Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

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?

The Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg has returned. On this week's show, we'll hear about the new theming, storyline and some incredible surprises that the park has added to this iconic roller coaster.

The parks are asking their guests about the kinds of new roller coasters they'd like to see in the future. We have details about four new concepts that could change the theme park landscape.

This week, we come to you from inside Cedar Point as the park unveils Top Thrill 2! We'll have a ton of interviews and one of the first reviews of the record-breaking roller coaster.

This week, a headlining coaster is down for the count and one Disneyland gets news while another Disney park gets a new name. Plus, Mike is back from Las Vegas and has noticed a big change over his 20 visits.

Every year, we do a show where we answer questions from the listeners. Sometimes people send in more than one question....usually two or three. But one listener keeps a Google Doc open all year and jots down questions as he thinks of them. Then, he sends us the huge list of questions for this episode. This week, we will dedicate an ENTIRE SHOW to the list of questions from Kevin in Ohio. (He asks great questions that lead to fun discussion!)

Our listeners have A LOT of questions for us... so we're taking time to answer them all!

This week, Mike and EB tackle a ton of topics... including the announcement of a new park, testing of 2024 attractions, teases for 2025 attractions and much more! Plus, EB has news about a pemanent monument to the podcast that is being installed at a park!

The Coaster Radio podcast audience got together to watch Mike and EB record this week's episode. They listened as the guys debated 50 different amusement industry topics. Then, the audience got to cast their vote to decide whether the topic was HOT or NOT.

EB just returned from his trip to Atlanta to visit Six Flags Over Georgia where he rode his 300th coaster. He also stopped by to Fun Spot America Atlanta to take a ride on one of RMC's latest original creations "Arie Force One!"

Some Cedar Fair parks have a new way for you to get to the front of really long attraction lines. We'll have the details. Plus, a live trip report from Catapult Falls at Sea World San Antonio and our listeners debate what they think is the best water ride in the world!

This week, big name changes coming to several roller coasters in the Cedar Fair chain...and EB has a name they might not have considered. Plus, Josh Combs from Daniels Wood Land stops by to talk about their work theming attractions for the amusement industry. We also learn more about the creation of their unique attraction "Treasure Hunt: The Ride!"

This week, hidden details about a long-awaited project and a glamouous way to experience a 50-year-old attraction! Plus, we unveil the newest way you can interact with the podcast.

There is a lot of news to cover this week...we'll get to it all...PLUS the return of one of our favoirite Game Shows... THEME PARK SMARTS!

This week, we are joined by prolific theme park writer Seth Kubersky. He is the author of "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" and many other park guides that you probably already have in your library. We'll talk about the future of Disneyland, Universal Orlando and more. We'll also have the latest news from around the industry!

Theme Park expert Arthur Levine joins Mike and EB as they take a look at over 20 new innovative attractions coming to parks in 2024!

This week, Six Flags quietly dropped some news about how new tech could be a big part of your theme park day. We'll tell you all about it. Plus... news about the merger with Cedar Fair, details about Disneyland Forward and a brand new invention for the parks! We also give you a behind-the-scenes look at the results of our listener survey.

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 2024. As always, many of our listeners show off their creative side with some amazing rhyming predictions....in the style of Nostradamus!

It's a new year and a new season of CoasterRadio.com! We kick off Season 19 with news about changes at Walt Disney World and Alton Towers. Plus, a 138-year-old park is shutting its doors. We also have interesting ridership data from a major park and rumors about new attractions being built by Universal.

It's the last episode of Season 18 AND 2023! We end the year by talking about a huge new rumor for 2025 and answer your end-of-the-year questions!

This week, Mike and EB take a look at the theme park attractions that debuted in 2023 and name a winner of the CoasterRadio.com Best New Attraction of the Year Award.

This week, it's a dual episode of CoasterRadio.com and Theme Park News! Mike and EB preview the end of the year and the upcoming 19th season of the show. They also announce the Best New Attraction of the Year award! Tell us what ride is your favorite at http://vote.coasterradio.com

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. As you listen to the show, check out the links to every gift at giftguide.coasterradio.com.

There's lots to give thanks for this week... including giving thanks for disliked rides and attractions that have been removed from the parks!

