Coaster Talk Podcast

Another week, another episode of Coaster Talk Podcast! This week on the rundown is highway robbery, trolling, and the retirement of an old friend. Also included in the episode is a... discussion... about Busch Gardens Williamsburg so intense it's almost as if the guys were there! Park merchandise is the true highlight of the show this week as the guys read off your and their own favorite park memorabilia! SHOW NOTES BGW Price Increases  Waldameer posted a picture of them removing track from RFII with an indication that there might be some changes  Damage to Lagoon park - NPR link Silverwood Theme Park New Attraction for 2021 Hersheypark announces extended HP in the Dark - and Christmas Candylane   One of the last Zierer Flitzers, to be retired after nearly 50 years of operation

Don't worry, our show hasn't been canceled. If anything far from it, as we have quite the extensive episode this week. Along with of course talking some attraction news, Holiwood Nights 2020, Kings Island, Kentucky Kingdom all play pretty substantial roles in this weeks episode. And of course the weekly poll is discussed, this week's being "Should all SeaWorld parks move the season pass route"? SHOW NOTES King’s Island entrance flags confirmed to be water lines for the county.  Speculation continues about SOB station Confirmed, “new” trains for Carolina Cyclone from Vortex at KI  Employee opening for Fly [Phantasialand] will take place on September 7th Park Journey confirmed with Six Flags that they will not be doing any new ride announcements for 2021 Six Flags Over Texas is looking for a new park president Nickelodeon Universe is reopening on October 1st

Some great amusement industry news starts of this weeks show as normal, however the second half of the show is where things get a little different. Most importantly Steven Amos joins the show. Steven is the Director of Development for Give Kids the World - we ask many questions about the village and the large "Coasting For Kids" event. Following that we get to hear the final 3 winners for the Coaster Talk Podcast Photo Contest. To finish of the show we list of some of the audience's most "disappointing" coasters - rides they  had high expectations for but ended up being meh. As well as listing our own. This is an exciting episode of the show! SHOW NOTES Photos circulating around show a flying raptor being transported by crane to new "Raptor Coaster" at Universal’s Islands of Adventure SeaWorld San Diego announces “Zoo Days: Bayside BBQ & Brews” event Kennywood and their sister parks are ending operations for 2020 after Labor Day New Park President Named for Six Flags Magic Mountain, Hurricane Harbor-LA

Timmy once again joins the show as Bob is unavailable to record, and man is it a packed show. From amusement industry new, to Holliwood Nights 2020, to even announcing the Photo Contest finalist - there is not a dull moment on this weeks episode. Of course the most..."interesting" part of the show is hearing all the unpopular opinions that were sent in as a part of this weeks weekly poll! SHOW NOTES Premier Rides has announced that it has received its largest ever service contract HALLOWFEST confirmed for Six Flags parks Magic Mountain Park President Neal Thurman Steps Down Flamingo Land has delayed 2020 coaster to the 2021 season Volcano, Steel Phantom, Great American Scream Machine, and The Chiller all now have Nano Coasters.

James and Bob are together for the first time in a while, meaning of course some debates are in store on this weeks show! And wow are there some debates, the first one sparking from the idea of SeaWorld looking to purchases parks that don't survive Covid. It doesn't stop there though, after the break it's right back to bickering as they discuss the responses they got from the weekly poll, "Will Iron Gwazi open for 2020?" All of that and more on this exciting and LONG episode of Coaster Talk Podcast! SHOW NOTES Footage shows Dorney park during flood Cedar Fair shipment document intercepted Six Flags Over Georgia teasing something Premier Rides on Twitter: "A Message To Our Valued Customers Regarding IAAPA Expo 2020… " Coasters and Craft Brews, BGW Summer Event has been extended into August... Kennywood Park hires new general manager Knoebels announcement Halloween event returns to Busch Gardens Scarefest and Oktoberfest coming to Alton Towers for autumn

Guest host Timmy joins James this week, as Bob is no where to be found (aka vacationing). Of course starting off this show is some Industry news. Cedar Fair has updated us on the status of all of their park's during the pandemic. The new GCI wooden coaster rising at Dubai Parks And Resorts still plans on beating the airtime record. Drayton Manor has been purchased by Looping Group. Also, a fight broke out at Kennywood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The main reason for having Timmy on the show comes into play after the break, Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened for the special event “Coasters & Craft Brews” and Timmy was their representing the show, now he can fill us in on all the juicy details.  Timmy also helps answer this weeks poll, "Do you feel that BGW will be be profitable (or at least break even) during their Coasters and Craft Brews events?

James (and especially) Bob have very little to criticize this week. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is reopening, and while the guys had their doubts, it seems they're doing everything right thus far concerning their pass holders. Knotts Berry Farm is introducing “Taste of Knotts” a new food festival while the amusement rides themselves remain closed. Also, they guys must take a new stance on Holiday World, as they are now requiring masks. In the second half of the show, Bob talks about his new opinions on Candymonium and his short but fun trip to Dutch Wonderland.  To finish things off, they discuss if they think that Intamin copied their new concepts too heavily from other manufacturers.

The guys get right into news of Busch Gardens Williamsburg possibly reopening! While that at first sounds really great, they dig deeper into the true meaning behind it, which might have hidden disadvantages to it. Intamin released four new ride concepts to their YouTube channel, the guys have some interesting takes on them. Lastly, according to a reddit post Dorney Park's 2021 project is still a go, for now. The title of the show comes into play after the break, as James and Bob break down their TOP 10 FLAT RIDES! Sharing some of the audiences responses as well. The Photo Contest will begin next Thursday! Be ready to vote vote vote.

