CoasterRadio.com #542 - The Tale of the Pink Monkey

We all have them.  And we've probably spent hundreds of dollars on them.

Yes my friends, I'm talking about Theme Park Souvenirs.

From on-ride photos to Disney Vinylmations to the dozens of park shirts you have in your drawers, the amusement industry makes a TON of money off of us and our need to commemorate our visits to their parks.

But some of the souvenirs we buy hold a special place in our hearts (and in our homes.)

On this week's show, we explore the best and the worst souvenirs owned by the CoasterRadio.com audience.  Believe it our not, there are some heartwarming stories that come along with some of them!

We also hear all about EB's trip across America.  Not only did EB encounter the ghosts of lazy Civil War soldiers, he also had a chance to ride a major roller coaster with his son for the first time.

The guys also talk about how they saw "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" with the new D-Box Motion Technology that is making its way to movie theaters across the country.

Did EB and Mike enjoy having their theater seats move, sway and vibrate along with the action?

All of this, plus a Live Trip Report and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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

CoasterRadio.com #506 - Soarin' With Morgan!

Imagine that you were a theme park designer with access to an unlimited budget.

As you began to design rides for your park, you'd probably want to enlist the help of some major celebrities to provide the voices behind your rides.

On this week's show, we gave our listeners a virtual blank check and asked them to match their favorite celebrity with their favorite theme park ride.

We received some very hilarious combinations!

Also, the guys will discuss a new driving simulator from Lexus and how it might be converted into the greatest dark ride system ever!  Will we see an attraction like this within the next five years?

Plus, there is MAJOR news this week in "The Neil Patrick Harris" Project.  CoasterRadio.com has had several milestones over the years, but the 6:43 mark in this week's show might be one of the greatest ones of all!

If that doesn't make you want to take a listen, I don't know what will.

We also have a live trip report from a very odd spot in Carowinds and one of our favorite characters makes a surprise appearance to talk sports.

It's all this week on CoasterRadio.com!


LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link

Click here to subscribe through iTunes.

Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.
Click here for our iPhone App.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

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

The David Arquette Project - Jonathan's Arquette Photo Tour (Part 2)

You probably saw Part One of Jonathan's Photo Trip Report from his cross-country roller coaster tour.  If you're anything like me, you're extremely jealous of all of the parks he and his wife got to visit this summer.

To us, the amazing part of their trip is that they remembered to bring along the "Arquette Arithmetic" image to each and every park they visited.

To date, Jonathan and his wife have submitted the most photos to our contest.

Will the sheer number of photos be enough to win our "Arquette Arithmetic" contest?

The David Arquette Project - Carowinds!

Jason took a break from his CoasterStock experience at Carowinds to take this photo for The David Arquette Project!

The project has come to the Carolinas!

CoasteRadio.com #438 - "Back To The Future" Weekends?

Disney's Hollywood Studios is in the middle of their immensely successful "Star Wars Weekends."

On this week's show, EB and Mike take a look at the pros and cons of such events and wonder if they affect the average park goer.

We also speculate on what other parks could do to join in on the fun. Do I hear a second for "Back to the Future Weekends" anybody?

The guys listen to trip reports from Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Carowinds and get into a debate about the Intimidator roller coasters that opened this year.

The guys also hear the listener's thoughts on what five ride types are necessary for the perfect park. There were some surprising answers.

Since Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff of summer, EB and Mike relaunch The David Arquette Project by unveiling a new contest! Will 2010 be the year that we get David Arquette's attention?

Plus, the guys discuss the rumor of Hagrid being in a fist-fight and C-Pain stops by to review the series finale of LOST - autotune style!

It's all this week on CoasterRadio.com!

Direct Podcast Link
Click here to subscribe through iTunes.
Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.
Click here for our iPhone App.

Or you can listen online by using the podcast player on the right hand side of this page.

Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

Patrick is at Scarowinds

This photo isn't exactly in focus, but it must be because the photographer was shaking with fear.

But it doesn't take away from the fact that Patrick and some weird skull-faced dude are now part of The David Arquette Project!

Intimidator at Carowinds

We've been busy with the re-launch of the podcast, so we're behind on some posts.

But I didn't want to let too much time go by without making a few comments on the new Intimidator coaster at Carowinds in 2010.

I love rides like Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, so this is my type of ride.

It seems like it has a ton of airtime hills and lots of good speed.

It's too bad that Cedar Fair didn't give the ride its own unique name, instead of sharing one with Kings Dominion. But, most people won't be visiting both parks. Normal people don't know the names roller coasters that are several hundred miles away!

Anyway, am I crazy to say that I like the looks of this roller coaster more than it's big brother up the road at Kings Dominion?

Pre-Season Top 5 for 2009 - Honorable Mentions

In preparation for next week's Pre-Season Top Five Attractions list, I thought I'd give you some of the Honorable Mentions that didn't make the list.

It's not that I don't like these rides, it's just that I still need some convincing to put them in my top five.

Here we go....

Carolina Cobra - Carowinds
I like the fact that Carowinds is using a new and improved train design to make the ride smoother. Boomerangs are well known for giving a rough ride as the years go on, so it will be interesting to see if it works. Maybe it's not the most exciting new coaster in 2009, but at least it is a new ride for Carowinds.

Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit - Universal Studios Florida
I almost put this in my top five, but I feel this ride needs to prove itself to me. I really like the fact that you can choose your own soundtrack and that you can buy a video of yourself. (How many YouTube videos of this ride will we see this year?) I also dig that the ride vehicles will have color changing LEDs. But I think some of the other coasters out there look more exciting. I'm hoping the ride lives up to the hype and the interesting innovations.

Monster Mansion - Six Flags Over Georgia
I think this is going to be a cool ride, but it has very big shoes to fill. The original Monster Plantation was a time-tested classic. Can this new ride improve upon the original? If so, I'll gladly move it into my top five at the end of the season. I'm hoping for the best.

Flying Turns - Knoebels
The other day I was reminded that CoasterRadio.com was still podcasting during the first season this ride was constructed. WOW! The fact that this ride hasn't opened yet speaks to the complexity of the design and the desire of Knoebels to get it right. There's no sense in opening the ride if it's not going to run exactly how they want it. But I believe the extra wait is just adding to the anticipation.

Boardwalk: The SEA-quel - Hersheypark
I'm sure this addition to Hersheypark is going to be top-notch... but you know how I feel about waterparks within the confines of a theme park. I'm completely for a separate gate or enough separation between the water park and the theme park to ensure that I won't sit in puddles on the dry rides. Having said all that though, I really like the looks of Hershey's waterpark area. Very cool theming.

Stay tuned... next week I'll release my Top 5, starting with number five on Monday!

Talk about it in the CoasterRadio.com forums.