CoasterRadio.com #505 - Uncle Walt Had the Right Idea!

The original theme park podcast is back with a brand new episode!

Back in 1954, Walt Disney had a weekly television show on the ABC Network where he unveiled his plans for Disneyland.

Not only did it help finance his park, but it also got people all over the country excited to make the trip to California to see it in person.

This week, EB and Mike talk about whether not it would be a good idea to bring this style of TV show back to television.

What would a show like this look like?  What parks could you broadcast from?  Would anyone watch?

The guys also take a look at a video showing what Six Flags New Orleans looks like five years after Hurricane Katrina.  They talk about what it would take to get them to set foot on the property and why we're fascinated by videos like this.

There's also news with The Neil Patrick Harris Project.  This week, it was announced that NPH is the new "Launch Voice" behind California Screamin' at Disneyland!  The guys also announce a holiday project where listeners can help get the attention of Mr. Harris.

Plus, you'll hear a live trip report from EPCOT's World Showcase and the story of Mike's failed attempt to get to Disneyland last weekend!

It's all on this week's new episode of 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!

Abandoned Six Flags New Orleans Tour

This is the video we talked about in this week's show.

Rising from the Ashes

Have you ever stopped to think how much your local theme park is a big part of your life?

For me, I grew up going to Kings Dominion. I used to look forward to summers because it meant field trips to KD with my local church and trips to the park with my family. I have years and years of priceless memories there.

As I grew older and could drive, I brought dates to Kings Dominion (including the future Mrs. Collins). I even took her there after our prom in 1993! It was a big part of our early relationship.

Now imagine if a damn hurricane blew through your town and took out EVERYTHING. Imagine it took out your home, your school, your church, your supermarket and yes, even your theme park.

Nothing would be close to normal for a long, long time.

That's why I was happy to read over on ScreamScape that Southern Star Amusements wants to take control of the former Six Flags New Orleans and open it again. They're aiming to open it in 2009 with new rides and a new waterpark.

Life has not been very kind to the residents of New Orleans since Katrina hit. And while I'm not here to say that a theme park should be at the top of the city's priorities, I do believe that people need a place to take a break and have fun while they are trying to rebuild.

Getting their theme park back would also make a huge statement that things are getting back to normal.

I hope Southern Star is successful. If they are, I'll be one of the first to head to New Orleans to buy a ticket at the new park. (Maybe we'll even produce a CR Podcast there too!)

Talk about it in the CR Forums.