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I wonder if they ran a full train down whats done of track how far the train would fly once it derails. #RCT3 that boi

Is it possible this will outshine almost all the gigas as far as ride experience? I think people were under-rating this coaster based on stats and blueprints. Love how that first drop is so steep and goes all the way to the ground only to blast into an amazing second hill.

Although I was vocal about the stats being offensive (they are), I was also singing this tune as soon as I got a good look at the blueprints. Orion will be a succinct run through B&M's best speed coaster elements and possibly their best work to date.

Looks like the roof is going on the station!

The quote “Number 5 is Alive” has no reference to Adventure Express, Son of Beast or even Kings Island. Simply coaster fans mistakenly connecting dots to something it’s not.

Lifting wave turn piece up right now.

Yeah, just the station area, break run last hill, and the first part of first hill takes up all of Firehawk's spot, and we aren't even halfway done!

I would love to see Adventure Express get upgraded theming. Would be awesome "off year" addition. Maybe enclose the 1st lift hill and theme the ride to an escapee from A haunted mine shaft.

The enhanced lighting packaging on The Racer will add to the Winterfest atmosphere this year (much better than just the color changing LED spots)

Yeah i agree it looks a lot like an overbank.

I still don't think this is a wave turn. It's more like a giant overbank.

The original Arrow mine ride, Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Over Texas, is still running 53 years later. Adventure Express is 28, albeit arguably more intense and forceful than Texas'. I too hope it has years and years left in it though.

With all due respect to Mr Speigel, he was not working at KI at the time of Adventure Express' development and was, as far as I know, not involved with the project.

Interesting. Could thematic mist/fog really cause that much of an issue or exacerbate it? Especially considering the coaster is exposed to rain/snow year round? Thanks for always sharing awesome stories and trivia, @Shaggy!

I'm sorry, but I don't believe this is correct. @KIghostguy has written extensively about that incident and can probably add more, but if you check out his article here: http://kingsislandghosts.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-untold-story-of-kings-islands-fatal.html, there is a mention of "Post 5." However, post 5 is on a hand-drawn map and is labeled as being in the Northeast corner of the preserve, towards the river and not the location of Adventure Express. The ride's audio references "Outpost 5," not "post 5." Is that a coincidence? Kind of. Is it proof of a tasteless joke? I doubt it. I can't imagine out of all the easter eggs that they could hide in the ride that they're going to reference a tragic incident. But again, @KIghostguy probably has more knowledge here. Also, the location of SOB's station doesn't line up with the map of "post 5."

Coming from the north you can spot it near Traders World. You can see the top of the tower and Orion sitting on the horizon.

I came across a twitter post from the KIHistory Twitter page showing a picture of an floral arrangements where they state, "Kings Island used to showcase new attractions in a large floral display outside the park entrance." The picture below taken in 1991 showing the incoming Adventure Express back where the themeing shows the track closed at the now infamous Outpost 5. A lot of people think Outpost 5 originated with Son of Beast, when actually Outpost 5 references back to Adventure Express instead. KIC members have been discussing this for the last several years when it comes to using the Outpost 5 name and symbol for theming of Kings Island's next coaster (now Orion.) The answer to the the origins of Outpost 5 have been right here this whole time. The picture source is @Tomkatt7's picture from his 90's thread posted back in 2009. In addition, @Gordon Bombay in his post below gives a great explanation as well. The next time you hear a ride op say on the microphone: "Number 5 is Alive" it is not referencing SOB 2.0, Adventure Express or Kings Island. It is not related at all. Tell us your thoughts and if you know any more info about Outpost 5. Do you have any old pics of Outpost 5 or the symbol?

I’m just saying that’s what happened in this particular case.

I agree that this is likely the case most of the time...but I picture the late Walt Disney working in reverse, I picture him coming up with an idea for an attraction...then telling his imagineers to “make it happen”.

They're signaling Batman. Joking aside, it may be them just lighting up the area. It's already gone.

Giant light just lit up under lift hill as everyone was leaving.

@Jodi Arthur they do sell ET ornaments at WF. You would probably have to put the year on it after. Maybe this year they are making custom ornaments?

They were for the whole evening last year. No reason to think it would be different this year.

Oh nice, single rider line! That will help. I live in Chicago and don't get the opportunity to visit as much as I did in years past so the suggestions for visiting the park during the regular season don't help me, but thanks for the suggestion. I'm really just there to see the lights as I walk around and get in a couple rides on MT. I'm not in the demo or psychographic for Winterfest; just trying to sneak in an hour or two when I'm home for the holidays.

The wave turn is in the 170s if you check the website.

Thanks, I was referring to only Winterfest, not summer since that's behind us. I'd hate to get to Winterfest and be looking at an hour line for Mystic Timbers. I did go in 2017 and was able to get in two rides at opening before the line was too long to justify. Was curious if that's still the case.

