Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

It's been a weird year. For many of us, theme parks serve as an escape from the stress of daily life.  So it's been strange to visit the parks so little or not at all. On this week's show, we'll talk a look at the long list of rides and attractions that were supposed to open this year. Which ones actually opened and which ones will be promoted as "NEW FOR 2021?"

On this week's show, we talk about the rides that you have ALWAYS wanted to experience...but for whatever reason, they always slip through your fingers. We also have Live Trip Reports from all around the country and commentary on the latest news from around the amusement industry.

The judge's decisions are in and it's time to find out which semifinalists are moving on to the final round in our 2020 Ride Design Contest! We'll hear from our judges... Neil Patrick Harris, The Gravity Group, Triotech, Creative Visions, Arthur Levine and Rob Decker.      

Sure, there's a little COVID-19 talk in this week's show as we cover the news, but then we kick things into a "virus-free" gear as we talk about new attractions on the horizon. But the big news this week is that we have narrowed down our semi-finalists in the CoasterRadio.com "Ride Design Contest." We're doing something with the competition that we have NEVER done before!

This week, our own Cincinnati Jon sits down with Cedar Point's Vice President and General Manager, Jason McClure. They talk about about what it's like to run the park during the very unique circumstances of COVID-19. Plus, Mike and EB take a look at the new ride concepts announced by Intamin.

This week show kicks off with reports from CoasterRadio.com listeners who are visiting parks all over the country.  We'll hear all about what it's like to visit in the time of a global pandemic. We also have the latest news and rumors from around the amusement industry.  Plus, we have some really "interesting" items in the mailbag.  Plus, an update on the voting in our 2020 Ride Design Contest!

We have a special "in-park" episode of the show this week. EB is at Hersheypark and joins the show from the new "Chocolatetown." He has a full review of the new area, the park's COVID-19 precautions and the new B&M Hypercoaster "Candymonium!" We also have details on how you can vote for your favorite attractions in our 2020 Ride Design Contest!    

Happy 4th of July! We start off this week's show with one of our oldest traditions... "the Sparktacular Exploosioloosa!" If you haven't heard it before, EB basically gets his microphone as close as he can to a firework and then lights it for your listening pleasure. EB also tells us about his visit to Indiana Beach for their VIP Preview Day. Then, we're joined by Kevin and Cincinnati Jon who were...

There is a TON of news to cover in this week's show... including a shocking story about one of Disney's most iconic rides that no one saw coming. We also will unveil the rest of the semi-finalists in the 2020 CoasterRadio.com Ride Design Contest!

After receiving A TON of excellent, imaginative and inventive entries for the 2020 CoasterRadio.com Ride Design Contest, we are ready to name the first five semi-finalists. You'll find out who they are and what rides they created. Plus, a ton of news including a rumored RMC Raptor for 2021!

It's summertime.  By this time in the year, most of us would have several (if not dozens) of park trips under our belts. But, the Coronavirus has changed the world and the parks are now just starting to open. We'll talk with Orlando-based Journalist Seth Kubersky about what it was like to be back at Universal Orlando post-Covid. We'll also give you the news about what Cedar Fair parks will be open...

When the talk turns to amusement park rides, the same ones always seem to be brought up. Everyone talks about Millennium Force, Fury 325, Steel Vengeance and basically any ride created by Disney or Universal. But what about the fantastic rides out there that slip under the radar?  Why don't they get any love? On this week's show, we talk about amazing rides that should be talked about and praised...

When Rocky Mountain Construction came on the scene in the last decade, they changed the industry.  But when you think about roller coasters designed and constructed between 2010 -2019, was an RMC coaster the most influential? This week, the CoasterRadio.com audience helps us shape the debate. We'll also talk about some "inside" info about when some of your favorite parks might re-open. We'll also...

The first park post-Covid-19 has opened! We'll tell you which one it was and what happened. We also talk about the most influential coasters of the 2000's. (You'll be surprised at the one we picked.) And...GET READY! We're launching the 2020 CoasterRadio.com Ride Design Contest! Wait until you see our panel of judges!

Indiana Beach, a classic park we thought was DEAD, has come back to life. We have the details. We'll also talk about how some countries and states have specific plans for re-opening the parks. even during the COVID-19 outbreak. Then, we'll take a look at all of the coasters built from 1990-1999 and figure out which one was most influential.  

On April 25, 2005, a group of guys got together and recorded themselves talking about theme parks and thrill rides. They put it online as a podcast and called it "Coaster Radio." 15 years and 568 episodes later, the show is still here. Join us this week (for episode #569) to celebrate the podcast and have some good discussion the parks and rides we all love.

Last week, we got in to a heated debate on what was the most influential roller coaster of the 70's... and we didn't quite agree on an answer. This week, we do the same thing with the 1980s.  Will this be a tough call?  Or is the answer obvious? We also talk about some new attraction rumors and the possibility of a GEEKFEST at Universal Orlando.

Each decade is responsible for specific influences and innovations, even in the amusement industry. This week, we take a look at the 1970's and talk about what roller coasters were influential... even affecting the rides we have today.

The studios still on lockdown, but that doesn't stop us from bringing you another hour-plus episode!

Everyone is still on lockdown...or should be. (If you're out there livin' it up like this is some extended Spring Break, stay at home fool!) So, since the parks are closed, it's a good time to spend an hour hanging out, answering your questions and talking about the parks. We rant, we rave and we actually have some fun too. Join us!

Take a break from the "doom and gloom" and get a few laughs with us this week as we answer your listener questions! You guys sent in over 100 really good questions for us to answer and we'll go through them all over the next few weeks!

A lot of news piles up when we take a week off... this week, with the background of the Coronavirus, we talk about news stories from all over the amusement industry. Forgive us if the show goes a little off the rails this week. Just like many of you, we're living in stressful times and needed to blow off steam.

It's the theme park off-season, but for some reason, major stories are breaking all over. Disney CEO Bob Iger is stepping down and will be replaced by another Bob (Chapek), who has recently been in charge of Disney Parks worldwide.  What does this mean for the industry and why are Disney fans worried? We'll also cover the latest news, hear some Live Trip Reports and listen to what you have been gi...

The amusement industry was shocked this week when Apex Park announced that they would be closing Indiana Beach.  What will become of their classic rides and roller coasters? Then, we'll talk to Blake Braswell, Show Director at Universal Orlando about the resort's Mardi Gras celebration! There's a lot that goes into bringing the spirit of Bourbon Street to the park. We'll hear all about it!

This week, we catch up on all of the news stories we missed while we were doing our 2020 preview shows! We also hear some of your Live Trip Reports from parks around the globe. And... we get into a good debate about which state has the best roller coasters.