A Merry CoasterBoy Christmas

by Dave Voskuhl

On a recent episode of Coaster Radio, Mike and EB went over some good (and some not-so-good) ideas for Christmas gifts for your fellow coaster fans.

Sorry guys, I’m not a billionaire, so don’t expect the Disneyland coffee table from me.

However, if you’re like me, your family knows how much of a geek you are when it comes to amusement parks and roller coasters.  So going into the holiday season, I’m always looking forward to what people will be getting me.

Although any more, my family just asks me what I want for Christmas.  So much for creativity…

In any case, I asked for a season pass to a local water park, so I’m looking forward to a full summer of water slides!

But I’m not just on the receiving end of the coaster gifts.  My uncle is a theme park fan as much as I am, so I’ve been giving theme park-related gifts to him for years.

Some of the things I’ve passed along are Cedar Point hoodies, a single-day admission to Dollywood, a K’Nex roller coaster set, and Disney gift cards.  Let the record state: you can never go wrong with Disney gift cards, especially if it’s someone who goes to the Disney parks somewhat regularly.

This year my uncle finally caved in and rode Top Thrill Dragster for the first time, so I’m giving him a Coaster Dynamix Statix model of a Dragster Train.  And while I was doing that shopping, I also got a Millennium Force model for myself.  Merry Christmas to me!

I’m not sure if my co-workers haven’t noticed the coaster model in my cube yet, or if they’re just quietly laughing at me…  I’ll assume the former.  But overall, the Statix models are very nice and pretty realistic, so I’m happy with the purchase.  And of course I’m also throwing in a Disney gift card.  Seriously—can’t go wrong.

I’m sure that whatever your gifts may include, coaster-related or not, will bring joy to the holiday season.  And that’s really what it’s all about.  But for the theme park fans in your family, there are some very good options out there to bring the thrills home.

Merry Christmas from a fellow coaster boy!

A CoasterBoy Christmas

The Tradition Continues!!!

Neil Patrick Harris and CoasterRadio.com tell the holiday tale of a magical Christmas Eve visit from the world's most obnoxious coaster enthusiast.

Happy Holidays from your friends at CoasterRadio.com!

(and please share this with your friends!)

Theme Parks Are Good For Your Kids

by Terry Mulcahy

Think about your first trip to a park; it was probably a blur of colors, sounds and temper-tantrums. But what about that sense of whimsy when you saw Disney World’s castle for the first time, or the fear you felt approaching your first coaster loop?

Theme parks might be expensive, tiring and stressful, but take a step back and you’ll see that they can also be emotional training-grounds.

Deferred Gratification
It’s the thing that most coaster-boys hate: the queue-line. Standing in the sun with a toddler might be hell, but waiting patiently is a great way for the young ‘uns to learn that sometimes, that’s the only way to get what you want. Even electronic q-bots and fast-passes can teach them this, if you explain that you’re waiting your turn to do something awesome.

Lateral Thinking
They’ll half enjoy, half dread the tension a line builds before their first big ride. And the stories that queue-line theming can tell visually, without words, are a good way for kids to think of narrative in a more lateral way.

It’s also a great place to talk to them about what they’re going to experience and allay their fears - or scare the crap out of them, if you’re that sort of parent.

You gotta do what you gotta do

We’ve all seen it. That one kid who is so terrified to ride something, they’ll happily scream until they puke. Being a good parent is learning to get to know your kid and what they can handle, but sometimes it’s important to push through that fear. And if that means tears, it might be for the best.

We’re talking Haunted Mansion / first big log flume, not Kingda Ka but learning that you can’t back out just because you’re scared of something is important.

Asking that girl out on a date, applying for that one job you don’t think you can get or giving a public speech, it’s a similar lesson and for many of us we learned it first at a theme park.

Self-esteem
And if they do push past the wide-eyed terror, not only do they deserve a high-five but they’ll love themselves for it. Remember conquering your first drop-tower? Or your first grown-up flat ride? Isn’t that feeling of adrenaline and pride one of the best things ever? Whether Big Thunder Mountain was your Everest or The Hulk was your nemesis, it feels pretty good walking down the exit ramp a hero.

“No.”

Sometimes you just can’t have it. And with theme park prices for food/merch/waterpark entry/upcharge extras, most kids are going to learn that they can’t have everything, so they should enjoy what they can have. Bah Humbug.

