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Headed out to the park on Thursday the 26th for a reward for getting through my first summer class. Walked over to Banshee and got in line. As soon as I entered the main line a gentlemen behind me asked to get by me as his kids were farther up in the line. I said there is no line jumping and grabbed the railing to not let him by. At that exact moment park security showed up and asked him to step outta line. I thought "Cool, that's that." I proceeded through the queue and right before the stairs another KI police officer asked me to step outta line. "Sure" I said. We walked out of the Fast Lane to the front of the queue. They had a couple of questions for me about what happened. Took my info down and let me on my way. The officer said I shouldn't of grabbed the railing and gotten ahold of park security. Duly noted I said. I also said thanks for everything that y'all do. The officer then took me through the Fast Lane and up to the station.so I wouldn't loose my spot. Big prop's goes out to everyone that keeps us acting normal and people safe at the park while we are having fun. Ended the night with a Beast night ride. The lightning bugs were out in force last night in the woods looked incredible.

Well this went better than expected.

So, I hit a video to watch a few clips and enjoy them on Youtube today, and thought of something. I compared the old Beast pre opening video to the current POV, and was actually shocked. So using the old video I'm sure everyone here has seen before tunnels were built/etc and the current released POV, I noticed quite a difference. I put the two side by side and put the camera at several points to compare timing, and was amazed by the results. It honestly seems like the old Beast that was considered wild, agressive, out of this world, and insanely fast, really wasn't at all, whatsoever. Here's what I observed: Leaving station=Current Beast much faster to lift hill engagement, old Beast seems to go quite slow here Lift Hill=Old Beast climbs much quicker then almost "stalls" at the top before crest, current setup creeps, block clears speed, then creep up top Drop/Tunnel/Turn=Old beast seems much faster down the drop and through the turn/drop, much more agressive airtime it looks here, current not bad but seems a tad slow Brake Shed=First major difference, old Beast with longer brake run length slows down quick and takes quite a hit, current slows down right at end where drive wheels were located back then. Even then current Beast seems to have more speed through here and exiting the brake shed. This is where things get surprising. Post Brake Shed-->Lift=This is where current Beast seems to dominate, it flies through the turns and tunnel(s). Old Beast post brake shed seemed sluggish, and honestly not that crazy as it always was mentioned Lift Hill #2=This was another surprising find. Old Beast seeming slower almost slows down completely on the hill w/ anti rollback ratchets (makes sense for the placement now) and then barely hits the lift hill and goes up. Current Beast, honestly I see no major reason for the rollbacks, and then it shoots up the lift hill, almost a good 1/3 or more up. Then the current itiration seems to climb quicker than old Beast. Finale/Brake Run=This was very very very close. Current Beast seemed to have more speed post Helix however and hit brakes first but barely, it's too close for me to really critisize unline the first half of the ride. New Beast was climbing lift two before old Beast even engaged the hill. So I ask everyone this, and figured open it to debate amongst us. Was Beast really that great and fast/exciting/insane? Is it moreover us being nostalgic enthusiasts as per ususal? Is it just comparing to what was out back then (it had insane laterals/distance/etc). Was it just more intense in a certain aspect. I always hear KI enthusiasts say old Beast was 10x better than today, but on POV it seems like we have a better product now than when it opened originally in these videos. Obviously I wasn't around KI all these years, so figured I'd ask y'all and those who have been here that long. One thing I did notice too lastly, Beast still had lube issues back then too. Heard the wheels squeal quite alot in sections just like it does today at times when it's not freshly lubed.

I've never been one to not let a parent/kid past, if it is obvious that his/her group is a little ahead. I would agree that it is not your place to try and play traffic cop. In some places, and on some days more than others, that could turn out very, very badly for you.

Another thing to consider is that at one time, Beast had buzz bars and no seatbelts. I'm sure it would seem much wilder with much less holding you down. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk

I disagree. That's a blanket statement, but it depends on the individual. Paraplegics have impaired use of their lower extremities. Some, like my friend Brian, can stand unassisted and walk short distances while holding on to something. I've had him hold on to me for support while transferring into and out of coasters and other rides at Kings Island, Kentucky Kingdom and Canada's Wonderland, as well as plenty of go-carts in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. But most of the time, he just rolls the chair up next to the ride and uses that for support to transfer in, then I or someone else will roll the chair to a place that's out of the way while we ride. I was shocked to learn years ago that Brian is actually classified as a quadriplegic. I had always thought that quadriplegics couldn't use their arms at all. Brian has use of his arms, but his hands are basically curled into fists. He can move the fingers with help from his other hand, but has limited digital mobility on their own. Because of that, he's considered a quad. So even some quadriplegics can ride coasters! I've learned much over the 19 years I've known him. I remember the first time I saw him stand up out of his chair, I thought "What the h%$& ???" Spinal cord injuries are interesting; slight differences in where the spinal cord was damaged, as well as an individual body's response to physical therapy, can cause a world of difference in how one's body is able to move. I know I gave KK a glowing review after opening day, but until they get these issues straightened out, they have joined a few other select companies on my boycott list (not that I was planning on going back there until next year at the earliest, but still...). Because of Brian and the thankfully short amount of time that my sister had to use a wheelchair to get around while battling lymphoma, this is an issue that is close to my heart.

