Journalist

Dewayne Bevil

Dewayne Bevil covers Central Florida's theme parks and attractions, including Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando for the Orlando Sentinel. He is a native of Owensboro, Ky., and a graduate of the University of Kentucky.

“Walt Disney — A Magical Life,” featuring an Audio-Animatronic representation of the visionary Disneyland founder, opened May 16, 2025, as part of the park’s 70th anniversary celebration. (Brady MacDonald/Orange County Register/TNS)

In Orlando theme parks, animatronics increase in number — and in realism

November 10, 2025 at 3:56 p.m.

Increasingly high-tech, lifelike figures add entertainment value at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

Five Nights at Freddy’s house makes creepy animatronics come to life during Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios theme park. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

First look: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses for 2025

September 12, 2025 at 10:51 a.m.

Universal event, as usual, is intense and icky

Confetti showers over guests at the entrance of Super Nintendo World at Universal Epic Universe, welcoming them during a media preview event on May 20. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

Epic Universe: Know before you go

May 29, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

Important things to know about Florida's newest theme park including location, security, ticket prices, parking and operating hours.

Social distancing, temperature checks and mandatory masking were part of the pandemic scene in theme parks and tourism attractions starting in 2020. (Orlando Sentinel file photos from 2020)

5 years later: How COVID-19 precautions still influence theme parks, tourism

April 3, 2025 at 4:06 p.m.

Gone are social distancing and temperature checks, but COVID-19 precautions still play a role in some of today's theme park experiences.

Susan and Simon Veness, Florida-based travel writers, spent a year in an RV, traveling across the country and back. (Courtesy Veness family)

2 people, 1 RV, 1 year: Florida travel writers complete American journey

May 27, 2024 at 6:36 a.m.

Simon and Susan Veness got off the working-world treadmill for 12 months in favor of a cross-country adventure

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