Shaggy

I was present at the park on Saturday and rode Lightning Run - twice. First the park pros: It's definitely been freshened and has a "cleaner" look and feel to it. The waterpark expansion is terrific, looks great and is huge! There were TONS of people there, and they were very excited. The park cons: There's still an IMMENSE amount of work left to be done. They met there deadline to open on time... I suppose... but many obvious things remain. Trash cans were few and far between. If it were me... I get that addressed pronto! More queue systems need installed for the newer attractions to deter lines from stretching into the midways. Lightning Run I was pleasantly surprised at the ride's overall riding experience. Someone's earlier claim in this thread that it was "better than Banshee" is silly. That's comparing apples to oranges... or grapes to grapefruit. LR is a small, compact coaster and isn't on the same playing field as a coaster of Banshee's size and scope. This is Chance Rides first full-circuit coaster, and really is a stand-alone new experience. Because of it being "tightly wound" I was leery of possible jarring transitions with neck snaps. Much to my surprise, the overall coaster glides smoothly and the transitions are really impressive. The first drop is fun and Maverick-like. My favorite part was the ground level series of "s curves" just before the final bunny hops. There's pops of air on those bunny hills, but it's not floater air. It's more of the Magnum XL200 jolting pops on the final bunny hills. Some riders enjoyed the more jerky air pops, some riders did not. Obviously the rear of the train experiences them more abruptly than the front. It has great speed for a smaller coaster and it hits the final brakes hard with lots of inertia behind it. Now for the really bad news.... The restraints are uncomfortably confining, to say the very least. I can probably understand why they are designed to be as tight fitting as they are. However the restraints will, mark my words, be the largest complaint inducer of the ride. Walk of shames were happening left and right. More problematic however, was the fact that the train was dispatching an average of every 10 minutes. Even if the 2nd train had been running, it would have faced a lengthy stack time due to the excruciating waits resulting from restraint issues. Let me explain the scenario: There were 3 ride ops... two checking, one operating panel. Exiting guests had to completely exit the station before gates were opened. When guests boarded the car, they were instructed they must first buckle the belts and not touch the restraint. This was so the two ride ops (only a single on each side) could check belts unobstructed. Guests invariably pulled down the lap bar, prompting the ride op to have to signal and request a release for each individual lap bar that had been pulled. Then, they finished checking belts for the train. From there, the ride panel op would then announce lap bars were lowering and people began to lower themselves. Much to the chagrin of many, the bars would not go down far enough, and the ride panel op would then make announcements on the PA system as to which seats were not fitting. "2, 7, 10 Right and 3, 8, 9 Left." Ouch! That prompted a re-release of those restraints, retries, pushes, tugs, standing on them (not kidding) etc. The op panel obviously has a sensor system than measures if a restraint has met it's required level. Well, more often than not, it wouldn't after numerous tries resulting in a final "sorry you will not be able to ride." This to the guest that had just waited through the long line that didn't have a test seat at the entrance. Not only that, tall folks were having issues with the shin restraints impeding the ability to lower the lap bar all the way. I'm 6' 3" not overweight. I fit, but I must admit the shin restraints were not comfortable and I got nervous the first time that they would impede my lap bar meeting the requirement. (I rode in the front seat and then 3/4 of the way back.) In addition to all of this confusion, the unload side op had to collect all the loose articles as people boarded into a bin (one for each car) that was placed on the unload side of the station. (How this will work with two trains remains to be seen.) Now all that having been said... it was the coaster's first day with the "public." I am sure adjustments will be made, and that tweaking of the restraints will become a part of the ride's installation. The ENTIRE Chance Team was observing the ENTIRE day. I have concerns however, given the obvious challenges the face with a "large" (...in the waistline - Louisville has one of the highest obesity rates in the country) clientele, that vast modifications will need to be made to the restraint system. Judging by the struggles I witnessed, changes are necessary. Operationally, I give the park a break... again it was Day 1. However a 3-person crew on the parks new signature coaster just will not float. If the above procedure is what they will be following all season, then they must staff at least 6 on the crew. (Line sorter, Panel Op, 2 checkers each side.) Until they get a more fluid load system in place, then there's really no need to run a second train. Not running a second train will back the line up into the midway (see above) and thus LR needs a queue house or pad to hold waiting guests (which it doesn't have!?!) Now, let me conclude by once again prefacing that this was all DAY 1. Any park, run by any owner, with any new ride faces struggles. My words come from a place of observation, not judgement, and with no ill will (seriously.) But they also come from a place of concern, and surprisingly enough, encouragement to those I witnessed wanting so badly for the park to be a success. Time will tell. I'll re-visit sometime later... much later... before I pass judgement and throw stones. ;-)

Loch Ness Monster - Busch Gardens The Old Country in Williamsburg. 1982.

