CoasterRadio.com #712 - Clark Grizwold Would Love This!

Earlier this year, we were amazed when we got to see "World of Color" at Disney California Adventure.

It was absolutely amazing what the Imagineers could do with water, light and music.

"Backyard Imagineers" can do something similar around the winter holidays.  They take thousands of lights and animate them to music using computer technology!

It's like having a mini "World of Color" in your front yard!

This week, EB and Mike take a look at some of the best home lighting displays for 2012!

Happy Holidays!

"A CoasterBoy Christmas"

It's time for an annual holiday tradition!

Neil Patrick Harris joins EB and Mike from the CoasterRadio.com Podcast for a reading of the traditional Holiday Poem... "A CoasterBoy Christmas."

It's the story of one coaster enthusiast's search for truth... no matter how rude and disgusting he must be to find it.

CoasterRadio.com #711 - The Holiday Spectacular!

We're just a few days away from Christmas... but the presents are here early!

My friends, it's time for the 2012 Coaster Radio Holiday Spectacular!

There are a ton of gifts under the tree, including...

* Mike and EB's eerie predictions for theme parks in 2013.
* A Live Trip Report from Silver Dollar City
* A new "Christmas Carol" from one of the most famous theme park figures of 2012.
* The return of "Off Topic!" (Including a new listener topic feature!)
* And, we bring back the traditional reading of "A CoasterBoy Christmas" with our special guest star Neil Patrick Harris!

Thanks so much for listening to the show and letting us be a part of your lives.  We hope that you and your families have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
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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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

A Note About This Week's Show

It feels wrong to do a comedy show after the events of December 14th.

I felt sick to my stomach watching the coverage of the Newtown School Shooting on Friday. And over this past week, I could see how it's been weighing on the hearts of people around me... family, friends and even strangers.

The world seems a little different.

Seeing the faces of those innocent children and hearing the stories of the heroic teachers was very powerful... and very sobering.

The thought to cancel this week's show briefly crossed my mind.  Then, I thought about dedicating part of the show to a discussion of the events.

But I think the best thing.... is to do what we always do.

It's our job to give you guys a brief escape from everyday life. We don't talk about politics.  We don't talk about the things that divide us. We don't talk about senseless tragedy. We leave that to other people.

Instead, we do a goofy show about theme parks. And hopefully, we make you laugh.

Laughter is the best medicine. Laughter is what makes us feel alive. Laughter is a wonderful gift.

So, while EB and I don't directly talk about the tragedy in Connecticut on this week's show, please know that everyone there is in our thoughts and prayers... as are all of you.

Merry Christmas!

                   - Mike Collins

CoasterRadio.com #710 - Outlaw Run and Game Show Fun

Here's a trivia question for you...

Besides Walt Disney, who was Mike Collins' hero when he was growing up?

The answer: Bob Barker from The Price is Right.

Mike never got to meet Walt, but he did get a chance to meet Mr. Barker shortly after he retired from his game show.

On this week's show, Mike and EB will channel Bob's spirit as they unleash a new game show... THEME PARK SMARTS!

CoasterRadio.com listeners will hear actual members of the general public answer what we consider to be really easy questions about amusement parks.  All the listeners will have to do is guess wheteher the person will get the answer right or wrong.

It sounds easy... but it's much harder than you might think!

Plus, the guys will discuss some of the new inverting wooden coasters that will be coming to American parks in 2013.

That's right, America is getting not one, not two, but THREE inverting wooden roller coasters next year.

All three are under construction right now! But which one will wow theme park guests when summer rolls around?

Speaking of excellent rides....

It's time for our annual poll where we ask you guys what you think is the Best New Theme Park Attraction of the year.  Make sure you vote between now and the end of the year.  Mike and EB will be announcing the winner during the first show of 2013!

Also on this week's show, a Live Trip Report from Disneyland's Candlelight Processional and MUCH MORE!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
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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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Vote for the Best New Attraction in 2012

2012 was an excellent year for the amusement industry.

There were a ton of new attractions all around the world that pushed the boundaries of thrills, technology and theming.

But which one made the most impact?  Which one impressed the most people?

Which one was the best of 2012?

On our last show of the year, we'll take a look back at all of these new rides and attractions and choose one as the CoasterRadio.com Best New Attraction of 2012.

As always, we're interested in your opinion!

Check out the list below and let us know what attraction you think is #1 for 2012!

CoasterRadio.com #709 - Disney Dragons and Haunted Mansions

One of the great things about being a fan of theme parks is getting to know the creative stories and legends behind each attraction.