I really had to dig to find these these. 2006-2009 were definitely peak for me! Working at the park, Diamondback construction, disco Crypt, the backstage/ERT day.. I know I have an butt load of pictures with Capt Nemo from the 2009 Diamondback year. I honestly think I rode it around 1000 times that year haha. darn I miss my Penguins of Madagascar hat. The only hat that fit me, haha. "If you reach your hand out to touch the hand rails on the lift, you're going to get a gosh darn splinter. I told you 100x." -Zach B

I had the same thought. Makes me wonder if the ride was simply designed to have those sections of track replaced every few years. That would also account for why the plug was pulled on the mist. There’s no way that they wouldn’t have the foresight that the constant mist could be damaging.

No worries man!

This one? https://KICentral.com/photos/

They are really coming along nicely on the second hill. It is hard to believe how massive everything is compared to Racer.

We put them back a few months after the site update. Park History, History photos. https://kicentral.com/history/photos/

That's not a reference to a direct quote from SHORT CIRCUIT? I think the confusion about the final lift comes from that people can clearly tell it's building towards something, but are either too young or no longer remember what that something was. The park really needs to restore that lava effect. Without it, guests are losing a key plot element.

Has the link to the old gallery been included in the current version of Kic yet? Assuming photos already are these......

Adventure Express Trivia to be taken with a grain of salt... I recall during winter 1999 (when Action Zone was being built) a replacement section of Adventure Express track was located in the parking lot. I remember this because the short section of Arrow track was placed somewhat near where they were storing the track for Face/Off (Invertigo.) I saw it with my own eyes. I always assumed it was the zig zag section that used to have a mist effect right after you left the station. Seems like the track looked "different" the following season (newer) so I figured that section might have rusted. Especially since the mist effect disappeared in summer 1999. Never had it factually confirmed, but always assumed thats what happened.

Here's an update from WildGravity Travels, and it looks like you can see the start of the second hill from Great Wolf Lodge!

I'm sure there will be another software update to the webcams and internet when demolition time comes around, so doubtful we'll have a chance to see that

I love seeing stuff like this. Adventure Express is probably the most sentimental ride to me out of any park, as it was my first roller coaster. This is a coaster that holds up very well against the sands of time, as looking more run down works well with its theming. I'm quite hopeful for its future, as mine trains tend to have very long lifespans.

I'd love some TLC to be given to Adventure Express. I might be wrong, but I feel like the arrows no longer pop out of the wall/ceilings in one of the tunnels anymore, and I wish they'd bring back the smoke effect and do some better lighting or effect work in the lava tunnel. Although, really, it's still a really fun ride. My 7-year-old son isn't a fan of roller coasters with big drops, but he loves AE. I actually took my first night ride on it with him this year and it's a really fun ride in the dark.

Question: I heard the rumor for years about Adventure Express' ending being the way it is due to lack of funds to finish the ride. I find this hard to believe based on how close the second lift is to the station. Can anyone confirm either way?

I know this has been said a lot, but I love that blue color. Looks much better than the renderings in my opinion!

THIS.

In an off year with no major ride, I would love a full revamp and restoration of Adventure Express. High capacity ride that appeals to and accommodates a large number of guests.

My only complaint was that it was hard to see all the shows. A lot of the shows all started at the same time so you wait for one to end but then miss the start of the other

That's gonna be a rare picture soon, Orion, Diamondback, and Vortex all together.

The Bat provides a unique experience that is become rarer as time goes on. The entire east coast doesn't even have a suspended coaster anymore and it would really be a shame to lose such a unique attraction especially considering it was the last suspended coaster ever built. Part of the reason I always loved Kings Island was because of the diversity of rides it has had. Growing up with Great Adventure as a home park there hasn't been much variety in recent years. I'd hate to lose a ride that can appeal to the masses as both a fun ride for the younger rider as well as adults, while at the same time providing a unique and increasingly rare experience.

I feel like I have to chime in as I'm one of The Bat's biggest fans... I've loved the coaster since it was Top Gun; it used to be one of my standbys as a kid. I've pretty much loved it throughout its lifetime (there was a brief period where I resented the repaint because change!) and I'd hate to see it go. I do not mind the walk back there and I think it's one of the most photogenic (and unique) coasters in the park. Although it may not be as intense as modern coasters are nowadays (while people now think of The Bat as stepping stone coaster, it apparently was billed as a thriller when it came out), it has its moments ( like swinging above the station as well as that intense turn on the far end of the course, near Banshee). It is also very cool to watch as the individual cars swing and articulate to the track. All things considered, I also realize it is getting older and maybe it will lose its luster with me (there are some rides on it that aren't quite as thrilling as expected; it seems to happen when it's the first ride of the day- but maybe that's because my anticipation is more than the thrill provided, if that makes sense); see below*. When its time does come, I think an Axis coaster that could emulate the original Bat's feel and layout OR a floorless would be great replacements. *However, I am very curious to see/experience how my relationship is with that coaster after riding Orion (which may or may not dethrone The Bat as my favorite coaster in the park).

You are sorely mistaken about Flight of Fear.

A little late to reply, but that was a beautiful post and I think an amazing trip report/tribute to Vortex. I too was there all that last day and it was really bittersweet. The community really came together for Vortex.