Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

Kings Dominion posted an interesting sign outside the de-construction walls of "Volcano: The Blast Coaster." We talk about what it says and what it could mean. During our "Quick Hits" segment, we review three new rides that recently opened.  We also hear from listeners who were on-site for the openings of all three attractions! We also unveil the FINAL FOUR in our "Best Roller Coaster Name of All-...

There's a lot of action on this week's episode of CoasterRadio.com! First up, Zamperla has asked Mike and EB to provide the voices of two "booty loving" pirates for their Galleon ride.  The guys will record their original script live on the air before they submit it to the ride manufacturer.  ARRRRRGH! Then it's time for QUICK HITS. The guys discuss teenagers fighting in the park, Kentucky Flyer,...

This week's show is all about themed environments! We start off with our FIRST DROP... and it's all about two different types of dark rides... interactive and passive.  We'll talk about whether it's better (and more profitable for parks) to create rides where guests are shooting targets or ones where they simply get taken in by the story. During our Quick Hits segment, we discuss staff cuts at Sea...

One of our FAVORITE shows of the year is where we can drop our regular format and take an entire episode to answer all of your questions. The fun thing about this show is that the questions are all over the place. Yes, there are questions about theme parks and thrill rides. But there are also questions about pop culture, Mike/EB, the podcast itself and a lot of other topics!

Kings Dominion was in the news again as they started the removal process of "Volcano: The Blast Coaster." We kick off this week's show questioning whether or not the iconic mountain structure that once housed three attractions might survive. During our Quick Hits segment, we talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, including:   An update on the incident...

This week's show kicks off with a review of Carowinds' new roller coaster for 2019 -  Copperhead Strike!  Cincinnati Jon was on-site for a first ride and a first look at this double-launch coaster from Mack! During our Quick Hits segment, we talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, including:   Green Lantern at Six Flags Magic Mountain is no more Detail...

We had originally planned to take this week off to make room for our Spring Break plans.  BUT, we decided to record a special episode to talk about EB's visit to Six Flags Over Texas and his upcoming visit to Six Flags Fiesta Texas!

This week, Busch Gardens Tampa announced that RMC will be working their magic on the former wooden dueling coaster Gwazi. We'll have some news about what is expected for 2020. During our Quick Hits segment, we talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, including:   Knotts Berry Farm possibly expanding Ghost Town It looks like Six Flags is getting a mobile...

We start off this week's show with an update on the tragic story at Schlitterbahn. A judge recently tossed out the case brought against the park's owner and ride designer. During our Quick Hits segment, we talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, including:   Copperhead Strike has seatbelts and people are upset Cedar Point's Forbidden Frontier on Advent...

EB is in the CoasterRadio.com studio alone this week and has a TON of great content! He'll unveil the  Interactive Brackets  that will help us decide the "Greatest Roller Coaster Name of All Time." He'll also read some letters from the Mailbag! After that, he'll interview Paula Werne from Holiday World to hear stories about how they decided upon the names for classic rides like The Voyage, The Leg...

The off-season is usually pretty quiet here at CoasterRadio.com. But this week, we're talking about one of the biggest theme park stories we have heard in awhile. Kings Dominion has announced that "Volcano: The Blast Coaster" will no longer be operating at the park. We'll talk all about this ride and the reaction to its removal. During our Quick Hits segment, we talk about several of this week's m...

Last week, we had a fun time talking about many of the new attractions coming to parks in 2019! But there are STILL MORE to talk about! Once again, we are joined by our good friend, theme park expert Arthur Levine. Arthur writes about theme parks for USA Today, Trip Savvy, IAPPA and other companies. He says we are are currently living in a "golden age" of theme parks. On this week's show, we'll pr...

2019 is shaping up to be one of the more amazing years in recent memory when it comes to theme park attractions. Sure, we're all excited by the amazing things we are hearing about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, but there are dozens of other new rides and attractions coming to parks across the world. This week, we are joined by our good friend, theme park expert Arthur Levine. Arthur writes about theme...

Universal Orlando is building a gigantic new multi-launch, special effects filled coaster themed to Harry Potter. But this week, plans were leaked for a SECOND COASTER at the same park themed to Jurassic World. We'll take a look at the layout and discuss the rumors. During our Quick Hits segment, we talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, including:  ...

Before we start looking ahead to 2019... we have a bit of "housekeeping" to do in regards to last year. It's time to announce the winner of the CoasterRadio.com "Best New Attraction of 2018" Award. After that, it's time for "Coaster"Damus! We take a look at our predictions from last year to see which ones came true. Then, we hear from our listeners as they make bold guesses as to what will happen...

Walt Disney imagined Disneyland as a place where parents and their children could have fun together. But even he couldn't imagine how popular his park would become. This week, Disney  dramatically raised the prices  at their Southern California park. Did they do this with the hope of thining the crowds out before "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" opens? During our Quick Hits segment, the guys talk about...

This week's First Drop takes a look at the new "roller coaster" that will be built on a Carnival Cruise Ship. "The Bolt" will run on 800 feet of track at a maximum height of 187 feet above the sea level and a top speed of 40 mph. We'll talk about what type of reception this is likely to get from coaster fans and if this ride even deserves to be called a "coaster." During our Quick Hits segment, th...

We are using this season of the show to determine the greatest roller coaster name of all time. To help us figure out what goes into picking the perfect name, we'll be talking with experts at the parks to hear their stories about how their iconic rides were named. This week, we are joined by Brian Knoebel, co-owner and manager of Knoebels and Stacy Ososkie, public relations director at Knoebels. T...

This week's show kicks off with a look at a really interesting survey that Six Flags has been sending to their guests. Inside the survey are hints at two different types of roller coasters that could be coming to the lineups at several parks. Which ones could they be? During our Quick Hits segment, the guys talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, inclu...

This week's show kicks off with a look at  an interesting lawsuit  brought against Six Flags over the use of biometrics in the parks. The mother of a park guest is suing the the amusement chain because she claims Six Flags took her son's biometric identifiers (thumbprints) without her permission. The result of the lawsuit will affect how biometrics are used in the parks. During our Quick Hits segm...

It's a really special week here at CoasterRadio.com! Not only are we welcoming a brand new baby girl into the family, we are also getting a chance to interview Disney Imagineer Tracey Noce who was the Creative Director for "Incredicoaster" and the Incredibles Park area of Pixar Pier, which opened in June at Disney California Adventure! Tracey tells us what it was like to re-imagine an iconic attra...

This week, the guys take a look at upcoming events for coaster enthusiasts in 2019. After some reflection, they explore if it's time to start a "CoasterRadio.com Club" (with membership cards.) Could this happen soon? During our Quick Hits segment, the guys talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, including:   Screamscape says RMC will build a new coaste...

The theme park industry is in a constant state of flux. The change is driven by many things. But this week, our "First Drop" focuses on the "Experience Economy" and how a specific group of tourists choose to visit theme parks and other exotic places because of the "social media" opportunities they provide. During our Quick Hits segment, the guys talk about several of this week's most interesting s...

The Off-Season is here and that means the local parks are closed to most of us (except for you lucky ones in Florida and California!) To help combat the "Off-Season Blues," Mike and EB have some ideas that will tide you over until the parks open again in March. During our Quick Hits segment, the guys talk about several of this week's most interesting stories in the amusement industry, including:  ...

We kick off this week's show by welcoming back the designers of  "Mystic Motel,"  one of the greatest home haunts ever created. These guys actually developed a dark ride in their home...complete with moving vehicles. They join us for a second appearance to update us on some big plans they have for the future. During our Quick Hits segment, the guys talk about several of this week's most interestin...