CoasterRadio.com #608 - Let Us Give Thanks (Or Not)

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this week's show, EB and Mike let the listeners vent on what they are most (and least) thankful for at the theme parks this year.

It's a chance to give thanks and complain at the same time!

We also have the first ever Holiday Kid Call!

Our own version of Santa Claus makes a call to the children of one of our listeners.

Does this turn out to be a good idea for the show?  Or does it go into the category of failed ideas like "Being David Arquette?"

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What are you most (and least) thankful for?

Is it Thanksging time already?

Geeze, wasn't it just Opening Day of the 2011 Theme Park season just a few weeks ago?

Anyway, if it's Turkey Time, that must mean it's also time for the Annual Coaster Radio Thanksgiving Show.

In the past, we've asked you about what attractions you think are "Theme Park Turkeys."  We've also asked you about what you're most "thankful" for in the amusement industry.

This year, we're gonna do both!

For this week's show, tell us about what you're most thankful for and least thankful for at the parks you have visited.

We'll talk about your answers on our next show!

Send us your comments to us by Tuesday, November 22nd at 8:30pm EST by posting them right here on the blog by using the "Comments" link below.  You can also e-mail us your answer by using the address over on the right, write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

The best option is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show!

CoasterRadio.com #607 - Inspired Design: From Tibor to Toomer

It may be the off-season for most of us around the world, but you can get still get your park fix right here... with the Original Theme Park Podcast!

Each year, amusement industry insiders gather at the annual IAAPA Conference to check out new attractions and technologies that they might want to purchase for their park.

On this week's show, Mike and EB send a wireless microphone to the 2011 IAAPA show floor and talk with one specific vendor who just might have the hottest idea for the 2012 season.

Plus, the guys spend some time talking about legendary roller coaster designer Ron Toomer.  Ron passed away during the show's hiatus this past September, so Coaster Radio listeners call in to talk about their favorite Toomer-designed coasters. Was he one of the most influential designers ever?

And, we'll let you in on some of the behind-the-scenes information that we gathered from our Season Six Survey. You'll find out exactly how many women actually listen to this show.  Fascinating stuff!

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Do you "LIKE" us on on Facebook?

EB and I are always trying to come up with new ways to interact with you guys.

Now, if you're a fan of ours on Facebook, you'll have exclusive access to our 10-minute weekly video webcast!

Just head to The CoasterRadio.com Facebook Page and click on the "LIKE" button.  You'll have automatic access to the most current webcast!

Help us honor Ron Toomer

Most people who ride roller coasters and other thrill rides don't spend any time thinking about the people who actually created the attraction.

I guess one of the fun things about being a theme park enthusiast is that we actually get to know the names and personalities of the people behind the rides we love.

Earlier this year, we lost one of the great roller coasters of our time... Ron Toomer.

Ron was the president of Arrow Dynamics and created dozens of rides that we all know and love.

Among his creations were Magnum, Mine Ride, Gemini, Corkscrew, and Iron Dragon at Cedar Point, Desperado at Buffalo Bills in Nevada, Python at Busch Gardens Tampa and Big Bad Wolf, Drachen Fire, and Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

On our next show, we're going to spend some time talking about his roller coasters.  We'd like to invite you to call or write in to tell us about your favorites.

Send us your comments to us by Tuesday, November 15th at 8:30pm EST by posting them right here on the blog by using the "Comments" link below.  You can also e-mail us your answer by using the address over on the right, write on our Facebook Page or use our Contact Page!

The best option is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show!

CoasterRadio.com #606 - Mike is a Stupid Idiot!

Yes, it's a strange title for this week's episode... but it will all make sense once you take a listen!

This week, Mike and EB catch up on a bunch of backlogged calls from the Coaster Radio Voicemail Line.

We'll hear what happened to some of our favorite callers over the summer and introduce you to someone who we're sure is going to be a fan favorite.

We also interview Scott Wegener. the author of "Things to do in Theme Park Queues."

Scott has written a book (and a companion smart phone app) that will help even the most impatient person be able to stand the hour-long lines for your favorite rides and attractions.

Plus, we'll have dueling Live Trip Reports and exciting news about upcoming shows and contests!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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

CoasterRadio.com #605 - Live from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Grab a glass of Butterbeer, dust off your magic wand and brush up on your spells... because this week, the Original Theme Park Podcast is coming to you from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

This amazingly detailed land at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando has been memorizing guests ever since it opened last year.

We'll tell you what makes the Wizarding World so special and give you some tips that will make your next visit even better.

We'll also have reviews of the many different shops and merchandise that can be found in Hogsmead Village.

Plus, Mike will have a first-hand account of what it's like to ride Dragon Challenge and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey!

And, the moment any fan of CoasterRadio.com has been waiting for... a live visit with the friendly Half-Giant himself, HAGRID!

There are a ton of other surprises waiting for you in the latest episode of CoasterRadio.com!


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

Twitter Halloween Costume Contest!

One of the things we learned by looking at the results of the online listener survey, was that many of you wanted to see more contests on the show.

We have some great ones coming up soon on the podcast, but we also have some that are designed solely for our listeners who follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Since it's Halloween weekend, we're unveiling our first Twitter-only contest today - and it's a costume contest (with a twist).

If you're heading out to a costume party this weekend or if you're taking your kids out Trick-or-Treating on Monday night, snap a picture of your costume and tweet it to us at @coasterradio. Use the hashtag #crcostumecontest too.

