Cast Member Confessionals

Have you worked at a theme park before?

Do you have a hilarious, gross, awful or shocking story to tell?
 
We're starting up a new segment on the show called "Cast Member Confessionals."

If you have a really great story, we want you to anonymously send it in and we'll read it on the show!

You can send it by e-mail or you can use our CONTACT PAGE.

CoasterRadio.com #734 - Summer Insanity!

As Summer 2013 rolls along, there's a lot to get excited about! (And we talk about a lot of it on this week's show!)

For instance, Busch Gardens Tampa just unveiled plans for their new 2014 attraction... it's a 335-feet tall drop tower named "Falcon's Fury."

The new ride will drop riders at 60-mph, but with a new twist.  The riders' seats will pivot 90 degrees so that they are facing straight down! INSANE!

We'll also take a look at the new fast-food area themed to the long running animated series "The Simpsons" that just opened at Universal Studios Florida.  Will it be worth the price of admission to visit Moe's Tavern to have a pint of Duff Beer?

We also have LIVE TRIP REPORTS from the newly refurbished Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knotts Berry Farm and the crazy new roller coaster at Alton Towers, "The Smiler."  The English ride has 14-inversions! INSANE!

Finally, we talk with Steve VanDis from Indigo Films.  He's the Co-Executive Producer for the popular Travel Channel show "Insane Coaster Wars: World Domination."

We'll talk to him about what we can expect during this season of the show and what it's like to shoot a complicated TV program in some of the world's best known parks.

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

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CoasterRadio.com #733 - EB and Mike's Chinese Park Adventure!

Every year, the Themed Entertainment Association releases their Global Attractions Attendance Report.

The report focuses on the attendance numbers of theme parks, water parks and museums across the globe.

On this week's show, EB and Mike break down the numbers and talk about the parks and companies were at the top of the list and the ones were surprisingly at the bottom.

Plus, we'll have a Live Trip Report from Hersheypark and much more!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

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CoasterRadio.com #732 - School's Out for the Summer!

This year, theme park fans are feverishly anticipating not one, not two, but THREE wooden coasters with inversions.

The first, Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City opened to much fanfare and success.

Now, we hear about the 2nd inverting wooden coaster to open... Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

We're joined by Arthur Levine, the Theme Parks Guide at About.com, who had a chance to ride the coaster on its opening weekend.

We'll discuss the ride's unique features, it's amazing setting and whether or not this should really count as a wooden coaster.  Oh yeah, Arthur will also tell us if the ride is actually worth riding!

We'll also hear three Live Trip Reports from different parks around the country.  We'll hear reviews of the new "Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin" at Sea World Orlando.  We'll also hear reviews of "White Lightning" and "Freedom Flyer" at Fun Spot in Orlando.

Finally, we'll go live to Layer Elementary School in Central Florida to talk with the winners of their coaster design contest!  Their teacher happens to be a fan of CoasterRadio.com and asked EB and Mike to judge a contest where the kids learned about the physics and technology behind ride design.

Who knows, we might be talking to the next generation of Disney Imagineers!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

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CoasterRadio.com #731 - EB vs. The Blue Flash!

Our own EB picked up his family and moved to Indiana a few years ago.

Since then, he's been enjoying Midwestern life... even getting to Holiday World as often as he can.

This past week though, he lived out every "Coaster Boy's" dream.

He rode John Iver's legendary backyard looping coaster "The Blue Flash."

On this week's episode, EB gives an element-by-element description of the ride and what it was like to see this legend in person.

The guys also take-on the recent news story in the New York Post about the rich, socialite mothers who have allegedly been hiring disabled tour guides so that the whole family can skip the lines at Walt Disney World.  EB and Mike have a good debate about the story and all its various angles.

The guys also talk with Chicago Correspondant CMVenom about his Media Day experience at Six Flags Great America.  He was one of the first to try out NAMTAB... or what is really "Batman: The Ride - BACKWARDS!"

Does the ride live up to the hype?  And will Six Flags have a "new" hit ride on their hands without having to shell out the big bucks to build a new coaster?

