Gordon Bombay

Per some reviews by fans on Reddit, Timberwolf is the same old dump:

I believe this was due more to a lack of properly trained “sandwich artists.” It’s hard to get an apprenticeship these days in the cold cut arts.

Is CF's "Fast Lane" system finally a proper "virtual" queue system that even Six Flags once figured out or is it still the "wristbands + just hop on whenever you want" amateur hour they introduced in 2012?

A quick clarification to point out: that map is actually by a very talented man named David Cole. His “Metro Cincinnati” concept (and the associated website) were part of a thesis project he did where he (in great detail) envisioned a full fledged regional transit system for the area. As for the actual plan (known as “Metro Moves”) in 2002—it would’ve differed quite a bit from the map above. Cole’s plan envisioned heavy rail and infrastructure based on the Washington D.C. metro system. Metro Moves would’ve been light rail and while it was ambitious and could’ve served the whole region—the original proposed funding mechanism would’ve been focused solely on Hamilton County. I.E. Had it passed and been implemented to full vision—there likely would’ve been other political hurdles in order to have trains running out of Hamilton County into places like Warren to serve Kings Island (which most likely would’ve served the Kings Mills highway exit area rather than the park directly). It’s also important to note that this plan called for expanded “hub and spoke” bus service. I.E. The idea was that instead of the downtown-transfer centric bus system we have currently, buses would connect to regional nodes (imagine going from West Chester to Kings Island without going all the way Downtown first). Some of those ideas have been carried over to the “Reinventing Metro” plan currently in planning.. I could go on for days and days about the history of this whole project, but I’ll end on this fun fact: In the original vision for Metro Moves, the first line to be built would’ve been a downtown circulating streetcar that would share tracks with light rail vehicles bound for the nearby neighborhoods and suburbs. What’s today known as the “Cincinnati Bell Connector” modern streetcar is based heavily off of the original Metro Moves plan (with some changes made to accommodate how Downtown/OTR grew compared to how folks thought they would grow in 2002). The Connector actually uses light rail vehicles currently and its existing tracks could accommodate future light rail transit if a plan were to come about.

Such a great, kitschy video. Always surprised me to later learn that “Water Works” opened without a wave pool while rivals Surf Cincinnati (RIP) and The Beach (RIP) had them from the start and a few years before KI added a water park.

At least a few weeks, but not past May.

Viacom? Yes, it’d work for most of one season then never be fixed. CBS? It’d be replaced by an ad for “College Sports TV.”

Reminds me of this Simpsons clip:

Was this truly because they didn't have the financial resources to make the payments, or, was this some sort of behind the scenes contract squabble under extraordinary times?

Let’s be real… even if The Beast lost its ACE plaque… would anyone care? Besides Hitler.

Lol, you're funny. Hey look, a wanna be lawyer/air traffic controller here:

So... just white or a proper "classic" paint job?

I heard that they’re about to get a fresh cache of spare parts sent their way. Bet that helps.

I'm personally hoping this is a sign that Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular may return. I've seen Broadway shows and Cirque shows. I've been to Disney parks and have toured the lights of Hollywood in LA. I know quality, top-tier entertainment and believe me when I say it: Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular was one of the GREATEST experiences I've ever witnessed. There was nothing like it on this earth. Absolutely incredible. /s

I'm not entirely sure if this is feasible in terms of time. Not only do the trains have to be turned around, but their brake fins also need to be realigned. Then there's the matter of does the State have to come out and perform the same amount of tests/cycles/inspections etc. to certify the ride. Magic Mountain, for example, did this on (old) Colossus by having separate trains that could be swapped out for backwards operation (the old B&M Psyclone trains).

Not going to happen. If it looks like Planet Oasis and smells like Polar Coaster, odds are it’s b*lls**t.

Love where you're heart's at, but this may be one piece of history they don't want to bring up.

Thanks, @TombraiderTy. How ironic that it fled a Paramount park only to be emblazoned with the logos of a Paramount property on the other side of the world.

The Beast is fine if you ride on rows 1 or 2 of any of the train's six cars, its that rear row of each car that gives you the shakes. That being said, so long as the ride was kept wood and true to its original layout—I would love to see it get a full overhaul that provided something like... • Nice re-tracking and re-profiling where needed. • Some sleek new trains that provide more comfort and smoother ride + a refreshed visual style. • Some nice refreshing of the station—clean up that olde queue line a bit, make it a bit more spacious, give a fresh look to the theming of the station. All that being said, I think The Racer deserves some true love before The Beast... gleaming new paint job, new beautiful trains, synchronized racing, a nice light package along the course, fully revamped track, etc.

