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The Vortex is one of the most popular rides in the park. There are no plans to retire the ride in the foreseeable future.

Kings Island: 2 KI fans: 0

Don, in the future, could you make it a point to give the "Dipping Dots" guys better information????

The entrance "Paramount Gate Music." The many excellent people who Kinzel & Co. let go, either affirmatively or through lack of empowerment (a mistake Mr. Ouimet is not making, by all accounts). The carousel organ. The magic of the movies meeting the thrills of a lifetime. The standard gold pass being honored at all Paramount Parks, with warmth, courtesy and professionalism (as opposed to being accused of what would amount to theft and lying, and after 20 minutes still not being allowed in a park that had JUST opened for the day. The competition with Cedar Fair, which benefitted both companies. I do NOT miss CBS. Cedar Fair has greatly improved Kings Island, taking it away from the path to ruin CBS had miserly began trodding.

I disagree that it was a "ride once" experience. I think those old dark rides were classics! They were something that became trip traditions. Even up through the Phantom Theater, these were rides that my friends, family, and I would ride at least once during every visit. We usually would hit them up twice, once when we got there and once when we left. To say that if a dark ride isn't interactive you can't ride it more than once is kind of ridiculous. That's like saying that Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and The Haunted Mansion at Disney World are "ride once" experiences. I think that if the ride is done well, with interesting characters, scenery, and music that people will want to ride it again and again. I feel that's what we had with The Enchanted Voyage, Smurfs, and Phantom Theater and I think we could have something just as memorable if only someone would put the effort into making it that way.

Nice picture online today of Gatekeeper.

I live in a city where people complain that there is "nothing to do" and "our skyline sucks", yet every time something interesting is proposed it gets denied by neighbors because "it doesn't fit the neighborhood." People get what they ask for and will still complain. I will be honest though, by now the state should have gotten involved and destroyed everything. On a similar subject, I will never understand the people who complain about hearing roller coasters (or even seeing them) when they are the ones who decided to live near a park. In some cases the residents may have been there before the park was built, but generally amusement parks are built in undeveloped areas and then later neighborhoods are constructed.

More like this... Don: 1,002 Screamscape: 1 (they predicted the Crypt closing, credit where credit is due)

Photo #14 - Outer Limits Flight of Fear announcement ceremony, the "alien capsule" held the crop circle designs. (More to be posted if there's a interest) Photo #15 - Eiffel Tower Early 1970's

...He's a good man.

No hotels for miles and miles. Proximity to NYC and Philly helps, though. Then again, where is Cleveland? Terp, with another question.

I have a feeling that if there's any news to be had for 2014- there will be a large empty field giving all sorts of clues throughout the season. And just for the record I would take a well-themed, thought out dark or flat ride over a 300' monstrosity any day. Give me an experience that I cannot find anywhere else.

What hotels surround the theme park and safari in New Jersey? Terp, who likes to ask questions.

I got the chance to drive by the park back in the beginning of November on my way back from Cleveland while on business. It is an eyesore; I don't ascribe to the whole Cedar Fair bought it just to close it mentality- from a business perspective it makes perfect sense why they bought it. From where I sit, Cedar Point had some digs into their profitability in the early years of the Worlds of Adventure experiment, but was failing and a new buyer was sought. it made perfect senses to buy it while the price was low to keep someone who may have done it "right" from coming in. Have it succeed on your terms, or no one's. A few reasons it failed: 1) inadequate road infrastructure 2) limited access to main highways 3) NO HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURE- closest block of hotel rooms almost 20-25 minutes away. 4) removing the "Wild Side" aspect removed anything that made it unique. the concept was incredible and located within 5 minutes from an interstate with hotels surrounding it- it would still be in business today thriving. But its location only lent itself to being "regional" For Cedar Fair it was low risk: if you can't make it profitable on your terms, there are millions of dollars in used "new" rides to circulate out into your network of parks- ie: Firehawk, Dominator, Possessed, a Carousel, Americana, etc... A lot of people in the Aurora area still today think that CF/Kinzel bought the park to "stick it to them."- maybe, but I don't buy it. You don't take $100+ million in shareholder funds and gamble it on a vendetta. It was a low-risk way to assure that a pesky competitor succeeds or fails on your terms with plenty of resources to be assumed by a potential demise. That being said- the property is a dump. There is an "upscale" shopping area just to the north that seems out of place when compared to the weed lot across the street. They may find that the lot would be more attractive to potential buyers of any development if CF were to take bulldozers into the lot and clear out EVERYTHING: building remains, footings, pavement, cement, RWB, and yes- the Big Dipper- restore it to top soil and plant a field of corn in there for a year or two, The location would be much more attractive to buyers in that state than it currently sits. And before I get slammed for advocating the demise of Big Dipper by purists- what other future does it have? It may be historic and classic, but has been out of operation for 6 years and likely has trees growing through it. SOB sat SBNO for just 3 and it had visible vegetation growing through it. And, if by some miracle it could be operational again, it would need to be brought to 2013 codes which would make it nearly unidentifiable from the last ride it gave in Sept. 2007.

