GrandsonofBeast

Please help... I have a 2011 Kings Island Platinum Pass (renewed online from 2010). My wife and son just got their Cedar Point platinum passes processed yesterday (long painful story why we use different parks). So I have the three Platinum Passes, two CP and one KI. I called Kings Island today to try to do the right thing and verify that all three passes would work this Saturday and make sure that they will all work. The lady who helped me was able to verify that my pass is set (the KI one), but that the Cedar Point ones won't come up, "probably just because they are from a different park and we don't have their data". She said "you guys should be fine though". It's been bugging me all afternoon and evening now. I am very worried that one of us is going to get a red X and will be forced to get in the daunting 2-4 hour process line. I don't live close to KI and this Saturday will probably be our only trip there, not to mention my wife made a special trip to CP just to avoid wasting hours in "that" line. Questions: 1) What are the chances we get a red x? - The CP platinum passes will be 48 hours old when we attempt to use them at KI, is the information downloaded (or whatever) every night so that other-parks-passes register? Most important question: 2) If I bring their vouchers (which I made copies of before they went to CP), their order receipts - which show confirmation payment has been "processed and accepted" and an order # - and photo ID's, will this be enough to still be allowed in, without delay, should the dreaded X come up when the platinum passes are scanned?

Looking forward to some footers! Footers in December? Start seeing some vertical action in January and February? Testing in March?! Oh no! I really didn't want to start getting excited yet! There is still way too long of an off season to go...

It was probably part of the deal with Mondial to get the name out. And Kings Island isn't my home park... Cedar Point is, but you guys at KI should be pretty excited, you got DB in '09, you're adding a sweet 300' flat in '11, and will probably be brought up a lot more at the round table discussions for possible coaster additions in '12. It's not like you're being left out.

I do, Knotts and Canada's Wonderland are both 301 ft., more than likely CP is going in at 301 or higher. That would make 3 of 3 over 300 ft.

Wind Seeker fits all the way around. Same day at CW and CPs announcements. CW has already said it's a Wind Seeker, and 301 ft. That would fit right in with the hints dropped about KIs attraction. I just want to know when (what time) it's being announced, and Knott's for that matter.

Did KI say when they are announcing their new Wind Seeker?

Here a wind seeker, there a wind seeker, everywhere a wind seeker. I agree with CoastersRZ about the overlapping markets, but you have got to keep in mind these things are cheap, much more so than a coaster. Look at Delirium and MaXair too. I think CF may be viewing the Star Flyer as something that every park should have... not something you drive 8 hours for.

The image is of the concept art as it is panning over to the new attraction, just before it is in the picture... IMO

100% agree Cormaster. Dick has stated TTD was a mistake (I think he actually said Disaster was the biggest). For them to throw up another one would seem a little odd. I would have to wonder about who produced the fake document though. They would have to know, especially while typing the legal spiel at the top, that they could be in some trouble for producing such false documents.

Not to get off subject, but we were discussing all of the left over money... then I saw this at another site. Now it doesn't seem legit... and length is spelled wrong, but still, we can dream, can't we? Skycore

The article talks about Cedar Point. Again, yes it is possible that they made a mistake and meant the whole company and therefore another park, not likely, but possible. They go on to say a 400 ft Star Flyer was planned. It would be a world record. IMO, it is not too much of a stretch for that last shadow of a doubt (them meaning Cedar Fair) to be cancelled out by the world record statement. Yes, there may be two, but certainly at least one (the record) was/is headed to Cedar Point. They are around 7 hours apart. It's not like we are talking about an attraction that people will drive hours for anyways. Yes, if they invest $60M in two $30M coasters at parks so close in the same year it may be a little odd, but we're talking about, relatively, a cheap ride here and something that will still draw an audience. I like the move (moves) all the way around. And that stupid "most coasters" record is really ticking me off. I like Dick, believe it or not (did I just say that?), but this "gotta hold the record" thing is so silly. Mean Streak is going to hurt someone and Disaster is such a huge beach-blocking building out on the beach... and what? Are we going to throw up a couple of unwarranted kiddie coasters just for a record that may not help attendance at all? If you ask me, the park would be fine ripping out a few, taking the total down and putting up quality coasters/flats/dark rides.

