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So, I was bored and up to nothing at all scrolling through netflix when I figured, why not spend at least a few hours in the park and get a few rides in before I make my CP trip and KIC day upcoming which will probably have some crowds. So after getting dressed and organized I made my way into my car and made the drive down to KI. Once I got there the parking lot didn't look too bad, bit crowded and packed but I've seen much worse, this was like...mid June crowd I would say, almost like half of KIC day for those that were there. First things first, parking is giving you flyers for upgrading to a 2014 season pass yay, slap to the face oh well they don't know I'm going to Guam. After getting a convenient parking spot, I noticed the flag at half mast, well, after figuring out a prev Ohio governor passed away, it made sense, was quite odd seeing it and not knowing what the deal was regarding that. Lastly for this, it was cool seeing the Clifford as part of the skyline. Once in the park made my way to the Eiffel Tower, surprised girlfriend and her crew, and took a stroll at the top of the tower looking at the construction site. Not much has grown and everyone has seen the progress through twitter/kic updates I'm sure, it's better in person but nothing new to report Once at the base of the tower, the International Street smoking area has a small haunt getting prepared for use in the next few weeks, it somewhat reminds me of cornstalkers/blood on the bayou look for those familiar with them at CP. Not sure of the name for the new walk through, but looks...ok-ish I started the day with a front row beast run . On the way there I noticed that the giant flower clock had not been trimmed for awhile, it needs a haircut I ended up waiting fifteen minutes for the first car front row right seat. Great ride, I was disappointed that the crew with even low numbers running through the ride were slowing their own ride down. Gates opened three times and restraints the same amount just to get people on the ride, when they could have just sent with some empty seats and moved on and loaded them on the next cycle. When you have the gates open, and loose articles get placed in the bin, then each ride op has to do their checks again respectively, you're just delaying the dispatch, and when a train is sitting stacked on the brake run ready for the one in station to dispatch, just check empty bars and move on. I was hoping by now the crew would be seasoned, but still making opening weekend mistakes. Also, if you're going to spiel, spiel. If you're not then don't spiel. The guy on beast that had the mic was terrible, no enthusiasm, barely any words, very pathetic. I'm not one to post names but I'll probably post who in an email to Guest Services, quite pathetic. I know PKI didn't spiel, and that's fine, but like I said, if there isn't a spiel, cool, whatever, but if you're going to have the mic and use it, do it right. After exiting the ride, I noticed The Beast American flag was not at half mast...tisk tisk Kings Island Next I walked through Rivertown to Diamondback. This ride had just a stair wait to it, pretty nice, they did stack a few times, some due to slow ride ops, some were because of up bars or loose articles. Typical crew stuff, nothing crazy to report there. I am however disappointed on two things. One, I don't know what the policy is others can def. chime in, but a kid that clearly did not meet the height requirements was allowed to walk on platform and cross the train with one of his parents. That to me is a GIANT NO NO. That kid could have slipped on the ride by sneaky devious parents putting this little kid into harms way. At CP it didn't matter if he was 10 inches or a half inch, to a hair shorter than the rider safety guideline stipulated, you didn't cross through the platform. If they met the policy we would sometimes let them cross, however to be efficient I usually directed them to the exit to wait there for them post ride so I don't have 4-5 people coming through one gate. Anyways back to subject this one kid probably 3 inches below the rider safety specs was walking around with his parents. I watched em pass through and wait at the exit, but that's still scary to me, and should NOT have happened in my opinion. Maybe a difference in ride op procedures but I think this needs changed, to me it's not a bad idea to be over protective for everyones sake, as that's the first priority is to make sure everyone is safe. Secondly, I probably will not ride Diamondback in the very back for the rest of the year unfortunately, its now too rough for my tastes. I could feel my trachea in my throat vibrating after the second airtime hill through the rest of the ride, I ended up getting a headache for about 20 minutes after riding it. One small note to DB crew...if you're spieling, please be original, the 10 minutes I was on platform waiting for the very back the same I say diamond, you say back, was used for each dispatch...just...be original, again back to my use the mic right or don't use it at all. Anyways, through Planet Snoopy, on to Action Zone passing tower on the way, it's such a site seeing that crane on the skyline, it makes me so happy. Before going back towards flight deck, I got a good group of photos of the construction area for all of you to take a look through. The transfer table is nearing completion for the supporting steel, the actual transfer track is in place and on the table itself, nothing else new though. Just take a look through the pics to see it all for yourself After checking out construction, flight deck sounded good, and Club blood has been assembled to the left of the queue line. Flight deck, good as always, it may not be big bad wolf good, but I could still do laps all day on that thing. Also good spiels by the crew, and they looked like they were having fun.Once I got back to the Action Zone midway, I walked next door to Drop Tower. I will say for me only being a 36 inch waist, those seats are still pretty tight even on me, but I'll do whatever I have to do to squeeze into those seats, I love that ride way too much. Good views of the construction zone too if you get a chance go up and take a gander. Lastly, the spiel there was awesome, I will make sure to get him recognized, quite entertaining and fun, plus a bit of snarky sarcasm that was perfect ("Have fun on Drop Tower, it's tall, it drops you, good luck") Next to Drop Tower, the gift shop has the same table of Banshee merch, I do like the shirts that have the KI backdrop ontop of the logo which is on the display shirts, but not the ones hanging to sell. I would have bought the ones with the better logo, but ah well. I do like the hoodies available btw, the black one is quite nice. After going through all of that, I made my way to Adventure Express. Oh but before I took more construction pics (just lumped them all together up top), but I did manage to get these cool shots of Delirium going right next to me by the fence, nifty stuff Well, got on Adventure Express fun ride, I wish I wouldn't have neglected it so much, it's pretty relaxing and for an older hybrid, I should have known I would have enjoyed it's twists. I still wish I knew what else was said in the tunnel or the music, all I ever hear is "now you will pay" and also, the sound of lots of loud arrow rollback bars slapping against the lift in an enclosed tunnel. Once I got done there, it was back to the tower to take a good nightime view of the surroundings, and ponder a nightime beast run and maybe FOF/Vortex to finish the night. Before getting in line, the tower had a very great shade of blue, followed by this good green too, very pretty. My ride up tower and back down was a bit disappointing. For me knowing all of the tower crew due to who I'm dating and my friends on it, I will say the person in the elevator at those two times really disappointed me, no enthusiasm, didn't care, basically uttered four words on the way down, nice and quiet rides, no smiles, nothing.Everything this individual displayed was just "I don't care to be here, screw it, get in, get out." I will have to have a few personal words with them at some point in the future or make it known to guest services. I know this person is capable of more and should be given their position on the crew, but wow, utterly pathetic. After heading to Beast at 2120 it had about a 20 minute wait, without closing for fireworks. I figured ah well, forget it, another night, and ended up going to Larosas and grabbing a Coke, drinking it and walking out of the park and heading home early. All in all still a great night at the park for only spending a few hours there and just getting a few rides in. It was nice to be at the park again though since the last time was the announcement a few weeks ago, and it was packed then. I could only imagine though if I was there the whole day and how much riding I would have gotten done. Well hope you enjoyed everything, it's a long trip report and lots and lots of good pics for y'all so enjoy.

