CoasterRadio.com #443 - Bert the Conqueror and Fireworks!

On this week's show, we welcome the host of The Travel Channel's hit show "Bert the Conqueror," Bert Kreischer!

Bert and his crew are in the middle of producing the first season of this new show that takes viewers to the legendary attractions, competitions and adrenaline rushes that you can find all across America.

He joins us from the road to tell us about what he's experienced so far and what crazy feats we can expect to see in the upcoming months.

He'll also tell us about whether he really is terrified to experience all of these thrills or if he is just delivering some academy award winning acting. Plus, you'll be surprised to hear which amusement operators are asking for his advice about future attractions.

Then, we bring back the tradition of celebrating the 4th of July by shooting off fireworks live on the show. We even gave the experience a very Disney-esque name...

The CoasterRadio.com Sparktacular Explosioloosa!

You'll have to hear it to believe it! (And, if you're a fan of ours on Facebook, you can see it too!)

All that, plus a live trip report from Six Flags Magic Mountain and a surprise guest!

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 in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

Video Trip Report - Kings Island

The new iPhone 4 is blowing people away with it's functionality and new features. (Just make sure you don't hold it by the corners!)

One of the coolest features is the video camera that shoots 720p video and comes with iMovie editing software.

Of course, we here at CoasterRadio.com believe that all of our listeners should be using the iPhone to shoot Live Trip Reports when they're at the parks.

Kevin from Ohio shows us exactly how it's done with this video!

Watch, listen and learn from the master! Nice job Kevin!

The David Arquette Project - Sky Rocket and Ghostwood Estate

Zach was one of the lucky few to participate in the commercial shoot for Kennywood's new roller coaster "Sky Rocket." He was able to ride it before it has opened to the public! Cool!

But he also took time to take some creative shots for our latest contest! Ghostwood Estate has been taken over by The David Arquette Project!

The David Arquette Project - Hagrid's Hut at Wizarding World

Tom was one of the first people to visit the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Islands of Adventures.

After checking out Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle, Tom stopped by Hagrid's Hut to visit our friend from the podcast. Unfortunately, Hagrid must have been out walking the grounds.

But Tom took some time to pose in front of Hagrid's house with the Arquette Arithmetic photo!

Nice work Tom!

The David Arquette Project - JumboShrmp at Busch Gardens Tampa

The David Arquette Project rolls on... this time in the beautiful city of Tampa, Florida!

Our good friend Andrew (better known to the world as JumboShrmp) went on a behind the scenes tour of all of the roller coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa.

While he was up on Montu's mid-course break run, he asked the Busch Gardens staff to snap this picture with the Arquette Arithmetic image.

The cool thing about this photo is that you can't get this shot from any place on the midway!

Nice going JumboShrmp!

Fear Amongst Friends

The following is a post from Stacey...

You arrive at the park with your friends and/or family and everyone seems to be in a great mood. Someone suggests to hit the biggest and baddest coaster in the park right away.

Only problem is, when you reach the queue, you begin to see the fear in one of your comrades eyes. Not the simple, "I'll conquer this" fear, but the, "no way, no how," kind of fear.

How do you prevent your buddy from running for the exit before you even reach the loading platform?

One sure fire way to scare them even more is to pressure them into hopping on board before they are ready. Calling them a pansy is only going to tick them off.

Try being supportive and let them know that you're all in it together. If it's someone else's first time in your party, have them sit together so they can have someone to relate to.

If the timid friend is an experienced coaster rider, remind them of all of the previous coasters they've conquered before. Tell them that if they went 200 feet, 300 feet won't feel much different. If they've reached a speed of 70 MPH, they won't even notice 10 MPH faster. It may also help to talk about the fun they've had riding coasters before.

Recently I stood in front of a girl in line who actually preferred to not talk about her fears at all. She needed to internalize her fears and block out what she was about to do.

If all else fails, give your pal a break. Allow them to sit this one out without giving them a hard time. Maybe they just need a few warm up coasters to get them motivated. Ask them later in the afternoon if they'd like to give it a shot.

Just remember... be encouraging! Not pushy!

