CoastersNSich

I think with respect to Ryan's comments, the Italian Job: Stunt Track will be to steel coasters what The Raven (and some others) have been to wood coasters. Granted there are some differences in costs and aesthetics, with IJ having the theming and technological advancements throughout.. But what's in common: elements of surprise, tight turns, and some airtime, not to mention less emphasis on being big - less concern about speed, length, height, etc. I can't decide yet what my favorite part of this ride is, but I really enjoyed the pitch black tunnel. Sure, Jeff Siebert gave me and a few others a no-camera tour inside that tunnel, but even I felt disoriented when I took my first rides. I, like many others, had some skepticism about IJST when it was first unveiled, being a lower-capacity family coaster that was short with some theming - because it wasn't the big speed machine with big drops and multiple loops and special inversions and big trains I had been hoping for. But I'll look at it this way: There's a food court at my local mall/student center. The most popular places will be the ones serving chicken sandwiches, burgers, cheese coneys, and pizza. There will be a few ethnic stands, including the Mexican, and Chinese places. One day I choose to have the Mexican, which I rarely do, and it has less demand than the standard fare. I eat it, and I really like it, and look forward to doing it again! That could be said about IJST compared to Raging Bull, Magnum, SheiKra, Dragster, and Hydra. I'll sum things up by saying that PKI has delivered what they promised in the animations: a thrilling, unique coaster that the whole family can enjoy. And as a big thrill/supercoaster junkie, it satisfied my needs as well.

Got 2 rides - before 6 pm, and another around 9 pm. Can't wait until all the effects are running, and so far what's there is great! I'm wondering why the heck they had to check height in the station, when they could've done so at the greeter stand - again I keep saying that these delays will really add up!

I plan to be there - hopefully the weather will be like last Friday. I might go and see the Ducks hockey game that night as well after doing IJST and a couple other things. Probably also say hi to Don Helbig (The Racer rider) who is the team's spokesman and broadcaster.

I think that it's an ideal sense of community. Someplace you can go with your family and friends, run into others you know. A chance to have a wild, one of a kind experience that you know you will be safe after doing. A very safe environment, from the midways to the rides themselves. And most imprortantly, a chance to get away from the chores, bills, and strife we all wish would go away. Did I say lots of roller coasters?

I enjoy a few rides on Face/Off here and there. Like many of us, I don't ride it often because of the long lines that result from the low capacity. But it was a good investment, and I'm sure PKI is committed to it, especially with the brand new repaint job - looks great! It's very intense, what makes it great. If they would touch-up the coasters more often than waiting several years for a complete repaint... And for the complete circuit Vekoma's, I'll take Thunderhawk over T2, especially since the former is getting some new paint. Geauga Lake is slowly getting better.

I'd say to be there right when the gates open at 9 am. That's when you will be free to roam International Street and go up to the connector paths that are roped off. To get to the kiosk, stay on the right side of the fountain, and the kiosk will be on the right side of the Eiffel Tower (that tall big metal thing that is closed 'cause they're repainting it.) As long as the passes are still available, you will get one with a timed entry (of a time frame of about 15 or 30 minutes) when you are permitted to enter the IJST speed lane. However, if you want to be among the first to ride IJST on the day you visit, you should line up at the rope east (or behind) the Eiffel Tower for a first-come first serve ride at 10 am. Especially if you don't want to wait for a ticketed walk-on later on in the morning/day. Of course being a new ride in 'rehearsal mode,' you may have to wait longer or find a new set of plans as shutdowns/delays are very likely. I hope this helps you, have a great visit! T. Allen "CoastersNSich"

I thought that Delirium had a top speed of 76 mph, according to the sign. Is maXair posting its speed (70) as average. These discrepancies seem weird, because the two rides are essentailly the same model, and in the same U.S. state. But then again, HUSS probably tweaked the model some to make the newer (maXair) swing higher than the older Delirium. Another tip on spelling the name of PKI's Giant Frisbee: Think two names: DELI and RI-UM... DEL-I-RI-UM. What ever way you phoneticize it, think DELI.

I'm planning to be there, but forecast of some bad storms may push back my trip to Saturday.

