Creed Bratton

I don't think there is any purposed for them leaving there just the fact that they don't want to order a new face plate. I believe that in the drive box it still has the IJ stuff.

I was in Phoenix, Arizona on vacation visiting a friend. On my last day 7/24/2010 my friend Ronda and I headed to Castles 'N Coasters. We got a $15 ticket at Food City. This ticket let us do unlimited rides and one round of putt putt. We got there about 6:30 pm, because we had a few errands to run. First thing we did was get our wristbands. Ronda got a stamp and I didn't. We went directly to Desert Storm. The ride op there mentioned that if you don't have a stamp you must go to guest services to get one if you want to ride. So I ran all the way back to the front of the park, got a hand stamp and got back in line for the ride. Desert Storm- This was an interesting coaster. They had two ride ops working the first time I rode. The train came into the station and we were instructed to not board the train until told to do so. We waited in the queue with no gates but a little sign on the floor that says do not enter, for about 5 minutes until we were allowed to board....the train just sat in the station why we sat waiting. Finally as we were told to board, they did a quick check of restraints and loose articles. I sat in 4-4. The lift hill was kinda cool, had chasing globe lights all the way up. The drop was awkward. It went immediately to the left. It was a little rough. The two loops were awesome!! Breaking system was kinda jumpy. This time I gave it a 6/10. Splash Down- We decided to do this next because it was hot, well Arizona is hot so of course we were going to do this! We ended up riding twice! This didn't get you completely soaked, but a good amount of water hit ya. The first turn was really rough...seems like it needed some kind of tracking. The hills were great! I give this a 9/10 for both times we rode it. Patriot- Cute little coaster! Again there were no gates. The lift hill was amazingly themed with paintings of the train filled with recognizable characters all the way up the hill. Although it was a simple coaster it was very easy and not rough at all! It sends you through 2 cycles which I thought was pretty amazing. There was only one scary part....when the 2nd cycle was complete the train didn't always make it completely back into the station so the ride op had to push it in. I give this one a 7/10. Magic Carpet- I've missed these rides (Himalayas). The music rocked and the fun was had! Apparently during our ride a couple of girls pulled their restraint bar out of the locked position so we stopped mid cycle. That was kinda scary! But after that was taken care of we had a blast going backwards!!! I give this a 8/10. Sky Diver- An incredible small scale Drop Tower. This ride is the newest at Castles 'N Coasters. It is 120 ft tall. The lift is smooth...but literally as you reach the top you are dropped! Uber fun! I'm sure I had a look of terror on my face! You drop so fast! I give this a 9/10. We then hit up the putt putt. We did course 3. It was quite interesting. Nothing too exciting. There were a few holes that you had to hit the ball up a steep ramp...not fun! Small park over all rating: 9/10. I'd go back! Hope you enjoyed reading...if ya have any questions just ask!

pcc to answer your question about the I love the way we talk thing, I believe it was a cell phone company promotion in the park one day....I'm not sure who...but I believe that people take these things, don't want them and then stick them places.

Leaving on Monday...anyone have any other info or ideas?

I'm originally 20 minutes from the zoo! I love it!!! Zoombezi Bay is nicely planned out, Jungle Jacks landing is fun and the zoo its self is big! I am very proud to call that zoo my home zoo!

Like terpy said it depends on when that panel was built/last remade and where in the panel is located. There are some panels that can tell you exactly how to fix the ride if something happens if they are more modern. Most I believe tell you where the trains are, where they are approaching, etc. They will show if seats haven't opened, if they are locked or unlocked. Button wise, it depends on what all is needed. Some of the panels have touch screens. It seems really complicated but once you get to understand the system, it's not bad at all.

I heard a ride op say that on The Beast just two weeks ago.Also, on AE, a ride op got on the ride behind us even though people were still waiting in line. I didnt think that was very kind. Every so often ride ops are asked to take a test ride. I wasn't there so I dunno what happened. On a really long day when I was working on Diamondback I gave a spiel as guests were boarding the train to the effect of "Please locate all 7 exits of the ride for when your experience is completed." The look on some peoples faces were great! I love when it rains and ride ops tell people to enjoy their ride on Kings Island's first completely underwater ride.

I think it's a fun little coaster. I love seeing the man with the spear through him and love to see the infamous tiki dudes! I'm glad to see the lava effect has been turned back on! Could it be better? Yes. But it's what we've got! I do like seeing the up close views of SOB. For what it's worth I've heard that AE outranks Cedar Creek Mine Ride from several people!