With all due respect to other theme park companies, no one does this better than Disney.

The story and immersive atmosphere of the "Haunted Mansion" attractions captivate guests around the world.

Recently, a group of filmmakers, special effects artists, composers and actors from Hollywood, California created an amazing short film that brings the lore of the "Haunted Mansion" to life.

On this week's show, we interview Jeremiah Daws and Lisa Livesay from the new short film "Missing in the Mansion."

We'll talk to them about the creative process behind the film, what it was like to shoot at Disneyland during normal park hours and how fans have reacted to what they created.

And speaking of creative things....

We'll talk about the mysterious creature that has been flying in the skies over the Magic Kingdom this week.  Curious fans have been staying up late, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever has been flying over Cinderella Castle each night.

Mike and EB will break down what information is out there and possibly get an official answer to what the creature could be.

Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from Canobie Lake and a whole lot more!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Two Ways to Participate!

We pride ourselves around here as being one of the most interactive podcasts in the world.

And this week, we have TWO great ways for you to be a part of the show.

First, on this week's episode, we'll be playing a fun new game.

Listeners will hear us ask questions of non-park fans... and you'll have to guess whether or not they will know the correct answer.

It's not as easy as it sounds (but it is a lot of fun!)

If the listener can correctly guess three out of five answers, they'll win a prize out of the patented CoasterRadio.com Prize Closet.

AND...

Since it's the holiday season, we want to make some radio magic for the parents out there.  If you have a son or daughter (ages 5-9) who would like a phone call from Santa Claus and his merry elf, we can make it happen!

Of course, Santa will be played by our own Hagrid and the elf will be played by Mr. Shapiro... but we promise that they'll do a good job and keep the "illusion" alive.

As a reward for trusting us, we'll also send the parents something from the patented CoasterRadio.com Prize Closet as well!

If you're interested in either of these opportunities, you can also e-mail us by using the address over on the right, write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

We're looking forward to having you on the show!

CoasterRadio.com #708 - Own the Haunted Mansion

We're about three weeks away from Christmas... so now's the time to start looking for holiday gifts for family and friends.

OR... it might be the time for you to start dropping hints about what you're interested in seeing under the tree.

Odds are, whether you're giving or receiving, you have theme park fans in your life.

On this week's episode of Coaster Radio, we're here to help! It's the 2012 Holiday Gift Guide!

The list includes everything from inexpensive stocking stuffers to obscenely expensive items that would blow someone away.

Heck, the list includes a 7-bedroom home that looks exactly like Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.  You can have it if you have $870,000!

Mike and EB also talk about the possibility of park's moving to away from a once-price admission ticket to a more dynamic pricing structure based on the day of the week and the time of year.  Imagine paying once price on a Wednesday and a completely different price on a Saturday.  Could this actually happen?

We also have a Live Trip Report from EPCOT, a few celebrity visits and details on how you can win some amazing prizes from the show!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
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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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

2012 CoasterRadio.com Holiday Gift Guide

FROM THE PARKS 

Cedar Point Merchandise - Ride Banners for $49.99
Harry Potter Merchandise - Chocolate Frogs, anyone?
Busch Gardens Merchandise - Fun wildlife stuff
Sea World Merchandise - Shamu Store!

Holiday World Merchandise - Pat Koch Signed Books!
Knoebels Ride Tickets! - A great stocking stuffer!

DISNEY MONORAIL STUFF (See Mike's Video Here!)
Disneyland Upgraded Remote Controlled Monorail - $79.95
Walt Disney World Deluxe Monorail - $84.95
Walt Disney World Contemporary Hotel - $49.99
Disney's Polynesian Hotel - $49.99

EXOTIC
Allan Herschel Mad Mouse - $45,000
ACTUAL Walt Disney Signature Disneyland 1 Year Anniv. Autograph Framed Check! - $7,500
GHOSTBUSTERS Flight Suit Universal Studios - $899
Disney House HAUNTED MANSION Replica 10,000 Sq Ft 7 Bedroom Home - $873,000

DISNEY PARKS
Tower of Terror Costume - $26.00
Polynesian Resort Tiki God Resin Push Door Trashcan Sign - $229.99

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS
Back to the Future DeLorean - $17.95
Polar Coaster - $48.95

CARNIVAL GAMES
Bowlercade - Arcade Style Bowling Alley
Speedball - Desktop Skee-Ball - $34.99
Real Skeeball Machine - $6,400
Electronic Shooting Gallery Game - $23.98
Electronic Claw Game  - $42.99
Arcade Alley Ball Blaster - $29.99

