The Coaster101 Podcast

Coaster101
  • 5.0 (42)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Bimonthly

Coaster101 has been a source for theme park news, reviews, interviews, engineering breakdowns and more for over 15 years. Now, finally, we've figured out how to record ourselves, and are coming at you in audio form! Follow us on all social media platforms @Coaster101, and visit www.coaster101.com for more. The Coaster101 podcast is property of Coaster101.com, LLC. 

  1. Jun 17

    Inside Rip Roarin' Falls with Whitewater Engineer David Chesney

    Last week, we attended the announcement for Carowinds' new-for-2027 record-breaking water attraction Rip Roarin' Falls. Like many media events, there is the opportunity to interview people from the park and the manufacturer during the event, but to be cognizant of everyone's time - including other people who might have questions - sometimes you need to keep those interviews brief - not ideal for a podcast.  Fortunately, after chatting for a few minutes with David Chesney, who is a water ride engineer for Whitewater, the manufacturer of Rip Roarin' Falls, I knew that we needed a longer conversation - and just a week later, here we are.  David takes us through his career in the industry, Whitewater's reimagining of the classic log flume, and everything else - even beyond the three World Records -  that's going to make Rip Roarin' Falls an amazing addition for Carowinds. (For the coaster nerds out there, there's even a little conversation about one of David's first-ever coaster projects - a backyard coaster he build in his late teens!)  You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    40 min

  2. Jun 9

    Mr. Freeze Receives Some TLC at Six Flags Over Texas

    Tormenta: Rampaging Run is nearing its first rides, and is getting a Texas-sized amount of attention as the World's First Giga Dive Coaster. However, it's not the only coaster-related project at Six Flags over Texas that's happened recently.  Early this year, the park teased some upgrades and refreshes to the queue of Mr. Freeze, which has been thrilling guests at Six Flags' original park for nearly three decades. The park worked together with Plague Productions to breathe new life into the queue experience for guests - a true way to beat the Texas heat (especially when it snows) We were able to connect with Clayton Lawrence, Corporate Creative Producer for Six Flags Entertainment Company (and allegedly a listener of the podcast when he's on the treadmill!) to learn about what goes into a project like this. Take a listen and go behind the scenes!  You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    40 min

  3. Apr 20

    Rope Dropping Theme Park Content with Zooder Loopers

    If you're someone like me who is chronically online, you've likely seen the videos from "Zooder Loopers" come across your TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube feeds. Whether he's riding in an Arie Force One-inspired bicycle build on a Red Bull-built track or arriving at Walt Disney World hours before opening in order to be the first person into the park, his content is a fresh take on a lot of traditional theme park video creation.  We chat with Zooder - real name Bryan - about all things content creation - some of our favorite videos of his, how he finds himself in certain situations - be it creating a "used car"-style ad for the Fast & The Furious Hollywood Drift train at the IAAPA Expo or on-stage with Flo Rida at SeaWorld.  Check out Bryan's channels: Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    45 min

  4. Apr 13

    Inside Universal Studios Hollywood's Fan Fest Nights with Executive Producer Stephen Siercks

    Last year, Universal Studios Hollywood debuted a highly immersive new after-hours event, Fan Fest Nights, which is back for its second year in 2026. An event designed "for the fans" around some of pop culture's most iconic IP - Fan Fest Nights takes place this year beginning on April 23.  Eager to learn more about this year's event, and what it takes to bring to life, Andrew and Eric are joined this week by Stephen Siercks, Senior Director of Entertainment Production at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Executive Producer of Fan Fest Nights.  The 22-year Universal Studios Hollywood veteran takes us through all things Fan Fest Nights, and how the event was built from whiteboards and concepting all the way through installation and execution!  You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    45 min

  5. Apr 6

    Putting the "Family" in Family Kingdom (and yes, that RMC Raptor, too.)

    One of the biggest pieces of news that we're still processing from last year's IAAPA Expo in Orlando was the announcement that Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach (of all places) would be the recipients of Rocky Mountain Construction's latest single-rail "Raptor" model.  Someone else who is still processing the attention that the announcement received? Family Kingdom's Dean Corl, whose family, owners of Powers Great American Midways on the east coast fair circuit, took over co-ownership and operations of the seaside Myrtle Beach seaside amusement park.  Joined by park superfan Michael Dutterer (coasters.haunts.darkrides on TikTok and YouTube), Andrew talks to things about all things Family Kingdom - from history, to how the family makes decisions on attractions, and yes, there's a good bit of conversation about that RMC Raptor as well.  If you're looking for a candid look behind the scenes at one of the southeast's amusement park "hidden gems," look no further than this episode of the Coaster101 Podcast.  You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    1 hr

  6. Apr 1

    Spring Break & Scream Break at Carowinds with Chris Foshee & Patrick Wisniewski

    Spring has sprung at Carowinds. It's the 63rd season at the "place where the Carolinas come together," and there are some amazing happenings on the state line, including, for the first time ever, "Scream Break," where guests can experience last year's breakout success haunted experience "The Conjuring: Beyond Fear." Andrew is joined on the podcast this week by Six Flags Regional PR Manager for Carowinds (and Six Flags Over Georgia) Chris Foshee, and East Region Social Media Manager Patrick Wisniewski to talk all things Carowinds - from Spring Break to Scream Break, Viva La Fiesta, and even a little bit of conversation about Carowinds' newest giant crate that has popped up inside the park.  You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    55 min

  7. Mar 18

    1 on 1 with Enchanted Parks' CEO James Harhi

    A few episodes ago, we talked about our wishlist for the new Enchanted Parks - a good listen if you haven't listened yet! - and we jokingly said on the episode that we'd love someone from Enchanted Parks to come on the podcast to talk about their own wishlist.  Funny how things happen, because just two weeks later, Andrew was able to grab a few minutes with Enchanted Parks' CEO, James Harhi - a longtime industry veteran who is working with the rest of the Enchanted Parks team to breathe some new life and excitement into the six properties that the company will manage.  The interview has a little bit of everything - James' background in the industry, why those parks, the vision for the future, and if you listen all the way to the end, the "Dining Plan" discourse from the original announcement is addressed.  You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    35 min

  8. Mar 16

    Coaster101 Goes to LEGOLAND Florida

    You've obviously heard about Disney adults. But what about LEGOLAND Adults? With a brand new coaster now open in Florida (and also in California), LEGOLAND continues to build something amazing in Central Florida - brick by brick.  Andrew is joined by three LEGOLAND Florida first timers and members of the Coaster101 team on this week's episode - John & Eric visited the park during a recent Florida trip that overlapped with the media day for Galacticoaster - and despite living in Florida for four years, Shane had not visited the park until the following week.  We talk all things LEGOLAND Florida - Galacticoaster, Crazy Dark Rides, Building Experiences, Chicken Sandwiches with Purple and Blue sauces, Minilands, and basically everything else - except Apple Fries, which none of them ate on their visit, and Andrew is still slightly annoyed.  You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram. We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merch Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

    54 min
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5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

Coaster101 has been a source for theme park news, reviews, interviews, engineering breakdowns and more for over 15 years. Now, finally, we've figured out how to record ourselves, and are coming at you in audio form! Follow us on all social media platforms @Coaster101, and visit www.coaster101.com for more. The Coaster101 podcast is property of Coaster101.com, LLC. 

Information

  • Creator
    Coaster101
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Coaster101, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Coaster101 Podcast

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