Shaggy

On Tuesday I had the distinct honor and great pleasure of being filmed at KI for a news segments that aired today in Louisville. I can't tell you how excited I was to be asked to be the "enthusiast" perspective for these pieces. Many thanks to Don and KI for thinking of me!!! Its been about 12 years since I was last filmed riding a coaster and thechnology has completely changed. No longer are there huge camera mounts to worry about... or downtime while footage is monitored between takes. Not there's simply small little digital cams that suction cup to the trains. One take... simple and easy! The news reporter, Keith Kaiser is to be thanked as well, since he made a difficult task for me (being interviewed on camera - always daunting) easy and relaxed. We filmed the on-ride Diamondback take first, then the Diamondback interview off ride, then we moved to The Beast and were filmed riding, then finished up with the off-ride Beast interview. Following that, Don was interviewed on the Tower discussing Banshee. Here's a link to the segments in case you are interested in seeing them. There's 2 of them... one on DB and one on Beast. Please be kind... no nasty remarks. I'm no TV personality, I just love talking KI. http://www.wdrb.com/story/23142551/keith-kaiser-rides-the-roller-coasters-at-kings-island-in-anticiaption-of-their-newest-roller-coster

Really? I haven't heard anything. But one of the park officials did say Texas Giant would be closed indefinitely. This is the same issue as Flight Commander, someone fell out and it could have easily been avoided by putting in seat dividers (in this case seatbelts) but they decided to close the ride. I still kinda wish I got to ride these wonderful looking coasters. Hopefully they reopen but I'm not so sure. FYI, KI didn't permanently close Flight Commander after the accident. Following the accident on June 9th 1991, FC was closed for the remainder of the season pending a large investigation. Ultimately the seats/restraints were altered on the attraction and it re-opened in 1992 (the season following the accident.) It was never a hugely popular attraction, and ultimately low ridership resulted in it's removal. The attraction operated, I believe, 3 more seasons after the tragedy. It was removed (if memory serves me) after 1994.

The Eiffel Tower at KI is actually green. In the 1970's Sherwin Williams became a sponsor for the park, and the tower was painted it's own hue called "Eiffel Tower Green." It has maintained that color since. However when the paint chalks, or fades, it takes on a blue/grey tone. Under Paramount ownership, the park contemplated the idea of painting the tower a bronze color to match the Paris version. The cost of a complete color alteration prooved to hefty for the budget and thus it remained "Eiffel Tower Green." Shaggy P.S. Pay attention to the shot of Scooby in the ad. He's driving the original hand-brakes on the Scooby Doo coaster.

I still don't understand why a poll with a maufacturer-slanted agenda behind it was placed in a KI forum... oh yes I do... because it has a manufacturer-slanted agenda behind it. But to burst your bubble... Most are too young to recall KI's announcement of "The Beast." Quite frankly, the media blitz that followed the opening of that coaster has yet to be matched... even by today's equivelents. I recall, at the ripe age of 8, seeing "The Beast" in newspapers, on countless nationwide news programs across all 3 networks, as well as on TV specials such as "Real People", "That's Incredible", "PM Magazine" and more. I lived in Virgina and hadnt even heard of Kings Island until "The Beast" made national news. It was everywhere. What made Beast's announcement so monumental, is that it was really the first time ANY coaster garnered such media attention. Any subsequent coaster (no matter what manufacturer) announcement really owes a lot to the inital path that was paved by The Beast 35 years ago... Shaggy

The most devistating loss to KI was by far the Antique Cars/Flying Skooters removal for IJST. The most picturesque section of the park was compromised for a ride featuring rusty cargo containers as it's theming element. It was, is, and will be an absolutely eyesore that destroyed the esthetics of the park. I pray that Cedar Fair removes the coaster and restores the area to what it should still be... beautiful. What a monumental mis-step by those (then) in charge of "improving" the park. Bad, bad, bad.

Here's a little tidbit I found out about the Haunted Mansion... it's rather creepy. Apparently, Disney has trouble with people that attempt to throw ashes of cremated loved ones while riding the attraction. They monitor riders closely and if they see someone tossing something, they e-stop the ride, evac and the ride is completely shut down until ecology cleans it thoroughly. Yikes!

Why is this in the KI polls forum? This is a thread about "Other Parks."

So Disney announced yesterday that they will be re-installing the Hatbox Ghost in the Disneyland version of the Haunted Mansion! Most here wont know the significance of that, but this is extremely exciting news to Disney/Haunted Mansion fans such as myself. The Hatbox Ghost is legendary. It lasted only 2-3 days when the attraction opened in 1969. The "trick" was easy to decipher by guests, and so it was pulled and destroyed immediately. Fans have begged Disney to re-imagine and install the Ghost back in the mansion. And after 45 years - they agreed. Here's a video with the rarest of all Disney Haunted Mansion things - a glimpse of the original Hatbox Ghost in operation. Shaggy

I have always had a philosphy in life that applies to many things... including coasters. The more you push someone forward... the more they pull back. I think suggestions such as "make them ride Diamondback first" are ridiculous. I say let the person you are going with call the shots. Work from smaller to larger. As you come up to rides, be honest with them about how intense it is, and if they don't want to ride... don't keep pushing. Move on and make it THEIR day, not your's. When I was a ride op (back in the day) I would occasionally come across parents "forcing" their kids on the ride. I'd often step in, whisper to the parent "If you want them to enjoy coasters with you in the future, don't force them on this one, let them decide on their own terms." I'd then hold the child in the corrall, while the parent rode. As the parent rode, I'd talk honestly to the kid about the ride. Sometimes they rode after I talked to them, other times they still were adverse. Bottom line, it ultimately didn't ruin their, or their parent's day. I was lucky that I had a Dad that didn't push me. He let me grow into rides. Eventually, he became one of my best riding partners. I've always kept that in mind when visiting parks with less experienced, coaster-intimidated friends.