What B&M coaster is close to being the tallest or fastest??? They are all just fun! B&M's are great for families, they're smooth, not overly scary, and have great line speed. Plus they are fun! Even seaworld has B&M's. I think you hit home what I was trying to say!

Honestly, I'm expecting that there will be a kids area revamp/expansion for 2006, and that's cool, since the park has won awards for it. Here's an article of an interview of Walter Bolliger, the co-founder of Bolliger and Mabillard. A second article with Bolliger about BGT's SheiKra. If I can find families that enjoy coasters by Arrow, Vekoma, Premier, and Intamin, I don't know they can't really enyou B&M's. Take Raptor at Cedar Point, or Raging Bull at SFGAm. They may have long lines, but they move quickly. And I often saw people who just got off these rides get back in line. Did I see families ride together? Absolutely! In fact, I'd argue that B&M makes family-friendly trains because they seat four-across. Also, B&M is not about being the tallest and fastest, nor using linear induction motors or non-gravity acceleration, but rather "imitating flight". Bolliger wants people to get off SheiKra with smiles on their faces. Passengers on wooden coasters have a different feeling when they get off, he said. ``They feel brave that they survived, but never want to go on the ride again.'' That's why I believe those statements that PKI isn't a good place to get a B&M in the next few years are BS.

I just bought the DVD of the first two seasons of Ren & Stimpy. Kinda vulgar with the booger, poop, pee, and fart scenes, but hilarious!, Kinda light compared to South Park.

I think anyone who loves coasters should head east to Virginia, and visit this park, along with Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.

I guess that something good, smooth, thrilling, high in capacity, and something people want to ride several times isn't what they want, even if they want to keep PKI the #1 seasonal park. Don't get it. And my resopnse to those who say that a B&M won't fit in at PKI: Why does Kentucky Kingdom have one?

I share some of these sentiments. Honestly, life isn't bad having a park like this less than a half hour away from home. I think there are people who'd kill to have a park like PKI near them! Even if I seem to like Cedar Point slightly more, it's nice to live in the greater Cincinnati area and have a good large park near home. Northern Ohio (outside the metro areas) can get kind of boring in the off-season. Did you just say what I think you said?

Angelina Jolie came for the TRTR opening? I remember that a 'stunt double' played Lara Croft at the PKI's TRTR media day. But I have heard Charlize Theron might show up for the PKI IJST event.

You might be a PKI Addict if........ it is the social center of your life for 7 months of the year.

Unfortunately, not every guest bothers to read the fun & safety guides at the front of each ride - especially those that may specially be affected by the rules. I know this, from personal experience as a former employee - from smoking in line, to guests not wearing shoes, proper shorts, and a shirt. On Friday I rode SOB and experienced a lot of discomfort - but I didn't complain because I actually knew what I was doing - and knew that wood + lots of height + lots of speed = intensity.

I'd like to see fresh brewed ice tea at most of the food stands. It would be a good and healthy, yet tasty, alternative to sugar and carb-loaded soda.

Worlds of Fun, a Cedar Fair park near Kansas City, MO, has installed this sign on their TimberWolf wooden coaster. I'm assuming that the park put up this sign because people have complained about the rides's roughness. Should other parks like PKI install such signs on coasters like Son of Beast?

The park was surprisingly light to moderate for a warm Saturday, so I stayed the entire day, 9-9! That way I would be way too tired to attempt to go back tomorrow. Not just was Face/Off finished, but the east side of the Eiffel Tower has been repainted.

Mistake or not, I want to know what firm has employed me full time.

GE Transportation Aircraft Engines is also one of those companies that buys out PKI every september. In years before I had season pass, that's when my family went because my grandfather once worked at GE. BUT you will get four days in September to visit the park.... Fri-Mon, 2-5. (Labor Day weekend). After then, it's October and Fearfest.

CNS' list of pet peeve topics (growing): PKI vs. CP The next ride to be removed Anti-SOB

Skyflyer, one of my favorite persons works there.

I chose the B&M speed coaster, also known as their hyper coaster. And also because Raging Bull and Apollo's Chariot are among my favorite coasters because of their smoothness, airtime, and capacity - something that can easily work at a very popular park like PKI.