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I've not heard many people say that they don't like B&M's. They seem to really have their stuff together. Wouldn't surprise me if they ended up with a stranglehold on the coaster industry. Like me, I probably prefer B&M over any other coaster company that I have rode one of their coasters, even though it's a small list. Except Maverick. I just really love that ride, front row preferably. I've wanted to take a trip to HW, really want to ride Voyage. Thunderbird will be a great bonus.

As much as I love B&M, and while they do seem to have their stuff together, if somehow they got a pure strangehold on the steel coaster industry (IE all the other companies ragequit or something) it could be bad as then you'd have a Monopoly and then B&M could just make lame rides and parks would pretty much have no choice if they wanted steel coasters. Thankfully, there are still a few companies like Mack & Premier (and others) that can still give B&M a run for their money depending on what the park wants (B&M offers a lot so far but not EVERYTHING). Though B&M is likely still going to be first on the list of what the park thinks about when deciding on a new coaster, unless the park wants something B&M doesn't make (like a Wild Mouse type coaster, or a Water Coaster, etc- B&M has yet to try those coaster types) or some other company shows Holiday World something that looks really, really cool and the park gets on board with it (which can happen). Though to be fair, one of my ideas for a ride Holiday World could add- and they still can- would be a Mine Train coaster (Arrow may be gone but Vekoma still makes them), if simply to see how they theme it- that park goes a bit crazy with themes at times.

Actually, I just found this. S&S-Sansei Technologies breathes new life into the tried and true Arrow Mine Train Coaster popularized by Disney in the ‘60s and ‘70s with a new body style that is lighter in weight and an exciting layout the entire family can enjoy. From the first drop over the hill, the Mine Train delivers belly-tickling drops and hills, speedy curves and exciting banked turns. Link: http://www.engineeringexcitement.com/product/mine-train/

I REALLY miss her. She was THE voice of Holiday World. The TV/Radio spots are just not the same these days.

You can make a strong case that the Intamin era in the US really only lasted from 1999 (the Supermen: Ride of Steel megas) through 2005 (Kingda Ka). If you take a look at Intamin rides built in the US after 2005, they've built an average of less than one coaster a year here - 7 in total. Also note that they have not built (or announced) any coasters in the US since Skyrush opened in 2012. When Thunderbird and Fury 325 open next year, B&M will have built 7 US coasters since the beginning of 2012. Cedar Fair alone has built one B&M coaster in 7 of the last 8 years, the cheapest of which is still over $20 million! Parks now are simply not going to make large capital investments in this day and age without knowing exactly what they're getting in return. Even Six Flags largest single investment since 2007 - X-Flight at $15 million - was a B&M (the Drop Towers and the RMC conversions/Goliath ran around $10 million each). Parks just got a lot smarter about how they're allocating capital, particularly for the larger coaster installs.

Except that the only reason B&M has Cedar Fair in their "grasp" (beside the fact that most of the recent installations reside in the former Paramount Parks) is because the last coaster manufacturer to have said chain in its "grasp" had a history of mechanical issues and post-installation changes that spanned the majority of the last decade. And if we're only looking at the poster child for the entire Fair, there is a 17-year gap between B&M installations.

If I would've created something this bad for work (which I have before), my boss would've called me into his office and yelled at me (which he has before) lol. I learned real early to step up my game and not to take shortcuts - which looks like what happened here. Something like this would not pass at my work, and I work for a small, locally-owned, family company. The standards for KI should be MUCH higher than were I work.

If you had, I suspect it would rock your world!

Much like Frozen is being incorporated into the parks, it seems like Disney has been having a great run with Big Hero 6. I can easily see some BH6 tie-ins with Future World (Innoventions?). Perhaps Marvel or the Muppets can breathe new life into the Imagination or currently SBNO Wonders of Life building. Stark Industries would be a great fit for the WOL pavilion with a D or E-ticket type ride inside.

It's so weird. I think what we're seeing right now is the prologue before the resort-wide refresh that so many Disney fans have been waiting for. Epcot is getting Maelstrom (divisive, but at least it's movement) plus strong hints of a Soarin' expansion that'll prep it for the eventual shift to Soarin' The World or whatever its name ends up being. At this point, I think it's fare to assume that Epcot could be in line for a "New Future World." The Imagination and Energy pavilions are in pretty bad states and Innoventions is still pointless. The whole identity of Future World is so jumbled. The architecture is so 1980s. The style is so cold. Hollywood Studios, though, is almost certainly going to get a giant, park-wide refresh like Disney California Adventure (though I don't think it'll match that scale). Their timing is a little odd. Close half the park, but with no immediate plans or announcement made public... Why? But we're well on our way. Let's hope this develops as I think it will. Toy Story Playland (the rumored expansion for the Studio Tour plot) is a "cheap and cheerful" installation, but its something.

