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I still don't understand why a poll with a maufacturer-slanted agenda behind it was placed in a KI forum... oh yes I do... because it has a manufacturer-slanted agenda behind it. But to burst your bubble... Most are too young to recall KI's announcement of "The Beast." Quite frankly, the media blitz that followed the opening of that coaster has yet to be matched... even by today's equivelents. I recall, at the ripe age of 8, seeing "The Beast" in newspapers, on countless nationwide news programs across all 3 networks, as well as on TV specials such as "Real People", "That's Incredible", "PM Magazine" and more. I lived in Virgina and hadnt even heard of Kings Island until "The Beast" made national news. It was everywhere. What made Beast's announcement so monumental, is that it was really the first time ANY coaster garnered such media attention. Any subsequent coaster (no matter what manufacturer) announcement really owes a lot to the inital path that was paved by The Beast 35 years ago... Shaggy

Which is why inflated basketballs have no place in a park. In my opinion.

That YoungStud will turn out liking Banshee and will be 1 more person in line whenever I go to ride it.

So Disney announced yesterday that they will be re-installing the Hatbox Ghost in the Disneyland version of the Haunted Mansion! Most here wont know the significance of that, but this is extremely exciting news to Disney/Haunted Mansion fans such as myself. The Hatbox Ghost is legendary. It lasted only 2-3 days when the attraction opened in 1969. The "trick" was easy to decipher by guests, and so it was pulled and destroyed immediately. Fans have begged Disney to re-imagine and install the Ghost back in the mansion. And after 45 years - they agreed. Here's a video with the rarest of all Disney Haunted Mansion things - a glimpse of the original Hatbox Ghost in operation. Shaggy

I heard an interview with Don where he said that the tombstones would come to fruition!

The most devistating loss to KI was by far the Antique Cars/Flying Skooters removal for IJST. The most picturesque section of the park was compromised for a ride featuring rusty cargo containers as it's theming element. It was, is, and will be an absolutely eyesore that destroyed the esthetics of the park. I pray that Cedar Fair removes the coaster and restores the area to what it should still be... beautiful. What a monumental mis-step by those (then) in charge of "improving" the park. Bad, bad, bad.

Mmmm... Sweet pretzels from the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT.

From the Cedar Fair Parks Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/14JtvJn

You put down shoot the rapids lol...still down mechanical.. Also skyhawk is still down #prayforskyhawk (pointbuzz people will get it)

I could ask you to play misty for me.

At Hersheypark, violators of ride safety policy or those who make gang signs or obscene gestures get a surprise. The on-ride photo is used for evidence. The violator is ejected from the park without refund. If a passholder, the pass is revoked. Severe cases get prosecuted. Meanwhile, basketballs bounce annoyingly throughout that park.

How would the WindSeekers be dueling? Which one e-stops loaded at the top first?

I was planning to spend all of August 14th up at KI, but I just got hired for a new job today that starts tomorrow, so I decided to go spend part of today up there. My fiancé and I arrived about 4:45pm, and once inside the park I headed straight for Diamondback. About a 20-25 minute wait to ride in row 1. Not bad! After that I went to The Beast. Another short line, on and off front row in under 30 minutes. Next we went on the carousel. Walk on for that. I then proceeded to Action Zone, had a look around the Banshee construction area to see the changes, then went to Delirium. Walk on for that as well. After Delirium I went to Invertigo and waited about 5 or 10 minutes for that, which was very nice, as that usually has a long line. After that I went to Flight Deck, waited less than 5 minutes for that Then we decided to try the new Banshee twist ice cream. That is some SERIOUS food dye on that!!! Lol. It was very yummy though After that we went to Boo Blasters. We got pod 16, which didn't work very well. I still managed to get 1260 though and my fiancé got 1080 (or something close to that....) I then got walk on for Woodstock Express, less than 5 minute wait for Surf Dog, walk on for Kite Eating Tree, and less than a 5 minute wait for back-to-back last rides of the night on Flying Ace. I got in line for that at 7:55, thinking I would be on the last train, but there were about 5 people extra so they had to run one more train. I got off the ride, no sooner set foot in the exit, and heard the ride op say if you found an empty row, you were welcome to ride again. I immediately turned around and got back on, making my fiancé wonder where the heck I went LOL. He saw me on the ride when we got to the top, though It was a fun time thanks to very short lines I got a lot done in about 3 hours hoping to go up there again next Saturday, possibly spend my first paycheck on a Fast Lane pass lol

I'll be your umbrella.

