Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

Mike Collins and E.B.
  • 4.8 (369)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A weekly podcast dedicated to theme parks, roller coasters and thrill rides. During each show, we talk about the total theme park experience. We'll have interviews with the people making decisions at your favorite park, reviews and ratings of the newest rides and attractions, discussion about everyday park experiences and chances to win tickets and merchandise from parks around the country!

  1. The Orlando Quadrilogy Finale — Guardians, Tron, and More!

    2D AGO

    The Orlando Quadrilogy Finale — Guardians, Tron, and More!

    It's the fourth and final chapter of the Orlando Quadrilogy, and Mike and EB close out the trip the way nobody expected — with a surprise day at Epcot and Magic Kingdom, courtesy of friends of the show. Guardians of the Galaxy finally gets crossed off the list. Mission Space straps everyone into a centrifuge and dares them to lift their arms against the G-forces. The Geo 82 Lounge at the top of Spaceship Earth turns out to be one of the best surprises of the entire trip. Space 220 shoots everyone 220 miles above the Earth for lunch. And then it's off to Magic Kingdom, where Tron delivers everything the outside queue promises it won't and Space Mountain delivers everything it shouldn't. Oh, and somewhere in the middle of all of this, Mike gets mixed up in a REALLY WEIRD situation in the single rider line at Test Track. Also this week: Sesame Workshop is suing SeaWorld's parent company for unpaid royalties and brand damage — a lawsuit that could end a 45-year partnership. Six Flags Over Georgia posted possibly the strangest ride closure sign in theme park history. Bluey is taking over the world, one rollercoaster and one animal kingdom at a time. And the Raging Cajun Wild Mouse was spotted on a truck heading up Route 295 toward New Jersey. Called it.

    1h 37m
  2. Epic Universe - 20 Years of Coaster Radio Paid Off Today

    MAR 13

    Epic Universe - 20 Years of Coaster Radio Paid Off Today

    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.

    1h 45m
  3. Taylor Bybee Crashed Our Party (And We're Fine With It)

    MAR 6

    Taylor Bybee Crashed Our Party (And We're Fine With It)

    The Coaster Radio Listener Meetup is OFFICIALLY in the books, and it did not disappoint. Mike and EB take you inside their Sunday at SeaWorld Orlando for the 2026 meetup — Fantastic fans, 11 miles of walking, rain-soaked roller coasters, and a penguin habitat that was a brisk 28 degrees. (They were already wet. It was not fun.)   Ride reviews include Manta, Penguin Trek, Kraken, Mako, Ice Breaker, Expedition Odyssey, and the one everyone was waiting for — Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which may have just redefined what airtime even means.   Plus: the guys sit down with Banks Lee from SeaWorld's marketing team for an exclusive interview that ends with a riveting riddle, a capitivating clue, and a nugget of breaking news that no one else has. Coaster royalty Taylor Bybee crashes the happy hour. And Bob the Lobster calls in from the deep.   Also on this week's show: Nebraska gets its tallest roller coaster ever (it's 70 feet, and yes, that's a big deal there), Rock N Roller Coaster says goodbye to Aerosmith as the Muppets move in, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift testing footage gets Mike to completely change his tune, and the guys review the animated POV of the new RMC Raptor coming to Myrtle Beach.

    1h 38m
  4. Mike and EB Suit Up for Universal

    FEB 27

    Mike and EB Suit Up for Universal

    Mike and EB are BACK from their most triumphant Central Florida adventure, and they've got stories that'll make your feet hurt just listening. Six parks. Four days. One cursed ride that refused to open (looking at you, Stardust Racers).   This week, the guys kick things off with Mike's absolutely unhinged hotel check-in saga at Cabana Bay. Then it's off to Islands of Adventure, where a wedding-day detour turned into a full-on theme park sprint — Spider-Man, VelociCoaster, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and The Mummy, all knocked out before anyone had to put on a suit.   Plus: why the Bourne Stuntacular will blow your mind, how Mike accidentally became a Villains-Con Minion Blast addict, and what happens when you ride King Kong alone after two Fire Whiskeys. (Spoiler: there's yelling.) Big news, quick hits, and a juicy SeaWorld tease are all in the mix too.

