Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

At one time or another, I'm sure that all of us have tried our hand at "armchair imagineering." You know, dreaming up rides and attractions that we hope and pray eventually make it to our favorite theme park. On this week's episode, we gave our audience an unlimited budget and unlimited imagination to create an ultimate attraction by "mashing up" two existing rides. The listeners of CoasterRadio.c...

For each individual season of Coaster Radio, EB and Mike like to have something called a "story arc." Basically, it's a common theme and storyline that can carry over throughout an entire season of the show. For season four, we followed Mike as he prepared for and ultimately triumphed at The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. But in Season Five, the guys  unveiled their most a...

We have a lot of fun traditions here at Coaster Radio, but one of our most cherished happens every year at this time! This week, it's the 2nd Annual... SPARKTACULAR EXPLOOSIOLOOSA! Each year, EB risks life and limb so that he can bring our wireless microphones as close as possible to the flames, sparks and explosions. Last year, EB got hit with a projectile wall of fire.  What could go wrong this...

This past Tuesday marked the official start of Summer, 2011! For every summer we can remember, there has always been an unofficial "anthem" recorded by the biggest pop star of the day.  It's a song that EVERYONE listened to on their way to the beach or the theme park. In the 80's it was the Fresh Prince, in the 90's it was Ricky Martin and today, it might be Katy Perry or Cee Lo Green. But this we...

One of the most fun things about being a fan of theme parks are the traditions. Since we all go to the parks year after year, there are certain things that we look forward to and specific things that we have to do to make the summer season complete. On this week's show, we talk about our own special traditions and listen to the man interesting ones from the CoasterRadio.com audience. We also unvei...

On the next episode of Coaster Radio, we bring you the final chapter in our own "Time Travel Trilogy!" On our last show, we left you with a cliff hanger... EB and Mike were stuck somewhere in the Space Time Continuum. This week, we find out where they have been and if if they can successfully get back to 2011. But, since they're travelling in time anyway, they decide to stop in 2006 to listen in o...

After an unplanned two-week hiatus, the Original Theme Park Podcast is back and ready to continue our travels through time. This week, we're combining the time travel rules from Back to the Future, Bill and Ted, Time Cop, The Time Traveler's Wife and Quantum Leap to listen in on one of our favorite shows from the past. We'll head back to January of 2006 to hear the "Joint Chiefs ™" talk about the...

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the 6th Anniversary of this crazy podcast. EB and I got a little nostalgic for the old days.  So, after a movie marathon where we watched Back to the Future Parts I, II and III while drinking nothing but Diet Mountain Dew, we had an inspiration! We would build our own time machine and go back to listen to a show featuring a past version of ourselves. This week, EB an...

We usually try to pick show titles that are both creative and ones that give you a hint at what's to come. That's why I think "A Fresh Start" works well this week. To begin, we wrap up Theme Park Change with some important words about last week's show There is a lot to say and a lot to be thankful for, so we hope that you'll all take the time to listen to the first part of our podcast. We also hav...

www.themeparkchange.com

When I'm putting together these blog posts, I always try to find an interesting photo to make you want to listen to the show. This week, I present you with a picture Hugh Grant .  Listen to the show to figure out why he's relevant! This week, the Coaster Radio audience steps up to the mike and tells us about what they believe are the most underrated roller coasters in the world. We're talking abou...

Sometimes, the very best ideas for this crazy show of ours come from the listeners. A few months ago, we were doing a show about "The Best Money You've Spent at a Park" and we received a call from Deidre Rodman from The Lascivious Biddies . She said the best money she spent was when she and her husband bought the "Bride and Groom" Mickey Ears to wear during their recent honeymoon at Walt Disney Wo...

Yes indeed, the guys from the graveyard scene of  The Haunted Mansion  are some of the most infamous "busts" around.   But this week, we're talking about a different type of bust.  We'll explore some of the major mistakes and blunders in the 56-year history of the Disney Theme Parks.   To be fair, Disney goes get most everything right.  They usually do it better than the other guys 9 times out of...

