CoasterRadio.com: The Original Theme Park Podcast

This week, Mike and EB discuss the latest news in the theme park industry, including the closure of Muppet Vision 3D, updates on Universal Studios' Rip Ride Rocket, and the impending closure of Disney's Tom Sawyer Island. They also delve into the Fast and Furious franchise's expansion in theme parks, the development of new roller coasters at SeaWorld, and an interview with Igor at Universal's Epic Universe. The guys also hear reports from the exciting new "Coasters After Dark" event at Busch Gardens and learn details about Halloween Horror Nights and the mysterious Netflix House coming to Philly, Dallas and Las Vegas.

This week, EB joins the show live from Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana! He'll have a full review of the park in "real-time" including updates on The Voyage, The Legend, The Raven, Thunderbird and Good Gravy! The guys also have updates on the latest news, rumors and trip reports from around the amusement industry. Plus, we have the return of the "SOUNDWAVE" contest!

Mike and EB kickoff of the summer theme park season by hearing a warning about the implications of the Six Flags and Cedar Fair merger...from a former CEO. The guys talk about new attractions like Siren's Curse and the unique zombie event at Hello Kitty Park in Japan. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the grand opening of Epic Universe and the challenges faced during its preview phase. The conversation shifts to listener interactions through the mailbag and trip reports from various parks, highlighting the excitement for the start of the 2025 season.

Mike is at Busch Gardens Williamsburg this week for the opening of "The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge." He'll review the ride and talk with the Corporate Director of Rides & Engineering for United Parks and Resorts. He'll talk about this new roller coaster from B&M that pays tribute to the original "Big Bad Wolf" story and coaster from the 1980s. Mike and EB also talk about the latest news and rumors from around the industry.

We are joined by Seth Kubersky, the author of "The Unnofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2025" to talk about EPIC UNIVERSE. Seth has been to the park multiple times and has experienced every attraction. He'll take us on a virtual tour of the park and give us the pros and cons of each land and ride. We'll also have the latest news from around the industry, including talk about the closing of Six Flags America.

This week, we talk about the fantastic "Back to The Future Destination Hill Valley" experience at Universal Studios Hollywood's FanFest Nights. Is this one of the best theme park events ever? We also have a ton of news and rumors from around the world. In the second half of the show, we play the second qualifying round of "The Ultimate." It's our new game show where we search for the ultimate theme park fan.

Mike and EB are back with news about Epic Universe, Kings Island, Las Vegas and much more! Plus, Mike is back from his trip to California where he visited Disneyland and other immersive attractions. He'll tell you stories from his travels and give reviews of "new-to-him" rides and attractions!

We are two weeks away from our 20th Anniversary. To help celebrate, Mike has used a bunch of fancy audio programs to remaster the very first episode of Coaster Radio. You'll hear Mike, E.B., Mario, Flava and Greg kick off the podcast on April 25, 2005. You'll also hear Mike and EB in 2025 talking about what it was like to record that first episode and how the show has changed over twenty years.

The title of this episode might throw you off, but don't worry. This week, we're answering your listener questions about a variety of topics, parks, pop-culture, the podcast and more! You'll learn a lot!

This week, the guys hear one of the first reviews of "The Flash: Vertical Velocity" at Six Flags Great Adventure. They also answer a bunch of listener questions dealing with topics like parks, pop culture, passions and podcasts.

This week, Mike is at the Media Preview for Kings Dominion's new attraction for 2025, RAPTERRA. Mike will ride the B&M Wing Coaster live on-the-air and give a full review. He'll also interview the park's Vice President and General Manager and other members of the managment team about the park's 50th Anniversary.

This week, listeners control how things get talked about by voting on topics in REAL TIME! The interaction includes talking about news such as Six Flags selling off parks, surcharges on purchases, Disney's plans for the Rivers of America, and the use of lockers in parks. The audience also gives their opinion on the demolition of Kingda Ka, the trend of regional parks being open year-round, and the excitement surrounding new attractions for 2025.

Mike and EB are joined by stand-up comic Joe Yuke. Joe is on a quest to make us laugh...but also to ride 100 roller coasters by the end of the year. The guys will offer Joe their expertise and figure out the best way to help him hit his goal. We also have news about Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point, a new interactive experience coming to Walt Disney World and more ride removals!

