Scotland—complete with scenic views, unpredictable weather, questionable driving skills, and plenty of old-world charm. From teeing off next to livestock to dodging crowds at iconic tourist spots, Doug shares how to blend thoughtful planning with room for spontaneity. You’ll hear about his golf adventures on windswept courses, discover why the sheep in Scotland may be tougher than some caddies, and get tips for navigating...
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Discovering America's Vintage Roadside Attractions
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Ready to time-travel without the flux capacitor? In this nostalgia-packed episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond hit the open road—metaphorically speaking—to explore some of America’s most iconic roadside landmarks, unforgettable signage, and quirky attractions that make every road trip an adventure worth taking. Joining them is Americana enthusiast and Instagram-fueled author Rolando Pujol, who’s turned his childhood fascination with vintage neon and roadside kitsch into a full-fledged love letter to U.S. travel history. From giant peaches to lobsters...
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YOUR Theme Park Adventure Tales
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Think theme parks are just for kids? Think again. We heard people who are VERY MUCH adults sharing their stories today...as we asked YOU for your theme park tales. On this episode of Stacking Adventures, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond head to the gates of Cedar Point, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Holiday World, and beyond to relive the thrills, spills, and surprisingly refined etiquette of amusement park life. From world-class coasters to pro tips on navigating crowds (and even riding solo!), this one’s your summer soundtrack for theme park success. Adventurers Randy and Nikki...
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Navigating Your First Cruise Experience
Stacking Adventures: Every Traveler Has a Story
Think cruises are just buffets and bingo? Think again. In this episode, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond hoist the anchor on all your cruising questions with travel agent Donna Pelletier (we call her the cruise director!)—who's seen it all from the Lido Deck to the lifeboats. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or still Googling “Do cruise ships have brakes?”, we’ve got you covered. 🛳️ Donna walks us through choosing the right cruise line and ship size (spoiler: not all floating cities are created equal). 🎟️ Learn the tricks to booking like a pro, from early bird perks...
info_outlineEver dreamt of riding the world’s fastest roller coaster or discovering the next big Disney park before the crowds? This week on Stacking Adventures, Crystal and Joe Saul-Sehy trade hiking boots for roller coaster harnesses in a theme park episode packed with thrills, insider tips, and laugh-out-loud travel tales.
They’re joined by legendary theme park journalist Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider, who spills details from his recent globe-trotting adventure—including a massive announcement about a brand-new Disney theme park coming to Abu Dhabi.
From planning hacks and can’t-miss attractions to splurges that are actually worth it (hint: don’t skip the early entry pass), this episode helps you get the most fun per dollar out of any park visit. Whether you’re a coaster junkie, food stand connoisseur, or just trying to survive summer vacation with your budget intact, you’ll find plenty to pack into your next theme park adventure.
In this episode:
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Why Cedar Point, Kings Dominion, and Busch Gardens still make the A-list
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The real scoop on Disney’s next mega park in the Middle East
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Tips to skip lines, beat the heat, and avoid overpriced regret
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Insider previews of Epic Universe, Siren’s Curse, and other wild new rides
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When to splurge on upgrades—and when to pocket that churro cash
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Budget tips for families, plus why timing your visit can make or break it
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Theme park food that’s actually worth the calories (yes, they exist)
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Robert’s personal favorite hidden gems and underrated parks
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How to avoid letting your memory bank ruin your money decisions—even at theme parks
So grab your virtual FastPass and take this ride with us. Got your own theme park story? Share it with us—we want to hear your best (or most disastrous) moments!