Antique cars... Something about driving an arrow model car with a lawnmower engine and the smell of gasoline just punches me right in the childhood

http://s1149.photobucket.com/user/vfoxiii/slideshow/Ki-Bansbhee There are more photos on the slideshow. Banshee is misspelled, sorry B button on my computer has a mind of it's own.

^ They must be testing Banshee.

Taken yesterday 8/30/13: EDIT: Sorry, I'm out of Photobucket bandwidth.

Anything? I'd like the park to once again be the entertainment showplace of the Midwest, not unlike Fiesta Texas is for Six Flags in Texas. Kings Island needs to be both a regional park and to differentiate itself nationally such that people in California have heard of Kings Island and want to go. Cedar Point is very much The Thrill Park. Kings Island could become a great show park with something for every member of the family, including the grandparents. 1972's vision for Kings Island was down that road. The sale to Carl Lindner's Great American Finacial pretty much was the start of the end of that. Ironically, of all things, the Paramount Communications purchase was the final nail in that coffin. Sigh.

First time in the park since supports went up, and I've got to say, this thing is gong to be beautiful when it's done, I think they knocked it out of the park in terms of the layout in relation to Action Zone. If the ride is half as good as it appears the layout will be, it's going to be a boon for the park.

If you are going to be there Sunday, I want to meet you.

Jcgoble, TMI bro.

