Leaderboard

^ Opening Day 2014, real life discussion... Person 1: So I told someone they're changing Flight Deck to The Bat on Facebook... Person 2: Whoa Whoa! did you capitalize "The Bat?!" Person 1: Well I guess not, I'll have to check... Person 2: Do you even CARE about the TOS?! Person 1: The TOS of what?, life?

One must remember, it's called Media Day for a reason. Cameras and reporters will be in the front row. You can ride there other days.

Soviet missiles? Where? Duck and cover? Concerned Terpster. Oh, Heidi?

The Off Season Photo Contest.

He could pursue a career in being the GM of KI. Then he can ride whenever you want.

This particular attitude drives me bonkers. No, not all change is good. To try and fail miserably has drastic consequences. From a park losing all kinds of money, lost opportunities for far better rides (how much time, money and space did/do Son of Beast, Hercules, the old Texas Giant, Mean Streak, Drachen Fire, etc. take up?), lost careers (Mr. David Focke comes immediately to mind), bored or unhappy guests to injuries, to a park merely being stuck with a bad ride/investment for years (Six Flags and Ninja now at SFOG, the Vekoma messes Deja Vu)...Sometimes doing nothing or at least doing something else is a far better choice than a wrong-headed bad choice. Final Thought: What would Kings Island look like today, and what would 2014's new addition be had Son of Beast never been built in Mason? What would NJFTP look like? Who would own Kings Island? Dare I say it?--Who would own Cedar Fair? I submit ALL these questions would have different answers had either Son of Beast not been built or had it actually been built to the design specifications without client cost cutting that greatly negatively affected its reliability, rideabilty, comfort, thrill factor and guest and park satisfaction. Kings Island would not be the same place. It might be better. It might be worse. The alternative ride was a re-creation of the Rye Aeroplane, for which Kings Island had purchased the blueprints. A ride that, by all accounts, was simply one of the best...ever. Instead, innovation was selected. Risky choices were made. It is hard to say they benefited the park. Doing nothing would have been, in my opinion, a far, far better option than building the trouble prone, litigation causing, uncomfortable, maintenance nightmare, not even very thrilling, tallest, fastest and only looping wooden roller coaster on the planet. (Why do I hear Jeff Seibert saying those words?).

Not if you're going to Media Day, it won't. Unless you plan on going but not riding on Media Day. It has been stated that for Media Day, the first row will be reserved for members of the media.

A very thin line you are running... What constitutes a photo Banshee testing? This or that? You posted of a photo of Banshee after condemning another for doing the same perhaps you have a point but it still seems some what hypocritical. If sounded like I was attempting to bash you I'm not... I've been sitting in the Fort Lauderdale cruise terminal for the past 1/2 hour frustrated out of my mind!

Hey...let's drop the subject. There's obviously a reason for the request but I don't care what it is. The main thing we need to know is that NO unauthorized testing pictures are to be posted here. Period. End of story. Is anyone else getting déjà vu?

Ever is a long time.

I feel like he's going to invent some horrible screaming sound and do it repeatedly on the ride, and call it "Bansheeing". Aside from, of course, the Banshee-like qualities of his voice that he has already demonstrated in his videos.

If inappropriate posts appear here, report them. Do NOT reply to the post or quote it. Thanks!

All of which I read about contemporaneously in My Weekly Reader, as a small child in a small town...regretting there was no way my family was going to New York City to see any of those awesome things. Little did I know I would end up at Disneyland, and it would be one of my most favorite places...more than 35 years later. As for a certain song, it must be the fighting spirit of the underdog in me: That Song, Rolling Thunder...to celebrate and venerate that which most find only annoying...that's a central part of my miasma...celebrate our differences...see how ahead of its time that ride\song was\is? I think it no accident The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is of the same year origin. Harry Golden would be so proud. Carousel of Progress? Great concept. Great metaphor. Life goes in circles, yet much of it you see only once, while other parts repeat. But can you re-ride? Will your money help you do so? Good works? Bad works send you the other place? Redemption? Salvation? Fast Pass? Oh, so many questions...but the carousel just keeps on turning to a constantly changing bunch of participants, some of whom aren't even aware they are watching, yet some can and do come back years later, to find the experience oddly the same, yet oddly different. Others repeat, yet on the other side of the Nation. And some...get no second chance. Not unlike life itself. The Carousel had/has a sponsor. Does life? So many questions. I hear Mr. Russell, but is he singing? Now, pardon me. I have a song to sing. It makes me happy.

