kirbias1
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Posts posted by kirbias1
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11 hours ago, Orion-XL200 said:
Have not heard, but they had the employees in the kiosks throughout the park that they brought back during the 150 celebration.
Yeah, they won't cut it at CP. Just like they didn't cut CPs operation calendar like they did at KI. Just like they didn't issue a chaperone policy at CP like they did at KI (even though CP does have issues with fights and line cutting as well). Etc....
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Does anyone know if Cedar Point's Park Ambassador program has been cut?
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1 hour ago, WoodVengeance said:
I feel like a Surf Coaster would probably be unique enough from other B&M models that the general public wouldn't really bat an eye over it being a fourth B&M. I've seen many comments from people who have ridden Pipeline at SWO, and they usually rave about how unique the ride experience is from anything else they've ridden. Keep in mind, SWO is a park that already has four B&M coasters and is about to get a fifth next year.
IMO Pipeline was very underwhelming. Capacity isn't so great as well. I think a flyer in front of park would be unique and fun.
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5 hours ago, WoodVengeance said:
I'd like to give my personal two cents on several options.
- Mack Extreme Spinner: This is what I'd personally like to see as Kings Island's next coaster, as it would give us an unique coaster not found anywhere else in the area and could also give us a potential elite coaster that doesn't overlap with anything currently at Cedar Point. The negatives I could personally see would be with capacity (I think the capacity would be okay, just not as good as something like a B&M) and the spinning being too much for the general public if it wasn't controlled.
- Mack Multi Launch: I could see thing being a safer alternative to the Extreme Spinner, though given the high price tag, I could see Kings Island opting to go with another manufacturer like Vekoma or Zamperla if they wanted a standard multi-launch.
- Vekoma Multi Launch or Tilt: If Kings Island strengthens their relationship with Vekoma after the installation of SSBR, I could see this being a feasible option. Personally I would like to see a tilt as it would give us a coaster that holds over the first drop while also being unique enough to stand out from Valravn. Given that the new-gen Tilt has yet to be fully constructed and is still in the experimental phase, I could see Kings Island playing it safe and getting a standard multi launch instead.
- Zamperla Multi Launch: If Cedar Fair really wants to strengthen their relationship with Zamperla, I could see this being an option, though not as likely as Vekoma. It is worth noting that Top Thrill 2 is going to be in the same state, so that may lessen the chances of one going here.
- B&M Dive: I personally think this is the safest option and would probably be the best-looking coaster visually to go in The Vortex plot. Although Valravn is in the same state, I don't think that's enough of a detractor for Kings Island not to get one. These types of coasters are extremely popular with the general public.
- B&M Wing: I don't think this would be as likely as a Dive, mainly because of how many B&M Wing Coasters already exist within the general vicinity of Kings Island (GateKeeper, X Flight, Wild Eagle and Thunderbird). A launched B&M Wing would probably be more likely, but given that two other Cedar Fair parks are rumored to add one, it might be too much if the chain got a third one for Kings Island.
- B&M Surf: Would be a good option if Kings Island wanted to get a new B&M coaster that Cedar Point doesn't have an answer for. Also going with what @SonofBaconator said, I would much prefer it if a surf coaster ended up in Action Zone over The Vortex plot to pay nod to the former King Cobra. However, I have heard mixed opinions regarding Pipeline at SWO. Although a lot of people seem to really enjoy the coaster, others have complained about how uncomfortable the restraints are. I don't think the restraitnts are much of a detractor since it seems to be a vocal minority, though it is worth bringing up.
- B&M Flyer: Again, another option Kings Island could go with if they wanted a B&M model Cedar Point doesn't have. However, I have heard this model has more maintenance issues than other B&M models and that could be the reason why Cedar Fair never built one. Probably the least likely B&M option I have listed.
- Gerstlauer Infinity: I don't think this is very likely due to capacity and also because of supposed issues that have been plaguing Hangime at Knott's. If Kings Island wanted a coaster with a vertical or beyond vertical drop, I imagine the park would just play it safe and get a B&M Dive over a Gerstlauer.
- RMC or Intamin: Unlikely options considering Cedar Fair's Relationship with both of these companies. Although it is a very small chance, I "could" see an RMC if Kings Island REALLY wanted to build one based on Son of Beast, though this is still unlikely for several reasons. It has been rumored that Cedar Fair has been interested in working with Intamin again after seeing the success of Velocicoaster, though this is still a rumor and I'll have to see it to believe it.