    1h 14m
  5. To Queue or Not to Queue

    FEB 20

    To Queue or Not to Queue

    This week's episode starts with some bittersweet news: Silver Dollar City's beloved Thunderation mine train is closing in January 2027 (EB shares how it traumatized his daughter for a year!), plus there's purple track arriving at Six Flags Great Adventure for the Kingda Ka replacement—could it be a record-breaking spinning tower coaster?!   Disney's new CEO Josh D'Amaro is already shaking things up by sending Villains Land back to the drawing board because "it's not good enough," and Dollywood just announced the most creative marketing stunt ever: Flight 925, a themed vacation package flying fans from Orlando to Knoxville with in-flight trivia, Dolly merch, and exclusive park access.   The Coaster Radio Meetup is THIS SUNDAY and Mike & EB are finalizing the game plan! Join the guys as they map out their SeaWorld Orlando strategy for February 22nd—debating whether to rope drop Pipeline or gamble on crowd levels, discussing the merits of a $60 Quick Queue pass, and plotting their attack on Mako, Manta, Kraken, and Ice Breaker.   The guys also debate the eternal question: is it worth buying a Quick Queue when you might be a sucker if there are no lines? Plus details on following the meetup live via X/Twitter, the Seven Seas Food Festival sampler strategy, and why EB refuses to feel bad about eating fish. If you're heading to SeaWorld on Sunday, this is your essential pre-game show!

    41 min
  6. Epic Universe First Timer Guide: Best Rides, Secret Menus & YOUR Tips

    FEB 13

    Epic Universe First Timer Guide: Best Rides, Secret Menus & YOUR Tips

    Mike and EB are heading to Epic Universe for the FIRST TIME and they need YOUR help! In this super interactive episode, the guys dive into a mountain of listener advice for conquering Universal's newest park—and honestly, there's almost too much information (but in the best way possible). Learn insider secrets like which metal detector line is fastest at Stardust Racers, why you should ride Monsters Unchained in the morning before the animatronics start breaking down, which secret password unlocks a hidden menu at the Burning Blade Tavern, and why the Tiki Bar serves dangerously strong mai tais. Plus, could Elon Musk's Boring Company actually build underground Tesla tunnels connecting Epic Universe to the airport?! (Spoiler: Florida is basically a swamp, so... good luck with that.) There's also exciting news about Six Flags Over Texas breathing new life into Mr. Freeze with a complete queue refurbishment, updates on the world's tallest vertical loop being installed on Tormenta, and details about the upcoming SeaWorld Orlando meetup on February 22nd. Whether you're planning your own Epic Universe trip or just love hearing theme park nerds geek out over secret drinks, Easter eggs, and the best strategy for marathon-riding Stardust Racers, this episode is for you!

    45 min
  7. Six Flags Geography FAIL + Not Everyone Will Miss Dinosaur

    FEB 6

    Six Flags Geography FAIL + Not Everyone Will Miss Dinosaur

    Six Flags' new regional pass system has some WEIRD geography (New York in the Midwest?!), Montezuma's Revenge is confirmed for 2026, Josh D'Amaro becomes Disney's new CEO, and a Brazilian tower rescue involves rappelling guests through a trapdoor. Mike's controversial hot take: Disney's Dinosaur ride wasn't that great and doesn't deserve its candlelight vigil. Lightning Rodney returns to defend his Universal tram incident, Ken reports from Falcon's Flight in Saudi Arabia, and listeners debate which beloved rides are actually overrated. SeaWorld Orlando meetup details (Feb 22) and Epic Universe planning included!

    1h 5m
  8. The Strangest Theme Park Year Ever? Our 2026 Preview!

    JAN 30

    The Strangest Theme Park Year Ever? Our 2026 Preview!

    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.

    1h 30m
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About

A weekly podcast dedicated to theme parks, roller coasters and thrill rides. During each show, we talk about the total theme park experience. We'll have interviews with the people making decisions at your favorite park, reviews and ratings of the newest rides and attractions, discussion about everyday park experiences and chances to win tickets and merchandise from parks around the country!

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