Leaderboard

Thanks! He's back! Unless that update gets installed again. In which case he will again be gone. Be that as it may be.

Remove the word stick.

Days like that, minus the teenage jerk. Memories. The best day ever. Indeed!

It's about time! The bulb on the signal was starting to overheat!

Went today and my 5 year old daughter hit the 48 inch mark for the first time! Was an awesome experience just seeing her joy in getting to ride all these new rides she's seen the last few years but not been able to ride. Rode all the 48 inch rides with the exceptions of Drop Tower, Beast, and Vortex which we were also going to get but the rain got in the way since we decided to leave after the downpour around 2. I was told her favorite new ride was Zephyr and favorite new coaster was The Bat. But really she enjoyed all the new rides. She was kinda upset she couldn't do the Dodgems on her own as she couldn't reach the pedal but she was OK with doing the steering while I just held down the pedal. Her first ride was on Racer which she loved, I was kinda annoyed though because when we were going up the lift hill there was a teen on the red Racer (we were on the blue) yelling at his friend in the seat behind us "F*** YOU!!" repeatedly and flipping him the bird the whole way up thinking he was being funny, luckily it didn't phase my daughter as she was more into the ride than senseless idiots, but still left a bad taste in my mouth. Other than that "incident" I had a blast getting to see my daughter have first experiences on these new rides and look forward to doing Beast and Vortex with her next week.

Hopefully we can also resolve whatever technical problems were keeping Terpy from posting with the new system as well. It's been really weird not seeing him around here lately.

Congrats, Gary! http://nypost.com/2015/06/27/73-year-old-man-rides-roller-coaster-for-12000th-time/

Lightning Run is great and T3 Just had a test run! Heres a link to the video of the test run. http://youtu.be/mwMybgyQ96c Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WWC is running at a ratio of 4 to 1, empty-to-occupied (sometimes with only two or three riders). Also, the orange, red and white geysers are out-of-order, so I get to save some quarters today. Tomorrow, however, I'll get plenty of practice on the high-angle green, purple, bronze and pink cannons, which isn't as fun because everyone thinks the guy in the tower operates those. Tb, @ Starbucks

If that's the case, hopefully it wont be installed again! Glad to see that O' Terpy is with us again.

Eventually these infernal things will be banned in so many places that there will cease to be a market for them, and then they will die off like the stupid fad that they are. I look forward to that day.

I have a picture of my little girl with them from last year. It was awesome how they pose for the picture.

Just got my picture taken with a sea lion. Now that's something cool! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great move by Disney. I look forward to the day where we can all look back and laugh at the fact that the selfie-stick was ever a thing.

Some amusement parks sell them in their souvenir shops.

Wait til KatieF finds out when the Kingdom closes. Hint: it's certainly NOT 10.

Welcome back you have been missed

http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/disney-world-will-ban-selfie-sticks-from-its-theme-parks/ar-AAcafZ9?ocid=ansTribune11

Sure you can re-enter the park during Halloween Haunt, driven by SafeAuto. Just pay admission and parking!

Lightning Run is one of the best coasters I've ever ridden. Which is a limited list, but it's great! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

...and there was great rejoycing in the heavens.

That was my other worry, all these new members we got over the past week suddenly lost and having to recreate a new account. But it had to happen. I do have to admit that with all these problems with the server made me dive into MySQL optimization and CPU saving processes. I have been making tweaks on the backend and at least in my perspective KIC has been loading much faster.

I met him once; he's a really cool guy! Also, I didn't know he was 73... he looks younger than that! Also, congrats on the milestone!

Wow...12,000?!?! Congratulations to him! That just inspired me even more to make sure I take my 300th ride on Vortex by the end of the season! Sent from my fabulous iPod touch using an app that starts with "T"

^I've had the opportunity to ride with him on 3 of those 12,000 times.

From the Cirque Imagine Facebook page: Ok, I think I finally have this straight. The one clown that is alternately called Mikey or Mickey by the others, I get that he is the "Mike" listed. Philip, from last year's show, is listed as "Phi" here. Nico-the original Nico- who was injured before I saw him last summer, and whose real name is Nicolas is listed on Ring but not table. Which leaves the only clown I hadn't yet identified as being Thomas or Jeff... I've learned the taller man in black and silver is named Jeff, so that suggests the fourth clown is Thomas. Doesn't explain why Nico isn't listed on one of his acts, but it seems to fit, there must have been some sort of change in plans (or changes will happen as the season progresses). The other man in black and silver must be Nathan. Alanna's name I knew from when she was doing Hand2hand. I also knew Trevor's from last season. Curious to know which is which of Shannon and Evelyn.