Anything's better than Garfield's Nightmare at Kennywood (after which, GatorGirl's exact words were "I'm not impressed". Such a grown up response from a then 7 year old). Now Ghostwood Estate, on the other hand... Boo Blasters could only wish to be as good as Ghostwood Estate!

I am definitely expressing interest in the FoF photo and am one who is more than ready to see some more photos.

They sure are the TOPGUN ride operator uniforms. What do you mean, "if" there's an interest? This is Kings Island FREAKIN' CENTRAL! Of course there's an interest! Let's see 'em! Department 47 (Flight of Fear) has a rather complex back-story and lots of details some probably have never even noticed before perhaps I'll do a photo TR on just FOF at some point. Esp this past season I have come to appreciate it even more. It and Express are in my opinion the last "themed" rides in the park.

What do you mean, "if" there's an interest? This is Kings Island FREAKIN' CENTRAL! Of course there's an interest! Let's see 'em!

Yes, there is interest! Please share.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_geauga/Bainbridge-Township-residents-complain-about-abandoned-Geauga-Lake-eyesore I remember when they complained about the traffic.

And you will have a lot more fun with your new Mrs. on your honeymoon, I can guarantee that. Kings Island will be here when you return from your honey moon. Enjoy it!

I can't wait just to go. I will miss opening day due to being on my honeymoon.

My latest KI dream was awesome. It was the final night of Haunt and everyone, guests, employees, and actors, were all on roller skates. It was pretty epic.

I've always hated those trains! No room at all.

^ I agree that The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are/were much better rides than the Smurf ride. That's why I said, "that if the ride is done well, with interesting characters, scenery, and music that people will want to ride it again and again." That's why if KI ever puts in a new dark ride, I'd like to see them put some effort into it and do it well. Make it a staple for the park like Pirates and Haunted Mansion are for Disney. KI could have a memorable dark ride if they wanted to. They just can't skimp on the scenery and add cardboard cut outs like they did with Boo Blasters. It would have to be something more substantial than that.

I guess that is where we dissagree voice, like you'd I'd ride the smurf ride every trip, even as I got older as the AC was a comfort relief, but once you rode it once, I never felt the need to go back again during the day. Pirates of the carribean is a little different, there are 2 "splash downs" during that ride, the one where to go into complete darkness definently inspires the senses (even though the drop ends up being small, the fact that you can only hear it gets you going) The smurf ride had 1 small splash down, and frankly it wasn't anything to talk about. I'd compare the smurf ride more to "its a small world afterall" ride at Disney. I could never envision riding that ride twice during a trip. The Haunted mansion is much more emersive than the smurf ride ever was. Between the elevator drop and the projected ghost sitting on the seat with you when you go past the mirrors, it gives last memories, but again its not something I'd personally do more than once on a trip. If my son wants to ride Boo Blasters 3 or more times on a trip, unless the lines are long it doesn't really bother me much, at least I can always aim for a better score. Another thought to consider, a boat ride like Pirates or the Smurf ride can be hard for some people to get in or out of, its a fairly sized step down into the boat for some older people, Boo Blasters isn't as bad, makes it a little easier for grandma to ride with grandson. All that said, I'd still love another dark ride, I just don't see the need to get rid of Boo Blasters, just the need to improve the experience a bit. Heck, if they just made sure all the guns worked each time, every car, I'd be happy. I wondered the same thing about the skeletons at the end when my son first rode it at 2 or 3, but it never fazed him for whatever reason. It does seem like a sharp step up from the rest of the attraction in terms of scariness.

The Vortex is awesome!

I've been dreaming about KI and CP a lot. In both of them, I am usually just walking around taking in the view. The sky is usually a grayish-blue or really sunny. In my Kings Island dreams like most of you, I dream about Son of Beast. I'm usually walking around and then I hear that magnificient roar of the chain dogs and I see a train ascending the lift. I start runing towards it to go ride it, but then I wake up For some reason I'm usually always riding MF, Rapor or TTD at CP, but I guess thats because those are my favs! Funny how the off season plays with our minds when we can't be on our coasters!

This came up in another thread, but I think it's a fabulous idea. I'd like a Peanuts dark ride boat ride reminiscent of the Smurfs ride. I think it's time for Boo Blasters to go and for something to occupy that space that's more in line with Planet Snoopy and something that would be just as memorable as the Enchanted Voyage or the Smurfs. Something like a Peanuts dark ride could really bring back that classic feel to the area and would be something that could be enjoyed by families for many, many years!

