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I took these while flying over the park last summer with a friend. The rest:

You obviously aren't familiar with the story of "The Rocket" at Ocean View Park. Ocean View Park was a seaside amusement park in Norfolk Virginia that lasted through the 1970s. It ultimately fell on hard times and the land became more valuable than the park's revenue (the park had become run-down, crime ridden and percieved by locals as a monstrosity when compared to the newly opened Buch Gardens in Williamsburg just 45 minutes away) thus the land was sold to developers. The park, in it's next-to-last season, was featured in the movie "RollerCoaster" where it's Rocket rollercoaster was the scene of a (staged) devistating mishap... a "mad bombing and train de-railment." (The park was chosen as the scene of the "bombing/de-railment" due to it's nearing it's closure and there were no concerns over any "bad press" a staged mishap in a film would cause the park.) The next year, the park closed and Holywood came calling. It was chosen as the site of a infamous made-for-tv movie called "The Death of Ocean View Park." This was a tale of an amusement park built on grounds that were collapsing/eroding. The movie culminated with the collapse/explosion of the entire park (with guests inside, of course) in a large spectacular fashion at the end of the movie. In reality, the land owners were approached by the network to have the demolition filmed for the disaster movie (which were popular at the time) and they agreed as the cost of the park's demolition would be covered by the network. For the filming, the Rocket Coaster was imploded with large amounts of dynamite... everything was set up as a "controlled demolition" and it went off without a hitch. Wrong Actually it went off with a BIG hitch. The coaster didn't collapse. Actually it stood firm through several takes and implosions over several days. Ultimately, bulldozers were brought in after many attempts and the coaster met it's maker on film with the help of construction vehicles pulling it apart out of view of the cameras. (Even so, it only came down after the supports had been chain-sawed from the footings.) The lesson learned was that the coaster structure was not as suceptable to an implosion as concrete structures are. That's why you don't see coasters being imploded... it really doesn't work. I remember the filming like it was yesterday. I was a wee lad living in Hampton Roads nearby, and my family had been to the park. The closure/demolition was big local news, was viewed by onlookers and ultimately captured and viewed on film. I saw the original broadcast of the show, and remember watching it like it was yesterday. I've not seen it since, and am not sure if it's on DVD. Bottom line, I don't think a "controlled demolition" would work for SOB... it's been tried before.

A simple like cannot express the gratitude for putting this together, Dave. He looked so happy, jolly, and carefree in each photo, even when he was diagnosed. Thank you so much for putting this together. While we may mourn the loss (and that is quite alright!), also be glad each and every one of you got the chance to know him, whether it be through his posts or personally. He obviously touched many lives in such a positive way. As an astronomy teacher once said, "The biggest and brightest stars die the fastest."

Did they buy these Wax Museums at Sam's Club?

Since the topic I originally posted this in got closed, I thought I'd share it here. This is S.O.B. in a bad Snow Storm: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I thought using the panorama setting and shooting in black & white really captured the mood.