As opposed to fake fog machines? Terp, who just HAD to.

Then Diamondback must be your worst nightmare...

Influential announcement, technology, industry changer? No. I would call something like the Matterhorn one of the most influential rides ever. Why you might ask? Because it was the first tubular steel continuous circuit coaster ever build. Influential game changer without a doubt. Still my favorite ride with a Yeti...

Cal/OSHA have always been meticulous about that sort of thing. I don't know anything about it, but The Interpreter says New Jersey has some of the harshest theme park safety regulations in the country, too.

Are you sure it's not just because it is a Intamin product that you made this poll?

I don't want music to play at all for me! I like to soak up the atmosphere while I'm waiting inline, why can't Kings Island play ambient music that reflects the ride it's themed to..I'd love to hear faint Banshee wails with spooky graveyard sounds playing like owls hooting,gates creaking, the wind blowing... yeah that'd be great. I don't want to hear Katy Perry or Taylor swift or Lady Gaga. I don't want to offend anyone on here but I hope you all understand what I'm saying.

No. It didn't influence anything except for Kingda Ka.

The batwing/Norwegian loop/pretzel knot is an interesting marketing concept... I'm craving pretzels right now.

Actually from my experience 90% of riders are going to refer to it as "that part where you go like this and then like this"

We were at KI on Sunday and my 10 year old son and I rode Diamondback. When we got off the ride we wentro view our picture, but couldn't see it with the other on-ride pics. I waited for awhile and finally asked the girl at the viewing area why our picture wasn't visable. Apparently the people in front of us used their cell-phone to take a pic when our train was stopped just outside the station and so they blocked our picture. She told me we couldn't view it as long as they were there. I have never heard of this and thought it was strange. And kind of ridiculous, honestly. I googled and couldn't find anything about this and I figured somebody on KIC would likely know about it. I understand that rules are rules and cell phones aren't allowed out on rides. What bothered me is that I didn't have my cell phone even with me and they were blocking my pic because of what some stranger in front of me did. Anyone else ever experienced this?

As some of you know, I hold no ride on Earth in higher regard than Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. The ride closed last night as normal and opened today with an incredible new special effect. To review, the story of the ride is that the ancient god Mara promises one of three gifts to riders (with the ride entering a different one of three doors on each ride). No matter the door, each path comes face-to-face with the giant stone carving of Mara, and of course, looking into his "Forbidden Eye" triggers the collapse of the temple, and the start of the thrill ride. Just watch from 2:45 and listen as Mara awakens and curses you to the Gates of Doom (just about 30 seconds). As of today, Mara's face comes alive with texture-mapped projection software so that when you look into his eyes, his stone face cracks and a layer of rust sweeps across him as his eyes open. This effect is really successful and really awesome. The only downside? His voice. Be sure to watch the video above of the original first, because it features Mara's voice - deep, booming, authoritative, and chilling. His new voice... Well... it sounds like they plucked a 20-something from his part-time job and had him re-record the dialogue for no reason whatsoever. With any luck, this change is temporary while the original audio is remastered. But watch the original ride, then the new one, and try not to laugh. Are we really supposed to fear Mara in the second clip? Whether the voice is permanent or not, it's a cool visual effect. Might have a place on Adventure Express, for example! Too bad The Crypt is gone... What a way to bring the goddess to life!

The KI Eiffel Tower was originally an olive\hunter green. I suspect soon it will be time for another paint job. The original Paris Eiffel Tower: http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2008/01/24/landmark-color-the-eiffel-towers-true-hues I learned a lot there. What color should the KI Eiffel Tower be? Why?

A few quick notes... 1. They are now starting to pour footers near Adventure Express. 2. I had to stop for gas on the way home, so I left through the north exit. As I was heading north on KI Drive, a semi truck from Art's Rental was heading south on KI Drive with a large forklift on the trailer. 3. To answer the question about fog machines at night - KI (probably Don, but possibly someone else in KI's marketing department) stated on Facebook that "the ride experience at night will include special effects". It's one of the comments on the initial post about Banshee.

^ You and CP&LERR Fan should meet up and ride the train.

Pythons falling through the ceiling and squeezing me to death.

