Welcome to Coaster Kings Radio, the podcast for coaster enthousiasts but also those who want to find out more about theme parks from around the world. Based in Orlando, California and Europe, we also cover other parks in America, Asia and everywhere we can find a coaster.
"An Island Like No Other" – or is it? Thorpe Park has seen a lot of changes since it became a sister to Alton Towers, and with Hyperia breaking records and winning hearts, which park can boast the strongest lineup in the UK?
Today we'll be in Xiamen and Kunming talking about 3 great parks – or is it 4?? Xiamen's Fantawild Parks and Kunming's Colorful Yunnan Paradise are the focus of this episode, and they're dripping with great dark rides and coasters.
In this episode we take a look at two of England's most noteworthy family parks – the historic Drayton Manor and the blossoming Paultons Park. These parks have unique backgrounds and different plans for the future, but right now they have a lot in common – particularly the two biggest and most lucrative kiddie areas in the country.
Sean and Alex kick off the Great British Road Trip at Alton Towers, a truly iconic destination for theme park and roller coaster fans. But with Sean visiting for the first time, did it live up to the expectations? We take a tour around the park and talk about the coasters, dark rides, and gardens that have made Alton Towers so famous and discuss our recent 3 days at the park.
Now that Universal has unveiled its 7th theme park (no, Volcano Bay doesn't count), it's time for us to rank every Universal Park in the world – from the newest resort in Beijing, to the Hollywood OG. Where do these parks stack up in the grand scheme of things, and where does Universal's Epic Universe fit into the mix? Our findings may surprise you!
Sean, Alex and Sven come together to celebrate 50 years of Europe's 2nd busiest theme park resort! From limit-pushing rides to resort hotels and a water park, we take a look at the resort's history and discuss its future. This episode also includes a quick look at SeaWorld Orlando's new Expedition Odyssey flying theater attraction!
This dark dark dark ride "puts you in a smoke- filled battlefield, where you can follow the railway guerrillas to seize trains and blow up bridges, returning to the war years when people were passionate about serving their country". If that isn't enough reason to visit the Fantawild parks in Ningbo, maybe their state-of-the art Vekoma Top Gun launch coaster is.
Looking for a spoiler-free review of Epic Universe? Well – look elsewhere because we're about to dissect this place like Frankenstein's Monster. Hop aboard dragons, comets, mine cars, and even share an "Omnidirectional Lift" car with us as we explore the five new worlds of Universal's Epic Universe.
In this episode between seasons, Ian and Sven made each other theme park trips for when they visit each others regions for the first time. 5 parks each for these Central Europe and Mid-Atlantic US trips! What do you think of the trips?
In this extra episode, Sven and Andreu talk about the novelties coming to PortAventura Resort this year. As the park celebrates its 30th anniversary, they showcased many reasons to come and visit this major resort in Europe.
Sean and Alex wrap up the longest running season yet! In this season finale, we travel around the world to discuss the best new-for-2025 roller coasters. It appears that 2025 will be a very memorable year in terms of new major roller coasters. What new coaster are you most excited about? Maybe you'll even discover a few new ones to add to your bucket list!
We're digging deep into the theme park sector and worldwide park performance across multiple markets. We're talking about large parks in Orlando with declining attendance, major parks with increasing attendance, investments with high and low returns. From Asia to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Americas. What are the top 25 parks in terms of attendance? Top performing water parks? The list continues on, and we have all the details!
We recently attended numerous winter theme park events, including Winter Wonderland in London! Join us as we explore winter theme park events, developments in the industry, and our visits to Winter Efteling (featuring Danse Macabre) and Winter Wonderland!
Sean and Alex wrapped up the fall at Parque Warner Madrid and began the holidays at Disneyland Paris, in what could be their most active November yet. From night rides on amazing thrill rides in the desert just outside of Madrid to the festive drone show, glühwein, and champagne at the Disneyland Paris resort. Let's talk about our trips to some of our favorite European parks/parques/parcs.
Sean and Alex recently returned to Tokyo for a resort stay at Tokyo Disney as well as a run through the city to Tokyo Dome City and Asakusa Hanayashiki. How are the Tokyo theme parks keeping up? Is Fantasy Springs worthy of the praise? Is Tokyo Disneyland still one of their favorites? This episode includes all of this and more.
Sean and Alex take us to Ocean Park Hong Kong and Thorpe Park, where we experience tropical heat in the Hong Kong highlands and chilly rainy weather in the United Kingdom. During recent work trips to the regions, Sean received his Hair Raiser credit, and Alex rode Hyperia. How are Ocean Park and Thorpe Park holding up?
Join Sean and Alex for their latest China adventure! From the Terracotta Warriors, Drum and Bell Towers, and the ancient City Wall to a theme park based on the Silk Road and the famed Lewa Adventure Park, which houses the MACK Rides' Flash Hyper Coaster.
In this two-part episode, Sean, Alex, Sven, and Ian celebrate Coaster Kings Radio's five-year anniversary and who we are as hosts. We're talking about the coasters, parks, and rides that mold us as fans and help make Coaster Kings the brand it is today! Thank you for coming along on the ride!
In this two-part episode, Sean, Alex, Sven, and Ian celebrate Coaster Kings Radio's five-year anniversary and who we are as hosts. We're talking about the coasters, parks, and rides that mold us as fans and help make Coaster Kings the brand it is today! Thank you for coming along on the ride!
Our final Universal Studios park was also one of the most surprising. Join us on Singapore's Sentosa Island, home to Resorts World and Universal Studios Singapore. We will discuss rides such as Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Battlestar Galactica, Spaghetti Space Chase, how the park compares to the other Universal parks and much more.
