Coaster Radio: The Original Theme Park Podcast

Something strange is happening at the portals of Epic Universe — and Mike and EB saw it coming. Weeks ago, walking out of Isle of Berk, Tom from Louisville spotted three capped utility holes flush in the concrete right at the portal entrance. Nobody knew what they were. This week, Universal installed facial recognition turnstiles in those exact spots. And Universal has said absolutely nothing about why. Mike and EB break down every theory — per-portal tickets, open Celestial Park access like a City Walk, corporate buyouts locking guests out of entire lands for the night, after-hours experiences, and the unexplained pockets of empty retail space in Celestial Park that have never made sense for a fully ticketed theme park. Nobody has the answer yet. But this is the most interesting story in theme parks right now. Also this week — Universal Orlando launches Express Now, an app-based Lightning Lane-style line skip at $25 per ride. Yes, including Yoshi's Adventure. There are layoffs happening across Disney and Six Flags that aren't being reported widely but are affecting people the show knows personally. Six Flags reinstates park presidents at 10 parks — and the list of who made the cut says everything about which parks matter to the new company. The Stolen Kingdom documentary from the makers of Closed for Storm is coming — including the Buzzy animatronic mystery, the most unresolved crime in theme park history. And a new S&S tower ride is going up at Area 15 in Las Vegas. Then in the second half — Mike is 48 hours from boarding a plane to Las Vegas, and he's got a very specific list of things to do at night. Universal Horror Unleashed gets the full breakdown — four haunted houses, small group dispatches for maximum scares, a $49 one-time ticket, and a $20 Fraidy Cat option if you just want the bars and atmosphere. Plus Odyssey Manor, the Golden Tiki, the shrunken head induction ceremony that COVID stole from everyone, and an AI-generated Coaster Radio tiki bar t-shirt from Matt the Archivist that Mike is genuinely considering wearing to the Las Vegas Convention Center. ]Tune in next week for the full trip report.

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.

Part two of the Coaster Radio Listener Question Show is here and this one gets personal. Mike and EB answer the question every longtime listener has wanted to ask — what would you tell your 2005 selves knowing what you know now? The answer involves regretting the name, wishing they'd bought Facebook stock, and making friends with Neil Patrick Harris sooner. Standard stuff. Also this week — is the theme park industry past its peak or is the best still ahead? Where does EB rank on CoasterCount.com and how many coasters has Mike actually ridden? Is Isle of Berk actually better than Galaxy's Edge? A listener from the Netherlands gets a complete Six Flags Great Adventure survival guide including EB's legendary every-90-minutes dining plan strategy that may or may not feed your entire group on one meal ticket. And the full story of the Cedar Point meetup where Mike and EB set up a grill in the parking lot, flew a 24-foot flag made of PVC pipe, and had to be talked down by both park security and the Sandusky Police — saved only by the British charm of Matt from Yorkshire. Plus Coaster Boy makes a surprise comeback. The Discovery Channel almost gave Mike and EB a TV show three times and ghosted them every time. And what is the biggest thing Coaster Radio has accomplished in 20 years? Spoiler: 800 episodes, one puppet, and one Neil Patrick Harris.

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'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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

This week, Mike and EB channel the mystical seer of theme parks...COASTERDAMUS! He unveils a series of predictions for the future of the amusement industry in 2026. The guys explore the potential for new attractions, the future of existing parks, and the impact of innovations in coaster design. We also take a look back at the bold predictions that were made last year and came true in 2025! Plus, we tale a look at Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift...coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2027!

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 are your hosts for the finals of THE ULTIMATE - a thrilling competition to find the ultimate theme park fan. After months of anticipation, five finalists gather to showcase their passion for theme parks through various rounds of challenges... it's like Squid Games, but without violence and death. With each round, the stakes rise and eliminations occur, leading to a final showdown where creativity and quick thinking are needed to survive. Who will be THE ULTIMATE?

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.

Join Mike and EB as they dive into the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, showcasing unique and creative gifts for theme park and roller coaster enthusiasts. From fan-made collectibles to exclusive merchandise, discover the perfect presents that go beyond the typical park souvenirs. Whether you're looking for a nostalgic piece of a retired ride or a quirky desk accessory, this episode has something for every thrill-seeker. Tune in for a fun and festive exploration of the best gifts to delight the coaster lover in your life! Follow along at http://giftguide.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, we invite you to test your theme park knowledge with as we play the fifth and final qualifying round of our season-long game show - THE ULTIMATE. Are you well-versed enough in the parks AND the podcast to get all ten questions right? Are you smarter than your fellow podcast listeners? We'll find out... and so will you.

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!