I'm hoping a couple nice flats once the Action Zone is expanded. A large Ferris Wheel, the return of Flying Eagles and one other flat would satisfy me.

I had kind of a scary dream about KI last night! I dreamed that I was at the park and was in line to ride Diamondback. It wasn't too crowded there, so I could pretty much have my choice of seats. Like always, when I have my choice of seats I choose the very back...it's so much fun! So I get on the ride and I strap myself in and the ride starts. We go up the lift hill and then down the first hill. The train is really flying down the track! It's such a thrill and I'm having such a good time. However, just as we get to the bottom of the first hill, I happen to look at the track and see that some parts of the track are eroding away, like actually rusting through. We go up the second hill, and then back down. I notice that the track is getting worse the further along we get. We're just about to head towards the turn around section when we hit a part of the track that's completely eroded/rusted through, so much so that the track has come disconnected from itself. The train actually skids off the track and into the grass! Amazingly no one is hurt. We're all pretty shaken up, but no one is injured. The next thing I remember is the fear that another train could be coming pretty soon and might hit us. We're still strapped into the train at this point! Now we're frantically trying to unlock the harnesses and get everyone off the train. We succeed and manage to get everyone off. Now we're just standing there in the field waiting for someone to notice and to come get us. I have no idea where this dream came from but it was pretty crazy! I woke up thinking, "What in the world?" I love KI dreams, even crazy ones like this!

We actually got off topic. Cedar Point has a couple kiddie coasters. Woodstock Express is probably the best one. Jr Gemini only lasts like 40 seconds, but the kids seem to like it. I'll always think The Beastie (Woodstock Express) at KI is the best kiddie coaster in the world, though.

I played a golf match at the course across the park in 2008 and I accidentally hit someone because it was to focused on Diamondback being constructed.

I would miss this ride if torn down thanks for the news.

Or....a diversion. Terp, being good.

SoB is down and the station is being used. Vortex has stopped sinking. TR is no more, and the building is being used. There is no new ride for 2013 & FD will be here for it's 20th. It seems to be time for the Tower Johnny talk to start up.

Oh, I think many KI Fans consider that news a win, too!

Flight Deck isn't being removed. The ride celebrates its 20th annivesary season in 2013.

I love Blue Streak! People who dont know CP seem to skip it,they dont know what their missing.Greatly under appreciated in my opinion!

Never take anything for granted. This time last year, The Wildcat at Cedar Point was a given for 2012. Crews were even hired for it. The NJ Great American Scream Machine closed very quickly. Enjoy what you can, while you can.

^^ agree! We *always* spend a few days up there - a week is even better. We've gotten so spoiled at KI in terms of lines (or the lack thereof). If anyone recalls when The Beast line had 4 queue houses and stretched to where Stunt Track is now (pawprints on the ground and all) - CP often has actual lines, so one day just isn't enough, you just have to plan around it!

If they dug a twenty foot hole, then they could have had a 200ft coaster.

My bad Topgun1993, didn't read correctly that you were referring to operating rides. Then yes, you are correct.

"Six Flags got approved to do over a 200-foot rollercoaster. As soon as that was approved, Cedar Point bought it and killed the park to kill the competition for Cedar Point," Watson said. "They don't care about the residents. The proof is over there. The structures are gone." Umm... Cedar Point bought the park? And is this guy correct about the 200 ft. coaster? I don't recall that, but I have missed things before. Either way, I laughed.

Valid point, difference is this park is closed. Who wants to live in a town where they have abandoned buildings/coasters? Everyone here on the site complained about SOB for the last 3 years. It is an eye sore when it is just SBNO.

If your referencing "Tomb Raider The Ride / The Crypt" that ride is long gone. "Heavily Themed, Totally Immersive, Dark Ride Adventure!"

20 years.... and now I know how my parents feel... I was 7 when this ride opened? I remember being so afraid of the ride that the first time my family rode it, I stepped out and hung out in the little kid waiting area....

Glad to hear. Flight Deck has really grown on me this past season, as I seemed to enjoy it the more times I rode it. (but not all in the same day lol) I really like how it is hidden, makes it my go-to when the park is crowded. I'm curious to see if it will remain my gem with the area being cleared around it now though.

Was this really ever a question?

Never said there wasn't. But there are few scores that aren't better than what Cedar Fair treats us to and calls ambient music. To me, Top Gun's score will ALWAYS remind me of Top Gun, the ride. And of a grand majestic entrance to a grand majestic Midwest theme park. The current musical offerings would not be out of place at a shoe store in an Albany mall.