Just picture Rob Alvey "WHEEEEE!!" -ing and "Batzeling!!!" and other Media Representatives enjoying the front while the peasants are sent one row back.

I don't remember if it was the off-season or late in the operating season, but the thread where a kid was talking about finding some employee he thought was cute to ask her out was hilarious.

Firechaser Express off-ride video by CoasterForce: This video really shows that contrary to popular belief, a coaster doesn't have to be the tallest, fastest, or a record holder, to be a fun and enjoyable ride. Can't wait to get to Dollywood this summer!

I shed a small tear while reading that article. I grew up watching Mr. rogers Neighborhood and loved that man. I wasn't even aware that a new show was on PBS featuring Daniel Tiger from the former show, so I am glad to see that Fred Rogers spirit has continued. It does, however, make me realize my age. I never really thought of a world without shows like Mr. Rogers when I was a youngster. The world is a different place now...

Of course he was he wants to be a weatherman, show em the video But yes, we won't get front row or other seats, but at least you get to be apart of a coaster crew to come in and ride the ride(s). If I get a shot to ride The Bat for awhile, oh I'll marathon the hell out of it. Such a fantastic Arrow Suspended. But on other terms guys just respect the parks demands, they wanna be the ones showing off their product to the media and guests selling a good first impression, let them do that. I know they didn't give a motive, but it's simply that and makes sense. Let it be for now. Trust me I want to show and post my photos & video here from testing the last few weeks as well from the few times I've gone down. However, in due time. I'm just as excited to show this off and get involved with it like you guys are. Just be patient, he'll let us know when we can post all of our stuff to our hearts desire.

I wouldn't pursue that career because media days allows some reporters to ride first. The chances of being those reporters are slim, being on a news station that is covering a ride that you would even like to cover is slim, and being that particular reporter to ride is again... slim.

2 train testing is underway right now on Banshee......

I like the Banshee Countdown Timeline!

I feel like this is needed, and I'm sorry for not adressing this before: Thank you for your photo contribution to the discussion Kat!

No no, I think this meme is more fitting.... Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

This topic is giving me a head ache. Just please, give it a rest, if it was wrong it would have been taken off hours ago. (Insert Picard Facepalm meme here)

As always, an incredibly wonderful trip report from you. Thanks for sharing it. And now a word from our Terpster. Family is important. You, sir, are what is called a legacy. Mom: OSU. Grandmother: OSU. And that's just the ones you have told us about. You are almost certainly going to end up at The Ohio State University. And that's a very good thing. Study hard. Play hard. And enjoy. Four years or seven or even ten...it goes by very quickly. And then another chapter of life begins. I fondly look back on my years at the University of Kentucky at Lexington...and I wouldn't trade them, or that fine institution...but we all have different backgrounds, goals and aspirations. UK fit me like a glove. I was 10 when I knew what I wanted to do in life and where I wanted to be edumacated. It was just right, just...right and right. At the time I really wanted to go to the University of California at Berkeley, but my father wisely refused to sign financial aid papers for me as he feared I'd not come back East. Doubtless, he was right. It won't be long until you are an integral part of OSU. Sure, there's a chance you'll go elsewhere, but my money is on you going to Columbus.

Didn't you yell at me the other day for breaking the rules? Or do they not apply to you for some reason because you found something cool. How did I break the rules? They said no testing pictures and these were not testing pictures. Also I did not trespass so no rule broken there either. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

Didn't you yell at me the other day for breaking the rules? Or do they not apply to you for some reason because you found something cool.

Why would Cedar Point store their Halloweekends props so far away?