I would probably resurrect the Paramount Years, starting around 1996, as that is my first memory of Kings Island I have. Those were the days when the park became more of a destination to me. I can remember watching America's Greatest Roller Coaster Thrills (1994) and always just wanting to get to Kings Island and ride, ride and ride all day. But I guess it is kind of hard to resurrect a childhood, or even a childhood memory, so overall just the theming and overall environment of the park during that time.

So you tell him to wait til he rides it, but you don't have to? My head hurts.

Photos taken: 95 Part 1: We arrived at the park right when they opened for the ERT. While walking toward the ERT entrance I was pleasantly surprised to see KingsIslandPR a.k.a. Don himself at the park as well! He was talking to another gentleman. When he was finished talking, I walked up to Don and told him I was a KIC member. We then had a nice short conversation involving what my KIC name is (just so he knew exactly who VortexBFForever is) and me being a Platinum Pass holder; I mentioned that I would be going to CP next month, and Don said he would be going this week when KI was closed, since 8/25 was the last day of daily operation. We then shook hands and introduced ourselves. After that, our brief conversation ended and my mom and I continued through the ERT entrance and on our way to Diamondback. Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was when Vortex already started its daily testing and it was barely 9:40. On a typical day it starts testing at 9:45 (if park opens at 10). Many times, I've been wanting to ride in the front seat. The problem is, the longer line for that row always deterred me from riding there and instead I picked a different row. This time, however, I finally decided to go for it. So I hopped into the front seat line and waited about 10 minutes; it was a 5 train wait. It was just after 9:50 by the time I boarded the Green Train and got ready for my very first front seat ride on Diamondback! On the first hill, I liked hanging over and seeing that big drop before me. I LOVED the 80 mph breeze I got in my face! I also enjoyed the floater airtime I got when going up the hills (on a side note, I'm used to riding in the back seat, which has airtime while going down the hills) which was very nice. On the way up the final helix into the splashdown, I was like "This is the best B&M ever!!" (true story; DB is my favorite B&M coaster along with Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist). What an amazing ride. I scooted to Coney Mall and barely reached the rope drop by the time the national anthem was finished. I now had a choice between WindSeeker and Vortex. I chose to go to WindSeeker first again, hoping for a ride like on August 14 when I had WS all to myself for a cycle. Alas, a solo ride wouldn't happen this time. The poor thing was having a technical delay, as I was told after waiting at its entrance for a few minutes. So, I headed next door to Vortex, planning to ride WS later. Unlike other morning trips where I start out riding Vortex in the front seat, I decided to ride in the BACK seat this time. I got in line for 7-2 just as Train #3 was departing, which meant the first of the two marathons I did on this trip would be on Train #1. So my 2nd ride (and my first Vortex ride) of the morning was started off with an awesome airtime-filled drop (after ascending the lift hill, of course.). It was the same for all the other Vortex rides on this trip, because I only rode in the 6th and 7th cars. I guess it was just my day to ride in the back! It was fun! The 6-ride marathon was done in these seats, in order: 7-2, 7-2, 7-2, 7-1, 6-2, 6-1. At the end of the 6th ride, WindSeeker had opened, and guess what soundtrack I heard? "Romantic Flight," my favorite soundtrack! When Train #1 was back home in the station, I exited, (promising to come back to the ride later) and went back across the midway to WindSeeker! My first WS ride of the morning was in Seat 59. "Test Drive" played on this cycle, and to me it was a great way to start on my first non-coaster ride of the day! Like always, it sure was great feeling that cool 30 mph breeze while flying 301 feet above ground! Next I rode in Seat 54. "See You Tomorrow" was supposed to play on this cycle, but somehow "Test Drive" started to play again! (a "repeat cycle"? That's a first...). Don't get me wrong, I love listening to Test Drive on such a good ride like WindSeeker, but I was expecting "See You Tomorrow." But it was just as fun. I missed the true "See You Tomorrow" cycle, but at least I would be on the cycle where "This Is Berk", which is yet aonther How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack, would play. That was nice, since I hadn't been on a "This Is Berk" cycle AT ALL! My very first cycle with "This Is Berk" playing was in Seat 64. It was great, once again! Did I mention I love watching Vortex and the other rides while going around up-top? It's pretty cool! I got in line yet again and made it onto the next cycle which had what I call "Unknown Soundtrack" playing on it. I call it "Unknown Soundtrack" because as much as I want to know its real name, I do not know its real name!! I really, REALLY want to know what Unknown Soundtrack's real name is, a whole lot! I rode in Seat 18 on this "Unknown Soundtrack" cycle. The main reason I really want to know what Unknown Soundtrack's name is is because I think it sounds really cool! It would really help if someone on here knew what the name of the song was, because I want to listen to it on my computer! I missed the "Apollo 13: The Launch" cycle, (the one after "Unknown Soundtrack") so I was on the next cycle, the one with the soundtrack that reminds me of a news channel intro. That flight was spent in Seat 28. After the 5 rides I filled my souvenir cup with root beer and ice at the Juke Box Diner. Part 2 in next post

