In the early day of the podcast, (episode 31, to be exact) author Seth Kubersky joined us to talk about his book - the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, then in its sixth edition. Luckily he's back (105 episodes later!) to talk all things about the ninth edition! Seth joins Andrew to talk all things Unofficial Guide, but the conversation delves a little bit into Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Dreamworks, Minion Blast, and of course, Epic Universe! You can connect with the show by hitting us ...
Jan 08, 2024•51 min
Our new year's resolution is to be more consistent with podcasting, and we're back for 2024, ready to ride every new roller coaster opening this year. Andrew is joined by C101 team members Mike (who makes his first ever podcast appearance), Nick and Shane to talk all things 2024 as it relates to new attractions. What's our most anticipated attraction? Listen to find out! We cover a bit of everything -- and it's a great show to jump back into the Coaster101 podcast in the new year! You can connec...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Real life has a funny way of getting in the way of podcasts, but after Andrew planned his wedding and got married, followed by kidney stone removal surgery - the Coaster101 podcast is officially back, and there's no better way to jump back into the news of the amusement industry than with a recap of the 2023 IAAPA Expo. Andrew is joined by C101 team member Shane, who walked the "9 miles of aisles" at the Orange County Convention Center, taking in the coaster train unveilings, edu-sessions, flyin...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 16 min
It's been a busy 2023 for Rocky Mountain Construction. Two all-new coasters, a major retrak-ing project in Orlando, a merger, bringing Silver Dollar City's Fire In The Hole to a new generation, and arguably, most importantly, WILD MOOSE. Andrew is joined by RMC's COO Jake Kilcup to talk about the roller coaster of a year that Rocky Mountain Construction has had, and how the ride is just beginning! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | In...
Sep 01, 2023•38 min
Happy National Roller Coaster Day! Last week, Dorney Park announced Iron Menace - the park's first ground-up roller coaster to be built since Hydra: The Revenge in 2005. Standing 160' tall, Iron Menance will truly change Dorney Park's Skyline. We're joined on the podcast this week by Ryan Eldredge, Dorney Park's Public Relations and Communications Manager to talk all things Iron Menace and also some really good conversation about Dorney Park's social media over the past 18 months since he starte...
Aug 16, 2023•41 min
You never know when you'll find a podcast guest in the wild. During a visit to Deno's Wonder Wheel earlier this summer, Andrew was riding their new roller coaster, Phoenix when he struck up a conversation with a ride operator. As it turned out, that "ride operator" was Deno "DJ" Vourderis, third-generation co-owner and operator of Deno's Wonder Wheel amusement park. DJ was kind enough to join Andrew again on the Coaster101 podcast, talking all things Deno's Wonder Wheel (and its 103-year-old cus...
Aug 07, 2023•51 min
It's a big week for theme park news, so before all that drops, we wanted to have a little bit of fun. Andrew, Shane, and Nick join forces for a 12-round Universal draft! There are some caveats -- you had to take at least two International Attractions, at least one show, and at least one defunct attraction. Also, seasonal events were not allowed to be taken -- which is why Halloween Horror Nights wasn't an option! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Faceboo...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 11 min
We can count on one hand the number of new, full-scale theme parks that have opened in the United States in the past 15 years. One of those parks happens to be Lost Island, located in Waterloo, Iowa. By all accounts, this park is a hidden gem, and features a pair of unique roller coasters, a world class Sally Dark Ride, and on top of that, a fantastic and friendly staff along with its own IP across five immersive themed lands. Lost Island's General Manager Eric Bertch joins Andrew on the podcast...
Jul 03, 2023•55 min
Despite living in California, Eric has not yet made it to Universal Studios Hollywood to experience Super Nintendo World stateside. He has however, now officially done the next best (and to be honest, probably better) thing: Visited the original land at Universal Studios Japan. In this episode, Eric takes Andrew through his trip to Universal Studios Japan, including Super Nintendo World, but also talking about USJ's roller coasters, similiar attractions to the domestic Universal Parks, and of co...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Earlier this year, coaster enthusiasts on the east coast were blessed with not one, but two brand-new creations from the wizards at Rocky Mountain Construction - Arie Force One at Fun Spot Atlanta and Wildcat's Revenge at Hersheypark. Luckily, we have two Coaster101 team members who have ridden these new coasters and can talk about them and make our host, who has yet to ride them, jealous. John & Kyle join Andrew to talk about their experiences at Media Day for both coasters, and what enthus...
