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Showing content with the highest reputation on 07/01/2020 in all areas

  1. @malem and I give Orion 2 thumbs up!
    10 points
  2. Canada's Wonderland in 2019: Hold my Syrup
    9 points
  3. Sorry. Anybody that refuses to wear a mask in public when it is impossible to socially distance 100% of the time is an incredibly selfish/heartless human being. As we are finding out, there are a lot of these people in America. I'm not remotely in the high risk category, but no way would I ever go out around large groups in public right now without wearing a mask and trying to keep my distance. It's not about you. Anybody could have this virus asymptomatic and be harming or killing other vulnerable Americans. Also, don't kid yourself. This virus KILLS many more people than just the feeble/elderly. It also does serious long term damage to many that do not succumb to it. I wish I could speak about how we got here as a country, but alas. I think anybody with sense can figure out who is a at fault.
    9 points
  4. Fanboys: Cedar Fair doesn't know how to do theming Kings Island in 2017: Hold my Blue Ice Cream Carowinds in 2019: Hold my Jam Kings Island in 2020: Hold my Blue Ice Cream again
    8 points
  5. You mean how good was the mask enforcement? C'mon people. It's a pandemic here and America is the epicenter by far. Thus thing is on the verge of being out of control again and theme parks will be forced to close again when that happens. Wear your masks and quit being selfish.
    7 points
  6. As they should be. It should be nationwide.
    7 points
  7. Group of 3 we were separated, just have to ride a few times to get to get our normal 2/row rides. They have been extremely fast with the cleaning cycles as well. This is my favorite nonspoiler pic so far.
    6 points
  8. The theming is fantastic! Obviously not disney levels but pretty darn good. Even better than the Mystic Timbers shed lol
    6 points
  9. I'm looking forward to helping you all experience it myself. That being said, here's my analysis from last week. Sideways airtime hill is fairly weak, but is probably good with a full train. The turnaround provides a lot more intensity than you would think. You get a bit of ejector on the speed hill, and flojector on the airtime hill. The helix is probably the biggest underdog of the ride, was fast, and provided a lot of good forces. The last 2 hills are nothing to scoff at either as they provide some quick floater to finish the ride. I was smiling hands up throughout the ride, and I do think that this is now my #1 at KI. Also, I was riding front row, and the air blowing past you was pretty loud, that stayed pretty consistent until the helix, which shows the ride keeps it's speed for a lot of it. The lift is really quick too, but it's long, so it takes a good 30sec to climb. Some great views of the park and the surrounding area though, so you won't want to miss it on the way up the lift. As with all B&Ms, the transitions were graceful, no rapid changes.
    6 points
  10. Credit: Coaster Nation Great pictures of Area 72!
    6 points
  11. You know if this country thought more about others then all about me attitude we'd be doing better. I find it baffling the many who'd rather pass on rhetoric of if you're scared yada yada... than listen to actual experts in the subject matter. The cdc is made up of people who spent 10 plus years gaining their masters and doctorates in micro biology and infectious diseases to study and help fight these viruses. their agenda? the health and well-being of this countries citizens and help keep them safe and informed as best they can. Oh my god how dare they /sarcasm ... But sure your high school/ 4yr collage ass knows more than them. It's not weak or an agenda to follow their recommendations and want to help your fellow man. It's not an infraction on your liberties or whatever other bull you're being fed. It's a cloth mask. If more people would just wear them when out in public this would be going down much faster but here we are. Interestingly yes I feel safer at the theme park then I do at the grocery store because at least one is enforcing the masks. I'm glad we were on the outside of town for the unofficial rod weekend in pigeon forge it was completely packed and yea not much mask wearing. During the week before We only visited anakeesta and most wore masks most stayed distant and it wasn't as crowded. We also only went to a couple museums that required masks and skipped those who weren't. I'll vote with my money and give it to those who at least are trying to put others health and well being first. Out doors and spaced out at the putt putt no we didn't wear them except when inside the building. if a piece of cloth over your mouth and nose is that terrible stay home but don't complain that it's not fair. I'm sure there are dead people who'd gladly take your place if only they could so as not to have had to die alone in their hospital room.
