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Todd Martens

@toddmartens.bsky.social
1.2K followers 402 following 143 posts

Columnist for LA Times | I cover video games, immersive entertainment & theme parks. | I take a lot bad pics of Disneyland | I also like cats | Todd.martens@latimes.com

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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
It’s mostly common knowledge that the Griffith Park carousel inspired Walt Disney. But few are likely familiar with its current connections to those who work for the Walt Disney Co. www.latimes.com/lifestyle/st...
latimes.com
What it will take for the Griffith Park merry-go-round to finally spin again
Plans are underway to make the landmark carousel operational again, with help from theme park designers. But the project, expected to take years and cost millions, won't be easy.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Love him or hate him, Bob Chapek forever changed the Disneyland experience. I was critical of many of these moves and told Chapek so. He pushed back: “How about demand? Do people stop coming?” www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
He aggressively raised Disneyland prices. Bob Chapek has no regrets
While he knows his reputation among Disney fans, the former Walt Disney Co. CEO says he wasn't 'just a maniacal, money-optimizing machine.'
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Whether it’s AI, corporate consolidation, inflation or the struggles of Hollywood that’s got you down, the Last Canteen near Universal Studios wants to be your “Cheers.” www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
There's a postapocalyptic bar hiding in L.A. and it feels straight out of a theme park
Whether it's AI, corporate consolidation, inflation or the struggles of Hollywood that's got you down, the Last Canteen near Universal Studios wants to be your "Cheers."
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Let’s go!
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C̵̡̡͇͍̦͕͓̮͉͆̿̿̾͌̐a̸̡̨̟͖̱̮͖̤͎͕̫̼̲̟͐̓̔̈́͐̃̇̏̚͠͝m̴̡̙͉͖̙̹̭̯̘̟͙̟̣͙̮̺̳̗̱̐̑̔͋̌̒̈́͒̿̄̉̋̃̔̑̊͐̇̑̓̕͠͠͝ͅê̷͇̽̈́̿̉͋́̂̑̋̈́̏̈̋̃͂̃͒̀̔͌̓͋͘ơ̶̢̺̪͆̋́̈́̓͆͒͗̒͂͑͌̀̀́̏̚͝ͅ ̶̨̺̹̲̘͍͖͔̣̐̔́͐̆̈́̈̐̀̽͂Ẃ̸̨̛̆̐̇̈́́́͑̽̎̀̏̏̇͋̋̑͂̕̚͝o̷̥̲̝͚̪̹̻̣̝͌͐̐̇͌̆̀̂̈́̐̂̌̈́́͆͠͝͝ǫ̴̧̡̡̛̘̘̣͇̻̮̩̙͕̦̠̩̻͓̞̖͓̟̱̓͗̐̽͌̿̍̇͋͗́̑̔̀̊̈́̒͊͠͠͠ͅd̷̨̜͚̳̠͓̖̰͔̳͎̙̩̟̪͚̜͗́͌̔̎͊͛͛̌̑̉̾̇̑̽̀̾̌̄̐͑͋͆͜͝͝͝ @cameowood.com · 22/09/2026
So proud of the @candlehouse.bsky.social team for creating and putting on this show. I’ve been thrilled to have so many friends go through this run and hear about their life-changing transformative experiences. Pineapple4Ever
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Berated, mocked and told to get on all fours: This buzzy L.A. show tests the limits. www.latimes.com/travel/story...
latimes.com
Berated, mocked and told to get on all fours: This buzzy L.A. show tests the limits
Candle House's 'The Pineapple' teases an alien encounter. Then it becomes intimate, aggressive, otherworldly and psychedelic.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Thank ye!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Dating is hard. And complicating matters, was it possible my cat could be seen as, if not an outright red flag, a deterrent? There is research on the romantic desirability of men with cats. It’s not encouraging. www.latimes.com/lifestyle/st...
latimes.com
Cat daddy problems
Everyone has heard of the 'crazy cat lady.' But being a cat daddy comes with its own cultural stigmas. One study, at least, argues men with cats are less dateable than men with dogs.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Cats, it turns out, are conversationalists. And good news for cat parents: Studies suggest they’re often attempting to talk to us. www.latimes.com/travel/story...
