Last week, Kennywood made some big announcements relating to the park's 125th Anniversary, which takes place in 2023, in addition to some things we already knew. The Kangaroo is coming back! Phantom's Revenge is being painted "Petrifying Purple!" (but is it really more of an "aubergine?") We're joined on the podcast this week by Palace Entertainment Director of Corporate Communications Nick Paradise to talk all things Kennywood, including a new queue mural at Jack Rabbit, a new beer garden, the ...
Dec 20, 2021•42 min
The time has come. After multiple postponements for COVID, Shane finally made it to Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. Of course, for a Star Wars nerd, it was like nirvana, and he wanted to talk about it! We're joined on the podcast this week by fellow Star Wars aficionado Hunter Hernandez from Theme Park Hunting and the On The Hunt Podcast to discuss ALL things Star Wars and Galaxy's Edge. You have been warned. There are spoilers! You can connect with the show by emailing us at podcast@coaster101.com or ...
Dec 06, 2021•1 hr 10 min
You never know where you'll find a true theme park enthusiast in the wild. While many people claim to be a "theme park nerd," rarely are they able to back up that claim with actual in-depth knowledge. Not the case with Broadway Actor Nik Walker ( Hamilton, Ain't Too Proud) . He. Knows. His. Stuff. Nik, who had it written into his contract for Ain't Too Proud that he would miss rehearsal for the opening of Rise of the Resistance, joins Andrew and Shane this week to talk all things theme park, and...
Nov 22, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Happy IAAPA Week! You've made it to our final IAAPA interview, where we're joined by Daryl White of Falcon's Beyond Global. Falcon's is always on the forefront of technological innovation in the industry, and with new creations like the Spectraverse and On!x Theater, they continue to pave the way for new technological progress in the amusement industry. We also talk about the creation of Falcon's Beyond Global, and how it grew from a manufacturer relationship that was solidified on the IAAPA Sho...
Nov 18, 2021•18 min
Happy IAAPA Week! You've made it to our third of four interviews with companies exhibiting at IAAPA, and today, we're joined by Adam Sandy of Zamperla's Roller Coaster Division. It's been a busy year for Zamperla with the announcement of the Double Heart Coaster, new roller coasters in the United States and in Asia, and they're not done! In 2022, they will debut a "Lift & Launch" family coaster at a park in North America, and on the show floor today, are announcing a never-before-released co...
Nov 17, 2021•25 min
Happy IAAPA Week! This is our second in a series of four interviews with companies exhibiting at IAAPA, and today, we're focused on a company with a booth at the expo, but they're not selling anything -- they're there to say "Thank You" to their industry partners: Give Kids The World There are multiple charitable initiatives going on around the IAAPA Expo this week, including a 5K race and golf tournament. Not to mention, the President of Ripley's Believe it or Not is shaving his beard to add to...
Nov 16, 2021•20 min
Happy IAAPA Week! This is our first in a series of four interviews with companies exhibiting at IAAPA, and we're starting with Extreme Engineering, who are debuting four new concepts at the 2021 IAAPA Expo. We learn more about Extreme Engineering's recent Cloud Coasters in Vietnam and Qatar, and learn more about their projects on the horizon, before diving into the Cloud Coaster Storm, Surfin' Tsunami, SkyTag, and the Parkour Around adventure attraction. Stay Tuned for future interviews with Giv...
Nov 15, 2021•23 min
Happy IAAPA Week! We've got a shorter "regular" show this week, because the week is chock full of content coming to Coaster101.com, our social media feeds, and most importantly, your podcast feed! While we won't be on the show floor during the majority of the week of the Expo, C101 writer Shane is attending his first ever IAAPA expo, and had questions for Andrew, who attended the show in 2017 and 2019. What should Shane expect? How's he going to feel? What can he do to prepare? Is he going to su...
Nov 15, 2021•22 min
It's the second week of November. The first chill is in the air, so what better time to think warm thoughts of water parks than with a podcast devoted to Schlitterbahn Water Parks, arguably the water park mecca of the United States. We're joined on the podcast this week by Aaron Martinez, Director of Marketing for Schlitterbahn Waterparks to talk all things Schlitterbahn, from the family-owned history, to how they haven't had a true "Cedar Fair" season yet, to improvements coming to the parks in...
Nov 08, 2021•35 min
America's newest theme park, LEGOLAND New York, opened earlier this year, just north of New York City. With 25 attractions "Built for Kids," we thought of no better reviewer of North America's third LEGOLAND park than a pair of kids. Andrew is joined on the podcast this week by Nick and Nick's two children, 7-year-old Henry and 4-year-old Nora. We talk about the details of LEGOLAND New York, and as could probably be expected when getting children involved...it goes off the rails in a hurry! Be s...