Hope it's not a Surf Coaster. Rode the one at SeaWorld and wasn't impressed at all. A flying coaster similar to the one at Universal Studios Japan would look great in front of park and would be amazing, IMO. But I doubt Cedar Fair would ever allow KI to have something that good.
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Built in 78. No "end of service life" for Loch Ness!
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1 hour ago, Orion-XL200 said:
I'm not sure what it is, but this season, I've really felt like the park is lackluster and not really feeling like visiting much. I've been going to CP way more often. Saturday I have the choice of going to KI or CP, but chose CP again. Just not feeling KI.
Is it just me, or does this feel like an intentional move by CF? Maybe they're tired of KI beating CP in the best park category the last few years. Seems like they are egregiously neglecting KI this year. Port Adventure is not good. Theming is ok but rides are horrible. Park doesn't look as clean. Baynum just stopped painting DB in middle of job only to leave and go up to CP to paint Dragster. CF issues chaperone policy for KI but not for CP even though they have had similar issues. Budget cuts to ride operations and Don leaving. Doesn't look good.
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7 hours ago, FUN&ONLY! said:
The landscaping is VERY lacking compared to past years. The many trees cut down does not look good as well as the lack of mulching.
Is Cedar Fair cutting costs by lowering full time personnel to make up for costs of paying seasonal employees more? Don't get it because park looked so amazing last year. They may be hiring more subs that are less expensive and don't do nearly as good of a job.
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1 hour ago, Tr0y said:
I’m amazed how much work there is still left to be done in the park when tomorrow is “opening day.” We already know Adventure Port won’t be ready, but I was surprised Diamondback is only partially painted. Any track beyond the Crypt building still needs painted. I didn’t see any boom lifts nearby, I hope they don’t do Diamondback like they did The Racer. The Beast was down multiple times today, I thought last season The Beast had more downtime than usual as well. I wonder if the re profiled hill might have something to due with it. I know today was basically a “soft opening” I am hopeful that today was just a one off and not a continuation of the issues from last year.
Yeah, agreed. this was very odd to me. Park doesn't look very good.Mulch was not even close to being finished and some of the places only had half of it down and it looked sloppy. They cut Japanese Maple trees down in multiple areas that were beautiful just last year. Adventure Port not open until summer? Weird as well. AE closed for a long time too. They had all off season to finish this as well. Cedar Fair always seems to find ways to close rides down for extended periods of time. Never seen the park look this bad for opening day either. Worlds of Fun apparently had this issue as well. In the past, this seems like it would all be finished. Very odd and concerning.
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Any thoughts about the notice of commencement with Sky-high and B&M listed on it for 23?
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1 hour ago, WoodVengeance said:
I think if that were the case, Kings Island would've already announced Invertigo's closure by this point. I do agree that Invertigo is likely to be the next coaster to get axe'd from the park given its age, capacity and its location near the front entrance. Given that Firehawk and Vortex were removed back-to-back years and that Vortex doesn't even have a replacement yet, I think Kings Island doesn't want to gain a reputation for removing too many coasters.
True, but the fact that O'Rourke Wrecking Company is on the notice does not sit well with me. They removed SOB, Firehawk and Vortex. That implies Invertigo could go if it's a front of the park coaster. Also, Don did say it was going to be a long time before they put anything in Vortex's place.
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On 1/5/2022 at 10:25 AM, medford said:
The notion that the top execs at Cedar Fair want something less for any of their parks so as to ensure they don't outshine Cedar Pointe is kinda silly. If you wanted to accuse Dick Kinzel of that, OK, I'd get that a bit, he grew up in Toledo and first worked at Cedar Pointe before eventually working his way up to CEO. He has a house just outside its property. Kinzel has since been replaced by a man that grew up in NY, became an accountant and worked for Disney for a number of years. He was later replaced by a man who grew up in Kansas and worked his way up thru the Virginia side of the parks. Meanwhile, there have been rumblings that management is looking to move headquarters out of Sandusky and down to Charlotte. From a pure business stand point, financially I see how that makes sense, its probably much easier to recruit and retain top level employees if they are based in Charlotte rather than Sandusky. One could certainly maintain such a move would take the heart out of the company, but I've digressed from the main point.
