Leaderboard

Hmm...of the options given, I chose Flight of Fear. The indoor setting works wonders, and the music played during the actual ride heightens the "oh s!&! we in f!&!!&%! space!" feeling I get on it. Adventure Express isn't too far behind, however. BLSC, while it does have some decent theming, still requires more "imagination" on the part of the rider than the other two. But, are these 3 really the only themed coasters at Kings Island? Hmm...let's have a deeper look... We can get rid of instantly: Vortex, Invertigo, Racer, Firehawk, Woodstock Express, Flying Ace Aerial Chase. Any theme on these rides is very generic, for the most part these are standard-issue non-themed rides. (Flying Ace does have some "small" props around it, but they are minor and don't affect the actual ride whatsoever) Not themed, but: Diamondback- The trains deserve some mention, as they look awesome and fit the theme of the coaster perfectly. The gift shop also matches somewhat well. Great Pumpkin Coaster- The painting on the old Enchanted Voyage/Phantom Theatre building behind this tiny coaster really fits with the "Great Pumpkin" theme, but other than that, it's a generic kiddie coaster. Surf Dog (not really a coaster, but...)- Kind of looks like a surfboard. Needs a giant snoopy statue on it to fully convince me, though. Corpse of a Theme: Flight Deck- Ouch. This is what happens when theming dies, but no one cleans it up. You can clearly tell that this was supposed to be a fighter-jet themed coaster, and the "aircraft carrier" theme of the station is still somewhat noticeable if you look. There were even model fighter planes in the q-line during my last visit in May 2012. But, it's mostly in horrible shape- there was a good amount of noticeable rust visible on the lower deck of the station, and the supports for many old props still remain without the props themselves anywhere to be found. Quite sad, really, that you walk back all the way to this ride and while a solid coaster itself awaits, the line for it reeks of "sell of its former self"...I would have loved to have seen the q-line for this back when it was TOP GUN in the Early 1990s. (Yes, I have seen pictures of it, I meant in person). Uh-Oh. My arguments are debunking me thus far, as the closest I hath come to finding a 4th themed coaster at Kings Island after FOF, AE, and BLSC is a corpse of a fighter jet theme! Alas, I still have one ride left to argue for... The Beast Is "The Beast", themed, or just a generic wooden coaster? Well, first up, the station is themed to be an old mill, and it does this beautifully. The fact it is now 30+ years old makes it look the part even better, as it actually is old now! The "beware of The Beast" signs add to the cheesy charm. There is also a bit more theming near the turnaround leading for the lift hill. As for the trains, they are standard PTC 6-bench cars, but if we DQ'ed rides for being un-themed because the trains don't match, then AE gets DQ'ed too because it too has standard-issue Mine Train...trains. Now, for the actual ride itself...uh-oh, there are no special props anymore! Does that mean the ride itself is un-themed? Well, what's the point of a themed ride anyway- to tell a story. FOF does it, AE does it, and BLSC even does it. But, does Beast? Well, the ride does have a backstory, which I have managed to pair with the ride experience: STORY O' BEAST (according to McSalsa) You agree to join a group of miners to journey into the woods to find and capture a legendary creature, known simply as Beast. He was caught once before, but he escaped, and he still has his chains around his front paws. You board the search party's ride vehicles, and head into the woods. It doesn't take long before you find Beast, as it turns out he was not too far from the Old Mill. His sheer size amazes you. However, Beast notices you and attacks, dragging you down into the abyss! After a quick struggle, somehow, you manage to break free and escape over a covered bridge, but you know Beast is chasing you, and you are no match for him! Desperate to escape, you dash for a nearby tunnel, and run through it into the woods, hoping to lose Beast. After a few twists and turns, you lose sight of Beast, and there is no sign of him. You head back for the Old Mill. While heading there, you spot Kings Island again...ahh, familiar territory. It's good to be headi... Beast catches you off guard! There is no escape this time. Beast drags you down into the abyss once again, and at full power this time. He spins you around, and around, around...you're trapped, gasping for air, and all hope seems lost. Suddenly, Beast hurls you out of the Abyss, seemingly for no reason! Why the heck did he let you go!?!? Was the "fearsome" Beast simply toying with you the entire time? Nonetheless, you use this opportunity to flee back to the Old Mill, returning to Kings Island at last. You spot the next train, with the next search party, heading out to look for Beast...if only they knew what they were getting into... END Well, that was interesting...and a good roller coaster story. Thanks to clever terrain use, the ride itself fits the bill- and doesn't even seem to need theming props, only a few tunnels. So, bottom line, is Beast themed...I would say yes, and it's theme is that there is a huge monster out in the woods, and when you attempt to catch it, all H@** breaks loose... WOW...that was a long post! I'm sorry...but describing Beast's "theme" was a bit complex and needed the "story". But, it got me thinking, and typing...and this is what happened next. Oh well...at least it's probably a decent read...

