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Beast... ... You are the father. *Eruption of boos from the crowd*

Hey guys. I got a chance to go to my second coaster enthusiast event, ACE Northern Ohio's Holiday Party, yesterday. I'm not an ACE member, but the experience seemed like a fun birthday present for myself (as I had a birthday on Black Friday). It's the first time I've ever been inside a park when it's closed, and it was a really neat experience. There's something oddly peaceful and equally interesting about an entirely silent, closed park, and I really hope I get a chance to experience it again sometime soon. (On that note, I'm incredibly bummed I can't make it to GOCC's KI event this weekend... I bet KI is just as interesting in its own way.) I don't know how I'd write an actual PTR for this since it was just CP's Bryan Edwards leading us around Millennium Force, Maverick, and the Frontier Trail answering questions, with a meal and presentations later at Kalahari, so I'll just share some photos. Enjoy! Some of my favorites: Man, I miss Blue Streak. Shot of the lift hill base from under the station. They must have removed the catch car, because I couldn't see it anywhere. Artsy shot of the CP&LE RR. Short lines today. The ride's final hill, from the side you don't usually see inside the park. Under the lift hill. Not an angle you usually see if the lift. I thought it was cool, though it would look better with a train, in my opinion. Then we walked along the train tracks to Maverick. As you can see, the sky was perfect for picture taking. Maverick's heartline ro--no, wait... The first drop, which looks, oddly enough, more intense from underneath than from the midway. Probably one of my favorite shots of the day. Again, I feel like it could be improved with a train, but c'est la vie. I don't think I could exactly have asked them to send a train. The world needs more solar flare. Also one of my favorite shots. Bonus round: for ten points, can you name what ride this is? There are several more pictures to be found on my Flickr, so head that way if you'd like to see more. I've got several more shots of Millennium, Maverick, Snake River Falls, Shoot the Rapids, and the Frontier Trail. I had a blast. Hearing representatives from CP, Waldameer, Kennywood, and Kalahari was a whole lot more interesting than I'd bargained. I even scored a flag off the lift hill of Ravine Flyer II! (Guess that means I finally have to get around to visiting Waldameer next year... Man, they just had to go and twist my arm like that, didn't they. ) Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Spider-Man is Spongebob on steroids? I can't say I've ever heard that comparison, or that I necessarily agree hahaha. Spider-Man is a dark ride that moves on a path through a show-building populated by physical sets that blend seamlessly into 3-D digital projection screens that replicate depth and motion. The ride vehicle also tilts, turns, twists, and simulates drops, physical interactions with 3-D effects, and spins as it navigates through the warehouse. There's also fire, water, fog, lasers, moving props, in-ride audio, subwoofers in the seats, moving scrims... It is still known to be one of the most technologically advanced dark rides on Earth, and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Each vehicle cost about $1 million alone, and it was the subject of numerous travel channel specials for its incredibly advanced technology, almost single-handedly earning Islands of Adventure the slogan "The most technologically advanced theme park on Earth" when it opened. Spongebob is a theater-style motion simulator. Haha! Again, interesting comparison, but I think it sets it up as a "missable" ride, when in fact it is one of the best rides I have ever, ever experienced... Ever. GYK, who is fiercely protective of Islands of Adventure and Spider-Man!

A Kings Island shirt you probably don't have? Wanna bet? I also have the matching hat somewhere, which is similar to this one... ...only with the same Beast logo that's on the shirt. I was one of the media liasons for that day, when Montel Williams was there for the announcement of SoB.

Thanks for doing this Standbyme. This is has quickly become my favorite topic on the board.

Are you sure your dad wasn't there to present plans to KI for a new area of the park? A counter-proposal to Mr. Brady's, perhaps? I'm sure KI would have consulted a few different firms, not just one. Was your dad carrying any long, cylindrical tubes around the park?