No kidding. I saw the topic title and thought it was going to be another "I was profiled" story.

Still, the ride has kept its relative thrill factor far better than virtually any of its contemporaneous park investments, both nationally and internationally. 1979 was not a time when major thrills were in vogue. The insurance crisis had just begun, and park owners were very risk averse. The Beast was very unlike any wooden coaster seen before, and to a very large extent, any seen since.

Another factor, and it plays into the nostalgia aspect, is that if The Racer kicked off the 2nd golden era of roller coasters, then The Beast was still in the early stages of that era, there were no Hyper or Giga coasters, there were no 6 inversion Arrow rides like Vortex, there were no suspended or inverted coasters, no launch coasters, dive coasters, etc... there was significantly less roller coaster inventory to compare The Beast to when it made its debut. Today there is a lot more alternatives, there is a significantly wider array of variety with significantly improved technology. Sure the changes in restraints, trains and breaks have all made for a different feel, but so have all the other options now available to us.

I've heard a lot less Van Halen at the park this year. Right now, someone is disappointed.

As a preservationist extraordinaire, it wouldn't trouble me an iota were Cedar Fair to let RMC run loose with Mean Streak. In fact, I'd endorse that.

We have people who stand in the middle of our campus and shout at us at least twice a week. Regardless of your belief, it seems that the more current generations are very turrned-off by aggressive preaching. No matter what your opinions and convictions are, you will just come off as a jerk when trying to aggressively convert "non-believers." Passive communication and pushy pursuing are entirely different things.

I hear "Happy" minimum once a day when I visit after work and usually 2-3 times a day and never less than 3 times a day on a full day visit. If the park plays that song once more it'll be too many times. I feel like last year had WAY more variety.

Forty years ago, it was not different down in Wildcat Country. Nor was it any more effective. Whatever possessed slovenly middle aged slobs to stand, Bible in hand, and yell "Harlot!" at adorable youg lasses and "Heathen!" at passing BMOC athletes, I never grokked. I suppose the yellers either never went to university as a student or they had very sad, pathetic childhoods and resented college young folk. It was all I could do not to yell back at these 'ministers,' "Judge not, lest ye be judged!" Then again, for whatever reason, I never seemed to be singled out for their abuse. Oddly, this both pleased and troubled me.

I'm with you there. Prerecorded messages are the way to go. Spieling is ineffective and annoying. It's just an excuse to hear one's own voice over the loud speaker.

I would be drooling on my keyboard if they added live view cams. I could watch them for hours.

Sorry....lol..had to chuckle...

^^To get to The Bat (former Top gun): When you entered Adventure Village you crossed a small bridge (between the current Chicken Shack and Delirium.) You angled to the right from there and headed towards where Banshee's first dive loop is and headed down a grade and under the monorail that headed out to the exhibit, straight across AE. (the first drop of AE went downhill and to the right under the outgoing monorail into the first tunnel). The path to The Bat then continued around to the left and up towards the bottom of the lift hill of Banshee and past the toilets to the current entrance of The Bat. The incoming monorail crossed the overpass that you currently go under to access The Bat. The monorail station for LCS was near the loading platforms for Xtreme Skyflyers and the exit for the monorail was somewhere near Drop Tower and Coaster connection.

The tunnel was made for the Monorail. The maintenance road that goes up around Adventure Expess had monorail track their at one time. On the frist lift hill during the fall you can still see a building that was used for the animals in the woods.

As for the Dollywood Wild Eagle sign, both Dolly Parton and the Herschends are strong Christians who live what they believe and quietly spread the gospel. See the shows. Under Pat Koch, who is both a United Methodist minister and a former nun, Holiday World was operated in a similar fashion.

Flight of Fear, per the sign out front, is closed.

When I attended Ohio State in the mid 90s, a "preacher" called Brother Jed was often found on the Oval. As a Christian, it's hard to imagine a worse salesman or marketing campaign for Christianity. I never once heard a kind, loving, thought provoking, or positive thought from him. It was all venom. I hate to think how many people he drove away from Christianity. To keep this somewhat on topic, last night a band called Tenth Avenue North performed at Timberwolf. Their message and delivery is the complete opposite of the aforementioned venom, and so much closer to the positive examples given in the New Testament. A friend challenged me to try them and a few other Christian bands for Lent (I've never listed to Christian music) and I'm glad I did. To go somewhat back off topic, I'm curious what folks think of the big sign at Dollywood in line for Wild Eagle (referencing Isaiah 40:31). I think it's a beautiful and inspiring message (and fits the ride nicely), but honestly I was floored to see such a sign in an amusement park.