Im sure the concrete companies wouldn't mind.

You're banished from Kings Island Central for your mistake. Never make it again.

I work less than a mile from the White House and the Capitol Building. I live in the District, seven metro stops away. If I seriously wanted to try to live risk free, I'd do neither of those things.

I like most rides but Thunder Alley definitely comes to mind, only because you drove around in an oval, which can get old after a few rounds. Also, the seats were very unusual. Edit: I thought WindSeeker was really lame the first time I rode it, but now it's just a nice break from the action.

Welcome to KICentral

By or on April 27. And then what you may hear is the time for financing has been extended. If things were as certain as Hart indicated earlier, crowing would be going on now, from the politicians to the deal makers to Hart and Co. That it isn't speaks much louder than Hart's earlier words. Even if the deal completes, there is much to be done before the gates open to the riding/sliding public.

I think I have lost all hope that the Timberliner trains will ever run at all on Voyage.

Our National Anthem was written during a battle in which selfless men, in the face of intense, unceasing shelling, climbed over the mangled, bloody remains of their fallen brethren, just to keep the U.S. Flag fllying in defiance of the British Navy. For me to avoid living freely and enjoying the blessings of liberty by not attending a crowd-oriented event or facility would mock their hallowed sacrifice. I've had a good 44 years in this country. If it stops there at the hands of a foreign or domestic enemy, so be it; but for all they might think they can take away, there's manifold much they never can! God Bless America!

That would depend on the terms of the contract. Only if a term is broken or not met is there a breach. And the parties may have changed the terms. As for litigation, anybody can litigate anything. Cooperation often achieves more. Only when a situation is no longer amicable or appears to have no satisfactory resolution in sight does litigation become the best alternative. It is not cheap, not quick and often results in mutually unsatisfactory outcomes. And Holiday World has other, highly distracting litigation ongoing at the present. There is no specific legal advice contained herein. The author is not engaged in the private practice of law in Indiana, the District of Columbia, or any United State. Consult a competent lawyer in your jurisdiction if you have, or think you may have, a legal problem. Disclaimer terms slightly different in some states, such as the state of confusion.

Well, I went pass the park this passed Thursday. The park is starting to look prep up for renovations as dumpsters inside the park which usually sits empty are becoming full. There are construction vehicles behind Chang's old footprint on a lot which is the KFEC property. But I am not sure if it is for the park or just for something else because construction vehicles pop up on the lot several times a year.

Let it stop me? Never. I am carrying on like I've always done. The best you can do at any event is be aware of your surroundings. The only thing I won't do is fly and that's my personal hang up.

I wonder if parents that choose not to go to parks due to the threat of terrorism allow their kids to go to school?

Is this some kind of joke?

Cedar Fair recently had the opportunity to respond to a proposal for Kentucky Kingdom. So did Six Flags. Blackstone. Disney. SeaWorld. and the rest of the world. Only two parties even looked at the park in person. No one responded. Except Ed Hart. Who has had very long, uncharacteristic spells of being quieter than a church mouse. April 27. It's coming.

As a park, no. As a dry ride donor, no. As a water park donor, absolutely. I'd still like to see the park open though.

Disrupting our daily lives and making us live in fear is the goal of those who perpetrate these acts of terrorism. If we all cower in fear and refuse to go on with our lives then these attacks have taken far more away from our nation as a whole than just the precious lives lost on Monday. We have a responsibility to exercise the freedoms that our sons, daughters, fathers, and grandfathers fought so valiantly for. The cost of freedom is a great but I believe that our ability to overcome tragedies such as these is even greater.

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum from you. My thought process is that if it's going to happen, it's going to happen- whether I like it or not. Yes, I would hate to see something like that happen at a place where the main goal is to be happy, but there is nothing we can do to stop it. Maybe that is just because I assume that people are generally good? I don't like to worry about things, especially in a situation like that, but I can definitely see where you are coming from. Plus if I die, I know where I'm going anyway

AE, as it doesn't get better than the drummers on the second lift. I must mimic them and say "boom, boom" all the way up the lift.

Erm...no. Not a wooden coaster.

Slingshot. Less thrilling than watching paint dry.

Because the Brady Bunch was wayyyyy more popular than the Partridge Family back when.

The Crypt in its final years. Runners up: Boring: Woodstock's Whirlybirds (at least when you're by yourself - if you have a kid with you it might be more exciting) XTreme Skyflier (initial drop is fun, but I didn't think it was worth paying for) Dumb: Ghoster Coaster (exciting for the kiddies, but rather painful for the adults - especially those who are tall and/or male...)

