Airtime Traveler - The Roller Coaster History Podcast

In today's trip report, Nathan shares his thoughts from his trip to Kentucky Kingdom in June 2023. We discuss the park’s unusual location and premises, some of the food options, and the big debate...Storm Chaser or Lightning Run? Twitter:  twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram:  instagram.com/airtimetraveler

In today's episode, we discuss sooperdooperLooper at Hersheypark in Hershey, PA. This Schwarzkopf looping coaster was only the second of its kind, bringing a whole new level of thrills to the East Coast. Join us as we discuss theme park t-shirts, reinvesting into old rollercoasters, and...ABC's hit TV show The Goldbergs? Follow along with the podcast on our social media platforms: Twitter:...

In today's trip report, Nathan shares his thoughts from his trip to Holiday World in June 2023. We discuss the park’s incredible customer service and operations, all the food that Nathan didn’t get to try, and of course, we talk about their four fantastic roller coasters (Nathan’s favorite coaster at the park might surprise you). Twitter: twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram: instagram.com/ai...

In today's episode, we discuss Mystery Mine at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. This dark ride/roller coaster hybrid was the first roller coaster in North America to feature a beyond vertical drop. It also paved the way for Gerstlauer's Eurofighter model in the U.S. Join us as we discuss Dollywood maintenance procedures, mining superstitions of the 1880's, and the monstrosity that is the...

In today's trip report, Nathan and his sister, Kirsi, share their thoughts from their trip to Worlds of Fun in May 2023. We discuss the ACE Around the World event, the incredible food options the park is introducing, some insider knowledge on Zambezi Zinger's delays, and the fantastic work the park has done on Mamba. Twitter: twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram: instagram.com/airtimetrav...

In today's episode, we discuss Banshee at Kings Island in Mason, OH. This massive B&M invert has been screaming at Kings Island for 9 years...but it's predecessor has one of the most fascinating stories in the amusement industry. Join us as we discuss the infamous Son of Beast, Banshee's connections to Cedar Point and Dorney Park, and the most bizarre customer review we've ever...

In today's trip report, we share our thoughts from our first ever trip to Dollywood in May 2023. We compare Dollywood and Silver Dollar City, discuss Nathan's love for Thunderhead (is it better than Mystic Timbers?), Nathan shares his crazy Lightning Rod story, and of course we're going to talk about the new for 2023 Big Bear Mountain! Twitter:  twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram: ...

In today's episode, we discuss Wildfire at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. This 22-year-old looping coaster may be outdated compared to more modern coasters, but it paved the way for legends like Outlaw Run and Time Traveler. Join us as we discuss early B&M looping coasters, the rare Hoop Dee Doo element, and…how many different logos can one ride have? Follow along with the podcast on o...

In today's episode, we discuss the Vekoma Boomerang model from dozens of parks around the world. This coaster took the amusement industry by storm in the 80’s and early 90’s. So much so that it has become borderline despised among the enthusiast community. Join us as we discuss the history of shuttle coasters, all the Boomerang variants, and…Dutch coal mining and bankruptcy laws? Follow along...

In today's episode, we discuss Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT at Walt Disney World. This revolutionary attraction holds the record for the most expensive coaster ever built and has received high praise from enthusiasts and the GP alike. So why do some Disney purists despise its existence? Join us as we discuss 1960's comic books, Walt Disney's EPCOT vision, and the &qu...

In today’s episode, we discuss Jack Rabbit at Kennywood in West Mifflin, PA. This 102-year-old woodie is the 6th-oldest coaster in the world, yet coaster enthusiasts continue to rave about it (and for good reason). Join us as we discuss the early coasters of Kennywood, John A. Miller’s legacy, and dangerous old-timey coaster maintenance. Follow along with the podcast on our social media accounts:...

In today's episode, we discuss GateKeeper at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. This record-breaking B&M wing coaster has been a major success for the park, especially considering the Disaster it replaced (pun intended). Join us as we discuss bobsled coasters, penny-pinching 3D glasses, and the revival of themed attractions at Cedar Fair. Follow along with the podcast on our social media platfor...

Nathan's dad, Jamie, joins us as we share our thoughts on our trip to Cedar Point in August 2022. We discuss the overall atmosphere of the park, our love for Maverick and Steel Vengeance, and some hot takes on Magnum XL-200 and Valravn. Be sure to tune in for the Season 2 premiere of Airtime Traveler this Thursday, April 6th! Twitter:  twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram:  instagram.com/airt...

