Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

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!