CoasterRadio.com: The Original Theme Park Podcast

It's one of our favorite episodes of the year! CoasterDamus is here! We'll start by going back in time and take a look at last year's predictions.  Which ones came true?  After that, we'll see what crazy things you guys think will happen in 2023. As always, many of our listeners show off their creative side with some amazing rhyming predictions.

2023 is only a few days old, but already has given us one of the biggest news stories of the year. We'll talk about Universal's plans to build a 97 acre park in the state of Texas. We'll talk about a bunch of other news stories and hear Mike's review of Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

E.B. travels to Washington, DC to do the final show of 2022 from Mike's home tiki bar! The guys tell behind-the-scenes stories from their week in Orlando recording shows at Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and IAAPA. They also tell stories from their visits to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

CoasterRadio.com has finally made it to IAAPA!   Mike and EB take their wireless microphones onto the IAAPA Expo show floor to see the latest and greatest innovations in the amusement industry. As they explore the vast expo, they come across a wide range of new attractions and rides, from the latest roller coasters to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences. They also see hundreds of companies who provide animatronnics, special effects, equipment and support for parks around the world.   It's a different type of episode...one where the guys get overwhelmed at times. But you'll get to hear in real-time what it's like to be a first timer at "The Global Attractions Industry's Premier Event."

For Part II of our "Florida Trilogy," we come to you from the 2022 CoasterRadio.com Listener Meetup at Busch Gardens Tampa! Mike and EB do the show in front of a live audience inside the Gwazi Pavilion. They'll talk to the crowd about the park, the attractions, its hidden gems and the incredible new coaster for 2022, Iron Gwazi. They'll also interview Erick Elliott, the Vice President of Engineering and General Services at Busch Gardens Tampa. He'll talk about what it takes to operate such a huge park and what we can look forward to in the future!

Dreams come true this week as Mike and E.B. podcast from the "Radio Broadcast Center" inside Universal Studios Florida. E.B. talks about his first ever visit to Universal Orlando. Then, the guys welcome Kari, David and their producer Michelle from the official "Discover Universal" podcast! There's talk about best attractions, hidden gems and things you can't miss when you visit the resort! Plus, you get to hear amazing stories from the careers of three long-time Universal Orlando team members.

Mike and EB unveil their list of the best gifts for the theme park fan in your life. Check out the complete list at giftguide.coasterradio.com!

With one week to go before the 2022 Listener Meetup in Central Florida, Mike and EB talk about what parks and attractions they are looking forward to experiencing.

Lots of great news this week, including an announcement about what Hersheypark plans to do with it's "Wildcat" wooden coaster.

Halloween is here! Our listeners step up to the mic to talk about the greatest scares they have received at an in-park haunt. 

This episode has a strange title, but it will all make sense when you hear us talk about Sea World Orlando's new attraction for 2023. We'll also talk about how both Carowinds and Kings Dominion are about to start up year-round operations. Plus, a different look for the Themed Entertainment Association attendance numbers.

In addition to talking through the latest news and ride announcements from the amusement industry, the guys unveil details about the 2022 CoasterRadio.com Listener Meetup at Busch Gardens Tampa! In addition to the meetup, we'll have info about our visits to IAAPA, Universal Orlando and other Central Florida landmarks! Get your meetup tickets now at meetup.coasterradio.com!

Season 17 starts with us asking our listeners what their first order of business would be if they were hired as the President of their local Six Flags park. Then, we go through the results of our 2022 Listener Survey!

We discuss more new rides announced for 2023, a collection of amusement park history, a disturbing incident at a Halloween event and an amazing job opportunity at five different parks.

Amusement Today recently presented the "2022 Golden Ticket Awards."  Think of it like the Oscars or Emmys for the Amusement Industry. On this week's show, we'll go through all the winners AND dissect the Top 50 Steel and Wooden Coasters. PLUS... EB has news about a new Game Show he appeared on as a contestant!

It was an amazing week in the amusement industry. Two major stories dropped on the same day. Cedar Point announced that their record-breaking roller coaster "Top Thrill Dragster" would be retired "as we know it."  At the same time, Busch Gardens Williamsburg unveiled their 2023 roller coaster that can best be described as a "spiritual successor" to "Curse of Darkastle." There's lots to talk about!

Everyone's looking towards the future... the parks, their visitors, the ride designers and even your friends here at CoasterRadio.com. We'll take a look at rumored 2024 attractions and also look ahead to some changes here at the show!

This week, we have tons of news about new attractions coming to parks over the next few years...including details of the Donkey Kong ride coming to Universal's Epic Universe! Plus, find out how you might see EB riding a bicycle on the streets of Orlando this November.

Amusement parks are places where memories are made. In 2023, several parks are going to tap into old memories to create new experiences. We'll talk about how Worlds of Fun and Cedar Point are creating new attractions based on their legacies. We'll also hear from our listeners as they visit parks around the country.

This week, a lot of new rides were announced. We'll run them down for you. We also have news about how you can take a FREE behind-the-scenes tour of some of your favorite roller coasters. Plus, dark days for a major park chain and teenagers in Orlando.

We're joined by Nancy Heard from Glenwood Caverns to talk about their newest coaster "Defiance." We also talk about changes at Carowinds, possible themes for Halloween Horror Nights, rumors out of Dollywood and a Harry Potter themed attraction near Mike.

Through the miracle of podcasting (and with the help of our listeners), we hear live reports from 10 different parks around the world!