Jun 12, 2023•41 min
Andrew has officially unpacked his podcasting equipment after a move. Recently, he had the opportunity to head up to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for Media Day for the park's 10th roller coaster, DarKoaster. This fun family-friendly roller coaster has a bit of everything, and so does this podcast episode! Reviews, Interviews, On-Ride Audio -- this podcast will have you braving the storm! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram . We...
Jun 05, 2023•42 min
The 2023 TPEG ALUMNI Community Theme Park Design Competition is in the books and the top teams have been announced. On this week's episode of the Coaster101 Podcast, we welcome the members of Team 385, the champions of the competition: Andrew Yates, David Manguiat, Ella Rudkin, Jacob English, & Audrey Nelson. We discuss all aspects of their project, The Lost Trails, including Mothman: The Ride, as well as general advice on how to use opportunities like this to prepare for a career in themed ...
May 30, 2023•54 min
Multiple years in the making, Carowinds' newest land, Aeronautica Landing, celebrating all things aviation, is officially open. We had the opportunity to attend the media preview for the new land, and we were incredibly impressed. Andrew talks all things Aeronautica Landing, and then closes the show with interviews conducted on-site at media day -- Carowinds' Executive Chef John Loukas, Cedar Fair's Corporate Director of Creative Development Ken Parks, Cedar Fair Corporate Producer Clayton Lawre...
Apr 11, 2023•36 min
Nathan Firesheets is no stranger to Disney Parks-related Challenges. A veteran of both the Parkeology and Ride Every Challenge at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Nathan recently completed a journey that makes us simultaneously jealous and terrified: Every Ride at all 12 Disney Parks. In 12 Days. On this episode of the Coaster101 Podcast, we talk about Nathan's world-spanning journey, which encapsulated 216 Disney Rides in 12 days. You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media ...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr
Henry (9) and Nora (5) from Ohio, state of America, come on the show to review the new Pirate River Quest ride at Legoland Florida and their first time visiting Peppa Pig Theme Park.
Mar 21, 2023•15 min
Six Flags made a slew of announcements on March 1. From attractions we already knew about like Aquaman Power Wave and the P'Sghetti Bowl Coasters coming to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Over Georgia, to new attractions that were previously unannounced. Eric joins Andrew to recap the highlights of the announcement, and there's an odd fascination with Six Flags New England's new Dinosaur Offroad Adventure. You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter ...
Mar 07, 2023•48 min
TRON: Lightcycle Run officially opens at Walt Disney World on April 4, but Shane got to enter the grid a little early, and recounts his experience riding TRON during Cast Member Previews. Shane and Andrew also chat about their recent trip to SeaWorld Orlando for the Seven Seas Food Festival and a Coaster Smash & Grab at Fun Spot Kissimmee -- some great food and coaster talk! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram . We also h...
Feb 27, 2023•48 min
This past weekend, the Disney 100 Exhibition made its debut at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Covering 20,000 square feet of event space, the exhibit covers all things over the century history of the Walt Disney Company. Andrew is joined this week by Blooloop Top 50 Museum Influencer Abby Bysshe, Chief Experience & Strategy Officer for the Franklin Institute (who also happens to be Andrew's cousin!) to go inside "The Happiest Museum Exhibit On Earth!" You can connect with the show b...
Feb 21, 2023•29 min
Andrew makes it to his fair share of theme parks, but his younger brother J.T., while a fan of theme parks, isn't as in depth in the hobby. So when the duo heads to Universal Orlando, you never know what will happen. J.T. makes his podcast debut as the brothers Stilwell discuss a recent Universal Orlando vacation that coincided with an Orlando Informer meet-up. We get thoughts on Velocicoaster, Hagrids, Fast and the Furious, Fallon, and more! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on soc...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 21 min
This week's show is a little different than usual. Andrew had the opportunity to visit Carowinds for a Construction Tour of the all-new Aeronautica Landing, which opens later this spring. Rather than talk about rides, he put the recorder on during the tour, and is taking you on an auditory journey of unedited audio as he walked through the mud and saw all of the construction happening! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram . We...
