Your Ultimate Top Five

It's the Off-Season, so you're probably bundled up in your winter gear, dreaming of warmer temperatures and the start of the theme park season.

Perhaps you're even staring to plan trips to far-off parks that you've always wanted to visit.

For our next show, we want to know about your Top Five Theme Parks. It can be any five in the world, with one caviat... you can't include a Disney Park.

So, what's your Top Five? Tell us by e-mail, Twitter, Facebook or the Forums.

Be sure to give our voicemail line a call at 206-339-3360 and talk about which park is in your #1 spot!

Here are the different ways to contact us:

* Post your idea on Twitter
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Visit this topic in the CoasterRadio.com Forums
* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)

CoasterRadio.com #421 - 3-D(oomed)?

James Cameron's new blockbuster 3-D film Avatar is on pace to become the most profitable movie of all time.

(Actually, that doesn't count for inflation. Gone With The Wind is still the number one grossing movie in history.)

But anyone who has seen Avatar is blown away by the 3-D imagery.

On this week's show, we talk about if films like these constantly in the movie theater will eventually lead to 3-D films becoming less popular in the theme parks.

We'll also reveal your ideas on how Disney and other park operators should use the new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies that are sweeping the industry. The listeners came up with some very interesting and entertaining ways to make our park experience interactive.

Plus, we'll go "Off Topic" to hear about EB's plans to introduce his son to the legend of the "Tooth Fairy." Mike also admits to his strange reaction after watching the teenage vampire flick "Twilight."

In addition, Mike announces his on-air training marathon for the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios and we'll unveil a brand new contest!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.
Click here for our iPhone App.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

The British Take On The David Arquette Project!

Ever since we unveiled The David Arquette Project last August, it has been rapidly moving around the world.

We recently received two submissions from the United Kingdom recently. The first is from Oliver, who has a patriotic view of Arquette Arithmetic. The Queen would be proud!

We also got an e-mail from Peter, who took this iconic photo in front of Big Ben!

Thanks to our friends in England for taking part in The David Arquette Project!

Your best RF ID(ea)

Last week, we talked about how Radio Frequency Identificaton (RFID) could bring a whole new world of interactivity to the parks.

For instance, a small chip inside your theme park ticket could be programmed with a ton of your personalized information. That information could be used to tailor certain attractions and other experiences to your likes and tastes.

The question we have for you for this week's show, is...

What do you think would be the best idea for the use of this wireless technology?

Can you come up with an idea theme park designers haven't thought of yet?

To get your thoughts on the show, here are the different ways:

* Post your idea on Twitter
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Visit this topic in the CoasterRadio.com Forums
* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)

We'll talk about all of your answers in our next show! We especially want to hear from you on the voicemail line!

Weekend Theater - Say Goodbye To The Big Bad Wolf

Filmmaker Rob Warren takes a look at what made Busch Gardens Williamsburg's infamous roller coaster "The Big Bad Wolf" so special.

A Brave New Theme Park World

Earlier this week, The Orlando Sentinel's Daily Disney Blog posted an article about how Disney is working on a "major technology initiative that boosters hope could radically transform the theme-park experience."

The $1 Billion Dollar project supposedly focuses on the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). This technology would allow for a small microchip to be placed in a wristband or even a theme park ticket. Then, as you navigate the parks, the "wireless-communication technology could be used in concepts ranging from keyless hotel-room doors to rides and shows in which the experience varies based on an individual guest’s preferences."

On this week's show, EB and Mike discuss the possible applications for this type of technology and what we hope to eventually see in the parks. Will this forever change the way we experience the parks? Or will it just be another way to easily buy a churro without reaching for our wallets?

We also pick up on last week's discussion about turning popular television shows into theme park attractions. We'll hear your best ideas on what classic shows should be immortalized at the parks. Some of you had great ideas! (Some of you didn't.)

We'll go "Off Topic" to discuss an controversial documentary that EB saw. We'll also talk about Mike's trip to an ocean resort in the dead of winter where he got to see a few parks in hibernation.

Plus, we'll hear about how one of EB's dream predictions from last week's show came eerily true!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.
Click here for our iPhone App.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

Blustery Boardwalk Trip Report

Molly and I took a weekend trip to Ocean City, Maryland to see the ocean resort during the winter.