    6 points
  12. He gets it and y’all should too. A few months ago we weren’t sure if Kings Islands would be open it all this year. Now we have an opportunity to enjoy the Park we all love again. Are masks fun? No. Nobody likes wearing them. But it’s a small ask for such a unique world situation right now. It has nothing to do with freedom. You are choosing to go to Kings Island. Kings Island is choosing to help make their employees safer.
    6 points
  13. This makes me so happy!
    5 points
  14. Rode a second time and it was better than the first in row 7. It does not let up and you are getting ejector air half the ride. Please don't judging it in one ride alone.
    5 points
  15. Looking forward to reading some reviews this evening before I ride it myself tomorrow morning. Woooo
    5 points
  16. But... but... muh FrEeDoM! Constitution! Tyranny! Socialism! And other scary sounding words I'll use out of context!
    5 points
  17. As this thread is coming to a close, I want to say this has to be the most fun construction thread I have seen. I read through the Banshee and Mystic Timbers threads and I think this was better than those imo.
    5 points
  18. https://mobile.twitter.com/marcusleshock/status/1278380888796135425 For all of those who want to know #whatsinthehut! I love all of the Vortex references!
    5 points
  19. Seems to me like everyone is forgetting there are people who will be at the park whose income depends on being at the park, the employees. Wearing a mask help protect them as well. I'm sure the pool of possible employees is down this year because of people who don't want to be exposed and are choosing to take a year off of working. But wearing a mask is the least we can do to help out those who put themselves at risk just so we can enjoy the park. Thank you employees!
    5 points
  20. Orion has exceeded my expectations. The ride is fantastic from beginning to end. The first ride does not disappoint at all! The biggest surprise for me was the final little hill, a very fun way to end the ride. The biggest let down with this ride is how hard the trim hits but that can of course change in the future.
    4 points
  21. They maybe should have put some man made water under this thing for added scenery/atmosphere. Anybody agree? Scenery is what gives MF a little extra boost. Anyhoo, sounds like a great ride all around regardless.
    4 points
  22. Back row....WOW!!
    4 points
  23. It was great! Oh and FOF ride photo area
    4 points
  24. The most airtime of any gigacoaster in Ohio is in Mason. I’m no fanboy but MF is better.
    4 points
  25. 4 points
  26. Heading to Kings Island right now, I’m hyped
    4 points
  27. Almost 1 out of 100 people die in car crashes on their way to the park??
    4 points
  28. Oh man. It's getting real now. Less than 24 hours until I get to ride this baby. Freaking stoked.
    4 points
  29. Found a tease to Magnum XL - 200 lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    4 points
  30. Kings Island knocked it out of the park with the theming! The whole area is just very well presented!
    4 points
  31. The pics make me feel like the overall theme is very well implemented. I like it a lot!!
    4 points
  32. The health screening is for your party. It states, "In the past 14 days, have you or anyone in your party..." I take this as you do one survey per party.
    4 points
  33. Y'all better be posting first reaction stuff for yo homeboy down in Nashville.
    4 points
  34. I’m so excited to be on the first train
    4 points
  35. Problem there is, you're also not going to find a country where the cases reached a massive peak, dipped way back down, and then exploded even higher than before (as the US has done). It's just not a comparable situation, because nobody's mishandled this virus as bad as the US has.
    4 points
  36. Here's a side by side by side comparison of all the B&M gigas
    4 points
  37. Just received a reply to my email to KI asking about Whitewater Canyon being open, and the person said it "hasn't been determined yet" if it will be. I have a difficult time believing that they don't know if a ride will be open 17 hours before opening day.
    3 points
  38. I loved Orion. it had more airtime than I expected and maintained its speed all the way until the end. Obviously I wish it were about 1000 feet longer, but it’s great to have a giga coaster at Kings Island.