latimes.com
Cats want to talk to us. Scientists are trying to decipher the meow
Cats are conversationalists. Researchers suggest the meow has evolved over centuries as a tool to better communicate with humans.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The race against time to turn the Tower of Terror into Guardians, and Joe Rohde on the challenge of working with Marvel characters www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
The story behind Disney's heated decision to turn Tower of Terror into Guardians of the Galaxy
Fans initially decried the makeover. I talk to famed retired Imagineer Joe Rohde, who led the project, about the hectic race against time to get it right.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Super excited for that house and hope to write more after experiencing the finished walkthrough. Love that it’s exploring a theme of teenaged bullying
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I’m sure it will be fine and I imagine the Nikki character will be relatively obvious, but I just don’t have faith in people anymore.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Oh for sure! I almost — almost — approached regular guests multiple times this season.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Partly because that’s the turning point used by Murdy. Partly because I would argue the move away from pure scares in every scene into story driven moments started around then. But that’s just how I see i see it!! Totally cool if we disagree tho!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I could answer but I need clicks! Haha. :) It’s less about the concept. I’m in favor of more interactivity. But there will likely be lots of people dressed sorta liked Nikki at this event
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
“Sinners” as a haunted house, and why I’m slightly concerned about HHN’s approach to Nikki from “Obsession.” www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
'Sinners' and 'Obsession' as haunted experiences? How Universal Studios recreated the terror
As horror films become more complex, so do their theme park events. A look at how Universal reimagined Ryan Coogler’s 'Sinners' as a haunted house and Curry Barker’s 'Obsession' as a game for Hallowee...
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Thank you!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Very sad about the Play app for sure
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
What’s got you grumpy????
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Very sad about the Play App!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The Disney theme parks in their fan service era www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Disneyland is entering its fan feedback era
In their commitment to redesigning Tomorrowland, company execs are sending a message to the their most devout theme park audience: We're one of you and we're listening.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Disneyland is finally remaking Tomorrowland, exec announces at D23 www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Disneyland is finally remaking Tomorrowland, exec announces at D23
Plus an update on Villains Land, a closer look at Orlando's version of Cars Land and other major Disney theme park news announced at the convention.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Disneyland is at a crossroads. New documentary ‘Worldbuilders’ hints at what's next www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Disneyland is at a crossroads. New documentary ‘Worldbuilders’ hints at what's next
D23 arrives this week and there's renewed attention on Disneyland's future. I talk to Leslie Iwerks, whose film zeroes in on the parks' enduring mission of being places of play.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
The coaster is expected to operate from 9 am to 7 pm through much of August. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be open till 10 pm during Halloween Horror Nights. www.latimes.com/travel/story...
latimes.com
Universal Studios to dampen 'disturbing' coaster screams with sound barriers, says councilmember
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, currently in a soft open phase, has come under attack from residents in the nearby Toluca Lake neighborhood.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Soft open expected today
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Knott’s Montezooma’s Revenge was revolutionary — with a launch that ‘kicked you in the face’ www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Knott's Montezooma's Revenge was revolutionary — with a launch that 'kicked you in the face'
After four years, Knott's Berry Farm is about to open the refurbished and reimagined Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress. A look at what made the 1978 coaster so special.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Thanks, Craig!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
They haven’t had a press preview yet but I got wind that a soft opening was on the horizon via sources and just opted to work from the park in case!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The review: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. A reminder that theme parks are where we go to imagine the impossible. www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Universal's 'Fast & Furious' coaster vaunts to the top of SoCal thrill rides
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has soft-opened at Universal Studios Hollywood. The ride makes an instant impression and prioritizes fun over terror.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Surprise! Universal’s ‘Fast & Furious’ coaster is open, unofficially www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Surprise! Universal's 'Fast & Furious' coaster is open, unofficially
The ride is operating in 'technical rehearsals.' Think of it as a soft opening. But theme park guests can finally get on this coaster that's predicted to be the North American ride of 2026.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
‘Fast & Furious’ coaster screams rattle quiet neighborhood: ‘Like someone is getting murdered’ www.latimes.com/travel/story...
latimes.com
'Fast & Furious' coaster screams rattle quiet neighborhood: 'Like someone is getting murdered'
When Universal Studios began testing the ride with people on it, Toluca Lake residents were shocked by the screams. They were loud — piercing even double-paned windows.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The best summer attraction at any theme park in America. www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Of all SoCal's theme park attractions, this one feels most personal. Catch it before it ends
With dozens of actors who lead guests through scavenger hunts, puzzles and conversations, Knott's Berry Farm's 'Ghost Town Alive!' can't be replicated. A look at what makes it so special.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Thank you! Hope you’re well!!!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
I’ve seen it! It’s lovely!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Meow Wolf taps famed L.A. animation house for its new Los Angeles venue www.latimes.com/travel/story...