Talk about this in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

CoasterRadio.com #442 - Wizarding World Wackiness!

July 17, 1955 was a famous day in theme parks lore. It was the day of Disneyland's Grand Opening.

Will June 18, 2010 be a similar day in theme park history?

This was the day The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure.

There hasn't been an new land opening in recent memory to attract as much excitement and anticipation as the Wizarding World.

On this week's show, EB and Mike welcome Arthur Levine, the theme parks guide from about.com.

Arthur just got back from spending a few days in Orlando for the Grand Opening of the Wizarding World and he has details about the attractions, stores, crowds and surprises that await Muggles who travel to Hogsmead Village and Hogwarts Castle.

The guys also hear from one of their listeners who calls the CoasterRadio.com hotline to deliver a live trip report. Is the Frozen Butterbeer already a legendary drink?

Plus, EB and Mike are visited by their resident half-giant, Hagrid. It turns out Hagrid prevented a huge disaster from happening on opening day. Will it be enough to convince Universal Orlando personnel to let him back into his hut?

It's POTTERMANIA, this week on CoasterRadio.com!

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 in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

Legendary Roller Coasters

On this week's show, we're going to talk about legendary coasters.

Specifically, we're going to talk about legendary coasters from the past and also legendary coasters that are still giving great rides today.

Give us a call at 206-339-3360 and let us know about two roller coasters that you think are legends.

We're looking for some good answers for our next show!

Here are the different ways to get on the show!

* Post your idea on Twitter
* Post your idea on our Facebook Fan Page.
* Visit this topic in the CoasterRadio.com Forums
* Call our voicemail line - 206-339-3360
* E-Mail Us (the address is to the right of this page)

Travis Tries "Being David Arquette"

Earlier this year, we started the "Being David Arquette" contest, where we asked CoasterRadio.com listeners to re-create a scene from a David Arquette movie.

Here is the brilliant entry from Travis. Listen to next week's show to find out what we decide to do with this contest! Nice job Travis!


Original Scene


Travis' Recreation

The Wizarding World is Open!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The David Arquette Project - Andrew in Mexico!

Andrew spent a few days in Orlando and then headed South of the Border to spend some time in Mexico.

He added some creativity and cultural flair to his entry by "re-theming" the Arquette Arithmetic image. He also took the photos with the locals!

This is what we mean when we ask you guys to get creative!

Nice work!

CoasterRadio.com #441 - Tribute to Will Koch

On this week's show, we take a break from our usual craziness to pay tribute to Will Koch, the president of Holiday World who passed away on Sunday at the age of 48.

Will has always had a special place on this show because he was one of the first "big" guests that agreed to come on when we were first starting out back in 2005.

Back then, not many people in the amusement industry wanted to deal with "the podcast guys." But Will came on CoasterRadio.com and was funny, candid, charming and extremely interesting.

This week, we're replaying that interview as a tribute to Will.

It's wonderful to hear him talk about the park that was his life and the creation of roller coasters that everyone knows and loves. His enthusiasm is contagious and the interview is one of our all-time favorites.

As a way to say thanks, we're donating all of the website profits for the month of June to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in his name.

Everyone here at CoasterRadio.com sends our best wishes to Holiday World and the Koch family.

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 in the CoasterRadio.com Forums.

Remembering Will Koch

When I woke up this morning and read the news about the passing of Holiday World's Will Koch, I had to read it two or three times before I believed it.

Will's family believes he died of complications from diabetes. He was 48.

EB interviewed Will just a few weeks ago about the opening of Wildebeest.

And you guys will remember the classic interview we had with him back in 2005 about the Voyage.

The thing that struck me most about that interview was how happy Will was about building The Voyage. He and his dad had always wanted to build a gigantic wooden roller coaster that would put Holiday World on the map.

I could tell that he was thrilled beyond belief to do something that would make his dad proud.

I have a feeling he's with his daddy today and they're both smiling.

As expected, Holiday World will be open today.

I figured that a nice tribute to Will would be to repost the interview we did with him back in 2005.

Talk about this in the CoasterRadio.com Fourms.