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The park map for this season has been released: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/plan-a-visit/park-map For those trying to compare it pixel-for-pixel with 2014's map: http://belle.zzxc.net/fun/mapanimation.gif

There were a lot of interesting transportation experiments going on in the 60s/70s and quite a few of them focused on the idea of an elevated guide way on which a vehicle could move on. Though seen as futuristic at the time, I think most of those examples didn't quite pan out the way they had hoped. As a result, the remaining systems seem to be expensive to operate vs. more traditional transport systems (cars, trains, buses etc.). Of course, my personal favorite example would be the WVU PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). Though, many people would argue that it isn't personal, it is seldom rapid, and hardly qualifies as transit. Look at that little guy go. He's adorable. Walt was definitely an incredible visionary. I'd love to have seen more of his ideas come to fruition. Side note: I've finally gone over 1000 posts! It only took me 10 years!

If you want an idea what the ride will look like come April, take a look at a ride at the sister park, Kings Dominion's Bad Apple. Picture courtesy of Kings Dominion. Link

I was just sitting here thinking..........(When you have the off-season blues, that's what you do!) In 2015 Diamondback will be operating for it's seventh season at the park!...... Wow.....Just wow! Time sure does fly!

No. It's a theming element. As such, it has received the typical operations and maintenance for such. The symbolism abounds. It's a grave matter. So to speak. O'Terpy

Negative g's for sure. I love that feeling of being lifted out of your seat.

Tombstones typically go over things buried. O'Terpy....oh, WAIT!

I'd like to see tunnels on the next one, underground or otherwise.

The topic of Blackfish came up at work today. So I turned up the volume on my headphones and enjoyed some Zeppelin. Not feeling like getting in an argument with my coworkers today.

All of the Coney rides are fun! Even the Scrambler, though I hated running it; parents blow it off as a kiddy ride. It's hard to get a kid to sit up straight in a ride and hold on when their parents insist it's okay for them to lay down, or otherwise compromise their safety. Yes, I understand centrifical force will help them stay in the seat, but an E stop blows all your Einsteining out the window, and your kid onto the pavement. I love the carousel, too- but same problem. If your kid wants to stand on a horse; Barnum's camp is south of here. Sorry for the grouching; maybe it's just winter.

325...that is why they named it Fury 325

In an ongoing effort to ease the always-long lines at two of its signature attractions, Disney has announced the construction of both a 3rd track for Toy Story Midway Mania at the Studios and a 3rd theater for Soarin' at Epcot. As part of the upgrade, a new, digital print, screens and projection system used to deliver the movie will also debut in all 3 theatres. Completion is set for Fall 2016.

I never considered this much, but I love the idea of it. Tunnel(s) right before and or after the 0g roll on Banshee would have been the bee's knees.

No it didn't - the only whip attraction Kings Island has ever had is Linus' Beetle Bugs (formerly Swiper's Sweepers, Alley Cat 500, The Screecher, and Funky Phantom). You may be confused with Cuddle Up, which was a Crazy Daisy ride removed in the 1970s.

Adventure Express shouldn't be leaving us anytime soon. To me, it fills a niche in the park. It's a great stepping stone attraction and honestly still gives a fantastic ride to anyone who rides it.

How many inversions does Fury 325 have? Terp, who likes to ask questions.

1) Other: A truly successful coaster is one that I can smile before, during, and after while making memories with friends and family. 2) Negative Gs: My favorite aspects on coasters. Which is why El Toro>>>all 3/4) Theme/special effects: While not a make-or-break factor in my ranking of coasters, ones with more effects and theming provide a better overall experience and leave a great impression. 5) Speed: Launches. 'Nuff said.

Ugh, are you sick of snow? Yeah me too. But here's a warm thought... We are down to 43 days until Opening Day!! Edit made by me. Original photo: http://behindthethrills.com/2014/04/after-31-years-the-bat-returns-to-kings-island/

That new color scheme is downright sexy.

Let those ride op probs flow. Better to get them out now than in front of the guests. I feel your pain.

Kings Island already has a nice ride behind SR&R's spot. Or rather, 2 nice rides.

Does it come with the ride behind it? Hopeful Terp, who likes to ask questions.