    3 points
  39. This, the Decoding 2020 Thread, and the Giga Speculation Thread account for three fulls years of speculation on this project. I can’t wait until the next construction starts! LOL!
    3 points
  40. 3 points
  41. It’s supposed to have been hit by meteors. How else can you do that?
    3 points
  42. Haha I sure will! Also would you guys like a walk through of the queue and station?”video”
    3 points
  43. The day is the day Volunteers are needed at Kings Island at 4 p.m. until we let people into the simulator at 5 p.m.
    3 points
  44. That light package is amazing. I thought Banshee's was top notch, but this takes the cake! Props to Kings Island!
    3 points
  45. No pictures in this one, so I hope my word pictures suffice. After losing count of how many weeks had transpired between last season and today, I more-than-readily made it through a near-zero-visibility thunderstorm for a six-mile stretch on I-71 to Kings Island to attend Friends & Family Day. One parking spot search and sunscreen slathering later, I made my way to the front gate, donning my mask as I approached. I first entered the health screening tent, where I was asked the health questions we all know and love before proceeding to stand in a marked rectangle where a camera system checked my temperature (not sure how that works yet, but it's pretty cool!). Right after that came the security screening, which remained unchanged since Winterfest (walking through the metal detector without putting your things on the table). Lastly came scanning my own voucher at the turnstiles, and then I was in. All these things were done in roughly a minute, and the entry process in general was quite streamlined. I had made the earliest reservation time, which was half an hour before the rides' scheduled opening at 2. The earliest time basically gives you half an hour to roam the park before it fully opens. I-Street's shops were open, so I briefly perused Emporium (so much Orion merch!) and Sweet Shop before beginning a lap around the park. It was nice to just walk, especially with the non-crowded midways. It was close to 2, so I figured I'd hit the first open ride I would eventually come across. That plan would change, though, when I arrived at Adventure Express and struck up a conversation with two of my ride op friends who were greeting at the still-closed entrance. Although it was after 2, we still had to wait for the inclement weather to move fully out of the area. Not long later, the flat rides began opening and most of the coasters ran their startups. It finally came Express' turn to open, just after 2:30. I made my way through the clearly-marked queue to the station, where I made a beeline for the last row on Express' first train of the day. With hands up before I was even out of the station, I knew I was excited for my first Arrow of 2020! The now oldest steel coaster in the park took me past snakes, ruins, spears, lava, and drummers with its usual dose of laterals. Earlier this year I had done some work on Express, namely with the spears and drummers, so I loved getting to point out the things on which I worked while I rode past them! After one Arrow came the next, as I headed off the beaten path to The Bat. Like Express, I rode in the back (7-1 since 7-2 was blocked off). Notably, I was in 7-1 on the left, the same seat in which I took my final ride on Vortex eight months and three days ago. I sure missed flying and swinging through the treetops! Next came Skyflyer, as its $5 price tag made the deal (I'm always most likely to ride Skyflyer when it's $5). I felt so ready for an adrenaline rush on what I believe is the scariest ride at Kings Island. Even though I know I'm completely safe, some part of me still thinks I'll fall to my death when I pull the ripcord. It definitely feels like it during those three seconds of freefall! Invertigo followed that exhilarating flight and would bring my first inversions since October 27. I arrived a few minutes before it opened as it was just finishing its startups. Despite other people waiting in front of me, I had arrived just in time to make its first train of the day! Every other row was used starting with the end row facing the front gate, which meant everyone would ride backwards-first. I got pulled backwards into my first inversions of 2020 before repeating them forwards, and needless to say I loved finally getting to be turned head-over-heels again after an eight-month inversion drought! Invertigo was where I first noticed the staggered unloading of riders. When a train has more than a few people aboard, the operator spiels to us to remain seated until we're told we can exit. After the train stops and the restraints are unlocked, each row is unloaded one