It seemed to me in the late 80s-early 90s that it got faster as the track heated up during the day. No idea why it would be, but it always seemed tamer in the cooler morning, or on cooler days in general. As for being faster in the past, I think we remember it that way due to lack of competition. It was faster and wilder than the other coasters I had ridden at that time. Now it has competition from things like Diamondback just within the same park. I used to find the height of the lift hill on Beast to be intimidating. I still do, sometimes. But, one day I went on Diamondback five or so times in a row before riding Beast, and the first hill of The Beast seemed quaint. I think it just takes more to thrill us as much more intense rides have been built. We're a bit jaded in a way we couldn't be in the past.

I didn't realize that was enough to cause scrolling issues. Spaces have been added to allow line breaks.

Nah. He'll use Wikipedia. Heaven knows what it says!

He can Google it..If not..I'll gladly create a Let me Google That For You link

I'm sure they wouldn't mind if it also relieved the congestion in the Phantastic World of Mister Potter.

Shake, Rattle & Roll has been closed for at least 2-3 weeks. Perhaps they are waiting on parts?

Shake Rattle and Roll has been down longer than a week. It was closed on June 8th when I was at Coasting for Kids.

We're planning on being there. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the only other character breakfast we've done, the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at Grand Floridian. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/15490-the-gator-familys-wdw-trip/?p=254517

Only those who registered and purchased the picnic meal will be able to participate in the activities for the event.

If they do this right, they will have the characters rotate to all the tables, much like at the Disney character breakfasts. It prevents a mad rush to to see the characters.

I assume the Fair Board was smart enough to get indemnification from Mr. Hart if and when the ADA lawsuits are filed.

Any sort of confrontation can turn out badly, even when well-intentioned. Security has the training and resources to do this safely and respectfully. Guests don't.

Ha I just graduated from OSU and know of this well! I don't understand why they think that yelling at people on the Oval will work. The anti-abortion photos are the worst.

ScreamScape haha

Mean Streak was actually very fun last time I rode it! Wasn't painful for me! The ride is still fine! I rode it at CoasterMania and I didn't think it was rough this year (although I was in the front row.) With that being said though, I find the layout boring. The lack of a line for this ride makes me believe the general public either agrees with me that it's boring, or has sworn off the ride from previous rough years. Watching some old POV's of the old Texas Giant, I find a lot of similarities between the two coasters.

Yeah if my memory is correct, the monorail passed right over the "tunnel" in Top Gun/The Bat's queue.

I'm 32 and can say that Vortex doesn't bother me at all. The ride that beats me up is Adventure Express, but it's been that way since I was a kid, I know I should put my hands down on that ride but I just can't resist.

I assume you're referring to this?

When I was young, I got motion sick very easily. The Beastie was sufficient to make me feel queasy. Had I ridden Vortex as a kid, the result would not have been pleasant. Luckily, I outgrew that by sometime around high school.

I noticed similar things in that old POV from 1979. It seems to just barely have enough momentum to get to the station. There are a couple factors at play to think about. Were the trains empty for both? How did the 4-row cars affect speed, if at all. I still contend that people think it was faster then due to having been younger and not having ridden the ride dozens upon dozens of times like they have now. Because as I can tell, it seems much faster now than then.

I have consistently said Beast has no more brakes or braking today than it ever did since opening to the public--other than the brief period brakes were removed in places while Paramount switched to magnetic braking. On rainy days, the skids were less effective. And more risky.

Mr Segway @ CP was a very enjoyable regular, I have yet to see him this season on my visits, I hope to see him at some point, we have had great conversations before. He has a medical condition and does not ride the rides ever. He's quite fond of watching Dragster launch. He has bumped people from time to time, but nothing too intense or crazy, nor is it intentional. Now comparing him to a few other regulars we have, he is one of the best. Comparing him to a stinky or an old running marathoner, I'll take Mr Segway anyday

I am reliably told that as of today, wheelchair bound Kentucky Kingdom guests STILL do not have reasonable access to shows in the arena, but are reduced to watching through a locked steel mesh gate. In addition, access to Swampwater Jack's eatery is only available via an extremely rough wooden deck that is nearly impossible to push a wheelchair across, much less comfortably. In the past, parks with similar issues have received greetings from the United States Department of Justice.

Apparently I'm getting old because I've definitely transitioned from "Wow that sounds like fun!" to "Stay away at all costs, way too many people." That being said I hope everyone going this weekend has a great time!

Yep, that's pretty sad in this day and age. However, it is nice to see the crusaders that have made accessibility into law have not wasted their efforts, and the media acting as a force of good: getting this publicized acted as a pressure point to getting it fixed.

I'd like to think the front office staff took turns throwing darts at a park map and then someone's name was drawn at random to decide where the new ride would be.

So we could hear more Kenny Loggins on the long walk? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think Six Flags has declared a war on their wooden coasters...