CoasterRadio.com #523 - A Jam-Packed Show!

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 results.  Let's just say, NPH picked a darkhorse entry!

Next, after months in the planning stages, it's finally time to officially kick off our worldwide charity event -  "Theme Park Change!"

The goal is to encourage theme park fans across the globe to give up one thing from the upcoming theme park season and donate the cost of that item to a worthy charity.

All of the proceeds from this year's event is going to an amazing organization, Project Angel Food.  To learn more about them, the guys are joined by Margaret Steele, Project Angel Food's CEO.

One you hear her interview, there won't be a question on whether or not you'll want to donate.  The good work this group does will make you want to reach for your wallet and join in the "Theme Park Change."

Please, check out the website! Anyone who donates $10 or more is automatically entered into a raffle where they can win one of dozens of excellent theme park prizes!

And of course, we appease the CoasterBoys in our audience with some good, interactive theme park talk!

This week, we talk about specific things missing from your specific home park.

CoasterRadio.com listeners from across the world have chimed in to let us know what rides, attractions and other aspects are missing from their local theme parks.

Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from Busch Gardens Tampa!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - WINNER!

Throughout the past month, we have been accepting entries into our "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest which is part of our ongoing "Neil Patrick Harris Project."

People from all over the world have been sending in photos of themselves at the park with NPH magically added-in.  The winner receives a one-day one park ticket to any park in the United States.

As a grand finale to the contest, Neil Patrick Harris himself called-in to the show and crowned a winner and three finalists!  You can listen to the segment below and see the winners he chose!

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to Neil for being such a good sport!

Listen to the segment with this flash player...

Fourth Place - Dave at Cedar Point

Third Place - Nick at The London Dungeon

Second Place - C-Pred at Six Flags Great America

First Place - Joel at Disney's Hollywood Studios

What's Missing from Your Home Park?

One of my favorite non-coaster rides is the launch tower from S&S.

I love those things so much, I'll sometimes skip riding one of my favorite roller coasters just to get a few launches up the tower.

The problem is, the nearest S&S Launch Tower is at Dorney Park in Allentown, PA - 201 miles away!

For this week's "Interactive Question," we want to know what's missing from your home park.

For me, it's the Launch Tower.  Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens don't have one.

But how about you?

Your answer doesn't necessarily have to be a ride, either.  It can be a restaurant, a show, a bathroom, etc.

Let us know what you think by joining us on Tuesday, March 29th at 9:30 pm EST at http://live.coasterradio.com.

You'll be able to see and hear us record the show AND we'll give you a special "hotline" phone number that you can use so you can join us live.

Of course, you can still participate in the show through all of the traditional methods.

Send us your answers by posting them right here on the blog by using the "Comments" link below.  You can also e-mail us your answer by using the address over on the right or use our Contact Page!

You can also call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360.

We'll see you LIVE on Tuesday night!

CoasterRadio.com #522 - Party at the Tower of Terror!

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 wish that I could just hang out there for awhile... almost as if I were a guest.

Well, it turns out you can make this happen.  You can even have a romantic dinner just steps away from the ride's entrance.

On this week's show, we're joined by someone who made this dream a reality.

Carrie Hayward is the host of “Inside Disney Weddings” and the author of PassPorter's “Disney Weddings & Honeymoons.”

Carrie knows everything there is to know about the wonderful world of Disney party planning.  You'll be amazed at some of the things you can do at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.  You'll also be amazed at how relatively inexpensive it is! (She'll even tell us how much it costs to have Disneyland all to ourselves!)

Carrie will also tell us about some of her other Disney adventures... like the time she rode The Haunted Mansion in Florida and The Haunted Mansion in California in the SAME DAY!

Make sure you check out this show and visit her website, disneytravelbabble.com, to learn more!

Plus, we'll have an update on the Neil Patrick Harris Project and next week's launch of Theme Park Change!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

CoasterRadio.com #521 - 2011 Listener Question Show - Part 2

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 great discussions.  We were even surprised by a few somewhat "famous" callers.

