Podcasts about coasterradio

What's better than a theme park podcast? A theme park podcast recorded while a tornado is actively threatening to rearrange EB's house. Welcome to another completely unhinged episode of Coaster Radio, where we somehow manage to discuss the future of Disney Imagineering, a legendary wooden coaster's potential comeback, and the glorious grit of America's boardwalk parks while EB monitors live storm tracking from his studio. We kick things off with some big news: Adobe has announced a collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development to bring AI-powered pre-visualization tools to the theme park design pipeline. The idea is to take Imagineering's massive archive of concept art and accelerate the development process — from blue sky sketch to 3D model, faster than ever before. Sounds exciting, right? Well, EB has thoughts. A lot of them. Speaking of attractions, Hershey Park's legendary Tidal Force — one of the most spectacular splash zones in the history of boat rides — is closing after 32 years this September. Alabama Adventure is teasing a big announcement that fans hope means the long-dormant Rampage wooden coaster is finally coming back, possibly with RMC treatment. Universal Epic Universe is debuting a brand new nighttime spectacular called Celestial Goodnight featuring seven million LED lights and 350 fountains. And Dollywood's Night Flight Expedition has been pushed back to August — which opens the door for Holiday World, who appears to be announcing their single biggest investment ever on July 1st at 8:45 AM, and all signs point to a Mack rocking boat ride coming to Boulder Canyon in 2027. Then we pivot to the second half of the show — a full celebration of boardwalk parks and the beautiful, gritty, chaotic joy of beach amusement. Mike's heading to Ocean City, Maryland for vacation, and we take a loving tour of some of America's great seaside spots: the Santa Monica Pier, Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco (including a very generous offer of free tokens to Treasure Hunt), the New Jersey piers, Coney Island (which Mike has still never visited and yes, we're calling him out), and the terminally underrated Indiana Beach. We also go deep on mini golf — specifically, how much a well-themed mini golf course with animatronics slaps, and why the card-swipe ticket system is a crime against childhood nostalgia. And yes, there's a million-dollar mini golf course for sale in EB's town if anyone's interested. Subscribe, leave a review, and join the Coaster Radio Insiders Club at patreon.com/coasterradio.#coasterradio

It's a trip to Kentucky Kingdom — and the Curse of Coaster Radio strikes again. EB heads to Louisville with daughter Madeline, son Dean, and friends, only to find that Flying Fox, the brand-new family inverted coaster they were most excited to ride, is still under construction. No matter: Kentucky Kingdom's gorgeous new Discovery Meadow area more than makes up for it, and EB files a full walking tour from the carousel to Wind Chaser (née Storm Chaser) to Woodland Run and Lightning Run. Plus: Mike shares POV video breakdowns of two exciting new additions coming to Waldameer and Carowinds, listeners call in live from King's Dominion, Alton Towers, and — of all places — Vietnam, and Mike reveals that Coaster Radio is transcribing all 820 episodes into an AI archive History, finally, in one place.

The first ever Coaster Radio panel discussion is here — and it did not disappoint. Joining Mike and EB are three guests who come at the theme park world from completely different angles. Jessica Gardner — the Theme Parkette — is a Los Angeles-based travel content creator, actress with over 50 on-screen credits, USA Today 10Best theme park expert, and host of the ACE official podcast Ride With Us. Josh Reichlin of Made to Thrill spent years frustrated by theme park gift shops and instead of just complaining about it built an entire brand whose retro-style artwork now hangs in Six Flags parks, Holiday World, and an unreasonable number of other places. And Tom from Louisville — Coaster Radio listener since Season 1, game show contestant, Reel Design Contest semifinalist, cartoon lobster, and the man whose voice you hear every week saying "quick hits." Topics covered this week: Is Werewolf Gorge at Six Flags Fiesta Texas the last dive coaster we'll ever get genuinely excited about? Are we happy about Enchanted Parks and what should they call their skip the line program? Knoebels turns 100 this year and the panel has feelings. Michigan's Adventure turns 70 and nobody's sure what happens next. Jessica rode the new Phantom Theater at Kings Island three times in one day — with Meta glasses. Josh got a Voyage trimless night ride at Holiday World and called it life changing. Jessica's Voyage trimless night ride at the all-women's ride made her cry. The case for and against Epic Universe being the best theme park ever built — and why Tom from Louisville says Disneyland and he's not budging. Then the big question — do people like the ones on this panel actually make the theme park experience better? Influencers, podcasters, merchandise creators — do they add wonder or spoil it? The answers are honest, funny, and occasionally surprising. Plus Jessica reveals the most unexpected piece of theme park memorabilia in the history of the show. Tom brings the Trader Sam's mug. Josh explains what the Demon poster at Great America means to him personally. And somewhere in there, EB decides he needs to watch the Defunctland Fast Lane episode immediately.

