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They could start with parking lot trams.

I love to be at Kings Island, no matter what weather it is out!

It takes a little practice, but they are definitely snappable.

It also depends on your physical ability to keep your body under control against the various forces you'll encounter. If you're, let's say, a 270-pound, 6'2" 46-year-old coaster fanatic who hasn't limbered up, nor stuck to his pre-season preparation diet very well (hypothetically speaking, of course), then even the mildest of category 5 coasters might have you doing the involuntary Chicken Dance for, say, three or four days (again, hypothetically speaking). The more in shape I am, the safer I feel.

This is all coming from the experiences of a frequent parkgoer. I am not employed by Kings Island or Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and I have no official knowledge of their policies. This is all anecdotal. In my experience, most rides will continue to operate if there is rain but no lightning, including most of the coasters. If rain is expected, I personally would try to ride Flight of Fear during the part of the day when it is not raining, if applicable. On particularly hot or rainy days, crowds will flock to that ride to escape the weather due to its being indoors. However, I will also note that this far out, that forecast is not likely to be accurate. There could be rain. Then again, it could be 70 degrees and sunny. If the weather is expected to be rainy for most of the day, this will typically keep crowds down, which can work to your benefit. A rainy forecast left Holiday World nearly deserted on their opening day, which included the opening of one of the more prominent "New for 2015" attractions in the industry, and a day expected to have lots of rain will generally affect Kings Island in a similar way.

I really want Cedar Point to get a new GCI. The only twisty coaster we have is Maverick and we have very little non painful airtime (Magnum). When i visit Kings Island I always marathon Diamondback because it has the most amazing airtime besides El Toro imo.

And, if you want to maximize the odds of getting to ride TT, spending money inside the park would help... Personally, if they sold a T-Shirt that says "I experienced The Runs at Kentucky Kingdom", I would pay top dollar to own it. Top dollar. Have some hart and make it happen, guys.

Why? B&M is far more technologically advance in the coaster world. They made a LSM launch coaster! Why would you want a different manufacture? It will just break down. B&M make the most comfortable rides! That rough shuffling was designed on purpose to be Diamondbacks rattler. There are no cons with B&M they never go wrong. First, don't kid yourself on Diamondback having the rattle on purpose. Just get that notion out of your head. Do you pay attention to other designers than B&M? Mack is undergoing some big changes with their latest train design, seen on the likes of Blue Fire at Europa Park and Manta at Sea World in San Diego. They've actually been taking a lot of Intamin's designs and improving on them. I don't think it'll be long until we see a Mack hyper coaster. Gerstlauer and Mauer Sohne have some neat ideas. Premier Rides have a bit of potential as well. One thing about B&M- They don't cater to the intermediate guests. Their rides have a height requirement of 54 inches or higher for most of them. Some people also like to ride coasters, but not the more intense ones. They do have a family inverted coaster design, but I still think there are much better options than B&M for that. Also, B&M doesn't design wood coasters. You need to cover demographics other than the thrill seekers at some point.

The park has closed early before due to rain, but that is only if its accompanied by low attendance. The only thing that will stop operation of coasters is heavy rain and lighting.

Thanks shark and AZ Kinda Guy, that was exactly what I was hoping for

Good stuff; the comment Mr. Decker made about Fury being all about speed (in comparison to B&M hypers like Diamondback and Intimidator, which focus on airtime in the hills) makes me really excited to ride this!

Happy birthday to Kings Island

I know y'all like to try and get snaps, but its also a nice gentle ride to get in to get a break from the thrills. It can be thoroughly enjoyed without snapping the cables.

Was driving by Kings Island today and saw Invertigo testing, so it looks as if they have it up and running. Lets cross our fingers it is ready to go by the time the park opens tomorrow.

I can confirm that Woodstock's Glider's are indeed snap-able. I did not snap (I'm not very good at it lol), but I definitely felt a snap when someone did during my first night ride on them (and my cousin's first overall ride on them) on the 24th. EDIT: I'd also like to give my two cents about the old set since people are comparing them to our original set. I only rode those once and I don't remember much. However, I had low expectations going into my first WG flight as my most recent flyers experience was at Stricker's Grove's. Thankfully, Woodstock's Gliders blew me away and I think it's a really fun ride! Also, I was told that night I should ride the old set since I love ours so much!