Imagination
But the most important rite of passage? The all-out assault on the senses that a theme park can be. Whether it’s passing under Islands of Adventure’s Port of Entry bridge, strolling down Disney’s Mainstreet USA or catching a parade, those are moments that you’ll never forget.

The mist effect pumped into a haunted attraction, the soaring musical score of rides like Jurassic Park: River Adventure or the suspension of disbelief that, “something has gone terribly wrong.” These are what memories are made of.

CoasterRadio.com #809 - Neil Patrick Harris - LIVE from EPCOT!

THIS WEEK:
     * We talk with Neil Patrick Harris LIVE from EPCOT 
     * Neil is in Orlando to host EPCOT's Candlelight Processional
     * He is also there to host Disney Park's Christmas Day Parade
     * EB and Mike recap their favorite park moments from 2013
     * Details on the upcoming short film "A CoasterBoy Christmas!"
     * Hagrid has a new job for the holidays
     * And a Live Trip Report from Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Talk about this episode by leaving a comment here on the blog.

CoasterRadio.com #808 - A Seminar on Theme Park Design

THIS WEEK:
     * We talk with PGAV Destinations Sr. Attraction Designer Jim Wieble 
     * Jim designed attractions like Journey to Atlantis and Cheetah Hunt
     * A Live Trip Report from the Smokey Mountain Alpine Coaster
     * A call from the "Bat Cave"
     * The 2013 CoasterRadio.com Holiday Gift Guide
     * And details on a special guest next week!

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2013 Holiday Gift Guide

Are you looking for the best roller coaster and theme park gift ideas? You've come to the right place!

Here are some of our favorite ideas for 2013!!!

$15,000 - Disneyland Main Street Showcase Coffee Table Train Set 

$1,000 - 1920’S Dodgem Car

$84.95 - Walt Disney World Monorail Set

$19.95 - Walt Disney World 2014 Attraction Poster Calendar 
$150.00 - Replica Frontierland attraction sign

$14.99 - Top Thrill Dragster Ornament

$100 - Coaster Dynamix Coaster Factory

$14.99 - Maverick Train Replica

$25.00 - Cincy Shirts
$15.95 - ACE Rollercoaster Calendar

$4,999 - Skee Ball Machine

LINKS
INTERMARK RIDE GROUP
THEME PARK CONNECTION ONLINE STORE
COASTERRADIO.COM ONLINE STORE

CoasterRadio.com #807 - Two Thumbs Down!!!

THIS WEEK:
     * News from the annual IAPPA Conference 
     * There were a lot of new attractions unveiled.
     * A Live Trip Report from Castles 'N Coasters
     * A winner in the Soundwave Contest!
     * We review "Escape from Tomorrow"
     * What listeners are NOT Thankful for at the parks. 

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Talk about this episode by leaving a comment here on the blog.

The Tower of Terror: Disney Immersion

By Terry Mulcahy

EB prepares to take on The Tower of Terror

A haunting melody echoes from unseen speakers nestled in the foliage. A pair of gloves lie haphazardly on a chair, covered in dust. A statue is choked with Ivy that has gone unclipped for decades. That’s immersion. That’s Disney.

It’s that addictive feeling that you have left your world behind, even if only for a few seconds. For us theme park fans, we know that it’s what Disney does best. In few places is this more evident than on The Tower of Terror.

Mike and EB recently asked listeners to clue-in a puzzled fan on what it is that the Disney parks have that others do not, and for most people it was attention to detail. This one attraction is so densely packed with detail that it is the perfect case study for imagineering as an art form. So carefully does it ratchets up tension and so dramatically does it instill a sense of place that the experience begins long before the ride, before the line even. It begins with the first glimpse of The Hollywood Tower Hotel dominating the Disney’s Hollywood Studios skyline.

The ride itself is spectacular; the sensation of falling and rising as the elevator goes through its tricks is less intense than many first-timers might imagine, but twice as fun. What really gets the pulse-pounding though is the eerie buildup, the narrative that is told through visual clues and audio tie-ins.

The Hollywood Tower Hotel might be the most breathtaking thing in a Disney park (at least at Walt Disney World, Disney’s California Adventure and Disneyland Paris are simpler takes on the theme and Disney TokyoSea is completely different). That’s not to say it’s pretty per se; it’s crumbling, menacing and dusty, but in a way that The Haunted Mansion is not. It feels real, to a point. It feels sad.

A game of Mahjong is set up with painstaking accuracy in such a way that it suggests the game was left in a hurry. A menacing eagle statue plays host to cobwebs and grime and outside, the grounds are peppered with broken garden furniture and ornaments, hidden under layers of green. Even the carpet, though worn and threadbare, suggests the glamor and luxury that the hotel supposedly once lay claim to.