The catch is, you have to be holding up a sign that says "@COASTERRADIO".

That way, the jokers and CoasterBoys out there won't just tweet a cool costume photo they fine online.

And EB and I will be looking for clever fakes! Violators will be dealt with harshly!

The winner gets a top secret prize.  It's two tickets to a pretty cool location!

Have fun! And get your entries tweeted to us by Tuesday night!

CoasterRadio.com #604 - The Halloween Campfire Show!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Throughout the month of October, we've been getting in the spirit for the world's spookiest holiday by visiting the parks and other events to partake in their haunted mazes and attractions.

We've been stalked by demonic clowns and aggressive werewolves.  We've been chased by hungry zombies and thirsty vampires.  We've even had a few brushes with the paranormal... perhaps witnessing a ghostly apparition.

But now that the big day is here, everyone here at The Original Theme Park Podcast is ready to celebrate Halloween in a new way.

This week, EB and Mike start a new tradition on the show.  They tell creepy stories from some of the most popular and inventive haunted attractions in the United States.  These haunts use state-of-the-art technology to scare their guests, but more importantly, they also use engaging storylines to pull people into another world.

Using some "radio magic," the guys will pull YOU into the stories as well.

Plus, EB and Mike talk about some of their favorite tried and true haunt effects. AND, we have one of the most entertaining Live Trip Reports EVER!

It's all coming up on a very scary episode of CoasterRadio.com!

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

CoasterRadio.com #603 - Halloween is Almost Here!

We're just a few days away from one of our favorite holidays here at Coaster Radio... Halloween!

This week, we're going to celebrate early by talking with the owner of the World's Longest Indoor Haunted Attraction... The Factory of Terror in Canton, Ohio.

The Guinness Book of World Records recently certified that this amazing haunt has once again claimed this impressive distinction.

We'll find out what it takes to to put on a world-class haunt and what terrifying experiences visitors might encounter when they visit.

We'll also discuss the most recent promotion at Six Flags Over Georgia.  As part of their celebration of Fright Fest, visitors were invited to eat a live Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.  If they succesfully ate the bug, they won a Season Pass.

EB and Mike talk about what it would take to get them to eat a roach and then get to the bottom of finding out who came up with this unique idea.

Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from a popular California Haunted Attraction and we find out how we're doing in the voting for the 2011 Podcast Awards!

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

Tales from Halloween Haunts

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!"

When Andy Williams sang that song, he was talking about the winter holiday season.  But I use those words to describe all of the fun events surrounding Halloween!

I'm sure that you guys have been heading out to your local parks each weekend to hit up their Halloween events.  Some of you might even be going to stand-alone haunts where the terror and fear is bumped up a few notches.

For our Halloween show, we want to hear from you about the unique storylines on display at a haunt you've visited recently.

Psychologically, a haunt is most effective when the designers can suck you in to a story that you ultimately become a part of.

So, we'd like you to tell us the story of your favorite haunt... just as if we were all sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows and making S'mores!

Send us your answers to us by Tuesday, October 18th at 9pm EST by posting them right here on the blog by using the "Comments" link below.  You can also e-mail us your answer by using the address over on the right or use our Contact Page!

The best option is to call our voicemail line at 206-339-3360. Be a part of the show!

CoasterRadio.com #602 - Live from Walt Disney World

This week, the Original Theme Park Podcast comes to you from the Happiest Place on Earth! 

(OK, that tag line might belong to Disneyland... but we're close enough!)

On this week's episode, Mike and EB provide on-site details from EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival.  What culinary delights can you find in World Showcase?  And, if you aren't interested in the festival, does it affect the attraction lines?

Plus, Mike has a chance to check out Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.  Does it live up to the excellence of the original?  Does it exceed expectations?  Or, does it have a disappointing "prequel" feel?

The guys also have live audio from inside the Magic Kingdom at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! Mike Collins is joined by his wife Molly and their friends Mike and Colleen to talk about the event, the fireworks, the parade, the CANDY and most importantly, their award winning TRON and Karate Kid costumes.

Fear Does Not Exist In This Dojo, DOES IT?

Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Magic Mountain, details on some upcoming CoasterRadio.com Contests and a LOT MORE!!!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

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

2011 Podcast Awards

One of the greatest rewards of doing this show is when you guys tell us that we're doing a good job.

It's so great getting an e-mail or a message on Facebook from a listener telling us about a particular episode that they enjoyed.

Even better, we sometimes hear about how our show has played a part in a family gathering or roadtrip.

It's always an honor to know that we're a part of your lives... even in a small way.

Earlier this week, the nominations for the 2011 Podcast Awards were released and CoasterRadio.com was nominated in category for "Best Travel Podcast."

It's awesome to be nominated, but the best part about it is that we were nominated by our listeners.

And from a publicity standpoint, the nomination is great because it exposes our show to a whole group of people who probably haven't heard it before.  And as we've said many times:

More Listeners = More Opportunities = A Better Overall Show.


There is some heavy competition in the Travel Category this year.

There are 10 nominees and seven of them are theme park podcasts.  Of those seven, five are Disney Podcasts!

It's always going to be difficult dethroning a Disney Podcast, but let's give it a try!

You can vote for CoasterRadio.com once a day at podcastawards.com.  Voting runs through October 27th.

We have enough listeners to pull off an upset! It's just up to all of us to vote everyday and see if we can do it.

I like being the underdog, don't you?

Again, thanks for all your support!