Wednesday, October 31, 2012

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?




Thursday, October 25, 2012

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

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.




Monday, October 22, 2012

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!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

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

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.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

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!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

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

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.

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

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

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.






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