We are joined by Nick Huston, a UK composer who writes music for theme park attractions around the world. He'll tell us about what it takes to create the perfect musical atmosphere. Plus, he'll tell us all about his recent trip to Dubai and all of the parks he visited there. We also have amusement news from around the world.

This week, we kick off Round One of our newest interactive game show, THE ULTIMATE. It's a game that tests listeners knowledge of theme parks, thrill rides and the podcast. We also have news from around the industry including rumors of a popular ride that might be gone in 2025. Plus, we get into a discussion about Mike's upcoming California trip and whether or not theme park prices have gone too high.

This week, Mike and EB kick the show off my commenting on all of the news that happened while they were producing the last two weeks of preview episodes. They talk about the transformation of the Galactic Star Cruiser into office space, the rumored record-breakinfg dive coaster at Six Flags Over Texas, and the recent layoffs affecting several theme parks. They also provide updates on Siren's Curse at Cedar Point. Finally, they explore the upcoming Universal Fan Fest nights, weighing the appeal of special events against the reality of past experiences. The guys also discuss listener feedback from their recent survey, highlighting both the positive and negative feedback from listeners.

This week, Mike and EB are joined by theme park expert Arthur Levine to discuss the most anticipated roller coasters of 2025. They preview Alpine Fury at Canada's Wonderland, Georgia Goldrusher at Six Flags Over Georgia, and the unbelievable Falcon's Flight in Saudi Arabia. Plus, they talk about the potential of Lost Island Theme Park and the highly anticipated Epic Universe, showcasing unique experiences like Donkey Kong Minecart Madness, Curse of the Werewolf and Stardust Racers.

Mike and EB are joined by Theme Park Expert Arthur Levine (aboutthemeparks.fun) as they take a look at all of the new attractions coming to theme parks in 2025! The guys talk about Epic Universe, Six Flags Qiddiya City and MORE!

Mike and EB are back with an annual tradition for the new year...Coasterdamus, where they make predictions about the amusement industry for the upcoming year. They reflect on past predictions and analyze their accuracy. Then, EB and the listeners make bold predictions for 2025, including potential new rides and park developments. The conversation also touches on upcoming expansions, the legacy of iconic rides, and the importance of theming in attractions. 

This week, Mike and E.B. kick off the 20th season of Coaster Radio! They discuss the new theme song and logo, introduce a nostalgic game show called "Soundwave," and share news about a rumored roller coaster coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain. They also bid farewell to "Rip Ride Rocket" at Universal Orlando and "Berserker" at Kings Dominion, reflecting on the nostalgia and memories associated with these attractions. They also hear a review of the new "Jungle Rush" attraction in Australia and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Coaster Radio with a return of the character "Coaster Boy," who passionately critiques the current state of roller coasters and the industry. The guys also reflect on the changes in theme parks over the past 20 years, introduce exciting new segments for Season 20, and engage with listeners through the mailbag.

Mike and EB close out the year by naming the CoasterRadio.com Best New Attraction of 2024! They also talk about a new rumor about what would be a major ride removal in 2025.

2024 is about to come to an end, but was it a good year for theme parks and new attractions? We'll take a look at all of the new attractions that opened (and some that didn't) and try to figure out which one is best. You can help us out by giving your opinion at vote.coasterradio.com.

A holiday tradition returns this week... it's the 2024 CoasterRadio.com Holiday Gift Guide. We have over 60 differenyt gift ideas for the theme park and roller coaster fan in your life! Get ready for an extra-long episode of holiday fun!

On this week's show, Mike and EB discuss a really strange roller coaster story. You have to hear it to believe it. Then, EB has a trip report from holiday events at Hersheypark and Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience.

On this Thanksgiving episode of CoasterRadio.com, Mike and EB kick things off with some significant theme park news, particularly the changes involving the Muppets and Monsters Inc. at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Then, it's time for our annual Thanksgiving Tradition...where our listeners tell us what they are most and least thankful for in the amusement industry.

This week, Mike and EB get excited for the testing of Kings Dominion's new roller coaster Raptera. They also talk about and the implications of Kingda Ka's retirement including how most of Ka's records have gone to another roller coaster in the Six Flags chain.  The guys also dive into the excitement surrounding the IAAPA Expo with two interviews direct from the show floor in Orlando!