This week, we also unveil our nationwide charity project... Theme Park Change.

The event begins on April 1st and we'll have a lot more information for you between now and then.  But basically, we're asking theme park fans across the world to give up one thing from the upcoming theme park season and then donate the cost of that item to a worthy charity.  Our 2011 charity for Theme Park Change is Project Angel Food!

This event isn't just solely for CoasterRadio.com either.  We're inviting any theme park fan site (Disney fan sites too) to join us in raising money for this incredible charity.

Plus, there's a chance for you to win some pretty cool prizes if you donate $10 or more!

Check out the website and listen to this week's show to learn more!  We're hoping you'll find it to be as good of an idea as we do!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

The Results Are In!

2011 marked the first year for About.com's Readers' Choice Awards for Theme Parks!

Park fans passionately embraced the awards and responded with an impressive voter turnout and boisterous comments and opinions.

Unlike a number of other park awards programs, what made About.com's a bit different is that it focused exclusively on achievements in the past year. Think of it as the Academy Awards or People’s Choice Awards for parks.

There was no prize... just the bragging rights that come with getting recognized by the readers of a leading website owned by The New York Times.

The winners are as follows:

Best New Water Park Ride of 2010: Wildebeest

Best New Roller Coaster of 2010: Intimidator 305

Best New Theme Park Show of 2010: World of Color

Best New Theme Park Attraction of 2010: Ghost Ship

Congrats to Arthur for running such a successful awards program!  You can find out more by visting his website!

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - Neil at Disneyland

Minion got his entry in just under the wire!  He also used some stereo photography technology to bring us this shot of Neil.  He writes:

"Here is a shot I found in my Disneyland archive, of Neil clowning around one day at the TikiRoom during the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

We were wearing our Tiki Shirts in the park (of course), and Neil knew the spiel (of course!!), so we bribed the CM with a Dole Whip to take over the show for awhile.

Fortunately, I was able to catch the moment in Stereo.  The viewing instructions are here!"

Now if we could only get an entry in 3-D!!!

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice! The contest ends at 9:30pm est on Thursday, March 17th.

Weekend Theater - "The Smurfs" Trailer

CoasterRadio.com #520 - 2011 Listener Questions Show - Part 1

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 joined us during our "live look-in" webcast where people could watch the show being produced.  Listeners were able to call-in to the show and make this year's edition of the Listener Question Show one of the best ever!

In addition to the live questions, we'll be joined by Derek and Trisha, a couple in Southern California who are making their way to Walt Disney World in Orlando next week.  They have agreed to wear Bride and Groom Mickey Ears to test our theory that anyone wearing those "Magical Caps" will get a ton of freebies (even if they aren't exactly newlyweds!)

Join us to find out what to expect in The Newlywed Game: The Trip of Lies!

Plus, we'll have some news on the NPH Project and an update on the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest.  Don't forget, you only have one more week to enter! The contest ends Thursday, March 17th!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

The "Day at the Park with Neil Contest" - Denise & Family with NPH at Disney World

Denise sent in this series of photos from a recent family trip to Walt Disney World.  It looks like they picked up a new member of the family along the way...

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

The contest ends Thursday, March 17th!

Monday Morning Blues

The 2011 Listener Question Mega-Show

It's time for one of our favorite traditions of the year... the 2011 Listener Question Mega-Show!

We love this show because it's the one time each year where we completely dedicate two whole shows to any and all of your questions.

Of course, we'll field your queries about the amusement industry, but the fun part about this show is that the questions can be about anything.

You might want to take a trip into our archives and listen to shows #142, #216,  #217, and #425.  Those previous listener question shows will give you an idea about the types of topics we can discuss.

We have an added (and historic) bonus for this year's Listener Question Show.  For the first time ever, we will be incorporating live phone calls into the program.