After taking nearly an hour to upload all my September 3rd photos to Flickr, I am finally ready to write this TR. Or, should I say, a PTR! ha. So I arrived at the park at around 2:10 pm. I had known about these "Dollar Days" for quite a while. Upon entering the park, I immediately noticed how many more guests were purchasing food to eat. I mean, the LaRosa's on International Street had a good sized line! IMG_2686 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I was in the mood to listen to carousel music again, just like I was on August 4th. So I went to none other than the Grand Carousel! (woo hoo!) I took 2 rides on the very first KI ride I rode back on September 30, 2007. My first GC ride of the day was on the jumping horse right next to the one pictured. (Original: if you are reading this, is this horse the one you were talking about in my 8/04 TR?) IMG_2688 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr In fact, my other ride on GC was on that horse! IMG_2689 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr After that Grand ole' Carousel, I went to Coney Mall. It was by then that I realized that Diamondback was closed, which was strange. Earlier in the morning I had checked the webcam and it looked like it was open! But it was closed now, so I just went straight to Vortex. Now, part of why I wanted to go so bad was because in my Science class at school, I had a project where you have to do an experiment (it's about the Scientific Method) and it was due on 9/05, so I came up with this experiment to see which part of a Vortex train offers the wildest ride. I would ride in rows 1-1, 3-1, 5-1 and 7-1. My hypothesis was that 7-1 was sure going to be the wildest. When I arrived at Vortex, my first four rides on that thing were, in order, 1-1, 3-1, 5-1, and 7-1. Better yet, they were all on the same train, Train #1. The wait for each ride was about 10-15 minutes at the most. Oh and another thing: This time Vortex had 2 trains running instead of all 3. It was the first time I had ever seen it that way. Plus, I don't know why, but there wasn't an op saying the usual "Enjoy your ride on Vortex" and "How was your ride?". It didn't seem to affect the actual ride experience for me, it just actually made it feel kind of "miserable" in the station. (like eating fries without salt. It just has no "flavor" to it.) IMG_2696 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr My first ride of the day, in 1-1: IMG_1600 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr 3-1 (I'm the person wearing the shirt that says ">>go" on it): IMG_1604 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr Overall shot from my favorite viewing spot (hey, it rhymes!) IMG_2699 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2703 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr After riding Vortex four times, I headed to WindSeeker for a ride, since I just heard the first of the four How To Train Your Dragon soundtracks play on the cycle that just went (the song is called Romantic Flight) while I was getting off Vortex. The wait was about 7-10 minutes. I got Seat #47 on the third HTTYD soundtrack cycle (See You Tomorrow- that is what this song was called.) It was drizzling, and it was now starting to drizzle even harder, making for one heck of a mist up-top! It felt soooo good... After getting an epic 30 mph mist on WS, I decided to ride The Beast, not only cause it was raining, but I hadn't rode it even once this season (I was going to on August 4th, but the line was too long.). IMG_2710 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2716 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I really like the lights in the station. That got me wondering, what would they look like at night? (theBEASTunchained: if you're reading this, then this next photo will say it all. ) IMG_2718 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2719 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I don't have glasses, but I still like reading this sign. The ride was pretty beastly. (no pun intended) My favorite part? The double helix! Once you crest that second lift hill, you turn and go straight towards that tunnel, just going faster, and faster, and faster, and faster and fas-ANYWAY...it was epic, too! I was sitting on the left side of the train and I could actually TOUCH the wall of the tunnel!!!! I could tell, because after the ride I had dirt marks on my left fingers. IMG_2720 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I looked at my photo (it looked AWESOME) and I noticed that the "o" in "photo" had disappeared. (Maybe The Beast himself stole it!) Now it was about 4:45 pm. I was getting REALLY hungry, and so was my mom, who always accompanies me on my KI trips since I'm not old enough to drive. yet. We each started off with one slice of pizza, along with the free 7 oz cups of water. Paid only $2. IMG_2722 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I LOVED the pizza! It was nice, hot and fresh, and it was so good that both of us got another slice each, for another $2. Another wonderful pizza slice for me. This was just fantastic. Four slices for $4. Go Dollar Days!!! IMG_2728 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr This time, there was an op with the mic saying the usual stuff you'd hear on Vortex. A few minutes into the wait, the ride went down with a technical delay. Five minutes into the delay, the ops started asking trivia questions to keep the still waiting guests (and me) amused. I dominated about half of them... IMG_2729 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2730 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2736 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr The questions I got were: What is Vortex's manufacturer (Arrow Dynamics), what other two coasters did Arrow make for KI (Flight Deck and Adventure Express), What deceased ride's queue is still existing (Flight Commander), What other three parks got a WindSeeker in 2011 (Knott's, Wonderland, and Cedar Point), What two parks just got WindSeeker this year (KD and Carowinds), what three giga coasters are in Cedar Fair parks (Millennium Force, I305, and Leviathan), and I'm sure there were a few others I got as well. At first, during the delay, the chain was running for 5 minutes after they started keeping Train #1 in the station and not going anywhere, then eventually the chain was turned off and the whole ride was just really quiet. You could clearly hear WindSeeker's soundtracks playing, no matter where you stood in the station. Finally, about 17 minutes after Vortex went down, they started testing: first Train #1, and then #2. I could just tell when I heard that chain again. It was still drizzling out, so when #1 came back into the station, it had rain drops all over it. Luckily, I was wearing my raincoat around my waist so that wasn't a problem. I was originally in line for my favorite airtime row, row 6-2, but during the delay, quite a few people had left, leaving several rows empty. One of them was 5-1. I thought "Hey, I'll just go to 5-1 since there's no one there." I was actually deciding between 5-1 and 5-2. The op was saying things like "We are just about ready to roll," and "Are you guys ready to ride?" Of course I was ready, after standing in line and answering trivia questions for 15-20 minutes. What an interesting 95th ride. On the way up the lift, the rain stopped and the soon-to-be-setting sun was peeking through the layer of gray clouds that were covering the sky. Quite memorable, especially when I had the entire 5th car all to myself. Even better, when I got back to the station, no one was waiting for 7-1 so I took a re-ride in that row. Fine start for marathoning, now I'll be prepared for October! To "celebrate," I took another ride on WindSeeker. That was when another weird thing happened. Right before I was assigned to Seat #30 on WS, The Vortex train I was on just moments ago (yes, it's train #1) came to a stop on the lift. I had no idea what was up with that, but a few minutes later it was going again. IMG_2742 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr Part 2 in next post!

