stewwill

Oh, if it has not already happened, that is for certain. I'd suspect that several heads will roll as a result of this. If these allegations are correct and accurate, this may be one of the worst handled incidents in Carrowinds history. Even if it is not accurate, it's a massive screw up. This is a totally outrageous disregard of good sense by the Carrowinds security. If that guy hadn't punched the pervert out, he would be free to do this again at Carrowinds or some where else. No one should take the law into their own hands. But this situation begged to be dealt with and security at Carrowinds totally botched this. I'm glad someone had the guts to do something. It's just a shame it had to come to this. It's a public relations nightmare for Carrowinds and upper management better make some changes in staffing and procedures in one quick hurry.

I want to state that I have no insider information about a 5 year deal but I did want to add that when a contract like this is signed, it is usually an agreement to buy 3 coasters over a 5 year period. The cost of each coaster is to be determied when a site in the park is choosen and the type of coaster is choosen. Then the cost of that coaster is determined and the price to build it is either accepted, negotiated or the coaster is scaled down. B&M is probably giving the KI some sort of price break for a 5 year deal because it keeps their people working. This type of thing is done in all type of industries. If you sign a multi year deal, price breaks are agreed on before the contract is signed. I hope there is a 5 year deal, lots to look forward to.

In the early years of The Beast, they would keep the brakes off for the first 3 or 4 runs of the day to break it in. The Beast without any breaking is a great ride. I understand the maintenance issue but even through the helix, it was not overly rough. All woodies have some roughness but The Beast flew over the track. It was an experience I will never forget. And, back then, you really had to hustle back when the park opened. Within 30 minutes, the quene was totally filled and went out a couple of hundred feet. You just had to be there.

Terpy calls it and Coaster delivers, ya gotta love this board.

WARNING*****WARNING*****WARNING Anyone that trifles with TERPY does so at their OWN risk.

You always feel better about yourself if you can face down your fear. Take someone you really trust, pick a car in the middle of the train. Take deep breaths. Remember that thousands of other people ride The Beast. As the train leaves the station, think of places you really enjoy, or someone you like. As you get close to the top, hold on tighter. As you reach the crest of the lift hill, close your eyes. Going down, the hill isn't violent or very jarring. It's over in a few seconds. When you do it once and realize it wasn't as bad as you thought, you will be fine. Nothing wrong about being scared. But once you take the first ride, you won't be able to get on quickly enough. Good luck.

Coasterz..I have a question. Before I do, let me tell you I was a HUGE fan of Coney Island and went there weekly for years before KI. I even did my college Multi Media thesis on moving CI to KI. Besides the Old Coney pictures on display, does the park have an archive of Coney when it was in it's heyday? Thanks.

Terpy...Terpy...Terpy....no assumption was made...tell me the thought of your grandparents making out doesn't give you pause. I know older people need love too. I also know that they have the good taste to keep it private. Well..most do...

I have a question...how many trains is SOB running..2 or 3?

Terpy, you must have a staff of reseachers working 24/7 to find all the links you reference. Very impressive.

I have a great idea. We hire elderly couples...we pay the ladies to wear thongs and really young girl clothes. The gentelmen we get pants that hang around their rear ends and muscle shirts..we paint tattos on them and pay them to stand in line and make out like crazy. That will gross out even middle age couples. Images of their parents will chill them out and teenage couples will have visions of their grandparents dancing in their heads. I promise you, one or two days like that and presto: problem solved.

I got stuck about 3/4's of the way up the 2nd Beast Lift Hill. I didn't freak out until 2 maintenance guys walked up the hill and said we might have to walk down. The though of doing that nearly cause me to change my shorts. Walking down that catwalk right on the edge of oblivion was a little much for me. Fortunately, we didn't have to walk it and the ride continued. It never stopped me from riding again but still the thought of walking the catwalk down still creeps me out.

I hate to admit it, but I am an old timer by the age of most members here. I went to CI at least once a week for years..it's where I took all my first dates there and if they didn/t ride the Shooting Star or Wildcat, I took her home early. I lived in N Ky..I went to the liuttle town called Brent and rode the ferry over. I think but I am not sure but the Brent Ferry was a WWII troop carrier or PT boat. I THINK I heard that so don't quote me. The Shooting Star could hold it's own against most modern coasters except The Beast. The lift hill was 90-92 feet at the top made a left turn and followed the river till right about where Riverbend is now. The rest of the way back was mostly Bunny Hops back to the tunnel that led to the station. There was massive air time going from and coming to the station. I don't know the top speed but it felt then like it was greased lightning. I heard that when The Beast concept was being discussed, one idea was to recreate or build a bigger version of the Shooting Star. Maybe someone on the boards knows more about than I do. I am positive that when Taft bough Coney, the blues and specs for the Shooting Star were in a file drawer somewhere the Admin building near Lake Como or in another storage facility because of the risk of flood every winter. It should be rebuilt EXACTLY as it was. It was ahead of its time.