LESS EXPENSIVE ITEMS
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 - Download for $3!
Roller Coaster iPhone Case - $16
Adventureland T-Shirt - $17.95
Subscription to Touring Plans - $11.95

BOOKS

Poster Art of Disney Parks - $26.40
Walt Disney Imagineering - $37.80

FOR KIDS
Step 2 Extreme Roller Coaster - $310.97
K’NEX Double Shot Coaster - $39.97

FOOD
Corn Dog Maker - $24.00
Churros Maker - $24.99
Sno Cone Maker - $29.99
Cotton Candy Maker - $35.00
Funnel Cake Maker - $12.98

Interactive Question - The Best Holiday Gifts (for a park fan!)

With the holidays right around the corner, you're no doubt looking for the "perfect" gifts to give to your loved ones.

If you listen to our show, there's a good chance that your friends and family like theme parks and roller coasters almost as much as you do.

On this week's show, we're going to talk about unique gifts that will light up the eyes of the park fan in your life.

But we're counting on you for the ideas!

Sure, Mike and EB have a lot of good gift ideas in mind, but they're sure you know of some interesting things that are available for purchase.

Let us know what you've found!  We're looking for small, inexpensive stocking stuffers all the way up to expensive big ticket items! (Remember the year we found an EPCOT Horizon's vehicle on sale for $10,000?)

Send us your gift ideas to us by Tuesday, November 27th at 8:30pm EST 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, write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

The best option is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show!

CoasterRadio.com #707 -Thanks for Nothing!

On this week's show, EB and Mike let the listeners vent on what they are most (and least) thankful for at the theme parks this year.
It's a chance to give thanks and complain at the same time!

Plus, the guys discuss some of the big announcements made at the amusement industry's major trade show - IAAPA.

Mike and EB will be joined by Clint Novak and The Legend from the "In The Loop" podcast.

Clint and The Legend were on-site at IAAPA shooting dozens of videos showcasing the latest and greatest technologies on display at the trade show.

Plus, we'll have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Magic Mountain and a whole lot more!!!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

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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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Interactive Question - What are you most (and least) thankful for?

Is it Thanksging time already?

Geeze, wasn't it just Opening Day of the 2012 Theme Park season just a few weeks ago?

Anyway, if it's Turkey Time, that must mean it's also time for the Annual Coaster Radio Thanksgiving Show.

In the past, we've asked you about what attractions you think are "Theme Park Turkeys."  We've also asked you about what you're most "thankful" for in the amusement industry.

This year, we're gonna do both!

For this week's show, tell us about what you're most thankful for and least thankful for at the parks you have visited.

We'll talk about your answers on our next show!

Send us your comments to us by Tuesday, November 20th at 8:30pm EST 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, write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

The best option is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show!

The "Coaster Radio ReRun" Contest

What's a ReRun?

EB and I are taking the week off to recharge our batteries and get ready for our upcoming Holiday Shows.


The best thing for people to do when there isn't a fresh episode of the show is to head into our expansive archive of episodes and listen to something from the past!

We have 237 shows for you to listen to... dating back as far as 2005!  If you're lucky, you might even find the origin of some of our "inside jokes!"

But if you're a new listener, you might not know where to begin!  So this week, we have a contest that is exclusive to our Facebook and Twitter followers.

All you have to do is to pick one of your favorite episodes from the archive and tell people about it on Facebook or Twitter.  Post a link to the episode and maybe a reason why its worth listening to.

If you're posting on Twitter, mention our handle @coasterradio so we know you're entering.

If you're posting on Facebook, make sure to link to the CoasterRadio.com Facebook page in your post so we know you're entering there.

We will randomly pick three people and send them something valuable from the CoasterRadio.com prize closet.  It could be attraction tickets, park t-shirts, minature ride vehicles... who knows?!?

But most importantly, you're helping new listeners find those hidden gems in the CoasterRadio.com archives.

And remember, if you haven't heard it... IT'S NEW TO YOU!!!

And speaking of ReRuns...

CoasterRadio.com #706 - What Would You Do?

We've all been at the park and seen a parent or other adult forcing a kid onto a roller coaster or other intense thrill ride.

Maybe the kid is just a bit scared... but other times the kid is shrieking in sheer terror.

On this week's show, we ask the Coaster Radio audience... What Would You Do?

Would you get involved?  Would you stay away?  Would you watch as if it were bonus entertainment that you didn't have to pay for?

We share a ton of listener stories about real-life events and how they reacted to what they saw.  We even hear from a few parents who admit to being the ones who force their kids on the rides.