I think that is the epitome of altering facts to fit individual desires. You're going to lose all respect for Cedar Fair if they do what, find a cheap (<$5 million) way to put up a 400 ft, world record breaking, flat? If you ask me, in these troubled times, it seems like a pretty smart route to take. They have to be fiscally responsible at some point. Of course, if by lose respect you mean be really upset they didn't build what you wanted.

You have read the article, right? Not only do they say Cedar Point, they talk about how Cedar Point wanted it to be 400 ft. So even if, by the slimmest of chances, they meant to put Cedar Fair, do you really think Canada's Wonderland was debating putting up a 400 ft. star flyer (and taking the world record)?

I don't think it is "the swing", I think it is "the swings". It is sounding more and more like Cedar Fair worked out a deal for two Wind Seekers.

I'm really disappointed in Funtime. There was no reason to do an interview with the SR about this. Of course the paper is going to run the story, and more power to them for breaking the news, but isn't it a little taboo for Funtime to disclose the plans of parks if you are a manufacturer? Even if there are grounds for a lawsuit, why let the cat out of the bag for everyone to see before the announcement?

It is looking more and more like a Star Flyer or a knock off. Every clue, every time, matches up with the theory.

I agree that CW's latest hint does seem to point to Stratosoar. It references height and the sky (atmosphere/stratosphere) in the teaser. But... that could just be to throw us off.

Gun to my head I would say $20-$25M to both Canada's and Knotts. But part of me, the part that drives to Kings Island, says Wonderland isn't exactly in the drout that Knotts is. I mean, they did just get Behemoth in 2008.

Except "general improvements" don't go under CapEx. "A capital expenditure is incurred when a business spends money either to buy fixed assets or to add to the value of an existing fixed asset with a useful life that extends beyond the taxable year"

Screamscape does have a good summary of how CapEx is being broken down this year. Basically, in summary, even if "stratosoar" or whatever 2011 is at CP costs $10M, there is still $45M left in CapEx to split between Knotts, KI, and Canada's. If "stratosoar" costs only $5M that leaves even more for the three parks to split. Will the big coasters be going to Knotts and Canada's or is KI getting in on that $50M? I think CP's announcement may shed some light on how much $$$ is left over.

Interesting comments from John H. today. He claimed that while he rides most everything at the park and loves Millennium, he isn't sure if he'll ride the new ride. He also said he isn't sure if it will change the skyline or not, that it probably will depend at which angle you are looking from. And finally, he said the word "star" has nothing to do with the new ride. I still say Star Flyer, but the interview had connotations of a non-star flyer. Maybe just to throw us off?

That's just it. Most of Maverick and Dragster's hype was generated by the construction. The park always would say things like "we don't know what you're talking about". They try to keep a tight lid on the final plans. They don't want the competition finding out about the new $20M+ plans. It seems like with smaller attractions they don't get this self generated hype, so the park fuels it more to get the word out.

I always wonder if a lot of hype is a good sign or a bad sign. Not saying this is currently a ton of hype, but it looks like it will turn out to be a lot. Big attractions don't need a lot of hype, rides like Shoot the Rapids needed a ton of hype before the announcement otherwise no one would even no it existed this year. Yes, people get bummed out when they find out it isn't a coaster, but they know there is at least something new for next season, right?

1. Millennium Force 2. Diamondback 3. Top Thrill Dragster 4. Raptor 5. Maverick (though dropping fast)

Just two quick questions... With school starting up I want to hit Kings Island again with smaller crowds. I was thinking either August 28th or September 4th. 1) Do the crowds really die out in late August/Early September? 2) Is it better to go on August 28th because Sept. 4th is labor day weekend?