KI Guy

I'd like to see a B&M hyper that goes beyond 90 degrees. I think that beyond 90 degree drops are under-utilized and quite thrilling.

I wish I could have ridden them. We're they reliable like GCI or did they age poorly like some CCIs? You've been around a lot longer than me. How were Traver's terrible trio?

Ok, ok those 11 coasters not withstanding. I hadn't heard of Mr. Cobb. I think you can still see a big difference overall pre-GCI/CCI. Very few twisting drops and accents. Straight drop, turn, straight drop. They brought back the twister. I like his quote "If you make it too smooth, it'll be like sitting in your living room."

It's hard to overstate how much GCI and CCI revolutionized wood coasters. Ride a Dinn Corporation, and then a GCI or CCI. It is night and day. GCI and CCI were the first to challenge John Allen's "out and back"/ no fast, high curves paradigm.

In fairness Dollywood was not the thrill ride player it is today before Thunderhead was installed. I can understand what Bansheeback is saying to an extent. The larger parks CP, CW, KD and KI all don't have GCIs. I don't really see why they can't have them these days. In the past I think there may have been concerns with capacity, but GCI has recently ventured into 3-train operation.The reason the other parks aren't receiving installs is because they "already have one." I've never really understood that sentiment though to be honest. There are many different things you can do with coaster track without coasters feeling the same... marketing maybe I don't know. I think parks think too short term as far as attractions on the park. They severely overrate a ride as being different vs being fun. Over 35 years out there are people are still going to KI to ride The Beast. Yeah they already had a wood coaster in The Racer but that's where the similarities between those two stop. If people have a good time they will come back and bring their friends.

Stretched as in not going to happen, or stretched as in too soon or late?

I think the video pushed Soak City a little too far out. It will probably continue to be a sort of bonus/secondary part of Kind Island, unlike KK and HW where the water park is treated as equally or more important. I definitely don't mind personally since I only go to the water park once our twice a season. It's due before 2020 though. Many of the slides are original to the park in the late '80s. Since 2004 the water park has only received 3 all-new attractions, the mat slide, the funnel and the new wave pool. I know I've said this before, but the best place for a new woodie is where the 1993 Bat sits now because of the woods and terrain. I'm not rushing to tear out The Bat mind you. In an ideal situation I'd like a CCI-like design with GCI reliability; those might be incompatible . Anyone ever notice how many trees they gutted when they built SOB? I've seen the difference on Google Earth.

Wow, it sounds like we have a good deal here in the heartland for the most part. I wouldn't want the pace of life to be faster honestly. I admit I do get a little annoyed at the very slow pace of service I've noticed in my brief visits to the South, but the friendliness in service is impeccable. People from the coasts must feel the same way about us.

I'm curious. What are some things that are different about people and life outside the Midwest?

I hope this is a case of cream masquerading as skim milk. That does happen, just not as often. Where there's smoke there's fire. Parks often have 5 year plans. I would love nothing more than for a true wooden coaster to be in said plan.

I appreciate that you give us some resolution on all your wild hints and "diversions." You must know some serious people in the industry to know SIX plans and FUN plans well in advance.

Don't forget the end of Vortex thread revival. Should we have figured that out yet? Should we have figured out why you keep saying "2O15 is a big year", (compact typewriter style)?

It was stubbornness killed the (Son of) Beast.

That wouldn't be too hard. They don't build many out and back style woodies anymore, and The Beast is unlike any coaster every built.

The park has plenty of steel already; it's time for some timber IMHO. These modern wooden coasters are amazing and a lot of guests are missing out on the unique experience they provide.

Oktoberfest needs some love. I wonder if a German themed dark ride is doable. I would be equally happy with an old-fashioned walk-through attraction like Noah's Ark at Kennywood or Frankenstein's Castle at Indiana Beach.

It couldn't be as dizzying as The Looper. A complete ride cycle of somersaults or back flips depending on which side you sit.

I second Air Race. Has anyone ridden one? I'm basing my opinion on looks, but there are a lot of flats that LOOK fun. As far as long-term, put me in for a 3 train GCI at about the length of the Voyage that hugs the terrain and has tunnels.

My family had a good time at Freestyle Music Park, but I can see why Hard Rock Park didn't work at a $50 price point. It was not worth that price, and the market was just not there. Myrtle Beach has always been a relatively cheap beach/golf vacation. It was well worth the cost of admission we paid though... 2 for $17.76 BEFORE 4!

This is just about the right level of investment if you ask me. 2013 was pretty much an off year as far as additions go. 2014 was the expensive year. 2015 is a light year monetarily. It makes good sense. 2016 will probably be a medium year. Maybe a medium priced flat or two. Maybe a flat and a new slide complex. The coasters will probably continue to pop up ever 4-6 years. I think the park's most pressing "needs" are Soak City slides followed by low to medium thrill flats.

It's interesting to me that the FC pad has not been used in about 20 years. I'm sure the tragic accident that occurred there has something to do with that. Do you guys believe that a Zamperla Air Race would be inappropriate in this location since it is vaguely reminiscent of Flight Commander? The park does have a relationship with Zamperla. An Air Race seems like a nice in-between flat ride. The giant flats seem to be more trouble than they're worth in many cases.

That's a good point. It would be even worse because Larsons are only 8-tub.

^^^^^ McSalsa, you're rushing to judgement a little bit. I ride the Disko ride and Boo Blasters on occasion and I'll certainly ride the new scooters. I'll admit I'm not a big fan of putting traditional family/adult flats in a kid's area, sure. It seems kind of a disservice to the rides but that's just my personal opinion. Now, don't say location doesn't matter. It's very important. For one, many families with older kids do not even go to Planet Snoopy. It's probably less likely that said family will travel to Planet Snoopy specifically for the scooters, or Disko. There are kids usually of a certain age who wouldn't be caught dead in kiddieland, (probably who you thought I was), that are out because of the placement. Put a ride in a kiddie area and it is usually thought of as a kid's ride.

Putting the scooters in Planet Snoopy goes directly against Mr. Ouimet's desire to have rides that the family can and want to ride together. I would have used the Flight Commander pad and kept the rest of the changes in Planet Snoopy.

Remember that a ride can always be theoretically safer. Riding an amusement ride entails a very, very small risk. Ride experience, capacity and financial concerns do play a role in safety system design, let's not kid ourselves, and that's how it should be as long as safety remains paramount and is not compromised in any way. I could install over the shoulder harnesses on Diamondback, put a padded safety cage over that and just to be safe install safety nets below the entire course of the track just in case of an ejection. However, this is not necessary as riders and the park are more than willing to assume the tiny, tiny inherent risks of a world class roller coaster.