The details are everywhere, and they captivate long before guests enter the library (which is equally mind-boggling in its details, especially as the time spent in here is mostly in darkness). Being there for the first time, frightened and excited, is pure magic. Perhaps it is not something that can be explained, it is something that needs to be experienced.

What are you LEAST Thankful for at the parks?

Is it Thanksgiving time already?

Geeze, wasn't it just Opening Day of the 2013 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.


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

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

Send us your comments to us by Sunday, November 24nd at 7:00pm 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 #806 - Mike Helps a Coaster Phobic

THIS WEEK:
     * The PolarCoaster is coming to Florida!
     * It will break world records for height, speed and length!
     * Kentucky Kingdom unveils "Lightning Run!"
     * A listener calls in from his Honeymoon!
     * Soundwave lives on for another week!
     * Mike helps a friend get over her fear of roller coasters.

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Kings Dominion Goes "Old School" for 2014

By Terry Mulcahy

"They're Baaaaaaack!"

There was once a time when bleach-blonde hair was all the rage, when flannel shirts weren’t just for hipsters and when Virginians could ride the movies. This time was known as the 90s, but for Kings Dominion fans it was the Paramount era.

The Outer Limits: Flight of Fear was once a terrifying ordeal in the dark void of outer space, complete with vindictive aliens and queue-line theming. Today The Flight of Fear (sans Outer Limits theming) is a jiggly journey through a well-lit maintenance shed, complete with ladders, cables and toolboxes. Once The Hurler was a hotbed of Wayne’s World humor. Now it’s a hot mess of rough turns and horrendous design.

These are two of the many attractions that suffered when Paramount sold the park to Cedar Fair in 2006, who had to flush out the movie tie-in theming. Attention to detail and character, (which were around long before Paramount took the reigns too) took a backseat to profit and marketing. But for the first time in years, that might be changing.

Here’s what we know so far:

• Singing Mushrooms. The two words that make Mike and EB giddy. They’re coming back, and that blurry picture that the park released on Twitter (that Screamscape thought might be a big dog) is a piano-playing frog. Families will also be glad to see the return of Candy Apple Grove as a themed midway area. This is great news as, with 2013’s huge overhaul of the only kids’ area, Planet Snoopy, this brings a touch of whimsy and magic back to the park.

• Blue Ice Cream. It was popular in the 70s and 80s, because it’s ice cream and IT’S BLUE. And while you’re battling a brain-freeze/sugar-high combo you can enjoy a restoration of the entry fountains, including a new LED light package.

• But the change generating the most hubbub so far is the restoration of the park’s Congo area (which features a lot of the park’s biggest and best thrill rides), to be renamed Safari Village (as it once was in decades past). The area is currently one of the park’s most well-defined, despite featuring two (admittedly great) coasters themed to race cars, The Flight of Fear and a bobsled coaster that cheerfully proclaims “this ride features live bees.” With a loving touch, a lick of paint and maybe (?) some new theming elements this area should start to shine again.

• But wait, there’s more! The park also promise improvements to Volcano and Anaconda, the parks Arrow loop-screw. Although the details of what that might entail are hazy at the moment, the latter is especially welcome. The ride is showing its age, if a re-track is on the cards that might smooth out some rough transitions, but even if its only a shiny new paint job and, hopefully, a restoration of the cool water-splash effect as the train dives “under” the water it can only do good.

Okay, it’s not a sparkly new GCI woodie, but it’s a start. They could have added another parking-lot coaster (looking at you, Dominator), they could have shoe-horned in another flat. Instead they’re injecting just a little magic back into a park that was once full of it.

More announcements are on the way. What retro icon would you like to see come back? Could The Hurler see a re-theme? Will anyone ever find Grizzly now that the entrance is hidden behind a gift shop? Will that helicopter on The Backlot Stunt Coaster ever do, well, anything? You know Mike and EB will be right on it when more details come to light.

CoasterRadio.com #805 - Woody Harrelson?

THIS WEEK:
     * A rumored theme park based on "The Hunger Games"
     * A friend of the podcast has hired Woody Harrelson?
     * A Live Trip Report from Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
     * More parks are opening their doors for the holidays.
     * A listener wants to know why Disney Parks are a big deal. 

