Welcome to Thanks for Riding, an amusement and entertainment podcast featuring thoughtful analysis and intriguing topics of interest coming from years of experience from well traveled individuals and presented with a unique blend of enthusiasm and humor. This ain't no coaster radio. . . Put your season pass away because it's always free. . . Get ready to get out of the loop of news and rumors. . . Sit back, keep your mind open and your spirit adventurous and prepare yourself for the auditory ...
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All The Amusement News That's Fit to Talk About
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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 Sta…
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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.…
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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.…
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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…
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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!
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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
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Andrew survived the drive thru haunt The Forgotten Road at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse and tells you all about it. released Oct 23rd, 2020
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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
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Rides We Wish We Could've Ridden Part 1
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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 …
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Hey we turned 7 today! Enjoy some outtakes from the past year.
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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 flight…
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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 Th…
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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 Machine…
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King of the Airtime Machines: Part 1
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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 almo…
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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 i…
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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, th…
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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?
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Star Wars Land, Toy Story Land & Hagrid
1:48:25
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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.
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Halloween Horror Nights 29(teen) & Mickey's (Not) Scary Party
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Ghosts, strangers, monsters, corpses, Klowns and Us-es were on tap this year at Halloween Horror Nights 29(teen). The gang also checked out Mickey's very completely totally ultimately Not So Scary Halloween Party. Happy Halloween everybody!
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It's all the new stuff announced for 2020 right in your face right now.
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Have you ever wondered what would happen if Batman was from Boston and a terrible movie was made with said Batman going up against a brooding Superman? Me neither. On the other hand, have you ever thought about which of these two superheroes has the better rides and attractions bearing their name? Now, that's interesting. Other superhero rides are …
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Come on down and here all about Cedar Point in 2019. Two thirds of this show attended CoasterMania and 100% has visited Cedar Point in 2019. Strap in for thrilling Cedar Point ride talk and also delicious Cedar Point food talk. Get to the Point! America's roller coaster, coast with the most, we put the coast in... ya know. released July 3rd, 2019…
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Have you ever thought that an attraction was just a little too short... or maybe way too long? We at Thanks for Riding asked ourselves that exact question and an episode happened. Give it nice long listen... or maybe a short one. Have you ever thought these shows are too long?... nah! You can't get enough of this, we know it. released June 4th, 201…
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The best part about coming attractions across the amusement industry is endlessly talking about them. Just like the best part of your day is coming home and listening to Thanks for Riding. Enjoy! released May 3rd, 2019
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The boys go through most of the new attractions debuting in 2019...late as usual.
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Fast and Furious: A Review of the Newest Attractions at Universal Studios Florida
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Man, we are a little behind here at Thanks for Riding. Just like the title implies, this here's a quick and angry review of the newest attractions at Universal Studios Florida. To be more specific, those attractions are Fast and Furious: Supercharged and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. I sure can't wait for Quick and Angry 9 to come ou…
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Winter is here and it's freezing up here in the north. Hey, it's cold enough to freeze your Winnebago! It's the perfect time to talk in length about waterparks, a waterpark actually. Possibly THE waterpark. Volcano Bay. Get the hot take on the hottest, coolest, newest waterpark out there today. released January 12th, 2019…
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Have You have survived the holiday season. You have survived turkey, mistletoe and endlessly long lines at retail stores. You have survived your family for another year. Now, we here at Thanks for Riding know what you need. More Halloween! This one is for all of you that have already started your "days until" countdown to Halloween season 2019, a s…
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Have you wondered what the current state of amusement park attendance looks like across US amusement parks? Have you thought about the way attendance might break out between particular parks or across the major chains? Have you then thought about what that might mean. Have you ever fudged your undies in the rain? Ignore that last question. If you'v…
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Halloween Horror Nights 28 Horrorific Review
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Get ready to be scared... with awesome insight and analysis. Horrorfying! It's the episode we're considering the next Thanks for Riding Halloween Special and it's all about Halloween Horror Nights 28 or 2018. Horrorsome! We've made it a trilogy in hell, returning this year to the event in Orlando. We had No Chance, we fell From Heaven and this time…
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The Legacy of Arrow: Merlin's Mayhem & The Steel Curtain
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The recently opened Merlin's Mayhem at Dutch Wonderland is thoroughly discussed as is the shocking development from Kennywood about their 2019 plans. Thanks for Riding would like to think that Arrow is living on in some way with these new roller coasters from S&S. This episode is for Ron. released August 31st, 2018…
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If you are a water park fan and you haven't been to Splish Splash in Calverton, NY, then you need to dive into a plan to get out there. It is truly one great water park and a very fun day. Let Thanks for Riding tell you all about it. We won't splash you too much with great analysis, personal stories and information. Oh wait, we will! Look out! It's…
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You get the idea... This August, Thanks for Riding celebrates 5 years of outtakes we call episodes. Yay! released August 26th, 2018
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LAUNCHED: Top 10 Launched Roller Coasters
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It's another top 10 show. Give it 10, see what you think. Launch yourself into this episode where we list our top 10 launched roller coasters. This is a tough category. There's so much variety within launched coasters. I don't think even we agree with the results. released July 6th, 2018
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Parking lots? Park parking lots? Is this what we've come to? C'mon… you've got to hear this one. Listen here for the topic that no one is talking about. They're too afraid to touch a topic this mundane. There's more to this topic than you think. released July 6th, 2018
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DOUBLE FEATURE - Thanks for Riding has gone to Coasterstock 2018 at Kings Island. Hear all about it. In a second episode, various happenings around the amusement industry are discussed: New Six Flags parks, Avalanche closing, new Star Wars land details, Storm Chaser review and more. These episodes are only half as insightful but they're two times a…
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DOUBLE FEATURE - Thanks for Riding has gone to Coasterstock 2018 at Kings Island. Hear all about it. In a second episode, various happenings around the amusement industry are discussed: New Six Flags parks, Avalanche closing, new Star Wars land details, Storm Chaser review and more. These episodes are only half as insightful but they're two times a…
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Some things will never change. And as sure as death and taxes, someone from Thanks for Riding will go back to Walt Disney World. Now, you can hear all about the good, the bad and the Disney in a WDW early 2018 trip report courtesy of Thanks for Riding. Get the latest take on the current state of the resort that we love to hate. released June 1st, 2…
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It's the episode you've been waiting for. Thanks for Riding is going to talk all about the amusement attraction queue. Like it or not, waiting in queues is an essential part of going to an amusement park. In fact, many spend the majority of the day there. Therefore, it's a topic worth going into. What makes a good queue? Ever spent an inordinate am…
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Top 10! Are you interested, yet? You will be. Hear the hosts list and explain their personal top 10 steel airtime machines. You know; those roller coasters without inversions whose main thrill is high drops and blazing speeds with an abundance of airtime. C'mon in and see what you think of our favorite hyper, giga and just plain fun steel airtime m…
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Here at Thanks for Riding, we're going to start the new year off right... A month late and with another "New for..." episode. It's not our fault new addition announcements about what is now this year keep coming in. This is mostly about Six Flags with a few others. released February 4th, 2018
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It's the most wonderful time of the year. You know who's comin' to town? I'm not hinting at Santa, not even HoliClaus. Tis the season... for giant upright walking dogs and lighted sticks. It's Star Wars season! Chewbacca and, if you're lucky, Darth Vader are coming to town. The newest Star Wars movie is opening and we at Thanks For Riding want to g…
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California, here we come! Well, we came and conquered several weeks ago. Now, here all about the newer attractions and other developments in Knott's Berry Farm, SeaWorld San Diego, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios Hollywood and, of course, Disneyland. The adventure dubbed "from HEAVEN to HELL" ranged from just that, all within the limits…
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Come on down... to Trendland. You can hear all about the latest trends in the amusement industry, at least the way we see it. Is Thanks for Riding trending? Probably not! released November 17th, 2017
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Halloween... from HEAVEN to HELL [California Halloween Events]
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It's the 84th annual Thanks for Riding... oh... Halloween season has come, the dead have risen, pumpkins are being carved, The Walking Dead is back, haunted houses are everywhere, amusement parks across the nation are hosting Halloween events and Christmas is being sold in stores. Is your soul prepared? This year Thanks for Riding has had a special…
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It's time to revisit Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA. It's been a few years since "The Rise and Fall" episode and the show has gone back to the park in 2017. Now, we want to tell you all about it. Has the fall continued? What about Tempesto and InvadR? What about vowels? Turn off your top 40, put on some Handel and get ready to listen at the speed o…
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What's knew for 2018? What new for 2018 amusement park attractions are known, that is? On this episode, the upcoming attractions for 2018 for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Silver Dollar City and the Cedar Fair parks are discussed. Oh, and there's a new Riding Times courtesy of Thanklyn Forderick, for those of you that like tha…
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