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I miss that it was a unique ride but Orion is definitely better, has higher capacity, and not as much downtime. I actually miss it more when I ride nighthawk or batwing because both of those ones are super janky and rough that it makes me miss how Firehawk was decently smooth for an old Vekoma and it's unfortunate that the best of the Vekoma flying Dutchman coasters reached the end of its service life somehow before then others which are much worse in my opinion. I think reach the end of its service life is relative to the park because if Firehawk had been relocated to let's say, valleyfair or Michigan's Adventure, it would have to have had pieces of the track falling off of it to be removed because those park never remove anything because of their smaller budgets and the fact they NEVER get new coasters. Maybe it did have some huge issue at KI that I don't know about but I assume that KI knew it was down alot and problematic, expensive to maintain, and when an opportunity came along to replace it with "the Orion project" inherited from CGA they jumped on it... I will say at least they replaced it unlike a much more beloved coaster they claimed had "reached the end of its service life" and was removed in favor of a grassy field and a drone launch pad...

@BeeastFarmer is the furthest thing from racist and for someone to even insulate that is just reaching and trying to stir the pot.

I know its removal made way for Orion, but still- I miss Firehawk. Do you?

I miss it when it was operated VERY well at SF: WoA, that ride NEVER stacked at that park. I enjoyed it, but wouldnt wait for it at KI unless i was with someone who hadnt ridden it yet. Rhat and I couldnt stand looking at it in the queue and seeing the electric green paint showing through under the faded and neglected Firehawk paint job.

Sorry that the poster has turned this thread into such subject matter everyone. I have hidden them because I don't want to feed into their drivel. I appreciate the kind sentiment and understanding that, even though this is a virtual format, some know me well enough either in real life or here virtually to know that I abhor the fact that racism/sexism/homophobia/etc exists in this world. Critical thinking and situational analysis are rapidly disappearing in our society. Sometimes an ace is an ace (drunk woman in the parking lot who could have been over served in the park or who could have not been) and a diamond is a diamond (chaperone policy allows chaperones 10 minors and the common perception and often reality that the demographic of under 16 can be the line jumpers, cussers, etc and the chaperone was stressed out with them so she got drunk). These things have been discussed and nauseum on this site and humor can be lost on some who see a demon behind every bush.

Same cheese sauce they use in the Mac and cheese, I believe.

Now I'm hooked

Another marker seen in Coney Mall:

Although Firehawk did definitely have its problems, I think it could've been possible to keep that coaster running for a bit longer if the park really wanted to, but when the opportunity came up to put in a giga coaster, it was a pretty clear decision for the park to replace a problematic coaster with a more reliable and popular attraction. I think the "reached the end of its service life" reasoning definitely applied more to Vortex than it did for Firehawk. I'm certain Kings Island would've preferred to keep Vortex in operation until a replacement was ready for construction. It seems the problems with Vortex were significant enough for Kings Island to pull the plug on it well before such a replacement was even conceived. Unfortunately, I think the problems with Vortex just came at the worst possible time. Not just because Firehawk's replacement was still under construction, meaning it would take at least another three years before Kings Island's next major coaster, but also because of the pandemic which delayed that project even further until we're still talking about what could go into that plot five years later.

I'm heading to Holiday World on Sunday and Good Gravy will probably be the first coaster I ride when I get there. I'm interested to see how it compares to SSBR.

Just gonna say that I've seen kids of all races, sizes, ages, and genders act like idiots unsupervised at KI so I don't think you can just say "oh (fill in the blank) kids" are who anyone is referencing when they make a comment suggesting that the intoxicated woman was getting drunk and not watching kids she was responsible for. Did it ever occur to anyone that hypothetically if she actually was supposed to be watching 10 children that not all of them would be the same race, gender, or ages? I'm white and when I was in school, my sister and I were friends with twin sisters who were biracial and my dad would be the driver and supervising adult for all of us...now if we acted like hooligans (which we never did) could you blame that on any one race, gender, or age kids? No because we were diverse...If you saw us in the park, would you assume my dad was only supervising the white kids? No he was supervising a group of kids which included kids of different races, genders, and ages.

Soon the rides will be sponsored by Sonder or Rhinegeist

Ah yes, the "I was just kidding" after-the-fact defense. The classics never die!

OK- since we are apparently unfamiliar with the concept of sarcasm or light humor I'll just leave you back to your self-righteous stance. BTW- try to not take yourself so seriously. Carry on 'Dispatch.

I fail to see how: "it's complicated" the existence of litter somehow justifies the intentional act contributing additional litter it's OK to litter if, in the litterer's subjective opinion, it's easier to clean up their litter compared to other litter For me, it's pretty straightforward - don't make a mess that someone else will have to clean up*. *The obvious exception being places where patrons are expressly not permitted to clean up, e.g. full service restaurants.

It's complicated... That said, let's not equate M&Ms on an "already" filthy theater floor with leftover food, associated condiments, and the occasional shoe print left on a table top surface where people eat. Yes, I was an immature teenager and the thought of such shenanigans occurring does make make me laugh- but the two are not equal instances.

The park cut staffing in order to reduce its carbon footprint. You see Associates like Cows, fart. Flatulence contains methane which is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Less farts = less greenhouse gasses.

Geez! And I feel bad leaving my food tray and paper cup on the table after eating at the Brewhouse. If they had trash cans in there, I'd clean my table off. I ate at Rivertown Potato Works last week and they had 2 people cleaning the tables there. They actually cleaned ours right before we sat down. And we always throw our trash away after...my parents and grandparents taught me that simple task and I have passed it to my sons. Just common decency.