The simplest explanation is that CedarFair (not Pointe mind you) game Kings Island a budget and a roughly guideline on what to install. and left it to Kings Island management to take that budget and guidelines and tweak them to what they envision the parks best interests to be. It is in both KI's best interest as well as Cedar Fair's best interest for the park to thrive in the best way possible. CP and KI are two similar, yet very different parks with very different clients. The more complicated explanation is that top level Execs are scared CP would lose its luster to a park 300 miles to its south and therefor prevent that asset from delivering the best return possible.
I honestly think it's kinda silly, that you think it's kinda silly. KI was considered one of CPs main competitors before they took ownership of KI. So, the notion of CF wanting to keep KI's rides and overall guest experience scaled down because of them wanting CP to maintain its brand of best amusement park seems VERY SIMPLE to me. The simplest explanation is that in 16 years of ownership CF has yet to put in a record breaking attraction with the exception of longest invert in the world which no one really cares about. Before CF took ownership, prototypes and record breakers were common at KI. The simplest explanation is that while CP has been loading up on record breaking attractions while KI has been getting the scaled down family models. The simplest explanation is Cedar Fair has removed 3 roller coasters at KI and installed 5. That's only + 2 new coasters in 16 years. The fountains are now less than they were. The questionable removal of Vortex, which was a park ICON and many believe could have run for many more years and has left that area of Coney very lackluster, is yet another example. These are all FACTS. Not speculation. The body of work speaks volumes without any of the other white noise distorting the truth. I see better than I hear.
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1 hour ago, KIghostguy said:
Orion being "scaled down" was Kings Island's choice. They wanted a giga, but they also wanted a ride that people of all ages would be able to ride over and over again comfortably. It had nothing to do with Cedar Point.
Why should we believe that? Because they told you that when you were doing the research for your book? Of course they did! I guess it's totally coincidental out of the soon to be 6 Cedar Fair Gigas, that Kings Island happens to have the only scaled down one. Keep drinking that Cedar Fair KI Kool Aid. "With all things being equal, the simplest explanation is usually the correct one."
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6 hours ago, CoastersRZ said:
Except, Firehawk was a low capacity ride which required lots of operators to run. Vortex from what I had heard was going to need some major money to keep it running. If you read Evan`s KI history book, we should be fortunate that KI got Orion, since it was originally slated for another park.
On your subject of Knott`s, yes they are landlocked. But look at the market that they are operating in. Disneyland and Universal are not far, so competition is more prominent there. Also, look at what Knott`s has added since 2010 in terms of coasters. Coast Rider in 2013 (Mack wild mouse) and Hang Time in 2018 (Gerstlauer Infinity coaster). Kings Island in that same span has added Banshee (2014), Mystic Timbers (2017) and Orion (2020). Clearly Cedar Fair is investing money in KI. Also, Knott`s is open year round, so if they get a major new coaster, it can draw crowds over more days compared to KI. Knott`s is a terrific park.
Is it sad that KI lost Vortex? Yes. I think that the park needs to add something in that spot soon, as it makes the back end of Coney Mall seem very barren. I still don`t like that you can see The Beast`s station from the three point challenge.
Yes, I love Knott's. Fantastic park! But If Cedar Point was located in Southern California, do you think Knott's would still get this ride? That's what i've been saying about KI being in the same state as CP. I just think we get scaled down rides and downgraded in other ways becuase CP doesn't want KI to outshine them in any way.
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1 minute ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:
You think building a $30 million dollar coaster with a 300 foot drop is downgrading the park?? LOL x a million.
You're missing the point. Look what KI LOST to get it....and it's the lesser of ALL the gigas even though KI has so much land to work with. Look what Knott's is about to get in a landlocked park. That will probably be 50 million dollar investment without losing anything except parking spaces. Get it now?
