Leaderboard

A close family friend claims that she knows someone who used to be a mechanic for Kings Island that claimed he would never allow his children to ride the coasters there because he felt they were "unsafe". And now because this so-called "expert" made an idiotic statement, she won't believe my reasonably educated opinion on the safety of amusement rides. Things like that don't help. They instill a false image that no amount of explanation can fix. If a park mechanic really, truly felt that way, then I'm glad he is a FORMER mechanic. If he honestly thinks that roller coasters are at all dangerous under normal circumstances, then it proves that he knows next to nothing about them, and I would not want such a person doing the repairs on the rides that I trust mys safety to. I don't claim to be an expert on roller coasters. But I know enough to realize that if coasters truly were screaming metal death traps, wouldn't more incidents have happened in the 40 years Kings Island has been open? Over the course of their 20+ years, wouldn't B&M have had at least ONE safety incident on their coasters purely by simple random chance? How many deaths occur every year on all roller coasters in the world, combined? How many deaths occur on Interstate 75 in a week? I'd bet you a blank check with my signature on it that the second number is higher. I noticed that our very own Violakat left a very helpful comment explaining the situation in the comments on WHIO's Facebook article. Thank you for that. You can always trust a fellow Saturn fan to talk some sense into people that don't want to see reason We, as enthusiasts need to be the solution, not the problem. We need to get in the habit of making well-researched and articulated defenses for the machines that bring us so much joy. Though I don't often like him, I direct you to this interview with Robb Alvey. He can be irritating, annoying, and even downright childish at times, but when he did this interview, he was genuinely acting as a force for good among the reputation of theme park rides. We need to know our facts, and be ready to defend the rides we love before their reputation can come to undue harm. And to any concerned general public who might have found their way here, just remember: As long as you follow all of the posted safety signs, adhere to height and size restrictions, and behave in a reasonable manner, you will almost certainly get off the ride smiling and sustaining no harm. Nearly every time a safety incident occurs, there is almost always one common characteristic: One or more safety guidelines were not followed. Ride smart, and you will ride safe.

Oh, for crying out loud.

@DonHelbig: "Breaking News: I'm Bald." Possibly poking fun at WHIO's story? Lol

Do you really want to put in a ride at Kings Island that will fall apart every January? That would just add to the offseason workload and limit the resources available for construction of new rides.

Once upon a time, there were editors, fact checkers, proof readers....

I know you don't like Facebook, so you're probably happy not to see the comments on WHIO's story there. People are saying stuff to the effect "their rides are death traps with all the fires and now this!" Great reporting. They got the attention, but not the facts. Gossips would probably do a better job of transmitting true information.

And that'll presumably keep Kingda Ka down, too, right? Yeesh! Who could've foreseen that clipping a record-shattering Intamin ride onto a record-shattering Intamin ride in New Jersey would lead to downtime?

Guest looks at Banshee, and asks operator "Does this ride go upside down?" I heard that once, and I almost turned around and said "Nooo, that is a completely different ride."

I think your giving the news outlet far too much credit. IMHO, the people reporting this likely know as much about roller coasters as the general public and that is why it is "news".

Hey lets all go to Cedar Point and call 911 every time TTD has a rollback! Ready..... GO! EDIT: Reading the Facebook comments is absolutely hilarious!

That made my skin crawl reading that. Not only because it was absurdly pointless, but also because it seemed to make Kings Island come off as a dangerous place. The person who wrote the article didn't even explain what exactly went wrong with FoF and that it was nothing serious. Heck, the fact that Banshee stopped on the lift is nothing serious. No one was hurt and at least no one was stuck upside down in a loop. I can remember many a time when Invertigo stopped on its lift hill and that never made news! Coasters do get stopped on the lift sometimes...its not the end of the world...geesh.

Just give me back my Boo Boo Baggage Claim, Red Barons, the crank train car, and the Ghoster Coaster, and i'll be at peace. OH and the Jetsons ride! BB1, a Boomerang

GYK - I'm almost entirely with you on some of your points. I noticed at Disney that when they didn't want to pay to have you completely emerged in an experience it would be a Hollywood set rather than "real." It makes it so they can have a little bit of flexibility with what people can see and probably saves some money. Other parks are guilty of that too. Italian Job Stunt Track

WHIO is out if Dayton, who also apparently had a slow news night...