Oct 25, 2021•28 min
It's the most wonderful time of the year at Carowinds, right in the middle of SCarowinds, WinterFest around the corner, with a full season of live entertainment coming up in 2022. The man behind a lot of that entertainment is Carowinds' Live Entertainment Manager Ryan Allen. This week, Ryan joins Andrew in an on-site interview at Carowinds where they talk behind-the-scenes and the inspirations for SCarowinds' newest mazes, what to expect at WinterFest, and how live shows are created! You definit...
Oct 18, 2021•50 min
Primeval Whirl is in pieces. Shrek 4D is closing. There's scrim around Rock N Roller Coaster -- or at least there was. That's what tiktok says, anyway. Eventually, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are going to have to announce replacements for these rides. This week on the podcast, Andrew, Shane and John speculate and provide some wishful thinking as to what these three attractions and areas could become. Will Disney retheme Dinosaur to Indiana Jones or Rock N Roller Coaster to A Goofy Mo...
Oct 11, 2021•41 min
Ohio's newest Halloween Event takes place at an interesting location -- a water park, attached to a zoo! Zombezi Bay takes over the Zoombiezi Bay Water Park at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium this October. On the podcast this week, Andrew and Nick are joined by Anthony Sabo, Vice President, Waterpark Operations and Guest Services for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to learn more about Zombiezi Bay, what went into its creation and inception, his favorite haunts, and also more about their Brews and Bi...
Oct 04, 2021•45 min
You can connect with the show by emailing us at podcast@coaster101.com or hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram . We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coaster101.com We also have our own line of Coaster101 and coaster-inspired merchandise at http://c101.co/shirts ! We've recently announced that 25% of the proceeds from all Teepublic shop purchases will go to Give Kids The World! Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't m...
Sep 27, 2021•29 min
Skyline Attractions has it written into their business charter that they will create at least one new concept each year, and after seven years, they have no signs of slowing down. We're joined on the podcast this week by Jeff Pike, President & Co-Founder of Skyline Attractions, as well as Tyler Mullins, a design engineer for the company. From their work with Great Coasters International on Titan Track and the new Infinity Flyer trains, to their impressive ride catalog with rides like Crazy C...
Sep 20, 2021•50 min
The history of Rocky Mountain Construction is one that many coaster enthuasists think that they know. But do you know the whole story? We're joined on the podcast this week by Taylor and Sarah from Coaster Studios and Scott from Upstop Media, to learn more about their new documentary project: This is How We Roll. Ahead of the big Texas premiere at the end of the week, Taylor, Sarah and Scott talk about the origins of the documentary, the history of RMC from Fred Grubb's garage to Stunt Pilot at ...
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr
If you've been listening to the podcast for awhile, you'll remember the saga of John's inability to get a boarding pass during his Walt Disney World trip last fall. Well, during his recent trip to Disneyland, he got to ride Rise of the Resistance not once, but twice! John and Andrew return to talk Rise of the Resistance, Spider-Man Webslingers, the coaster credits at Disneyland, and their thoughts on active vs. passive dark ride experiences! You can connect with the show by emailing us at podcas...
Aug 30, 2021•35 min
When many people think of Universal theme parks, Orlando comes to mind. But Universal Studios Hollywood is able to hold its own, evolving over the years from a tram tour into a full blown theme park. This week on the podcast, Andrew is joined by Shane, John, and Eric, who talk the highlights of the California theme park, including Secret Life of Pets, Jurassic World: The Ride, and everyone's favorite Seawar Spectacular: Waterworld! You can connect with the show by emailing us at podcast@coaster1...
Aug 23, 2021•56 min
Happy National Roller Coaster Day! This week on the podcast, we're joined by Valleyfair Vice President/General Manger Raul Rehnborg. Raul is a 35-year theme park veteran, whose career has included stops at Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City (in Buena Park & San Diego), and California's Great America, before joining Valleyfair as VP/GM in 2018. We talk about Raul's history in the industry, his Valleyfair favorites, the upcoming fall season and everything that makes Valleyfair one of the hi...
Aug 16, 2021•38 min
Last week, we found out where Gerstlauer's "Mystery Coaster" for 2022 was going to be built -- Glenwood Caverns in Colorado, going by the name "Defiance." This week on the podcast, we're joined by Glenwood Caverns' General Manager Nancy Heard to learn, not only about Defiance, but a little more about America's only Mountaintop Amusement Park. Did you know that Glenwood Caverns dates all the way back to 1895, or that they opened the first-ever Alpine Coaster in North America in 2005? Or that when...
