The ideal roller coaster experience is super-fast, super smooth and gets the rider’s adrenaline pumping. The roller coaster needs to be aerodynamic, durable, capable of holding a large load and pass all safety regulations. One important factor taken into consideration...
Continue reading...Interviews
From The Small Screen to the Midway: Video Games and the Next Wave of Dark Rides
Something unique is happening in the world of North American amusement parks soon as regional parks start to open for the 2016 season. For the first time in North America, two major amusement parks are introducing rides that are themed to popular video games: “Plants...
Continue reading...An Interview with New Carowinds General Manager Brad Marcy
This year, Carowinds will be welcoming several new attractions – among them, the Carolina Harbor water park rebranding and expansion and Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 3Z Arena. Also “new for 2016” is General Manager Brad Marcy, who comes to Carowinds after...
Continue reading...An Inside Look at Off Season Maintenance at Carowinds
Many theme parks around the country are closed for the season, but just because they are closed on the outside, doesn’t mean that anything isn’t going on inside. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The off season is the one...
Continue reading...An Interview with Josh Reichlin of Made to Thrill
Recently, I stumbled upon a relatively new lifestyle brand geared towards theme park enthusiasts, Made To Thrill. Made To Thrill describes themselves as a lifestyle brand that celebrates the sharp turns, fast drops, and unbridled joy of thrill rodes and theme parks. I wanted...
Continue reading...Q&A With Seth Kubersky, Author of “The Unofficial Guide To Universal Orlando”
Last month, The Unofficial Guides released The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, their first dedicated guidebook for Universal Orlando Resort. (I’ve got my copy, and it’s AWESOME!) We caught up with author Seth Kubersky to talk about his new book, and he...
Continue reading...Talking Sesame Place with Guy Hutchinson
If you’re a fan of the Sesame Street TV show, you may be familiar with the Sesame Place theme park in Pennsylvania. Since opening in 1980, the park has welcomed fans of Big Bird, Elmo and the entire Sesame Street gang. The...
Continue reading...Q&A with Cindy Brown, Entertainment Supervisor of Costuming & Crafts at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
When many people think of theme parks, costumes are often an afterthought, if not something people completely take for granted. While I was at Busch Gardens Williamsburg this week, I had the opportunity to talk with Cindy Brown, Entertainment Supervisor of...
Continue reading...Behind The Scenes of Devin Olson’s “From Dreams to Screams: Fury 325”
Back in November, we interviewed Devin Olson of Devin Olson Media about the process of creating a theme park documentary, as he has done quite successfully with his “From Dreams to Screams” series. His next installment; “From Dreams to Screams: Fury...
Continue reading...A History of Universal Studios Hollywood with John Murdy
This summer Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating their (roughly) 5oth anniversary of studios tours and as a theme park, while the movie studio location of the park itself celebrates their 100th year. A lot of exciting stuff is happening at Universal...
Continue reading...Book Review & Giveaway: The Disneyland Book of Lists
I’m a sucker for interesting tidbits, trivia and historical facts, especially when compiled in list form. Within minutes of opening “The Disneyland Book of Lists” by Chris Strodder, I was hooked. Keep reading to find out how you can win...
Continue reading...An Interview With Penn State Blue, 2015 Cornell TPEC Champions
Recently, several members of the Coaster101.com team had the opportunity to judge the Cornell University Theme Park Engineering Group’s inaugural Theme Park Entrepreneurship Competition (TPEC). 17 teams from Universities across the country were tasked with taking the land formerly occupied...
Continue reading...
Recent Discussion