Jan 31, 2023•31 min
As coaster enthusiasts, we all have friends who we refer to (lovingly) as "GP." So when members of the GP visit a park that you've never visited, you obviously want the "real" story that isn't as coaster focused. Andrew is joined by his college roommate Clint and Clint's "friends from back home" Chris and Kyle to talk about their recent trip to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. We talk personal coaster history, coaster counts, and of course, Chop Six. This has the chance to be one of the funniest episodes...
Jan 23, 2023•47 min
Happy New Year! Native North Carolinian Andrew is joined by two other North Carolinians, Andrew from Park Rovers and Erik of "Erik's Coaster Tweets" to conduct a Carolinas Coaster Draft, with the added wrinkle of Virginia and Tennessee thrown in the mix! Head to our Twitter account to vote for whose lineup you think is best! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram . We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.c...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr 11 min
It's the last new Coaster101 Podcast Episode of 2022, and we're talking Christmas Gifts. Not just any Christmas gifts - but what you want your home parks to open under the tree! Last week, we posed the question "What do you want your home park to open under its Christmas Tree?" and Nick joins Andrew to talk about their own home parks, as well as some of our favorite answers from the C101 audience! Spoiler alert: roller coaster manufacturers are going to be busy assisting Santa if these wishes we...
Dec 20, 2022•48 min
Longtime listeners will remember when we interviewed author Evan Ponstingle about his book: Kings Island: A Ride Through Time. After that book was released, publisher Barry Hill of Rivershore Creative felt that the only thing missing was a visual accompaniment. This week on the podcast, Andrew interviews Barry about his new book "Kings Island: A Photographic Journey" - a 200-page coffee table book featuring hundreds of color photos, documents, blueprints, concept art and more, all centered aroun...
Dec 13, 2022•30 min
After the Thanksgiving break, we're back again with some peak "off-season" content. Bryant Olivera, aka the internet's "Coaster-A-Day" calendar, @Coaster365 , joins Andrew to arbitrarily rank the best states for coaster enthusiasts. Their lists are similar, but you might be surprised at some of the rankings and reasonings! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram . We also have a website, if you're into that sort of thing: www.coa...
Dec 05, 2022•45 min
It's Thanksgiving Week, which means everyone will gather around the table to talk about all of the shiny new trains revealed at IAAPA. At least that's what we think. Shane visited the IAAPA Expo in Orlando last week, and has the scoop on all of the new trains, announcements that weren't covered in the press briefings, and something called the Condiment Cow, perhaps the surprise hit of this year's Expo! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter...
Nov 21, 2022•55 min
It's IAAPA Week, and we're joined by "friend of the pod" Marcus from The Drunk Riders to talk media announcements, speculation and more! You can connect with the show by 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 Also, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! And please give us a rating and review wherever you listen, it helps new listeners find us! Get your 202...
Nov 14, 2022•44 min
Ahead of next week's IAAPA Expo We're joined on the podcast this week by Zamperla's Director for Roller Coaster Sales and Marketing (as well as "Friend of the Pod" and all around good-guy) Adam Sandy. Zamperla is in the midst of a roller coaster renaissance, and has announced three coaster projects in recent months. We talk Cedar Point, Adventureland, PNE Playland, and more! You can connect with the show by hitting us up on social media @Coaster101: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram . We also have ...
Nov 07, 2022•47 min
With one week until Halloween, we're taking the time to talk Haunts -- from the small Zombezi Bay at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, to SCarowinds at Carowinds, to the Grandaddy of them all, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. This week on the show, join Andrew, Nick and Shane as they recap their #SpookySZN exploits in Ohio, Florida, and the Carolinas! Read the reviews here! Shane on HHN31 Andrew on SCarowinds Nick on Zombiezi Bay Nick's Review of Kings Island (also mentioned!) You can co...
Oct 24, 2022•51 min
Last week on Twitter, we posed the question: What’s a coaster that is overall not great but has *one* redeeming element or moment? The Coaster101 audience came through with a variety of answers, and we discuss them this week! John joins Andrew to talk the results of the Wooden Coaster Draft, Coaster101's recent appearance in the Wall Street Journal, and dives into the topic of "signature" moments on otherwise average coasters. Do we agree with the audience? Do we blow holes in their arguments? T...
Oct 17, 2022•48 min
