Shaggy

So, ever since I saw this pic and then in person, my OCD has kicked into high gear. I was wondering if it was just me, or can others see it? Is the logo on the Mystic Timbers shed crooked?

Wait... just to clarify... the Kings Mill Log Flume was moved from Cincinnati's Coney Island before Kings Island opened in 1972 - it was not moved within Kings Island. (Not sure if that's what you thought.) Within Kings Island, it has always existed in it's current location. However, for the 2001 renovation, the flume trough (the metal gutter/gulley the boats float in) was completely replaced. Originally, the ride was designed and built by Arrow Development, in 1968 for Coney... but by 2000 the ride had nearly worn through. So the park contracted O.D. Hopkins to completely renovate the workings of the ride. I also believe many of the flumes circulatory pumps were replaced as well. So... it's the same ride... in the same place... but not really. BTW, the ride was *thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssss* close to being demolished. In 1999, the park made the decision to rip it down prior to the 2000 season, but several people internally fought for it. It then sat empty for 1 year with a wall around it - causing many KI enthusiasts to freak out (including me!) The year it re-opened (2001 - Now themed to Nickelodeon) the adjacent Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal was demolished for the installation of Tomb Raider:The Ride. Ultimately, what saved the flume's life was Tomb Raider - the park didn't want to lose both flumes.

I personally am unfamiliar with the red ice cream in the 1990s. They did have red/puple/fuscia colored ice cream when Banshee opened... so perhaps they have had several colors through the years. However, I've never known the park to not have some incarnation of the blue ice cream - ever since it was introduced, it was one of the park's biggest sellers.

The "water balloon" attraction being referred to was the "Double Dare Slime Shot Challenge" that premiered with the new "Nickelodeon Splat City" in 1995. The attraction - due to it's poor interest, and ridiculous operational requirements (someone constantly filling water balloons, constantly cleaning up remnants of popped balloons etc) it only lasted 2 seasons.

Originally, The Beast had 4 trains... each train had 5 cars that had 4 rows holding 2 people each. So each train originally held 40 people. The 4th train never ran for the public... so when it opened, it opened with 3 trains of 5 cars with 4 rows of 2 people. Still holding 40 people. The cars were then altered to 3-rows, and an extra car (taken from the unused 4th train) was added to each train. Ever since the alteration, the coaster has operated with 3 trains that have 6 cars with 3 rows of 2 people - 36 people.

..is... (He's still around ;-)

For clarification... the first video's interviews/ride footage was not from opening day. The interview with Carl Eichelman was filmed in it's second season. He didn't make a name for himself as The Beast crazed-rider until 1980 when the park began publicizing his ride counts. The final interviews were likely opening weekend, but not opening day. It rained 1.25 inches on Friday April 13th, 1979. The following day, on Saturday the 14th, The Beast did not open until mid-afternoon... and it began raining by 4:00. The guy is not even wet. The very brief final off-ride footage is indeed from the grand opening press event - you'll notice very few riders (all of which are wearing ponchos) and there's a camera mount. There were less than 300 people there for the opening ceremonies on Friday the 13th. Between the two, the second aerial video is the gem. I am 99% positive it is from 1979... as "The Bavarian Beetle" was gone and the land was being prepped for "Stadium of the Stars." If you look VERY closely, you can see that the station for "The Bat" looks to already have been constructed, but there's no sign of any footings or ground clearing yet.