I feel like WHIO has had it out for Kings Island since the SOB incidents. If they really want a news story, The Bat stalls on the lift hill every cycle. Give me a break.

And that'll presumably keep Kingda Ka down, too, right? Yeesh! Who could've foreseen that clipping a record-shattering Intamin ride onto a record-shattering Intamin ride in New Jersey would lead to downtime? I wouldn't call Kingda Ka record-shattering, really.

Lol..flash drives on a military base.. I still have my USB DEVICES UNAUTHORIZED sticker all over every USB port on my desktop The 1394 port, however

It wasn't designed to resemble a backlot? Compare Universal Studios Florida's 'backlot' style Shrek 4D to Singapore's "themed islands" version. Similarly, compare Florida's Despicable Me to Hollywood's: In both scenarios, the first example is a remnant from Florida's "backlot" style that was fixed / changed into "theme park" style in later incarnations. Giant tan show-building. It's cheap and the parks can "get away with it" by saying "No, no, no, we're a studio! Seeing the ugly tan building is part of the experience!" In both the second examples, the same rides have been incorporated into their surroundings in complete themed "lands." That's the new push, and it's happening at Universal Studios Hollywood AND Universal Studios Florida. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, there doesn't seem to be the same push. Instead, Star Tours is next to Muppets is next to American Idol is next to Indiana Jones, etc. Not that that's inexcusable or unforgivable, just that that's not the best those parks can do anymore. Now, for example, they could theme the entire eastern shore of Echo Lake as an Indiana Jones base camp, building it around the existing show. Similarly, they could build a whole themed Star Wars land AROUND the existing ride. That's the kind of thing Universal is doing with Springfield and Diagon Alley and Gru's Neighborhood. Universal Studios Florida never had a backlot tour. Plans for one were axed after Universal caught wind that Disney was planning a competing studio park for Florida, and that its main (and really, only) attraction would be a studio tram tour.

This really ****es me off. My story of stepping in dog poo got bumped for this?? I even had a picture.......

I guess you could also keep your eyes peeled for 2015 with their 66daysatsea.com campaign. That could be interesting. Oh yeah, and have lots and lots of fun!

^You COULD tell them that it's in Paris. Or Doswell, VA. Or Las Vegas, NV. You wouldn't be lying to them. I don't recommend doing so if you work at the park, however. Having a job is typically a good thing. -Homestar92, who used the word "typically" because he has worked at Cracker Barrel.

I really miss the Enchanted Theatre. I honestly wish they'd move Carnevil if they intend to keep it, bring back a show in that space.

Well I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight with this troubling news.

My question? Why the sudden witch hunt for my happy place? Put down the pitchforks and flames, media.

Last Wednesday I was stuck on Banshee in the station for about ten minutes. I better call 20/20. They may want to interview me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You would use, maybe, the Mind Eraser? Terp, who thought breakfast ideal...a cereal thriller.

Life in DC is all about going around in circles!

Yes, I've ridden it while he was working. And yes, I'd rather have a quiet station. Terp....old fuss budget.

They'd have loved the many, many people who called it "The Son of The Beast." And that was BEFORE riding it. You should have heard what they called it afterwards. Or not.

I know this is one of those temporary closures that doesn't deserve its own thread, yet it apparently deserved its own news story: http://m.whio.com/news/news/local/new-kings-island-Banshee-coaster-stuck/ngMNg/?ecmp=social_20140617_26115476

Apparently, not only did the main fail, but the valve failed on the backup water supply. Once the towers were depleted, it was all over. Turned out to be a great trip for us in the end anyway.

I could retire if I received a nickle for every time a coaster train got stopped on a lift hill at KI.

