The New Texas Giant - The Best New Attraction of 2011

On this week's show, we took a look back at all of the new theme park attractions that debuted in 2011.

There were a lot of excellent roller coasters, dark rides, shows and other attractions that could have been named the best.

But after carefully analyzing and debating them all, we have decided that The New Texas Giant is the CoasterRadio.com Best New Attraction of 2011.

All you have to do is watch the ride video below to understand why The New Texas Giant won the award.



Six Flags Over Texas Park President Steve Martindale came on the show to accept the award and said that they "took a great wood coaster and turned it into an incredible wood and steel monster.  There's tons of airtime, a world record first drop, inverted banked turns and it's as smooth as glass."

Here at CoasterRadio.com, we received dozens of trip reports during the summer stating that The New Texas Giant was an amazing ride and had been completely "re-born."

Listeners marveled at the speed, smoothness and surprise of the banked turns.

Even though it's not a completely new attraction, it really is impressive how the park decided not to give up on the aging ride.  Instead, they used technology and ingenuity to make it better than it was when it originally opened.

Congratulations to Six Flags Over Texas for having The New Texas Giant be named as the CoasterRadio.com Best New Attraction of 2011!

CoasterRadio.com #536 - Theme Park Mashups!

At one time or another, I'm sure that all of us have tried our hand at "armchair imagineering."

You know, dreaming up rides and attractions that we hope and pray eventually make it to our favorite theme park.

On this week's episode, we gave our audience an unlimited budget and unlimited imagination to create an ultimate attraction by "mashing up" two existing rides.

The listeners of CoasterRadio.com are one of the most creative podcast audiences anywhere... so we have some excellent ideas this week.

We also have a Live Trip Report from Hersheypark, news on the "Producer for a Day" contest and an idea on why the "Mach Tower" drop ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been delayed. Let's just say it might be the "Italian Origins" of the ride!

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CoasterRadio.com #528 - A Fresh Start

There's a great reason for this picture!

We usually try to pick show titles that are both creative and ones that give you a hint at what's to come.

That's why I think "A Fresh Start" works well this week.

To begin, we wrap up Theme Park Change with some important words about last week's show

There is a lot to say and a lot to be thankful for, so we hope that you'll all take the time to listen to the first part of our podcast.

We also have a final tally on our fundraising for Theme Park Change and celebrate by inviting two old friends back to Coaster Radio!

This week's show also lives up to its title because we'll hear your favorite stories from Opening Day at the parks.

It's one of the best days of the theme park year because the parks are clean, the paint is fresh and the rides are running like new!

Mike and EB will tell you their own unique "opening day" tales while also hearing from the listeners about their unique experiences from their home park's first day of operation.

Plus, we'll have a Live Trip Report from Texas and a few other surprises! 

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CoasterRadio.com #526 - Are We In A Romantic Comedy?

When I'm putting together these blog posts, I always try to find an interesting photo to make you want to listen to the show.

This week, I present you with a picture Hugh Grant.  Listen to the show to figure out why he's relevant!

This week, the Coaster Radio audience steps up to the mike and tells us about what they believe are the most underrated roller coasters in the world.

We're talking about roller coasters that don't get any love from The Travel Channel, magazines and even from us here at the show.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at some of the suggestions listeners came up with!

We'll also have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Over Texas and an update on Theme Park Change!

Keep in mind, there is only one week left to donate!  We still need a lot of help to reach our goal.  So, if you haven't donated yet, don't wait!

To get you inspired to donate, we'll have a visit from a brand new friend!  (You won't want to miss this!) 

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CoasterRadio.com #520 - 2011 Listener Questions Show - Part 1

We've been doing this crazy podcast since April of 2005... that's a long time!  So, there aren't many "firsts" on the show these days.

But, in an effort to continue to be one of the most interactive podcasts out there, we're adding a new element to our annual Listener Question Show.

This week, for the first time ever, we're taking your live phone calls!

Many members of the Coaster Radio audience joined us during our "live look-in" webcast where people could watch the show being produced.  Listeners were able to call-in to the show and make this year's edition of the Listener Question Show one of the best ever!

In addition to the live questions, we'll be joined by Derek and Trisha, a couple in Southern California who are making their way to Walt Disney World in Orlando next week.  They have agreed to wear Bride and Groom Mickey Ears to test our theory that anyone wearing those "Magical Caps" will get a ton of freebies (even if they aren't exactly newlyweds!)

Join us to find out what to expect in The Newlywed Game: The Trip of Lies!

Plus, we'll have some news on the NPH Project and an update on the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest.  Don't forget, you only have one more week to enter! The contest ends Thursday, March 17th!

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CoasterRadio.com #509 - It's a Wonderful Theme Park!

Mike Collins is in a stage version of "It's a Wonderful Life" that opens this weekend.

So, Mike and EB had to tape the show really late at night after one of the rehearsals.

This means that this week's show is a caffeine-fueled trip that includes a lot of good theme park talk and a lot of imitations from "It's a Wonderful Life" too!

The guys talk about the listener's most "elusive roller coasters," the type of attractions that people have always wanted to ride, but for whatever reason have never been able to visit.

They'll also hear a live trip report from Six Flags Over Texas and get into a discussion about the refurbishment of the Texas Giant.  They'll also talk about new gimmicks on roller coasters, such as heart rate monitors.  Plus, there is a return visit from Disney Podcast Guy!

There's also an update on The Neil Patrick Harris Project!  The Tower of Treats has been deployed!

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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!


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CoasterRadio.com #504 - They Can't All Be Like Clark Grizwold

"I gotta be crazy!
I'm on a pilgrimage to see a moose!"

Clark W. Grizwold was the ultimate parent.

All he cared about was giving his family the best vacation ever.

He would do ANYTHING to make his family happy, even if it meant kidnapping John Candy and making him ride the "Screamie Meemie" against his will.

Of course, the antics in the movie "Vacation" are overblown.  But the stories we have for you this week are 100% authentic!

This week, EB and Mike will share listener stories about the horrible parenting they have seen at the parks.

You'll be absolutely shocked at what some of the listeners have seen.  Thankfully, much of it is also pretty funny.

The guys will also crown a winner in the "Arquette Arithmetic" contest.  Find out who will win two season passes to the (non-Disney) theme park of their choice!

Plus, there's more info on "The Neil Patrick Harris Project!"  The guys will present proof of NPH's love of theme parks and talk about future plans to get his attention.

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The Texas Giant Will Slumber in 2010

If you love the Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas, you better get in a lot of rides this summer... because you're not gonna get any the year after that.

This week, Six Flags announced that it will not open the Texas Giant in 2010.

The plan is to perform a 10 million dollar renovation of the monster coaster just in time for the 50th anniversary of Six Flags Over Texas in 2011.

Mark Shapiro, the head of Six Flags had an interesting quote. He said...

“The Giant is so huge. It’s turned into a dinosaur. It needs a new life and we’re going to breathe new life into it.”

The ride is only 18 years old, so I'm not sure it qualifies as a "dinosaur," but I like Six Flags' thinking here.

While some won't be happy that a major attraction like this won't be available for a whole season, I think it's a bold move. I like that they are going to really put time, effort and money into preserving a proven classic instead of tearing it down and building something unproven.

I'm trying to think of another time in recent history where a major theme park chain has shut down such an iconic ride for a whole year to modernize it and make it a better ride.

The only other example I can think of is when Disneyland shut down Space Mountain for 18 months to install a new ride system. Last time I checked, that gamble paid off for Disney.

It got me thinking. What other popular ride would you like to see shut down for a year, only to come back bigger and better than ever? It has to be a ride that you really like and would miss.

It has to be a sacrifice!

Let's talk about it in the CoasterRadio.com forums.