I agree with you 100%. You have to have competition. I guess i should've said stranglehold for the foreseeable future. Although I prefer B&M over other coasters, I still like other company's coasters. And you know somewhere, someone is working just as hard as you are, to out do you, at what you do. When someone comes out with something new that's mind-blowing, which sooner or later, will happen, then the parks will have to get their hands on it. All in all, it's kinda like music. If all music was the same, then listening to music would really suck.

Wow. I know the coaster is only just over 3,000 feet long and all and so far the weather has been nice, and they started early, but to think it (this part of construction) is finished so soon...I know it's a B&M and they are famous for finishing projects on time, but I can't help but be impressed. I could see Thunderbird start testing, weather permitting, as early as February. Maybe even January but that'd be a stretch due to weather (January=Supah Cold). I am 99.9% sure it will be ready by late April when Holiday World opens. Great job Holiday World & B&M. But now, the vicious cycle has begun. Thunderbird will likely open to rave reviews from the GP, and Holiday World will like it and make money off it, and so they will decide to build buy ANOTHER B&M at some point for their 2nd major steel coaster (I could see HW building a Invert or Floorless at some point in the future)...and the cycle starts over...heck, B&M seemingly already has Cedar Fair firmly in their "grasp"... make a product that pleases your customer, and your customers will keep coming back to you so long as the product is good...

This morning on Twitter..... .......Oddly enough there were no more updates today stating that the full track work had been completed...... @HolidayWorld on Twitter: "Thunderbird's final track piece - #77 - is ready to fly! #OrangeIsTheNewTrack #OpeningDayApril25" Photo : Holiday World via Twitter Following this tweet.....there were no more updates?......So it was ready to fly......But maybe it couldn't get the wing power?....

Man, that hill looks awesome. For sure will be taking a trip down there next year.

@mikefehnel on Twitter: "Here is a view of Intimidator taken from #FURY325. What a view! FURY should top out tomorrow!!!" Photo : Michael Fehnel (Carowinds GM) via Twitter "I just had a birds-eye view of the 250' level of #FURY325. I can't wait to ride this coaster! Don't look down!" Photos : Michael Fehnel (Carowinds GM) via Twitter

They have released a new hard hat chronicles video. They state that there are going to be new near miss elements added to the ride. I am hoping that they extend the last barn element with the in line roll for the right side. That side is really missing the near miss element. Also they are moving a ride to the plaza of Thunderbird. They will announce that move next week. Things just keep getting better and better for this ride! I cannot wait for Holiwood Nights next year!

Ah, maybe one of these days. I feel fortunate enough to get to go where I'm going next year. It would be nice to get to go to one of the Busch Gardens, or a Six Flags, If it never happens, Then I still have my CF pass. And that's just fine with me. But, really, I was talking about the 3 B&M's up on the big lake, I should've been more specific. Gotta love rookies.

The In-Line-Roll on Thunderbird should be very interesting considering the close proximity between it and the brake run..... To be honest though, I guess it does sound pretty fun to spiral into the brake run! The 2015 park season just can't come fast enough! What a year '15 will be in the amusement industry!

Kumba? Terp, who likes to ask questions.

I think that the most exciting thing, for me, is the Disney Vault programming that they're going to be showing on TCM. I love those old Disneyland and Wonderful World Of Color shows.

Posted on Holiday World`s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152598503709538

Models of Face/Off and Delirium are currently being offered on Craigslist. I'm tempted to buy Delirium and wrap it in Christmas lights since I donated my tree to Goodwill last month and haven't gotten a new one yet. It's three feet tall! Kings Island Face-Off Roller Coaster Model 195 http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/atq/4776484517.html Kings Island Delirium Model 150 http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/atq/4776485173.html

I found this video on youtube and I thought it was a cool interview. It is short but it has Mike Fehnel from Carowinds kind of explain the difference of the two rides and other things. Some of you may have seen it or may have already known the difference but I just wanted to share. (Video made by Brian Mitchell . I inculuded his channel link which you can access by clicking his name.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrXDDAytA04 Also it seem that there wasn't a lot of work done today on fury 325. I think those workers deserved a day off (But it did look like they started to prepare for finishing off the lift hill. (Image from Carowinds' Webcams)

I suddenly feel very, very ancient.