Also, we have talk about the new ride announcements at Universal Orlando and Knotts Berry Farm, plus a Live Trip Report from Disney California Adventure!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Interactive Question - What Would You Do?

We're trying out a new segment on this week's show called "What Would You Do?"

Here's how it works...

We give you a hypothetical situation that you might encounter in a theme park and then you tell us how you'd react.

This week, what would you do if you if you saw a parent physically making a child ride an attraction that they absolutely, positively didn’t want to ride?

What if the child was screaming and crying in absolute terror?  What if the parent was showing no mercy as they dragged the child on the ride?

Is it your place to say anything?  Is it none of your business?  Should the park get involved?

It's an interesting question and we want to hear how you would handle it if you saw it.

Send us your comments to us by Tuesday, November 6th at 8:00pm EST by e-mailing us at feedback@coasterradio.com.  You can also write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

The best option though is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show!

The best answer wins something from the CoasterRadio.com Prize Closet!!!

CoasterRadio.com #705 - Holy Crap, Star Wars!

Sometimes there are big stories in the amusement industry...

Maybe a new roller coaster is announced or a new park is being built somewhere.

But sometimes there are stories that come along that entirely change the landscape of the entertainment industry.

One of those stories happened this week.

The Walt Disney Company announced that it would be purchasing Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion.

This includes all of the Star Wars Properties, technical companies such as Industrial Light and Magic, LucasArts, plus anything else that George Lucas created over the last four decades.

Disney also announced that fans can look forward to Star Wars: Episodes 7, 8 and 9, with the next installment due in 2015. (Nerds rejoice!!!)

But what does this all mean for the Disney Theme Parks?

Are we going to see new attractions and themed areas based on the hundreds of characters and locations in the Star Wars Universe?  Could we see more rides based on the Adventures of Indiana Jones?

Or, might be actually see an entire park based on all that George Lucas and his team created?

The possibilities (and the conjecture) are unlimited!!!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

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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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

2012 Podcast Awards

I kinda like being the underdog.

When we first started CoasterRadio.com back in 2005, most people said it would fail.

Coaster Boys went on theme park message boards and said that a podcast about theme parks was a stupid idea and that no one would listen.  We actually got called losers, posers and a few other names that I won't bother posting here.

Back then, we decided not to listen to the haters and to just have a good time with the show.  We figured if the show was good and the show was fun, it would work.

Here we are, seven years later... still having fun.  I think the show is better than ever.  The best part is, a lot of you have decided to come along for the ride.

EB and I don't have any grand delusions about what this show is.  We know that it's a small podcast where we get to talk about something we like.  We know it's an excuse to take a break from "real life" and pretend to be radio DJs.

We don't have egos about this thing.  We don't let it rule our lives.

We also know we won't ever have as many listeners as the "Disney Podcasts" do.

However, even with a smaller audience, the show does manage to get recognized.

This week, we found out that we have been nominated for the third consecutive year for "Best Travel Podcast" in the Podcast Awards.

In our category, there are seven (yes, seven) Disney podcasts, our friends at The Season Pass Podcast and a podcast about Amateur Travel.

(The poor Amateur Travel podcast host must be wondering what the heck is going on with all of these theme park podcasts.)

The winner of this category for the past six years is Lou Mongello's WDW Radio.  He does a fantastic show and has a very large and loyal audience.

But while we don't get the same listener numbers, I think that our audience is right up there with his in terms of being loyal and engaged.

So, EB and I want to give something a try.

Voting for the Podcast Awards begins on Thursday, November 1st and runs though November 14th.  You can vote once a day, every day.

What if we had a huge number of listeners commit to voting 15 times for the show?  Could we pull off the upset?  I think we could!

It's all about committment.  It's all about making the effort to vote every day.  I think we can do it!

So, EB and I would like you to send an e-mail to feedback@coasterradio.com to sign up for a daily e-mail that will remind you to vote.

Voting literally takes 20 seconds.  It's fast and easy.  If enough of you do this each day, we just might have a chance - David vs. Goliath style!

We might not win this thing, but I believe we have to try.

Isn't it fun to be on the side of an underdog?

CoasterRadio.com #704 - The Halloween Campfire Show

All Hallows Eve is almost upon us....

This week, we have the perfect show to get you in the "spirit" of Halloween.

Mike and EB start this week's show with a bit of talk about whether or not Walt Disney World and Disneyland should consider an "adult-oriented" Halloween event at their parks.

Universal Studios has pretty much cornered the market in Orlando and Southern California... but could Disney come up with something even better?