Sean and Alex disect the 2024 D23 announcements in detail. Reactions, Details, Analysis, and Questions – 90 minutes of Disney Horizons talk that covers all the bases. ** Please note this was recorded prior to Walt Disney World releasing plans to place the Magic Kingdom Cars attractions where Rivers of America are.
Diverting to Hong Kong and taking a nine-week-old to Disneyland? You bet, bébé. How's this stepchild of Disney parks holding up? Join us on yet another asian theme park adventure with can't-miss rides like Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Mystic Manor, Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs, Frozen Ever After, Iron Man Experience, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, Hyperspace Mountain, and more!
Sean boarded Alex' train in Utrecht, and they ended up at Efteling for a relaxed, beautiful summer evening at one of the world's most picturesque theme parks. From exhilarating coasters to whimsical dark rides, this was another park visit to remember.
Rattle your way around the track of Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens Tampa, travel down to the Bayou with Tiana and her many musician animal friends at Magic Kingdom, and join us on SeaWorld Orlando's second 2-seater B&M coaster, Penguin Trek! How do these three major new attractions in Central Florida measure up? Do they live up to the hype?
Chinese Cheetah Hunt, a violent backwards Wing Coaster, and riding a Vekoma Shockwave in maintenance mode. Join us on another wild adventure in China, this time in Nanjing!
From the world-famous Giant Buddha of Leshan to the unique character of Chongqing's Hongyadong, this region is spectacular beyond its amusement parks. In this episode, Sean and Alex will talk about Happy Valley Chongqing, which is literally in a valley, as well as one of the world's fastest growing cities.
Thousands of ecstatic schoolchildren, taking off your shoes for the Chinese Taron credit, glass water slides, and Mega-Lites with shoulder straps. This episode is a whirl of emotion as we analyze Chengdu's two big regional parks.
Join Sean and Alex on their journey from Old Shanghai and Yu Garden on to the world's fastest train and tallest observation deck. Of course, no trip to Shanghai is complete without a day at one of its most spectacular parks: Shanghai Disneyland. How is the brand-new Zootopia ride and land? How is the park holding up?
Continuing the chat about the Beijing trip Sean and Alex went on, this time they're focusing on some must-visit sights such as the Summer Palace, Jingshan Park, Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall and Happy Valley Beijing! All of these destinations blew them away, including Beijing's original large-scale theme park!
Sean and Alex took the cutest little long weekend to Beijing, jam-packed with activities. One of which was a day at Universal Studios Beijing. Let's get into the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of this Chinese Universal resort!
Sean and Alex aren't planning just one trip to China, but four! Find out where, when, and why! Maybe you too will have a good idea of how to go about planning a trip for theme parks in China!
Sean and Alex discuss 20 theme park related questions, a habit that they do regularly but now recorded!
We're starting our new minisode series in Spain with Andreu! Learn everything about Camps Elisis and its importance in the Spanish theme park history.
Join Sean and Alex for an in-depth look at all things Vekoma. From their origins to some of their most amazing coasters. Part 2, all about coasters!
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. Episode 12: The Coda Ian explores some of the theme park projects seen in North America following the construction of Canada's Wonderland. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
Join Sean and Alex for an in-depth look at all things Vekoma. From their origins to some of their most amazing coasters. Part 1! *** Correction, we were dumb but are aware that Tusenfryd is Norway not Finland.
Sean and Alex put on their Imagineering hats to tell you how they would improve Walt Disney World's EPCOT. What would you do? Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. Episode 11: Canada's Wonderland - The End of an Era Following the success of Kings Island and Kings Dominion Taft Broadcasting brings their unique brand of regional theme park to the great white north. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
Sean and Sven look back at their trips of 2023, the highlight new attractions and what's to come in 2024! Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
2024 comes closer and we have a look at all the new attractions coming to Europe in 2024! Which one are you most excited about? Hyperia #Voltron #Mahuka Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. The Regional Park Story Episode 10: Some Regional Park Oddities This week Ian explores some of the strangers parks and projects of the regional park era. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
Sean and Alex discuss some well-known rides that were conceptualized to be even crazier!
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. Episode 9: 1978: The First Great Coaster Year The growing popularity of roller coasters at American theme parks leads to a year with multiple record breakers. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
Sean and Alex talk about their recent visit to Disneyland Paris during their longest visit ever!
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. Episode 8: The Regionalization of Amusement Parks With the success of regional theme parks many traditional amusement parks began to adapt rides, theming, and operations in the regional park mold. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. Episode 7 - Marriott's Great Americas Hospitality giant Marriott chose to enter the theme park market with one of the most ambitious projects ever, 2 theme parks opening the same year. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
In this episode, Sean and Alex talk about their visit to IAAPA Orlando Expo 2023! With reveals from coaster compagnies such as Intamin & Gravity Group to dark rides from Sally & BoldMove Nation. Plus more talking about some waterslides and theme park food! Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. Episode 6: The Virginia Sisters In 1975 two parks would open a mere hour away from each other. Their different approaches and personalities has allowed them to coexist for almost 50 years in Virginia! Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
In this episode, Sven talks with Sean and Alex about his first time visiting Florida and its theme parks. This first part talks about Walt Disney World resort and highlights everything which lived up to the expectations and which didn't. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
In these minisodes, titled "The Regional Park Story", Ian walks us through the history of regional parks in the United States. Episode 5: Double Adventure for 1974 1974 would bring two new regional parks to the United States, with significantly different approaches. Find out more at https://coaster-kings-radio.pinecast.co
2024 comes closer and we have a look at all the new attractions coming to North America in 2024! Which one are you most excited about?
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