We'll also have a Live Trip Report from Kings Dominion, a favorite character from the past and MUCH MORE!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

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CoasterRadio.com #730 - Theme Park Royalty

When we've had celebrities on this program before, they've talked about how they have to hire park-provided guides to walk them around to the various attractions and rides.

If they didn't have this preferential treatment, people would constantly be hounding them for autographs and they wouldn't be able to have any semblance of a "normal" theme park experience.

But I bet most people don't know that this same exact treatment is available to EVERYONE.

You can have a private, park-provided guide take you around and get you to the front of even the most crowded lines.  But you have to be willing to pony up the BIG bucks.

On this week's show, we'll talk about the different VIP programs offered at many of the parks across the country.  We'll talk about what perks you'll get and most importantly, how much it will cost you.

We'll also talk about one of the newest rumors to come out of the Six Flags chain.  Apparently, a survey is going around asking people what types of new rides they'd like to see at Six Flags Great Adventure.

We'll go through some of the choices and debate the pros and cons of each.

Plus, we have a LIVE Trip Report and the return of our one-of-a-kind game show - THEME PARK SMARTS! You'll have a chance to play along with our lucky contestant!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

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

CoasterRadio.com #729 - Gatekeeper Media Day

On this week's special episode, join Mike Collins as he speaks with Kevin from Ohio and Cincinatti John about their experience at the Media Day for Cedar Point's new wing coaster "Gatekeeper!"

Kevin and Jon will break down the pros and cons of the ride and tell us all what it's like to be at a massive Media Day attended by hundreds of working press and over 1,200 coaster enthusiasts.

They'll also have interviews with Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet, Cedar Point General Manager John Hildebrandt and Cedar Fair Vice President of Planning and Design Rob Decker.

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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

CoasterRadio.com #728 - The Best and Worst of Animal Kingdom

This week, Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrated its 15th Anniversary.

It's fair to say that of all the Disney Theme Parks, Animal Kingdom has the greatest divide between people who like and dislike it.

Some people claim it's the best designed, most well-themed park in the Disney chain.  Others feel that it's a complete miss and not worth spending one of their precious vacation days there.

On this week's show, the CoasterRadio.com audience steps forward to tell us about their favorite and least favorite aspects to the controversial park.  You'll be surprised at some of the responses.

We'll also talk about the strange new signs appearing around the former "Son of Beast" area at Kings Island.  The signs warns that they've had to shut down a section of park because of "mysterious, bone chilling screams" and an "evil phenomenon."

Of course, the park is gearing up to promote their 2014 attraction.  But what could it be and is the park making the most of this "Paranormal PR?"

We also have the inside scoop on a brand new "theme park related" television pilot, a Live Trip Report from the opening day at Knoebels and a whole lot more!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

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

Interactive Topic - 15 Years of Disney's Animal Kingdom

On April 22, 1998 the Walt Disney Company opened the gates of a new type of theme park.

It mixed the storytelling and immersive theming  Disney is known for with incredible zoological displays featuring animals from around the world.

But after the park opened, it was met with criticism by some.

There were people who claimed that the park, even though it was the largest Disney park in existance, didn't have enough to do to keep people busy for a full-day.

Even today, after the editions of Dinoland USA and Expedition Everest, there are those who consider Animal Kingdom to be the fourth best park at the Walt Disney World Resort.

But when you take a look at what the park has to offer, it really is the most unique park in Disney's portfolio.

For this week's interactive topic, we want you to tell us your favorite thing about Animal Kingdom and your least favorite thing about Animal Kingdom.

Get your answers in by Tuesday, April 30th at 8:30pm!

Here are the different ways to contact us:

* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Post your idea on Twitter
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)
* Use our Contact Page!

CoasterRadio.com #727 - The Future is NOW! Mystic Manor and More!

Every now and then, a theme park attraction comes along that makes you remember why you liked this stuff in the first place.

And sometimes that same ride is so ahead of its time, you realize you've sort-of seen a glimpse into the future of the amusement industry.

