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Why my gut leans toward a Giga is because I'm always asking what KI needs, but this perception of need is only my opinion of course, and compared to some of you it's an outsider's gut speaking. That is, little truth here, while CP is my home park and I've been there countless times, I've only been to KI about 6 times (gasp, I know), I just kinda sorta fell in love with the place. Here's where my mind wanders. First, if there is a ride that is the statement ride at KI, I would argue that it is still The Beast. Diamondback is glorious in its own right, but I would argue that Kings Island has been riding the coat-tails of The Beast for three decades. Granted, they have not been trying to be a coaster-centric park like Cedar Point, but in terms of coaster line-up there is a bit to be desired in my opinion (and I say that with all due respect to the history and lineup it does have). Let me be clear; I'm not knocking the current line-up...it's good, but even with Diamondback, something feels missing. The Beast was a home run, Diamondback was a home run...but where's the Grand Slam? Of course, they tried to fill this gap with Son of Beast. Indeed, they groomed this ride to be the next "it" in the coaster world, but we all know that story. . From where I sit, Kings Island is in prime position to grab the coaster world by the throat and not let go. It has the land...it has the opportunity...a new CEO that loves the park...well, you get the idea. To replace the world's biggest bomb, you need to go big. Now personally, I think a Maverick-esque or inverted coaster would be wonderful, but I think something "grander" is in store. When I was growing up, Kings Island was truly the King in the coaster world. The Beast...Vortex...King Cobra...and Cedar Point was always in the rear-view mirror...until Magnum happened. I'm not saying KI is set to start dueling with CP, which makes no sense in today's world, but they have a golden opportunity to reposition themselves as a coaster-destination. So that's why I'm thinking Giga.

If the answer is "no" could it be because the Ford 300 hasnt been out since the early 60's? Or because the Maverick ceased in the 70's? The Zephyr? Ford made a 500. The previsouly discussed Mustang? The Focus of this Probe has really made me an Explorer. Maybe King's Island could have a special queue for people on a budget - called the Econo line?

I like how that first shot makes it look like the drop on Flight Deck hasn't been built yet.

^Why would you remember my seventh birthday?

Welp, there we have it folks. The truck dumping soil in the first pic pretty much confirms a looping giga.

Just stop.

Yes. August 6, 2008.

Nobody was there when it happened. I wonder if it made a noise?

How could you forget the Fiesta? A Contour this thread has become. I am just glad my Sunliner is out on this Prefect day. Tusk - who just had to.

And all of its footings?

Really haven't done much so far? Are we ignoring the 218-foot wooden roller coaster they tore down that formerly sat in this space?

If the answer is "no" could it be because the Ford 300 hasnt been out since the early 60's? Or because the Maverick ceased in the 70's? The Zephyr? Ford made a 500. The previsouly discussed Mustang? The Focus of this Probe has really made me an Explorer.

I think you missed my point. When I worked on Diamondback doesn't mean that I currently work on Diamondback so I have no idea why I was the one to cause the trains to stack. I also have no idea why Firehawk had practically (not a guarantee) a safety every day for an entire month last season. I didn't work on Firehawk last season or at the park last season so I have no leverage on the reasons why. Sadly I don't think you realize that until you earn your credibility here on KIC that people are going to question and try to figure out where you are coming from. How are we to know if you were a "nazi" when you worked at the park if you haven't even introduced yourself? What's your name? Where did you work? When? I'm pretty sure you didn't "down" rides, in fact you probably stacked the trains if you were on a roller coaster unless you were on Invertigo or Woodstock Express. As for who the park hires, leave that to the park. If the park didn't think that minors couldn't handle it they wouldn't hire them to operate the rides. This has been the case for many years. And I'm sorry as a few others have pointed out, no Beast and Diamondback could not operate with more trains unless more blocks were added. Diamondback has 6 blocks. A) Lift Hill, Mid-Course, C) Main Brake (After splashdown), D) Transfer Brake, E) Waiting Breaks and F) Station Brake. The blocks are set up so that if Blocks C is not clear, meaning blocks D and E are not clear, the train will not release from Block B. As long as the ride is in operation and the lift has been started the trains will automatically advance to the next block if it is open unless it is at Block E or F. To proceed to block A from block F, block A must be cleared. If block B is not clear with a train stopped in the Mid-course the train on block A (Lift Hill) will stop on the lift until block B is cleared (when the train has entered block C). To have a train proceed from block B to C, block C must be cleared (that would send it through Blocks D and E suggesting that a train is in block F) Block A has to have block B open to proceed, Block B has to have block C open to proceed and block C has to have blocks D and E open to proceed. All the above is based on a 3 train operation by which the manufacturer and park had determined to be appropriate. Thus making it impossible for another train to be added. The block system for The Beast is also very similar and hosts 6 blocks total. Also, I can't compare my mic use to yours. If you would please submit us a sample of your work, that way I and other members here can compare my mic use from 3 years ago to yours currently (do you work at the park? If so it's not very wise to be posting as you are on here). You may be hearing more spieling on the way up the lift hill on The Beast than you do in the station because there are different factors. One being rotations, two being that the ride ops didn't know what to say, three the people on the train coming into the station were more enthusiastic about the ride than criticizing on how the operations of the ride went, four the ride ops may know someone on that train, five all of the other reasons.