There was absolutely no one on the beach!

The famous Ocean City boardwalk had a few people on it, but not many!

The Ripley's Museum was closed, but the shark was still impressive.

All of the Pier Rides were shuttered... and quite eerie looking.

The "Looping Star" on the Pier.

There's nothing like playing Skee Ball in the winter.

The arcade was one of the few businesses that were open. But they had an amazing collection of both new and old games.

The Tidal Wave Vekoma boomerang at Trimper's Rides.

The famous Bill Tracy designed Fun House.

This ride was just sitting out in the middle of the parking lot.

The famous Haunted House on the Boardwalk. Unfortunately, it wasn't open.

It was fun seeing this summer resort in it's winter slumber!

Weekend Theater - Mike Collins is a "Broader-Caster"

To help get people interested in their new User Generated Content competition, the people who run the NAB Show called upon CoasterRadio.com to show people how it's done!

You can enter the contest yourself by heading to nabshowcontest.com!

I think the winner gets a free trip to Las Vegas for the NAB Convention.

CoasterRadio.com #419 - Freudian Theme Park Trip

Dreams are funny things.

They tell us so much about who we are, where we're going and what we want.

On this week's show, listeners have called in with their most interesting dreams about theme parks.

We've got everything from disappearing lap bars to chainsaw wielding maniacs chopping down a wooden roller coaster.

To make things more interesting, EB has found some dream analyzing web sites and will use some armchair psychology to tell us what the dreams mean.

We'll also talk about an article on Movieline.com that claims Disney Imagineers are work-shopping a new dark ride based on ABC's hit television show "Lost".

We'll also go "Off Topic" to talk about EB's haircut conundrum and Mike's take on NBC's Late Night situation with Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno.

Plus, we unveil the new CoasterRadio.com iPhone App! Now you can take the show on the road!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.
Click here for our iPhone App.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

The CoasterRadio.com iPhone App Is Here!

Ever since we started CoasterRadio.com back in 2005, we've enjoyed trying different ways to bring you guys the show.

Whenever there's a new platform or device that's capable of transmitting the show, we try to make it work.

So keeping with that tradition, we're really excited to announce our first app for the iPhone!

CoasterRadio.com Mobile is an iPhone app designed to let you interact with the show while you are at the park or on the go. You can listen to new episodes, find out more about the cast and even contact us directly through in-app e-mail and voicemail.

You'll also have immediate access to our blog, forums and our Twitter and Facebook feeds.

The app also includes the CoasterRadio.com Soundbite Machine! You'll have the most famous lines from the show at your fingertips!

This is only version 1.0 and we're looking to expand the app with future updates. If you have any suggestions or comments, e-mail us and let us know what you'd like to see in future versions.

It's sort-of like Walt Disney once said... "as long as there is creativity left in the world, the CoasterRadio.com iPhone app will never be complete!"

Talk about this post in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

Theme Park Dreaming

If you're a fan of theme parks, sometimes you live, breathe and even "dream" them.

There probably isn't one listener of this show who hasn't had at least one dream (or nightmare) about a park experience.

For this week's show, we want you to tell us about your most interesting theme park dream. This is one of those questions where a voicemail call might be best! So if you have a good dream, call it in!

To get your thoughts on the show, here are the different ways:

* Post your idea on Twitter
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Visit this topic in the CoasterRadio.com Forums
* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)

We'll talk about all of your answers in our next show! We especially want to hear from you on the voicemail line!

CoasterRadio.com #418 - A Walk Down Memory Lane

It's a brand new year...

And a brand new episode of Coaster Radio!

We get back into the podcast swing with a show all about your favorite theme park memories. You'll hear all types of stories, from the sentimental to the shocking.

One listener even had a crazy lady call him "white trash" at the Magic Kingdom! It's a good story!

We also crown a winner in the David Arquette Project "Santa Claus" Challenge. It wasn't the most successful contest ever, but we did find a very deserving winner.

Plus, we'll go "Off Topic" to talk about Mike's upcoming trip to the BCS National Championship game and EB's reluctance to take down his holiday decorations.

It's a new year and we're happy to have you with us!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.