My perception of the park these days is that installs are simply based on the best way to satiate most guest interests. There's an obvious concentrated effort to increase capacities, and to focus on things for the entire family that are dependable and marketable. I would suspect - based on things like food offerings, meal plans, etc that a lot of the survey results are indicating that people want to take their entire family there for the overall experience - and want a deal - rather than to simply ride a huge coaster. I would suspect Cedar Fair views CP as their Ohio "thrill" park, and Kings Island their "experience" park - a precedent that was set independently by those parks many years before Cedar Fair took the helm. Most every install at KI is based on guest feedback through surveys - so if guests say they want a 300' coaster, then they'll probably install one. If guests are saying they want more kids rides, then that takes priority. KI has to straddle the middle in most cases - since it's a very family oriented park. They could have very easily built Mystic Timbers 100 feet taller, or twice as long and fast - but they installed a highly enjoyable, non-intimidating ride that many people can enjoy. MT actually, IMO, filled a need that I didn't even know existed. It's a mid-sized ride that pulls two audiences... it's a "graduating" coaster for kids moving up a thrill level... and it's a satisfyingly fun ride for those already used to bigger thrills. I also think that for many, many, years, KI execs have been trying to completely correct the "ills" of the former owner. There's a focus on bringing back a lot of the quality to the park, while reducing it's previous blatant commercialism. In addition, they've steered away from gimmicks... special effects, complicated theming that is expensive to maintain etc. I see a lot of infrastructure changes to the dated buildings and facilities, that frankly, cost a LOT of money (but often go unrecognized by guests.) The Paramount installs - as fun and over-the-top as they were, weren't (as a whole) dependable and high volume enough - and are to blame for many of the confusing compromises to the themes of the park. Bottom line, I do have my fingers crossed that KI will get their own version of 'Leviathan" or "Fury." (I would kill to see one of those at KI.) Chances are, it will come... in due time... and only if most guests want it. But frankly, my biggest dream for KI, especially the older I get, is that the park adds things that will keep it around for another 50, 100, 200 years.

Its funny, but water rides have taken a turn in popularity over the years. Back in the 1980's-early 1990's they were a hot commodity and people would wait for hours to get soaked on these in a dry ride-park. But actually, I think the "soaking" part is what ultimately has cost their popularity - that and the onslaught of parks with waterpark/bathing suit options. I know I personally don't want to walk around a park soaking wet - especially with squishy shoes. Amazingly themed and fun too look at, River Battle was not a "thrilling" ride by any means. Couple that with the "soaking" aspect and those 2 negatives cost them a good percentage of their riding audience. Knowing Dollywood, they'll add something much better in it's place. The park is smart, and they don't let unpopular rides stagnate for too long. Frankly, the ride would probably be immensely popular if moved to Splash Country.

It's the same train - however the train's decorations were severely altered after this pic was taken. That pic is from IAAPA in 1978 - when they showed off the lead car. At that point, there were 4 trains. Prior to opening, the ride reduced to 3 trains and received a different "fire-themed" paint job and had the headlamp removed in favor of a logo (that would better represent the park in media coverage.) After a few weeks of operation the tufted button upholstery was removed as well. In subsequent seasons, the cars and chassis were cut down by the park to reduced them to 3-bench seats. The coaster still uses 3 of it's original trains - only SEVERELY altered. The #4 spare was broken up to extend the 3, and eventually the #4 lead was given to Ruth Voss upon retirement.

Now that I am NOT in favor of. Frankly, I think the layout needs to remain the same. "The Beast" has entertained and thrilled millions upon millions upon millions of people for nearly 40 years. To me, The Beast is the structure, and the way it brilliantly navigates it's terrain and woods. You have to understand that The Beast represents a time when all engineering was done by hand - it's a stamp in time as to the talents, and genius of the men who designed and engineered it - Al Collins and Jeff Gramke. I dont think such a change would be accepted by those countless people that love the ride - and I do mean COUNTLESS. Changing it's layout would be akin to re-painting the Mona Lisa. Yeah - she might be lacking eyebrows and may have faded a bit with time - but think of the beauty and originality you'd lose if you updated her.