After that, Mike reveals that he has spent $199.99 on a "Seance School" and wants to attempt contacting one of his heroes who has passed on to the afterlife.  Will he be successful?  And who is the spirit that he wants to contact?

Finally, after a Live Trip Report from Busch Gardens Tampa, the guys sit around the fire pit with their marshmellows and S'Mores to begin the 2012 Halloween Campfire show.

This is an annual tradition where the guys take actual back-stories from Halloween Haunts across the country and bring them to life on-the-air.  You'll want to darken the room, light some candles, grab some candy (and your headsets) to join in on the fun!!!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Interactive Question - Stories for the Campfire

We're getting ready for our annual "Halloween Campfire" show.

It's the episode where EB and Mike read the set-up stories behind some of the best Halloween Haunts all around the world.

The guys are looking for your help!

If you have visited a really great Halloween event that has a really interesting story that sets up the whole thing... let them know!

Send us a link to the haunt by Tuesday, October 23rd at 8:00pm EST by e-mailing us at feedback@coasterradio.com.  You can also write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

The best option though is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show by telling us the story!

CoasterRadio.com #703 - 80's-Style Murder in the Amusement Park

Here at the Original Theme Park Podcast, we love Halloween.

We also love good horror movies from the 80's.

So, imagine if someone made a throwback horror film that was set in an old, closed down amusement park...

Yeah, they'd have our attention.

On this week's all new episode, we talk with Cary Hill.  He's the writer and director of a brand new 80's-style horror film - Scream Park.

The entire film was shot on location at Conneaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania. Several of the key scenes were shot on and around classic attractions like the Blue Streak and the Devil's Den.

We'll talk with Cary about what it was like to shoot his film in the park and how the rides and attractions influenced the story.

We'll also talk about how Hersheypark's Thigh Crush... er, Sky Rush has closed for the season a little earlier than expected.  Of course, the Coaster Boys out there have their own ideas on why this happened.  But Mike and EB give their own unique take on the matter.

Plus, we'll have your ideas on the ultimate setting to have a Halloween Haunt and EB's review of Holiday World's Happy Halloween Weekends!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!


LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

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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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Interactive Question - The Ultimate Setting for a Haunted Attraction

On any weekend night in October, you could step into a haunted mansion, a creepy mortuary, a hostile alien ship or even a serial killer's lair... and everything would be OK.

We're close to Halloween, and professional haunters across the country are creating amazing atmospheres based upon our darkest fears.

The creators of haunted attractions have thousands of atmospheres to choose from, based on the story they want to tell.

But which locations are the best?  The scariest? The more tried and true?

Send us your comments to us by Tuesday, October 16th at 8:00pm EST by e-mailing us at feedback@coasterradio.com.  You can also write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

The best option though is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show!

The best answer wins two tickets to any Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium in the world!

CoasterRadio.com #702 - Halloween Begins!

It's fun to visit theme parks any time of the year, but there's something a bit more special about visting them around Halloween.

We love Halloween here at the Original Theme Park Podcast!  We love it so much, that this is the first of three shows dedicated to the spookiest time of year.

This week's show starts out with a bit of a shocker! You'll have to listen to the first 30-seconds to see what we mean!

After the guys have a few minutes to process what happened, they discuss a story in the news about a man who died after partipating in a roach and worm eating contest.  The contest was very similar to what many parks do during their Hallowen Haunt events.  Will this have any affect on what the parks do thoughout October?

Mike and EB also talk about how Kings Island is selling off parts of "Son of Beast." Is the price too high?  Who would buy such a thing? And who actually came up with this idea?  The guys have answers to all of those questions.

Mike also has a trip report from Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  He also had a chance to talk with Scott Gasparich, the Vice President of  Entertainment for the park about what it takes to put on a massive Halloween Haunt like Howl-O-Scream.

Plus, you'll hear what it sounded like when Mike and Greg walked though one of the most popular mazes... Deadline.

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!


LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

CoasterRadio.com #701 - The Joint Chiefs Return!

Any new listeners to our show might only know it has being hosted by Mike and EB.

But back in 2005, the show was hosted by the five guys you see on the right.

When the new version of CoasterRadio.com came out in 2009, Mario Flava and Greg had all moved on to other things.  But as a listener said this week, they will always be a part of the show.

But over the past year, many listeners (new and old) have been asking for the guys to come back for at least one episode.  One astute listener obsevred thatNeil Patrick Harris has been on the show more lately than Mario has.

So, to kick off Season Seven "In Styllleeee...," we're goin' OLD SCHOOL.