With how much Kings Island and Cedar Fair probably want to forget about Son of Beast, we're probably lucky to be seeing a Son of Beast tombstone at all.

A post so nice, he made it twice.

I can hear the tenants complaining about the traffic and noise already. You did not imagine that.

I take it you aren't a fan of Leap the Dips, Avalanche, or Flying Turns? I don't associate with THAT side of the family. They tend to be flighty and reckless. I on the other hand am cautious and controlling....

That image on the most recent countdown photo became on of my favorite views in the park last year.

Reading this post made me think I was in the 'You Know It's The Offseason When...' thread. I then momentarilly thought that every other post on the page was completely off topic.

Love that picture^^ and the countdown. The color schemes are way different but they honestly complement one another so well.

If Adventure Express were to be taken out, I wouldn't know what to say. AE is a classic, of course it will be worn and a bumpy ride. But that's the ride! It has the nostalgic 1900's prop theme style and the adventurous feel reminiscent of the Indiana Jones films (if you watch the series the day before you ride the coaster that is.). I usually sit in the back right seat, it whips you around, it will rattle you, but it's so fun at the same time. In fact, I would love to see a major update similar to the ones with the Knott's Berry Farms attractions. With modern technology, and retro themes, Adventure Express could be the golden Arrow we all love.

Terp is correct there. My home park is bringing some of them back for the 40 Seasons Celebration. So while it's rare, it's not impossible for the chains to bring them back.

That sounds like a tall tale.

I LOVE big hills. Negative Gs all the way! That and awesome theming/special effects are most important to me.

i like my coasters to give me sensations similar to driving a roadster (or sport bike) on a curvy road through hilly countryside...so a mix of speed, lateral Gs, air time (negative G's, I guess), pacing. It's really a cocktail, all of the ingredients need to be in a certain balance in order for the entire experience to be right.

^ Idk why but that made me think of this.

Theme. What else is new. Theming makes Verbolten more than just a family coaster; Flight of Fear more than Joker's Jinx; Adventure Express more than Cedar Creek Mine Ride; Maverick more than iSpeed; Mystery Mine more than any other Eurofighter; Tomb Raider more than The Crypt; Banshee more than Raptor. the point is, theme matters. Not just a barn station for every ride. A storyline; props; fog; plot; pacing; effects; music; commitment to those elements over time...

Back when they were designed, both the Monorail and Peoplemover were the transportation of the future. As Walt explained himself in the Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow documentry, the two modes worked together in the same system. The Monorail would transport people over long distances ( eg. suburbs to downtown), whilst the areas around it's stations would have people movers to get riders to there final destination (home/work/store).

Just Disney dreaming here...but i think it'd be sooo cool if Disney had a people mover system instead of the monorail system to transport guests around the resort. Something like the Tomorrow Land Transit Authority People Mover.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm going to miss the skeletons on the crapper! HAHA!!!

I can't wait to see it back again.It is my favorite flat. Well, since the Crypt is gone,,

I wonder what the new "observation area" should be like.

Love this new look, the ride will look brand new. I really missed riding Shake Rattle and Roll last season. Can't wait to see the refurbished ride back in the park, and give it a spin or two or three lol!

Believe it has been said at least 100 times that backwards Racer cannot be brought back.....period. Anyways. Someone be sure and get some nice pics and video of the ride this season. I won't be able to see it in person til at least 2016.

Now give some LED's to Vortex and put better chaser lights on Racer and we'll have one mighty fine looking area in the back of Coney Mall.

Cool! Now if there's still some way to identify which ring starts spinning first, that would be a bonus. Because the spinning while still inches from the ground is one of the best parts of the ride.

https://instagram.com/p/ziS5GeuOGN/?modal=true Looks like it's getting a new lighting package, AND new LED lights! Can't wait to see how this changes Coney Mall at night, especially with WindSeeker's lights nearby.

Coincidenitly (and I believe I spelled that wrong, Doh!) I just watched that episode recently.

And now I'm reminded of one of the most overused songs played at sporting events ever.

Intensity. Examples are Maverick and Voyage.

Awesome trip report. Painting both the good and the bad, in a constructive way, is good for all concerned. Sounds like the hooky was well worth it!