According to the photos of the announcement it looks like early August, maybe the 6th? Edit: You beat me to it, Terp! Man, you're quick.

How does that confirm a giga? whoosh

How does that confirm a giga? I beleve you have seen a response involving sarcasm.

Or Maverick... Zach, cross...website-ing?

If the answer is "no" could it be because the Ford 300 hasnt been out since the early 60's? Or because the Maverick ceased in the 70's? The Zephyr? Ford made a 500. The previsouly discussed Mustang? The Focus of this Probe has really made me an Explorer. Maybe King's Island could have a special queue for people on a budget - called the Econo line? Change a certain front of the line wristband to the Fair Lane? Go to Hanks for a Fiesta, followed by an afternoon siesta? We may need to have an Escort off the premises. Hey - does Hank's serve pinto beans? I bet if they did, you could have explosions in the rear!

I consider information when its deemed logical. Trying to guess a ride manufacturer based on the footings is not logical.

One of the many benefits of watching Dayton TV

He probably considers it paramount. Seven birthdays are bigger than six flags.?

And trains ain't cheap! Far from it.

I'm pretty sure Department47 already answered your question and I have to second that. Having worked on Diamondback previously, stacking is a problem. Was it our fault as ride operators, not always. 95% of the time the train in the station was ready to dispatch and we had numerous guests trying to wait for their friends inside of the gates on the unload side, guests taking forever to place or pick up their 6 or 7 items, guests taking off their flip flops, etc. I'm sorry if you think that stacking trains is a big problem, but I hate to tell you that the park would rather stack the trains instead of sending a train out when it wasn't safe. And I'm sorry that you have a perception that no other ride operator would grab loose articles for guests, because I can assure you that our crew did that more than most realized. What is a failure to you is not a failure to the park.

^^^ Also, TombRaiderFTW was nice enough to write a mini-tutorial with step-by-step instructions for posting photos here. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26752-tutorial-how-to-upload-photos/

You don't need Photobucket. You can upload them with one of many other similar websites - imageshack.us, tinypic.com, or, my personal favorite, imgur.com.

Yes. DB96, beating Terpy to the punch!

I beg to differ. Although ride operators definitely have a responsibility to be as quick and efficient as possible, much of it comes down the guests. Guests can slow down the operations in multiple ways: Standing in the way of the loading gates, so they can't close and let the load operator forwards Forgetting to buckle their seatbelt A parent trying to buckle their child's seat belt and not buckling their own Larger ones not being able to fit, requiring operator assistance Parents trying to get their too-short children on the ride, despite the height requirement being posted at the entrance Trying to ride with other prohibited conditions (specific braces and casts, etc.) Having to cross the train to place loose articles in the bin before taking their seat Not placing electronics and other prohibited items away A guest coming up the exit, requiring seats to be saved (disability, VIP tour, etc.) The list goes on and on, but those are the main reasons dispatching a train may be delayed. Employees should do their best to counter all these things, but them happening is not their fault. And in my opinion, Kings Island's ride operators are much more professional and efficient than any I've met at Cedar Point. I visit both parks frequently, and I've encountered far more problems in Sandusky with slow, lazy, and rude employees than I have down in Mason.

So you want a steel version of The Beast?

We just need a fast paced, relentless, steel coaster. That also pacts a punch. Enough with the airtime machines.

Perhaps, with this new project, the designer can Aspire to follow the Contour of the land, and create a ride with the proper Tempo.

If the answer is "no" could it be because the Ford 300 hasnt been out since the early 60's? Or because the Maverick ceased in the 70's? The Zephyr? Ford made a 500. The previsouly discussed Mustang? The Focus of this Probe has really made me an Explorer. Maybe King's Island could have a special queue for people on a budget - called the Econo line? Change a certain front of the line wristband to the Fair Lane? Go to Hanks for a Fiesta, followed by an afternoon siesta? We may need to have an Escort off the premises.