I've enlisted the "accidental" toe crunch maneuver from time to time. If they keep bumping me or backing up against me, I simply take a casual, yet hard step backward and let nature... and my 210lb weight on their toes... do the rest. Then I apologize profusely for it explaining I didn't know they were so close to me. They usually keep their distance after that. Fart spray can aid in clearing your personal space as well. Kidding...

You just hit the nail on the head bud. The BEST coaster experiences I've enjoyed in my 35+ years of riding had nothing to do with the rides... it had everything to do with those I rode with. <===== Here's proof! Thanks for sharing this. Fun post!

While I expect 2015 to be a quiet year for major ride additions to KI, I will say what I have said for years. I'd love to see a major flat rides package added to KI in the future. Canada's Wonderland added glorious flat ride after flat ride for years and years under Paramount. Now under Cedar Fair's guidance, they have majorly upped the coaster ante. That has, IMO, made it the chain's Platinum level park. That's hard for me to admit, since my heart will ALWAYS lie with KI. But the up side is, Kings Island isn't too far behind Wonderland when it comes to being thrill-rounded. With the 1-2-3 punch of Beast, Diamondback and Banshee, a good flat ride package would tip the scale for KI. Ultimately, a complete overhaul to Coney Mall and the insertion of flats would make me turn cartwheels. I could very easily see that area specifically receiving the new for 2014 CP Gemini Midway treatment, or something similar. I can't help but think that those in charge, who remember the ORIGINAL Cincy Coney Island, would be willing to re-visit the area to properly update and yet pay tribute to KI's roots. But no matter what my personal preference would be, I have TREMENDOUS faith in those leading KI right now. For the first time in years they are making changes that cause my jaw to drop and my heart to smile. There's good things to come at KI. Shaggy

The Beast queue is very narrow! especially compared to newer attractions like Delirium and Diamondback. It's especially noticeable when you have to leave the queue midway through waiting, and have almost no means of getting around or through the other guests. The Beast's queue was built well before ADA laws required a specific width for accessibility. The queue width had everything to do with making the most use out of the space. There's been no need to change it since Beast loads accessible riders via the exit. Also, at the time, obesity and general size of riders was much less... not meant as a derrogatory statement, rather a general fact. Finally, most don't realize this, but The Beast originally had 4 queue houses - long lines necessitated it back in the day. As lines decreased over time, the 4th queue was removed. It currently has 3. The remnants of the former queue can be seen by the keen eye.

Annually, the floral clock stays winterized until frost season has ended. By winterized, I mean all plants are missing as are the hands of the clock. It will return.

It probably has more to do with the fact that Delirium will likely end up in many of the Banshee photographs the park has taken for promotional purposes. It's not uncommon for surrounding rides/buildings to get "spruced up" around a new attraction since they are photographed and filmed extensively in their inaugural years. I doubt it was a last minute decision, but even if it was, it is more than likely photo driven.

ACEonline.org That should explain it all...

I believe high winds and lightning within a 10 mile radius would be much more of a concern than rain. Remember... Beast opened on a rainy Friday the 13th.

I *believe* The Beast's paw tracks managed to extend all the way around the Eiffel Tower and to the right side of International Street for at least one season. However most seasons, that I recall, the tracks began behind the Eiffel Tower. The tracks haven't been consistent... they've been there some seasons, not there others. Traditionally, they wear away by mid-season or so from foot traffic. But for those years where no tracks appeared it was often because the black-top had been re-sealed just prior to the park opening. I would suspect their appearance/disappearance has more to do with "time" or the lack thereof. As other's mentioned, Vortex, Flight Commander had them. But Beastie typically had them when Beast did. Top Gun and, I believe FOF had them for their inaugural seasons.

I have to respectfully disagree. Lightning Run is smaller than I expected. Now I won't dare be an armchair coaster judge (one who passes judgement without riding.) But I am visually underwhelmed by it's stature in the park. I have seen it up close and personal a few times and I pass by it every day when headed to my office. I hope it will be a sleeper - you know, one of those fun little coasters that pack a whallop. Kentucky Rumbler (a wooidie at Beech Bend) is exactly that, and I wouldn't have expected it. But traditionally, small, compact steelies can go one of two ways: short, intense fun or short, intense head banging. Visually it has an *air* of how FOF looked when I first saw it. (Although not *as* tightly twisted.) Time will tell. I will say, thank goodness for Mark Brunner. He - with permission from the park - has documented it's construction. Although I see it routinely, he's been kind enough to keep other enthusiasts updated with progress online. Shaggy

I just realized something... guess I'm late to the party in observing this... but the station floor doesn't drop. It's a static, concrete loading station floor. Shaggy

"Are prototypes usually cheaper?" I always heard Hellivator was. Sorry... had to...

