Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

They're back. Two weeks off, one terrible cold, and one truly spectacular failure in Las Vegas. Mike and EB return with a packed show — but first, an apology. The Universal Horror Unleashed trip report that was promised at the end of Episode 2114 is not happening. Not because the show didn't go to Las Vegas. Not because Mike didn't convince an entire table of colleagues to pile into taxis at 9pm on a Tuesday. And not because the outside of that abandoned warehouse didn't look absolutely incredible. It's because there's a rule on the Universal Horror Unleashed website. Buried. In small print. That says you cannot enter within two hours of closing. And nobody read it. The security guard was unmoved. The group was turned away. Area 15 was completely deserted. And Mike spent the rest of the evening explaining to his coworkers why they had taken a 10 minute cab ride to stare at a very good looking warehouse. Universal Horror Unleashed will have to wait for another trip. On the bright side — the show has a lot of news to get through. The USA Today 10 Best list is back and EB has officially had enough of it. Mako at number four on the best roller coasters list. Phantom's Revenge at number two. No Fury 325. No VelociCoaster. No Dollywood. No Disney. No Universal. Mike and EB spend considerable time asking whether this list has any business existing at all — and then asking the listeners to vote on whether it should ever return to the show. Also this week — Lost Continent demolition has officially begun at Islands of Adventure. Phantom Theater Opening Nightmare opens at Kings Island and it's getting excellent early reviews. Epic Universe gets its first major financial validation from the Comcast quarterly earnings report. And the teen takeover story continues to escalate with another ICON Park event on May 9th and a Universal CityWalk takeover announced for June 15th. Plus the Coaster Radio mailbag delivers a spectacular Spain trip report from listener Alex — five days, four parks, four zoos, DragonCon, Shambhala, and a Port Aventura Express Pass that was absolutely worth the 19 euros. And somewhere in Las Vegas, a Golden Tiki porthole is calling Mike and EB's names.

It's a shorter show this week but don't let that fool you — there is a lot happening. Project Purple at Six Flags Great Adventure is going vertical fast. Like, suspiciously fast for a ride that isn't supposed to open until 2027. Mike and EB break down what the unofficial animations are showing — a launch into an upside-down stall, spinning cars, a 375-foot spire that wraps the track sideways around the tower, and absolutely zero consensus in the enthusiast community on whether this is going to be incredible or a complete head-scratcher. Nobody is in the middle on this one. Also this week — NBA superstar Kevin Durant has purchased the former Six Flags America land through his investment group 35V. All 500 acres of it. What happens next is anyone's guess, but Mike has an extremely optimistic theory involving saving the Wild One that he fully admits is not going to happen. Canada's Wonderland is getting new track on the Mighty Canadian Minebuster AND recycled trains from Six Flags America's old Vekoma hang and bang for a rebranded ride called the Daredeveler. Cedar Point's beloved 50-year-old Monster flat ride is retiring quietly and nobody is going to notice until it's gone. And Six Flags is officially removing the Zamperla Disk'O coasters from their roller coaster counts, which raises the eternal question — was it ever a roller coaster in the first place? And then EB opens a very special package from Erik and Emma — a collection of Disney's Galactic Star Cruiser memorabilia that you cannot buy anywhere on Earth because the experience no longer exists.

You asked. They answered. Sort of. The 2026 Coaster Radio Listener Question Show is here and there are so many questions this year that it's taking at least two episodes — possibly three — to get through them all. This week Mike and EB tackle the big ones: If you could only live in one non-Disney, non-Universal theme park for the rest of your life, which would it be? What five existing attractions would you steal for your own park? Would you move your podcast to the middle of a desert for a billion dollars? And what cool sounding job title would you want at a theme park? Along the way there are strong opinions about concert disappointments, a heated debate about whether Cake deserves to be the worst live act either host has ever seen, a surprisingly deep discussion about animatronic maintenance at regional parks, a quick update on Six Flags Great Adventure's boardwalk glow-up, a reunion of sorts with the Eastern Motors jingle, and a moment where the whole show almost goes completely off the rails trying to figure out the logistics of actually living inside a theme park. Also this week — YouTube shorts are working, Stardust Racers is finally back up and running, and the Coaster Radio app is your secret weapon for road trips to the parks.

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.

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.

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!

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.

In this episode of Coaster Radio, Mike and EB kick off the 21st season of the original theme park podcast, reflecting on their long journey and the excitement of returning after a break. They discuss the latest news in the amusement industry, including potential changes in park ownership and the implications of new trademarks filed by Six Flags. The conversation shifts to the recent opening of Falcon's Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya, with both hosts expressing surprise at its completion and discussing the ride's intensity based on initial POVs. They also share trip reports from listeners, highlighting experiences at various parks, including Dollywood and the anticipation for upcoming attractions.

This week, Mike and EB take a look what the new CEO of Six Flags, is up against as he starts his new job. They also have some news about three rides that have been put up for sale, a man who won a roller coaster related victory against the government and the Muppets' takeover of "Rock and Roller Coaster." The guys also debate and choose what attractions should be nominees for the 2025 Coaster Radio Best New Attraction of the Year Award. They explore Cedar Point's offerings, including Siren's Curse and Top Thrill 2, and delve into attractions at Epic Universe, Universal Studios, and Disney. The conversation emphasizes the importance of innovation and audience excitement in determining the best new attraction, culminating in a final list of nominees for listeners to vote on. Vote for your favorite at http://vote.coasterradio.com

Drew from "In The Loop" joins us to talk about the latest announcements, news and innovations from the 2025 IAAPA Show floor in Orlando!

This week, Mike and EB discuss the closure of Six Flags America, reminiscing about its history, and the emotional impact on fans. They also talk about a theme park-related story that has crossed over into mainstream media, a $100 million dollar investment in Gatlinburg, TN and another way that Cedar Fair and Six Flags have merged identities. Plus, there's news about a Coaster Radio meetup in 2026!

This week, Mike and EB talk about the latest news and trends in theme parks, including celebrity investments and new ride concepts. They delve into Travis Kelce's recent purchase of a stake in Six Flags, Disney's third update of Soarin' and the new coaster coming to Sea World San Antonio in 2026! They also explore creative ideas for future rides and attractions that are possibly coming to parks in 2027 and beyond....including a world record breaking hybrid coaster to rival Steel Vengeance!

EB is back from from Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. He takes listeners through the RIP Haunt Tour, describing the haunted houses, including Poltergeist, Terrifier, and Jason Universe. The guys discuss the event's atmosphere, scare tactics, and animatronics. They also talk about Dollywood's new NightFlight Expedition, rising theme park prices, the 2026 version of Universal Fan Fest Nights and a proposed nostalgia-themed park in Las Vegas.