This week saw the unveiling of "Mystic Manor" at Hong Kong Disneyland.  And for the most part, every Disney fan is in agreement that it is one of the finest attractions ever created by Imagineering.

On this week's show, we'll discuss the new attraction, what makes it special and why there are no (at least announced) plans to bring a copy of it to the US Parks.

We'll also talk with Steve Fielding, the President of Pantera Entertainment about his highly-anticipated new game "Theme Park Studio."

The new title will allow players to create their own steel coasters, wooden coasters, dark rides and flat rides with a level of authenticity and realism never before seen in a theme park simulator.

Steve will tell us about some new surprises we can expect to see and how listeners can be a part of the development process!

Plus, we'll have Live Trip Reports from Busch Gardens Tampa, Disney California Adventure and Silver Dollar City.... plus a whole lot more!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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

CoasterRadio.com #726 - Legoland, Las Vegas and David Copperfield

This is one of those shows where a lot is covered in 57 minutes.

I hope you're ready....

First up, the guys talk about the new "Iron Man Tech: Presented by Stark Industries" exhibit that opened at Disneyland.

Besides sounding a lot like one of last year's "Reel Design" finalists, could this be the first wave of Marvel-themed attractions in the Disney Parks?  The guys will talk about the speculation and what we might see in the next few years.

The guys also take a look at the progress on "Gatekeeper" at Cedar Point.  The park is already testing their massive winged coaster with almost a month to go before opening day.  You'll hear from one of the park's engineers about what they are doing to get ready for May 11th.

We'll also hear a Live Trip Report from Tom who had lunch with a Disney Imagineer as part of a new program offered by the Disney Parks.  Did he learn any secret info and will he spill the beans for the CoasterRadio.com audience?

Travis from California joins the show to talk about his visit to the grand opening of the Legoland Hotel in Southern California.  Travis will give us the inside scoop about what surprises we can expect to see inside the hotel... including an elevator that doubles as a disco!  Plus, he'll let us know about some of the things at Legoland that even an adult would love.

Finally, the guys go "Off Topic!" EB gives the audience an update on a major home renovation project and Mike fills you in on his "Magical" trip to Las Vegas!  Highlights include a "secret" elevator to the top of the Stratosphere Tower, a ride on the "Big Shot," a front row seat to David Copperfield's show, David making one of Mike's friends disappear and a road trip to the Grand Canyon.

There's lots of fun and a few surprises on this all new episode of "The Original Theme Park Podcast!"

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

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

Video Podcast - Legoland Hotel Grand Opening

Travis from California, our CoasterRadio.com West Coast Correspondant, had a chance to visit the Grand Opening of the Legoland Hotel in Southern California.

This special video podcast will take you inside the hotel to show you all of the surprises that await families who book a stay there... including the infamous "Disco Elevator!"

Our thanks go to Travis for producing this video! Way to go!

CoasterRadio.com #725 - Namtab is Batman Backwards

Imagine you're walking into your favorite theme park and heading straight for favorite roller coaster.

Just as you come up on the familiar twists and turns, you notice something strange.... the cars are facing backwards!

This will be the experience for parks fans in the Chicago area when Six Flags Great America runs Batman: The Ride backwards for part of the 2013 season.

On this week's show, we'll talk with Brandon Bruce, the park's communication's specialist about the excitement surrounding the change and why they decided to do it.

We'll also find out more about igNIGHT, the park's new nighttime spectacular that will feature fireworks, special effects, live music and a storyline unique to the Windy City.

We also ask you guys about your "Opening Day" traditions.

Here in the United States, Spring Break is in full swing.  So that means that many of us are taking our first steps into the parks after a long winter hibernation.

It's a special moment when we first walk into our favorite theme park after so many months away.  Because of this, each of us has our own unique traditions and customs to mark the occasion.

We'll hear about listener's "interesting" ways to  celebrate the start of the season.

Plus, we'll have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags America and a whole lot more!

Check out all of the show notes and links in our new interactive ZEEN - "In Styleee!" It's brand new for Season Seven!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Direct Podcast Link
Show Notes

Click here to subscribe through iTunes.

Click here for our podcast RSS Feed.

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