It's not actually Americana or LeSourdesville Lake ruins in the video. Sure, he shows the entrance, but all the footage prior is of Fantasy Farm.... or what's left of it.

FYI... Stengel is the one that insisted KI build SOB over 200 feet. KI just wanted a looping woodie... Stengel kept insisting "bigger, taller!" Stengel never rode SOB. P.S. I am jealous my name isn't on a tombstone! LOL... Actually the longer it takes to have my epitath enscribed on ANY stone the better! Anyways, I don't fit the theme... I'm Scottish. Ha ha!

That's a whole lot of text to admit you were wrong about your B&M Giga prediction Shaggy. Well, it's not official yet... but if the blueprints are proven true... half right ;-) That's the good thing about predictions - they can be inaccurate... but they're not harmful to those doing the actual work.

On the Mindbender at SFOG, a turn IS a loop. ;-)

I feel bad for the park no matter whether it's real or fake. A lot of hard work and effort goes into planning such things. I think it stinks that someone -although incognito - who made NONE of the decisions is getting attention and glory. The Executive Team at a park works long hours to provide exciting things for their guests. In the Marketing world, this *could be* the equivelant of someone blowing out the candles on YOUR birthday. That having been said, if it turns out the plans are accurate, then I think the placement of the lift/1st element is perfection! It would appear the *possible* coaster *may* drop off the lift and turn right above where the entrance to Adventure Express is (directly across from the Beir Garden.) Imagine the visuals... both on and off. Great photo ops! But no matter if these are real or fake... I applaud KI for finally filling the eyesore void left from the vacated KC land. I've been annoyed by that blank spot between Slingshot/Delirium/Go Karts for years! As far as the naysayers. Be very careful about pre-passing judgement on anything in life... including coasters. I've learned the hard way that criticizing something of which I'm not intimately (Or INTAMINLY... as the case may be...) familiar just makes me look like a darn fool in the long run. Statements such as "It should have been this", "I wont ride it", "It's not what I wanted" or "this would have better if it were this type of coaster" simply demonstrates a lack of forsight, narrowmindedness and immaturity. Thank God we have people like the Cedar Fair execs that are continuing the long-standing tradition of making KI such a great park. In the past 5 years, I've gotten a tinge of "the old days." Many of you didn't get to experience the early days. In the first 20+ years, the installs fit KI to a "T". Unfortunately the park lost it's direction for a while (IMO) so I am ecstatic to see it returning to it's roots of providing thrills for seekers of all levels and rides of substance and worth.

Maybe you're right... I haven't seen a picture of the supports. However that piece pictured above resembles a piece used on the transfer of Talon - and it was painted to match the track. Of course it's entirely possible that the entire coaster could be painted blue. Who knows? ;-)

If.... and only if... that piece is headed for KI... it's pretty obvious the track will be blue - supports are another color most likely. (I'd guess perhaps silver, based on the comb.)

For your consideration... New track... pic from ANDREWHOETER's files. Talon construction pic - from RideZone. Anything simular? ;-)

Bzzzzt... not always. I can name coasters that displayed trains to the public at the announcement prior to the coaster being constructed. Off the top of my head - Drachen Fire, The Bat, Legend & more. Often, trains are also displayed at IAAPA well prior to coaster construction. besides legend, it must be a arrow thing. ...and Gerstlauer, and B&M, and GCI. But if you are speaking about your beloved Intamin... then you're right - they typically don't have them ready for announcements. ;-)

Bzzzzt... not always. I can name coasters that displayed trains to the public at the announcement prior to the coaster being constructed. Off the top of my head - Drachen Fire, The Bat, Legend & more. Often, trains are also displayed at IAAPA well prior to coaster construction.

Don "Tweeted", people got their impatient little knickers in a knot and jumped to conclusions and assumed things. Now they are dissapointed and hopes are dashed and they didn't find out a secret. Any surprise?

Isn't it obvious folks? Pay attention... don't get caught up in minutia and nonsense. Simply LISTEN to what the park is NOT saying. You'll know in due time, the park is telling you that.

Which should we be doing right now? 1, 2, or 3? 4 Goodnight folks.... sweet dreams.

Nope, nothing to do with labels, or footers, or drains, or blue beams at a steel plant, or Intamin vs B&M crap. A very wise owl once told me "More can be learned by listening to what isnt being said, rather than what is." When I was a kid, the way we learned about new attractions at a park was (1.) You got your hands on a brochure from a Tourist Info Center for the upcoming season (2.) The new ride got featured on the local news (only after it opened.) or (3) You went to the park and learned for yourself by seeing what was new that year. There was no instant update via web... heck, home computers didn't even exist. Instead we relied on good old fashioned brain power. Just be patient. I know that's a hard concept... but it works. You'll figure out the news. And, well, it will satisfy you. That is, unless you fall into the ridiculous trap of pre-judgement. Shaggy

While you folks are busy arguing subjective opinions, you missed something obvious. Pay attention class, you have lots to learn.

I always loved the gal behind and to the right - she has bird guts in her eye.