Universal, Orlando leave mark on 2025 theme-park influencer list

[Disney4me]

Central Florida executives and attractions are well-represented in the 2025 list of the top 50 theme park influencers, which is compiled annually by Blooloop, a website that covers the global attractions industry.

Folks tied to the opening of Epic Universe theme park at Universal Orlando are a force within the rankings, but Walt Disney World cast members appear, too, as well as the leaders of smaller, Orlando-based companies who do work with attractions in Central Florida and beyond.

Reader nominations formed a list of 100 people “whose creativity, passion and drive” had the most impact in the past 12 months, according to the Blooloop website. A judging panel then picked 50 winners and designates a “Power 10” subset.

Central Floridians leading the Blooloop 50 Theme Park Influencer List for 2025 as part of the Power 10 include Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences; Chris Oliver, senior vice president of engineering and safety at Universal Creative; David Mauck, president of Falcon’s Attractions; and Josh Martin, president of Orlando-based Martin Aquatic.

Others on the Power 10 list include Fiona Eastwood, CEO of Merlin Entertainments; Michel den Dulk, VP and portfolio executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering; Anne-Mart Agerbeek-Cox, CEO of Vekoma Rides; Herve Bruneau, founder of Live Show Factory; Antonio Zamperla Jr., CEO of Zamperla, a ride manufacturer; and Mascha Taminiau, director of Walibi Holland, a theme park in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands.

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Additional Universal Orlando-related people landing on the new Top 50 influencer list are Xiomara Wiley, executive vice president/chief inclusion officer for Universal Destinations & Experiences; Justin Schwartz, senior director, engineering and safety with Universal Creative; Andrew Padua; creative director at Universal Creative; Charlie Gundacker, senior vice president and executive project director for Universal Orlando; Frances Franceschi, assistant director of creative design for Universal Creative; Russ Dagon, senior vice president, resort development for Universal Creative; and Donna Mirus Bates, senior vice president, strategic partnerships and communication for Universal Destinations & Experiences.

Other Orlando-connected honorees are Wyatt Winter, executive producer of Walt Disney World portfolio for Imagineering; Angie Song; executive landscape architect with Walt Disney Imagineering; Peter Weishar, director of themed experience graduate program at the University of Central Florida; Emily R. Popovich, director of global business development for Maitland-based KMI International; Laurent Perchais, CEO of Dronisos, a drone-show specialist; Erica McCay, senior creative director at Orlando-based TAIT; and Michael Acevedo, manager of business development for Nassal, a scenic fabricator in Orlando.

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Blooloop also compiles Top 50 lists of influencers in the museum, aquarium and immersive industries.

For a complete list of Top 50 members and more biographical information, go to blooloop.com.

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dbevil@orlandosentinel.com

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