Travel Journalism in Orlando
Theme Park and Food Writing at
Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort
overview
overview
Join us in Orlando, Florida, the epicenter of theme park tourism, during Maymester 2026 to be immersed in the dynamic setting of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort to explore storytelling, culinary journalism, and interactive media and entertainment.
A trip to theme parks is a vacation for most people, but this destination is important for cultural, economic, academic and professional reasons. Theme park and food writing are legitimate forms of journalism. Media outlets cover theme park tourism because of its news value, opportunities for strong reporting, critical writing and compelling visuals, and intersection with issues such as the economy.
The timing of the program is just right: Universal will be just one year into the opening of Epic Universe, its third theme park in Orlando, and Disney will have opened reimagined rides and experiences, while it constructs major expansions.
Students will:
- Visit all seven theme parks plus resort hotels and shopping/dining/entertainment districts, which will serve as our classroom
- Learn about theme park entertainment, food writing and tourism communications through special tours and guest speakers
- Create social media and digital storytelling using photography, video and text with a focus on journalistic ethics
- Develop as storytellers and travelers by understanding the importance of place and history in theme park and food writing
- Meet on location with theme park officials, communications staff and employees, and experts such as travel industry officials, journalists, academics and travel vloggers.
- Pitch and publish multimedia and multiplatform pieces on digital platforms.
LEARN MORE: Attend an information session this Fall to learn more:
- Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 – 4-5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 – 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Summer 2025 dates are:
Students arrive in Orlando – May 12, 2026
Students depart Orlando – May 27, 2026
We plan to spend nine nights at Walt Disney World Resort and six nights at Universal Orlando Resort.
Introduction to Travel Journalism (JOUR 5570/7570) will challenge you to look at theme park tourism and food writing through a journalistic lens, using creativity, critical thinking and compelling writing to analyze the guest experiences and engagement. Students will receive 3 credit hours of upper electives.
We will explore a range of techniques that travel journalists use to discover and verify information and to tell stories and engage audiences. You will gain an understanding of the intersection between media, hospitality and entertainment, and develop journalism and storytelling techniques using photo, video, text and social media.
This course will combine academic rigor with experiential and hands-on learning for a meaningful Maymester that captures the magic of the parks.
Any currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate college student is eligible to apply. Strong candidates include students who are passionate and interested in learning about and experiencing theme park entertainment, communications and storytelling. They have a high level of personal responsibility and genuine interest in the educational aspect of this program.
Apply
Applications for study away in Summer 2026 will open at the start of Fall Semester and are due before midnight, Monday, November 3, 2025.
Costs & Logistics
The program costs vary from year to year depending on the number of students enrolled and logistical changes. The estimated program fee for Summer 2026 has not been determined at this time, but it will be less than $3,000. The fee is subject to change from what is advertised to students until all students are accepted and committed to the program.
In addition to the program fee, students are expected to pay 3 hours of in-state tuition and UGA mandatory fees through their Athena student accounts after registration. The HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships can be applied towards TUITION only if applicable. **non-UGA transient students may have an additional $250 fee upon registration**
The central Florida location is logistically easy to travel to by car or plane.
The program fee listed above includes the following:
- Lodging on site at Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. Rooms are double occupancy with amenities such as coffeemakers and beverage coolers.
- Tickets to seven theme parks (one day each at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, and Epic Universe, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida)
- Special F/X Tour at Universal Studios Florida
- Theme Park Design Tour at Magic Kingdom
- Visits to Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk
- Meals for assignment purposes: Three lunches in the parks, three dinners in the parks and Disney Dine Card for the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival booths
- Welcome dinner and closing social event
- Parking and transportation to the parks and resorts
- WiFi access
- Access to resort amenities, including pools
- Use of My Disney Experience and Universal Orlando Resort apps
- Digital course materials
The program fee listed above DOES NOT include:
- Airfare or vehicle transportation to or from Orlando
- Meals beyond those included in the program fee
- Add-ons such as skip-the-lane passes (ex: Lightning Lane and Express passes) and MagicBands
Program Faculty & Staff
Lori Johnston
Senior Lecturer; Director, Cox Institute Journalism Writing Lab
Amy Hicks
Global Studies Program Manager
Professor Johnston, the program’s faculty member and creator, has written about tourism and food for media outlets including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Travel Channel.
View Lori Johnston’s Instagram stories about the Orlando parks.