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CoasterRadio.com #804 - Disney Overlays and Criminal Activitays

THIS WEEK:
     * The Disneyland Dry-Ice Man Isn't Allowed Back
     * Have we found the Robin Hood of Busch Gardens?
     * Mike checks out Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday
     *Will Google Glass ever be a thing at the parks?
     * EB might buy a "trash house."
     * Mike is creating a one-man illusion show.

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CoasterRadio.com #803 - Into the Haunts

THIS WEEK:
     * "The Bat" returns to Kings Island in 2014!
     * Kings Dominion takes some heat for "Miner's Revenge."
     * A haunt actress gets punched in the head.
     * Is there a secret Halloween Haunt at Islands of Adventure?
     * The return of our annual "Halloween Campfire!"

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CoasterRadio.com #802 - Extreme Halloween

THIS WEEK:
     * Kings Dominion is going "Old School" for their 40th Anniversary
     * Matt from Yorkshire, UK checks in from Blackpool Pleasure Beach
     * Delusion: Masque of Mortality sounds utterly awesome
     * There are some very disturbing Halloween Haunts out there.
     * Shocktoberfest had to cancel their "nude haunt."
     * "Trapped 2: The New Experiment" at Knotts looks interesting.
     * Blackout in NYC is not something EB wants to experience.
     * The Victim Experience is not something Mike wants to experience.
     * The UK takes the prize for most disturbing sounding haunt.

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CoasterRadio.com #744 - The Last Scream of Summer

We're getting close to the end of summer and that means we have reached the end of the 7th season of Coaster Radio!

Mike and EB go out with a bang with a lot of great park related discussion... including:

* A new report that says teenagers aren't going to the park as much as they did five years ago.

* A new, innovative ride reservation system at Thorpe Park in England

* The possible debunking of a Cedar Fair PR claim and

* The rumored opening of "Flying Turns" at Knoebels.

Plus, we have one last Interactive Topic for the season.  The CoasterRadio.com audience calls in with their picks for their Top New Rides (or rides that are new to them) for 2013!

Thanks so much for being part of the Seventh Season of CoasterRadio.com!!!

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

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CoasterRadio.com #743 - Mike Joins a Secret Disney Society

There are only two more shows left in Season 7!  So this week, we have a jammed packed episode!

First up, EB and Mike are joined by Kevin and Jonathan, the Coaster Radio Correspondents from Ohio.

Kings Island just unveiled plans for their new 2014 Attraction!  It will be named "Banshee" and it will be the world's longest inverted roller coaster.

The guys will give you the low-down on all the figures and stats, plus interviews with Kings Island VP and General Manager Greg Scheid and Kings Island PR Manager Don Helbig.

After that, Mike will tell you about his trip to Anaheim, California for the 2013 D23 Expo!

There were many things to see there... some amazingly cool and others amazingly strange.

But the best of all was when Mike and his wife Molly took part in a unqiue treasure hunt called "The Optimist."  According to the story, it turns out that Walt Disney was part of a futuristic society dedicated to the future.  AND... he left clues behind at Disneyland that would encourage certain people to learn about the society and become potential members.

Were Mike and Molly worthy of Walt's Secret Society?  Did they find the clues he left behind?  You'll find out this week!

Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from a park we've never heard of before and news about our Listener Survey that you can take right now!!!

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

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CoasterRadio.com #742 - Rides That YOU Made Extinct

We were watching "Jurassic Park" on TV the other night and laughing at the part of the movie where paleontologist Dr. Grant has just seen the dinosaurs. He says,

"I think we're out of a job."

And Ian Malcolm (played by the totally awesome Jeff Goldblum) says,

"Don't you mean extinct?"

So many of the things we do here at CoasterRadio.com are inspired by pop culture and this week's show is no different.

This week, we ask the audience to pick one type of ride that they would like to see leave the face of the earth.  We're not looking for specific rides... only ride types.  Some of the answers (especially from E.B.) are shocking!

We also have a Live Trip Report from Magic Joe!  Joe is normally part of the Window to the Magic Podcast, but this week, he brought his binaural audio gear to California's Great America to record an audio treat for our ears on their new coaster "Gold Striker." You'll feel like you're on the ride with him!

The show then goes live to Orlando, Florida to talk with Mike's wife Molly.  She's down in the theme park capital of the world visiting Mike and Colleen (who have been featured on the show several times.)

They'll talk about the latest testing going on with MyMagic+ and some of the strange rumors floating around the Walt Disney World resort!

And, don't forget to take our LISTENER SURVEY! We're working on Season Eight of CoasterRadio.com and want to hear from you guys about how the show is doing!

