Shaggy

I passed by the fairgrounds this morning on the way to a flea market and noticed that GL is gone... at least you cannot see any remaining portions of it from the interstate.

There's an art to riding Beast. When I was on crew, we took routine test rides. I learned exactly how to brace myself before each sharp moment, as well as the exact place to lean forward a few inches when entering the double helix. I use the technique to this day... it's like riding a bike whenever I get on... just natural.

Just remember that The Beast that runs today is a different creature than what was originally built. The abrupt brakes it currently uses, IMO, detract terribly from the ride. However today's technology, insurace and safety regulations require them.

In my tenure... yes you watched the camera and monitored the block indicators. You had to wait until the next two blocks ahead were clear before you would release the train from the station. (That was typically when the train had cleared lift #1. There were two blocks between the station and drop then. The block indicators were on the panel as well... illuminated lights. ) You could release the train from the station early (if you and the rear queue side op was also pressing the brake release button) but it would cause a block set-up and the coaster would automatically e-stop. Prior to the computerized panel, in the early years, there wasn't a camera. There was a block indicator in the booth that showed where trains wree by illuminating the blocks on an acrylic panel with the layout drawn on it. For lift #1, the rear exit-side checker monitored the train as it went up the lift. For lift #2, because of the absence of a camera, there was a staffed ride op position to the right of the lift. That way they could monitor trains as they climbed. This was a rotational position that became obsolete when cameras were installed.

The Beast ran trimless only in intial testing. Thats when it's "speed" was clocked. It's never achieved that top speed since. I believe that until the coster was re-vamped with an updated Op panel (in the late '80s - early 1990s, I believe) the trim brakes were not mechanical. They were skids operated by counterweights. Speeds were checked throughout the day by maintenance, and the counterweights were increased, or decreased based on various conditions affecting the speed. The counterweights were... drumroll please... coffee cans with nuts and bolts in them suspended down through the lift structure by long steel wires. I "drove" The Beast in 1998-99 prior to the change to magnetics. The operation of the skids was a bit of an art form. You had to disengage the skids by holding down the brake button, and then releasing the button at various marked points. Depending upon conditions, where you needed to release the button in order to stop the train in the proper point could change. Weather most definitely affected this - particularly on cold days when the hydraulics would take longer to raise the skids. (You had to release the button much earlier than usual.) This manual operation of the station brakes and final brake run is why they crew used the term "drive." We never "operated" The Beast... we "drove" it. Because of this learning curve, it took a long time for a newbie to test up to diving The Beast. On the coldest day I ever worked (Oct 1999) I was driving Beast while it was literally snowing. Because of the conditions, a wood maintenance crew member was stationed in the booth as a back-up. Trains were consistantly sliding partially out of the station due to brake delays. At one point while I was driving, the train slid all the way out, rounded the corner and made it's way to the base of the lift hill. This, obviously created a blocking set-up and the ride had to be stopped and re-set by wood maintenance. I'll never forget the looks of the faces of folks as they passed through the station, past the drivers booth and rounded the corner. It was a "What the....!!!" reaction. I literally had my hands in the air (I had long before engaged the brakes, but the hydraulics were too cold and didn't raise) saying "It's not me! It's not me!" LOL. The maintenance guy, Doug, just laughed and said something like "Hope they liked it the first time... because theyre getting a bonus round!" I still have my Beast Op Manual, btw... On a simular note... when Racer and Scooby Doo opened - they opened with manual skids - literally an in-station lever that was pulled back and forth to engage/disengage.

And it's magic.... it turns your poo poo green right before your very eyes ;-)

What? What does this mean? The scarecrow I name him Bob! This was the first name I saw given to him Are we sure those are scarecrows? It looks more like an angry New England villager to me. You know, like something from a witch hunt, or Legend of Sleepy Hollow. When I first saw the pictures of them, I immediatley thought of an angry mob of townspeople. Sort of like those at the end of Beauty and The Beast... I sure didn't think scarecrow.