Uhh... No comment haha.

Congratulations! Wish you both a happy marriage! It takes work after time, but me and mine stay strong and I wish you and yours the same!

Part 2: Then I headed back to Vortex and got a good triple ride on Train #2. Ride order: 6-1, 6-1, 7-1. At the end of the ride in 7-1 I found the trains had stacked and they remained that way for a few minutes. As I wondered what was going on, I looked into the station and saw a couple attendants hosing down Train #3’s last car. Apparently someone had had a protein spill; if it was me, I’d be pretty embarrassed, but chances are that I won’t have a protein spill anytime soon because I have a very strong stomach. Soon they sent Train #3 out empty. Train #1 proceeded into the station, and Train #2 (where I was riding) went to the second brake run. I actually didn’t mind the extended wait – it gave me more than enough time to look all around while the train was sitting on the first brake run! Although it was pretty warm, I didn’t get terribly hot because right before the ride I had another quick drink of ice-cold root beer from my souvenir cup, so I was perfectly comfortable. After exiting and picking up my cup and waist pack from the bin, I decided to ride some other rides and then come back to Vortex later, as I normally do. As I headed down the Mall midway, I decided to hop into Zephyr’s line, because like nearly all the other rides this line was super short. After waiting only a couple minutes (the cycle was just finishing), I went to the ride and rode in one of the aqua green seats, on the very outside. I had an enjoyable flight on Kings Island’s classic swing ride! Next we decided to ride Dodgem together. We joined its short line and only had to wait a couple minutes. I drove Car #35 for my 3rd ever ride on Dodgem. It was fun! I love rides like these where everyone is having just as much fun as you are no matter who you bump into. What a classic experience! Our next ride was Scrambler. We rode together in Seat 7 (because 7 is my favorite number ). Like Dodgem, this ride was quite fun like always! On the way to Racer we saw KingsIslandPR (Don) again and had another brief conversation with him. He asked me what my favorite ride was. I said it is Vortex, and I also mentioned that I was at 184 total rides (at the moment)! After that nice (and unexpected/unplanned) “meetup” with KingsIslandPR, Mom and I continued to Racer. Like all the other coasters, Racer had a station wait. Both sides were running. I got in line for Red and rode in Row 1-2 on Train #1. I had a great ride! While coming out of the turnaround, I looked at Vortex’s station and noticed that the line was once again non-existent! I was thinking, “Oh my goodness! Vortex has no line RIGHT NOW!” as Red once again raced ahead of Blue to the finish on KI’s classic racing coaster. I headed back to Vortex. The station had been virtually empty ever since opening, which told me we had chosen a GREAT day to come out to the park. I got in line for 7-1. The train I ended up on was Train #3. I had a great 185th ever ride on Vortex! While walking out of Vortex’s exit I noticed the “Harry Potter Hedwigs Theme” playing on a just-beginning WindSeeker cycle. Knowing my favorite soundtrack, “Romantic Flight,” would play on the next cycle, I hopped into the queue for my last ride of the trip before ending my 10th KI trip of the season (yes, 8/25 was the day of my 10th trip of the season!). A few minutes after I had sat down in Seat 59, the “All Clear!” came. “Romantic Flight” started to play as the ‘Seeker began another journey to the skies 301’ above all of Kings Island and the surrounding area. It was amazing looking down at the other rides, trees, and buildings, and it made me very thankful for the fact that I live only 60 minutes from such a great park! I <3 Kings Island! The exhilarating ride had the honor of officially ending yet another KI trip (in other words, WS was the last ride I rode before leaving the park, as it was already 1:30). Until next time… Labor Day and Dollar Days, here I come!! Mom’s photos of the day: I’m in the back row A groundhog! Taken while I was riding Vortex. A young starling on top of a building (the restrooms by WindSeeker?) +Diamondback: 1 YTD: 6 Overall: 77 +Vortex: 10 YTD: 50 Overall: 185 +WindSeeker: 6 YTD: 26 Overall: 44 +Zephyr: 1 YTD: 4 Overall: 13 +Dodgem: 1 YTD: 3 Total: 3 +Scrambler: 1 YTD: 4 Overall: 8 +Red Racer: 1 YTD: 4 Overall: 8 Notes: -staff was very friendly! I liked it! -I felt like I absolutely HAD to ride Racer mainly because on the previous Tuesday (8/20) I had this weird dream that SFNO had reopened and I was riding Mega Zeph! -lines were constantly short -I rode on all three of Vortex’s trains -AND 8/25 was the last day of daily operation! -Despite the short lines at nearly all rides (including Diamondback!), Flight of Fear’s line still went into at least half of its outdoor switchbacks! (and once again Firehawk’s line was shorter in comparison, which I am greatly appreciating!)