by one starting at either end, working toward the middle. This is done to reduce the normal clustering at the exit. It adds time, but thankfully it does not take very long. Banshee continued the inversion trend when it conveniently opened not even thirty seconds after I finished my walk there. Like Invertigo, I made it onto the first train of the day by a landslide...and in my favorite seat too! I had Row 8 on the Teal train all to myself. Unlike the coasters which loaded every other row, Banshee had people in each row. Groups were seated together, while single riders like me occupied one seat of an entire row. I waved to Orion and Vortex's former spot as I got whipped off the lift and into Banshee's seven-inversion knot. The rattle is very much there, but at this point I'll take it! I'm just glad we still have a batwing in the park... My most-anticipated ride of the trip, Diamondback, had opened by this time; I headed there immediately after my 13-inversion dose concluded. From here on out, you will likely hear me call Diamondback "my original favorite." Prior to my riding Vortex, Diamondback was my favorite ride from the moment I first rode it on August 14, 2009, 11.5 months before my first ride on Vortex (July 23, 2010). At that time, I had loved Diamondback and was just as obsessed with it as I am Vortex, to the point where I called myself a "Diamondbaddict" (Diamondback addict). Obviously that all changed when Vortex dethroned Diamondback as my top favorite ride. Diamondback still remained a favorite, but had remained on the back burner for nearly the last decade. Vortex's departure to the realms of defunct attractions has opened up a unique chance for Diamondback to reclaim that top favorite spot, although I know undoubtedly that Orion will steal the spotlight at least for this year. Either way, Diamondback means just as much to me as Vortex, and I'm eager to see how it will "fill the gap" that Vortex left in dealing with rides with high sentimental value. That being said, I have some catching up to do on the once-tallest, once-fastest, but still meanest coaster to ever strike Kings Island. Diamondback's line was on the stairs, but because groups were spaced out it equated to a station wait for a half-filled train. At most five minutes passed before I boarded the Red train in row 14, a moment for which I had waited ever since I first became excited to ride Diamondback in March. This was where I made another observation: On most of the coasters, the front half of the train uses the odd-numbered rows, while the back half uses the even-numbered rows. This ensures that the front- and rear-most rows are used for those of us who love a bona fide front- or back-seat ride. There are exceptions, though, as I saw on Invertigo and The Bat which used every even row and every odd row, respectively (remember, I rode in 7-1, or row 13, on The Bat). It's very interesting to see the different variations of the new protocols! Anyways, on to my first Diamondback ride of 2020! I will greatly enjoy getting used to the view of Orion from Diamondback's lift, as it will definitely soften the blow of having to get used to the current view of Vortex's old stomping grounds. Fortunately, the sad reality is forgotten for a moment while flying down that 215-foot drop! I thought "Nothing like the original favorite!" while floating over each hill. I am confident that Orion will become another favorite of mine, and it will join Diamondback, Invertigo, and others on my list of favorite rides. No matter which of those favorites becomes my new #1, I'll still make sure to give my original favorite ride some extra love this year and in future seasons! Additionally, even though I knew I was wearing a mask, it's nothing to worry about on even the big rides. Sometimes I even forget I'm wearing a mask, especially since it hardly moves in the middle of a ride! I crossed the midway to my favorite water ride, Flume, where I walked on to my own boat. Thanks to the mask rule exception for water rides, Flume is now my go-to RelaxZone! I took the liberty of enjoying a mask-less first Flume ride of the season while taking care to put my mask back on before getting off. I sure missed getting splashed on the final drop! I even got a reprieve from the Snoopy fountain, which for some reason wasn't firing. If the drop doesn't get me wet, Snoopy definitely will...most of the time. I went back to Diamondback for a second ride just in case I didn't get back around to it before 6 (closing time). The line was a little longer than my first time, but I still didn't wait too long. Half the available rows were filled by the time I reached the station, so I requested to ride in row 16 which was granted. Preferred seating is still a thing, at