The ongoing trend in the amusement industry seems to be parks coming up with new ways for guests to skip the lines.

Some of the the line cutting systems are free and come with your admission.  But others are offered for an upcharge of $40 or $50.

On this week's episode, Mike and EB talk about the new "Fast Lane" option that just debuted at Kings Island.

The guys will discuss the pros and cons of the new service and what this might mean for other parks around the country.

Will the park experience that we know today change forever?

The guys also discuss their upcoming separate trips to Knoebels and Weiner Prater in Vienna, Austria.  Will Mike be brave enough to tackle the crazy Euro-rides?  And, EB just recently renewed his love affair with a classic carnival attraction!

Plus, a Live Trip Report from one of the most enchanting parks in the country!

On this week's episode of "The Original Theme Park Podcast" we ask the age old question...

"This or That?"

Throughout the past week, the Coaster Radio audience has been sending Mike and EB e-mails filled with tantalizing choices.

The e-mails contain choices between rides, choices between attractions and choices between parks.

It will be Mike and EB's job to make a decision for every choice offered and then defend that decision.

Some listeners have even come up with really bizarre choices that spark some furious debates and unavoidable controversies!

We also have news on the "Producer for a Day" Contest and one of the most unique Live Trip Reports ever!

At one time or another, I'm sure that all of us have tried our hand at "armchair imagineering."

You know, dreaming up rides and attractions that we hope and pray eventually make it to our favorite theme park.

On this week's episode, we gave our audience an unlimited budget and unlimited imagination to create an ultimate attraction by "mashing up" two existing rides.

The listeners of CoasterRadio.com make up one of the most creative podcast audience's anywhere... so we have some excellent ideas this week.

We also have a Live Trip Report from Hersheypark, news on the "Producer for a Day" contest and an idea on why the "Mach Tower" drop ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been delayed. Let's just say it might be the "Italian Origins" of the ride!

For each individual season of Coaster Radio, EB and Mike like to have something called a "story arc."

Basically, it's a common theme and storyline that can carry over throughout an entire season of the show.

For season four, we followed Mike as he prepared for and ultimately triumphed at The American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

But in Season Five, the guys  unveiled their most ambitious "story arch" ever - The Neil Patrick Harris Project.

EB and Mike wanted to have a major celebrity (who happened to love theme parks) agree to become the voiceover artist that introduces each episode of the show.

They locked on film, television and stage star Neil Patrick Harris, who turned out to be a listener of the show already!

This week, after ten months of wacky contests, Towers of Treats and major charity events, Neil is ready to announce whether he will become a part of the Original Theme Park Podcast!

We also welcome back an old friend, Arthur Levine - the theme parks guide at about.com!

Arthur recently had a chance to ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure.

He'll tell Mike and EB which ride made it to his list of Top Theme Park Attractions and which ride gave him a slight case of anticipointment.

We'll also hear from the CoasterRadio.com audience as they talk about their favorite water rides.  Which wet and wild rides are the best in the country?  The listeners have the scoop!

We'll also have a Live Trip Report from Dinosaurs Alive! at Kings Island and Mike will tell you about his upcoming trip to Hungary to ride one of the oldest coasters in the world!

We have a lot of fun traditions here at Coaster Radio, but one of our most cherished happens every year at this time!

This week, it's the 2nd Annual...

SPARKTACULAR EXPLOOSIOLOOSA!

Each year, EB risks life and limb so that he can bring our wireless microphones as close as possible to the flames, sparks and explosions.

Last year, EB got hit with a projectile wall of fire.  What could go wrong this year?

We also will hear from Mike as he gives his "complicated" review of Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion.  How does it rate when compared to other rides in the park and will Mike be brave enough to ever ride it again?

We also delve into the world of roller coaster enthusiast clubs.  What are some of the reasons people join?  Are there any drawbacks?  What about the recent trend of several clubs "hating" on one another.

We'll hear from the CoasterRadio.com audience as they tell us about what clubs they belong to and the pros and cons of each.

Plus, we'll have a Live Trip Report from a park in Germany!