Saturday, June 14th: Today we went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Since there are not as many thrill rides here (but the ones they do have are top-notch), I will review each coaster individually, plus Escape From Pompeii, Europe in the Air, Curse of DarKastle, and Mäch Tower. Apollo's Chariot: The hated-on hypercoaster from Busch Gardens is very fun. I prefer it to Diamondback because the twists and turns, and for me I got more airtime. I love the turnaround helix. I just wish it were longer. 4/5 Alpengeist: This is now my favorite B&M Invert (sorry Banshee). Row 8 is amazing. It just whips you through those elements like nobody's business. I prefer the quick, rapid elements to larger, drawn out ones, so that is a factor. Overall, one of my favorite coasters. 4.5/5 Griffon: Absolutely wonderful. Front Row, Left End is the way to go. Griffon has the highest airtime percentage of any coaster I have ever been on. The first drop is magical. Just too short to be one of my top five. 4.5/5 Loch Ness Monster: This is my favorite Arrow Looper of all time. It is just so much more scenic and picturesque than any of the others I have been on. It isn't focused just on going upside down, it wants to be a great ride, and does so. Incredibly underrated. 4.5/5 Verbolten: What can I say about this ride? One word -- Unique. This coaster is the most unique I have ever been on. With incredible theming, and a vertical drop, this ride is a winner. Zierer has finally produced a world-class coaster. Like most of the coasters here, I wish it were longer. 4.5/5 Escape From Pompeii: One of the best water rides I have been on in a long time. It is amazing what it can accomplished inside the building. Fire, more fire, and more fire, plus falling statues and whatnot. A very thrilling first-time experience, but then it kind of loses its umph. 4/5 Europe in the Air: You will enjoy this simulator much more if you do not expect Soarin' Over California. It is very different. The transitions are quick and rough, and there is no front row view for everyone, and no smells. It makes many older guests nauseous, so beware. 2.5/5 Curse of DarKastle: Like many of the rides here, it is unique. My favorite dark ride of all time. It is not to be missed. Kings Island needs something like this a more mature dark ride. The 3D is phenomenal, and very lifelike. You will find yourself ducking for cover against spears and whatnot. Overall, a very enjoyable experience. 4.5/5 Mäch Tower: A Big Droppy Thing. Nothing more to be said. 3.5/5 Rankings for this park is: 1. Griffon 2. Alpengeist 3. Verbolten 4. Curse of DarKastle 5. Loch Ness Monster

Guys, I'm one of those people that says "The" before ride names. Also I sometimes don't capitalize titles. I'm so sorry. :blush: I also get old names mixed up with new occasionally. Hehe, my friend will call Firehawk Firefox sometimes, not trying to be funny, it just comes out that way.

A lot of people make this question seem really stupid, but in a way, it's a valid question. Most likely they're asking how they can get to it...

First off Just because there is Smoke does not mean there is a fire. Do I think that it is weird that there was 2 smoke related incidents in 2 weeks near the same ride, Yes but reporting in this country has really gone out of hand. Its more about who can be first than who can bring the most accurate information. And then they leave it on their site instead of editing the story to tell the actual story instead of the truth. I would rather watch the daily show for my news than actual news.

^^So you have to go left right now because a Dem. is in office right? When a Rep. is in office you have to go right, right? Hopefully we can get an independent in there to straighten it all out.

I initially read the title of that video as "Crazy Driving in Indiana". I knew drivers were crazy out there, but I had never imagined that! I'm actually slightly sad that I ended up reading it correctly the second time around. My version was so much more fun!

I say we get rid of the traffic lights, the're a headache!

So can Pat Koch...who....before she married into the Koch family, was a nun. Truly.

I couldn't tell if it was bring a friend day or a Jerry Springer guest convention. Definetly the rudest crowd I've seen since Grad Night 1980.