^ You see it Original. Trust me you see everything that is intended to be seen.

FD obviously needs an epidural.

Richness of detail, incredibly well written, a splendid trip report. However, please do follow the park's instructions, clearly stated on Beast's second lift and at the ride's entrance. Do NOT try to touch the tunnels. You can, and you can get badly hurt. Even if YOU don't. someone else may emulate your behavior and be badly hurt. As one of the park's biggest and best fans, you are in fact a park ambassador. And even your own safety is at stake. Now, how about a detailed ride comparison of those four Vortex seats you tried, from one of Vortex's biggest fans?

^ You say this like they don't have the "buy one wax museum haunt, get one free" deal at your local Sam's.

Fog smell, no joke. I just love it, and it's so distinct (to me) that whenever I smell it, I know I'm at Haunt.

I sure hope they keep the 2011 queue intact! Best themed Cedar Fair queue I've ever seen. Kjkjkj, what didn't you like about Wolf Pack? The 2011 Wolf Pack was lightyears beyond the 2010 version. I was blown away, and it actually gained my favorite Haunt of the season. Cornstalkers was a pretty good Haunt in Tower Gardens, but it's nothing to rave about, either. By the way, how do you pronounce "Fatale"?

It would be foolish to think that more parks are not on the table/ have been discussed. IMO we will not see a "new" Disney park for at least another decade. It appears to me the current direction is to renovate the current parks (Fantasyland) and add to the current parks (Pandora). On a side note: I would absolutely LOVE to be a fly on the wall in the meetings concerning the ideas for the additions/ ideas for the parks. Even the ideas that are shot down are probably phenomenal.

Great PTR! After seeing your picture of the sign where you may lose your glasses to The Beast; I wonder if the The Beast has bad vision since it's always trying to take people's spectacles. Does it have a massive hoard of glasses, trying to find the best pair that brings out the color of its eyes?

It was Labor Day. It was Laboring.

Yes! Now it can be said... Sam the Butcher will be making his glorious return to Slaughter House this year!!!

Oh I know what you're talking about. I saw pics of it before (I thought they were on your site, but I guess since you don't know about it then It wasn't on your site) But I do remember seeing pictures of the island a while ago... PS I love your site! I just read your CVG Stuff I can't agree more! It might as well just go under.

Indeed. St. Peter is very unlikely to call its name! Terp, who is sorry if that was a cold play.

I thought Mysteria was cool, not necessarily scary, but it was neat! 10 times better than Death Row. I think Holiday Horror was my favorite Haunt last year. It was so good! My least favorites have been, Wolf Pack and CoRnStAlKeRs. Madame Fatale's sounds really cool! The fact that it is called "Cavern of terror" makes me think that they will be keeping The Crypt stone walls throughout the line. I could be wrong though

Yes, they would, if the family spent less at Disney's Kings Island during the year than they would have spent on their WDW vacation. The average WDW guest pays a lot more per day than the average Kings Island guest, and most guests don't spend even 7 days at regional amusement parks. Consider that a DIS vacation for a family of 4 costs ~$2000 plus gas/airfare and food, and KI season passes for 4 is <$350 (2 adults + 2 children, or 4 adults in the fall). They're exploring vacations beyond the typical theme park vacation, of which Disney's America would presumably be a part of. See their new resort in Hawaii, their expanding cruise ship business, and their new Adventures by Disney vacations. Their vacation revenue now exceeds their film studio revenue, in fact. So, I personally doubt they're interested in entering an industry that tries to get people to stay within ~100 miles of home. I'd love to be proved wrong, though. And have the park now be named "Kings Island's Wildwater Kingdom"? (Joking!)

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way....

Well of course Disney would of been a better operator for Kings Island. KI would be open all year round with christmas and winter events during what is currently known as the dreaded "off-season." We would have even older characters roaming the park. Great food and dining options. Great rides. Attention to detail. I guess I can only dream of Disney's Kings Island or Mickey's Vacation Getaway.

all im saying is that i have returned for my second season of haunt. first being back in 2009. only a select few who know me will know where i will be @. but im looking forward to providing great scares this year for oyu all. ;}

If you check out the event map (linked from various different pages on the website), it lists four scare zones: -Cemetery Drive (front of Eiffel Tower, assumedly all of International Street like it was last year) -Freak Street (Planet Snoopy area, in spot of last year's Nightmare Alley and possibly a new name for it) -Nightmare Alley (pathway into Action Zone from International Street, probably not the same as last year's Nightmare Alley but instead something new) -Grimm. Blvd (Action Zone area) I'm really glad to see the return of scare zones - they were discontinued midway through 2006 before slowly beginning to reappear last year. Hopefully the trend continues over the next few years.