"More utilization". That may be good for the park's profits, but I'm concerned there could be too much utilization. One of the things I liked about it in previous years was how quiet and uncrowded it was, without unsupervised, annoying teenagers* (bouncing basketballs optional), loud/obnoxious people, and the like. Even if you didn't care about the dinos, it was a great place to relax for an hour and take a break from the rides (especially while waiting on lunch to settle). With free admission to Gold and Platinum Pass holders and cheaper admission for everyone else (when purchased two or more at a time), I foresee the possibility that these types of people will invade DA! and completely destroy the peaceful environment with large crowds and loud/obnoxious behavior. I'm not saying that that will happen, or even that it's likely to happen, but it is something that I'm wary of. *Disclaimer: Not all teenagers are annoying, as many who post on these forums have shown.

I was under the impression that the plan was only to focus on making a great water-park..... But after reading Dan Koch's Twitter page today....... .....I'm glad I was wrong....... A series of tweets about the Rampage roller coaster told me otherwise...... @SplashinDan on Twitter : "Wicked finish into the station on Rampage! Whoa!" "Complete re-track needed. Coaster cats! We call it like we see it! Where is my hammer?" "Trains need TLC too! We can get this animal going. Stay tuned. Not opening soon but it will open." "Rampage is very fixable. Need a chain gang to emmm fix the chain!" "I love Rampaggggeeee!!!!!!!!" All of the photos and tweets above belong to Dan Koch and were found on his Twitter page. All of the photos and above can be found here.

Im not saying theres a problem, I'm just pointing something out.

I don't care how long the wait is, if at all possible my first ride WILL be front seat in my opinion the first time on a roller coaster is best enjoyed front seat style Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

I think the drop into the valley is going to be incredible! Then going through a 138ft tall batwing! It just gonna be an incredible ride all together.

You would if you let Paramount Parks or its corporate successor cut costs and build it itself, firing the designer and the construction company.

Hilarious, and more than a bit creepy...

Bingo. jcgoble3, not understanding the uproar over these photos

Here are the pictures. Album- http://s515.photobucket.com/user/Strobelyte/library/NCAA%20Tournament%20Trip%202014%20Spokane?sort=3&page=1 Highlights The first bit is from the tour of Fairchild Air Force Base. The main use of this base is to house the Air Force's KC-135 fleet, which are aerial tanker aircraft. They opened up one of them so we could take a look. Now, the story of how this occurred goes like this. We found out about the base and said- 'hey, something to do'. Our athletic director got in touch with the base and got us a gig. Unfortunately, we needed someone with access to a military ID. Turned out by sheer coincidence on of our band members had a retired military dad, so just like that, we got the gig. If I make it sound like it was a last minute plan, that's because it entirely was. The KC-135 flight line. There were 9 aircraft here at the time. It was pretty cool to see them all lined up so neatly. They were very precise on what vehicles went in and out of there. They checked the buses for stoned and things in the tires so they don't make their way onto the area where the planes are kept, to keep that stuff out of the engines. Fun fact- most of these planes are pushing 50 years old. Needless to say, the personnel informed us that a replacement should be in the works. This window is for the rear person to control the fuel boom and link it up with aircraft to refuel them. Quite the tiny crawlspace. The fuel boom. Those winglets help keep it stable whilst flying. (Apologies to thedevariousaffect if I'm using the wrong terminology). Some of the main hangars. Why yes, band does indeed rock. That's UC's band director btw, Dr Terren Frenz. This was my favorite part of the trip. This pep rally at an elementary school on the base. The orange shirts were for a kid who had a bone marrow transplant. For me, who underwent my own medical troubles a few years ago, it was just so great to see kids that age support something like that. Still choked up about that gig. Ok, so back to Spokane. A small portion of the park behind our hotel. The water looks calm here, but its split off from the main river. The Spokane River is anything but tranquil. Plenty of these guys. And these guys. A little abstract artwork. Yes, this big wagon is a thing in Spokane. Yes, that is a slide, which we may or may not have had some fun with while some of us were a tad tipsy. Shenanigans ensued. Random clock tower in the park. So yeah, there was also a small amusement park in this area. A few small rides, including a small powered coaster I didn't see (RCDB confirmed there was one there). If it looks like I'm close, that's because you could get that close without trespassing. Guys, I found Kings Island's future Ferris wheel. If Spokane had an iconic structure, this would be it. I have no clue what its for other than to string lights to, and the way its tilted isn't settling. I'd guess it was about 200 ft tall, and it was connected to this rail that circled in a wave pattern around the perimeter. The powered coaster is in that large building at the bottom left portion of the picture. There was also an IMAX theater. A view of downtown Spokane. That building in the foreground houses a small carousel as well as info for the sky ride. Apparently Spokane housed a World's Fair in 1974. Might explain that weird tower structure. I wonder why this sign is here, water seems calm... Oh, that. As you can see by that bridge, most of them spanned across with no supports in the middle. A combination of the pounding water and winds made them sway a little bit. It was a tad unnerving to be right above them. And trust me, that is a LOT of water surging through. The remnants of a power station that burned down in 1889. More waterfalls. That rock formation is pretty huge. A statue of astronaut Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson. He was a Spokane native who perished on Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. Oh, right, there was a basketball game. Inside Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Capacity approx. 14,000. Reminded me a lot of US Bank Arena. Spokane has a minor league hockey team as well as an indoor football team. Gearing up for the game. The Harvard Crimson warming up. The Harvard Crimson band. While you only see 1 tuba, they also carried 2 bari saxes on them. They sounded pretty good, though they annoyingly only played current pop charts, no classic pop/rock charts. Picture is blurry as I was taking it in between Harvard players flying around. A better looking scoreboard than most of the game. Mr. Second Team All-American and the team preparing to take the court. Ready for tip-off. Last picture I took. The 2nd half was pretty miserable. And for something completely different to end off on. Silverwood brochure!