Am I understanding you correctly that you recently reprimanded a group of kids for leaving their litter strewn about and forced them to clean it up, and are simultaneously seemingly proud that you littered as a kid, while proclaiming you would do so again?

Seeing that sort of behavior astonishes with "who could be so clueless" wonderment, but then I remember that there are also people who think it's OK to leave their trash behind in a movie theater, and that reminds that more people than I'd like to admit are just self-centered morons who weren't raised right.

Maybe people still think they do. Still don't think that's a good reason for someone to leave their trash though. Also has anyone noticed the sycamore ravine on The Beast nearly stops you dead in your tracks mid descent, or is it just me? Every time I rode it this year, it killed all the momentum from the first drop in about the same spot. It was a huge contrast to last year where I barely felt any trims or anything.

Dirty tables have been an on going issue for awhile now. I remember back in the day they are people assigned just for the flood patios. Cleaning tables emptying trash etc. It's frustrating when all you wanna do is sit at a clean table and enjoy your meal. Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

I found it. Thank you for the help!

Whenever I'm in a Rivertown mood, I head for Spotify and select "Pickin'On Series". I'm sure you could search for Swing Swing specifically.

Does anyone know where I can find the music they play in Rivertown? I really enjoy it and would like to add it to my personal playlist, specifically their country version of Swing Swing

I did see a gold tag pick up two pieces of trash in Planet Snoopy the other day. I didn't know this particular younger gold tag but thought it was good to see that.

Probably an old point, but one that I feel nonetheless. #1) The average Kings Island guest is pretty disgusting. #2) Park Services and Food share the patios. The window being disgusting at Skyline is on them. Guessing with budget cuts, Park Services staffing is probably pretty low.

I haven’t noticed it at KI (also wasn’t really looking) but just got back from Disney and every manager/corporate person in the park had a garbage picket/grabber. As they stoped to talk to guests or employees they would just pick up stray garbage. Could be a lack of direction from management

Yeesh, that service counter being that gross is despicable. How is keeping that counter at least somewhat tidy not drilled into employees from day 0?

I wonder if the park would be willing to invest in magnetic brakes for Adventure Express, at least in the two pre-lift sections. Similar to Tennessee Tornado in 2008. Would likely require new brake fins, but that would be about it. Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

It's also just flat no-spine track on the tunnel floor, not directly on bents like most of the ride.

^Add onto that a certain other Arrow once at the park had structural issues due to taking unbanked turns too fast with heavy coaster trains.

I bet the trains don't appreciate it, though. That's carrying a lot of speed through a sharp, flat turn without the braking.

All this year, that trim before lift 1 has felt less powerful than before. It makes it really fun though

Honestly, when I rode on June 19th I was surprised that I *didn't* feel that jolt before the first lift. I think I did notice the sound you were talking about with the lift hill though.

Anyone ride Adventure Express recently? They seem to be having issues again with one of the trains. Something also felt very different with the trims before the first lift. We barely slowed down and went around that unbanked turn at a faster rate of speed and it was very noticeable as you could feel the g foce. It hurt my back a bit. When we hit the lift you could tell it hit the lift a lil fast as it made a very loud noise almost a grinding type sound. My concerns were told to the park but in all my years riding it I even operated it, it had never done this. Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

That's a relief. I'll have plenty time then. Thank you

The line closes at 10pm. If you are in before then, you will ride.

Does anyone know what time they close the line for The Beast? My niece and I are going to get a night ride and I need to know what time to be in line by. It will be her first, and I haven't had one in years

Wish I was there with you, but not in town right now. Gonna visit another few Arrows in St. Louis tomorrow. Make sure you send me pictures of your milestone!

I’m briefly emerging from my lurking to inform you that my 2000th Bat ride is fast approaching! I plan to take it tomorrow afternoon/evening depending on how many I can get later today between the rain showers and storms. If you’re at the park tomorrow, come celebrate with me! The exact timing will largely depend on how close I get after work today…

Stopped by last evening for my first visit of the year. An afternoon storm cleared out some of the crowd and left us with sub 20 minute waits for everything. Enjoyed my front and back seat rides on Banshee, front in Racer, back on Orion, back on Snoopy Soap Box, back on Mystic and Beast, the train for a nice break, and a long awaited Smurf(blue) cone. Got to watch my son working at his coaster like a boss, and finished with the fireworks and drone show. My first coaster rides since going on some very tough meds, and I felt great!

ICEE's are coming to the Diamondback refill station!

On my way home from another awesome day at Kings Island. I got my 50th ride on The Beast (it was amazing), rode tons of stuff including Soap Box Racers, and ate some great food. I will post a full trip report later probably.

They let passholders in at 10:30. The other day, Mondo Monsoon was running at 10:30, but YMMV.

Is there an early entry time for Soak City? I cant find it anywhere, thanks Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

Eiffel Tower (upper level) is open. All is good in the world

I hope they recalibrate and fix some of the nozzles in the fountain soon. Here are just two not working properly. Totally dead Only one side works.

And that's why, even as a big tough guy, I don't mess with anyone cutting in line anymore. People seem to have extremely short fuses, less morals and are prone to fight or worse these days. Even when they are obviously in the wrong. I was taught respect and rules from my family, especially in a public place. I love my home park and never think about breaking rules or being a general jerk in respect to the place that has been my second home my whole life. I just do not get people that think they are so special the rules do not apply to them and potentially are violent like this instance.

And I must completely agree with Interpreter. Thinking outside the box leads to greater conservation efforts, and more funds. Something the Col Zoo has hit on very nicely.