Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

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...

Merry Christmas from your friends at Coaster Radio! On this week's show, the guys kick back and have some Yuletide fun while hearing listeners top picks for theme park gifts. The show also welcomes several special in-studio guests who stop by to wish everone Happy Holidays. Plus, the show gets off to a great start with a special song created for the season! Don't forget to visit the CoasterRadio.c...

We're just a few weeks away from the holidays and we believe that it's the season of giving . So, we sent Neil Patrick Harris an infamous "Tower of Treats." This week, we find out if the TOT made it to the "How I Met Your Mother" soundstage in Hollywood. We also talk about what type of holiday gifts a theme park fan would like to receive.  We have some practical and outrageous ideas that will make...

Mike Collins is in a stage version of "It's a Wonderful Life" that opens this weekend. So, Mike and EB had to tape the show really late at night after one of the rehearsals. This means that this week's show is a caffeine-fueled trip that includes a lot of good theme park talk and a lot of imitations from "It's a Wonderful Life" too! The guys talk about the listener's most "elusive roller coasters,...

If you went back and listened to every single episode of CoasterRadio.com, you'd probably notice that the thing about theme parks we talk about the most is theming.   It's the one thing that separates a great park from an average amusement park.   That's why it was a bit of surprise when we learned that Six Flags would be dropping the licenses for properties like Thomas the Tank Engine, The Wiggle...

Happy Thanksgiving!   Just like the Pilgrims had a gigantic feast when they landed in the new world, we have a virtual feast of theme park goodness for you.   This week, we talk about the stories behind our listener's major park disappointments.  We have tales from around the globe all about how different parks have bummed out park guests.   It's sort of a "Reverse-Thanksgiving" show!   We also ha...

Imagine that you were a theme park designer with access to an unlimited budget.   As you began to design rides for your park, you'd probably want to enlist the help of some major celebrities to provide the voices behind your rides.   On this week's show, we gave our listeners a virtual blank check and asked them to match their favorite celebrity with their favorite theme park ride.   We received s...

The original theme park podcast is back with a brand new episode!   Back in 1954, Walt Disney had a weekly television show on the ABC Network where he unveiled his plans for Disneyland.   Not only did it help finance his park, but it also got people all over the country excited to make the trip to California to see it in person.   This week, EB and Mike talk about whether not it would be a good id...

Clark W. Grizwold was the ultimate parent.   All he cared about was giving his family the best vacation ever.  He would do ANYTHING to make his family happy, even if it meant kidnapping John Candy and making him ride the "Screamie Meemie!"   Of course, the antics in the movie "Vacation" are overblown.  But the stories we have for you this week are 100% authentic!   This week, EB and Mike will shar...

Halloween week is here!   To celebrate, Mike gets into the spirit of the season by dressing up as one of the most iconic characters from the 1980's.   Yes, even though it's radio, Mike has has dressed up like Johnny from "The Karate Kid."   Along with all of the expected imitations from the movie, the guys will talk about Mike and Greg's recent trip to  Howl-O-Scream  at  Busch Gardens Williamsbur...

We're one week closer to Halloween!   If you love All Hallows Eve and you love theme parks, this is the episode for you.   This week, we're joined by Seth Kubersky.  He's the author of  Universal Orlando 2011: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure .   He'll give us the insider scoop about the 20th Annual  Halloween Horror Nights  at Universal Orlando.  He'll tell us what we shoul...

Season 5 of Coaster Radio.com is here!   AND... It's EB and Mike's favorite time of year, Halloween!   This week, the guys interview Matt Ford.  he's the creative genius behind  "The House at Haunted Hill,"  an amazing Halloween show in Southern California.   The great thing about the show is that it's not located at a theme park or at some commercial venue.  Matt, along with his family and friend...