Assuming that it were a traditional coaster, were 325' tall, that Six Flags or others didn't top it before it opened and it were at Carowinds Subjunctive Terpy

What I mean by that is that in the 1980s and early 1990s, it was "all the rage" in the park industry to build theme parks masquerading as movie studios. Universal, Disney, Warner Bros., and yes, even Paramount suddenly realized that bringing films into parks was easy to market. Even better, by saying, "We don't have to build a real Egyptian temple, it's a movie studio, so we can put it in a studio showbuilding!" parks could build very cheaply, with big massive showbuildings that are in no way disguised or hidden from view. No need to hide Star Tours behind an elaborate Tomorrowland facade - just put it in a very visible box! In the late 90s, Animal Kingdom and Islands of Adventure opened and changed the standard. Suddenly the new standard was highly detailed, themed lands that supported massive rides (as Disney had previously done at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom in an earlier era). Those parks are so immersive you can get lost in them. The detail is so rich, it's incredible. So those studio parks left from the early 90s - like Universal Studios Florida and Disney's Hollywood Studios - are aging poorly. Set next to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios looks cheap... and it was. For one possible path for the park, look at Universal Studios Florida which is very clearly dedicated to turning their "Look, I'm a studio backlot!" into a park with appropriately themed lands. Sure, their entry land (with Despicable Me and Transformers) is called "Production Central" and maintains the backlot look. But have a look at the brand new land, Springfield U.S.A. which they built around the existing Simpsons Ride. Also, the new London / Diagon Alley. They're physically rebuilding that park as a theme park with themed lands instead of a hodge-podge of mismatched rides placed haphazardly next to each other. The situation was far worse at Universal Studios Hollywood, which developed very organically over many decades. Its upper lot is composed of rides scattered around with no logical layout whatsoever. That park is currently undergoing a 5-year expansion that started by physically BUILDING a central park icon from scratch and carving a "hub-and-spokes" format into the park. If you visit in 2016, you won't see the random hodge-podge of buildings. You'll walk down Hollywood Blvd. to the Universal Plaza Tower, where paths will diverge - one to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, one to Springfield USA, one to Gru's Neighborhood and Minions' Super Silly Fun Land. They're BUILDING a theme park with themed lands. No more big boxy showbuildings. No more mix-and-matched rides next to each other. Hollywood Studios needs that too, and this could be the start of it.

Hence the reason we went to CP instead. It was fabulous! (Bonus points if you know why) It will now be a Sunday we go to CP for every year. Crowds were great both in numbers and in attitude. And I got to eat free for being a Father! (With a previously purchased season dining plan) Minus the burnt shoulders and ankles, it was a great day! Sorry to hear your KI trip wasn't as pleasant. Hopefully it was just a one time occourance as the family and I will be back next Sunday.

God willing, this is a start of a much-needed foundational renovation for the park. The era of the "studio" park is over. In a post-Animal-Kingdom world, people are not impressed by boxy showbuildings and facade cutouts, especially not in a premium park. Compounded with Hollywood Studios's lack of attractions, the park really does need a change. Not just new rides, but an identity shift like Universal Studios Florida / Hollywood, which are building hub-and-spoke layouts and themed lands where previously there were none. They're retroactively turning their amusement parks into theme parks. Disney's Hollywood Studios needs the same. A big tan showbuilding with American Idol next to big tan showbuilding with Toy Story next to a big tan showbuilding with The Little Mermaid... the time for that is passed. I doodled up a complete renovation of Hollywood Studios that I'll upload here later. I'm pretty proud of it.

Well, then good thing then that "MGM" hasn't been part of that park since 2008 :-)

Crazy in a good sense. I know he's not literally crazy, i've talked to him before. He does an unbelievable job and goes out of his way to entertain guests in the station.

Ride Op on Friday said "Enjoy your ride on Diamondback. The best ride at KI, cause we have BINS!" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So I heard one when the train rolled back in from AE. I found this a LOT funnier than I should of... The Ride Op asked "How was your ride?", and a kid yells "turkey!", then ride op said something like "Sounds good!". For some reason I found this really hilarious.

A case of an employee saying the darnest thing... Around 1pm, on a rather busy day, a deer was running through the park, close to where Diamondback is now. A security officer happened to see this, keyed up his radio, and instead of asking for a park police officer or security supervisor, he asks for one of the firefighters. The firefighter's response was classic! "Is the deer on fire?" I went home with my face hurting from laughing at that visual! Maybe this could be used for an idea for the next Halloween Haunt attraction?