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20 hours ago, brenthodge said:
Agree, and honestly I’d venture that with the fountain renovation, they actually lessened the experience. Now, if the grand renovation on international street involved pushing the seating out closer to the fountain all the way around allowing for the seating to be further out, bringing back a true “street” hardscape and light posts along the building side to better define the “street”, hiding speakers so they aren’t just hung on the buildings, building out soffits to hide lighting equipment instead of having cords bundled all over the buildings, installing enough electrical outlets to properly light all Winterfest trim with out running extension cords that are left up all year, replacing mall food court options with true international foods, bringing back some compelling retail instead of a mall build a bear, and creating a program fir a show fountain that stays grand and refined through the day, then amazes at night…THEN I’d say WOW that’s the most impressive project they’ve ever undertaken. As it is, they performed needed maintenance with an eye toward historical references, replaced aging pavers and cleaned up traffic flow, and replaced aging fountain equipment that resulted in an overused, too thin spray “show fountain” that looses its impact by the time of its show by showing off all its tricks throughout the day. I know I’ll get the usual “why do you even come here because you clearly don’t like the park” line I always get, but it’s just that I feel they could’ve done so much more when they had the chance (which won’t probably come around again for a long time) and that’s BECAUSE I enjoy the park and hope it to be the best it can.
Yep, Cedar Fair is very sneaky about downgrading KI. Here is your Giga, oh by the way, it won't even be 300 feet high and will be very short plus you'll lose Vortex and Firehawk in the process. Here is the "upgraded" fountains that look much less impressive when you walk in compared to before, but hey, they are synced to music and lights and you have new pavers! I'm worried their "sneaky" ways are continuing with the work that's going on with The Beast. Hopefully, the work doesn't lessen the experience.
All of these things at first seem like "upgrades", but after you think about it, are they really? And if they are not what they seem, then why? I think we all know why.
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The rumors from some CP fans is that it's going to Michigan's Adventure. I personally hope it comes to KI. I have always loved that ride. I wonder if it would fit in the large open space in Area 72 back by Orion break run where some people on here supposedly saw some soil samples spots?
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^ I don't think the coaster would go in the trees like you depict. I believe they would remove Timberwolf, Invertigo and Congo Falls and it would flyover the entrance area and turn around in employee parking lot to fly back over again.
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23 hours ago, coaster sally said:
I mean, a ride 1/3 shorter should hit the brake run quicker. Our rides last two days we were getting borderline ejector on the last two hills. Agreed the helix is a filler element just like orion's sideways hill, turn around, and helix.
MF is better than Fury and Orion.
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11 hours ago, coaster sally said:
After saying Fury is overrated for years, after reriding it recently it is far superior to Orion in every way. The camelbacks on fury is closer to ejector than the speed hill on Orion. I will still ride Orion and appreciate we have it but it is far from a standout attraction IMO.
I still believe it's overrated. Although, while being very good the first half of the layout, Fury becomes extremely anticlimactic once it reaches the very drawn out and slow helix. Orion, on the other hand, at least keeps good pacing until the break run. I've always thought Fury is top 10 worthy but not the best coaster on the planet like a lot of enthusiasts seem to think.
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21 minutes ago, gforce1994 said:
I have experience with surveying and placing markers. The work being done here seems like something for vertical construction.
That’s what I meant.
I agree. This seems like this is more than a just a road being prepped for. If they wanted to just pave an access road they would just lay asphalt like they did with Orion's. I don't remember seeing any markers for Orion's new access road back there. Also, isn't there already a shuttle picking the employees up at the dorm building?
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On 7/28/2019 at 4:08 PM, BeastForever said:
To those who are claiming AE to be "towards the end of its service life" - some food for thought...
Runaway Mine Train (SFOT), Dahlonega Mine Train, and Cedar Creek Mine Ride, the first three mine trains built, are still operating at 53, 52, and 50 years old respectively.
Adventure Express is 28.
I think AE is safe for now. Vortex, Invertigo and FoF were the only rides listed still in operation in Orion's theming along with all of the other defunct rides of KI's past . Vortex was closed shortly after. Invertigo and FoF are only ones left on that list that aren't retired. If we read into the theming, they will probably be the next to go. But having said that, Vortex was closed because" reaching end of its service life" but there are other rides similar in scale by Arrow still in operation like Lochness Monster at BGW which is almost 10 years older than Vortex was. So, who really knows with Cedar Fair. AE is a great Mine Train ride, I hope it's here for a long time.
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5 minutes ago, MIAParkman said:
Balls to the wall intensity with the high speed, low to the ground turns, which are snappy and provide airtime, hive dive, and 3 strong airtime hills. Drop is fantastic, overbanked turn is enjoyable but I prefer Levi's since it's tighter.
Fury is Intense the first half...... until it hits the huge, pointless helix. Then it crawls the rest of the way. Orion is fast until the break run. I'm still going to give Fury the edge, but not by much.