If you're interested in a job in the PR industry, try calling or emailing Don at the park, explain your interest and ask if you can bend his ear for a bit. I've found him to be very approachable and nice, so hopefully he'd make a bit of time for you. As an attorney, I'm always trying to give back by offering to mentor law students or offer up my workplace as a place to job shadow. While Don's job may seem glamorous, it's not all peaches and cream. I'm glad he's the park's spokesperson, compared to the people Paramount had. It's been a LONG time since I've seen a post so off the mark and that has ruffled my (typically) unrufflable feathers. "The people Paramount had" like Jeffrey Seibert, Maureen Kaiser Richmond, David Mandt are not only top notch Marketeers, but amazing persons as well. Jeff S. is Marketing Director at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and that's following his long tenure at Schlitterbahn. He, his wife Lisa (and their kids) are amazingly kind, intelligent and generous people. Maureen has been the Marketing Director of several organizations, and is the mother of adorable sons, she too is quite a great lady (a real class act!) Maureen herself plowed KI through the nightmare that was the SOB "incident." She's to be applauded for her grace and dignity through that time. David Mandt helps spearhead IAAPA - which he has done since leaving Paramount Parks. David is a gem of a guy, who literally walked in and cleaned up the biggest PR mess KI has ever had (thank you Ms Colnar.) You'd be lucky to know him. Before you make such an uninformed statement, you should know your facts. "Those people Paramount had" are some of the best in the industry.... literal legends... and the friends of many here. Although I also credit Don for all the hard work he's done for Ki through the years both unofficially... and officially... I can't let someone knock the former teams that helped lead KI in the past. Shaggy

Yes, no one here at all shares your interest.

Detailed pictures are fine... in an original post. But when you quote someones previous post that includes numerous pictures, it leads to unnecessary scrolling for those accessign using a smart phone. If you reply and use the quote feature, if the post you're quoting has numerous pictures... delete them from your reply. It's common courtesy.

***APPLAUSE!!!*** Not to mention it's highly annoying!

You know, I chuckle at this thread. The more I read it... which is pretty much daily now... the more I become amused. Why? It's a near carbon copy of about a dozen other threads related to KI through the years. The speculation runs absolutely rampant... and gets pretty wild. But let me point out some things I have learned after 35+ years of personal park speculation. 1. Not everything is a hint 2. Not every hint is related to the new attraction 3. Over-analyization only leads to frustration. 4. There is such a thing as a bad "hint." 5. Sometimes even the park doesn't know the details. Now let me explain... 1. Not everything is a hint. The PR Department could make a Facebook statement like "It's a great day for something new." Well, enthusiasts may immediately read that as some sort of a hint that a new attraction, or announcement may be made. When in reality, they may mean something like trying a new ride for the morning walk-back (if they still do it.) or a new flavor of Graeters Ice cream. 2. Not every hint is related to the new attraction. When the park "tweets" something like "How about a little fire scarecrow..." enthusiasts immediately believe it's a fire-themed scarecrow ride. When, quite possibly, the "fire" tweet has more to do with the fact that this week KI will host a large fireworks show. 3. Over-analyzation only leads to frustration. Although fun to guess, you can frustrate youself and lose focus on the obvious trying to figure out the "hints." Remember the hints/clues can be related or unrelated... and the realted ones are "leaked" because they WILL further confuse those trying so hard to figure things out. 4. There is such a thing as a bad "hint." Do people not remember the Diamondback thread? I sure do... "They've trademarked Mustang!", "Its not a snake theme because the logo shows a blinking eye... snakes dont blink!", "Ride, Sally, Ride" must mean it's a dark-ride being built by Sally Corp." Blah blah bah. In retrospect... I don't think (with all due respect) those were great hints. As a matter of fact, they were really not related to the final ride/theme of Diamondback IMO. The whole signage surrounding Diamondback's splashdown pre-announcement ultimately made little sense to me when the ride was announced. Western? I guess??? 5. Sometimes the park doesn't know the details. Having been in the entertainment industry for 25 years, I know how last-minute decisions can be. Sometimes a name or theme isn't chosen for a project until literally there's not time left. This changes up to the very last minute. Heck, KI has even (in the past) announced rides that never materialized. Although the general theme of a ride may be chosen, specifics such as the name or logo may not be decided until art becomes due for the media announce. Looking at this whole project through narrower eyes... my speculation leads me to believe that: 1. It's a coaster ;-) 2. It's a B&M (earlier I speculated a Giga - but I'm not positive on that.) Cedar Fair currently has a great relationship with the manufacturer which leads me to believe the relationship will continue to manifest itself at the various CF parks. 3. It will be announced at a time to help drive end of year sales/season passes. 4. It will have a "scary" theme. Monster, ghost, demon etc. 5. It will be announced at night, or with the haunt events. 6. An element will extend into or over the plaza of Action Zone. Why else would they remove the water tower? 7. It may have inversions (there's been a concentration on Vortex - a multi-looper.) 8. Because of how the footings are placed, it is NOT part of a new "land" or themed area. As a matter of fact, I think they are cementing the fact that Action Zone will not expand into the old SOB valley. 9. Other items around it... such as the bathrooms - may be removed, changed, altered or updated. 10. The transfer track is exactly where the speculation leads - it's acessible to the access road, and two coaster maintenance shops that are hidden/located in Action Zone. Historically when KI has installed a large coaster project, they have done so that maintenance vehicles can easily access the site both before, during and after construction. Really, other than very minute details, that's enough to satisfy me for now. I'll love hearing all the specifics when they are announced, but until then I'm not driving myself crazy. Heck all this broad, crazy speculation is fun enough! Shaggs