least when it's not too busy. This ride in row 16 was what I called a signature Diamondback ride, as it featured the Diamondback Dive (leaning forward as you go into the drop) and my getting sprayed with water while sticking my hand back during the splashdown. I never tire of rides like that! From Diamondback, I could see Mystic Timbers' line (or lack thereof) and decided to head there next as I wanted to hit all the available big coasters. I enjoyed another back seat ride as I was assigned to row 12! I believe Mystic is a strong front-row ride, but of course the back is pretty good too. Mystic offered a great first wooden coaster ride of 2020, and of course brought back memories of my "Mystic marathons" during Winterfest! The world's longest wooden coaster sent nearly empty trains (and it's running all 3!) as I headed to Rivertown's back end. My favorite row, 17, is currently a casualty of the new protocols, so I made do with the very last row, 18. Obviously with it being a wheel seat, the ride was a little rougher than I'm used to since I typically ride in 17 or 8 whenever I can, but what else can we expect from a 41-year-old wooden coaster? Also, roughness is nothing new to me and I've learned to just roll with it and it hasn't hurt terribly. The Beast still offers a beastly hike through the woods, day or night, rain or shine, and my 30th time in its clutches reminded me of that. Making my way into Coney Mall, I found myself taking the first of six zen rides I would get from now (about 5) until 6. I arrived at Backlot to find the ride ops waiting for riders and both White and Blue trains (Red was on the transfer) sitting empty with restraints open. I took the front row of the White train, which I had all to myself, for my 15th spin overall! My favorite part of Backlot (besides the launch) is the pitch-black warehouse following the fire effects. My first launch of 2020 was fun, and I am so ready for when I can take my first Flight of Fear ride of the season! Time for some flat-ride fun! Sticking to the theme of riding whichever of Vortex's neighbors were open, I rode Shake Rattle & Roll (Troika) next. This led me to another observation/realization: Some flat rides, including Troika, Scrambler, and Monster, can still operate at full capacity since their ride units are already spaced at least six feet apart. That will definitely help their lines move quickly (as well as Banshee and its aforementioned seating in each row). I believe WindSeeker's gondolas are also far enough apart; I have not seen for myself yet since it was not open today (not all the rides were open). Like Mystic, Troika brought back some Winterfest memories, with the added bonus of an increased need for adjustment. After all, my favorite thing to do while riding Troika was...watching Vortex. Obviously that cannot be the case now. This ride also happened to be my 75th ride on Troika! I crossed over to Antiques, in hopes of seeing some more of my friends there. I did and gave them something to do by boarding the first available car for a leisurely drive around the track of Kings Island's now second-newest ride. I swung by a socially-distanced Zephyr. This by far is one of the biggest changes we will see this season in terms of protocols. Zephyr's normal capacity is 48 riders, yet for this season it will hold only 16. And literally 16, as 16 of its seats are present, spaced 6 feet apart. For its next cycle, only one of those 16 seats was occupied...by me! My first Zephyr flight of 2020 (and my 60th ride on it overall ) was also my second zen ride of today. At this point, I hadn't eaten or drunk anything since I arrived. Flat rides and their repetitive motions never bother me...unless I'm dehydrated and/or hungry. You know you need at least a drink of water when even a ride as gentle as Zephyr can cause even the slightest queasiness. I headed to the nearby drink stand and got a free cup of water in the same way as before. It looks like one would need to ask for not just water but any particular drink upfront, after which they bring a disposable cup with the requested drink. Seems simple enough. I walked past Dodgem, which was also empty and waiting for riders. Getting a zen ride on a bumper car attraction isn't nearly as fun; they're most fun when they're busy! So I headed next door to Scrambler to take a spin in its new cars. Scrambler and other rides whose units are adequately spaced "by default" have their only change in the queue lines; otherwise, the seating and ride experience is still the same as before! More Winterfest memories came from this spin on one of my favorite family rides. I was originally going to skip Monster, but a couple ride ops there recognized me from my working with them. After a short