This first episode of the new season features Mike, EB, Greg, Flava and Mario... THE JOINT CHIEFS.

It's a wild show that didn't quite happen as the gang planned.  But it does have the feel of being back in 2005 again.

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

Welcome back guys!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

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 by leaving a comment here on the blog.

CoasterRadio.com #651 - Coaster Commentary - Gatekeeper at Cedar Point

EB and Mike take a look at the animation for "Gatekeeper," the new B&M Wingrider coaster coming to Cedar Point in 2013.

Pre-Season Podcast (Archived Version)

One week before the start of our 7th Season of CoasterRadio.com, we hosted a live webcast where we talked about the results of our Listener Survey and what we had planned for the next year.

We also took live phone calls and talked with the audience in our chat room.

If you missed the webcast, here it is in its entirety!

Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream Listener Review

The following blog post was written by Andrew Stilwell from North Carolina. He had the chance to visit Howl-O-Scream as part of a social media promotion. Thanks Andrew! - Mike

It all started with a simple email.

“Thank you for participating on the Busch Gardens social media channels. Could you email us your mailing address so that we may invite you to social media events in the future? Hope you are having a great summer.

Sincerely,
Busch Gardens’ Social Media Team”

I had the opportunity to attend the Verbolten VIP event the day before the new roller coaster opened in May, because of a photo caption contest that was run through Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s facebook and twitter accounts.  I thought that night would be the end of my social media “reporting” at Busch Gardens.

Regardless, I responded to the email just in case, not really thinking much of it.

Several weeks later, I received a small package in the mail. It was wrapped in plain brown paper, but had Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s address on the label. I was confused. I hadn’t sent away for anything from the park, and the earlier email didn’t even cross my mind until I started to open the package.

Inside, there was a small red box. Inside of the box, there was a dark bottle with a Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream Logo, with the message that read:

“The Lady of the Gardens summons you to the Dark Side of Busch Gardens.” Followed by “#FrightNight September 15, 2012.”

(It was tough to tell what was inside the bottle at first, though after some shaking, it revealed some gummy worms with a candy coating that were quite tasty.)

I’m not a member of the media who regularly receives invitations to special theme park events. I’m just your average guy who loves theme parks roller coasters more than a normal 22 year old does.

This invitation was something that I wasn’t expecting, but needless to say, I immediately RSVP’d, and made plans to head to Williamsburg, VA on the 15th. I had never been to any “scary” theme park Halloween events before, so I didn’t really have an idea what to expect.

The confirmation email I received said that I needed to be at the park by 3:00pm. I was there by 1:15. I figured that they’d maybe let me in early, and I could ride a few coasters in the meantime. I could dream, right?

Registration didn’t even start until 3. There’s a hilarious story that involves an employee from the Columbus Zoo who was at the park for an animal event, as well as a Busch Gardens employee who was confused as to why there was a table set aside at a side gate, but I’ll spare you.  (The Sportsman’s Grille in Williamsburg is right down the street, and a great place to kill an hour and a half watching football and drinking.)

I arrived back at the park just shy of 3:00pm, ready to register and get my day at Howl-O-Scream going. We were greeted at a side gate by the Busch Gardens Social Media team, who could not have been nicer. I was greeted with:

“Andrew Stilwell? Oh, I recognize your name from Facebook and Twitter!” Whether or not that was true, it was a great touch.

At the gate, we were presented with a bag that contained two black roses, two unlimited “quick queue” wristbands – good for all haunted houses, and all but two roller coasters (Verbolten and Loch Ness Monster) – and a few other items. We were also given a sheet of instructions that said to meet at the Black Forest picnic area at 5:00pm, where we were supposed to present the roses as an invitation to dinner.

We entered the park right after 3:00pm, and were able to take full advantage of the Quick Queue wristbands for two hours. (The park was the most crowded I had ever seen it – even the parking lots across the street were being used.)

The park looked great all prepared for Halloween, even in the daylight.

There were Halloween-themed items everywhere - ghosts hanging from the trees, gravestones dotting the gardens between Ireland and New France – for my first “Halloween” event, it was incredible to see. Everywhere you turned, there were different Halloween decorations.

Even the signs for the Haunted Houses looked great during the day. One of the best decorations I saw was an entire bridge between New France and Alpengeist covered in Spider webs.

After two hours of non-stop coaster riding (Alpengeist and Apollo’s Chariot – Griffon was down early on) we made our way to the Black Forest picnic area. The social media team escorted the group back to the furthest pavilion, which they had outfitted with dark curtains and green lights, in order to create a creepy atmosphere. The creepy “Dark Side of the Gardens” theme music played over a speaker on a loop.