I'll give you Santa Cruz... the Boardwalk really impresses me. But actually the part of CA I love the most has nothing to do with parks.... Santa Barbara is, perhaps, the most beautiful place I've been in the states. But I am an east-coast Southern Boy... so CA is a nice place to visit (or certain parts of it... San Fran yes, LA NO!) ... but I wouldn't want to live there! Ironically I am anxious to get back to San Fran soon for Disney. Disney in San Fran? Yes... the Disney family museum near the Golden Gate ;-)

Stay on property ;-) In May I was at the Wilderness Lodge. Transportation was a snap - you just had to do a little homework before-hand to know what shuttles. The trade-off with Disneyland (I've been there too) is that although it's easier to access... and it's Walts original vision... the park is VERY confined and congested. It's also surrounded by, um, not so nice visuals (although you can't see them while in the park... none the less they are there as soon as you leave property!) Dinseyland definitely has a more intimate feel... but it doesn't provide the escapism of WDW property IMO. Shaggy

There's been a concentrated effort to make the characters more accessible at WDW. You'll find the characters all throughout the MK park in the places you'd expect them. Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother at the castle, Jasmine and Alladin in Adventureland etc etc. Belle can be found at the new "Enchanted Tales with Belle" (which is a don't miss- it is a FANTASTIC experience for families!!!) At the front of the MK park, in the Town Square Theatre, the characters are there all day. They rotate, but Mickey is always there as are the various Princesses. Goofy, Donald & more can be found around the new Dumbo Circus area. At the Magic Kingdom however, there's a character that is, without a doubt a don't miss.... Gaston. He's back at his new Tavern and it is hysterical fun to see him interact with folks! As a matter of fact, I just uploaded my pic with him... yes, it's a rare glimpse of "Shaggy." Seperately, the easiest (IMO) place to find all the Princesses is at EPCOT's World Showcase. There you'll find one in each country - Belle in France, Snow White in England, Mulan in China etc etc etc.