Talking about getting work done! (image from Carowinds webcams )

Pat Koch should join a coaster club. Things could get really interesting.

To my knowledge, they haven't released any details about media day yet. However, knowing HW, I would be a bit surprised if coaster clubs weren't invited.

Just got a newsletter from KI about the 2015 season passes. It contained this graphic: I love the crop work around the people. You know, KI should think about hiring some of us to do their Photoshop work. Heck, they wouldn't even have to pay us. Just throw some nice KI perks our way and we'd be more than happy to help them out. Just a thought.

Don't forget Tommy Boy! The whole model car scene about the "other guy's" brake pads (there are quotes for a reason as Chris Farley's character used air quotes in the movie) used to crack me up when I was little. "You're driving along, you're driving along..." Good times!

anyone try this out last weekend and care to report? Weather was less than ideal for tubing (or at least non winter like, but if they could create enough snow, it was probably ideal conditions since you could go in lighter clothes and stay warm. anyhoo, looked into this a bit and had a few questions/observations. 1st, above it mentions that Perfect north has unlimited tubing during the week for about the same price, this is true, but on weekends, they are priced about the same with what appears to be a 2 hour time frame. 2nd, the web came appears to be from too far away, perhaps it changes during hours of operation, they were closed yesterday so there was nothing to actually see, may be different when they're actually running. questions: How do the tube lanes compare to Perfect North? Beach Mountain doesn't appear to be anything too special as I zoom past on 71. could be a lot of fun, but seems like its pretty straight down the hill, now big bumps or turns. Perhaps that is the norm, or perhaps I'm missing something as I zoom past on 71 (easy to do as you could imagine), if anyone has been, I'd love to hear what the experience was like. The website leaves a lot to be desired; there appears to be pricing for 42" and above and another price for 3 and over, but under 42", but when you go to purchase ticket, you only see the 42" and above ticket. perhaps I'm missing something. What about a 2 year old that is below 42"? They indicate that there is a smaller hill for those under 42", and perhaps that is the reason for the 3 and over and under 42" price point, can my 2 year old daughter ride? If she was 3, could she ride down on the same tube as her Mother or myself? Is she restricted to a play area? Does she get free admittance? What is the play area look like, will it be enough to keep her happy while her brother and mother/father take turns down the hill? If anyone can provide answers to these questions either now or in the coming weeks, it would be appreciated, I think I'd like to try this out sometime in Jan/Feb but may change my mind depending on what the 2 year old can do.

Yea, but there's a world of difference between the last coaster to be built in the '90s and the ones their building now, IMO. I really enjoy the ride on Banshee, not so much on Raptor..........

I know we like to emphasize silence from any given park around here, but has anyone noticed that Busch Gardens Williamsburg has hardly promoted their new coaster?

Bullwinkle even more so...

The Flintstones was an early evening show geared towards adults. It was also a cartoon parody of the sitcom, The Honeymooners. It was sort of like the Simpsons of the '60s, therefore it had better scripting and was more off the wall in it's commentary.

Thank you for posting this. my dad loved this show.

It was indeed. Geauga Lake had some well maintained and aging well Vekomas. Many people, including this poster felt GL's SLC was the smoothest out there, and found it somewhat enjoyable.

Wow! Nice progress today! I didn't watch the cams at all because generally construction crews have Sunday off, or at least, when building coasters, it seems that they always do. The time schedule for Fury 325 erection must be very strict.

Am I reading it correctly that really the only changes are to the films in the preshow and end of the ride?

That is definitly a good idea, I like DisneyWorld, but I would be farther away from Kings Island, that and I'm not a millonaire.

I feel like these new rides will give that area a more lively feel for sure. That area always seemed like the more barren side of Planet Snoopy. The attention Kings Island pays to the kids area is fantastic. It's something a lot of other parks take for granted. You always want to make the children happy, a memorable experience as a kid is going to make you want to come back when you're older!

Permanent Real Estate for sale to the public in the heart of the Mouse is scarce, and this location is far far better than Celebration's. I expect these homes to sell for close to full value and sell quickly.