The bring-a-friend-cheap day is tomorrow; SpiritSong was Thursday through today. It's also a cool day, so Soak City isn't the draw it usually is during the summer. Speaking of the weather, 60s are a bit cool for complete drenchings on WWC. I don't suppose that's a deterrent? For those coming (and/or staying) late, don't forget that the park is open until midnight today.

Let's see ...Banshee, Firehawk, Vortex,Beast,Diamondback, the Great Pumpkin, Woodstock Express.... What else is there with a photo op? and will you get your money's worth? I think the price is right for the pass, and of course there is a need for a pass but are there enough photo options?.... Are meet and greets included? Maybe photo ops will be coming back to rides that previously had ops like Invertigo and Adventure Express and Flight of Fear...then it will be well worth it... Hey thinking out of the box.... Wouldn't it be cool to have cameras on every ride and use RFID technology linked to your photo pass that automatically takes candid photos and uploads them digitally to a website for retrieval later? Heck they could even have photo spots for posing using RFID as well. What do you think?

That is interesting - especially as they seem to allow people to take pictures and videos on their rides. If only people would use common sense! On Wednesday, I was on 64 in Virginia when I saw a front seat passenger roll down their window to stick a selfie stick outside to take a picture. It may have been stop and go traffic, but seriously? At Kings Dominion, as my train was pulling back into the Volcano station, a teenage boy had a selfie stick strapped to his wrist (like a Wii remote) when he was told he couldn't use it. The strap might return to the station but if that stick breaks, the debris is going to hurt someone and I imagine potentially cause issues with the coaster. Just enjoy the ride and leave the camera in a safe place while on the ride. Why is that too much to ask?

The baffoons holding these out on roller coasters were enough. Personally, I'm ridiculously happy that this was stopped BEFORE someone got hurt. We've all seen the photos of someone holding a selfie stick out on Big Thunder Mountain. Enter a tunnel and CRACK. Stick goes flying and hits everyone behind. Absolutely ridiculously idiotic. Though this probably isn't a direct response to it, California Screamin' was E-stopped the other day when someone pulled out a selfie stick on the lift! Can you imagine? I'm glad Disney put a stop to this and quickly. This means that bag-check locations outside the parks will be screening for selfie-sticks and asking visitors to return them to their cars before entering. That's great. For those that DO inevitably slip through, I very sincerely hope Disney empowers employees to react. I'm sure they will on rides, but it's just as important that those things stay out of the air during shows, parades, fireworks, etc. And you KNOW dozens of those poles were hoisted up during every showing of World of Color, JUST so the owner could have a shaky amateur video of the performance.

I visited the park again today for a bit with my partner. Did Lightning Run (2 train operations) and Thunder Run. Both a lot of fun as usual. I too witnessed T3 testing. I passed Mr. Hart on the path right at the intersection of wave pool/Giant Wheel/bridge to other side of park. Just as last time, black pants, black polo (Ralph Lauren), black hat and light sunglasses. He made eye contact and smiled. Once again glad to see him walking the park on a weekend showing interest.

Not sure if this was already posted (probably), but there was an article on my local news that was posted to Carowinds Connection about a man who recently rode Diamondback for the 12,000th time. http://www.wral.com/man-73-rides-ohio-roller-coaster-for-12-000th-time/14742034/

That is very sad to hear! Praying for healing and peace for those effected.

...which hurts my head. Hopefully, never literally. Reminds me of when a certain park chain's CEO was trying valiantly to change that chain's image to that of family parks. Guests at admissions were turned away if they wore vulgar t-shirts. Meanwhile, in the gift shops those very shirts, and far worse, were proffered.

Well...you know what THEY say: More Flags! More FUN!

^ In a good way. 10 RPM as opposed to 8 and much more open feeling.

I had to park in Diamondback 65 ... at 11 AM ...on an overcast day, so it's pretty crowded (I think it's a B.A.F. day, as well as Spirit Song, so lots of happy guests . I'm at Festhaus finishing up lunch; on my way over to WWC. I'll update in another hour or so of what I see on the way.

@KingsIslandPR ADVISORY: Due to inclement weather tonight's Soak City Dive-In Movie has been cancelled.

When I was at Hershey, I could hear a group of people behind us using a selfie stick to take a selfie on Fahrenheit's lift (and I heard the group rejoicing after the ride). I was surprised nothing was done about it.