Banshee is once again testing.

I really hope this hostility comes to a close before media day. Itd be really awkward if we spent half of the day arguing about proper forum etiquette. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have really enjoyed the Off Season Photo Contest. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And in the bigger picture these are pictures of roller coasters, not Soviet Missiles. Just take a look at what EXACTLY we are all talking about before making a big fuss.

When you get excited watching POV's of coasters on You Tube and put your hands up in your chair.

Well I couldn't see if it was testing and from the distance you can't even see much so it should be ok. Don - if these are not ok please let me know and I will remove them or a mod can these were taken from the street as we drove by. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/westmoreland/2014/03/13/Idlewild-and-SoakZone-to-replace-Mister-Rogers-Neighborhood-of-Make-Believe-ride/stories/201403120160 http://www.idlewild.com/node/271 The last castle Hug N Song has been held. Idlewild Park has decided to retheme the classic trolley ride from Mr. Rodgers to Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. It will not operate this year and shall reopen in 2015. However, Daniel Tiger will be appearing in the park for meet and greets everyday this year.

I don't care how long the wait is, i gotta get a night ride in! EDIT: Speaking of night ride, the trains have been stacked for about an hour now with no movement. Might they be doing some night testing?

There has been quite a bit of activity this morning at the Banshee site...... (Image captured from Kings Island's Banshee Construction Cam)

When Scooby came to the park, he and the rest of Hanna-Barbera were owned by Taft Broadcasting. In the 90s, they were owned by Turner Broadcasting, and thus, currently, their characters are owned by AOL Time Warner. I'm not sure if anyone's noticed, but check out Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated on Netflix. For one thing, it's the best Scooby Doo! show since Scooby Doo! Where Are You?, but more importantly, you'll notice the opening logo, the Warner Bros. shield, not the Hanna-Barbara logo. That's because any and all contemporary incarnations of these characters are now handled by Warner Bros. Animation. So, you see, Scooby probably isn't coming back to Kings Island, and no amount of protesting or cynical jabs at other lovable characters who just happen to be there now will change a thing, because, in all likelihood, it's completely out of KI's hands.

The Carly Rae concert was a nightmare operations wise. It wouldn't be hard at Kings Island because they have a proper venue for it. Timberwolf needs updated, but I think it would be great for KI to have concerts every once in a while with bands that have medium levels of popularity.

Son of Beast doesn't. Terp, living in the past...sort of.