Interactive Topic - Your "Opening Day" Traditions

All around the world, our parks are starting to open again.

Here in the United States, Spring Break is in full swing.  So that means that many of us are taking our first steps into the parks after a long winter hibernation.

It's a special moment when we first walk into our favorite theme park after so many months away.  Because of this, each of us has our own unique traditions and customs to mark the occassion.

For this week's interactive topic, we want to hear about your "Opening Day Traditions."

Is there a special ride you head to first?
Do you take a tour around the park to see what has changed?
Do you find your favorite Corn Dog stand and chow down?

Whatever it may be, we want to hear about it. Get your answers in by Tuesday, April 2nd at 8:30pm!

Here are the different ways to contact us:

* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Post your idea on Twitter
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)
* Use our Contact Page!

CoasterRadio.com #724 - Disney for the "Thinking Fan"

Anyone who considers themselves a fan of theme parks probably has spent a lot of time analyzing them.

We marvel at how attraction designers use technology to bring the our favorite stories and characters to life.

But, fans can also take the analysis a step further and take a look at the parks from a literary and social angle as well.

For instance, what does "It's A Small World" have to do with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's?

On this week's show, we welcome the author of "The Thinking Fan's Guide to Walt Disney World: Magic Kingdom," Aaron Wallace.

While most travel guidebooks are aimed at first-timers, Aaron's book is aimed someone looking to find  information beyond wait times and ride ratings.

Aaron takes a scholarly look at each attraction in the Magic Kingdom and the stories behind them.  On this week's show, he'll share some of what you'll find in his new book.

We also have two Live Trip Reports this week.... one from the opening day of Six Flags Great Adventure and one from the opening day of Luna Park on Coney Island.  Both of these reports have an authentic "Jersey" feel to them!

Plus, Mike just got back from a unique trip to Walt Disney World where he got to explore New Fantasyland and try out the upgraded Test Track at EPCOT.  Plus, he has some stories about chaperoning 30 high school students who were set loose on the Walt Disney World Resort.

All this, plus a whole lot more on this all-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!

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 #723 - Wild Rides, Wild Animals

"Outlaw Run," one of the most highly anticipated roller coasters of 2013 opened this week at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO.

The new creation from Rocky Mountain Construction has set a world record for the steepest drop on a wooden coaster at 81 degrees.

It's also the 2nd fastest wooden coaster in the world at 68 mph.

Plus, it has the signature element of a double barrel roll that brings the train back into the station.

On this week's show, we talk with Marcus Leshock, a reporter from WGN-TV in Chicago.



Marcus made the 8-hour drive to Branson from the Windy City so he could be one of the first people to ride the coaster.

He'll tell us if the hype is for real and if this new attraction will be a hit in 2013.

We'll also talk with Kristin Siebeneicher, the Communications Manager at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ.

Kristin will tell us about preparations for their Opening Day this weekend and details of their new "Safari Off Road Adventure" that is scheduled to open on Memorial Day.



The combination of the theme park and the land for the new Safari attraction makes Six Flags Great Adventure the largest theme park in the world! So, there's a lot to be excited about.

Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from the Ohana Restaurant at the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World 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

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 #722 - What Ride Would Make a Good TV Show?

Here at the show, we're curious to find out what what the new ABC Television pilot "Big Thunder" is all about.

In the past, there have been movies based on classic theme park attractions (Pirates of the Carribbean and The Haunted Mansion), but to our knowledge, this is the first television show based upon a theme park ride.

So while we wait for the show to premiere, we came up with a fun contest idea.

We asked listeners to pick any theme park attraction in the world and turn it into a television pilot of their own.

Not surprisingly, the audience delivered some excellent and creative ideas! Wait until you hear them!

Mike and EB also get into a good "First Drop" segment where they discuss the decline of the classic Dark Ride.

This year, only six dark rides are being built across the world and the majority are being constructed by Disney and Universal.  What happened to the Dark Ride and why aren't regional parks like Six Flags and Cedar Fair dedicating some capital to building new ones?

We also have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Great Adventure and a Live Correspondent from a new attraction at the Magic Kingdom!

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.

Interactive Contest - Be a TV Producer!

You might not have heard about it yet, but the ABC television network is working on a pilot for a television show based on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction.

"Big Thunder" centers on a brilliant, late 19th century New York doctor. He and his family are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relocate to a frontier mining town run by a powerful, but mysterious tycoon but quickly realize that not everything in Big Thunder is as it seems.

Sounds interesting doesn't it.

It almost sounds like it could have a mysterious
LOST-type vibe.  And, I'm sure they'll use the iconic peaks of Big Thunder Mountain that we've all come to know well from seeing them at the Disney parks.

The idea of turning a theme park ride into a movie has been done before.  But the idea of turning a theme park ride into a weekly show is intriguing.

So, it gave us an idea for a contest.

We'd like you to pick ANY theme park or amusement park ride in existance and create a television pilot around it.

All we need are two or three sentances describing the plot and what the show would be like.

Ideally, you're picking a ride that isn't based at a Disney or Universal park... that's too easy.

But, if you were able to come up with a television show based around some obscure ride that never gets talked about... we'll be impressed!

For instance, how about a ride based on "Alpengeist" at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?

The show would take place at an old ski lodge in Colorado that has been shuttered for years. People stopped going there after a series of terrible accidents in the 70's. A family from California buys the place and intends to restore it to its former glory (while making a ton of money.) But, they soon discover that the hotel and the slopes surrounding it are haunted by a mysterious being that wants them all dead.

See, that's not so hard! Get your answers in by Tuesday, March 12th at 8:30pm!

We'll select a few of the best storylines and send the writers X-Flight Prize Packs...which include T-Shirts, Water Bottles, Bags and more! (Thanks to Six Flags Great America for the cool stuff.)

Here are the different ways to contact us:

* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Post your idea on Twitter
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)
* Use our Contact Page!

CoasterRadio.com #721 - This or That - Bigger, Faster, Better Edition

This or That returns this week!

Listeners have submitted over 60 different pairs of theme park related items.

Mike and EB will have to debate their merits and then ultimately choose one.

For instance...

Would you visit Disneyland in 1955 or 2055?
"Knotts Scary Farm" or "Halloween Horror Nights?"
What ride at Cedar Point will come down first: Mantis or Magnum?

Along with all of the theme park related items, listeners also submitted a lot of "This or That's" dealing with Pop Culture.  It leads to some really great discussion and debate amongst the guys.

In addition, our "First Drop" segment deals with the rumors and facts about Alton Tower's new coaster for 2013... "The Smiler."

Supposedly, the new attraction will shatter the world record for inversions by turning people upside down at least 14 times! Plus, they have a strange way of marketing the new ride.

We also have a Live Trip Report from "Dapper Day" at Disneyland and details on a brand new contest (with prizes) for next week's 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
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.

This Or That?

On this week's show, we're bringing back and old "Off-Season" favorite and we need your help!

What we need you to do is to give us two choices...

Pick any two related things: two parks, two attractions, two types of park food... anything!

Then, EB and I will have to choose between the two things and make an argument over why one is better than the other.

Of course, you could choose two really great things at the parks, but it might be fun to make us choose between two really awful rides!

You can also go "Off-Topic!" GIve us two things to fight over that have nothing to do with the parks.  Pop Culture, Sports, Wine, Women, Song, Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll.... whatever.

Here are the different ways to contact us:

* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Post your idea on Twitter
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)
* Use our Contact Page!