Internet sleuths just pulled permits for a brand new building in the Dark Universe portal at Epic Universe. Building 1570. Area 680. Listed as a special project. And the building numbers line up with exactly the kind of show building you'd need for a new attraction. Mike and EB have a theory about what it is — and it involves a glass bottom boat, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and an idea that Coaster Radio listeners actually designed in a Real Design Contest years ago. If Universal puts a Coaster Radio t-shirt on one of the bodies in that ride, that's all the confirmation the show needs. Before the speculation though — Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure has been removed from Universal Express. The longest line at Epic Universe is now a standby-only experience, and the people paying for Express Pass are not happy about it. Nate Bargatze wants to build a theme park based on his own life in Nashville and EB has thoughts. And RMC's Wild Moose prototype track has appeared at their Idaho headquarters, with the most interesting theory being that it could go indoors at Kentucky Kingdom in the space that used to hold a Schwarzkopf coaster. Then in the second half — the interactive question that started with Verbolten's new overlay at Busch Gardens Williamsburg produces one of the best listener response segments of the season. Rides that could use a refresh. Listeners suggest Journey to Atlantis, Men in Black Alien Attack, Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, Flight of Fear, Big Thunder Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Test Track, and the entire frontier area at Cedar Point. Mike and EB debate each one — and somewhere in the Men in Black discussion, EB invents what might be the greatest unused attraction concept in Universal history. Also — EB is going to Kentucky Kingdom on June 10th, there are collectible pins being considered, and the show closes with a detailed discussion of the 1997 horror film Wishmaster that you absolutely did not see coming. Stay through the Patreon section. You'll understand why.

The Hot Take Hoedown is officially here — and the "Sons of Sandusky" are already $150 richer. This week Mike and EB debut their brand new segment featuring the spiciest opinions from around the theme park internet — and then decide whether each one is a genuine hot take, a bad take, or just something EB has been saying for years. Is Iron Gwazi actually better than VelociCoaster? Did Cedar Point peak in 2001? Should Space Mountain at Walt Disney World be permanently retired? Are RMC conversions a net negative for the industry? Was Epcot better before it had roller coasters? EB has thoughts on all of them. Some of them are his own. Before the Hoedown though — Cedar Point's Millennium Force has a seat belt problem and Tony Clark is blaming Intamin. NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood has quietly removed "spring 2026" from its website and now just says "2026." Soarin' Across America has opened at Epcot and it's getting the full Mike and EB treatment — spoiler, the lawn is not that green on the DC Mall. Montezooma's Revenge train has arrived at Knott's Berry Farm but enthusiasts are already upset about the over-the-shoulder restraints. And the Mystical Fountain at Lost Continent says goodbye — though Mike has a CoasterDamus prediction about where it ends up. The Hot Take Hoedown closes with one final take that might be the most genuinely interesting of the night — does consuming too much theme park content rob you of the ability to experience parks with wonder? And is "the price of expertise is the loss of wonder" the new Coaster Radio tagline? One thing is certain. EB wants to wrap up with the theme song. The Sons of Sandusky are standing by.