Walt Disney World is not only Magic Kingdom - in fact, EPCOT is my favorite Disney World park, then Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is great for little ones but it gets kind of boring as you get older and when you visit more often (been at least eight times so I might just be getting bored with it) - so I think it's okay. I love love love Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Haunted Mansion, but Peter Pan's Flight and Winnie the Pooh are getting outdated. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a great coaster and will have some good competition with Seven Dwarfs. My favorite ride is Space Mountain; favorite non coaster is Pirates of the Caribbean. Oh: and don't go on Stitch's Great Escape. Don't. While I re-itterate yoursentiments about Stitch's Escape (bad, bad, bad!) I disagree with you that MK is boring as you get older. Now if you're, say, 13-25 only looking for thrills, then perhaps. However I'm 41 and thoroughly enjoy MK - it's my favorite Disney park. Magic Kingdom was never intended (nor ever will be intended) to be a high-thrill park. It was built to be a family-focused park full of things that can be enjoyed by everyone with an imagination. If you go into MK and walk out thinking it's boring, IMO, you've been blind to the whole concept. Magic Kingdom was built on Walts principle that "“Age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. ... it's dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” Next time, look at it with a grown-up childs eyes - and you'll marvel at how wonderful it is.

Here's a great update about the 7 Dwarfs coaster... it's recent... 20th of June I think http://damouse.com/2013/06/20/seven-dwarfs-mine-train-construction-shows-off-new-completed-sections/

Indoor/outdoor. There are portions of the ride that drop and curve outside of the mountain.

I was just there in late may. Barely anything been done? Ha! The coaster track circuit is now complete and the exterior rock work and scaping is probably 50% done. The interior theming has now begun, and the coaster is on track to be open in 2014 Spring/Summer. This is what I'd call a "thrilling" family coaster. No it's not a small Vekoma Flying Chase (which I believe they simply produced the coaster itself) rather a "big" sit-down coaster with some larger turns outside of the mountain. I'd expect it to me a milder Big Thunder with great interior effects. I have to say, the new Fantasyland at WDW MK is absolutely incredible! The Beast/Belle/Gaston portion is so well done words cant describe it. It blends into the old Fantasyland like perfection!

I give Lance credit ....he's a pro at back-traking and not taking credit for wrong confirmations, all the while patting himself on the back at the same time. Bottom line, he doesn't know and is guessing like everyone else.

There went Hart's promise of "Biggah, Bettah, Wettah!" ;-) Here's the deal... Hart is reaping what he sewed. The park was built with poor infrastructure. Food stands and buildings weren't built for time. They were more or less built like back-yard sheds - 2x4 studs with outdoor grade plywood nailed on. They were built simply in order to expand the park rapidly. He then sold off the park, based on percived success... which in reality was masking debt.

I think that's a new record for Screamscape. 4 days and a complete reversal of their "source confirmation." I give it 4 more updates and the original 5/30 Wing confirmation will *POOF* dissapear. ;-)

My acid reflux and hiatal hernia flare up just at the mere thought of eating like that. *URP*

Re: Screamscape... Some parks and PR folk actually submit rumors to Lance... I know of at least two instances where park reps have "leaked" stuff to Screamscape. It's no different than actors "leaking" things to TMZ... all for publicity. Sometimes those leaks are truth... sometimes they're false... sometimes they have merit... but sometimes they're designed to mislead. I seem to recall that Screamscape, when Diamondback first began construction, posted that they heard from an official that the site was being prepped for a dive coaster. Add to that the interview that Dennis Spiegel (International Theme Park Services) gave to a local TV news station in Cincinnati saying that the construction appeared to him as being that of a "Dive Coaster." It turned out both were wrong... but wrong with the same guess... coincidence? As construction on Diamondback progressed... the original Screamscape speculation magically dissapeared. POOF! I read Screamscape weekly. I enjoy it. But I also take it for what it's meant to be... rumors and speculation. Quite frankly, I've been able to better guess some things just by looking as ground prep than Screamscape has. But then other times, it's been on the mark. Typically, Screamscape is fairly accurate with specualtion about parks which Lance is intimately familiar. He's not intimately familiar with KI.

Re: Screamscape... Save this KI update in your memory banks... "2014 - Banshee / New Coaster - Rumor - (6/3/13) Screamscape sources have confirmed to us that not only is the new Kings Island 2014 coaster from B&M, but it will be a new large Wing Coaster. And yes… unless things change, we can expect to see it fly under the Banshee name." Because chances are, if the coaster isn't what Lance is *speculating*, the post will dissapear in a month or so without any acknowledgement of his ever being wrong.