Heres the link to the interview. They talked about Fury325, but my main attention was to what's next in line for Cedar Fairs. A point that was brought up was if we would see a RMC addition,, or wooden coasters in general. Rob stated they were "definitely looking into wooden coasters." ( possibly CP future coaster? ). Another point that was brought up was the recent trend with B&M instillations in the CF chain and if we would see another manufacture. Rob stated they are "always looking at the Technology in the manufacturing community" ( hard to believe considering B&M just now built an LIM launch, or he could mean the quality of the coaster being built in factory.) Rob did state that multiple manufactures but in bids for Fury 325. ( I can only think of 3 manufacturers that have made giga coasters, B&M, Intamin, and D. H. Morgan Manufacturing. Is there Possibly another company that currently does not have a giga instillation. IE: Vekoma, Mack, or Gerstlauer have the courage to push the 300ft threshold. ). overall it was a good interview. what are your thoughts / opinions?

Obviously........a POS system.

Cedar Point will close down Magnum if it's raining within fifty miles or so, though... At least it feels like it.

Thanks! I fully realize this forecast WILL change, just wanted to see how the parks handles rain. In my previous trips to Cedar Point, they did an amazing job opening rides as soon as possible, something I didn't see in years past at my home park Six Flags Great America. Agreed that the days with a bit of rain in the forecast can be some of the best!

I don't see how the park could possibly make a comeback. I loved the park as a kid, particularly Witches' Stew (I'm not sure what happened to it.) But what's the big draw to bring people in? Other than those of us who like it for historic value/nostalgia? Can they possibly bring in enough revenue to pay the debt and the property taxes? How could reopening for another season do anything but dig a deeper financial hole? (For the record: I'd love to see them succeed. Any park closing down is sad.)

I can't remember how old I was maybe 5 or 6 when we went to Kings Island for a trip and I was riding Beastie. It was pretty fun but I remember having a headache afterwards that got worse and worse so I decided that I would never get on another coaster again. I would literally go to parks with friends and not ride anything because I was afraid of getting headaches and not feeling well the rest of the trip. That was until I met my wife (girlfriend at the time) it was about 6 years ago. I was 22. She would go to HW every year for her birthday. She basically told me I was wuss and went on the rides and I would wait for her to get off. She said it wasn't fun without me riding and begged me to ride with her. So I summoned up the courage to hop on a ride and my first big coaster was Legend... I loved it! After we got off we rode it 2 more times then went back to Voyage to really test my courage. I was blown away with Voyage and its been my #1 coaster since then and I have been a coaster junkie ever since that day!

My vote goes to The Flying Eagles. I still have a hard time walking by that basketball game knowing what a fantastic ride once existed there. Luckily, my parents moved out close to Charlotte this past year, so a trip to Carowinds is coming up soon with a free place to stay! Absolutely cannot wait to marathon my favorite non coaster ride ever! Second place is for The Bat. I was fortunate to ride that many times before it was dismantled. At the time, as an impressionable kid, it felt like a completely out of control ride through the trees, especially going down the 2nd lift hill. Ahhh Memories! Not a ride, but I also sincerely miss the covered walkway that used to extend from Hanna Barabara Land/Planet Snoopy. It had a great ambience, espcially walking through there in the evenings with all the soft lighting effects.

In addition the previous post's 4K POV, Coasterforce has also posted a POV of each side of the ride...in 60 Frames Per Second! So if your browser supports it (Firefox apparently just now does for me), here you go: Thunderbird at double the usual POV refresh rate! Left Side https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2awPsI_2F4c Right Side Thunderbird Off-Ride (also 60FPS)

The deadline to register and to purchase tickets is tonight at midnight! Don't wait until 11:30pm though, lest you risk missing the deadline (and the event) due to a technical or payment problem.

Wow! Thanks guys, this is becoming pretty popular.

The brakes are not retractable, no need to play with lives with any system that could accidentally move out of position. Power could go out mid fall, and the ride would still land safely.