Join us on Tuesday, March 8th at 9:30 pm EST at http://live.coasterradio.com.

You'll be able to see and hear us record the show AND we'll give you a special "hotline" phone number that you can use so you can join us live.

Of course, you can still participate in the show through all of the traditional methods.

Send us your questions by posting them right here on the blog by using the "Comments" link below.  You can also e-mail us your questions by using the address over on the right or use our Contact Page!

You can also record your question by calling our voicemail line at 206-339-3360.

We'll see you LIVE on Tuesday night!

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - Joel and Neil at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Joel from Hawaii sent in this entry from his most recent trip to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida.

There are some Disney fans who dislike the gigantic Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey Hat that now sits at the end of Hollywood Boulevard.

But, Joel is so ecstatic about it that he picked up NPH, raised him high above his head and posed for this triumphant picture.

It even impressed the Photopass Photographer!

Neil however, looks a little confused.  But at least he has a GIn and Tonic to make the experience more bearable.

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - BJ and Neil at Islands of Adventure

BJ sent us this picture with an explanatory e-mail: 

"I was strolling through Marvel Super Hero Island - Islands of Adventure last October when who do I spot but the one and only NPH, the only guy there in a business suit!

Apparently he was there to promote the videogame “Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions”, in which he was a voice actor, as well as the upcoming videogame featuring Spider-Man, a character he voiced, called Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, which is out now.

He was offering to take guests’ pictures with him and Spider-Man, and there were a number of stupid families in the line in front of me, because the hourly parade on Marvel Super Hero Island started while I was in line to get my picture with NPH and Spider-Man, and several families jumped OUT of the line just so they could attempt to get a picture with just Spider-Man!  I, of course, stayed IN the line so I could get my picture with Spidey AND Neil Patrick Harris.

Sadly for me, this is the only picture I got from my iPhone 3G using the Camera+ app, and I’m unfortunately looking down as this pic is being taken."

Thanks BJ.  It's pretty cool you had your picture taken with two American heroes.

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

CoasterRadio.com #519 - The Best Money You've Spent

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 Experiences, Front of the Line Passes, Disney Trading Pins, Upcharge Attractions and a lot more.

We also have news about our Listener Question Show which we will record on Tuesday, March 8th at 9:30pm est.  We'll have all the details about how you can call in to the show with your questions LIVE!

We'll also have an update on the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest and an update on the NPH Project!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - Nick and Neil at The London Dungeon

Today, we bring you our first international entry into our contest compliments of Nick Hutson.

Nick didn't send along a story, because he figures the picture speaks for itself.

But by looking at the expression on Neil's face, I think he had the same feeling that I did when visiting the famous London tourist attraction...

"What the heck am I doing here?!?!"

Thanks for the entry Nick!

By the way, if you would like to listen to Nick Hutson's masterpiece (inspired by characters from the CoasterRadio.com podcast), you need to check out COASTERBOY: The Musical!

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - Dave and Neil at Cedar Point

We're not exactly sure what to make of this next entry into our contest, so we'd better just let Dave explain.

"I was at Cedar Point one day, and my friends were too chicken to join me on Power Tower.  So I was anticipating flying solo on this one.

But then out of nowhere, NPH shows up... Shirtless and with a sword no less???

Believe me I'm as puzzled as anyone, but let's be honest: There are few things more awesome than riding a drop ride with a sword.

Needless to say, it was a great ride with NPH."


We're surprised the ride ops let NPH on-board without a shirt AND with a loose article.  But it did make for a good picture.

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - Heather and Neil at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We were wondering if Neil Patrick Harris has going to make a stop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on his worldwide tour of parks.

Heather has sent in this photo that proved he was there.  She says:

"This is a photo is of myself (taken by my husband John) this past November at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure.

Lost on his way to the Quidditch field, NPH stopped by Hogsmeade for a refreshing Butterbeer."

This one made us laugh out loud.  Thanks Heather!

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!