I've been studying animation since I was around 5 or 6 (I'm 34 now), and had originally planned to be an animator. I read every article I can get my hands on and watch all the documentaries I can find. Lately I've been reading a lot about what's going on in the industry right now and it's not all good. The whole business of animation is in an interesting state right now. I somewhat feel sorry for current animation students who are hoping to have a long career in animation here in the US. Let me explain a little bit for those of you who might be interested. See, 20-30 years ago, animation was an art form that could only be created by artists. You had to have special skills. Not only did you have to know the techniques of animation, but you also had to be classically trained in fine art. You studied anatomy and physiology. You studied nature, and animals. You really knew how to capture every little detail. It was quite painstaking. Of course, this was for 2D animation - Think Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, and Lion King. These guys were masters at their craft and it took special talent and a lot of hard work to become one of these guys. Fast forward a few years and along comes Toy Story. Now, most of the people who worked on this film came from the 2D animation background. These guys were artists who were now using a different medium. They were trading their pencils for a mouse and screen. Let's move forward a decade or two and now we're busting at the seams with 3D animated films. They're everywhere and new studios are constantly popping up trying to get in the game. But where are all these animators coming from? Well, you no longer have to be an "artist" anymore. As long as you know the techniques of animation and know how to use the software, anyone can animate. You no longer have to have that special talent of "fine artist" anymore. Now obviously it helps, but it's not required. In an interview for the movie Tangled, Glen Keane (an ex-Disney animator), was talking about the guy who animated the opening scene in which we first meet Rapunzel. He stated that the particular animator couldn't draw a stick figure to save his life, but he was especially skilled at understanding movement so he was able to animate Rapunzel with believability. Had this guy wanted to animate 10-20 years prior, he would not have been able to because he was unable to draw. This was no doubt a huge hindrance for many, many people. Now with computers, this opens up the door for many new people to become animators, even those that can't draw! Is this a problem? Yes. Because of this, the industry is much more crowded. There are tons of people trying to break into the industry, so each studio has to be more selective and there aren't as many jobs as there are animators wanting those jobs. This also create new problems. Since we have such an abundance of animators, new studios are opening up and getting into the business. Remember when is was just Disney? Then Disney and Pixar? And then Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks? Do you know how many studios have entered the animation business? Quite a few. Now, everyone's competing for that top spot and there are many more selections of quality animated family films to choose from at the theater. This splits up revenues and each studio is struggling to recoup their budgets. This creates another problem. Dreamworks has been struggling the past couple of years to make a profit, or a big enough profit to keep their shareholders satisfied. Because of this, they laid off a TON of animators and announced that they would be moving a good chunk of their animation department overseas. Kung Fu Panda 3 will be largely animated in China. Is this fair? Well, not to American animators, but to the company, it's quality animation done cheaper. Cheaper animation = higher profits. See, animation is a business now, not strictly an art form. So what's happening over at Pixar? Well, now they higher animators on per job. What does that mean? Well, you want to work for Pixar? They higher you on to do animation for a particular film. At the end of the film you either stay on for another film, or they can let you go. Think of it as "temp" work. This isn't good for anyone wanting a career in animation. So what's up with the Disney Animation Studios? Well, they might be worse. Just earlier this year they booted a bunch of big named 2D animators out the door. They've decided that no one wants 2D anymore so they don't want 2D animators hanging around. Not even to train the new guys. Many of the 2D animators who were there in what some people would call the Disney Renaissance era back in the late 80s and early 90s have moved on to do their own projects and are doing some great things in animation. I highly recommend doing a Google search for "Glen Keane" and "Duet." So since it's easier to animate and a lot more people can do it, it's making animation as an industry more crowded and less profitable (for some). Someone told me the other night that it's never too late to become an animator. I looked at them and said, not now. Not in this climate. And that's the truth. Now there are some areas that still require some fine artists, but more than likely that won't be as an animator. It will most likely be in pre-production stuff, designing backdrops and layouts and that kind of thing. These are really talented people that sometimes get forgotten. You can still have a career as a fine artist in animation, but it's not like it used to be. I look forward to the day that 2D animation is revived and animation becomes more of an art form like it was at one time. We can only hope!

That all being said, and I totally agree, it's just as sad that Pat Koch is apparently not welcome at the park she and her late husband worked so hard to establish. The entire situation is tragic, and I cannot and will not look at either park with the same awe and respect that I once did.

