CoasterRadio.com #618 - The Live Trip Report Show

Last summer, we sponsored a contest here at CoasterRadio.com where we would give the lucky winner a chance to produce an entire episode of the show.

We were so excited about everyone's ideas... we chose four winners!

This week, the first of those winners is stepping up to the plate to see if he has what it takes to live up to the pressure of producing a crazy podcast like this.

Tom from Louisville, KY has come up with the "Live Trip Report Show!"

He's gone though the dozens and dozens of backlogged trip reports that visitors have called in and has picked some of the most interesting ones to share with you.

Plus, to make things even more compelling... he has enlisted the services of the infamous CoasterRadio.com characters to introduce each one.

As EB says this week... "this is a show you're either gonna love or gonna hate!"

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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

Weekend Theater - The Jurassic Park River Adventure (Hollywood)

On this week's show, we announced that the first CoasterRadio.com Listener Meetup of 2012 will be in Southern California!

We plan to be in the Los Angeles area on March 14th, 15th and 16th.

We'll have more details on our exact plans soon, but to get in the Hollywood mood, here's a ride-though of one of the coolest attractions anywhere.

CoasterRadio.com #615 - The Mysteries of Universal Orlando

Among theme park fans, one of the most talked about locations over the past several years has been Universal Orlando.

Year after year, they blow people away with their incredibly detailed and truly scary (and fun) "Halloween Horror Nights."

They really turned people's heads when they unleashed the incredibly awesome "Spiderman" attraction on the world.  Some people claim that ride hasn't been topped yet.

Then, they shocked the world when they announced plans to build "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter."  What was even more amazing is that the new land and it's attractions actually lived up to the anticipation and the hype.

Most recently, they closed "Jaws", one of their original opening day rides and perhaps their most iconic attraction.  That lead to speculation and some controversial reporting on what might possibly replace the gigantic Amity area.

To make sense of all of this, we welcome Seth Kubersky back to the show. He is the author of "Universal Studios 2012: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park."

We'll talk about the recent closure of "Jaws" and what the attraction has meant to the park's history.  We'll also talk about what it was like to be at the attraction on it's closing night.

We'll also discuss its rumored replacement.

Seth will give us a breakdown about the possibility of a new Harry Potter themed area in Universal Studios Florida and a new thrill attraction that would be unlike anything we have ever seen at a park before.

Fascinating stuff! 

Plus, EB and Mike announce a fun new project for all you romantics out there.

The Valentine's Day Charity Song Auction gives listeners an opportunity to bid on an original love song that will be written especially for that special someone in your life.

And, the best part is that all of the money raised will go to the winner's favorite charity.

Check out our link on the CoasterRadio.com Blog for more info on how to bid!


LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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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.

CoasterRadio.com #611 - The "X" Factor at Disney World?

Jim Hill Media published an interesting article this week about possible plans at Walt Disney World to introduce a fee-based version of the FastPass System.

Nothing has been announced by the Walt Disney Company as of yet, but the article says that Disney is considering offering a way to reserve ride times and show/parade viewing spots if you stay at a Disney Resort and purchase something called "The X Pass."

This week, the guys discuss this new possiblity and what it would mean for the theme park experience... at Walt Disney World and beyond.

The guys also take a look at the winners of the 2011 Themed Entertainment Awards - The THEA Awards!

The annual awards reward excellence for the creation of compelling educational, historical and entertainment projects.

You'll be amazed at some of the new technologies that were honored this year! AND, you'll be excited to learn about an old friend of the show who won the Lifetime Achievement Award!

Plus, we'll have news about our GIGANTIC holiday spectaculars that are coming up in the next two weeks!


LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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

CoasterRadio.com #610 - The 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

With the holidays right around the corner, you might be scrambling to find the perfect gift.

But if you're looking for something for a theme park fan, the local mall might not have exactly what you need.

Never fear!

Here at Coaster Radio, we're bring back our annual tradition - The Holiday Gift Guide!

The 2011 version has a ton of great ideas, sure to impress the theme park fan in your life.  Hey, you might even want to check out some of these items for yourself.

Plus, EB and Mike get into a great debate/rant about the latest announcements from Universal Studios.

This week, we found out that Hogwarts (and the incredible Forbodden Journey attraction) are coming to Universal Studios Hollywood.  In addition, there were confirmed plans to expand the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.

However, another recent annoucement had to do with the closure of the classic "JAWS" attraction at Universal Studios Florida.  The latest hot rumor is that Amity Island will make way for Harry Potter's London and Phase Two of the Potterverse.

Mike and EB will disect the rumors and give you their opinion on the current state of things.

Hey! As you listen to the show, here is a list of all of the gift items that the guys discuss!

Coaster Dynamix Kits
    - Full Coaster Kits
    - Train Models - Statix
Knex Kits
Quercetti Skyrail Rollercoaster with Elevator
Disney Monorail
Park Season Passes
Online stores - Holiday World, Busch Gardens, Cedar Point, WWOHP
Millennium Force Replica 
Space Mountain Seat at Mouse Surplus
Jungle Cruise Gallery of Light by Olszewski
Kinect Disneyland Adventures for XBox360
Imagineering Blueprints
Walt Disney Autograph
Touring Plans Subscription
Skee-Ball Game
Cotton Candy Machine
Sno Cone Machine
Rollercoaster DVD - Watch it with Our Unofficial DVD Commentary!
Vintage items from your home park on EBay (70s, 80s, 90s)

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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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 "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - BJ and Neil at Islands of Adventure

BJ sent us this picture with an explanatory e-mail: 

"I was strolling through Marvel Super Hero Island - Islands of Adventure last October when who do I spot but the one and only NPH, the only guy there in a business suit!

Apparently he was there to promote the videogame “Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions”, in which he was a voice actor, as well as the upcoming videogame featuring Spider-Man, a character he voiced, called Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, which is out now.

He was offering to take guests’ pictures with him and Spider-Man, and there were a number of stupid families in the line in front of me, because the hourly parade on Marvel Super Hero Island started while I was in line to get my picture with NPH and Spider-Man, and several families jumped OUT of the line just so they could attempt to get a picture with just Spider-Man!  I, of course, stayed IN the line so I could get my picture with Spidey AND Neil Patrick Harris.

Sadly for me, this is the only picture I got from my iPhone 3G using the Camera+ app, and I’m unfortunately looking down as this pic is being taken."

Thanks BJ.  It's pretty cool you had your picture taken with two American heroes.

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - Heather and Neil at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We were wondering if Neil Patrick Harris has going to make a stop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on his worldwide tour of parks.

Heather has sent in this photo that proved he was there.  She says:

"This is a photo is of myself (taken by my husband John) this past November at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure.

Lost on his way to the Quidditch field, NPH stopped by Hogsmeade for a refreshing Butterbeer."

This one made us laugh out loud.  Thanks Heather!

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

The "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest - Doug and Neil at Islands of Adventure

Doug from Chicago is the latest listener to throw his hat in the ring for our contest. He writes:

"My family visited Universal Studios Islands of Adventure Marvel SuperHero Island last April.

We made it a point to take a photo with each superhero and didn't realize that we'd been "Photo-Bombed" by Dr. Horrible until we unloaded the photos on our home computer.

I wasn't aware that Dr. Horrible was licensed by Universal for their theme parks, did you?"

We weren't aware that he was on-site at IOA either.  But maybe now that Disney has acquired Marvel Comics, Universal is hedging their bets by bringing in some new characters.

Way to go Doug!

If you want to participate in the fun, check out our blog post that explains everything you need to know about The Neil Patrick Harris Project and the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest!

Remember, the winner gets a one-day, one park pass to the theme park of their choice!

CoasterRadio.com #502 - Inside Universal Orlando and Halloween Horror Nights

We're one week closer to Halloween!

If you love All Hallows Eve and you love theme parks, this is the episode for you.

This week, we're joined by Seth Kubersky.  He's the author of Universal Orlando 2011: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure.

He'll give us the insider scoop about the 20th Annual Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando.  He'll tell us what we should make sure to see and what most people tend to miss.

He'll also tell us some behind the scenes stories about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure.  He'll tell us how you can see Hogwarts Castle without waiting in line and if guests will ever be able to spend the night within it's enchanted walls.

Plus, he'll tell us about how the Wizarding World almost ended up at Walt Disney World and what happened that caused it to be built at Universal.

This week, we also have details about a possible encounter with Neil Patrick Harris.  We're only one week into "The Neil Patrick Harris Project," but the possibility exists that NPH is already a fan of the show.

Could "The NPH Project" do what "The David Arquette Project" could not?

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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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!

CoasterRadio.com #448 - The Yeti Is Broken! Call 911!

August is here and it's HOT!

But it's not as hot as this week's episode of The Original Theme Park Podcast! (Oh Brother!)

This week, EB and Mike tackle some of the most talked about stories in the amusement industry.

First up, they take a listen to one of the 911 calls that came from a recent breakdown of "Harry Potter and Forbidden Journey" at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Isn't 911 supposed to be reserved for emergencies?

Then, the guys discuss the recent mainstream press coverage of Expedition Everest's problematic Yeti. The big guy hasn't been moving since 2009. Does this signal a change in Disney's priorities?

The guys also talk about a mom in Indiana who allegedly left her kids in a rat infested home so that she could spend the day at Holiday World. Hopefully the ride on "The Voyage" was worth the possible jail time.

The guys also hear Live Trip Reports from Disney California Adventure's World of Color and Six Flags (fake) attraction BENCH: THE RIDE! Will Mark Shapiro's brainchild take the amusement industry by storm?

Plus, C-Pain joins the show from Paris, France to pave the way for Mike's visit to Disneyland Paris in a few weeks and there is news on The David Arquette Project!

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

Talk about this in the CoasterRadio.com Forums!