Sharing our thoughts on our trip to Hersheypark in July 2022 (plus some thoughts from July 2021). We discuss our thoughts on the lack of allergy-friendly food options, our last rides on Wildcat, the unique atmosphere, and our unanimous opinion that SkyRush is NOT the best coaster at the park.  Twitter: twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram: instagram.com/airtimetraveler

Sharing our thoughts on our trip to Walt Disney World in December 2022. Nathan and Haley are joined by Nathan's sister Kirsi and Nathan's mom Jenny. We discuss our thoughts on our favorite foods, some of our least/most magical moments, the Genie+ system, and our reactions to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.  Twitter: twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram: instagram.com/airtimetraveler

In today's episode, we review the results from Coaster Bot's Vote Coasters 2022 Poll. We discuss: - Winners and Losers - Changes to the Top 100 - Performance of the coasters we discussed on the podcast this year - New for 2022 Coasters - Top 25 Coasters in the US, Top 10 Coasters Internationally - Top 10 Coaster Parks in the US and Internationally Twitter: twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram: &n...

In today's episode, we discuss the unbuilt Fishhook Coaster at the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, NV. This 750-ft monster of a coaster was set to destroy coaster records and completely change the amusement industry as we know it. But the idea died before construction even began. So what happened? Join us as we discuss the troubled construction of the Stratosphere, Arrow Dynamics' desperate attem...

In today's episode, we discuss Vortex at Carowinds in Charlotte, NC. This stand-up coaster was one of B&M's very first coasters, but hasn't aged well according to most enthusiasts. Regardless, this legend is the oldest remaining stand-up coaster in the country. Join us as we discuss Togo vs. B&M, the future of Vortex and other stand-up coasters, and...the safety of billiards? Twitter: twit...

In today's episode, we discuss Mystic Timbers at Kings Island in Mason, OH. This world-famous wooden coaster has been loved and praised by enthusiasts ever since it's opening in 2017. However, those same enthusiasts were also quite dissapointed on opening day. But why? Join us as we discuss the 2009 Golden Ticket Awards, accidental 9-1-1 calls, and...smashing a truck with a cannon? Twitter: twitte...

In today's episode, we discuss Silver Bullet at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. This steel inverted coaster has been thrilling guests for almost 20 years now...but do you know what once stood in its place? Join us as we discuss magical suspended ore carts, how many times a building can possibly be relocated, and...an old Baptist church from the 1870's? Twitter: twitter.com/airtimetraveler In...

In today's special Halloween episode we dicuss Volcano: The Blast Coaster at Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA. This defunct launch coaster was beloved by members of the GP and enthusiasts alike. So what happened? What brought the downfall of such a legendary coaster? Join us as we discuss the bizarre attractions of The Lost World, Volcano's alternate layout, and why we would absolutely cuddle a Dooz....

In today's episode, we discuss Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. These legendary mine train coasters have been thrilling families for over 40 years, and continue to be some of the most popular rollercoasters in the world. Join us as we discuss Marc Davis's Western River Expedition, which of the four "wildest rides" is the wildest, and...the Journal of Osteopathic M...

In today's episode, we discuss Fahrenheit at Hersheypark in Hershey, PA. This unique Intamin looping coaster is the only one of its kind in the world. It is one of the top 100 coasters in the country and one of the most popular rides at Hersheypark. Join us as we discuss Hersheypark's water ride history, the mysterious company Nantimi, and find out why Haley sang the Batman theme mid-episode. Twit...

Sharing our thoughts on our trip to Kings Island in May 2022. We discuss the atmosphere, theming, Haley's struggle with the food, Nathan's hot take on Mystic Timbers, and our thoughts on Orion, Banshee, and more! Twitter: twitter.com/airtimetraveler Instagram: instagram.com/airtimetraveler

This week's conversation is about recent news in the Cedar Fair and Six Flags chains. We talk about Zambezi Zinger, Aeronautica Landing, Cedar Point's new boardwalk, and the future of Six Flags. At the end of the episode, Nathan and Haley introduce a new segment called "Five-Minute Coasters" in which they must brainstorm a replacement/retheme for a randomly selected coaster in five minutes. Twitte...