Every coaster enthusiast has one. A specific ride. A specific day. The moment that turned a casual park visitor into someone who plans vacations around roller coasters, studies manufacturer lineups, and listens to theme park podcasts at 11pm on a Tuesday. This week Mike and EB asked the Coaster Radio community to share theirs — and the response was overwhelming. From Steel Phantom at Kennywood to Dueling Dragons at Islands of Adventure. From Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland at age six to Viper at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 1991. From watching Top Thrill Dragster launch for hours as a child to being forced onto a coaster by an older sibling and never looking back. From Dick Knoebel of Knoebels personally replying to a young fan's handwritten letters to a nine-year-old standing under a flickering chandelier at the Haunted Mansion and thinking "this is what I want to do with my life." Dozens of stories. Dozens of different rides. One common thread — the moment everything changed. But first — Cedar Point tried to cancel Coastermania and replace it with Morning Rush. The Coaster Maniacs responded. Tony Clark listened. And the Hulkster had some thoughts. Brothers, Coastermania is incoming. Also this week — Epic Universe opens Celestial Park to convention goers for the first time ever, giving the world its first look at how the portal system actually works. A bomb threat at Six Flags Magic Mountain delays opening until 12:30pm and nobody can explain why it was called in at 7:45 in the morning. The Family Kingdom Raptor coaster gets pushed to 2027 due to permitting issues. Busch Gardens Tampa files permits for a possible $16.5 million water ride to replace Stanley Falls. And Holiday World launches the most elaborate teaser campaign in park history for the mysterious Town of Boulder Canyon. Plus — a live trip report from Six Flags Great America on opening day, and the show teases something new coming to Coaster Radio very soon. Go read the full listener responses on the Coaster Radio Facebook page. Bring tissues.

They're back. Two weeks off, one terrible cold, and one truly spectacular failure in Las Vegas. Mike and EB return with a packed show — but first, an apology. The Universal Horror Unleashed trip report that was promised at the end of Episode 2114 is not happening. Not because the show didn't go to Las Vegas. Not because Mike didn't convince an entire table of colleagues to pile into taxis at 9pm on a Tuesday. And not because the outside of that abandoned warehouse didn't look absolutely incredible. It's because there's a rule on the Universal Horror Unleashed website. Buried. In small print. That says you cannot enter within two hours of closing. And nobody read it. The security guard was unmoved. The group was turned away. Area 15 was completely deserted. And Mike spent the rest of the evening explaining to his coworkers why they had taken a 10 minute cab ride to stare at a very good looking warehouse. Universal Horror Unleashed will have to wait for another trip. On the bright side — the show has a lot of news to get through. The USA Today 10 Best list is back and EB has officially had enough of it. Mako at number four on the best roller coasters list. Phantom's Revenge at number two. No Fury 325. No VelociCoaster. No Dollywood. No Disney. No Universal. Mike and EB spend considerable time asking whether this list has any business existing at all — and then asking the listeners to vote on whether it should ever return to the show. Also this week — Lost Continent demolition has officially begun at Islands of Adventure. Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare opens at Kings Island and it's getting excellent early reviews. Epic Universe gets its first major financial validation from the Comcast quarterly earnings report. And the teen takeover story continues to escalate with another ICON Park event on May 9th and a Universal CityWalk takeover announced for June 15th. Plus the Coaster Radio mailbag delivers a spectacular Spain trip report from listener Alex — five days, four parks, four zoos, DragonCon, Shambhala, and a Port Aventura Express Pass that was absolutely worth the 19 euros. And somewhere in Las Vegas, a Golden Tiki porthole is calling Mike and EB's names.

