Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

This past Tuesday marked the official start of Summer, 2011! For every summer we can remember, there has always been an unofficial "anthem" recorded by the biggest pop star of the day. It's a song that EVERYONE listened to on their way to the beach or the theme park. In the 80's it was the Fresh Prince, in the 90's it was Ricky Martin and today, it might be Katy Perry or Cee Lo Green. But this week, we premiere what might be the #1 hit song for this summer! It's a once in a lifetime colloboration! We also get a live report from opening day of Windseeker at Kings Island. Does the 300 foot tall spinning thrill machine live up to the hype? We'll find out! Plus, we'll hear from listeners all over the world as they tell us about their favorite spots at their home parks. We'll find out about the special places off the beaten path at parks where people can get away from the noise and crowds!

One of the most fun things about being a fan of theme parks are the traditions. Since we all go to the parks year after year, there are certain things that we look forward to and specific things that we have to do to make the summer season complete. On this week's show, we talk about our own special traditions and listen to the man interesting ones from the CoasterRadio.com audience. We also unveil a new contest! We'll provide details on how you can be "Producer for a Day" here at the show. We'll also try to help EB solve a mystery that occurred on his farm this week involving one of his beloved chickens! There may or may not have been some "foul" play. Plus, discussion about The Neil Patrick Harris Project, a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Over Georgia and a Churro Challenge!

On the next episode of Coaster Radio, we bring you the final chapter in our own "Time Travel Trilogy!" On our last show, we left you with a cliff hanger... EB and Mike were stuck somewhere in the Space Time Continuum. This week, we find out where they have been and if if they can successfully get back to 2011. But, since they're travelling in time anyway, they decide to stop in 2006 to listen in on an old episode about going to the parks alone. The CoasterRadio.com audience also chimes in to tell their own stories about going it alone during a trip to the park. Plus, Mike has a run-in during his recent solo trip to Hersheypark with the wannabe cast of "Jersey Shore." You'll hear how Mike channeled his "Inner-NPH" to resolve the situation. We'll also have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags America and an update from "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure" at Disney California Adventure. AND... we also celebrate a very usual milestone in the show's history!

After an unplanned two-week hiatus, the Original Theme Park Podcast is back and ready to continue our travels through time. This week, we're combining the time travel rules from Back to the Future, Bill and Ted, Time Cop, The Time Traveler's Wife and Quantum Leap to listen in on one of our favorite shows from the past. We'll head back to January of 2006 to hear the "Joint Chiefs ™" talk about the pros and cons of paying to get to the front of the line. And since we have a Time Machine, we just might try to head into the future to see if the parks have taken the idea of "Pay for Play" too far! We'll also hear a Live Trip Report from two of our newest listeners who just got to check out the updated version of "Star Tours." Plus, we'll have news about how EB's son Mark is a bona fide television star in the theme park universe! And, we'll have an update on the NPH Project!

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the 6th Anniversary of this crazy podcast. EB and I got a little nostalgic for the old days. So, after a movie marathon where we watched Back to the Future Parts I, II and III while drinking nothing but Diet Mountain Dew, we had an inspiration! We would build our own time machine and go back to listen to a show featuring a past version of ourselves. This week, EB and I head back to September 26, 2005 to hear a show featuring Flava and Greg K. The topic that week, was "Dating at the Theme Park." We'll listen to our 2005 commentary on the topic and then go "Back to the Future" so we can give you our 2011 take on things. Let's just all be careful we don't cause a temporal paradox, OK? We also hear about EB's Opening Day trip to Holiday World and listen to a Live Trip Report from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!

We usually try to pick show titles that are both creative and ones that give you a hint at what's to come. That's why I think "A Fresh Start" works well this week. To begin, we wrap up Theme Park Change with some important words about last week's show There is a lot to say and a lot to be thankful for, so we hope that you'll all take the time to listen to the first part of our podcast. We also have a final tally on our fundraising for Theme Park Change and celebrate by inviting two old friends back to Coaster Radio! This week's show also lives up to its title because we'll hear your favorite stories from Opening Day at the parks. It's one of the best days of the theme park year because the parks are clean, the paint is fresh and the rides are running like new! Mike and EB will tell you their own unique "opening day" tales while also hearing from the listeners about their unique experiences from their home park's first day of operation. Plus, we'll have a Live Trip Report from Texas and a few other surprises!

www.themeparkchange.com

When I'm putting together these blog posts, I always try to find an interesting photo to make you want to listen to the show. This week, I present you with a picture Hugh Grant. Listen to the show to figure out why he's relevant! This week, the Coaster Radio audience steps up to the mike and tells us about what they believe are the most underrated roller coasters in the world. We're talking about roller coasters that don't get any love from The Travel Channel, magazines and even from us here at the show. You'll be pleasantly surprised at some of the suggestions listeners came up with! We'll also have a Live Trip Report from Six Flags Over Texas and an update on Theme Park Change! Keep in mind, there is only one week left to donate! We still need a lot of help to reach our goal. So, if you haven't donated yet, don't wait! To get you inspired to donate, we'll have a visit from a brand new friend! (You won't want to miss this!)