The Texas Cyclone with Morgan trains was far and away the worst wooden roller coaster I've ridden. Worst steel would be Drachen Fire.

I miss the old times. Perhaps a time will come when the entire remaining Koch family can sing "Kum Bah Yah."

Noticed that they were running a couple of the rides backswards this year. So how does it work, running trains backwards on certain coasters (I've always wondered this)? I'm sure it depends on the ride, whether or not they can just flip a train around, but what "qualifies" a ride to be able to just run its trains backwards? Do any adjustments have to be made to the brakes or anything? Also, will they run ALL trains backwards? Or just one, so others who want to ride it facing forward can too? And will they flip the trains back the following season and pick another couple random coasters to run backwards? I'm just so full of questions as to how this works and why KI doesn't do this (besides Racer)

Banshee is a family ride?

The better question is why they bought MORE in year two.

Thanks for telling us this (in some form or other) in most every thread on this site.

Yes. What a shame that our society has become rather inhospitable to something so classic, so beloved, and in my opinion so necessary (innocent fun that can be shared across generations. Several years ago, my 5 year old son rode Stricker's Tornado with his grandpa, a veteran of Chicago's Riverside and the Bobs. One rider reliving his youth, one launching his. The laughter and joy they shared was priceless. I wish those kinds of memories for everyone.

In the past few years, we've seen two brand new parks fail quickly: Wild West World and Hard Rock Park. Have any new major parks been successful in the past few decades? Disney and Universal have done it, but they have established brands and properties nearby to build from. I would love to see more small parks, the size of Stricker's Grove, Cincy Coney, and Denver Lakeside Park. Each with a nice selection of flats and a classic wooden coaster or 2. I have this romantic notion that back in the early 1900's these parks were all over the country, in small towns and supported mostly by the locals. I suspect that many passionate folks have aspirations to open parks in small towns, but get discouraged by the high initial investment, high insurance, short seasonal operating seasons, limited growth potential, and slow ROI.

Please capitalize the trademarks... EDIT: Thank you. Terp, who does what he must because he must.

There has only been one change to the park that I cannot accept. Woodstock Express should be returned to The BeastIE.. It is a ride that deserves more then just a generic franchise name.

Well, a news station has reported that it had an incident in the past. Time for the popcorn. I can't wait to hear how many people died on it. Or maybe some seats fell off or dummies fell out in testing. Clearly at least one of those things MUST have happened.

Maybe, bro.

Posted several pics in my latest trip report, save bandwidth on the site & not have pics floating everywhere just go check them out there, I have a few more pics included in my public facebook gallery for those I'm friends with on there

Another home run of a name choice. That aside, it'll be very, very interesting to see how this works out! The description is incredibly vague. It mentions roller coaster track, but it would seem more likely that the dark ride vehicle will pull up to projected scenes that will feature a sort of "mine train" motion simulating scene rather than actual roller coaster elements. Something also about "five layers" of the mountain, which is odd, but may relate to the storytelling element they mentioned of visiting a cave, a forest, etc. I wonder, too, how long this will end up being. Wonder Mountain is big, but not huge. The rumors of it using roving motion-base technology like Spider-Man or DarKastle are compelling, but how would that work with laser guns and targets if you're spinning from one screen to the next? Either way, I imagine I'll make it back up to Canada next summer to see this. At the very least, it sounds like Ouimet & Co. imagine this as a technology that can be franchised and extended to all the parks, so we'll see how a regional park handles "groundbreaking" dark ride technology. EDIT: I should also mention, there's rumors swirling that the Guardian is somehow related to the Gatekeeper, maybe in the same way that Leviathan and Behemoth are. That would be a cool little nod to us fans, to build a whole collection of dragon-esque species, each represented in different parks. A little interpark mythology never hurt anybody - as Tokyo Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland!

