Skip the Queue

Andy Povey is joined by Debs Griffin, Director of Sundown Adventureland, to explore a family-run theme park shaped by three generations of women. The conversation covers its growth into a leading destination for young families, alongside insights on expansion, operations, and maintaining a clear focus on imaginative play for children under 10.

 

Topics Discussed

Origins and growth of Sundown Adventureland

Three generations of female leadership

Expansion into rides, play areas, and accommodation

Challenges in staffing and operations

Importance of hands-on leadership

Focus on under 10s and free play experiences

Balancing growth while maintaining family values

 

Show references:

Debs Griffin, Director of Sundown Adventureland

https://sundownadventureland.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sundown-adventureland/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/debora-griffin-924161120/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode, Andy Povey is joined by Matthew Philpott, Head of Marketing at Bristol Zoological Society to discuss the transformation of Bristol Zoological Society and the move from Bristol Zoo Gardens to the larger, conservation focused Bristol Zoo Project.

They explore how the new site prioritises animal welfare through natural habitats, the challenges of relocating animals including gorillas, and the creation of immersive environments like the African Forest. The episode also touches on changing visitor expectations and the evolving role of zoos in global conservation.

 

Key Topics Discussed

Transformation from city zoo to large scale conservation site

Closure and legacy of Bristol Zoo Gardens

Vision behind Bristol Zoo Project and modern zoo design

Animal welfare and natural habitat creation

Relocation of animals and logistical challenges

Gorilla troop move and preparation process

Design and features of African Forest habitat

Multi species environments and enrichment

Balancing visitor expectations with new experiences

Branding and retaining the Bristol Zoo name

Conservation breeding programmes and global collaboration

Role of zoos in wildlife conservation

Visitor engagement through immersive design and play

Data driven decision making in attractions

Industry trends and future zoo regulations

Education and inspiring conservation action

 

Show references:

 

Matthew Philpott, Head of Marketing at Bristol Zoological Society

https://bristolzoo.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bristol-zoo-project/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-p-b82395b3/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Donna Speed, CEO of We The Curious, to explore how curiosity can transform visitor experiences. Following major challenges, including COVID-19 and a devastating fire in 2022, the organisation rebuilt with a strong community-first approach, taking science directly to people through outreach while the venue was closed.

The conversation focuses on a shift from traditional, answer-led exhibitions to question-led experiences, highlighted by the “Project What If” exhibition built from over 20,000 public questions. Donna shares how co-creation, inclusivity, and audience-led design are reshaping engagement, and how attractions can balance education and entertainment, remain relevant, and inspire curiosity in new ways.

Key Topics Discussed

Designing visitor experiences around curiosity rather than content

The transformation and rebrand of We The Curious

Community-led decision making and co-creation

Recovery and resilience after the 2022 fire

Outreach strategies during closure and post-pandemic recovery

Project What If and question-led exhibition design

Differences between interactive science centres and traditional museums

Inclusion and representation in science and learning spaces

The role of curiosity in lifelong learning

Balancing entertainment and education in attractions

Building trust and relevance with audiences

Collaboration across the attractions and museum sector

The evolving role of museums in society

Leadership through crisis and change

Inspiring future generations through engagement and accessibility

 

Show references:

 

Donna Speed - CEO of We The Curious

https://wethecurious.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-speed-15252916/

https://www.wethecurious.org/news-blog/we-curious-reopening-project-what-if

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey speaks with Greg Hall from Universal Creative and Max MacEwan from Framestore about the creation of Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe. Inspired by the legacy of Universal Monsters, they explore how storytelling, technology, and psychology come together to create a thrilling yet re-rideable attraction. The conversation highlights the importance of anticipation, immersive queue design, creative collaboration, and balancing innovation with guest experience.

Key Topics Discussed

Creating Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe

Reimagining Universal Monsters for a modern audience

Designing immersive queues and building anticipation

Balancing storytelling with new technology

Collaboration between Universal Creative and Framestore

Using cinema techniques in attraction design

Guest psychology and re-rideable thrill experiences

The role of experimentation and creative risk in theme park design

 

 

Maximilian Guy McNair MacEwan, Head of Strategic Partnerships - Immersive of Framestore

https://www.framestore.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximilian-guy-mcnair-macewan-64809824/

 

Gregory Hall, Assistant Director, Creative Design of Universal Creative

https://linktr.ee/universalcreative

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gprodigy/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, host Andy Povey is joined by Robbie Jones from Katapult to discuss how guest insights and psychology shape the design of modern visitor attractions. Robbie shares how Katapult works with IPs, theme parks and destinations to create experiences that focus on guest behaviour, emotions and expectations.

The conversation centres on a groundbreaking four-year research project with University of Birmingham and Drayton Manor Resort exploring how attractions can better support neurodivergent guests. The project aims to develop a global blueprint for neuroinclusive design that improves accessibility while maintaining exciting and immersive experiences.

Key Topics Discussed:

Insights-led design in themed attractions

Neurodiversity and inclusion in theme parks

A four-year research project with the University of Birmingham and Drayton Manor

Breaking misconceptions around sensory experiences and neurodivergence

Personalisation and guest autonomy in attractions

Reducing friction in queues and guest journeys

The role of analogue, interactive experiences in museums and parks

The commercial and social impact of inclusive attraction design

 

Show References:

 

Robbie Jones, Insights Director at Katapult

https://www.katapult.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrrobbiejones/

https://blooloop.com/katapult-neuroinclusion-research/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching 'Skip the Queue' or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here