Something strange is happening at the portals of Epic Universe — and Mike and EB saw it coming. Weeks ago, walking out of Isle of Berk, Tom from Louisville spotted three capped utility holes flush in the concrete right at the portal entrance. Nobody knew what they were. This week, Universal installed facial recognition turnstiles in those exact spots. And Universal has said absolutely nothing about why. Mike and EB break down every theory — per-portal tickets, open Celestial Park access like a City Walk, corporate buyouts locking guests out of entire lands for the night, after-hours experiences, and the unexplained pockets of empty retail space in Celestial Park that have never made sense for a fully ticketed theme park. Nobody has the answer yet. But this is the most interesting story in theme parks right now. Also this week — Universal Orlando launches Express Now, an app-based Lightning Lane-style line skip at $25 per ride. Yes, including Yoshi's Adventure. There are layoffs happening across Disney and Six Flags that aren't being reported widely but are affecting people the show knows personally. Six Flags reinstates park presidents at 10 parks — and the list of who made the cut says everything about which parks matter to the new company. The Stolen Kingdom documentary from the makers of Closed for Storm is coming — including the Buzzy animatronic mystery, the most unresolved crime in theme park history. And a new S&S tower ride is going up at Area 15 in Las Vegas. Then in the second half — Mike is 48 hours from boarding a plane to Las Vegas, and he's got a very specific list of things to do at night. Universal Horror Unleashed gets the full breakdown — four haunted houses, small group dispatches for maximum scares, a $49 one-time ticket, and a $20 Fraidy Cat option if you just want the bars and atmosphere. Plus Odyssey Manor, the Golden Tiki, the shrunken head induction ceremony that COVID stole from everyone, and an AI-generated Coaster Radio tiki bar t-shirt from Matt the Archivist that Mike is genuinely considering wearing to the Las Vegas Convention Center. ]Tune in next week for the full trip report.

Part two of the Coaster Radio Listener Question Show is here and this one gets personal. Mike and EB answer the question every longtime listener has wanted to ask — what would you tell your 2005 selves knowing what you know now? The answer involves regretting the name, wishing they'd bought Facebook stock, and making friends with Neil Patrick Harris sooner. Standard stuff. Also this week — is the theme park industry past its peak or is the best still ahead? Where does EB rank on CoasterCount.com and how many coasters has Mike actually ridden? Is Isle of Berk actually better than Galaxy's Edge? A listener from the Netherlands gets a complete Six Flags Great Adventure survival guide including EB's legendary every-90-minutes dining plan strategy that may or may not feed your entire group on one meal ticket. And the full story of the Cedar Point meetup where Mike and EB set up a grill in the parking lot, flew a 24-foot flag made of PVC pipe, and had to be talked down by both park security and the Sandusky Police — saved only by the British charm of Matt from Yorkshire. Plus Coaster Boy makes a surprise comeback. The Discovery Channel almost gave Mike and EB a TV show three times and ghosted them every time. And what is the biggest thing Coaster Radio has accomplished in 20 years? Spoiler: 800 episodes, one puppet, and one Neil Patrick Harris.

You asked. They answered. Sort of. The 2026 Coaster Radio Listener Question Show is here and there are so many questions this year that it's taking at least two episodes — possibly three — to get through them all. This week Mike and EB tackle the big ones: If you could only live in one non-Disney, non-Universal theme park for the rest of your life, which would it be? What five existing attractions would you steal for your own park? Would you move your podcast to the middle of a desert for a billion dollars? And what cool sounding job title would you want at a theme park? Along the way there are strong opinions about concert disappointments, a heated debate about whether Cake deserves to be the worst live act either host has ever seen, a surprisingly deep discussion about animatronic maintenance at regional parks, a quick update on Six Flags Great Adventure's boardwalk glow-up, a reunion of sorts with the Eastern Motors jingle, and a moment where the whole show almost goes completely off the rails trying to figure out the logistics of actually living inside a theme park. Also this week — YouTube shorts are working, Stardust Racers is finally back up and running, and the Coaster Radio app is your secret weapon for road trips to the parks.