latimes.com
Meow Wolf taps famed L.A. animation house for its new Los Angeles venue
The experiential art firm has entered into a creative partnership with Titmouse, the studio behind popular series such as “Big Mouth” and “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Don't think I agree with @toddmartens.bsky.social, but I love the hot take about the rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center being the best Soarin' scene: www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Disneyland’s Soarin’ Across America just debuted the greatest scene of any Soarin' ride
The classic hang glider simulator got its patriotic makeover, complete with national parks and brand new smells.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Walt Disney Imagineering last week unveiled a new audio-animatronic pirate, one that’s a preview of the park’s next-gen toys. It’s wow-inducing. It’s also narrative wrecking. And it’s inspiring debates centered around theme parks as places of living art. www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean goes high tech. And it's losing its mystique
A new audio-animatronic feels like a symptom of our tech-obsessed, digital-drenched age where shiny, needless tools are shoved in our faces daily.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Just how intense is the “Fast & Furious” coaster? www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
He's been on Universal's 'Fast & Furious' coaster and describes just how extreme it is
I enjoy a good coaster, but I'm a tad squeamish. So I asked a Universal exec for the play-by-play of exactly what riders can expect.
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No Proscenium @noproscenium.com · 20/06/2026
This week on the pod: the L.A. Times' @toddmartens.bsky.social, ARGNet owner @mjandersen.bsky.social, and NoPro's own @kathrynyu.com join host @noahjnelson.com to talk Knott's Ghost Town Alive, a new Harvard Business Review article, and more. www.noproscenium.com/podcast-seas...
noproscenium.com
Time For A Little Calico Chaos (Podcast S2, E2)
The L.A. Times' Todd Martens, ARGNet owner Michael Andersen, and NoPro's own Kathryn Yu join host Noah Nelson to talk Knott's Ghost Town Alive, a new Harvard Business Review article, and more.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Likewise! Although I’m nervous it might be too intense for me to ride more that once! Haha
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
I have not. No one outside of Universal yet!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Noise challenges, selecting a film franchise and building on a steep hill. Multiple hurdles had to be conquered to make the groundbreaking ride — which finally opens this summer. www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Inside the 10-year journey to create Fast & Furious, Universal's most intense coaster ever
Noise challenges, selecting a film franchise and building on a steep hill. Multiple hurdles had to be conquered to make the groundbreaking ride — which finally opens this summer.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
It’s fitting that “Disclosure Day” seems to be polarizing. We don’t live in an era open to empathy, sincerity and optimism, and that’s what this movie offers. But it does so as a response to our moment. I cried for about 15 minutes after credits rolled. This is a top-5 Spielberg move for me.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
L.A.’s “You Must Be Here for the Reading” is a dance performance disguised as a tarot reading. www.latimes.com/travel/story...
latimes.com
One of L.A.’s most personal theater experiences is disguised as a tarot reading
Koryn Wicks' 'You Must Be Here for the Reading' relies heavily on audience participation and a willingness to be vulnerable.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Thank you! Im not good at math!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
They get a shout out in the piece!!!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
A love letter to the best bar at Disneyland www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
How Disneyland became SoCal's unlikely gateway to tiki culture
The Enchanted Tiki Room remains a classic and Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar celebrates its 15th anniversary. Disney's connection to tiki remains strong but there's a little-known story about how it ...
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Want to feel more loved? You’re probably going about it the wrong way www.latimes.com/lifestyle/st...
latimes.com
Want to feel more loved? You're probably going about it the wrong way
In "How to Feel Loved," Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis reveal the differences between being in love and truly feeling love. The latter, they argue, is the key to happiness.
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Excellent point on Sam!
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Todd Martens @toddmartens.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Soarin' Across America. When your IP is the United States in 2026, it raises some potentially uncomfortable questions. www.latimes.com/travel/newsl...
latimes.com
Disneyland goes all in on patriotism. Classic or cringe?
Soarin' Over California becomes Soarin' Across America this summer. I ask an Imagineer whether he's worried about the potential discomfort around the change.
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