The Coaster101 Podcast

When one door closes, another door opens - and this week's news saw the announcement of a new roller coaster and the closure of another. Andrew is joined on the podcast this week by C101 Writers Larry & Mike to talk about Lagoon's new-for-2027 "Hot Racer" roller coaster from Intamin, and the closure of X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain. While we never want to see any roller coaster close, the show also features a little levity as all three writers participate in a "Defunct Coaster" Draft - head to our social media channels on Twitter and Instagram to vote for the defunct lineup you think is the 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.coaster101.comAlso, 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!Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merchThanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

Andrew was recently at a networking event for the Charlotte-area chapter of the Themed Entertainment Association, when he struck up a conversation with Matt Ferguson, President & Founder of the EverAfter Group, and also an Ambassador (and formerly Chief Innovation Officer) for Storyland Studios. Matt's got a unique resume in the themed entertainment world - with stops at the Walt Disney Company's in-house marketing agency Yellow Shoes Creative Group, the Mower Agency - where he worked on Earned Media Opportunities for Cedar Fair (now Six Flags parks), and Storyland Studios, where he was involved with a wide array of Experience Design projects. (Proving how small the world is, one of the Mower Agency's clients in the early 2000's was Pinehurst Resort, where Andrew's dad was Vice President of Marketing at the time.)From marketing ESPN's Wide World of Sports and Disney's Animal Kingdom, to the opening of Fury 325, to Storyland Projects including the revitalization of North Carolina's Ghost Town in the Sky and Nate Bargatze's "Nateland" park in Nashville, we touch on a little bit of everything across Matt's 30-plus year career in the industry! 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.comAlso, 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!Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merchThanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

It's Episode 200, so it calls for a milestone - our first ever episode LIVE from inside a theme park. And as the Halloween season approaches, why not do an episode live from inside a haunt maze?We head to Carowinds, where SCarowinds is gearing up for the 26th season of frights on the state line. Joined by Live Entertainment Manager Matt Riggle, we talk all things Halloween Haunt - including Carowinds' eight new experiences for 2026. If you've ever wanted the nitty gritty details of what goes into a Haunt experience, working with IP or original ideas for mazes and scare zones, learning more about the new maze Jason: Blood Reign, or what it takes to get 400+ monsters ready for the night, this is the podcast for you! Also, if you are primarily listening to the podcast - it's worth checking out on video - especially if you want some outtakes at the end! 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.comAlso, 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!Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merchThanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

For years, in theme park circles, the name Tony Clark has been typically associated with Cedar Point. However, Tony has also taken over the PR efforts for another park in the Six Flags family - Six Flags Over Texas, meaning he got to lead media day efforts for Tormenta: Rampaging Run. This week, Tony joins Andrew and Shane on the podcast, not just to talk Tormenta, but all things theme park PR, his background in the industry, the Halloween season, and so much more. It's a fun conversation, and there's even a soundboard involved. It was a great dive into how industry professionals create memorable experiences and the stories behind iconic rides. 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.comAlso, 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!Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merchThanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com

It is National Roller Coaster day, and what better way to celebrate than with one of the United States' most recently announced roller coasters? Coming to Silver Dollar City in 2027 is Miner's Mountain Express: America's Most Legendary Family Coaster. This MACK Rides Mine Train features nearly 3,500' of track and will be the anchor of the park's new Daredevil Pass section. Joining us live from the Silver Dollar City Podcast studio to talk all things Miner's Mountain Express is Joey Thorsen, Silver Dollar City's Director of PR and Content. We go into the true story that inspired the coaster, the 150' tall tower that was moved to Silver Dollar City from a real Missouri mine, and why this coaster is the next great family thrill ride in Silver Dollar City's lineup. 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.comAlso, 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!Find the latest and greatest Coaster101 and theme park-inspired merch at coaster101.com/merchThanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com