If only you could have secured the rights to this apropos masterpiece to use as background music: Seriously, though. Awesome job. I had high expectations after Scream Like A Banshee, and you did not disappoint.

Yup, yup. I even saw she posted it on the main Facebook page yesterday. Thanks for the support guys. I'll (hopefully) be announcing a new KI-themed project very soon.

You know, I'm a big fan....I can't count the number of times I've watched it. Such a huge supporter of you sir! -The guy who was on screen a few times under the name of Chris.

We got our passes yesterday I hope to make two trips. The first one will be for about three hours on a Saturday in June the second I'm not sure yet. I know I want to try Lightning Run many times plus the other coasters and Deep Water Dive.

Great interview, I'm excited to see what the future holds for Cedar Fair. Personally, I love that they are building all of these shiny, new, B&Ms. I can't get enough of them!

I finally got a few rides in this past Friday. After a brief ride shutdown just as I got in line, I waited as more and more left the line and got my first ride about 20 minutes after I arrived. They are alot of fun...but ultimately almost frustrating to ride since I grew up riding our original version...not even close to the same ride experience in my opinion. Our old set had that uncontrollable feeling after about a minute or so in and it just got crazier from there untl the end of the ride. This version almost teases like you might get a decent snap, but I did not see anyone acheiving that. They ride cycle is very short, so once you really get going, it already slowing down. Like I said, it is a fun ride and is a hit with all the multitudes of children in line, but it pales in comparison to the original Eagles. I'll also note, due to the locking seatbelts, it seemed to me a very long wait time from midway through the que. The ride ops were fine, it just takes time to let the ride stop, unlock every belt as they were making sure the each flyer stopped swaying, and then letting the guest (and child) get out. Easily one of the slowest lines in the park...which I understand since it's in Planet Snoopy. I'm just jaded and miss the old days of unsnapping my own seatbelt, sticking my foot out and sliding to a stop ( think I ruined a couple pairs of tennis shoes doing that), then hopping out and getting back in line. I really don't want to come of as totally negative about the new version, as by the looks of the line, everyone loved it. Riding them just made me miss the original Flying Eagles that much more.

I appreciate this! I was going to wait until next year when TT was back in operation. But now I have my $59.95 plus tax Kroger pass. I do really want the park to work though.

Exactly. Paying these folks a real wage would weed out the weak What I find exceptionally annoying is when multiple people serve you. My local Cracker Barrel is a good example. One person takes your drink order, another brings your drinks and takes your food order, yet another brings that food to the table. The one that took your food order brings the check and asks if you want a to go drink. Yet another brings you said to go drink. 4 different people. Who in the hell am I supposed to tip?

Or Terp's a crackpot but we love him anyway. Offer not valid at Kentucky Kingdom.

You can't pay the electric bill with compliments or time off. I get cash awards and bonuses, why can't wait staff? Why "small bonuses?" I have a different idea. Poor servers should be dismissed. Employers should compete for good ones and pay them well.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I encourage all and sundry to get to Kentucky Kingdom this season. It may well be your last chance. Go, if you at ALL can. Don't be the guy or gal who says "I could have, but didn't."

I am so sorry that you're going through such a rough time. If you need to talk, I'm here. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Truly excellent! Now I want to go to Holiday World for the first time

Just want to note that Paula Werne shared this video in the HoliWood Nights group on Facebook this morning. Apparently the park likes it as well.

Terp, I am very sorry that happened to you; it's a shame the way that situation was handled. Based on all the information I've gathered from the last few pages, it looks like I'll be riding my first SLC elsewhere; possibly at a place that does a wicked job counting its flags! -MDMC, who will NOT be seeing red this summer, unless that red is Diamondback, Storm Runner, or Steel Force...

First off, I'll admit that I know absolutely nothing about how Drop Tower works and can only speak of my knowledge in a general sense. With that said, my understanding is that electromagnets are never used for the braking systems on amusement rides; those are all permanent magnetic fins. In order for a train to continue through that stretch of track, the computer has to retract the brake fins (where possible - see also static fins on Intamin coasters). The default state (with no power applied) is for the brake to be extended, active, or whatever you wish to call it. The result is that, if no power is applied to the pneumatic cylinders, the brakes stay in the "on" position. Presumably, old-school friction brakes operate in a similar fashion. Power must be actively applied to open them up and allow a train through. The rest of the time, they are ready to stop a train. If the power's out, well, there's nothing to release the brakes. Looking up an Otis brake, it sounds like this is the same concept. Are the brake fins on Drop Tower retractable at all? Naturally, my biggest question is why this only became a problem in 2014. Did Banshee tie into the existing electrical infrastructure in that corner of the park, thus finally pushing demand above supply?

