Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

Mike Collins and E.B.
  • 4.8 (374)
  • 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. 4d ago

    One of the Best B&M Coasters Ever Built Is About to Disappear

    Busch Gardens Tampa is closing Kumba, one of the most beloved B&M sit-down coasters ever built and the fourth-oldest operating B&M in the world, on August 2nd. Mike and EB spend the first drop giving a 33-year-old classic its proper send-off — the terrain-hugging layout, the iconic photo op under the corkscrew, the fact that it opened the same year Mike graduated high school — before digging into what "Kumba's Revenge" and a $100 million investment might mean for the space it leaves behind. From there, the news gets genuinely interesting: a strong rumor that Disney World's Space Mountain could get fully gutted and rebuilt from the inside out (with the guys making the case for why the purists are wrong this time), a D23 session themed to the Carousel of Progress that's being hosted by none other than Coaster Radio's own announcer, Neil Patrick Harris, and a reveal date for Six Flags Great Adventure's mysterious Project Purple — teased via a barnacle-covered shipping container reading "GVV," which may or may not stand for a name neither host can bring themselves to like. After the break, EB dives into a genuinely enormous care package from a listener packed with park maps, hats, collectible coins, and ceramic bourbon poker chips, before the two get into the show's real centerpiece this week: BlooLoop's list of the 26 best theme park attractions in the world. It's a sprawling, hotly contested countdown spanning six continents' worth of dark rides, and Mike and EB don't hold back — disagreeing hard on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, defending Pirates of the Caribbean's 60-year-old technology, and debating whether a ride that's been open for a matter of months deserves to be crowned the single best attraction on the planet.

    One of the Best B&M Coasters Ever Built Is About to Disappear

  2. Jul 10

    The Theme Park That Changed So Much It's Basically Unrecognizable

    Six Flags Over Texas finally "drops the gate" on Tormenta: Rampaging Run, the massive new B&M dive coaster, and the early word is exactly what you'd hope: no rattle, great reviews. Mike and EB break down what a park gets right when a new ride opens with an entire refurbished plaza around it, and whether "biggest dive coaster yet" actually means anything anymore to hardcore enthusiasts who've done this exact ride four times already. Then it's a packed news round covering a genuinely incredible Universal exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (with a Star Wars follow-up already announced for the park's 50th anniversary), Universal Orlando's new after-hours "Universal Nights" event at Epic Universe going head-to-head with Halloween Horror Nights, and Disneyland officially welcoming its one billionth guest. That last one gets the full Coaster Radio treatment: an "exclusive" behind-the-scenes report from the Billionth Guest Command Center, featuring the triumphant return of Disney Podcast Guy, whose live-streamed quest for billionth-guest glory ends about as well as you'd expect. After the break: a trip report from two listeners who flew from Houston to Atlanta for one last ride on Arie Force One before it's gone, plus fresh chatter about whether RMC floating the idea of relocating the coaster means anything (spoiler: not until someone signs a check). Then the second half of the show is all yours — this week's interactive topic asked listeners which park has changed the most, for better or worse, over the last 20 years, and the answers cover Disney California Adventure's total reinvention, Dollywood's coaster boom, Carowinds' rise from unknown local park to must-visit and Hersheypark's transformation into a real destination.

  3. Jul 3

    Is A Top-Five Roller Coaster Getting Bulldozed?

    Sometimes the roller coaster world hands you a story so absurd you don't even need a punchline — you just need to read the facts out loud. This week on Coaster Radio, the original theme park podcast, Mike and EB dig into the sudden, bulldozer-bound death of one of the best roller coasters in America: Fun Spot Atlanta is closing on August 2nd, taking Arie Force One — an RMC hybrid barely four years old that regularly cracks top-five lists nationwide — down with it. No, it's not relocating. No, someone can't just "cut out the footprint" and paste it into their backyard. This thing is probably headed straight for the scrapyard, and the guys break down what made this coaster great and if there's any hope at all of it being saved.   From there, it's a genuinely stacked news week (there were two episodes' worth of stories backed up, and it shows): a viral video of a kid tumbling out of Disneyland's Tiana's Bayou Adventure that had half the internet convinced it was AI-generated, Pirates of the Caribbean's brand-new projection-mapped skeleton animatronic (and a pretty compelling argument for where Imagineering should have actually put it), Holiday World's all-American 2027 addition Cannonball — a family water coaster that splashes straight into a themed community pool — and a deep dive into the very mixed reviews rolling in from Universal's newly opened Kids Resort in Texas.   After the break: Six Flags Over Texas delays Tormenta, Cedar Point is selling literal chunks of Magnum XL-200 track for $300 a slice (and they're already sold out), Halloween Horror Nights brings Hellraiser to Hollywood and Orlando, Six Flags Great Adventure unveils its boardwalk-themed Shoreline Pier, and Knott's Berry Farm's long-dead Montezuma the Forbidden Fortress is back and testing with a powerful launch. And because it's the Fourth of July, the show closes out with the 20th-ish annual Coaster Radio tradition: the Sparktacular Explosaloosa, live from EB's back deck — now with video.