On this week's show... New photos from inside a higthly anticipated attraction, Teens cause a park to close early and  Mike has a review of Tumbili at Kings Dominion.

Lost Island Theme Park is reportedly having trouble attracting guests to its beautiful new theme park. Our listeners chime in about what they could do to get more people through the gates. We also talk about Hersheypark's new Halloween event, Avengers at Disneyland Paris and rumors about Montezooma's Revenge at Knotts. PLUS, your Live Trip Reports and the CR Mailbag!

A headlining attraction takes a step backwards. An anticipated ride won't open this year. A hacker takes control of Disneyland's Instagram. Plus, Live Trip Reports from parks around the country!

EB had three park visits in a week! He'll tell you all about his trips to Holiday World and Worlds of Fun. Plus, news about the closing of a major amusement park in the United States!

There's lots going on behind-the-scenes this week. Instead of taking a break, EB podcasts direct from his trip to Holiday World.

A new theme park opens in Iowa, Universal is set to let us take part in a "Back to the Future" story and Disney wants us to pay $100K to visit all 12 of their theme parks.

Lots of great news and discussion this week, including... * The B&M Surf Coaster * What is the "Coaster Capital" of Florida? * Parks are doing better than they were Pre-COVID * 21+ events at the regional parks * A TON of Live Trip Reports from Parks Around the country!

It's been announced that Disneyland is going to add characters to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge that don't (necessarily) fit in the timeline of Battu.  But does it matter? We'll talk about whether we'll see OG characters in the uber-themed land. We'll also talk about similar lands could be built at a park near you. Plus, EB visited Kentucky Kingdom and has a full review.

Will Cedar Point's new after-hours 21+ VIP event inspire a trend in the amusement industry? Mike and EB will talk all about that and other major amusement industry stories.

This is the type of show that has EVERYTHING our podcast is known for... news, commentary, discussion, character segments, in-park trip reports and much more.

Theme Park Expert Arthur Levine joins Mike and EB to talk about his new project "Arthur's About Theme Parks." (Check it out at https://www.aboutthemeparks.fun). He'll give the guys first-hand reports of rides like Iron Gwazi, Ice Breaker and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Mike and EB hear what listeners think are the most terrifying elements on roller coasters and thrill rides.

Mike recently returned from a week of work in Las Vegas. While he was there, he visited two attractions that have the same level of park design as Disney or Universal.

A jam packed show filled with news, jokes, trip reports and all the stuff you have come to love from CoasterRadio.com.

Mike and EB kick back and take a look at the week's most important news stories from the parks around the world!

EB and Mike are back... taking a look at all the major stories that broke while they were away.

Both Mike and Neil Patrick Harris were in Florida last week. NPH visited Busch Gardens Tampa and got several rides on Iron Gwazi. Mike was in Orlando and rode VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure and Ice Breaker at Sea World Orlando. Plus, he took his daughter to opening day of Peppa Pig Theme Park!

It's a great off-season show... filled with talk about parks, new attractions, pop culture, life and really interesting questions.

No, this episode isn't anything like that dumb Ashton Kutcher movie. But the guys do get in to some more really interesting "What If" scenerios about the amusement industry sent in by the listeners.

We kick off this week's show with one of the first reviews of Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa. Dan the T-Shirt Guy called in minutes after his first ride on the new RMC. Then, we answer our listener questions about theme parks, thrill rides, pop culture and MORE!

This week, everyone was shocked when they heard the news about SeaWorld Entertainment making a bid for Cedar Fair. It made us all think "What if that really happened?" "What if" is such an intriguing question. So we asked our audience to send in their own "What If" scenerios to us. We spend the show exploring what might have been in the amusement industry.

We're joined by Theme Park Expert (and writer for USA Today) Arthur Levine. We'll preview all of the major new attractions coming to the parks in 2022!

We talk with Taylor Bybee, Sarah Anderson and Scott Schaffer.... creators of a new documentary about Rocky Mountain Construction. We discuss a lot... coasters, internet fame and what Taylor has to do to maintain such perfect hair.

It's one of our favorite episodes of the year! CoasterDamus is here! We'll start by going back in time and take a look at last year's predictions.  Which ones came true?  After that, we'll see what crazy things you guys think will happen in 2022.

Happy New Year! It's our first show of 2022 and a lot happened during the holiday.  We'll kick off the new year by catching you up on all of the stories and headlines that you might have missed.

It's our final show of 2021! To celebrate, we welcome Neil Patrick Harris back to CoasterRadio.com! In an uncut, hour-long conversation, we talk about everything from theme parks to movies to magic. You'll hear Neil's takes on the latest theme park attractions and also where he thinks the industry is headed in the future. We also talk about some of his latest projects, including "The Matrix Resurrections." Happy Holidays!

It's the time of year when our favorite parks are decked out for the holidays. This week, Mike talks about his trip to WinterFest at Kings Dominion. The guys also have the latest news from around the industry and some interesting items in the Listener Mailbag.

EB and Mike have spent weeks searching the internet to create the PERFECT list of holiday presents for that special park enthusiast in your life.  Or, let's face it, maybe you just want to buy this cool stuff for yourself.

Happy Thanksgiving! This week, EB and Mike take a look at all the headlines and new attractions from the 2021 IAAPA Expo in Orlando. They also talk with a listener who represented the show and saw everything the show floor had to offer!