How about a pair of used Gerstaulers?

Only about 1/4 through so far after this weekend, but wow this book is great so far. Learning so many great things.

So what you're saying is... that ride was the best themed attraction Paramount ever made?

I'm very interested to hear @Shaggy's take on this, but in the meantime here are my thoughts... Culture, industry, geopolitics, economics, and entertainment trends have changed A LOT since the "heyday" of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom—an era when SIX was truly invested in that park and its potential. A time back when there were talks of big-budget investments that forced then-Paramount's Kings Island to respond in kind (i.e. SFKK's plans for a "Gotham City" that allegedly led to the creation of "Action Zone" up north). Since then, KI flourished and SFKK, well, we know how SIX treated that park. One of the reasons that I've always heard from industry folks about why SIX backed off so much from KK was that the park always had a strong season pass base. Essentially, even if the new additions were paltry compared to other similarly sized parks, the season pass holders kept coming. A strategy that might work for a short time, but certainly doesn't work in the long term (especially if you keep cutting and are under the corporate umbrella of a debt-ridden Six Flags corporation). At the same time, (P)KI has also always relied on a very strong season pass base, but also attracted (and presumably still does) a good amount of travelers, particularly regional travelers. So, all that being said, is there a "threat" (not implying that this is Baconator's word, but I mean this from a competition standpoint) from a rejuvenated Kentucky Kingdom? That depends on how many people in the Louisville metro/market/region currently make a trip or two to KI and spend money at that park. Will they now be wooed away by Herschend's (or previously Ed Hart 2.0's) Kentucky Kingdom? Hard to say and even if they are... does that even make a difference to KI? Back in 2006 (so, yeah, this is an old example and a one-off interaction), I had a conversation with a family from Louisville who was visiting Kings Island for the day. This trip was one of their vacations that summer. They had a great time, but were disappointed that Kings Island's Action Theatre was showing the same Spongebob movie Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom was showing (they had waited in line for a decent amount of time). They wanted to make the most of their day because this trip was a real treat for them. My point in mentioning this is that family, despite being from Louisville and having Six Flags in their "backyard," viewed (Paramount's) Kings Island as a superior experience or at least a destination worth going to even with a theme park of their own. I'm not sure how much, if at all, Kings Island advertises in the Louisville market, but I do think it's interesting that Kentucky Kingdom (ever since its rebirth) has advertised in the Cincinnati market. When I paid a visit in 2017, they even had a great deal specifically for "out of state" visitors that was clearly geared at this market (billboards all over Cincy had advertised the deal). I don't think the two parks will ever compete for season pass bases (their bread and butter), aside from maybe a handful of guests that live somewhere in the middle. But they may (especially depending on how Herschend develops the park) compete for regional tourism dollars. But to that point, the industry (and entertainment in general (and entertainment post-covid)) has changed a great deal and the two parks themselves are very different from the PKI and SFKK movie theme park days. Kings Island is certainly a much bigger heavy hitter compared to the two, but the distance doesn't make this a PKI vs Americana situation. Herschend is probably more concerned (I assume) with establishing and growing a loyal season pass base and if they do feel competition, it's from a park in Santa Claus. No doubt both KI and KK currently do (and will continue to) keep an eye on each other's movements, but I'd say until (or if) KK becomes some sort of true destination, there's going to be peaceful coexistence. In regards to Herschend becoming a "heavy hitter," I'm very excited to see what they do with the park. I've never personally been to Dollywood, but that park's reputation certainly speaks for itself. It's an industry darling and its attractions, events, and staff are well regarded. Louisville is an interesting market (a large metro, even if it's not a "major league" city) and the park has great potential to be a true crown jewel of the area's tourism/local pride. The first time I ever visited Kentucky Kingdom, it was shortly after Six Flags had abandoned the property. Ed Hart's group was pushing for a new plan (before Bluegrass Boardwalk was a thing) and I was able to tour the property. I assumed there was absolutely no way that park was ever going to reopen given the state it was in (some sections had been closed even longer), the ridiculous land and lease situation, and trying to find a viable group. After the Boardwalk fell through, I just assumed the park was done. I was certain of it. Lo and behold—I finally got to visit it in 2017. I was so happy to have been so wrong. What a great park that's really doing some great things these last few seasons.

^ @TombraiderTy, as always, thank you! Would love to see that blue vinyl one, I never knew it even existed. I'm also mad at myself for never having gone to look into that old laser tag building/cinema building when I worked for the park.