What ride/rides at Kings Island will you wait in line 2 hours for? and What rides will you NOT wait in line 2 hours for?

Now? It depends on the situation. Possibly Diamondback or a night ride on The Beast when there's a "new moon". Other than that, probably nothing. However, I have "been there, done that" on two different occasions. First time: The year Flight of Fear opened. The line extended all the way into Coney Mall but my dad and I didn't believe the signs. Then we got inside the building and realized they weren't joking... Second time: The day Firehawk opened. Worth the wait for a "first rider" shirt and riding my first "flying" coaster the day it opened at KI. It's highly unlikely I would ever wait that long for Firehawk again.

That's why they are called that- they deal in terror. You've planned for this trip and are looking forward to it, I wouldn't let them get the better of you, that's what they want. To be quite honest, I am really surprised the bombers were Chechyan- that was the furthest group from my mind.

I hope KI gets an Intamin Giga coaster or else have Intamin introduce a whole new category with the roller coaster being 500+ feet tall but have the same layout or concept of Millennium Force. Also a great name for the ride could be "Iron Beast" or "Steel Beast"!

If PTC's are the "regular trains," does that make the Timberliners irregulars? That would explain a lot!

I think if you are not fearful or at least thinking about it, you are living in a bubble. This day and age, you have to be vigilant. Does that mean you assume a bomb is on every corner, no. But you have to be on the look out for suspicious behavior. Be aware of your surroundings. So maybe not fearful is the right word, but I am vigilant. I wont let it cross into my ability to have fun. But you have to be careful. Not just for yourself but for others.

Looks more like they borrowed the template from Cedar Point's Fast Lane page....or is this the beginning of a ride swap program? If they can move X-Flight from Geauga Lake to KI, then... Just kidding, please no one take the above statement seriously!

The folks over at micechat.com have an excellent photo essay and article about the renewal and renovation of Knott's Berry Farms classic log ride and new family attraction rides. Worth the look: http://micechat.com/26946-knotts-berry-farm-preview/ These improvements speak to (pardon the pun) worlds of difference CEO Matt Ouimet brings to the table with his creative team. The feel and look are much more theme oriented and indicative of a holistic design philosophy.

It's been mentioned on this site before, but the Enquirer posted an article about the Christian Moerlein Bier Garten yesterday: http://cincinnati.com/blogs/icymi/2013/04/18/kings-island-adding-christian-moerlein-bier-garten/?source=nletter-nletter-entertainment

I don't let it deter me because you're FAR more likely to die in a car accident on the way to any public area than from a terrorist attack. I don't see most amusement parks as a target, honestly. A lot of times, these attacks are more of a statement than actually having the purpose of killing a lot of people. Look at the marathon bombing... yes, it was a huge gathering of people but they were spread out over 26 miles.The area in which the bombs were detonated was one of the higher concentrations of people because it was the finish line, but it still wasn't thousands of people in the direct vicinity. I think it was more of a statement. Terrorists attack things that are symbolic of our way of life, and the Boston Marathon is just that. I think *if* they were to attack a park (I honestly don't find it likely), they would go for one that is symbolic of our way of life - such as Disney. Disney does not have strong security measures (just a bag check at the gate), but I don't think metal detectors are ever the answer for this type of situation. All they do is catch people carrying pocket knives and screwdrivers. Someone who is coming in with the intent to do harm is NOT going to be stopped by a metal detector. They'll either find a way around it or just start shooting there - and the security personnel that ran them at KI were not armed. There was no armed security officer anywhere near the front gate most of the time. The only armed officers on park are the park police, and there are usually 5 or so of them on the entire property. A person in a uniform without any kind of weapon would not be a deterrent to someone with the intent to cause harm. Metal detectors were not there to stop "active shooters" (the current Homeland Security lingo) - they were designed to stop people from bringing in things like pocket knives which can dramatically escalate a small altercation. Yes, fights happens at parks (frequently over line jumping, which is why I don't encourage "self policing" in line), and if some hothead pulls out a knife, it's going to go the wrong way very quickly. But, like I said, metal detectors would not stop, or even slow down, an active shooter or a terrorist attack.

Just to be fair Shaggy, you can take nearly any park name and google it with rape, molestation, fights, and such and get results even our beloved Kings Island. That said I also wish this had been more of a relocation project instead, however I wish the park the best of luck and will gladly patronize the park if/when it reopens.

I don't think anybody wants that much concrete in Action Zone...

thank you & your welcome.

I've always had the thought in my mind about a situation like this happening, but if I go to the park or any other place with this fear, to me, that means they win. I won't stand for that. You will see me on opening day, and every other day there with a worry free attitude and a big smile!