    Is A Top-Five Roller Coaster Getting Bulldozed?

  4. Jun 26

    Should Disney Just Tear Down the Matterhorn?

    The guys are on vacation, but the show must go on! We recorded this listener question episode just before heading out, covering everything from the best back-to-back coaster combinations to which IP should come to the parks next, whether Disney would ever tear down the Matterhorn, and which rides sound way better than they actually are. Plus, EB shares two fun stories from a recent Kentucky Kingdom visit — including a station crew member who had absolutely had enough, and a Flying Fox scavenger hunt with a surprisingly solid prize. 🎢 IN THIS EPISODE: Kentucky Kingdom update: Lightning Run's no-nonsense station crew & the Flying Fox scavenger hunt (secret word: PILOT 🤫) Gamifying your park day — leaderboards, ride-counting points & the death of the Q-bot Your favorite roller coaster one-two punch (Storm Runner's launch-to-top-hat, Holiday World's Thunderbird + Voyage, Cedar Point's murderers' row) The next big IP coming to theme parks — Pokémon, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Ghostbusters, Squid Game, Godzilla, Barbie, and a case for Namco Land Could Apple, Netflix, or Amazon ever acquire regional parks like Paramount did? The Matterhorn Bobsleds: Ship of Theseus debate — can they replace the track without tearing apart the mountain, or would Disney just tear it down? Rides you hate but somehow keep forgetting you hate (Tempesto / Premier Skyrocket II, giant swing rides) What ride would you NOT want your home park to get? Favorite kiddie ride (the Whip, Knoebels carousel, Holiday World canoes) Which meetup would you do all over again? (Knoebels camping, Dollywood) Listener question on video podcasting: how do two TV producers feel about the transition from audio-only? 📬 Submit your questions: feedback@coasterradio.com | PO Box 3399, Bloomington IN 47402 Or write it on a $20 bill and mail it — that's the preferred method. 🎧 Support the show: patreon.com/coasterradio $1/month gets you into the Discord | $11/year gets you a free month

    Should Disney Just Tear Down the Matterhorn?

  5. Jun 19

    Boardwalks, Boat Rides, and a Tornado That Almost Ended the Podcast

    What's better than a theme park podcast? A theme park podcast recorded while a tornado is actively threatening to rearrange EB's house. Welcome to another completely unhinged episode of Coaster Radio, where we somehow manage to discuss the future of Disney Imagineering, a legendary wooden coaster's potential comeback, and the glorious grit of America's boardwalk parks while EB monitors live storm tracking from his studio. We kick things off with some big news: Adobe has announced a collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development to bring AI-powered pre-visualization tools to the theme park design pipeline. The idea is to take Imagineering's massive archive of concept art and accelerate the development process — from blue sky sketch to 3D model, faster than ever before. Sounds exciting, right? Well, EB has thoughts. A lot of them. Speaking of attractions, Hershey Park's legendary Tidal Force — one of the most spectacular splash zones in the history of boat rides — is closing after 32 years this September. Alabama Adventure is teasing a big announcement that fans hope means the long-dormant Rampage wooden coaster is finally coming back, possibly with RMC treatment. Universal Epic Universe is debuting a brand new nighttime spectacular called Celestial Goodnight featuring seven million LED lights and 350 fountains. And Dollywood's Night Flight Expedition has been pushed back to August — which opens the door for Holiday World, who appears to be announcing their single biggest investment ever on July 1st at 8:45 AM, and all signs point to a Mack rocking boat ride coming to Boulder Canyon in 2027. Then we pivot to the second half of the show — a full celebration of boardwalk parks and the beautiful, gritty, chaotic joy of beach amusement. Mike's heading to Ocean City, Maryland for vacation, and we take a loving tour of some of America's great seaside spots: the Santa Monica Pier, Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco (including a very generous offer of free tokens to Treasure Hunt), the New Jersey piers, Coney Island (which Mike has still never visited and yes, we're calling him out), and the terminally underrated Indiana Beach. We also go deep on mini golf — specifically, how much a well-themed mini golf course with animatronics slaps, and why the card-swipe ticket system is a crime against childhood nostalgia. And yes, there's a million-dollar mini golf course for sale in EB's town if anyone's interested. Subscribe, leave a review, and join the Coaster Radio Insiders Club at patreon.com/coasterradio.#coasterradio