According to the Time Dragon Clock, this Wicked Witch will begin defying gravity in just a tick-tock. How's that Don?

Could be a rep with B&M. I *believe* B&M has reps in the US that help oversee installs.

Wow... if Don's comparing it to the likes of "Celebration" (which I saw...) then it's sure to be amazing. :-)

Well, it is a park themed to candy, so I don't see how any kind of electricity has to do with me buying chocolate. It's not themed to candy... rather has AN attraction with a chocolate theme. (And even that isn't INSIDE the park.) If it were themed to candy, we would have seen a waterslide named Hershey Squirts already. ;-)

I believe this is the area in question: Perhaps it's a belfry ;-)

...when they have light poles installed in them.

At Disney Parks, the sweepers are the creme-de-la-creme of the cast members. They pick their best people for these roles simply because they interact with guests the most often.

To elaborate on Terpy's comment... At the front and back of each tub, there are 2 cables (4 total.) They are doubled and coupled together for safety purposes. By directing the tub to drop downward toward the center axis while in motion, it causes the rear of the tub to bottom out leaving slack in the front 2 cables. As inertia takes over, the tub rights itself and the front 2 cables tighten and "snap" together. The tub then makes a dramatic surge upward and in some cases goes completely horizontal above the pivot point at the top arms of the carriage. The visuals of this prompted both "ooohs and ahhhhs" from guests, as well as concerns among those worried about safety. Sometimes, when many pro "snappers" were on board, the carriage arms would shake and thud loudly. For those riding, the swoop upward was literally a thrill beyond belief.

FYI, I was at the Fairgrounds over the weekend, and vertical assembly of Lightning Run is underway. They had at least 4 sections of track in place.... lower "bunny hop" hills. It struck me as a bit odd since typically they start with lift assembly. However I figure they'll probably assemble it from the centermost area outward. Erecting the lift/first drop will likely necessitate closure of Perimeter Road - not feesible during weekends when events are occurring inside the Fairground wings. I will say I'll be SHOCKED if Lightning Run and some of the newer attractions are completed by opening. If they are, and operate on time, opening day visitors should not wear their best shoes... the pavement may still be wet ;-) In addition, there are literally DOZENS of billboards all around Louisville pushing KK season pass sales. It's obvious a hefty penny was paid to rent all the billboards. Locally, KK Marketing is pushing hard. However I'm baffled by this strategy since the whole State backing for KK was based on the promise to draw visitors to Louisville in order to help support hotels, restaurants etc. That was the whole push to re-open the park in the first place - to help draw tourism. Out-of-state Marketing strategy will begin once the park is closer to opening, obviously, but I cannot imagine how much of the budget has gone to renting all those local billboards!

Cedar Fair is to be applauded for all of the nods it's making to the past in the former KECO/Paramount Parks. We are seeing a flurry of terrific things, especially out of Kings Dominion, Much loved attractions and theming elements are being restored to the parks. The return of the name "The Bat", The Singing Mushrooms etc. I can't tell you how much these fantastic decisions mean to the fans of these parks. That having been said, I decided to start this official request to Cedar Fair: Please bring the Flying Eagles home. For many, the Eagles were a staple of Kings Island. They were an original attraction that made their debut at the Cincinnati Coney Island in the early 1940s, and then were re-located to Kings Island for it's grand opening in 1972. The Eagles thrilled and entertained guests at KI for 33 years (in two different locations in the park) until the shocking decision was made to remove and relocate them to Carowinds. According to the park (at the time) they were removed because the installation of Italian Job Stunt Track necessitated it. However, the truth is, a formal KD General Manager that had been transferred to Carowinds specifically pushed for the relocation. Bottom line, my wish is for those that are currently spearheading the Cedar Fair leadership to recognize the value this attraction had at KI and to bring them back to their home in Cincinnati - KI. This thread is meant for other fellow KI and Flying Eagle fans to chime in with their support. It's also meant for those that enjoyed the attraction to reminisce about experiences they may have had. Perhaps Cedar Fair may take note and recognize the opportunity to restore yet another piece of 70 year-old history to it's rightful place. Thanks! John K - aka Shaggy

...or how about I save them to occasionally surprise folks in threads such as this ;-) LOL!