It's a new ride, it will have a few bugs, it's all good. Can't wait to take it for a spin.

I was wondering since CF has TGI Fridays at some of their parks, would a Fridays located in the old International Restaurant be something that could happen at KI?

The Tumble Bug was a great ride. I think Kennywood still has one called the Turtle. it could hold 6-8 riders depending on your size. i doubt they are built anymore and I was bummed KI took it out. I can only guess it was a maintenance issue because it had a good hourly capacity and was a lot of fun. I would hope but rather doubt CF would remake Coney into like an Old Kennywood. Old style rides that could make guests that never got to Coney a taste of what an really fine old amusment park could offer. while were on a subject of old rides, did anyone ever ride the Cuddle Up? That was really fun. Like a Tea Cup on acid. It went to KI and I was just as bummed when that was removed. At CI..there were 3 rides under a roofed structure across fron the Shooting Star. The Whip, Cuddle up and Dodgem. the Whip was a little tame but the Cuddle up really was fun. We need some new/old rides like that back in the Coney area. Ok yeah don't forget the Scooters as well.

While I agree anyone that rides any ride takes an inherent risk, the park operators also take an inherent risk when they choose any ride to install in the park. It goes both ways. There are also different level of injuries to consider. In this case, the girl lost both feet. That's a very devastratng injury. That has to be taken into consideration. I don't know what the inspection and maintenance records are for this ride but if the cable was faulty, the design of the ride has to be changed to prevent that cable from whiplasing if it breaks. I am not an engineer. But I have to think that this possibility was not taken into account when the ride was designed. I admit that is an opinion and not a fact known to me. KK and the manufractuer have a monetary responsibility to this family. A jury will decide this. It's a very tragic situation for the family and the park. Six Flags will do everything to minimize a judgement. That's in their best interest. Emotions run very high in a situation not just with the family involed and Six Flags, but the general public as well. An accident like this is a public relation disaster for Six Flags and the entire Theme Park industry. No company especially with the high cost of insurance purposely neglects maintenance. But this was an especially unforunate incident. There is plenty of blame to spread around.

What happened to all those animals when Safari was closed?

Other than the bunny hops and reversing one side, The Racer was not made longer. Having rode the Shooting Star, other than being an out and back, it's not like the SS. FYI...when the planning started for The Beast, it was discussed to duplicate the Shooting Star. I don't know is was to be an exact copy or a larger version, but The Beast was a far better choice. For it's time the SS was really a great coaster, 92 feet high, smooth, great river views and good air time.

Zodiac was there when the park opened...

Wow, I read that article and the sadness that washed over me really brought me down. I'm glad I read it but I wont forget it for a long time.

Except for Disnney and Universal, it looks like for now record breaking rides are not in favor right now. Especially for CF. I think the law of diminishing returns comes into play. TTD was extremely expensive. Attendance didn't jups as predicted and part of that the down time but you can onkly get so many people to Sandusky year after year. There is a saturation point for anything. CF installed 2 different Maverick coasters this year, one wood one steel. Neither one was record breaking but still great rides. I have talked to quite a few people tbhat have been to CP and they said Maverick is a great ride. I think you will really good coasters but will there be a record breaker anytime at KI ior any other CF park? Not likely.

I have 2 questions and if they have been answered elsewhere, I apologize for asking again. 1. Are the new trains the G-Trains brought in from SC. 2. What type of element replaced the loop? I guess I missed this info on the boards. Thanks for the help.

Ok, Pick one themed area of the park and give your thoughts on how to improve it. Add or remove rides, restaurants, whatever you choose. Just be realistic....

Folks, please, I implore you....Paramount is gone. The tumor has been removed. Now...let CF do their thing. No one has ANY idea whagt isw going to happen or what direction the park is headed. Let's look FORWARD. Then King is dead, long live the King. What the park was is not what it will be. Let's see what the park WILL be in the next 3-5 years. It took Paramount years to screw the place up. It will take years to fix. Patience...