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55 minutes ago, ninevolt said:
My GP-centric Orion review summary: Very nice, would reride, but probably not this season due to wait times/traffic/world-at-large.
Disclaimer: I'm a one park person, but I've got a physics degree and therefore view coasters as giant steel tributes to differential equations -- I love both the ride experience, and the math involved in making the coasters feel that way.
Once upon a time I worked in a centrifuge where I had to spin pilots and trainees at high Gs. I've wound up appreciating exactly how G force affects the body.
We got to ride it once yesterday ( row 4 ) -- going into the ride, I wasn't terribly thrilled about the idea, but my 14 yr old has been obsessing about it since the original announcement and the CGI-rendered POV.
Lift hill: Probably the best moment for me was as soon as we're out of the station and going up, my 14 year old old starts mumbling "what have i done why did i think this was a good idea". I admit, I laughed more than I probably should have as a parent.
Drop: Wow, that was a heck of a thing. Definitely a great sensation of falling, and it's angled just enough that you have, for a brief glorious moment, that bit of sensory disassociation where you forget you're strapped into a chair until the drop starts bottoming out and you settle back in ever so slight and realize "oh hey, there's the train, forgot about it for a millisecond, and I'm not actually falling 300 feet into landscaping where the grass hasn't filled in." Great feeling, A+, amazing view as you have the momentary sensation of impending gravitationally induced doom.
First hill/'wave turn' : Nice mix of forces, should be really fun when they get back to running full trains. Looking to my left to watch my kid's face go from anguish to OH YEAH THIS IS WHY WE DO THIS was also good.
The Turnaround: The banked turn, nice mix of forces, and exiting low to the ground with that slight left bank as you head into the next small airtime hill? Perfection.
Airtime hill coming out of the turnaround: Oh, yeahhhhhhhhhh. That was awesome.
Airtime hill with the trim: I'm going to be a contrarian here and say that I think the trim hits perfectly, and scrubs enough velocity from the train to really throw riders forward/up just slightly enough to *ensure* maximum airtime while maintaining a GP-reasonable speed as you head into 'Orion's Belt'. People are already commenting that they were on the borderline of greying out during the helix, and I think that's just about where they'd want to keep the ride.
( My kid's assessment of the trim: "The trim is Orion's way of getting your attention -- it's the ride telling you that you will FLOAT AND PAY RESPECTS" )
Coming out of the helix under the headchopper-ish element? Nice. Last full hill before the popup into the brakes? Felt great, and transitioned nicely into the final popup into the brakes, at which point my son's assessment of "Well, *that* just happened" was never more apt.
We'll re-ride it when we can -- we have reservations this coming Monday, but don't plan to return to the park till late August this season, if at all.
Wife wants to get a few rides on Mystic Timbers, and I'd like a ride on Banshee -- so we have to play swap-the-kid-that-only-rides-flat-rides.
Do you think the ride will be even better in the future when the trains have more weight by running full capacity as opposed to running at half capacity now?
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1 hour ago, Driver8rws said:
I know I'm going to RIPPED up on here for saying, but this is my opinion.
Nothing special...
FURY 325 destroys Orion.
Nothing on Orion other than the drop was memorable. Didn't even feel a desire to immediately ride again. The line all the way back to Vortex lot probably had something to do with that.
I'll DEFINITELY ride it every time I come to KI, but I think Diamondback and Behemoth are actually better cause the ride is MUCH longer.
Giga wise, Leviathan and Intimidator 305 are also slightly better than Orion. And like I said, you GOTTA go ride FURY 325, THEN compare!
I don't want to be a "hater". I WANTED it to be amazing. After all that time and money and planning. It's a FINE ride. Great theming. Other coasters are just a LOT better.
I have ridden Fury 325, Intimidator 305 and MF as well, but not Orion as of yet. You seem to be in the minority here with your opinion regarding Orion, as I will probably be in the minority with this opinion; I remember thinking that Fury 325 was a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but only the first half. It hits the helix about halfway through and slows down to a craaaaaaawl the rest of the ride, While Millennium Force maintains it's speed throughout. MF is still my favorite Giga.
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Kings Island 2024 Food Reviews and Discussion
in Kings Island
Posted
Anyone notice that Viking Fury ride cycle is shorter? I can tell because it used to clear the station area in height, but now it doesn't and seems a little less in duration. Some of the other rides like Space Buggies seemed to be less as well.