This week's show is so full of Coaster Radio goodness, it's almost enough for three whole shows! There's so much going on, it's hard to decide where to begin! How about we start with naming a winner in the "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest!  NPH is no stranger to winning awards.  So, it's fitting that he calls in to crown a winner in our latest contest. Mike and EB were absolutely floored by the...

The Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios is one of my favorite theme park attractions anywhere. I love it so much, that I totally don't mind waiting in line for it.  Just being around the spooky ambiance is a thrill almost on par with the big drop that is to come. When the ride is though and I've checked out my on-ride photo and am exiting through the gift shop, I sometimes wis...

Last week's Listener Question Show was a huge hit! Like all good parties, we didn't want it to end.  So, we extended the show into a second episode! This week, we answer more of your questions sent in through our blog, Facebook, Twitter and our voicemail line.  PLUS, we take more of your live calls... it's podcasting without a net! Listeners called in with a bunch of good topics and started some c...

We've been doing this crazy podcast since April of 2005... that's a long time!  So, there aren't many "firsts" on the show these days. But, in an effort to continue to be one of the most interactive podcasts out there, we're adding a new element to our annual Listener Question Show. This week, for the first time ever, we're taking your live phone calls! Many members of the Coaster Radio audience j...

After you add up the price of admission, parking, food, drink and souvenirs, the cost of going to a theme park can be substantial. Especially, if you're a family! But there are some things that we buy at the parks that are totally worth the price. On this week's show, we hear from listeners all over the world who tell us about the best money they've spent at the parks. We'll talk about VIP Experie...

We pride ourselves on being one of the most interactive podcasts out there. On this week's show, we prove that we also try to be one of the most generous! We're joined "in-studio" by Andrew from North Carolina who was the winner of a contest we did last season.   The contest was best described by EB as "The Warmup for the NPH Project!" Andrew won $250 dollars and the chance to sit in on the show!...

Each episode of Coaster Radio is unique. Sure, we carefully outline each episode and decide what we're going to talk about weeks in advance. But each episode seems to take on a personality of its own. Having said that, I'm not exactly sure how our episode about romance at the theme parks turned into a love-fest for the 1975 classic "JAWS." But regardless, in honor of Valentines Day we asked the au...

Here at Coaster Radio, we try to focus our show on the entire theme park experience. It's really easy to spend time talking about the roller coasters and other thrill rides.  But we think a little more time could be spent talking about the 2nd best reason to go to the amusement park... the food! This week, listeners from around the globe call in to tell us about the iconic food treats that can be...

In the theme park universe, there are rides that are loved by everyone. Well, almost everyone. There are probably some rides out there that you can't stand, but for some reason, everyone else in the world loves. This week, we hear from a lot of Coaster Radio listeners as they stir up controversy and talk about  the popular rides they would personally get rid of at the parks. Surprisingly, this is...

Depending on where you live, there's anywhere from 70 to 90 days before the regional parks open their gates for the 2011 season.   So for the title of this week's show, we averaged it out to 80 days.   Here at Coaster Radio, we're pretty excited about the 2011 theme park season.  So, we're spending this week talking about the new attractions we think are going to make some noise this summer.   To...

2010 may be officially gone, but it still lives on here at Coaster Radio! (for this week, anyway!) On this week's show, EB and Mike take a look back and talk about the most interesting stories from 2010.  The listeners also get into the act by calling into the show and giving their opinion on what worked and what didn't in 2010. From The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to World of Color to Intimid...

We begin the first show of 2011 by ringing in the new year with styyllle!   We even have a special guest to help us with the countdown!  Grab your noise maker and a glass of champagne because you won't want to miss it! Then, EB steps to the microphone to talk about his trip to Hersheypark's Christmas Candylane.  He recently made a trip back to the east coast and took his whole family to Hershey's...