I'm not sure if I understood you correctly....do they have mini golf? HAHAHA Thanks for the tip about having the # with me.

I'm heading out to Phoenix in less than a week and apparently Castles 'N Coasters is "Arizona's Amusement Park". Has anyone ever been here? Suggestions? I'm planning on going on the 24th. Please advise!

The last few trips I've taken most of them had a full queue in the station.

Double Post Please Delete!

As a former DB crew member, yes folks I don't work there anymore...had to quit on personal issues, I can answer this question. When the SRL is closed, that means that there are guests all the way down the stairs. The people in this line could wait for 20-50 minutes depending on how fast the general line is moving. It is often deemed quicker to go through the main line than it is to go in the SRL. It may not look full to you...but it is. When I visit the park, when I'm alone I often just go through the regular line as it moves quicker than the SRL. I hope this helped.

I too have seen a cat curled up and sleeping under the DB final breakrun. I named the cat Chester!!

I rode it about 2 weeks ago and the braking seemed weird to me then. It was quite jerky coming to a stop which I had never noticed before, so you might be on right track with your brake idea. I noticed this too!!! It was almost skewing. Which I didn't think was normal.

One Word: BEEHEMOTH!!!! Rode it on its first open day!!! Awesome!

Hahaha! All smiles here!!! Jasper, it's not my favorite ride out there however it is great to cool off by and it's fun to operate when I get sent there to work! Barvarian all I have to say is hahaha! It's kinda funny because I have three people I refer to as Gary Coleman (both Gary Colemans celebrity and KI Gary, and then a guy who goes to the same bar I do that looks like the celeb!) Haha! Kirk, you know Gary is probably one of my favorite park patrons that I see when I'm working. He is the sweetest guy, funny, he has even talked to my supervisors about me doing a good job when I've had a complaint, not to mention he has Lifesavor's Mints!!!! But I'm very happy with the outcome of the picture and grateful that he bought it for me, when I didn't even ask. The picture will be displayed for a good while!

Ridership Challenge is just a friendly challenge between parks to see who can do better in capacity. Of course it's KI!

Yesterday, 6/20/2010 was a long hot day at the park, but a really great one! I ended up getting to ERT, riding Diamondback first making that ride my 271st ride since it has opened, then headed to Beast. Beast ran really smooth in the morning! Then headed back to Diamondback because the main line wasn't very packed and I went through the SRL being by myself. I stayed at Diamondback until 11:30 when I need to get a break for water and shade! Before I saught out the water and shade I ran over to the Crypt. The line was packed! It was great to see that it got some loving yesterday. After getting off I went to the Festhaus and sat to eat and drink water. I however didn't know that the new country show had already started, so that was a nice little treat! I then ran to Vortex to get a ride in. Back to Crypt for a second ride. Then to Diamondback in and out of the SRL fun til about 5ish. I got to my 300th ride yesterday and rode with Gary Coleman! It was a blast! I really couldn't believe that I got that many rides so far and 30 in a day! I then took and Gary proceded to buy me my ride photo! Which was really sweet! I then took another break, from the heat....went and rode the Dodgems and then met up with some friends. We rode Flight Deck, Delirium, the Viking Ship Diamondback (301) Backlot Stunt Coaster and then ended with a ride on Drop Tower. It was a really rewarding day! I'm happy with the way the day went!

I was in line for Diamondback at that point......some people....gosh...if it's really that big of a deal that you have to get a shoe or whatever....talk to the ride ops!

I love it, any time that I have ever done it, it has been at $5 even in the late afternoon.

All good suggestions....I'll keep them in mind! Any more ideas let me know! I am either going to fly or bus it out!

I'm kinda hoping to go out of Ohio...so it can be a true vacation for me! Haha! I've thought about going to KD or Carowinds, or actually anywhere I haven't been for the parks, so KI, CP, and CW. I'd probably only go to whatever park decided for two days max and would love to do other things in said area...so I'm not sure!

Hey all! So I've got roughly a week vacation at the end of July 19-24th ish....I'm lookin at taking a vacation. I've been toying with the idea of visiting a Cedar Fair park for a fraction of my vacation, among other going and doing something different. I'll be going by myself. So I guess my question is: If you were to go on a vacation by yourself...where would you go, what would you do, and if you were to visit a Cedar Fair park, which would you go to? Thanks for your help in advance!!!

Riding Diamondback all the time, I'd have to say 8-3 is my absolute favorite....however, riding 1-1 with your eyes closed the whole entire ride is incredible!!