Aug 09, 2021•40 min
For a random week in July, there was A LOT of theme park news. While we're not typically a news-y show, we wanted to recap some of the biggest theme park stories of the week. There were a pair of World's First Roller Coasters announced last week, one in Texas, and one in Central Florida. We talk about Kings Dominion's Map Coordinates. We talk the first roller coaster at Sea. It's a quick show, but it's a fun one this week! We're also looking for writers and others to join the C101 team. Head to ...
Aug 02, 2021•31 min
We talk about Carowinds a lot, but when one of our podcast co-hosts visits the park for the first time, you know we've gotta hit the highlights! Shane was vacationing in Charlotte with his family, and not only did he meet Andrew at Carowinds, he also managed to snag a few hours at Kings Dominion on his way home. He hit the highlights! Fury 325, Copperhead Strike, Intimidator 305, Twisted Timbers, and Carowinds' Woodstock Express! This week on the podcast, we're talking about the two park trips, ...
Jul 26, 2021•51 min
Believe us when we say "Not All Coaster Enthusiast Events Are Created Equal." Half of the Coaster101 team got a taste of one of the best enthusiast events in the country at Kings Island's Coasterstock on July 9-10. The weekend was filled with ERT, amazing Food, and incredible behind the scenes opportunities. Andrew, Kyle and Nick are joined by Don Helbig, Digital Marketing Manager at Kings Island, who remains one of the driving forces behind the event, to talk the sixth edition of Coasterstock. ...
Jul 19, 2021•51 min
We're all theme park fans, but there's a fine line between fan and theme park creative. Sometimes, as a fan, it's difficult to see why things are done the way they're done, but everything happens for a purpose. This week, we're joined by Theme Park Creative Leader Patrick Kling, who inspired us with a recent LinkedIn post about what it took to think like a theme park designer when experiencing an attraction. Patrick approaches theme parks from multiple perspectives, including design, operations,...
Jul 12, 2021•53 min
Cedar Point is celebrating their 150th Anniversary this season, and part of that major celebration is the addition of the Snake River Expedition, a spiritual successor to the park's former Paddleboat Excursion. This week on the podcast, we talk with two team members of The Weber Group, who helped bring the attraction to life. We talk inspiration, creative processes, production animatronic animals and exploding buildings, and everything in between. You can connect with the show by emailing us at ...
Jul 05, 2021•29 min
This week on the podcast, Shane joins Andrew to discuss his recent trip to Orlando, celebrating his 21st birthday. During the trip, he visited Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and arguably the best park in Orlando for someone turning 21, EPCOT. Listen for Shane's thoughts on Velocicoaster, his recounting of his 5-Hour wait for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures, Day at SeaWorld, and why he thinks Mission: Space is Walt Disney World's most underrated E-Ticket attraction. (...
Jun 28, 2021•51 min
It was a big week for roller coasters last week. Velocicoaster and Jersey Devil opened to rave reviews, so obviously, we're talking about Holiwood Nights. This week on the podcast, join Andrew and John as they talk about John's recent trip to Holiwood Nights, one of the premier coaster enthusiast events in the United States. We talk Holiday World's coasters, and coaster enthusiast events in general! You can connect with the show by emailing us at podcast@coaster101.com or hitting us up on social...
Jun 14, 2021•36 min
Coaster101 went down to Georgia, they were looking for wood and steel. They were in a bind, credit counts way behind, and they were willin' to make a deal...or something like that. This week on the podcast, Andrew chats with fellow C101 team members John, Kyle and Nick about their recent trip to the Peach state, visiting Lake Winnie, Six Flags Over Georgia, and Fun Spot Atlanta (as well as the Georgia Aquarium and at least one Waffle House.) Why is Twisted Cyclone great? Why is the Great America...
Jun 07, 2021•41 min
Recently, Eric had the opportunity to visit Knott's Berry Farm for a preview of their 100th anniversary celebration. With the food, fun, pomp and circumstance that comes with an anniversary, there's also a new ride opening at the park this season: Knott's Bearry Tales: Return to the Fair. We recount Eric's visit to the park, and go in-depth on Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair, and why we feel it could end up being far superior to its predecessor, Voyage to the Iron Reef. Read more about ...
May 31, 2021•40 min
This week on the podcast, Shane recounts his recent trip to Lake Compounce, a park considered a hidden gem by many enthusiasts. Shane and Andrew then get into a discussion about several other "hidden gem" parks, including Conneaut Lake Park, Waldameer, The Great Escape, and Family Kingdom! If you like small parks, this week's episode is for you! We also talk Kentucky Kingdom's new chaperone rule, because it seemed newsworthy. Are the teens going to cancel Kentucky Kingdom again? Are they going t...
May 24, 2021•39 min