After a week of no show, the guys return with quite a bit to dive into! An image sent into KD Fanatics shows what appears to be S&S freespin track in the parking lot of the park. Something discussed in a previous show resurfaces, as Japan is now asking theme park goers to "scream in your hearts". Kennywood has reopened with a law suit on their hands. And lastly talked about is the newly reopened Leap the Dips, the oldest roller coaster in the world.  Returning from the break the guys talk Bob’s experience with Candymonium and Hershey during Covid.  Finally, to wrap up the episode, the previous week's weekly poll is examined.   

Six Flags is taking a break from social media, but not from ruining their classic attractions. The guys discuss this on this weeks show along with Fantasy Island's reopening and Hershey Parks seasonal closure of Storm Runner. Then, it's time to discuss the Photo Contest and what exciting prizes will be given to the victors! James also gets to talk about his Dollywood trip. Lastly the guys discuss what an ideal IP for an amusement park would be for them.

Bob made it to Holiday World! And in this weeks show we discuss just that! First though, we discuss how Disney is retheming one of their classic attractions, how Adventureland Park is getting “Dragon Slayer” a S&S 4D free spin, along with some other great news stories.  Bob's Holiday World trip is front and center after the break. We discuss the park experience as well as how Covid affected his day.  The closing of the show leads to a bit of a heavy debate when the poll, "If Kentucky Kingdom adds a Raptor does it really add anything different to their lineup?", arises. 

Kentucky Kingdom already had the best Twitter account in the amusement industry, but with this trolling twitter thread, they may become contenders for the best twitter account period. The guys start of this weeks show discussing it. Then the topic of the show switches over to the $3 million construction lien lawsuit filed against Busch Gardens Tampa. Some fantastic news is also shared on this weeks show! Fantasy Island may be saved from what many though was an inescapable fate.  After the break, James and Bob discuss how Everland, a park in South Korea NEVER shut down during the Pandemic, aswell as what parks in the U.S. are going to have to enforce to be able to remain open during the Pandemic.  Of course, to end the episode the weekly poll results are shared and debated. 

At the very beginning of the show James plugs THIS map. The guys then go on to discuss all the new for this week, park openings. Then going onto some upsetting news, Give Kids The World is closing indefinitely - click here to help out the charity. Also talked about during the top of the show is a ballsy shirt Busch Gardens Tampa is selling, Jokers Jink got a paint job, and Adventureland's S&S coaster.  We're very excited to announce our PHOTO CONTEST -- We talk about it right after the break and if you want anymore info about here it's: coastertalkpodcast.com/photocontest  The final part of the show as always is the poll, this week we asked if Kings Island was justified in suing the Ohio Health Department.

More and more parks are opening, and this week brings another hand full of parks releasing their opening dates. Kings Island also has plans to sue the Ohio Heath Department. Something far more intriguing though, is that Carowinds GM has come out with a claim that states her park wants to transition into a year round park format. Also speculated on is what Adventureland is building for their 2021 addition. Later on in the show, the guys partake in another installment of their RCDB random roller coaster adventure, and it can be safely said that the first few attractions left them wanting their minds "erased". Lastly, thoroughly discussed on this weeks show is the possibility that Japanese Parks will ban the action of screaming on roller coasters, the audience voted on it, lets see the results!

We seriously hope you're not listening from Japan, this week we discuss how Japanese Parks are proposing the idea of banning screaming, shouting, or cheering in the parks - and if you aren't too keen on that idea then maybe a Skunk Ape would help you better follow their absurd rules. Also in the theme park news is what Cedar Point's Tony Clark is teasing us with. Lastly, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Orlando as well Frontier City, and Disney are all planning on reopening! We are highlighting a great park on this weeks show, Dorney Park. We discus it's history, rides and attractions, and past experiences we've had there. To finish the show, we resort to last weeks poll, are face masks loose articles?

This week we talk Universal, Volcano at Kings Dominion, and face masks. James and Bob start off the show the show discussing Universals plan to reopen. As well as South Carolina permitting attractions in their state to reopen. The last bit off news covers the first of it's kind in North Carolina, alpine coaster opening.  Later on, Holiday World has stated that masks may be considered "loose articles" when the park reopens. That sparks some controversy from the fellas.  Lastly, the guys reminisce about Volcano while discussing what the future holds for it's plot of land.  

The fellas are looking forward to parks reopening! This week, we have quite a hefty list of CONFIRMED park opening dates. Sadly, some parks have had to cancel events/experiences that they believe can't take place either due to or safety or profitability. The park chosen to be highlighted this week is Kings Dominion! Listen to the guys try and capture the essence of their home park. To conclude the show they have a major debate, that you the audience helped to decide the victor of, is Peanuts a relevant IP?

SeaWorld recently announced their plan of compensation for their pass holders, and James and Bob as platinum pass holders aren't too happy. Also, Cedar Fair announced some new details about opening their parks. Later on in the show a heated debate arises out of thin air, while discussing Kings Island, the guys argue whether or not Peanuts is a relevant IP. Finally to end it all, they discuss why and who their favorite coaster engineer/designer is.  

According to an article Disney and Universal could both be opening in phases. We discuss this and what regional parks could do to open up safely and healthily. Also in the news is the rumored B&M Surf Coaster coming to SeaWorld Orlando. If that isn't exciting enough Dollywood is the park we discuss this week. We list the parks history and talk about our experience at this fantastic destination. As the show closes out we list our top 5 restraints and answer the question: will B&M multilooping coasters follow in the footsteps as Arrow's. 

This week a "coaster celebrity" joins the show for an interview. Clint Novak is the guest on this week. Listen in as the guys talk to him about how Covid-19 is affecting his park and his personal life. In other news, Indiana Beach is no longer closing! The guys are so excited to discuss the how/why behind the whole process. Also in the discussion this week is Anton Schwarzkopf and what we think an ideal top 3 should look like.