All of the above.. Stand up straight on Mantis with your feet back, and you shouldn't have the guy problem. Hold on and lean with the turns, you shouldn't have any head banging. Shifting weight between each of your legs and the seat can help with the knee problem, especially in the second half of the ride. Whatever you do, make sure you don't get the seat locked too high up. One should NEVER have to ride defensively to avoid being hurt. If one must, the ride is a bad ride by definition. And how are first time riders supposed to know "the method?"

Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear, Eagles, Backwards Racer, Old Railroad

Supposedly Kings Island and the rest of the Cedar Fair parks, compete, not only with other parks, but with other things in entertainment, such as the Xbox™.

With how big that crane is and how close they might be waiting till HH so they can have a couple days of no visitors.

Great pictures; thanks for posting. I would have been there today, but I got tied up this morning and didn't make it down. Alas, night rides will have to wait for Haunt. I wouldn't make much of an unenthusiastic staff member on a day like today. Staffing was almost certainly a challenge, and not everyone can be super enthusiastic after a long day at school or another job. I honestly expect walk-ons for the KIC event on 9/8. That's opening day for the NFL, the park traditionally has been closed to the public then, and autumn Sundays generally have light crowds. With over 100 participants, though, I'm not sure how many rides we'll actually get to. Anyway, here's to hoping for light crowds on Monday. Soak City's closing day should keep many away from the dry park, and reports from last year indicate short lines.

So using the band name generator I got a couple very fitting names... Frustration Steel Steel Dysfunction Now given Kansas City news has already spilled the beans on the relocation they might as well kept the WindSeeker name. http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/local_news/planned-worlds-of-fun-attraction-has-checkered-past

We won! C A R D S!

I haven't posted to the forums in a while, but I am just absolutely thrilled with the direction that Cedar Fair has started taking. Lately, it's been as if all of the parks have been taken over by an entirely different company, and in my opinion, that's a really good thing! - Ride additions that make sense for the special and unique atmospheres of each park. - Additions that take note of their placement within the park. - Meticulous attention to detail. - Each new major attraction now has a theme, some even have story lines. I was thrilled to see that Banshee had a theme and story, but this new addition at CW makes me absolutely ecstatic. - Apparently, as well as having a new name, the WindSeeker to be installed at Worlds of Fun will also have a theme that makes sense. - Each new addition focuses on the big picture of the typical fun seeking family, not the average rowdy teenager. Matt Ouimet is doing an absolutely outstanding job running the company. Gone are the days of fine details being considered "lipstick". The parks are in good hands. The parks will become more epic and unique, and Cedar Fair will surely create the sensation of the best day possible.

The crews were working on the ride today until about 1:30. They must have stopped working early because of the holiday weekend. When I rode Drop Tower, they were installing a support element that will be between the transfer track area and immediately outside of the station. There was also a crew busting up the old King Cobra footing. You could see and hear the jackhammer when riding Adventure Express today. It doesn`t look like much new track has arrived recently either. I`d imagine that we will see Clifford doing some heavy lifting next week. It seems like the park still has a lot of work to do to set up Haunt. The only visible Haunt construction is limited. Cemetery Drive in the Tower Gardens has received a nice new wood facade. And there were also props behind Stunt Crew Grill, and visible outside of the Crypt building. I also saw the usual Haunt props over by the Zephyr from The Racer. We are only about three weeks away from opening of Halloween Haunt, which opens on September 20th.

^ And if that doesn't meet the definition of rigged, I don't know what does. What a shame.

I knew they'd do this after the success out in California. It looks sick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4lHhEMqeKY

Sweet. KC will surely love the sights - stranded 301 feet in the air.

Case in point of this thread: For the past month or so that picture is as thrilling as the coaster itself! Meanwhile 1,000's of laps have been had on all other B &M's!

