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.

Top Five (non-Disney) Parks - #1 - Cedar Point

After my brother graduated from college in 2000, I wanted to take both of my brothers on a road trip to celebrate.

We wanted to do something epic. We wanted to do something special. We wanted to do something we'd remember for the rest of our lives.

We made a road trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

When you stop to think about it, it's strange that three brothers would travel 450 miles to visit a regional park. But we knew we couldn't truly call ourselves theme park fans if we hadn't been to the epicenter of amusement parks.

We needed to see The Roller Coast for ourselves.

The listeners of CoasterRadio.com have voted Cedar Point as the #1 (non-Disney) park in the country.

It's hard to argue with that because any visit to The Point isn't just a day in the park, it's more of an event.

Let's start with the fact that they have managed to fit 17 world-class roller coasters onto a picturesque peninsula on Lake Erie. The memory of Cedar Point that has been burned into my mind is that no matter where I stood and no matter what direction I looked, I saw a roller coaster.

Much like the other parks on our Top Five list, Cedar Point's roller coasters are iconic. Many of them are outright legends. What theme park enthusiast hasn't heard of Magnum XL-200, Millennium Force or Top Thrill Dragster?

When you add the dozens of other thrilling and mild attractions, you have one of the most well rounded ride collections anywhere.

Cedar Point was one of the few parks I have visited where there was a certain "electricity" in the air. People were genuinely excited to be there. It was as if everyone realized how special the park was.

I often wonder if the people who consider Cedar Point their home park realize how lucky they are. The rest of us have to plan trips across the country for the privilege of visiting the park. But I'd guess if you'd ask someone who's made the trip, they'd tell you it's totally worth it.

Talk about this in the CoasterRadio.com Forums!

CoasterRadio.com #417 - Best Attraction of the Decade

On this week's show, EB and Mike reveal your picks for the top attractions of the decade!

We'll go in-depth about what makes these attractions special and why some rides don't deserve to make it on the list.

The guys also talk about the strange marketing campaign behind Alton Tower's new roller coaster Thirteen. How effective will it be to tell people they have to sign a waiver to ride because of "emotional stresses?"

Mike also starts his preparation to audition for The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. He's looking for help from people "in the know," including Disney Cast members.

Plus, EB and Mike go Off-Topic to talk about spritestitch.com and the rebirth of "Dragon's Lair" for the iPhone.

There's also an update on the David Arquette project Santa Challenge!

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Talk about this episode in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

Motivation for Weight Loss

Over at CoasterCrew.com, a few of the guys are holding a weight loss contest inspired by NBC's "The Biggest Loser."

From what I read, there were some problems fitting on coasters and they're using roller coaster riding as their motivation to lose weight.

If you've surfed any of the coaster forums over the past 5 years, you know that not fitting on roller coasters is becoming a bigger problem all across the U.S. (Pardon the pun.)

It might be because technology is advancing to the point where coasters can be built higher and faster... so the restraints need to be that much better (and tighter).

It might be because more lawyers are getting into mix and making the designers create restraints that aren't friendly to those with a bit more girth.

Or.... it could be that American's are just getting fatter.

I had a wake-up call a year ago when I visited Disneyland.  I didn't have a problem fitting on any rides, but when I got my pictures back, I couldn't believe the picture of the fat guy riding the Matterhorn.

Yeah, it was a picture of me.  I was pissed that I looked so awful in the pictures.  I didn't even want to show them to anyone.  It was then, I decided to do something about it.  So, I started watching what I ate, I exercised more and before I knew it, I had dropped 30 pounds.

It's been so great going to parks this year and not giving a second thought to whether or not I'd fit on the rides.  I also feel a lot better and have even been getting some compliments from the ladies at work.  (That's right, baby.)

So, I'm proud of the guys over at CoasterCrew.com.   I'm gonna show some solidarity with them by rededicating myself to diet and exercise so I never gain that 30 pounds back.

Or I might end up taking the "walk of shame" after I don't fit on a ride.

Talk about this in the CoasterRadio.com forum.