The guys take a look at the biggest announcements from the 2023 IAAPA Expo... the annual gathering of the amusement industry's biggest players.

A lot of things can happen now that Six Flags and Cedar Fair have announced they are merging. But what would happen if the same people who name rides at Six Flags got a hold of the attractions at Cedar Fair parks? Our listeners have some ideas.

Mike and EB provide commentary on one of the biggest amusement industry stories of the past decade... the 2024 merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags.

Mike and EB take a look at the latest news from around the industry... including droids at Disneyland, discounts at Universal Orlando and a hero at a carnival. Plus, Live Trip Reports from inside the parks!

The Halloween season is one of the best times of the year at the parks. Cooler temperatures, fun events and great haunts make theme parks the place to be. BUT...it's not all perfect. There are some new trends that take some of the fun out of the haunts. We'll talk about them and some possible ways to fix it.

Mike and EB take a look back at some of the classic Halloween skits from the podcast's archive.

Inspired by the "Dueling Dragons" house at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights, the CoasterRadio audience submits their own ideas for haunts inspired by defunct rides. Plus, Mike and EB talk about more new rides for 2024!

A theme park company is ready to spend 60 billion dollars, a new coaster concept is being unveiled in Europe and a much-anticipated new park will have some cutting-edge tech. Mike and EB will cover these stories, plus setup an interactive contest for next week's show!

Back after a two week hiatus, Mike and EB are here with their takes on all the latest news and rumors. The guys talk about the changes coming to Dollywood's "Lightning Rod" in 2024, the announcements made by Disney Parks at Destination D23 and a full review of the winners of the 2023 Golden Ticket Awards.

It's Labor Day weekend, so Mike and EB are doing two podcasts at once!

Theme park fans have a personal connection to their home parks. They know everything about them... including what is missing. On this week's show, dozens of CoasterRadio.com listeners tell us about what their home park needs to add to make it perfect.

EB was in the great state of Iowa to visit both Adventureland and Lost Island Theme Parks. He'll have in-depth reviews of both parks, including the rides, food and atmosphere. We also have new about a new attraction at Silver Dollar City, rumors about Dollywood's Lightning Rod and a possible upgrade to one of the world's most iconic roller coasters.

It's announcement season! We start off the show talking about a park that is getting its first new roller coaster since 2005. We also give a park CEO some advice on how he can bring us back through the gates. We also have a Live Trip Report from the reopening of Fury 325 at Carowinds and details on a new Interactive Topic!

This week, we welcome Tony Clark, Director of Communications at Cedar Point to the show! Tony was a busy guy with Tuesday's announcement of "Top Thrill 2," the reimagined experience of the former "Top Thrill Dragster" stratacoaster. We'll hear the behind-the-scenes story about the creation and design of the ride and other fun details from Tony's job at Cedar Point. We will also be joined by International Star Illusionist Brad Ross who is headlining his own show at Carowinds this summer as part of their 50th anniversary. We'll find out what it's like to perform for a theme park crowd and what it takes to produce world-class illusions.

Big news is coming next week... can you guess what it is?

Cedar Point is ready to make the announcement about their 2024 coaster. We'll talk about what the word "REVVVED" means. You'll also hear EB rant about another park's coaster announcement. Plus, a live trip report, details on EB's trip to Lost Island Theme Park AND details about a new contest.

Lots of great news this week...including some artwork that points to an infamous coaster given new life. Plus, we have the return of "Two Truths and a Lie: IAAPA Edition!"

It's a jam packed show as we learn that all news stories are not what they are "cracked" up to be. Plus, EB gets a strange coin in the mail and we have our 18th Annual Fireworks Spectauclar live on the podcast!

This week, Mike anchors the show from the DC studios while EB visits Mt. Olympus and other attractions at Wisconsin Dells! We'll hear live audio as EB experiences three different walk-through attractions. He'll also give in-park reviews of the different wooden coasters at Mt. Olympus!

We celebrate our 700th Episode by taking a look back at your favorite moments from the past. We also play a live, interactive game where listeners from around the world will compete for bragging rights about who knows the most about the show. And of course... we have theme park talk.