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

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CoasterRadio.com #741 - Full Throttle

CoasterRadio.com #740 - The Ups and Downs of Rollercoasters

It's been a tough week in the amusement industry.

The guys will discuss the accidents that took place this week, including one on the New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas where a 52 year old woman lost her life.

We'll also talk with Travis and Jason from California who represented CoasterRadio.com at the Media Day for "Full Throttle" at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

We'll find out where the new rollercoaster ranks on the big list of rides at that park.

AND... we'll have the return of "Theme Park Smarts!!!"

But this time around, we're adding a new twist to the game!

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

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CoasterRadio.com #739 - Podcast Time Machine (Disneyland 1955)

For this week's show you're gonna have to suspend disbelief... and have a lot of imagination.

In fact, this week's episode is our little tribute to imagination.

It's also a tribute to the grand idea that Walt Disney had over 60 years ago... an idea that is still flourishing today.

On this week's episode of CoasterRadio.com, Mike and EB hop in their Delorean Time Machine and head back to July 17, 1955 to watch Walt Disney deliver his Disneyland dedication speech.

Before they do that, they "broadcast live" from 2013 in the area in between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

They talk about the rumored possibility of "Flying Turns" at Knoebels finally opening in August.  They also talk about some major upgrades coming to the "Soarin'" attractions at the Disney Parks and a really cool new tour at Dollywood.

Plus, Dan the T-Shirt Guy gets a major scoop while on a tour at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and answers a long-time question.  Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Great Adventure!

It's all coming up on this very "heavy" episode of CoasterRadio.com.

"It's cold! Dam Cold!"

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

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CoasterRadio.com #738 - In the Footsteps of Clark W. Grizwold

E.B. returns to the show this week after a two week hiatus with tales of his EPIC Roadtrip!

After travelling over 7,000 miles with his wife and three kids (all under eight years old), E.B. is back with tales of theme parks, national parks, volcanos and cowardly westerners.

The guys also discuss the latest effort to revive Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, KY.  Ed Hart and his team of investors plan to reopen the former Six Flags property in 2014!

Mike and E.B. also take a look at the rumored new water attraction being dreamed up by the guys at Schlitterbahn.  The new ride will supposedly feature a 180-foot drop, an airtime bunny hill and a top speed of 87-MPH!

We also have several Live Trip Reports from "Goldstriker" at California's Great America and the strange reason why the ride had to be shut down for a few days last week.

Plus, we have the return of our 4th of July tradition - The SPARKTACULAR EXPLOOSIOLOOSA!

It's all coming up on a brand new episode of The Original Theme Park Podcast!

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

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CoasterRadio.com #737 - Brand New Co-Hosts

EB is still on his massive three week road trip with his family.  So, that leaves Mike without anyone to co-host this week's show.

It's up to you guys to bail him out.

During this week's "First Drop" segment, Mike turns to the Coaster Radio audience for their opinions on a new rumor out of Universal Orlando.

Listeners from all over the world chime in with their opinion and commentary as they become "virtual co-hosts" with Mike.

And, since no proper episode of CoasterRadio.com would be complete without an appearance from E.B., we dig deep into the show's archives and play a long-lost, never-aired segment where the guys discuss "Dual-Coast rides" that can be found at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

For instance, you can ride the "Jungle Cruise" in both Orlando and Anaheim... but is one ride better than the other?

We also have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Great America 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!

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Virtually Co-Host Our Next Show!

EB is still out on the highways of America for one more week of his EPIC road trip... but the show must go on!

So, here's our idea:

We'd like you guys to "virtually" co-host a segment of the show with Mike Collins.

Here's how it will work...

There's a rumor floating around that Universal Orlando will close down it's last original opening day attraction the "E.T. Adventure."

Screamscape is reporting that Universal wants to replace "E.T." with "The Smurfs" and possibly even re-theme "Fieval's Playland" into a Smurf Village.

(Could we finally see an audio-animatronic Neil Patrick Harris in a ride?)

On this week's show, Mike is going to discuss what other characters besides "The Smurfs" would be a better replacement for E.T.  He's looking for your opinions!

If you want to get your thoughts on the show, call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360 and tell everyone what character or characters would be a better fit.  Or, you can record an mp3 on your smartphone and send it to the show.

Make sure you get it in by 7pm eastern on Tuesday, July 2nd!

CoasterRadio.com #736 - Live from the Beach Boardwalk

One of the favorite pastimes of summer is a trip to the beach.