This happened a week and a half ago but I have been too busy to post, but still wanted to share. My daughter and I were there Monday before last and rode FOF and were in front seat. It launched us through the tunnel but right before it started to go up to the first loop it came to a dead stop. Wacked my head pretty good on the seat when it stopped and got stuck there for like 20 minutes while our feet were going numb from the restraints, but turned out to be a really cool experience. They turned the lights while we were waiting and it was amazing seeing what it looks like with the lights on. One of the ride ops walked through the tunnel and hung out with us and she said she had worked that ride for 3 years and had never gotten to walk down the tunnel before. She was so jazzed about it and was going on and on about how it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see what the ride actually looks like that everyone on the train was excited too. She was even taking pics of people with their cell phones with the track in the background. They eventually drug the train back to the station and had us get off and then we got to get back on and ride a little while later. It was way cool and I was very inpressed with the op and how she made an uncomfortable 20 minutes seem like fun.

Excellent.

A friend of mine recently visited the Kingdom on Saturday and took a pic of some flying debris from Thunder Run. Apparently that must have been missed since the ride was last inspected a week ago, per Ed Hart's earlier comments.

Had a great time today. The predicted rain drove the crowds away, as the actual storm around 2 or so did as well. Full trip report coming over the weekend. Also, the food prices surprised me. 15 bucks for a meal? I can go to McDonalds and get one for 5. We did decide to go to Reds HOF Grille. We expected the prices to be through the roof, but we were surprised when we looked at the menu and saw that the prices were just like any sit-down restaurant. The food was good as well, although my dad complained that his burger was small for a $10 burger (although the onion rings on top probably made up for the cost!). The Spicy & Sweet sauce was pretty good, although I still prefer Pizza Hut's Sweet Chili. I thought the Spicy Garlic was good as well, but I also thought it was lacking some flavor and heat. Although my mom couldn't handle it, so I don't know. Also, it's the only place in the park with free refills without a brand new souvenir cup. I was extremely impressed. My dad also happens to be a Reds fan, so that was a nice treat for him as well. Also, if you want to get ERT but don't have a pass, Kroger should still have vouchers until the end of the month. They are only valid until the end of the month though. You just hand them to the person at the gold pass entrance and they'll take em.

Thanks Dane. Hopefully It'll work better in the future.

If you think that is scary...I got a better one. My last full season as an employee I approached this gentleman and his girlfriend over by Delirium when I saw him looking at the park map confused and then looking at Son of Beast, which was still operating, then he saw me (while he was pointing at SOB) "is that The Racer?" I never could figure that out but then again I had someone ask for direction to Raptor while at KI several years before CF took over. (I thought he was referring to Reptar but nope...he was looking for Raptor) Did you tell him to get in his car and driver several hours north to get to it? Nah, I did explain he was at the wrong park though. That would be the type of response you'd get out of a Knott's scare actor if you approach asking how to get to Splash Mountain.

If you think that is scary...I got a better one. My last full season as an employee I approached this gentleman and his girlfriend over by Delirium when I saw him looking at the park map confused and then looking at Son of Beast, which was still operating, then he saw me (while he was pointing at SOB) "is that The Racer?" I never could figure that out but then again I had someone ask for direction to Raptor while at KI several years before CF took over. (I thought he was referring to Reptar but nope...he was looking for Raptor)

But, fear not. Invertigo will still provide all of the signature... sensations... of a typical Vekoma SLC, just with the benefit of it being over fairly quickly. I kid, sort of. I've ridden SLCs that were entirely tolerable (Mind Eraser at Darien Lake) and that were outlandishly awful (such as Flight Deck at Canada's Wonderland, which is literally the only coaster on my "absolutely never again" list).

By the by, SLC is how many folks abbreviate Suspended Looping Coaster, which is what Vekoma's official name is for their inverted coasters. Here's the link to the SLC page on Vekoma's website. Vekoma's the only one who refers to their inverted coasters as Suspended Looping Coasters, so "SLC" is a title that's usually only applied to Vekoma's inverted coasters in the same style as T3. See also Thunderhawk at Michigan's Adventure, Mind Eraser at Six Flags America, and so on. Invertigo (and the handful of copies of it that exist in the world) are called, coincidentally enough, a Vekoma Invertigo. Curiously enough, it seems to have disappeared from Vekoma's website. I wonder if the apparent issues with Stinger at Dorney Park have anything to do with that.

The Kroger tickets allow ERT just like regular Gold/Plat holders until June 30. Bring the paper voucher with you to the main gate where you will get a wristband.