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That's like saying enclosing Avalanche Run would be the same as Space Mountain.

This was in out local newspaper today.... http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2013/04/06/New-roller-coaster-on-fast-track-for-Sandusky-bound-thrill-seekers.html

I went to NYC for the first time in 2011 and again in 2012. Rode the the subway everywhere. Very cool place to visit, though I wouldn't want to live there. It really is like a different world. I couldn't believe just how active every place is all of the time. Both times we got into Queens around 2 or 3 in the morning and people were out like it was the middle of the afternoon. Non stop action. So many places and things to see and do, and eat. Probably going back again this year.

I still have yet to make it out to Indiana Beach. (I`ve been kept busy with three jobs and studying for my ARE exams, which I just found out yesterday I passed my first one, the structures exam). It is on my list of things to do. It seems like a nice little park. Glad to see them investing in the park. Its always great to see smaller parks investing in themselves.

Shafer Swings becoming Water Swings again is one of their better ideas. Moving them off the water made a LOT of people very upset. I never got to ride them over the water because of the restraints, but after losing a significant amount of weight I fit in yoyos again so I can't wait to ride them. Also looking forward to a re-tracked Cornball. It wasn't bad on my last visit in 2010 but I'd heard it was neglected over the past two season and was getting to be in bad shape.

thats wonderful anytime improvements, additions happen, and not closures!

That que will be cold when the wind blows off the lake in October, but shall have a nice refreshing breeze in July and August.

Tennessee Tornado was really great! I liked the hang time in the first loop when I sat in/near the back, and the little pop of airtime on that turn before the brakes. The first drop and loop are my favorite parts; the ground-hugging turn before the first drop really gets things started! I rode it 7 times; 5 of those times involved the handy little Q-Bot. On top of that, I was the last rider of the day on the ride when the park closed at 8. I'll tell more about it in a trip report when I write it in the near future (it may take a little while; my PC is having problems).

...crickets.... This is some way to build enthusiasm for the exciting, awe inspiring, grand re-opening of a stunning park. Total silence. For weeks at a time. This is not the mark of a highly confident team progressing rapidly toward a sure fire thing. Quite frankly, this is all very, very odd. Unless someone expects to go back to the Commonwealth and say the proposed lease cannot be done, here are the reasons why, and we need far more favorable terms or we, the ONLY interested party, are going to have to walk away. And the State, as a Government, is in a rather perilous position. Do they give up more taxpayer money or do they end up looking like the party that could have saved Kentucky Kingdom, but didn't? If they do agree to more favorable terms, and the park still does not succeed, that will also not bode well. A perilous time. I'm glad I'm not advising the Fair Board or the Governor. At least Hart can always blame the banks should he decide to bail. And the quiet...continues.

Now, for the million-dollar question: What did you think of Tennessee Tornado?

Because the first season, 1972, was year 0. The second season, 1973, the park would be one year old but in season two. The park is now nearly 41 years old, and about to start its 42nd season.

CP webcams always go down coincidentally on the first day of ride testing.

Recap: Shafer Swings become Water Swings once again over the water Rocky Mountain is retracking Cornball Express Shafer Queen's paddle wheel is getting some new paint and repair Falling Star moved to where the Shafer Swings were located the last few seasons Penthouse Suites, Beech House Inn, and Boardwalk Motels (40+ rooms) are being renovated Roof Garden Lounge is getting a face lift Campground facilities are getting some sort of updates as well! Lot's of exciting things going on at IB this year! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CDBig1nNly4

To me, Fast Lane Pass is an affordable luxury, that I much rather have the option to purchase than not.

(Apologies in advance for the multiple huge image quotes.) A tad confused. Would you mind explaining this a bit more. He means this logo: combined with the wordmark and accompanying frame below in the colors of the logo above. Make sense?

I recently took a trip to New York City with my scholars group from OSU! It was my first time there, and I loved it! I figured I could share a few pictures with you guys NYSE and Wall St. Grand Central Station O-H-I-O Empire State Building at night Times Square Freedom Tower (probably my favorite picture I took while on the trip!) 9/11 Memorial This is a tree that was at the World Trade Center during the attack, and it is still there! Freedom Tower again- soon to be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere Central Park And The Naked Cowboy I hope you enjoyed my pictures! I love my school, and am grateful for the opportunity to see everything the city life had to offer! Also, I apologize that the pictures are huge- I'm not sure how to fix that... But thanks for checking this out

Just wanted to provide a little update as well, this year Coney has repaired most of the rides with much more bright and colorful colors! It looks great! As well for the Como Cruisers cement columns are in place at Lake Como for the route of the which the ride will travel.

Just want to pass along an update, since I drive by Riverdowns on my way into work. They have been quite busy, moving lots of dirt around, and piling it up in what used to be the parking lot in front of the old grandstand. They have been busy pouring foundations, and towards the end of the week, they started forming and pouring concrete columns. I presume these are for the parking garage that is going to be the "basement" of the new facility. They certainly have a ton of construction equipment on site, and aren`t wasting much time.

I don`t watch much TV, and when I do, I do not watch MTV so I did not see that. Yes, I miss the backwards Racer, but don`t look for it to come back anytime soon. I agree with Gary, that maintenance is the unsung heroes of the parks. There work seldom gets noticed, and they put in some long hours. Few people realize that they tear the trains apart and disassemble most of the rides in the winter to inspect them. It always fascinates me to see parks in the midst of their off season maintenance work. At Coney, they have begun re-assembling the rides. They just moved the Rock O Plane cars out to the ride on Thursday, and will likely be putting them on the ride next week. They still haven`t done too much work on the new Como Cruisers though, but there is still some time before the park opens for the season.