The dinner was an array of foods – spare ribs, mini quiche, meatballs, and chicken drumettes, in addition to some creative “scary” desserts – nutter butter cookies covered in white chocolate with Dots as fingernails, and spider oreos with licorice legs. The buffet table and surrounding tables were decked out with “bloody” table cloths, as well as some creative decorations and centerpieces

Midway through the meal, the Lady of the Gardens started making her rounds. She actually popped up behind me in the buffet line, and just eerily stood behind me as I picked up a meatball and put it on my plate. Her lack emotions and talking would give the Blue Man Group a run for their money, though she did break a few times, and cracked a smile.

After dinner, it was 6:00pm, and Howl-O-Scream started. We had a few hours to explore all that the park had to offer as far as Haunted Houses go.

This begins the part of my report where there are some Spoilers. SPOILER ALERT. There, you’ve been warned.

As we got in line for the first house, the “Roaming hoards” emerged. Busch Gardens seems like it’s taking a page out of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and not having scare-zones, rather these groups that roamed the entire park all night. There was a crowd of evil clowns, a “chainsaw army,” and a group of zombies, none of which were particularly frightening in the day light. The clowns had no problem coming right up to you and getting right in your face though, which I thought was a great touch.

 
We were able to see all six houses because of the Quick Queue wristband – and several of them multiple times. I’ll rank my favorite houses in reverse order. 

6. FEAR FAIR
Located in the Festa Italia section of the park beyond the Roman Rapids queue line in a horse paddock, FEAR FAIR is set up like a carnival gone wrong, right down to the smell of horse crap.

Various clowns were scattered around the Festa area, leading up to the Carnival Midway entrance of Fear Fair. The marquees advertised the typical carnival freak show – and the headliner for this Carnival was the “Man-Eating Chicken.”

When I picture a “Man-Eating Chicken,” I always think back to the Little Rascals and Spanky carnival barking so the gang could build a new Clubhouse. I digress. The draw at the Fear Fair was Clowns, and lots of them.

You walk from tent to tent, exhibit to exhibit – and there are clowns everywhere. I didn’t find this maze particularly scary, more creepy than anything. There were plenty of hiding places for the clowns, and they came out of the bushes and tall grass, and out from behind hanging banners. Don’t get me wrong. It had its’ moments. (I had a clown pop out of the tall grass at me and cackle, and I jumped back pretty far.) And, maybe it was because I experienced this maze in the daylight, but this was my least favorite maze by far.

5. BITTEN
The first house we visited that night was BITTEN. Housed in a wooden building beyond the “Black Forest” of Verbolten, BITTEN is a haunt that is centered around the times of Vampires of Eastern Europe in the 1800’s.

Despite the fact that it was only 6:00pm, the building did an excellent job of blacking out any outside light, creating a very dark walkthrough maze.

This maze wasn’t particularly scary to me. Maybe it’s all of the desensitizing that Twilight and its’ sparkly Vampires have caused, but I personally don’t find Vampires to be particularly scary.

There were several great scares within the maze – a few that jumped out at me (pun intended) were a vampire that popped out from under a coffin, as well as a vampire who sat with his leg up on a barrel as you came around a corner and screamed and cackled as you left the maze. His voice may have been the scariest thing in the attraction for me.

4. CATACOMBS
What I felt like was the smallest maze; CATACOMBS took place near the Royal Palace Theater. Themed with Skeletons and Rats, even though it was the smallest maze, it was easily the most concentrated with scares and actors. The “skeletons” were caged in by elastic “bars” and they would use the elasticity to their full advantage, popping out and bouncing back into their cells. The maze was too short to really take anything from it, but the population of scare-actors within the maze was easily the best. They did their job well, and elicited quite a few screams from people within the maze.

T-2. DEADLINE/ROOT OF ALL EVIL
I had a difficult time choosing which of these I liked better. Each maze had two of the biggest scares (at least to me) of the night.

DEADLINE was housed within the ride building at Escape from Pompeii. (I had no idea that there was a separate maze area underneath the ride track.)

Themed as the Pompeii subway system cut off from society, this maze had the best theming before you actually got into the maze of all six mazes.

Biohazard signs, traffic barrels, and even televisions broadcasting a fake news broadcast about the subway system failure dotted the Pompeii queue line and surrounding areas.

The best part of the maze was the different areas within it. There were distinct scenes – a subway station, a bathroom, an electrical room, and even a subway car.

