Best Amusement and Water Parks 2015 Advisors

Bert Kreischer, Host of 'Trip Flip' and 'Bert the Conqueror'

Bert Kreischer is a comedian, author and — since his college days — a master in the art of fun. For the past 15 years, he has been entertaining audiences throughout the world as he journeys from city to city with his unique brand of comedy. Bert found his way to Travel Channel in 2009 and stands among the network's most popular hosts. He is currently the host of the Travel Channel series Trip Flip, which features Bert as he takes 2 people on a spontaneous, surprise adventure.

When Bert is not passionately discovering local adventures, traditions and thrills for Travel Channel, viewers can find him touring comedy clubs and colleges throughout the US. Before becoming Travel Channel's adventure-seeker on his first series for the network, Bert the Conqueror, he began his career at the Boston Comedy Club. His hilarious storytelling grabbed the attention of Hollywood A-lister Will Smith, who signed him to a television development deal. He has co-hosted FX's The X Show and made his acting debut starring in the CBS/20th Century Fox pilot Life With David J, co-starring Elliott Gould.

Most recently, Bert wrote the book Life of the Party: Stories of a Perpetual Man-Child (St. Martin's Press). In this guidebook on how not to grow up, Bert shares some of his most outrageous stories and more.

Robb Alvey, Theme-Park Expert and Founder of ThemeParkReview.com

Robb Alvey, founder of ThemeParkReview.com, has been featured on many Travel Channel shows as a theme-park and roller-coaster expert. He has traveled around the world visiting theme parks for over 20 years and has ridden more than 1,500 different roller coasters!

Robb can be seen on Travel Channel shows such as Insane Coaster Wars and Future Scream Machines. He has also been interviewed by CNN, HLN, CNBC and many other news outlets on subjects such as ride safety and the overall state of the theme-park industry.

His website, ThemeParkReview.com, features information on more than 700 theme parks across the globe. You can follow Robb on Twitter @ThemeParkReview.

Erin Gifford, Family Travel Expert and Founder of Kidventurous.com

Erin Gifford is a family travel expert and founder of Kidventurous.com, an award-winning travel resource designed to help moms and dads plan adventures that are both educational and fun. A mother of 4 young children, Erin served as one of 5 Smart Family Travel experts for Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, dispensing tips and advice to families interested in memorable vacation experiences. She was also a member of Merck's Active Family Project Play Council, working to empower moms to enjoy healthy and active lifestyles with their families.

Since its launch in 2011, Kidventurous.com has been named the best family travel blog by Parents magazine and the website Luxury Travel Mavens, as well as a finalist in the top family travel sites category by the Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards. Erin's travel writing can be found on TravelChannel.com, Fodors.com, USNews.com Travel, MiniTime.com, SmarterTravel.com and more. You can follow Erin on Twitter at @kidventurous.

Lissa Poirot, Family Travel Expert and Editor-in-Chief of FamilyVacationCritic.com

Lissa Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic, has covered the travel industry extensively for more than a decade, becoming focused on family travel through her own firsthand experiences with her 2 kids.

While her family travels have included a flight with an infant; a 9-day, 13-park national parks road trip; and a cruise to Alaska, her family always loves to visit a good theme park.

Lissa’s travel advice has been featured by dozens of news outlets, including CNN, ABC News and The New York Times, and her travels are chronicled on Family Vacation Critic — a comprehensive online travel resource for families that offers hotel and attraction reviews, destination guides, tips and deals.

Arthur Levine, Theme-Park Expert for About.com

One ride on a carousel, and Arthur Levine was hooked for life. Now an avowed parkaholic, he's been able to turn his passion into his profession. A travel writer who specializes in the amusement industry, Arthur has been sharing his expertise at About.com since 2002. He also writes about parks regularly for USA Today and contributes features for other publications. Arthur is frequently cited in national media outlets and is a featured speaker for industry organizations such as Walt Disney Imagineering. You can follow him on Twitter at @AboutThemeParks.