    Boardwalks, Boat Rides, and a Tornado That Almost Ended the Podcast

  6. Jun 12

    Flying Fox Was Closed (Obviously)

    It's a trip to Kentucky Kingdom — and the Curse of Coaster Radio strikes again. EB heads to Louisville with daughter Madeline, son Dean, and friends, only to find that Flying Fox, the brand-new family inverted coaster they were most excited to ride, is still under construction. No matter: Kentucky Kingdom's gorgeous new Discovery Meadow area more than makes up for it, and EB files a full walking tour from the carousel to Wind Chaser (née Storm Chaser) to Woodland Run and Lightning Run. Plus: Mike shares POV video breakdowns of two exciting new additions coming to Waldameer and Carowinds, listeners call in live from Kings Dominion, Alton Towers, and — of all places — Vietnam, and Mike reveals that Coaster Radio is transcribing all 820 episodes into an AI archive History, finally, in one place.

    Flying Fox Was Closed (Obviously)

  7. Jun 5

    This Episode Made EB Question Everything

    The first ever Coaster Radio panel discussion is here — and it did not disappoint. Joining Mike and EB are three guests who come at the theme park world from completely different angles. Jessica Gardner — the Theme Parkette — is a Los Angeles-based travel content creator, actress with over 50 on-screen credits, USA Today 10Best theme park expert, and host of the ACE official podcast Ride With Us. Josh Reichlin of Made to Thrill spent years frustrated by theme park gift shops and instead of just complaining about it built an entire brand whose retro-style artwork now hangs in Six Flags parks, Holiday World, and an unreasonable number of other places. And Tom from Louisville — Coaster Radio listener since Season 1, game show contestant, Reel Design Contest semifinalist, cartoon lobster, and the man whose voice you hear every week saying "quick hits." Topics covered this week: Is Werewolf Gorge at Six Flags Fiesta Texas the last dive coaster we'll ever get genuinely excited about? Are we happy about Enchanted Parks and what should they call their skip the line program? Knoebels turns 100 this year and the panel has feelings. Michigan's Adventure turns 70 and nobody's sure what happens next. Jessica rode the new Phantom Theater at Kings Island three times in one day — with Meta glasses. Josh got a Voyage trimless night ride at Holiday World and called it life changing. Jessica's Voyage trimless night ride at the all-women's ride made her cry. The case for and against Epic Universe being the best theme park ever built — and why Tom from Louisville says Disneyland and he's not budging. Then the big question — do people like the ones on this panel actually make the theme park experience better? Influencers, podcasters, merchandise creators — do they add wonder or spoil it? The answers are honest, funny, and occasionally surprising. Plus Jessica reveals the most unexpected piece of theme park memorabilia in the history of the show. Tom brings the Trader Sam's mug. Josh explains what the Demon poster at Great America means to him personally. And somewhere in there, EB decides he needs to watch the Defunctland Fast Lane episode immediately.

    This Episode Made EB Question Everything

  8. May 29

    Rides That Need a Refresh — And Some Wild Ideas for What Could Replace Them

    Internet sleuths just pulled permits for a brand new building in the Dark Universe portal at Epic Universe. Building 1570. Area 680. Listed as a special project. And the building numbers line up with exactly the kind of show building you'd need for a new attraction. Mike and EB have a theory about what it is — and it involves a glass bottom boat, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and an idea that Coaster Radio listeners actually designed in a Real Design Contest years ago. If Universal puts a Coaster Radio t-shirt on one of the bodies in that ride, that's all the confirmation the show needs. Before the speculation though — Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure has been removed from Universal Express. The longest line at Epic Universe is now a standby-only experience, and the people paying for Express Pass are not happy about it. Nate Bargatze wants to build a theme park based on his own life in Nashville and EB has thoughts. And RMC's Wild Moose prototype track has appeared at their Idaho headquarters, with the most interesting theory being that it could go indoors at Kentucky Kingdom in the space that used to hold a Schwarzkopf coaster. Then in the second half — the interactive question that started with Verbolten's new overlay at Busch Gardens Williamsburg produces one of the best listener response segments of the season. Rides that could use a refresh. Listeners suggest Journey to Atlantis, Men in Black Alien Attack, Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, Flight of Fear, Big Thunder Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Test Track, and the entire frontier area at Cedar Point. Mike and EB debate each one — and somewhere in the Men in Black discussion, EB invents what might be the greatest unused attraction concept in Universal history. Also — EB is going to Kentucky Kingdom on June 10th, there are collectible pins being considered, and the show closes with a detailed discussion of the 1997 horror film Wishmaster that you absolutely did not see coming. Stay through the Patreon section. You'll understand why.

    Rides That Need a Refresh — And Some Wild Ideas for What Could Replace Them
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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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