Mike and EB delve into the legacy of Kingda Ka, the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, as it faces retirement. They discuss the ride's history, the excitement surrounding its last operational weekend, and the future of Six Flags Great Adventure, including the announcement of a new record-breaking coaster set to debut in 2026. The conversation highlights the emotional connection enthusiasts have with Kingda Ka and speculates on what the future holds for the park and its attractions. In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent announcements for Six Flags attractions in 2026, reflecting on the unusual timing and lack of details. The conversation shifts to the use of AI technology to enhance old audio segments from their archives, showcasing the evolution of their podcasting journey. They reminisce about their early podcasting days, highlighting the challenges of producing quality audio content in the past. They also feature an classic interview with Larry Chockola, the chief engineer for Kingda Ka in 2005, discussing the ride's construction and significance.

In this Halloween-themed episode of CoasterRadio.com, hosts Mike and EB discuss the excitement surrounding new attractions and animatronics at theme parks, including the upcoming Monsters Unchained ride at Epic Universe. They also delve into the rebranding of Kings Dominion's Intimidator 305 to Panthera, the new Universal Mega Movie Parade featuring Ecto-1, and the ongoing delays in the development of American Heartland and Mattel Adventure Park. They also open listener mail, revealing fun surprises and gifts. The conversation shifts to Halloween, exploring the controversy surrounding residential haunts and the creative ideas listeners submitted for a virtual Halloween costume contest. 

In this episode of CoasterRadio, Mike and EB discuss the recent announcement of the "Big Bad Wolf" roller coaster reboot at Busch Gardens, a cancelled project in Orlando, and the changes at Cedar Point's Millennium Force. The conversation also covers enhancements to Disney's Tiana's Bayou Adventure, the testing of the Stardust Racers at Universal's Epic Universe, and listener engagement for Halloween haunts. The episode concludes with a thrilling trip report from Fear Farm in Canada, showcasing the excitement of local haunts. Finally, the guys delve into the question of whether being a coaster enthusiast is perceived as cool or scary, sharing listener perspectives and personal anecdotes. The conversation highlights the community aspect of theme park enthusiasts and the joy of sharing experiences with others.

This week, Mike and EB discuss the highly anticipated opening of Universal's Epic Universe, set for May 22, 2025. They delve into the ticketing structure, which requires multi-day purchases for access to the new park, and the implications of high ticket prices at both Universal and Disney parks. The conversation shifts to the rising costs of theme park experiences, including the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disney, and how these changes affect the average family's ability to enjoy these attractions. The hosts express concerns about crowd management, the quality of experiences, and the overall affordability of theme park vacations. In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences at theme parks, particularly Kings Dominion, and the excitement surrounding new attractions like Rapterra. They share stories about family adventures during Halloween events, the value of theme park memorabilia, and the immersive experiences found in haunted attractions. The conversation also highlights listener engagement and community interaction, emphasizing the fun and excitement of being part of the theme park enthusiast community.

Mike is on-location in New York City and has a full review of the new haunt from the host of The Tonight Show... Jimmy Fallon's Tonightmares!

This week, Mike and EB dive into the excitement of Halloween and the impact of recent hurricanes on theme parks. They discuss the kickoff of haunt season, featuring a unique horror short film from Six Flags, and provide real-time commentary on it. The episode also includes quick hits on theme park news, a discussion about the social perception of theme park enthusiasm, and listener interaction regarding whether being a theme park enthusiast is considered cool or uncool.

This week, Mike and EB discuss the latest happenings in theme parks, including alarming incidents of teen fights at Halloween haunts, the effectiveness of chaperone policies, and exciting news from IAAPA Europe about new roller coasters. They also share updates from Lost Island Park, delve into the buzz surrounding Cedar Point's Sirens Curse, and engage with listeners through the mailbag segment. The episode wraps up with a discussion on plans for the 20th Season of the podcast!

Cedar Point surprised us all with the announcement of their new attraction for 2025... a record breaking tilt coaster from Vekoma called "Siren's Curse." We'll tell you all about it. Plus, EB just returned from Indiana Beach with a review of the "All American Triple Loop!"

This week, Mike and EB discuss the Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today. They review the winners in various categories, including best new attraction, best roller coaster, best water ride, and best family park. The guys also run through the Golden Ticket Awards' lists of the top 50 wooden and steel roller coasters. They go through the rankings and share their thoughts on the placements while being surprised at certain rankings.

EB and Mike give their takes on the latest news and rumors from the amusement industry.

This week, the guys take a look at the attendance numbers for theme parks worldwide and in the USA. Did your favorite park crack the top 25? Also, trip reports from inside the parks and the latest news from around the industry.