Of course eveyone know's I am, and always will be a Beast fan... But, I am personally of the opinion that Beast needs it's trains replaced. The existing trains are considered the "originals" but they have been chopped, altered, padded, divided, dissected, renovated, changed, updated, downgraded, upgraded, conformed, and manipulated to the point that they are not remotely the same trains it started with... I'd actually go as far to say that in reality on about 10% or less of the trains is still "original." Just think about it... they were immediately altered after opening (interior hand-stitched tufted padding was taken out, the headlamp removed and replaced with the logo), then they were cut down from 4-benchers to 3 within a few years of operation, and in the subsequent 30 seasons had the buzz bars removed, headrests added, seat dividers extended, accessible strapping added, extra padding added, seat belts added, skids removed for fins etc etc etc. I don't at all think it would be some horrible thing to replace the trains completely. Frankly, a switch to a different type of train from the EXTREMELY dated PTC's would help re-invigorate the ride IMO - allowing for more rider comfort and also allowing for more guests to ride (let's face it... people are fat these days - so everything from cars, to airlines to movie theaters are having to address this.) It would be nice if PTC had an updated version of the trains to offer. But as far as I know, PTC continues to produce the same archaic trains they were making 100 years ago. I understand they do a good business for those that want new trains identical to the older ones - but they have virtually NO other options as far as styling or articulation, just wooden boxes on wheels. Heck - one of the main reasons The Beasts elements are so far apart is because the longer PTC trains couldn't articulate directional changes abruptly. The only option PTC gives it's customers for tighter elements is shorter cars yet still non-articulating. If The Beast changed trains, it would be a necessary advancement. The originals, or AN original, could be kept for display. If I was given a magic wand, I'd probably wave it at The Beast and orchestrate a complete station, theme element and train overhaul. The water, mining Co, Beast warning sign, tc would all be updated/brought back. And it would get a test seat - which it has needed desperately for decades. Of course it's very easy for me to be a keyboard critic and think that it would be that easy - it would likely take at least a million dollars to make that happen - alterations, permits, inspections, insurance adjustments etc etc etc. And why buy the Mercedes if the Cadillac is working just fine? No matter - I still love it ;-)

I want them back! Snapping or no snapping, they belong at KI. The person that pulled the plug on them at PKI, and yes I know who it was, made the most inane decision in the parks history. IMO, those flyers are as historical to KI as The Racer and Carousel.

Let the misspellings begin... VengEAnce. LOL! In all seriousness, I'll go on record and say this will be, by far, Cedar Point's best coaster. I cannot wait to ride it. Kudos to them!

Here's something I always wondered until recently - how it works. Basically, the best way I can understand it is by imagining one of those lamp timers for use at home. Underneath the grandstand, there's a round disc that has pegs that can be removed/changed. As the timer disc rotates, the pegs turn the nozzles and lights on and off - thus changing the cycle. There's also a wind indicator that can reduce the pressure of the water to avoid the water from spraying into the midway.

Originally 10-12 minutes depending upon the cycle.

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2017/may/international-flair

Thank you, it's been a labor of love. Plenty more to come!

Apparently every person featured in the video was required to have at least one zit ;-)

It's not something I have ever heard.

For clarification... the nickelodeon in Phantom Theater was NOT the organ the Maestro sat at in the queue or in the Peppers Ghost scene... those were just painted boxes. It was located behind Maestro figure #4 (the one where music sheets were swirling above his head) following the peppers ghost scene but prior to the mummy (ooooooooooooohhhhhhh!) and prop room scene. I do not believe it was the functioning nickelodeon that played in the actual park at one time. Could be wrong - but the one in PT was synched to the ride soundtrack to "play." That tells me, it was a "prop" possibly made for the attraction. For Fearfest, the figures popped up - complete with the nickelodeon (as you said) on the International Street Bandstand. I found this youtube video that shows the Nickelodeon prop from PT on display at halloween as described. For an up-close view, jump to: 3:35

If memory serves me, there was a nickelodeon in Rivertown... but I think it moved around a bit. I seem to remember it at Columbia Palace. But I also seem to remember one in the Coney Mall arcade. I also recall you had to pay to hear it play. That's not to be confused with the piano player at the train station... yep, a real-live person used to play all day at the station of the KI & MVRR

I've personally always held a grudge against BLSC. That ride RUINED the most beautiful part of the park and cost KI one of it's most beloved and original rides. They took out waterfalls, evergreens, and beautiful foliage for.... shipping containers, a sewer pipe, chain link fence and gravel. Horrid