A quote from Inception comes to mind, and I think it speaks for what I have to say. "Are you willing to take a leap of faith or risk becoming an old man, filled with regret?"

Do things like this concern me? Sure. They probably concern most people. Will that stop me from doing something? Other than vacationing in the Middle East- HELL NO!

I prefer not to live my life in a bubble. None of these events really scare me. I do make sure I am always aware of places to hide/escape routes in case something were to happen, but I'm not going to stop visiting public places. If something were to happen, I at least would die doing something I loved.

If you don't know what "Saratoga Chips" are, you've never been to Montgomery Inn...but, essentially a fresh made potato chip, with BBQ sauce for dipping.

nothin says ki & partridge family like danny bonaduce standing up on the log flume as its going down the hill... 00:54mark...just sayin'

I definitely understand the paranoia. I have several family members that feel similarly. I'd be one of them, except I keep thinking of how you're really at the mercy of other people no matter what you do. I don't say that negatively--it's just how the world works. Someone can make a wrong decision on the road and take you out while driving. Someone can accidentally switch medication and destroy one of your senses. Mistaken juries have had people executed for crimes they didn't commit. People will lie about you behind your back and keep you from getting the job, inspectors will shluff off a crack in the space shuttle heat shield, and both domestic and foreign terrorists will continue to do exactly what their name implies. If something bad is going to happen to you, is there really anything you can do to 100% prevent it? For me, I choose to be aware that these sorts of things can and will happen, but I don't see the point (except in extreme cases**) in letting it redirect my life. A close relative of mine would not see The Dark Knight Rises in theaters because of the Aurora shooting. I understand that there are things like copycats, but this relative specifically would not see TDKR, like it was cursed. Even if the shooter in that incident had some sort of obsession with The Joker, that doesn't mean that every other movie out there is safe. The same thing could happen whether you're watching The Dark Knight Rises or Gone With The Wind. So why let it stop you? Like others have said: if you let it stop you, the terrorists win. ** "Extreme cases" meaning that there is clear forewarning of something bad happening. Obviously, if a terrorist cell announces they're going to unleash something terrible at Amusement Park on May xx, I'm not going to visit Amusement Park on or around that date.

To change the way we live our lives after some kook or kooks set off a bomb is just what they want. If we give in to their threats and let it effect how we go about our lives is to admit defeat and they win. We will not give in and we will vow to go to the ends of the Earth to find the people or groups that support them and bring them to justice and not allow them to hide in countries that support them. But if we hide in our bunkers and become paranoid about who or when they might hit us, then they win and we loose.

Apparently a diversion. Actually, more than one.

The same chances of that we may know how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop.The world may never know 986, That is the number of licks I sometimes had too much time as a child but I was determined to know that answer. It all depends on how you lick it but around the 1,000 range seems pretty close. A birdie told me it took 3.

Auntie Anne's pretzels on International Street (mentioned on Twitter a while ago) and gluten-free items at Coney Potato Works seem to be about it. I'll look for more when I have it in front of me. Edit- OP delivers! KI Pretzel Company is now "Auntie Anne's- Hand-Rolled Pretzels, Pretzel Dogs, Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade" Is this new at Stunt Crew? "Stunt Crew Grill- Mouth-Watering Chicken, BBQ Pulled Pork, Salads, Desserts, Saratoga Chips, Ice-Cold Beer" "Christian Moerlein Bier Garten- Full Service Bar, German Fare, Fried Pickels, Appetizers" "Reds Hall of Fame Grille- Full-service, air conditioned sports-themed bar with 20-plus TVs. Fresh-grilled burgers, chicken wings, Montgomery Inn pulled pork, baby back ribs, Saratoga chips, wraps, appetizers, salads, homemade deserts, soft drinks, draft beer, wine" Drop Tower no longer has the Drop Zone spiral in front of it- nice attention to detail! WindSeeker is still there, for anyone who doubted that. Coke Freestyle locations are now marked. Was International Restaurant on the map before? It's now "Banquet facilities".

The 2013 map is nothing to be that excited about- they were giving them out at season pass processing over the weekend. Doesn't matter, I still am really excited to see it. Spoiler alert.

Hmm...wonder what they are going to do if/when a big new roller coaster (possibly as part of an AZ expansion) on the map, because Flight Deck sure does hog a lot of that space on the current map...I'm thinking they would move Flight Deck down to its original location... They may have also moved Flight Deck to its current location to hide the fact it is far from the rest of, well, anything not named Son of Beast! (2012 Map if it talked: "Oh yeah, it's not that far a walk..." People begin walking to FD... Map: "Suckas!" )

The Topic title made me all excited for a new 2013 map design for a moment. Alas it was for not.