Coaster Talk Podcast

Six Flags is removing 15 under performing rides from their parks. Bob and James talk which ones the think will be removed AND which ones they hope NOT to be removed. For those of you who love their arguments, there is no short of that in this weeks episode. The second half of the show is non stop as James and Bob argue what are the U.S. coaster deserts and why there are coaster deserts!

SHOW NOTES

•  
• Six Flags eliminating 15 underperforming rides this year, reducing maintenance costs, and freeing up significant capex resources.
  
• Theme parks in France close on Friday as Macron announces a second national Coronavirus lockdown - Germany closes theme parks starting November 2nd amid record rise in corona cases
  
• First California amusement park plans to reopen under state guidelines
  
• Christmas Taste of the Season
  
• Veloci Coaster - opening March!
• U.S. Coaster Map

Not much news to discuss this week, but that doesn't discount this episode of the show! There's totally a lot of fun and interesting topics a foot, especially when the guys hope on to RCDB to discuss and canvass whatever random and wacky coasters are thrown their way. Truly the most fascinating part of the however, comes at end, as Bob and James put back row vs front row. What rides NEED to be ridden in the front or the back? It's answered on this week's show.  

SHOW NOTES

• Halloween Harvest at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Gov Newsom teases announcement about theme parks 
• Black Widow broke a couple times but should be ready for 2021 (Kennywood) 

Lots of fun to be had on this week's episode of the show! With new rides being announced, opened, and teased - you can bet the guys have tons of speculation an analysis packed in on this one. The biggest news this week is that GCI may have just possibly opened the first "true" hybrid roller coaster! While industry news is fun and all, nothing is quite as interesting as the interview with Ryan of Theme Park Tours! Also discussed by Bob and James is what the best launch sequence is!

SHOW NOTES

• Jake Kaminsky died while working on the Orlando Starflyer
• White Lightning at Fun Spot Orlando being partially retracked with GCI's new hybrid track
• Zamperla teasing new water ride involving waves
• Silverwood announces a new RMC Raptor
• Fly at Phantasialand is now open - soft opened to the public!
• Everything these big theme parks are doing to prevent the spread of COVID seems to be working
• Indiana Beach ready to open new Flying Bobs attraction - teasing the new ride the day before opening it

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, and Hurricane Harbor Phoenix
• A unique new themed attraction will soon open in the LA market called “Stranger Things: The Drive-Into Experience”
• SeaWorld Announces Year-Round Operation and All-New Season Pass

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.