Friday in mid-June will be busy. Definitely get a Q2Q. It's $15 per person plus tax. If you buy a gold pass, the discount applies to it also. It will be more useful for shows than anything (guarantees a seat, and in the best section of the theater), but rides will line up as well. Eagle and Mystery Mine will hit hour-plus waits in the summer. However, a completely full-to-the-midway queue on Thunderhead is only about 20-30 minutes so don't freak out if you see that. Reserve Mystery Mine and wait for Thunderhead. The "smoke" of the Smoky Mountains is usually low-hanging clouds or a misty fog. They are often covered in haze during the summer, unfortunately, due to the high traffic pollution in the area.

The new Bathroom for X-BASE? Already taken care of....

I still, I have said this before, would love to see "Jurassic Park River Adventure" at Kings Island. That would take some work though....

Walt over at Pointbuzz.com is reporting that Gatekeeper had its first successful test run this afternoon. When it comes to things regarding Cedar Point Walt is a pretty safe bet.

Cohesive or coherent? Being sick isn't fun. Hope you're better soon!

Rides Maintenance is definitely one of the unsung departments of the park. They do a lot of hard work that mainly goes underappreciated by the public. Caption under one of the photos: This is actually the park's 42nd season (41st anniversary).

Wouldn't be the first station at the park to be reused.

I just happened to be on the KI webcam page just after 8o'clock this morning and the WindSeeker webcam flashed an image briefly. It was like they were testing the video feed or setting the camera. I didn't get a screen capture fast enough, but I could swear I saw 2 flat rides where the grassy area in front of BLSC used to be. I wish I could tell you what they were, but I don't know enough about them. After about 15 seconds, the camera went dark again. Then they started messing with the on screen graphics. They were cycling through things like time, temperature, Date, ride wait times, and what rides were down. I can't wait for KI to get it up and running.

Good thing that doesn't look tacky. Also, is it me or does that pic of the station sum up the entire SOB project from planning to demolition?

April Fools?

I would love to get there some day. Looks like such an awesome place.

Great pics! My favorite was definitely the shot of Freedom Tower. Just jaw dropping to see that structure!

I was just there in NYC, our band played on the Intrepid. We also visited Philly before we went to NY, it was a fun band trip.

Oh the pizza was so good... I can't believe I forgot to say something about that. I had some literally every day. And I did visit Chinatown and check out the markets and stuff there as well! Unfortunately our group was not allowed to leave Manhattan, so I didn't get to see much else. But there is plenty to do on just the island, especially if you are new to it!

If I live lived locally and have a season pass to Kings Island, I have the whole season to ride all of the rides at the park and no need to buy something like Fast Lane to go to the head of the line. Now if I am making my plans to vacation at Kings Island for the one or two day stay, then I might just buy the Fast Lane pass option if my budget allows it, especially it the park happens to be crowded on the day(s) that my family is there.

Six Flags has had exactly nothing to do with the property since early 2010. If you want to blame someone for the deterioration since the park was last open, look no further than Ye Olde Fair Board. As for Kentucky Kingdom competing against Holiday World, Kings Island, Beech Bend, etc., remember those parks not only don't get substantial tax incentives, they PAY real property taxes to their respective states, counties, etc.

well Las Vegas is actually happening too. Flights and hotel booked. My mom's first time flying, so she wants to see Donny and Marie Osmond and go see Grand Canyon. I seen Grand Canyon several times so I'm just gonna get my rides on Desperado, and the other coasters as well see some dolphins. Yeah, interesting year.. Wasn't sure with this one till it was finalized, such a long painful exchange over the last few months, mother thinks she's "seeing the country" with layovers, and way I see it Las vegas itself is a layover (since I'm used to Cali), flying nonstop to it isn't a big deal. I tell her there is nothing to really see in the other airports...just over priced merchandise and food, my main focus is making sure there aren't any delays, haha. Agh. Yay me (with help from a family friend who is always flying somewhere on business) convinced her to do nonstop flights. XD

According to RCT3, it's two corkscrews. Actually, four "large corkscrews" to be exact.

Here are the pictures and quotes from the blog on Cedar Point's website. I'm glad there will be true sunshades over Gatekeeper's queue, unlike Firehawk's solitary triangles that offer very little, if any, shade. Also note, there will be a gift shop at the exit of the ride.

Looks like I'm going to have to plan a trip up North this year

Diamondback was totally the first B&M to feature an animal head pilot car and body train. Assuming I am right, I think that's kinda neat. I'm really diggin' these wing coaster trains. They seem to get more bad@$$ with each new wing coaster they build. I think Cedar Point would be hard pressed to find a cooler way to incorporate a coaster into the entrance.

I got to see Gatekeeper from First St today, all I can say is wow! That thing dwarfs Raptor from the mainland.

https://www.facebook.com/greatohiocc/posts/504204809642159 All card-carrying members of coaster clubs are invited to Gatekeeper's media day. Essentially, if you can go to CoasterMania!, you can go to media day.

You and I both.

Excalibur was one of my favorite rides when I was little (living a half hour away)! Good to see TB paying homage to the old stomping grounds!

It's not easy being green.

Yes, I meant waisted ,not wasted! I love Shrek.

The dinosaur movie is making Action Theater fat? Is it that it's eating too many dinos, or is it the fact that the dino movie killed the "action" part of it's name, so that it's not getting enough exercise?

Why then were they able to move other coasters in the park, to Kings Island, Kings Dominion and other parks? Who would force them to sell Big Dipper? And why? And most importantly, wouldn't they have given any buyer only a limited time to get it off their real estate?

Without the flag or giant "TEXAS", of course.

This ride (drop of doom) was so unexpectedly amazing! It ended up being one of my favorite rides at the park.