Probably not ^Don't forget the train.

You are just trying to cloud the issue!

A very wise man once said the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Seriously though, that would get you the job for sure!

It sucks when a couple of people ruin things for everyone else. I don't know why it's so hard to follow rules. Just like in elementary school when 1 or 2 kids talking would result in the lights being turned out and the entire class having to put their heads down on their desk and losing recess.

Here's a little tidbit I found out about the Haunted Mansion... it's rather creepy. Apparently, Disney has trouble with people that attempt to throw ashes of cremated loved ones while riding the attraction. They monitor riders closely and if they see someone tossing something, they e-stop the ride, evac and the ride is completely shut down until ecology cleans it thoroughly. Yikes!

Eiffel Tower. Rides come, rides go. Some get worse with age, some get worse as we age. The Tower is constant, it towers everything as you first approach the park, it steals your field of vision as you cross under the main entrance. It never changes, it never gets worse, and in many regards as I age its developed into an even bigger draw. Its as brillant today as it was the day the park welcomed its first guest. The view from the top is study is motion, constantly changing, day to day, week to week, month to month, season to season. The tower is what we first see at the start of each season as we enter thru the main gate, its often the last thing we view at season's end as the final fireworks fizzle out. As you various rides zip you thru the park, the Eiffel Tower remains a constant pillar of attention at the very heart of the park. I'd miss The Beast, The Racers and Woodstock Express, the long standing woodies, two dating back to the parks opening, the other a true classic that remains on the top of many enthusiasts must ride lists. I'd miss the smooth roar of Diamondback, the blast of air thrust onto the ground each time Drop Zone fails to conquer gravity, and the unknown twist discovered on Flight of Fear anytime somebody takes their first ride. The loss of any other ride would leave a hole in my experience at the park, however the loss of the Eiffel Tower would leave a hole in my soul where so many memories first began and often ended as the backdrop to a fantastic day at Kings Island.

When you have people you haven't talked to or seen since 8th grade text you randomly saying "Hey I'm going to Cedar Point (or KI) tomorrow, what advice do you have for me?" This has happened to me three times this year with three people I didn't even know they knew I existed!

KI can have dueling WindSeekers.

Spent three hours up there today. I was going to spend all day tomorrow up there, but I just got a new job today that I start tomorrow, so I wanted to go for a bit today lol I tried the Banshee twist ice cream. Very tasty but about as much skin staining food coloring as you'd find on an Easter egg!!! it took some effort to get all the dye off my face, and I still have some on my hands from where it dripped!!!

In no particular order 1. King Cobra 2. Kenton Cove Keelboat Canal 3. Smurf's Enchanted Voyage 4. Flight Commander 5. Son of Beast 6. Flying Eagles 7. Racer Backwards 8. Skylab 9. Tomb Raider Der Spinning Keggers (I was alive for The Bat but too young to remember and never road it otherwise I'm sure it'd make my list.)

Thanks for Serving our country!

Surely there are better keepsakes you could find at KI other than that Terpy. Might I suggest the many great shops on International Street, or try your luck at winning a prize at one of the midway games in Coney Mall.

1. Wild Animal Habitat Monorail 2. Phantom Theater 3. Racer Backwards 4.Tomb Raider 5. Smurfs Enchanted Voyage 6. King Cobra 7. Flying Eagles 8. Spongebob 3D 9. Kenton Coves Keelboat Canal I will have to add, and they aren't rides, The Elephant Fountain, The Hanna-Barbera Interactive Fountain with the water guns, the big hedge canopy between HB Land and Rivertown, I miss too.

1. King Cobra 2.The Smurfs my daughter loves The Smurfs and I'm sure would have enjoyed it as much as I did when I was a kid. Boo Blasters is her current favorite. 3. Flying Eagles 4. Antique cars.

They're not sneaking it in. It had been reported and even confirmed by KI that erection of the steel will start this week.

Before you know it, Terpy will be here talking about how he loves cranes. He wants to live in cranes. If it was socially acceptable he would drape himself in cranes.

This is the picture KI tweeting this morning. Just thought I would share it with you.

It wasn't rough. It was unique for its day. And want to see why? Go ride SkyRider. Don't make the mistake of thinking Shockwave at Kings Dominion rides like King Cobra did. Shockwave is rougher, slower and less fun.