It's the smell of the french fries and popcorn, a ride on the rickety old roller coaster and a walk down the wooden boardwalk that people yearn for during the summer months.

In fact, many of our favorite theme parks try to recreate the "boardwalk vibe" with rides and attractions that simulate a trip to locations like Coney Island, the Santa Monica Pier and Ocean City, NJ.

The CoasterRadio.com crew is on vacation this week, but Mike Collins brought along some recording equipment and produced a show from the Skye Bar in Ocean City, MD.

He's joined by his wife Molly, his brother and original cast member Greg K. and their brother Ryan.

They spend some time talking about how the beach experience is similar to a trip to the theme park.  They also review several of the roller coasters and a few of the original Bill Tracy dark rides that Ocean City is known for all over the world.

The gang also talks about some of the best themed mini-golf locations that they visited during the week and why we don't see any major theme parks near beach communities.

Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from Dollywood and much, 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!

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CoasterRadio.com #735 - Your Burning Questions

When we did our annual Listener Question Show a few months ago, we had a TON of them!

In fact, we had so many that we couldn't answer them all in one show.

So this week, we dig back into the mailbag and answer more of your "burning questions."

The best part about shows like this is that we have a lot of great pop culture and behind-the-scenes content along with fun theme park talk too!

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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Show Notes

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Talk about this episode by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Cast Member Confessionals

Have you worked at a theme park before?

Do you have a hilarious, gross, awful or shocking story to tell?
 
We're starting up a new segment on the show called "Cast Member Confessionals."

If you have a really great story, we want you to anonymously send it in and we'll read it on the show!

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CoasterRadio.com #734 - Summer Insanity!

As Summer 2013 rolls along, there's a lot to get excited about! (And we talk about a lot of it on this week's show!)

For instance, Busch Gardens Tampa just unveiled plans for their new 2014 attraction... it's a 335-feet tall drop tower named "Falcon's Fury."

The new ride will drop riders at 60-mph, but with a new twist.  The riders' seats will pivot 90 degrees so that they are facing straight down! INSANE!

We'll also take a look at the new fast-food area themed to the long running animated series "The Simpsons" that just opened at Universal Studios Florida.  Will it be worth the price of admission to visit Moe's Tavern to have a pint of Duff Beer?

We also have LIVE TRIP REPORTS from the newly refurbished Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knotts Berry Farm and the crazy new roller coaster at Alton Towers, "The Smiler."  The English ride has 14-inversions! INSANE!

Finally, we talk with Steve VanDis from Indigo Films.  He's the Co-Executive Producer for the popular Travel Channel show "Insane Coaster Wars: World Domination."

We'll talk to him about what we can expect during this season of the show and what it's like to shoot a complicated TV program in some of the world's best known parks.

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

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CoasterRadio.com #733 - EB and Mike's Chinese Park Adventure!

Every year, the Themed Entertainment Association releases their Global Attractions Attendance Report.

The report focuses on the attendance numbers of theme parks, water parks and museums across the globe.

On this week's show, EB and Mike break down the numbers and talk about the parks and companies were at the top of the list and the ones were surprisingly at the bottom.

Plus, we'll have a Live Trip Report from Hersheypark 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
Show Notes

Click here to subscribe through iTunes.

Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.

Talk about this episode by leaving a comment here on the blog.

CoasterRadio.com #732 - School's Out for the Summer!

This year, theme park fans are feverishly anticipating not one, not two, but THREE wooden coasters with inversions.

The first, Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City opened to much fanfare and success.

Now, we hear about the 2nd inverting wooden coaster to open... Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

We're joined by Arthur Levine, the Theme Parks Guide at About.com, who had a chance to ride the coaster on its opening weekend.

We'll discuss the ride's unique features, it's amazing setting and whether or not this should really count as a wooden coaster.  Oh yeah, Arthur will also tell us if the ride is actually worth riding!

We'll also hear three Live Trip Reports from different parks around the country.  We'll hear reviews of the new "Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin" at Sea World Orlando.  We'll also hear reviews of "White Lightning" and "Freedom Flyer" at Fun Spot in Orlando.

Finally, we'll go live to Layer Elementary School in Central Florida to talk with the winners of their coaster design contest!  Their teacher happens to be a fan of CoasterRadio.com and asked EB and Mike to judge a contest where the kids learned about the physics and technology behind ride design.

Who knows, we might be talking to the next generation of Disney Imagineers!

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.

Talk about this episode by leaving a comment here on the blog.