It finally happened. After years of aerial photographs, land speculation, and breathless anticipation, Mike and EB walk through the gates of Universal Epic Universe — and it does not disappoint.   Well, mostly. Stardust Racers is still closed, Yoshi's Adventure is aggressively just a Yoshi that meanders, and someone on Twitter says the whole thing might need to be torn down. But other than that? Top five park day. Tom from Louisville said so himself, and Tom from Louisville has been to a lot of parks.   Mike and EB go portal by portal through the whole thing — 1920s Paris at Ministry of Magic (280-minute wait; they waited 20. We said what we said.), Le Cirque Arcanus with the magic tent that's bigger on the inside, Bowser's Challenge being better than advertised, Donkey Kong Country being exactly as fun as a cartoon mine cart should be, Hiccup's Wing Gliders being a surprise contender for ride of the trip, and Monsters Unchained delivering actual honest-to-God jump scares in a theme park.   They also discovered that the Burning Blade Tavern serves drinks in a beaker with what may or may not be microplastics in it. It was delicious.   Plus: Seven Six Flags parks are sold for $342 million — less than the cost of a highway overpass. Disney's parks get a new worldwide president, and they hope he lives long enough to be a hero. Muppet Vision 3D is going to VR, a decision that exactly zero people are satisfied with. And Barracuda Strike opens at SeaWorld San Antonio — the family invert where the artwork shows the track going underwater, but the track does not go underwater.

Bundle up and warm up with theme park excitement! In this annual tradition, Mike and EB welcome back longtime friend of the show Arthur Levine for their most anticipated episode of the year—the 2026 New Attractions Preview. Despite the freezing temperatures and feet of snow outside their studios, the trio looks ahead to summer and discusses what's opening at theme parks across North America this season. Arthur, who has been covering theme parks for 35 years and writing at About Theme Parks, brings his signature positivity and deep industry knowledge to break down the year's new rides, attractions, and experiences. While 2026 may be a quieter year compared to recent blockbuster seasons, the hosts explore everything from major coaster additions to reimagined classics. They discuss audience reactions in real-time through live polling, debate which attractions have them most excited, and share their enthusiasm for getting back to the parks. The episode wraps with details about the upcoming Coaster Radio meetup at SeaWorld Orlando on February 22nd, where listeners can join Mike and EB for a full weekend of park adventures. Whether you're planning your 2026 park visits or just need something to keep you warm during the cold winter months, this episode delivers the theme park anticipation you crave.

In this episode of Coaster Radio, Mike and EB kick off the 21st season of the original theme park podcast, reflecting on their long journey and the excitement of returning after a break. They discuss the latest news in the amusement industry, including potential changes in park ownership and the implications of new trademarks filed by Six Flags. The conversation shifts to the recent opening of Falcon's Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya, with both hosts expressing surprise at its completion and discussing the ride's intensity based on initial POVs. They also share trip reports from listeners, highlighting experiences at various parks, including Dollywood and the anticipation for upcoming attractions.

Join Mike and EB as they dive into the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, showcasing unique and creative gifts for theme park and roller coaster enthusiasts. From fan-made collectibles to exclusive merchandise, discover the perfect presents that go beyond the typical park souvenirs. Whether you're looking for a nostalgic piece of a retired ride or a quirky desk accessory, this episode has something for every thrill-seeker. Tune in for a fun and festive exploration of the best gifts to delight the coaster lover in your life!

This week, Mike and EB discuss the closure of Six Flags America, reminiscing about its history, and the emotional impact on fans. They also talk about a theme park-related story that has crossed over into mainstream media, a $100 million dollar investment in Gatlinburg, TN and another way that Cedar Fair and Six Flags have merged identities. Plus, there's news about a Coaster Radio meetup in 2026!

In this Halloween-themed episode of Coaster Radio, hosts Mike and EB try to get through the show while constantly being interrupted by Trick or Treaters. They discuss the new coaster coming to Kentucky Kingdom in 2026, family drama at Walt Disney World, a popular Euro coaster closing, insights from a scare actor, and details about their own Halloween home haunt preparations. They also open listener mail and preview 2026's "Reel Design Contest." The conversation shifts to scary ride experiences shared by the audience, culminating in a discussion about jump scares and theming in attractions.

In this episode of Coaster Radio, Mike and EB both mourn and laud the end of the Vekoma Flying Dutchman era....the final one left standing just closed at Six Flags America. They also have news about Universal's new theme park in the UK, and a rumored B&M dive coaster coming to Texas. They also explore the potential re-theme of Verbolten at Busch Gardens and the extended licensing agreement for Peanuts characters in Six Flags parks. Then, it's time for Round 4 of our interactive game show - THE ULTIMATE!

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.

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.