Journalist

Dewayne Bevil

Dewayne Bevil has covered Orlando’s theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando for the Orlando Sentinel since 2007. His beat includes other attractions, including Legoland Florida, Gatorland and the International Drive area. He has worked as an editor, designer and adviser with stops at the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer in Kentucky and the University of Texas at Austin. He earned a degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky.

'Hotel Transylvania' characters will be spotted during festivities for SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular, which is set to run on select days between Aug. 29 and Nov. 1 at the Orlando theme park. (SeaWorld Orlando)

SeaWorld: ‘Hotel Transylvania’ checking into Halloween Spooktacular

August 18, 2026 at 11:55 a.m.

Characters will be seen at dance party, breakfast buffet

Fun Card holders can visit SeaWorld Orlando theme park for the rest of this year and all of 2027, although there are some block-out dates. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

SeaWorld offers Fun Card pass that covers rest of year, all of 2027

August 17, 2026 at 4:22 p.m.

Theme park to open Sea Quest, add new festival in time frame

Cars Ridge Run Rally, a 'Cars'-inspired attraction planned for Magic Kingdom's Frontierland, will travel up snow-capped Piston Peak and through a gyser field familiar to riders aboard the nearby Big Thunder Mountain Railroad coaster. (Courtesy Walt Disney Co.)

New Disney World details surface from D23 event about Villains Land, Tropical Americas, Disco Yeti, more

August 18, 2026 at 12:16 p.m.

The D23 event revealed ride names and tantalizing teases about upcoming attractions and returning favorites.

Jack the Clown, a frequent sight at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, stands over a scare zone this year and is incorporated into a haunted house named Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel).

What’s hot at theme parks: Halloween (yes, already)

August 14, 2026 at 1:58 p.m.

Demand and opportunity are driving summertime starts, expanded schedules for the spooky season.

Coastersaurus was first known as Triple Hurricane, before Cypress Gardens became Legoland Florida. (Orlando Sentinel file)

Legoland Florida preps Coastersaurus to roar again

August 12, 2026 at 8:10 a.m.

The wooden roller coaster — once known as the Triple Hurricane in its Cypress Gardens era — has been updated to battle hot conditions. It has been closed since January.

Neil Patrick Harris will host an attractions-driven showcase during D23: Ultimate Fan Event this weekend (Getty Images)

Saturday’s D23 attractions update will be shown on Disney+

August 11, 2026 at 9:31 a.m.

Big fan club gathering typically reveals progress on theme park projects. This year's host is Neil Patrick Harris.

There are dozens of new-to-fest edibles listed for the 2025 Epcot Food & Wine Festival, which begins Aug. 28.(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Epcot’s Spaceship Earth could be turned into TV show

August 7, 2026 at 11:11 a.m.

Pilot has been ordered for a show based on iconic Disney World attraction

Brad Gilmour is now park president for SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove, (United Parks)

SeaWorld Orlando reveals new park president

August 6, 2026 at 5:50 p.m.

A UCF grad, Brad Gilmour, who has been heading Aquatica and Discovery Cove, will now also be top leader for the theme park.

Holiday decor will be added to Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe theme park this year, Universal Orlando says. The resort's fesitivities begin Nov. 14. (Universal Orlando)

Universal: Epic holiday decor set for Super Nintendo World, Isle of Berk

August 7, 2026 at 12:54 p.m.

Season decor will again be seen at Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Celestial Park as well.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster reopened at Magic Kingdom theme park in May 3 after a monthslong refurbishment. (Amy Smith/Walt Disney Co.)

Quarterly report: Disney says theme park attendance is up

August 5, 2026 at 12:02 p.m.

Investments in attractions are paying off for the company, CEO Josh D'Amaro says, especially at Disney World.

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Dewayne Bevil

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