I was able to visit KI today because of weather issues giving me a day off from work! Like most of my trip reports, I'll keep this one short and sweet! Walk-ons on most rides, including Firehawk, Diamondback, and Vortex. I had only ridden Surf Dog once prior to today, and it is pretty fun! Seat 5-1 on Vortex did feel a little different than the others to me. Dodgem car #35 did feel a little faster to me than the others, but I didn't get to try #9. My girlfriend finally knew what B&M meant when I said something about it! I guess being annoying pays off eventually They were doing a silent walk-through of Rock n Roll Never Forgets in Festhaus today. It was interesting to see people up there dancing in sync and not hearing any music! Whatever happens with Project 2014, I am excited about it. Just a few thoughts from an impromptu trip! If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and thanks for reading!

My wife heard me say B&M when talking about King's Island and she thought I said I had a BM when I was at the park. (talk about a load of crap) Oh well - as the song goes......"when will they ever learn?"

But you were soooooo sure. Teachers often tell pupils not to change their first answer unless they are certain of their second. Terp. There are no hints or indications in this post. Have you driven a Ford....lately?

Haha I was irrationally excited when my gf started recognizing coaster manufacturers as well. Thanks for the TR!

And the only cure...is more cowbell!

This is about the greatest thread in the Galaxie

Ironically, WINDseeker.

Seriously...couple days in and someone already wants to start something without considering information...Look at the difference between Intamin footers for say, an intamin like millie. New B&M's like GK @ CP..certain wooden coasters if they decide to go that route again. For instance you can rule out already if lets say it would be another woodie, GCI isn't involved because they lay down a giant slab of concrete. Layout also can be established with said footers. Intamin usually have layouts that follow their track layout almost similar to how arrows are right under the track. B&M's are a bit more rough to determine (say looking at GK, or Mantis is a huge example of this). Their footers are quite sporadic with the way their supports are. Also B&M footers usually feature a large square above ground or a trapezoid esque shape. Intamin usually uses round concrete footers in most scenarios, not all but most. For instance even though obsolete, back in the day Arrow coasters used to have alot of small footers for each individual support, and also had an imprint of an arrow, typically for the trains DOT ( footer orientation to bolt up correctly), also a possible tie to the company but never able to verify. Footers can be a good clue, so instead of being blatantly rude, consider information before posting please. I rest my case

^ http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?/topic/23493-something-big-announced-3-18-11/?hl=something%20big I found it! Now it is there for all to see...

My wife and I were at the park yesterday with my four year old niece (who barely reached the 44" line!). She was a real trooper- we rode The Scrambler first, then walked through Dinosaurs Alive! She loved every minute of it, and when the first growl and movement came she stepped back a bit. After that, as we made every turn she got more and more excited. She really enjoyed it and I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to do it again. After that, we headed to the Reds Hall of Fame Grille. Food was great, service was slow....not sure if its staffing or what, but generally when you order drinks at a sit down restaurant you receive them within a few minutes. We waited at least 10. The server was friendly. The food took about 25-30 minutes, but it wasn't a big deal because at least it was FRESH. My wife and I both got the Red Leg burger with fries and my niece ordered chicken tenders with applesauce. On a side note, my wife really likes sweet potato fries. They're stil listed on the menu, but apparently they don't serve them anymore. From there we (or she) rode the train, Race For Your Life Charlie Brown (2x), The Kite Eating Tree (2x), Character Carousel (2x), Woodstock Whirlybirds, Snoopy vs. The Red Baron (2x), Boo Blasters (2x), The Great Pumpkin Coaster (2x), Peanuts 500 (2x), Woodstock Express (4x). We started making our way back the way we came and rode Linus Launcher and Race for Your Life Charlie Brown. She had a blast, and so did we. It was the first trip I've taken where I wasn't running from Diamondback to The Beast to FOF...etc...but it was so much fun seeing her have a blast and take in all these new experiences and thrills. The look on her face at the top of Woodstock Express was PRICELESS. We weren't really sure how "high" she would go, but she was so excited to ride Woodstock Express. She laughed and screamed the entire time. Such a joy... EDIT: Lines were nonexistent. It was the slowest day at the park I've seen in a while. Next trip, Sunday! I'm thinking it will be busy with this weekend's Tribute to the Armed Forces. It will be my wife and I with a couple of friends- one of which has never been to Kings Island.

Pics or it didn't happen.

That would be the cost for the foundation work.

This is an apparent attempt to show that that part of the land, as burdened by the easement, is of lesser to no value for tax purposes. This would not be related to any new construction. There is a small clue on that site. It's been there for weeks. Terp, being good.

I have a new diagnosis: Giga itis I so misread this at first. I got some Giga Tits too. Oh wait, Nevermind.......

Yeah, you'll get sticky fingers. Plus, it's vandalism.

2 and 1/2 years ago Shaggy very early on nailed what Dino Alive was going to be. I don't remember which topic it was, but on like the 4th of hundreds of posts he described DA very well and then it quickly got buried in coaster speculation. From experience, I recommend paying close attention to Shaggy's posts.