Of course, silly me, Cedar Fair could have bought up the property without having immediate plans to build on it. That does happen quite often. Oakland Community College, for instance, bought a building and its land just to implode the building and figure out a use for the property later.

I still have my little Rocko figurine my grandpa bought me during a visit to then Splat City For those who didn't have an awesome childhood. Rocko was one of my favorite cartoons when it was airing on the channel. http://rockosmodernlife.wikia.com/wiki/Carnival_Knowledge

Yep, Flight of Fear and Firehawk should be your first choice after the main park opens. If you walk quickly, you can get a couple rides on both of them before the lines are more than a few minutes long. That's my other hint: if you are at a ride when the line is short, ride it multiple times. After FoF I usually cut over to Beast with a stopover at Backlot Stunt Coaster. I like to hit Beast before Diamondback, because I've personally found I can't appreciate Beast as much if I ride DB first. So after a couple rides on Beast, on to Diamondback and if it is a weekday, usually can get in several rides before the line expands to more than a ten minute wait (usually around noon). Banshee can be done at any time. It is my favorite purple people eater because its capacity is so high that even a longish line goes fast. And it is rare to find a longish line because it shuttles so many people through so fast. If it's not one of the special days where middle school students take over the park, it is rare to see long lines for either Adventure Express or Racer, so those can be picked up at any time.

Paramount missed out on Fiery Fist O Pain.

I went to KI a couple times when I was younger. We spent most of the time in Nickelodeon Universe (i think that was the name) In,2009 I was (10 or 11) my dad took me 4th of July weekend. The only ride I really wanted to ride was Firehawk. For Diamondback, my dad had to bribe me to go. After that, i felt like i could conquer anything. The only thing I didn't want to ride was Face off, I cried when my dad brought me in line. Now I have been on everything in the park and been obsessed.

When I went by, at first the only obvious sign of change from the road was that the repainted school buses weren't waiting in the front to ferry patrons over to the park. As I looked closer I could see some buildings farther back seemed to be gone and there were large construction vehicles around. It was weird to be initially presented with the same face that has always been there, tho.

I have to wonder when Paramount sold the land to Great Wolf Lodge there was a term of non-competition clause for a resort to be built within a time period.

When I was young, I would not go near coasters. Well, not any of decent size anyways. I was fine enough to ride the kiddie coasters, or what could be considered kiddie coasters. There was a small coaster in kiddie land at Americana that I used to ride. Also, I was sort of a fan of The Beastie when I was younger. That was pretty much it. My trips to the park were not all that exciting. I would stick to the smaller rides and that was it. It was the year that Adventure Express opened that would be a turning point for me. I was 10 years old and I was about to make an exciting transition. I remember riding Adventure Express and loving it. Here was a slightly bigger coaster that I could ride that I was not afraid off. See, for me, it was pretty much the drops that I was afraid of. I was scared to death of that first drop and the others that might exist during the ride. After becoming very comfortable with Adventure Express, I started to get the urge to try out more coasters. I expressed this urge to my dad who then began to bribe me. One Saturday morning during breakfast, he told me that if I would get on The Racer that day, he'd buy me an Adventure Express hat. I was like, "ok." So, during our visit to the park that day, I braved The Racer and got my hat. That was just the beginning. From there I made my rounds slowly, but surely over the next couple of years going from coaster to coaster. I don't remember the exact order of things, but I think it was Beast next, then Vortex, then King Cobra and so on. Finally I had ridden all the coasters in the park and I had discovered something: I loved roller coasters! Now I'll get on pretty much anything. The bigger the better! I love the speed and now, I love the drops! Although it took me a while to get the courage to ride coasters, it was definitely worth the wait!