Merry Christmas!

Instead of a regular show this week, we have something special.

When it's Christmas Eve, we all expect Santa to show up and deliver presents and good cheer.

But what if an unexpected guest showed up instead?

Everyone here at CoasterRadio.com wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

On this week's show, EB and Mike reveal your picks for the top attractions of the decade! We'll go in-depth about what makes these attractions special and why some rides don't deserve to make it on the list. The guys also talk about the strange marketing campaign behind Alton Tower's new roller coaster Thirteen. How effective will it be to tell people they have to sign a waiver to ride because of "emotional stresses?" Mike also starts his preparation to audition for The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. He's looking for help from people in the know, including Disney Cast members. Plus, EB and Mike go Off-Topic to talk about spritestitch.com and the rebirth of Dragon's Lair for the iPhone. There's also an update on the David Arquette project Santa Challenge!

The end of a year is always a time to take a look back.

Since this is 2009, it's a great opportunity to take a look back over the last decade to see how we've grown and changed.

On this week's show, CoasterRadio.com listeners tell us how their theme park habits have changed over the last 10-years.

Do our listeners visit the parks the same way in 2009 as they did in 2000?

We also take a closer look at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that is being built at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure in Orlando.  This week some new details were unveiled on the DVD of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Will the Potter theme have staying power?

We also go Off-Topic to discuss a candy bar scam and Mike's 9th wedding anniversary present.

Plus, we unveil a new contest and an innovative gift idea!

The world's Original Theme Park Podcast is back with another episode!

Thanksgiving might be history, but we're still talking turkey.

This week, we talk about nominees for the Biggest Amusement Industry Turkey of the Decade.

The CoasterRadio.com listeners have checked in and have nominated what they think were the biggest busts from theme parks over the last 10 years.

You'll be surprised at some of their picks.

Also, EB and Mike talk about the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.  Is this a good idea?  Or is it destined to be the biggest turkey of next decade?

We'll also go off-topic to talk about the DARPA Network Challenge.  Can you find 10 giant balloons hidden across the United States?  iIf so, you'll win 40,000.  But why is the government sponsoring this challenge?  EB has some ideas.

Mike also sounds-off about people going crazy with Christmas lights.  When is enough enough?

Plus, we recap the Grandma Thanksgiving Challenge in The David Arquette Project!

On this week's show, we talk about the interesting theme park items that listeners own. We break down everything from complete roller coaster trains (right) to blueprints. We also talk about the type of things listeners would like to own someday.

We also talk about the recent trend to add advertising to roller coasters. Just as many cities have chosen to wrap their public buses in advertising, some theme park chains have done the same with their roller coasters. Is this a smart move or just a way to cheapen the park?

We also go Off Topic to discuss EB's rediscovery of Tetris and Mike's encounter with a "claw game" where the prizes were ALIVE!

Plus, we have a new challenge for listeners in The David Arquette Project!

The original theme park podcast is back!

This week, EB and Mike tackle H1N1 in the parks.  Is the outbreak affecting the amusement industry?  Or is it not turning out to be the panic inducing event everyone feared?

The guys also talk about having a piece of theme park history in your home.  There are a ton of places to buy theme park artifacts.... everything from Disney resort shower curtains to full size attraction vehicles.  But how much would you spend to take a part of the park home with you?

There's also discussion about possible CoasterRadio.com contest ideas.

EB and Mike also go Off Topic to talk about owning full-size arcade games and the introduction of Google Wave.

Plus, there's a possible lead in The David Arquette Project!

EB and Mike reveal the answers to two simple listener questions:

1) What attraction is so good, you'd wait as long at it took to ride?

2) What attraction is so terrible, you wouldn't ride even it if it had no line at all?

You'll be surprised at some of the answers!

Plus, EB tries Holiday World's Voyage Extreme Brownies.

EB and Mike reveal what CoasterRadio.com listeners do to get a theme park fix in the off-season.

The guys also welcome Kyle and Stacey, who just finished Orlando's 67 Days of Smiles.  They talk to them about what it was like to experience 120 different attractions in 67 days.

The guys also go Off Topic to talk about EB's experience with a loud man in church and Mike reviews the pilot episode of "V".  Plus, Mike laments the increase of 80's remakes with a little help from The Karate Kid's Ralph Macchio.

And don't forget about The David Arquette Project!

EB & Mike celebrate Halloween by talking about some of the best Halloween events across the US. They also play some audio from inside the scare zones. The guys also talk about the storylines behind some of the more creative haunts and reveal your ideas for theme park attractions based on the best horror films ever. Plus, they go Off Topic to talk about EB's Mystery Novel and Mike's puzzlement over a Halloween Nostradamus scam used to pick up girls in college.

EB and Mike talk about an old ride from the 80's headed to California, a costumed family being denied entry to Busch Gardens Tampa and current rides that could be turned into Halloween attractions.

The guys also go "Off Topic" to discuss Ghost Hunting and the saga of the "Balloon Boy."

Plus, there are several off-track tangents about Fonzie, the movie Scream and The David Arquette Project.