Entertainment Designer Forum returns to Orlando adding artists from “Harry Potter,” “Face Off,” and top theme parks

in Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World

Event poster highlighting must-see sessions and star speakers from Universal, Disney, and other leading theme parks at the Entertainment Designers Forum in Orlando, Florida. A lineup of industry legends shares creative secrets behind your favorite attractions and shows.

The always incredible Entertainment Designer Forum is returning once again to Orlando in a couple weeks, bringing together fans with top theme park designers, artists, and performers for two panels of information and plenty of laughs.

This year’s Entertainment Designer Forum will be held on March 7th at the Orlando Rep Theater with tickets available now via the event’s Facebook page, $25 per panel or $45 for both. An extensive auction of exclusive collectibles and experiences will also be part of the event, now in its fourth year. 100% of all proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of late theme park designer Stephanie Gerard.

New panelists include “Face Off” season 5 winner Laura Tyler (who also works as a Halloween Horror Nights artist at Universal Orlando), Nickelodeon Studios scenic designer Nick Collins, newly-appointed Halloween Horror Nights assistant show director Charles Gray, “Harry Potter” sculptor Bryn Court, Disney Parks art and design manager Mark Hervat, and more. Returning panelists include Wizarding World of Harry Potter prop master Eric Baker, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens creative director Brian Morrow, and Disney Parks show writer and show director Michael Roddy, among others.

The full lists of both sessions’ panelists are below.

Poster for the Entertainment Designer Forum in Orlando, featuring a blue lightbulb graphic and detailed schedule with speaker names, session times, event date, and location. The design targets industry professionals from Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, and leading entertainment companies who gather to exchange creative ideas and insider knowledge.

Unique auction items this year include jackets from the now-defunct Nickelodeon Studios and the opening of Islands of Adventure as well as an assortment of Halloween Horror Nights goodies like artwork, props, and media gifts.

A Nickelodeon fan sports a denim jacket with the iconic orange logo emblazoned across the back, seen from behind while mingling indoors at Orlando’s Entertainment Designer Forum—a favorite meetup for theme park fans and creators.

Navy jacket displayed on a hanger, featuring the vibrant Islands of Adventure logo and "The Adventure Begins" text across the back—an essential collectible for fans of Universal Orlando’s legendary Entertainment Designer Forum and theme park aficionados alike.

A thrilling creature with menacing claws lunges at guests riding swings, sending papers flying and frightening spooky, ghost-like figures below—an electrifying moment that perfectly captures the adrenaline and creativity of Orlando’s top theme parks, making it a standout topic for Entertainment Designer Forum enthusiasts.

A prop skull draped in cobwebs, a burlap sack, bloodied parchment, and a length of twine are artfully arranged on a white table—chilling set pieces that could be found during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando or showcased at the Entertainment Designer Forum.

Between sessions, many of the panelists hang around to mingle with attendees while the silent auction bidding finishes up. It’s a great chance to chat with talented designers, learn a lot about the industry, and simply enjoy an evening with fellow theme park fans.

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