HW PR director Paula posted this on the HoliWood Nights Facebook group: Simply beautiful.

Then again... see Ninja. I love The Beast because of the woods. However, I'm not certain too many trees too close to a coaster are the best idea.

Hello All ! I haven't been as much of late but I do want to say that the new improvements sound awesome. I will miss Nickelodeon Splat: Green Slime Zone, But I guess some of you weren't aware of the early days of Nickelodeon in the park. Or maybe you do. I had lots great memories.. on with the new. But I will admit I HATE Starbucks. YUCK!

Well, this is weird. So Dan Koch & Co. gave up the Bluegrass Boardwalk plan, lost control of Holiday World to Lori Koch, and just when you think they are gone...they return and now own Alabama Adventure!?!? One thing I hope happens- since it is still listed as SBNO on every site I checked- is the return of the Rampage CCI wooden coaster. It's been SBNO since 2011, but wooden coasters have come back from longer dormant peroids (Thunder Run @ Kentucky Kingdom for one example) and ran again. And surely a Koch who was with Holiday World for so long knows what a good CCI woodie can do for a park...I don't think it'll happen in 2014 though, as it would probably be too much work refurbishing Rampage so soon, but a 2015 return of the woodie is possible...

Terp I don't think you could have summed up this venture by the Koch family any better. I love HW and the Koch Family but in my opinion believe that they have set their goals a bit too high in trying to get BB up and running again. To set up the public with the notion that the park would be up and running by 2013 was ludicrous. The fan fare they received (on facebook/twitter/etc) was pretty substantial. Most people thanking the family "for opening the park next year" and "bringing back the park." I thought I was the only person who DID NOT like what was going on... What people seem to not understand is that the lease they signed was preliminary. Not only do they have to secure a large amount of money really quickly. But on top of that they need to revamp the ENTIRE park. Judging by the photos from Gordon Bombay there is A LOT of work to be done to even make the park habitable, let alone function by May 2013. The self-imposed deadline for opening the park sets up a lot of people for disappointment... Just look at how the 3 year timberliner delay for the voyage has had a bit of backlash in the roller coaster community. Just imagine if they DO NOT get BB open by next year as stated by the family (its quite easily feasible as of now)... Not only are they going to disappoint fans but I believe their family name and reputation will take a hit as well. I believe they do not want a mark on their family name so they will do whatever it takes to get the park up and running because they DO NOT like to disappoint their fans. Like Terp said this plan COULD work. But I myself see it failing miserably before any positives come from this situation... I just hope that: A ) If they cannot secure the financial means for BB, they will have enough dignity to say they made a mistake and be able to return their focus back to the stellar park that is HW. B )Don't put HW in financial jeopardy because of this "business adventure" if it does actually work out.

Some thoughts in response to the last few posts: * The Six Flags organization that filed bankruptcy had one park as its genesis, Frontier City in Oklahoma. Under Gary Story, Tierco expanded, bought many parks, including Geauga Lake and Kentucky Kingdom. By then called Premier Parks, it then gobbled up Six Flags. It bought many more parks, overpaying for many of them, overexpanded, engaged in coaster wars with Cedar Fair and took on massive levels of debt it could not repay. It invested in new areas of parks while letting its assets seriously deteriorate. * Cedar Fair began with a single park, Cedar Point. It slowly and methodically added Valleyfair, Dorney Park, Knott's Berry Farm, Worlds of Fun, Michigan's Adventure...all while incurring relatively low levels of debt. Then it uncharacteristically added Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. When CBS's Paramount Parks became available, the company, most agree, wildly overpaid for it, $1.24 billion, and took on a massive debt load, even borrowing money to pay out future "earnings." • The Kochs, before 2011, were known for focus, not borrowing or overexpanding. There is a serious risk of distraction and expansion spreading management too thin. As of yet, there is not even a publicly disclosed executed lease. To think this park will certainly be open in 2013 is sheer folly. There is much work to do, and much that could go wrong. There are those who think the Kochs are taking on too much risk. Note that Pat Koch is apparently not a part of this venture. All along, I pointed out that Ed Hart's plan did not make financial sense for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and was not likely to be approved. One person here, in particular, thought I was unduly pessimistic. I wasn't. In my opinion, this deal is way too risky for the Kochs and Holiday World. It may work, but it has a high probability for failure.

Here's a picture of the state the park is in as it stands now: