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The park is open 9/23. Hours are from 11am until 7pm.

No nead to be harsh^. Yes, I have noticed that SonofBaconador has posted alot of topics recently. But you dont have to rub your KIC Platinum member skills into his little KIC tourist face. I'm getting kind of tired of people thinking I'm mean because I like to think of myself as superior to other posters. Well, no, that's not the case. It's a forum...I could really care less if I'm a KIC Platinum member. I have bigger things in life to be worried about. If you have bigger things in life to worry about, then why are you sitting in front of a computer complaining???

What does that make Calypso, Matterhorn, Skyride, Carousels, Troika, Antique and Cadillac Cars, CP&LE Railroad, Iron Dragon, Giant Wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Dodgem, Cedar Downs, Ocean Motion, Scrambler, and Super Himalaya? There are many more options than just Space Spiral and Disaster Transport. The rides listed above have better uptime than did Space Spiral anyways.

This coaster, new for 2012 at Happy Valley in China has a new wooden coaster element introduced by the Gravity Group called a "High Five". It would be kinda neat to have a coaster like this at Kings Island, and overall the ride looks very smooth.

Huh? Racer and Woodstock Express are also wood, last I checked.

...designed in the USA. In the greater Cinci area, even.

Mobile site calendar says private event while the full site calender shows open on the 23rd. I'd say you better call the park.

Heat sensors. Obviously, heavy fog will easily trip smoke detection in any establishment. Common practice in the haunted attraction industry is to use heat detection in place of smoke detection. Obviously nothing in the haunts (or any themed facility) should get hot as fire unless it's used as an effect. Just some thought... PS: Thank you.

I am with RingMaster on this one...given KI's history in new attractions I do NOT have my hopes up for this one. However, I'm open minded and I cross my fingers that I will be very surprised. I also agree with some thoughts on pop-out scares; they are scary. Period. BUT, the redunancy of reptiveness could kill this type of scare. Here's what will happen...a couple of actors will do this and get some AWESOME scares. The other actors WILL take note and start to mimic the technique...all of a sudden the entire attraction is just pop-out scares and the fright factor is lost. Trust me, I know exactly what I'm talking about. What I hope to see is some actors as wax figures, museum attendants, "customer" plants, a couple "pop-outs" and some general "stand and stare" creepiness. Would be awesome to see some tight scripted dialogue and character acting, given the whole "gypsy" vibe that I'm getting. This could also be an attraction to really take advantage of some cool lighting/sound/fog/scent effects given it's location. So...I'll keep my fingers crossed, but not to tight. Happy Haunting...

Thunder Alley would have been better if the carts went farther than just a circle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVdFJIEk5wY&feature=related

Wow! Now THAT is a topic bump!

Well they could go big with GCI and add another coaster similiar to Mountain Flyer. We all know the terrain back where sonny sits, for now is far from being flat. I think a big GCI like Mountain Flyer could work well back there. Of course it is no mountain back there also but it would still be awesome to see a new wooden coaster of that scale in Sonnys place.

It was more boring than nascar. Nascar-Boring by KIC-Original, on Flickr

Sorry for taking so long to post. Twice I started to do it, but somehow it kept getting wiped out, so this time I’m relying on Microsoft Word. Now, where was I? Oh right, I left off after Vortex stopped briefly while I was waiting in line for my post-95th-Vortex-ride WindSeeker cycle. IMG_2744 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr This WS ride was in Seat #30. It had stopped raining for a long time, but it was still a good breezy ride (like always) up top. Pleasant…very pleasant. After that, I returned to Vortex and rode it six more times. The first four of those six were on the favorite, Train #2, while the other two were on Train #1. The first was in row 6-1, which is like 7-1, except it is a little less intense with a TEENY bit less airtime. Speaking of 7-1, the next two rides were in that row! Fun, intense, airtime-filled ride as I’ve always remembered it. My 99th Vortex ride was in my favorite row in the back, row 6-2. It’s sort of a combination (in-between) 6-1 and 7-1. It’s more like than 6-1 than 7-1, though. When it was finally time for my Vortex Ride #100, I suddenly felt this whole new lot of anticipation as I entered the queue. It felt like a casual “procession,” as I got closer to the loading station. At the same time I wondered: Which train would have the honor of taking me on my 100th flight? Turns out, that train was none other than Train #1. IMG_1614 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I took Vortex Ride #100 in the same seat that I took Vortex Ride #1. Very, very nice ride. Like always, I loved watching the track in front of me while going through the loops. Vortex Ride #101 was in a sentimental seat, too. It was in row 2-1, the same row in which I took Vortex Ride #2 on 7/23/10, and it was also where I did my very first marathon, on 9/26/10. To this day I still call 2-1 "the lucky seat." To “celebrate” again, I took a third ride on WindSeeker. This one was in Seat #53 (one of my August 13th seats!) The song that played wasn’t one of the How To Train Your Dragon soundtracks, but I thought it was beautiful. Now if only I knew what it was called… It was about 7:40 pm, just 20 minutes before closing. I had only rode 3 different rides, so I went to the X-Base. I wanted to ride Firehawk, but it was closed. (It was open earlier!!!!!! What’s up with that??? ) So I went on Flight of Fear instead. The wait was only about 10 minutes, as the line actually moved pretty quickly. IMG_2751 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2754 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2755 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I don’t know how much irony was involved in this, but I rode in 1-1, the same seat that I was in when I took my first FoF ride, on 8/17/10! I’m on a roll with sentimental seats today… I was on Train #3. I loved the launch, and that out-of-control feeling as the train twists, turns, and spirals through near total darkness. I got off the ride at 7:55, which would be just enough time to go back to Vortex and possibly catch the last train of the day. And catch the last train I did! I entered the queue at 7:58. Train #2 was just about to dispatch when I arrived, so that meant I was on Train #1, as part of the last trainload of riders for the night. IMG_2757 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr This was the second time I had caught the very last train of the day this season. The other time this happened was on May 24. I was riding WindSeeker and got off at 7:59, and then I had run like the wind to Vortex and ended up being the very last rider that was let on the ride before the park closed at 8. IMG_1620 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I rode in the front seat for Vortex Ride #102, the same place where I took Vortex Rides #1 and #100. Pretty fun for the last of the night! IMG_2758 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2761 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr Is it just me, or were Vortex’s storage bins moved to a different spot in the station?? IMG_2762 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr Train #2 was already parked on the lift when #1 arrived back. IMG_2763 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr To me, after closing, the trains become good places for photos…This time I couldn’t resist hugging Train #1. After all, I AM Vortex’s BFF…I’m living up to my KIC username! ha. IMG_1627 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I finally wished WindSeeker and Vortex a good night, and then I began my departure from my home amusement park. But first… IMG_1630 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr Okay, NOW I began my departure from my home amusement park. IMG_2765 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I see you, Train #3! Good night… IMG_2766 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2768 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr How about that! The (military) time is 20:12… IMG_2769 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr IMG_2771 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I didn’t know what they were doing with Dodgems’s cars…maybe they’re cleaning them? IMG_2773 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr Grand Carousel is dark and quiet… IMG_2778 by KIC-Vortex_BFF, on Flickr I just love the Eiffel Tower and the fountains at night. Simply amazing! Hope you enjoyed reading! Grand Carousel: 2x YTD: 5x Overall: 15x Vortex: 12x YTD: 27x Overall: 102x!! Yay!! WindSeeker: 3x YTD: 10x Overall: 18x Flight of Fear: 1x YTD: 2x Overall: 7x EDIT: In this link, I thought the music in the video kind of fit the overall experience I had at Vortex that time (most of the lyrics actually apply!). (Note: the music doesn't start until 0:20 in the video) This is only based on my opinion & experience, so no criticizing...

Maybe Kings Island could put in a year round, climate controlled Ferris wheel, lure tourist from Great Wolf and surrounding areas, the Kings Island EYE, the eye ont he world board from parking lot, or International street, Big investment, views of Mason area, lebanon, and Kings Island and the ferris wheel, A true game changer! Then under it a year round restaurant and year round gift shop! My thoughts, only of course,

Kings Island in general needs some flats, and one I would love for the family seekers, the new one going to Kings Dominion the next spinning ride, (kind of like the mexican hats at Knotts), or the tea cups at disney.

We'll see how long a certain Barton works in the FUN job he has now. Quite the Southern Star.

Third row on B&M Dive Machines will also surprise you. The experience of a Drop Tower is nearly incomparable to the experience of a Dive Machine. I also think Dive Machine's are as beautiful as they are functional. They're kinetic, graceful, and intimidating. Griffon and SheiKra both compliment their areas and create a dynamic landscape. Plopping one down in Action Zone would really miss out on an important part of the ride. As for if Universal bought Kings Island (dream on!) and if office positions would change: Probably. People who were bred to understand Universal's policies and procedures would probably take their places. Cedar Fair's 2006 acquisition of Paramount Parks was referred to often as a "merger." How many people from that era continue to work at Kings Island or Cedar Fair...?

Um, Im sorry, but he did start the topic. You might of clicked on the wrong thread or something....

Looks like a great coaster! It also looks like a Great Coaster...if I hadn't known who designed it, I would have guessed them first, based off of Lightning Racer, and Joris en de Draak.

Kings Island has had a baddest coaster. Some say more than one, Terp observed dryly.

They could of left DT then exploded SS, which could of fallen down on DT, killing 2 birds with 1 stone. But I guess there just not as smart as me . Original, being totally unrealistic.

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

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!

I thought it would be great if KI had a diving coaster!! I think it would bring in a lot more visitors. Maybe in the Action Zone? When I rode Sheikra, it was amazing! I don't know though. It's just a dream of mine.

Regardless of who may have said what of late, this is a project of, and a dream of, the retired Chairman and CEO. Judge not the future of Cedar Point by this edition of additions.

^As of last year, has. And I echo the statement that it's extremely addictive and competitive.

I think Prowler was a pretty big hit out in Kansas City why not add something like that where Son of Beast sits now. From what I hear Prowler is still purring pretty well. I also hear Renegade was a hit as well.

It is a very addictive parlor game based on Tic Tac Toe. It was electromechanical and lights lit up on a backboard when players' red rubber ball dropped down a hole. The first player in the room to light up a row of lights won. Tickets were awarded the first player to do so. It was VERY competitive, and the prizes for accumulated tickets could be substantial (e.g. a top of the line Schwinn bike!). Parlors were usually smoke filled. Indiana Beach has (had?) a parlor.

I really don't know how you can even speculate that KI's next coaster, if it were to be a woodie, wouldn't be the right move for the park. The last time the park opened a brand new woodie was in 2000. Since then 4 steel coasters have been added, I'm just not understanding your thought process here. If KI were to add a coaster similiar to the Voyage, El Toro, or any GCI I think the park will have made a very good investment.

Another is games. Other than pinball, Skeeball and Fascination, I doubt I've spent two dollars on park games in my life. Those first three? Don't ask!

Yep. Look at parks like Holiday World, they introduced and proved that adding just rides that don`t break records can still bring in people in record numbers. A ride does not have to have all the superlatives to bring in guests and help on that ROI. And families bring in money for parks because they are the ones that will likely spend all or most of the day at the park, and buy the food in the park (not to mention paying for admission, playing a couple games, buying a couple souvenirs, etc).

^ I have less boring methods of target maketing .

While it may not have been all that great, it has brought in extra revenue for the park. And the park is a business after all whose primary intent is to make money.

I seriously dont think that we are getting another woodie. I think just some of us Enthusiasts want another woodie. The general public.... not so much, they want the next BIG thing in technolegy. They dont just want buy the new iphone 5 because number 5 is their favorite number. Right?

Once again, a great looking ride, made in China...

And thank YOU! Terp, who appreciates history and tradition. (and who notes "TAER it down"''s new found relevance...coming very soon to a park near YOU!)

Won't work out Disney and UOR are rivals. Do what? What does that have to do with Dad and nepotism? Both Disney and Comcast have policies....as far as I know, the elder gentleman has no relationship with either entity, nor does the offspring of which TheCrypt spake.

Were now offically down a woodie too. I agree completely, If Kings Island is the park that "Brought back" wooden coasters into the U.S by opening The Racer, than I think we are definitly over-due for a wooden roller coaster and a good one at that.

The Addam's Family coaster was planned to be what is now Mystery Mine at Dollywood. Somehow the plans fell through and Dollywood took Gerstlauer up on the offer. I don't know specifics.

It'll NEVER happen- but my vote for a new ride in the "action theater"

Personal preference if the fair chunk of woods are removed for a steel coaster: I'd like to wait a few more years until Gerstlauer can find the secret Schwarzkopf book of coasters he designed for hypothetical situations like this, and then give it all they've got. Something like a foggy Mindbender. I doubt this book exists though, so I'd be fine with other things if necessary.

Wow that looks amazing. I love how it doesn't slow until the final brake run.

My favorite was at Cedar Point. While standing in line for Top Thrill Dragster, a father was talking to his son and pointed up to a jet plane flying over head and said, "See, that's how they keep the guests cool in the park. They are laying down cloud cover."

Small, weird, freakish Beast.

Do NOT ride any ride in the front. As tempting as it is with super short rides, it's a mess. The bugs are out in full force. Last week we rode TTD in the front row (it was a walk on!) and then we spent twenty minutes in the bathroom washing bug guts of our arms, face, neck, and clothes. Gross.

^That's what strollers and wagons were invented for!

Hmmm. KD, CP, Scarowinds. All busy. I much preferred the last. I have knott been to the Southern California one, others here have. Although it is reportedly FUN's best boo event, I am very unlikely to ever attend it, as my time in that area always finds me at other, magical lands. Believe or not, I've been to BGW's Boo Event several times, and adore it. It appears I may be headed there soon, and perhaps far more often, along with Dorney, Great Advencha, Hershey, Knobel's Amusement Resort, etc. Life, an ever changing diorama...enjoy it, while we can.

Diamondback - I got like 7 at ERT one time. I could do much more.. The Beast - Most i've done was 5 on the ERT week when Diamondback had 'Routine Maintence". I could do much more. Drop Tower - Forever. Ok, maybe 200 or so. Flight of Fear - Probably only 5 or so. Racer - Got 103 in at CFK. Felt like I could go on and on. Firehawk - It's almost impossible to marathon this. Invertigo - Maybe 3 Vortex - I did 2 last night without getting off. I could do more but it was time for a Beast night ride. Flight Deck - Back in the day I stayed on about 4 times in a row without getting off with my dad. Could do FD for awhile. Delirium - 2 tops Adventure Express - I could forever but I would get bored. Ect...

I think that we're all seeing Kings Island's major investment into the park for 2009 having an effect on KIC much like the effect it's had on the park itself.