Maybe the guy was demonstrating the new proposed procedure to be carried out on all line jumpers. Mike B.

Hah, I haven't looked the ride over either. I have just been in the front, around the station, and sitting at a standstill on the brake run so much, I think I would have noticed pusher wheels. To me, the chain speed is the same it always was. Is it me, or do others also love hearing the brakes open and close as well as the mechanical hum of the giant lift gear speeding up and slowing down?

Well whats wrong with that? lolololol

First post:

Did they do any character work in the audition? IF there is one thing I hate is this: Pops out "RAWR" Pops back in. I mean come on, pop out and say something, stalk the group. Do something out of the box.

Then why were they exploring Disney's America in the DC area?

I posted on Kings Island's Facebook saying "Why bring back Mysteria, it was terrible!" and Kings Island replied something like, "Give it a second chance this year..."

I believe these are more fitting Flight Deck (AKA Top Gun) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fab0nsF1z2I Thunder Alley (AKA Days of Thunder) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7lakvaC1FM Son of Beast (AKA the thing that hurts you)

Is it just me or is KI still using Sonny in their ads?

Dave, I would also like to thank you for putting together your tribute, it is obvious that you had some great times with Keith.

I wonder if there will be any changes to Mysteria this year. When I visited Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando last October, there was a house called "The In-Between". It was a black light lit maze that started with a college dorm room and an Ouija board and eventually led to a collection of bizarre and unusual rooms with equally weird demons and monsters. The whole idea was very different but very entertaining, and the free 3D glasses made it even better. I would love to see a revamp of Mysteria to something similar to this, with more creatures and decorations. Personally, I'd like a slight retheme to something like "Insanity" - a new batch of energy drinks has caused hallucinations amongst its users, and park guests travel through these hallucinations and apparitions.

BOGO at Sam's!

The girl scout zombie was awesome last year, so funny, and always kept her character when my friends would mess around with her!

^I always stay mum until the announcement, even if I'm in a returning one. I don't want to confirm anything before its time.

He has got a point^ Here is a new one! Pictures2 631 by KIC-Original, on Flickr

Awesome website - the best I've seen it. Ew, Mysteria is back. That sucks. Maybe they upgraded it. I think the new maze in The Crypt looks interesting; I hate wax figures so it wil definitely scare me! Also, am I the only one that thinks Blood Drums looks really awesome? (based on the description).

"Hey I just met you, And this is crazy, But here's your seatbelt- It's for your safety!"

And if they can't, they can be made.

the first bit can be answered simply, block section. FD has always (in my memory) crawled up the lift hill, till about mid way up the lift. Sort of like The Beast. All about blocks. For the second bit; if I remember correctly Terpy once, twice, thrice even, spoke that parts can always be ordered.

Well that really does stink. My wife and I were looking forward to that walkthrough.

My first roller coaster was the Shooting Star at Coney Island! I rode it on the very last weekend at Coney Island in 1971 before they opened Kings Island.

My first was Scooby Doo. No, not Scooby Zoom, but Scooby Doo. Or as you young'uns might know it better, Beastie/Fairly Odd Coaster/Woodstock Express. Yeah, I'm old. Unless you count the time that my mom rode Racer when she was pregnant with me in 1972. Then that's my first. Times were different then. And I blame that incident for my love of coasters.

Sunday night at the park, I walked into the Convenience Corner (beside Guest Services). There was a surprisingly young (as in within two years in either direction of 9 years old) boy standing at the register. I don't know if he was purchasing something or not, but the employee asked him if he knew where his parents were. His response? "Oh, they didn't come." When the wide-eyed employee questioned that, he added, "They dropped me off." That's the first and only time I've ever witnessed proof of people treating the park like a day-care center, and I was floored. People realize bad things can happen at parks, right?! I'd like to imagine pass pricing would help weed this trend out significantly, but it almost feels like there should be a minimum age for passholders to enter alone. For instance, if a 9 year-old walks up to the gate alone, could it be required that an accompanying adult vouch for the child until he reaches a certain age (like 13 or so?) I don't know if that's unethical or something, but I was floored that someone so young is allowed to enter apparently with no qualms at all.

There are times when ride ops should pay attention to "everyone yelling." An incident in Kentucky comes immediately to mind. Had only the e-stop been pushed.... As for Son of Beast, restraint or no restraint, no one is coming out of Son of Beast who doesn't want to exit. Where is this force on the ride so sufficient so as to force out a rider who doesn't want to exit? If the ride were to run with unrestrained dummies, they would all return to the station, every time. The purpose of the Son of Beast restraints, and the restraints on most modern rides, is to keep in the ride carriage those riders who might otherwise exit for reasons of their own.