Just wanted to point out that permanent amusement/theme park attractions require HOURS and DAYS of operational test runs, cycles and inspections prior to passing inspection and accepting riders. In addition, coaster/ride chassis undergo routine stress tests such as zinc baths and black light inspection during off seasons. Fair and carnival rides don't. The public/media cannot/does not differentiate between permanent and portable rides - they lump them all into one category. This casts a black cloud on parks of which guest safety is a primary concern. For years and years there's been a need for a different set of rules... however these rides continue to slip through the cracks. (no pun intended) I am not blaming anyone - it was an accident of course - and no one wants to see anyone harmed or injured on any ride. But fair/carnival rides undergo an inordinate amount of wear and tear outside of plain operation for tear down and set up (not to mention travel on the backs of trucks.) About 20-some years ago I witnessed a Tilt-O-Whirl failure at a fair. The ride partially collapsed when the entire back half of one of the cars came off mid-operation with riders. No one was injured - thank Heavens - but it scared me enough that I don't ride them and recommend that others avoid them as well. I'm actually surprised that Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey hasn't spoken up yet - this is the perfect platform for him to grandstand about how awful rides are.

FYI, while the video is *dramatic*, and tells the basic tale, it barely scratches the surface as to what all went wrong with SOB. It doesn't mention the issues with the designer... a very famous one... that wouldn't ride it... and who himself forced the park into breaking the 200' barrier. It doesn't mention that the park was given two options via a scale graph paper model that allowed them to remove the loop if they wanted. It doesn't talk about the fiasco that was the announcement... for which the park and Montel were not prepared to make... which resulted in a complete dismissal of the PR/Marketing Team. It doesn't mention that it went through 2 logo and theme changes. It doesn't mention that it operated with riders first on Easter of 2000. It doesn't mention that it operated, unaltered, for a select few (your's truly included) before it opened to the general public - but was temporarily re-profiled before the public ever got on. It doesn't mention that in the first weeks of operation, wood coaster crew members were staffed at questionable parts of the ride all-day, every day, to monitor the structure in order to prevent any failures. It doesn't mention that PTC turned down the construction of the trains. It doesn't mention the addition of trim breaks in two areas of the course - or how kicker tires were added to prevent rollbacks. Finally, it doesn't mention that it operated over 4 times as long as "The Bat" which was riddled with issues yet is revered by so many. I wouldn't call it a failure, but I wouldn't call it a success either. I have a long, vested history with SOB. And it will likely go down as one of those (in)famous coasters that people will reminisce (good and bad) for eternity. Ultimately, my opinion is that SOB was waaaay ahead of it's time and technology. It single-handedly ushered in a new era of wooden coasters and could be credited as the modern-day genesis of inversions on "wooden" coasters. Was it one of my favorite coasters? No, not by a long shot. But I sure did enjoy all the hub-bub and excitement surrounding it. Frankly, the loss of the loop crippled the ride by removing it's best feature. The decision to add G-trains must have been made by someone that had never ridden in one... I could have saved them a lot of trouble by sending them to ride "The Boss" at SFSTL. Prior, SOB was rideable - but these severe and drastic knee-jerk alterations compromised how it was designed to operate and made it brutal. I rode it dozens (if not hundreds) of times prior to the change. (Why, I rode 21 consecutive times for Travel/History Channel filming with a camera mount beside and in-front of me with no issues.) However, I only rode it about 3 times after the loop loss and train switch... it was horrendously bad and intolerable... far too rough for me. I found it ironic that they actually made the complaints WORSE with the changes. My last ride was at night in Sep of 2008... and when I got off I knew I would never ride it again... so I said a quiet little goodbye then and there. Bittersweet... the coaster that never was what it should have been... I do wonder what RMC could have done with the ride - it would likely have been a top 10 for most. That's what happened with "Rattler" at Fiesta Texas - SOB's pre-curser that was plagued by the exact same structural and size issues and built by the same people that built SOB... RCCA (The video fails to mention that lawsuits were filed against them for that coaster too.) But truth is, the PR damage is what killed SOB and why it's not there anymore. There was no "converting it" when people would always associate it with sensationalistic news stories of horror rides... like this video. Finally, so much time and effort (not to mention $) had been sunk into it, the park just gave up on it... and traded the clunker for a brand-new Mercedes.