Thanks for Riding

On this episode we will discuss a few goings on in the amusement industry: The announcement of Hersheypark's Sidewinder re-theme to Jolly Rancher Remix, the news that Six Flags is changing their admission pricing structure and the event that was and continues to be too big (and expensive) for this galaxy... the opening of the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Hotel Experience Thing.  There may be a few other topics thrown in depending on editing.  Enjoy the show!  

It's finally happened... the most anticipated discussion of all time.  It's the Thanks for Riding Amusement Park Infrastructure episode.  The interesting discussion takes various twists and turns as it is discussed through the lens of time.  What will happen to aging park infrastructure?  Will anybody listen to this episode?  Let's find out together.   

It's been a long time coming and we're ready for another complete park review.  This one is special.  It's not often an all new amusement park opens its doors, but in 2021, Legoland New York opened in all its bricking glory!  Thanks for Riding visited, rode and conquered the park.  Now, we are just bricking to tell you about it.  

We're back!  You thought you could get rid of us, but it's not going to be that easy.  On the 2021 return episode we discuss the comings and goings of attractions in the US amusement park industry in the last year.  We also take a trip to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey to search for the elusive Jersey Devil.  What horrors do we find?  Listen to find out.   

B Kool and Koaster Kat helped out Great Coasters International by participating in a video shoot they did at Hersheypark.  You just may see them in a future GCI or Hersheypark ad!

It's just about the only major new attraction for 2021, it's Islands of Adventure's VelociCoaster!  An exciting blend of dino DNA and coaster, uh, chromosomes?

released Nov 6th, 2020

Andrew survived the drive thru haunt The Forgotten Road at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse and tells you all about it.

released Oct 23rd, 2020

In Part 2 we dig into rides we attempted to get on but were unable to and also rides we could've done but blew off.

released Sept 14th, 2020

Ever missed out on a ride that doesn't exist anymore and you wish you could go back in time and experience it?  Well that's the thought experiment in Part 1 of this series.  In Part 2 the topic is changed slightly to rides that we attempted to get on but were unable to.  In the final twist we reveal our shameful list of rides that we were standing in front of and could've ridden but decided not to for one reason or another.  In many cases that attraction is now gone and the record can never be corrected.  What are your lists in these three categories?  We would love to see them!

released Aug 24th, 2020

Hey we turned 7 today!  Enjoy some outtakes from the past year.

Some rides are so great you just gotta get back in line and experience it again.  You're in luck and there's no one waiting!  But it's not always as easy as breezing through the entrance and hopping in the ride vehicle.  Sometimes you have to sit through the preshow one more time, traverse a lengthy exit path, navigate miles of queue, deal with flights of stairs and a whole host of other obstacles.  Any good ride is usually worth the effort but that doesn't make the process of getting on the thing multiple times in a row any less annoying.

released Aug 7th, 2020

It's the return of Early Access... News.  It's news you can use for the coaster blues.  Join the hosts at WTFR as they go through some of the top news stories in themed entertainment of the day.  

This Episode:
-Adventureland Iowa Slays The Dragon
-Adventureland LI Gets Sporty
-Great Adventure Wild Safari Returns
-PLUS: Cure For The Alpengeist Blues

These episodes are only half as insightful but they're three times as thrilling! 

released June 13th, 2020

It's the return of the return of the King of the Coasters Tournament!  This time we have pitted the major steel airtime machines from around the nation against each other to see which one reigns supreme.  (At least in the opinion of this show)

So, strap in, get your hands up and your ass in the air!  It's time for King of the Coasters: Airtime Machines!!!  It's almost as fun as actually riding them.  This promises to be the best sequel ever!  

released June 6th, 2020 

It's the return of the King of the Coasters Tournament!  This time we have pitted the major steel airtime machines from around the nation against each other to see which one reigns supreme.  (At least in the opinion of this show)

So, strap in, get your hands up and your ass in the air!  It's time for King of the Coasters: Airtime Machines!!!  It's almost as fun as actually riding them.    

released May 16th, 2020 

Well, masks are back.  It's a sure sign of pandemic.  We're still NOT riding.  Recently, Universal Orlando put out a survey asking prospective guests what will make them feel comfortable to return to the parks when reopening is possible.  It's a very interesting topic.  The survey asks many intriguing questions and the classic analysis on this show is insightful.  In-f'n-wonderful!  

We hope you're staying safe and healthy out there!  

released April 30th, 2020 

Wow!  It's 2020 and things couldn't be any better.  We've had flying cars for 5 years now, the Cubs just keep winning the World Series and medicine has advanced so far that we're healthier and safer than... oh wait...

Oh well, we have pocket computers that we call phones and some people are working on "Real" sex robots.  Haha!  It'll never work.  So, things haven't progressed the way we'd hoped, but we still have podcasts.  And on this on, you're gonna get plenty of quarantine worthy current event analysis.  Just how will 2020 play out for the amusement industry?  Come on down.  Let's find out together.  This content is so good you'll be sheltering in place long after you need to just to listen to more.  Take care of yourselves!  

released April 17th, 2020 

We parked in the parking lot, waited in the queue (maybe even endured a preshow or two), now we're in the station about to board the ride vehicle.  There's a lot to take in at this stage of the attraction.  For instance the station could be enclosed or exposed to the elements, have separate load/unload, theming, etc.

Welcome to the 20's!  It's a new decade now so let's take a look back and pour one on the curb for the rides we lost in the 2010's...or dump all over the majority of them.  It should be fun either way!

There have only been a handful of attractions over the years themed to rated R films.  It seems f*%#$n' weird any park would do this at all given that they're supposed to be catering to f^@%*n' families.  How many can you come up with?

Star Wars Land, Galaxy's Edge, Black Spire Outpost, Batuu, whatever you wanna call it, we did the Orlando version.  Plus Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios and Hagrid at Islands of Adventure.  Oh boy, there's a lot to unpack here.