Sometimes, the very best ideas for this crazy show of ours come from the listeners. A few months ago, we were doing a show about "The Best Money You've Spent at a Park" and we received a call from Deidre Rodman from The Lascivious Biddies. She said the best money she spent was when she and her husband bought the "Bride and Groom" Mickey Ears to wear during their recent honeymoon at Walt Disney World. She said that throughout the trip, they were given free food, free gifts and other special treatment from the cast members at Disney. When EB and I heard this, we hatched an evil plan. We asked our listening audience for two volunteers who would go to Walt Disney World and pretend to be honeymooners (complete with the Mickey Ears) to test this theory. Derek and Trisha from Southern California answered the call and what followed was "The Trip of Lies!" On this week's show, we hear about their trip and find out if the hypothesis was true. Do you get tons of free stuff just for wearing "Bride and Groom" Mickey Ears? Plus, Derek and Trisha give us the scoop on the rest of their trip, including a review of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Yes indeed, the guys from the graveyard scene of The Haunted Mansion are some of the most infamous "busts" around. But this week, we're talking about a different type of bust. We'll explore some of the major mistakes and blunders in the 56-year history of the Disney Theme Parks. To be fair, Disney goes get most everything right. They usually do it better than the other guys 9 times out of 10. However, our listeners have chimed in with specific instances of parks, attractions and policies that didn't quite hit the mark. We also have a Live Trip Report from one of the first runs of the new and improved Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. Did the off-season work make it a #1 ride? We also are joined by Robert Bauer from Project Angel Food as we give you an update on the progress of Theme Park Change!

This week's show is so full of Coaster Radio goodness, it's almost enough for three whole shows! There's so much going on, it's hard to decide where to begin! How about we start with naming a winner in the "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest! NPH is no stranger to winning awards. So, it's fitting that he calls in to crown a winner in our latest contest. Mike and EB were absolutely floored by the results. Let's just say, NPH picked a darkhorse entry! Next, after months in the planning stages, it's finally time to officially kick off our worldwide charity event - "Theme Park Change!" The goal is to encourage theme park fans across the globe to give up one thing from the upcoming theme park season and donate the cost of that item to a worthy charity. All of the proceeds from this year's event is going to an amazing organization, Project Angel Food. To learn more about them, the guys are joined by Margaret Steele, Project Angel Food's CEO. One you hear her interview, there won't be a question on whether or not you'll want to donate. The good work this group does will make you want to reach for your wallet and join in the "Theme Park Change." Please, check out the website! Anyone who donates $10 or more is automatically entered into a raffle where they can win one of dozens of excellent theme park prizes! And of course, we appease the CoasterBoys in our audience with some good, interactive theme park talk! This week, we talk about specific things missing from your specific home park. CoasterRadio.com listeners from across the world have chimed in to let us know what rides, attractions and other aspects are missing from their local theme parks. Plus, we have a Live Trip Report from Busch Gardens Tampa!

The Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios is one of my favorite theme park attractions anywhere. I love it so much, that I totally don't mind waiting in line for it. Just being around the spooky ambiance is a thrill almost on par with the big drop that is to come. When the ride is though and I've checked out my on-ride photo and am exiting through the gift shop, I sometimes wish that I could just hang out there for awhile... almost as if I were a guest. Well, it turns out you can make this happen. You can even have a romantic dinner just steps away from the ride's entrance. On this week's show, we're joined by someone who made this dream a reality. Carrie Hayward is the host of “Inside Disney Weddings” and the author of PassPorter's “Disney Weddings & Honeymoons.” Carrie knows everything there is to know about the wonderful world of Disney party planning. You'll be amazed at some of the things you can do at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. You'll also be amazed at how relatively inexpensive it is! (She'll even tell us how much it costs to have Disneyland all to ourselves!) Carrie will also tell us about some of her other Disney adventures... like the time she rode The Haunted Mansion in Florida and The Haunted Mansion in California in the SAME DAY! Make sure you check out this show and visit her website, disneytravelbabble.com, to learn more! Plus, we'll have an update on the Neil Patrick Harris Project and next week's launch of Theme Park Change!

Last week's Listener Question Show was a huge hit! Like all good parties, we didn't want it to end. So, we extended the show into a second episode! This week, we answer more of your questions sent in through our blog, Facebook, Twitter and our voicemail line. PLUS, we take more of your live calls... it's podcasting without a net! Listeners called in with a bunch of good topics and started some create discussions. We were even surprised by a few somewhat "famous" callers. This week, we also unveil our nationwide charity project... Theme Park Change. The event begins on April 1st and we'll have a lot more information for you between now and then. But basically, we're asking theme park fans across the world to give up one thing from the upcoming theme park season and then donate the cost of that item to a worthy charity. Our 2011 charity for Theme Park Change is Project Angel Food! This event isn't just solely for CoasterRadio.com either. We're inviting any theme park fan site (Disney fan sites too) to join us in raising money for this incredible charity. Plus, there's a chance for you to win some pretty cool prizes if you donate $10 or more! Check out the website and listen to this week's show to learn more! We're hoping you'll find it to be as good of an idea as we do!