conversation (they were waiting for riders too), I boarded for my third zen ride of the day. It's not too often one can ride a full Monster cycle minus the waiting for other riders to load! This turned out to be my 20th ride ever on Monster. I raced (not really) over to Racer, whose red/south side was open and also waiting. A train with a few riders was getting ready to leave as I arrived, and no one had joined the line behind me, which meant I would have the other train all to myself for Racer South Ride #35 and Zen Ride #4. Moments later, I was seated in the front and ready to roll. I may not ride Racer too often, but I do enjoy riding hills for the length of Coney Mall and back. It also offers a pretty good view of its new neighbor to the left, especially if you ride on the blue/north side. At this point, it was about 5:50. I had time for two more rides. I wanted to head back to Diamondback but I had already ridden twice. I came back to where I started at Express, so I decided to give it and The Bat some extra love by taking a second ride on each of them. Zen Ride #5 came in Express' front seat as it took me on another adventure past snakes, ruins, spears, lava, and drummers with abundant laterals. I will always love hearing the drummers and the anti-rollback simultaneously in the finale tunnel! Finally, I took Zen Ride #6 in the front right seat on The Bat and enjoyed another treetop flight. This was my 120th flight overall on my first big steel coaster! I ended Friends & Family Day with giving The Bat the same "goodnight" I always gave Vortex. In light of the events that transpired in the last eight months and then some, I only found it more fitting to not only have an "all-Arrow day" (riding all the Arrow rides in the park: Bat, Express, Flume, and formerly Vortex), but to also start and end my first guest visit of 2020 on the same two Arrow coasters. I did not have any problems with wearing my mask almost constantly for four hours. The only exceptions to wearing it were my riding Flume mask-less and briefly slipping it down to take a sip of water. Everyone else I saw had a mask on and were keeping adequate distance. Yes, I did see a few masks being worn improperly, but for the most part everyone was wearing them. And of course hand sanitizer dispensers were found in every restroom, store, and ride station. Here's to more visits in the shortened-but-starting 2020 season. Pandemic Protocol Recap: Stores: Entrance doors propped open, designated exit doors closed but can be opened from the inside. Signage reminding to practice social distancing. Touch only items you plan to buy and scan them yourself when you check out. Rides: Social distancing markers throughout ride queues. On most coasters, the front half of the train uses odd-numbered rows while the back half uses even-numbered rows. On The Bat, Adventure Express, and Invertigo, it's every other row all the way. On Banshee, every row is still loaded from what I saw. Staggered unloading to prevent clustering. Sanitation every 30 minutes. Most rides now require you to tug on your own seatbelt and/or restraint, as the operator visually checks. This minimizes contact between rider and associate. Drink stands: No self-serve drinks. Tell the associate what drink you want and they will bring it to you in a disposable cup. Food stands: Queues clearly marked, just like rides. Enter one door and exit another. General: Wear masks except when riding a water ride, eating or drinking, or within a RelaxZone. And of course, keep six feet between your party and others. +Adventure Express: 2 Total: 74 +The Bat: 2 Total: 120 +Xtreme Skyflyer: 1 Total: 8 +Invertigo: 1 Total: 56 +Banshee: 1 Total: 43 +Diamondback: 2 Total: 138 +Flume: 1 Total: 42 +Mystic Timbers: 1 Total: 67 +The Beast: 1 Total: 30 +Backlot: 1 Total: 15 +Shake Rattle & Roll: 1 Total: 75 +Kings Mills Antique Autos: 1 Total: 19 +Zephyr: 1 Total: 60 +Scrambler: 1 Total: 41 +Monster: 1 Total: 20 +Red Racer/Racer South: 1 Total: 35
    3 points
  46. Guys just wear maks! Dad told me to wear it when I mow and pull weeds and it not bad at all!!!!! Be happy and enjoy King's island because it been closed I can't ride Daimonbdack and we are happy but I am gonna miss the carnival!!!
    3 points
  47. Conversely, the 1% are dependent on the 99% to not do things to make things worse. Speaking as a 1%-er.
    3 points
  48. This is honestly how I feel. We are EXTREMELY cautious and have not done many things since the pandemic started that we would normally do, but I feel relatively safe going to KI (although I'm still very, very concerned about the whole "everyone arriving at 10:30 and flooding the area by the gate" situation).
    3 points
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