The two scariest moments for me happened during two separate walk-throughs of the maze. During the first walkthrough – at the very end of the maze, there was a scare-actor with a gun. The gun was pointed at the ground, but as I was walking through the final scene, he “fired” it. The noise was unreal, and I hoofed it out of the maze very quickly.

On the second walkthrough, in the subway scene, there were a bunch of dummies that were slumped over in the seats.

As I was walking through, one of the dummies – obviously an actor at this point – got up, and slowly walked about 8” in front of me, only to go slump over in another seat. It wasn’t particularly scary, but it was one of the most unexpected scares of the night.

The newest house for this year’s Howl-O-Scream was aptly named ROOT OF ALL EVIL.

In short, it was themed as a greenhouse gone wrong. There were plants everywhere, and the indoor-outdoor maze was not short of thrills. It was especially hard to maneuver this maze after dark, because some of the plants and the way they were arranged made it difficult to navigate the maze.

The maze started in a greenhouse with an attendant who screamed at anyone who entered “DON’T TOUCH THE PLANTS!” As I was exiting the Greenhouse, I turned, and looked at her, and calmly said. “I just touched ALL OF THE PLANTS.” She proceeded to flip out, and bang a shovel on the table. It was great improvisation on her part.

The best scare of the night in my opinion came in this house while we were walking around the outside portion of the plants, and a scare actor popped out of a garden fountain that was filled with water, splashing everywhere. It was incredibly tough to see the fountain, let alone know that there was someone inside the fountain. Best scare of the night.

One other thing I learned from this maze – the sound of a spade, shovel, or other garden tool on concrete as one comes around the corner is an incredible way to scare people.

1. 13
13 was my favorite maze of the night. I’m not sure if it was the constant fear of what was going to come next, or the fact that it was 13 different fears housed in one location.

13 took place in the Corkscrew Hill/Europe in the Air building in Ireland, which was a great location. There were 13 numbered rooms/areas within the maze.

Many major stereotypical fears were represented in this house – Claustrophobia, Fear of the Doctor’s Office and Waiting Rooms, Fear of being strangled by Plants, Monsters under the Bed, Snakes, Spiders, Heights, The Dark, and Bad Luck – the list goes on.

The claustrophobia scare involved finding your way through an incredibly thin, dark tunnel; which was created by air blowing two sheets on either side of you. This led into a waiting room that was dimly lit, with awful jazz music. I was curious on my trip through the maze if it was “Fear of Jazz Music.”

Probably the coolest illusion of the entire night took place in the area that symbolized fear of heights. Walking over a “plank” with a mirrored floor on either side, depicting water reflected off the ceiling.

I caught myself several times tapping my foot on the mirror just to make sure that it was real. 13 was more of a psychological scare than a physical scare, and I really enjoyed that.

After the houses, the Social Media Team had one final treat for us – reserved seats at the last showing of FIENDS, one of three shows at Howl-O-Scream.

Fiends reminded me a lot of the Beetlejuice Show at Universal Orlando – a rock-n-roll revue with some hair band music and innuendo. The premise of Fiends was the new creation of Dr. Freakenstein, who wanted to create a new, evil monster.

There were several song and dance numbers with Dr. Freakenstein and his servant, Igor – as well as several scantily clad “nurses.” Classic monsters also made appearances – Dracula, singing Bon Jovi, the Wolfman singing Duran Duran, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

After several failed attempts and plot twists, Dr. Freakenstein finally created his monster (who didn’t look like a monster at all), and the show ended with a Beatles Cover. (I get by with a little help from my Fiends.)

Overall, Fiends was mildly entertaining, and provided a good 20 minute window to sit down and rest that night.

Overall Impressions:

The park looked amazing after dark. Everywhere you turned, there were fog machines and creepy lighting, and the theming in the park, no matter where you were, was excellent.

Riding Griffon and Verbolten in the dark were completely different experiences than riding them in the daytime. It didn’t hurt that Busch Gardens went all out on the fog machines at Verbolten, and the final drop was like riding a roller coaster through a cloud.

For my first time at a park Halloween event, I thoroughly enjoyed myself after not really knowing what to expect.

My one issue, if you could even call it that, was the lack of presence of the roaming hoards. Busch Gardens made it seem like “no dark path was safe,” – but aside from the “releasing” of the hoards at 6:00pm by the Bitten house, we ran into the clowns twice, once in the Fear Fair area before it got dark, and about 9:30, after Fiends. We didn’t see the Chainsaw army or Zombies at all.

Finally, I’d like to thank the Busch Gardens Social Media team for a great evening. I’d love to go back to Howl-O-Scream again this fall.