We've been doing this crazy podcast since April of 2005... that's a long time! So, there aren't many "firsts" on the show these days. But, in an effort to continue to be one of the most interactive podcasts out there, we're adding a new element to our annual Listener Question Show. This week, for the first time ever, we're taking your live phone calls! Many members of the Coaster Radio audience joined us during our "live look-in" webcast where people could watch the show being produced. Listeners were able to call-in to the show and make this year's edition of the Listener Question Show one of the best ever! In addition to the live questions, we'll be joined by Derek and Trisha, a couple in Southern California who are making their way to Walt Disney World in Orlando next week. They have agreed to wear Bride and Groom Mickey Ears to test our theory that anyone wearing those "Magical Caps" will get a ton of freebies (even if they aren't exactly newlyweds!) Join us to find out what to expect in The Newlywed Game: The Trip of Lies! Plus, we'll have some news on the NPH Project and an update on the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest. Don't forget, you only have one more week to enter! The contest ends Thursday, March 17th!

After you add up the price of admission, parking, food, drink and souvenirs, the cost of going to a theme park can be substantial. Especially, if you're a family! But there are some things that we buy at the parks that are totally worth the price. On this week's show, we hear from listeners all over the world who tell us about the best money they've spent at the parks. We'll talk about VIP Experiences, Front of the Line Passes, Disney Trading Pins, Upcharge Attractions and a lot more. We also have news about our Listener Question Show which we will record on Tuesday, March 8th at 9:30pm est. We'll have all the details about how you can call in to the show with your questions LIVE! We'll also have an update on the "Day at the Park with Neil" contest and an update on the NPH Project!

We pride ourselves on being one of the most interactive podcasts out there. On this week's show, we prove that we also try to be one of the most generous! We're joined "in-studio" by Andrew from North Carolina who was the winner of a contest we did last season. The contest was best described by EB as "The Warmup for the NPH Project!" Andrew won $250 dollars and the chance to sit in on the show! This week, Andrew, Mike and EB talk about interesting places you can go to get a theme park fix when your local parks are closed for the winter. It's harder than it sounds! We also have a Live Trip Report from Busch Gardens Tampa and updates on the "Day at the Park with Neil" Contest and Facebook February! Have you "liked" us on Facebook yet?

Each episode of Coaster Radio is unique. Sure, we carefully outline each episode and decide what we're going to talk about weeks in advance. But each episode seems to take on a personality of its own. Having said that, I'm not exactly sure how our episode about romance at the theme parks turned into a love-fest for the 1975 classic "JAWS." But regardless, in honor of Valentines Day we asked the audience to tell us about their favorite romantic things to do at the parks. We heard about favorite places to cuddle, to eat, to ride and yes, favorite places to make out at the parks. Yes, it's sort of gross, but it's also facinating to hear! We also have a Live Trip Report from Tokyo Disney Sea and a newcomer from beyond tries to ensure a place among the rest of the characters at CoasterRadio.com. Plus, we unveil a brand new contest related to the Neil Patrick Harris Project! Plus, we give away another prize for Facebook February! Have you "liked" us on Facebook yet?

Here at Coaster Radio, we try to focus our show on the entire theme park experience. It's really easy to spend time talking about the roller coasters and other thrill rides. But we think a little more time could be spent talking about the 2nd best reason to go to the amusement park... the food! This week, listeners from around the globe call in to tell us about the iconic food treats that can be found at their local parks. We're gonna talk about everything from the "Dole Whip" at Disneyland to the "Chip Twister" at Walibi World! We'll also talk about that ice cream treat (pictured here) that looks like a potato. The folks at the Idaho State Fair know how to make a dessert! We're also honored to be joined by Dewayne Bevil from The Orlando Sentinel. Dewayne writes for the Theme Park Rangers column and joins us this week to give us updates on some of the theme park projects in Orlando. We'll talk about the proposed Orlando Thrill Park, New Fantasyland and the Cinderella Castle Projection Show at the Magic Kingdom. Plus, we'll discuss the Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kindom and Star Wars II. We'll also have a Live Trip Report and give away some prizes for Facebook February! Are you a fan of ours on Facebook yet? You should be! If not, click here to get in on the fun!

In the theme park universe, there are rides that are loved by everyone. Well, almost everyone. There are probably some rides out there that you can't stand, but for some reason, everyone else in the world loves. This week, we hear from a lot of Coaster Radio listeners as they stir up controversy and talk about the popular rides they would personally get rid of at the parks. Surprisingly, this is a topic people are passionate about! You'll be shocked at some of the rides people want to dismantle. We'll also have a Live Trip Report from Australia, a new idea for CoasterRadio.com day and a visit from everyone's favorite crustacean.