Years ago, I was really good at the quarter toss and milk jug toss at KI. There was a definite strategy to them. Actually back then the prizes weren't just stuffed animals. There were appliances, jackets, key chains etc. For years my kitchen was outfitted with a toaster, blender etc that I won at the milk jug toss. LOL! The quarter pitch was removed several years ago - and I was upset because I could win it every time. Then the prizes were changed to just stuffed animals on the milk jug toss, (so they could hang them to block high tossing) and the price was raised drastically. So I quit playing. I could spill the beans on the whole winning strategy (Tossing with a flip of the wrist, ball under your palm - or quarter flat on palm a the base of your middle and ring finger, tossing as high as possible were key) but mostly it took practice and lots of losing until I mastered it. The only game I play now is, silly enough, bowler roller. I just enjoy doing it and couldn't care less about winning the prize. (They make good pet toys.) However even bowler roller is dissapearing. I know I always sound like an old cramuddgeon (SP?) however the best game EVER at any park was always Fascination. Very, very, very few Fascination Parlors are left. It's old school and I'm sure most of you don't even know what it is/was. It was terrific fun, and I lost a lot of ride time in parks that had that game! Shaggy

People with babies for one. (Avatar pic taken at Picture People in Kenwood Towne Center)

Its not the fact that sales tax is going up to me but its more of how that money is spent, There is a lot of waste in the government today. The street car is one example. Something not needed voted No on by the voters yet its being built anyway. The millions of dollars this thing is going to cost is ludacris. Now build a light rail running up to traders world, downtown, and to Kings Island I would be all for it.. Gets some of the cars of the highway (save money on repaving roads) and you get cleaner air and boost business along the routes. Whats the street car going to do? Likely get over ridden by thugs and gangs.

Carowinds offers perhaps the best opportunity for in-house growth and expansion within the Cedar Fair stable. Carowinds can be a year--or near--round destination park. Expansion of the season(s) is rich in this temperate climate. They have extensive excess land having acquired additional acreage a couple of years ago. Located next to a major interstate corridor, in a growing region, Carowinds is ripe for campground, hotel, water park, and possibly resort additions and enhancements. Carowinds offers the promise of extended seasons and the resulting more efficient use of invested capital. No doubt the march toward comprehensive themed areas will continue (see Cedar Point announcement to add rides and relocate two rides to Camp Snoopy, and the refreshment of historic rides and the new boardwalk area at Knott's) with the expansion and improvements at Carowinds. The dollar simply buys more in the South and in Ohio. The announced $50 million plan will produce much more bang-for-the-buck than the same money spent in California or Sandusky. Use of local vendors and construction companies will leverage lower labor cost advantages. The Ouimet management team previously announced the development of a new dark ride product for introduction at Cedar Fair properties. Such developments will further work to keep costs in check while delivering "best day of summer experience." Be looking for the edition of an exciting dark ride at Carowinds. Having opened a satellite corporate office in Charlotte, Cedar Fair has acknowledged the growth potential of this market and Park. Recall last years Shareholders Annual Meeting was virtually held at the Carowinds gate. The Board of Directors and management team had the opportunity to see and review the opportunities of this near-year-round property. This is a significant announcement. How many times in the past has Cedar Fair announced a three year capital plan? This announcement says a great deal and expresses the full confidence Ouimet and his Team have in Carowinds. It will be FUN to watch!

the climb the ladder....by Adventure Express? I would guess you need to keep your feet all the way to the outside to balance the weight? Specifically, place your hands and feet on the ropes, not the rungs, IIRC. This ensures that your contact points are exactly equal distances from the center. Also, move one hand and opposite foot simultaneously, and don't stop. I've known that for years. I still can't pull it off.

Learning the trick to the ladder games is usually very easy; more often than not, the operator will be happy to tell players how to do it and even demonstrate for them. Actually pulling it off? That's the difficult part.

I was sitting outside of Adventure Express 2 years back I think while a couple of nieces rode it 3 or 4 times. The ladder climbing game worker, obviously bored by his lack of customers, started climbing the ladder himself. There were enough people that came thru during this 20-30 minutes that I sat there that it was pretty easy to tell what the ladder game worker was doing that made him successful each time, and what the regular customer was doing causing them to fall each time.

I'll probably win the geuss your age thing because I'm like 6 feet tall and 13. But they might be able to tell from my voice I'm 13.