The guys took a break from the show last week. SO OF COURSE, that's when parks across america decided to drop a ton of news about new attrractions for 2025 and beyond. So this week's show is all about playing catch-up and giving you hot takes about new announcements from Disney, Canada's Wonderland, Six Flags New England, Six Flags Great America, Lost Island Theme Park AND MORE!

This week, thanks to your listener questions, we get into some really interesting theme park talk. We discuss new rides, strange rumors and some interesting changes coming to the parks in 2025 and beyond!

"The Beast" at Kings Island is an iconic roller coaster. Even members of the general public from around the world have heard of it. So would it be a crazy idea if the park essentially built a second roller coaster and then just connected it to the original Beast? We'll talk about that along with a bunch of other news and rumors. PLUS, we'll take your listener questions!

There were two "new for 2025" attraction announcements made this week and EB only likes one of them. We'll let you know which one it is. Also, the guys talk about the possibilities with the "All Park Passport" that could be offered by Cedar Fair legazy parks.

A strike averted at Disneyland. An amazing ticket deal at Universal Orlando. A first review of Phoenix Rising. A piece of advice from E.B. Plus, the final drink in the "Tiki Takeover!"

This week, EB has details about his weekend trip to Coney Island and Six Flags New England! In New York, EB met up with Deno from Deno's Wonderwheel Park and explored the iconic attractions. He even got to operate their Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster - Phoenix! At SFNE, EB met up with theme park journalist Arthur Levine and has reviews of rides like Superman: The Ride!

This week, Mike and EB take a look at the upcoming opening of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando and the unique ticketing system that will be in place. In the Quick Hits segment, they talk about the Mega Movie Parade at Universal Studios Florida, the upcoming Phoenix Rising roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and a news story about a drunk, naked guy at an amusement park. There's also some discussion about the safety of carnival rides and a live trip report from Knobels! They also introduce the Pirate Grog cocktail and talk about EB's upcoming theme park trips to Coney Island and Six Flags New England.

This week, a classic tradition returns and a new tradition begins! We kick off the show about what things are like now that we live in the era of a Cedar Fair-Six Flags merger. But in the second half of the show, we join forces with our friends from BG Reynolds for the "CoasterRadio.com Tiki Takeover." We will create a tiki drink called "The Cursed Concoction" as a tribute to all of the fantastic theme park attractions that have a dreaded curse as part of their storylines. Then, to celebrate America's Independance Day, EB will risk life and limb by getting his wireless micophone as close as he can to his backyard fireworks! It's the 2024 Sparktacular Exploosioloosa!    

This week, Mike and EB discuss the recent changes to Disney's Genie+, now called "Lightning Lane Multi Pass." We know people will pay for it, but will it make life easier for guests? The guys also discuss the latest amusement news stories, including one about a bear that caused a stir by entering a concession stand at an amusememt park.  EB also has Part 2 of his multi-park trip report!

This week, the podcast goes INTERNATIONAL! EB has crossed the Canadian border and joins the show after a day at Canada's Wonderland. He is on a week-long theme park trip and also just completed a visit to Indiana Beach. He'll have full reviews of both parks including his thoughts on over 20 different roller coasters.

This week, Mike and EB discuss explore the impact of annual passes on park revenue and guest experience, as well as the rise of line-skipping services and upcharges. They also discuss the potential drawbacks of having a large number of passholders and the dissatisfaction that can arise among them. In addition, they touch on the plans for the redevelopment of Six Flags New Orleans, the selling roller coaster track pieces for charity, the preview center for Universal's Epic Universe, the reopening of Hyperia at Thorpe Park, and the escape of camels at Cedar Point. EB discusses his upcoming trip to five theme parks and tells us which parks didn't make the cut!

There's news out of Orlando this week that says Disney is about to spend BIG MONEY at their Florida resort...and that includes possibly building a 5th gate. We'll tell you what we know. The guys also take a look a summer-long festivals happening at parks across the country. Plus, in-park trip reports from our listeners and the latest news from around the industry!

This week, the guys take a look why the parks aren't open to the public as much as they once were...with shorter operating hours and less days open overall. We also have the latest news and Mike has a report from his latest park trip!

Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point got off to a fast start with great reviews. But now the ride is grounded while they work on the ride's vehicles. How long will the ride be down and when can we expect to ride it again?