Shaggy

The news actually ran a story that the new sign was going up? Man, that thing IS a landmark! So are the initials for the park now K!I? ;-)

I would suspect that the earlier close times may be related to the fact that most of their draw during the evening is teenagers. Rowdy teenagers overwhelm that park since it's on the busline and near the light-rail to DC. For a more "family" atmpsohere, it makes sense to operate only during "family" hours. And close earlier since most families leave parks early in the evening. Also, I believe that numerous "incidents" have occurred during later park hours. SFA falls into a category of parks that I refer to as "uneasy" parks. Meaning some people feel a bit unsafe when visiting. Others I have noticed this "feel" at are: SFAW (now closed... go figure), Rye Playland, SFMM, etc etc. Even KD had this issue for years. Shaggy

The latest Dominator construction updates show the attraction still standing. http://www.coastercrew.com/gallery/display...at=0&pos=10 Shaggy

Also, I am pretty sure that Beast was the first coaster in the park to use air-gates. I don't recall Demon having them, and know that Racer and Scooby Doo did not originally. Beast's gates were "double" gates. Meaning there were two sides to each gate for each corral. The original gates opened like saloon doors. The gates were only about 1 foot tall and hung at waist height. These were replaced for the 1999 season with the full-sized gates. Once the new gates were added, liquid soap was kept on hand in the station due to kids getting their knees and arms stuck between slats. Shaggy

Racer originally operated with manual lever-controlled skid brakes. For years you could still see the replacement boards in the station floor where the levers once existed. Scooby Doo (Beastie, Fairly Odd) did as well. I actually have a picture of the original Scooby Doo costumed character operating the lever brake on the Scooby Doo coaster. Beast was never operated by lever. It had an antiquated "electronically" controlled blocking system from the start. To my knowledge, it was not the first "electronically" controlled coaster in the park. If I am not mistaken, that title belongs to the Screamin' Demon. The original panel for Beast was the same one used on many coasters built in the mid-late seventies. I believe that if you watch either "Rollercoaster" the movie or the old "Wonder Woman" episode called "Phantom of the Amusement Park" they feature shots of the original operator's panel for Revolution at Magic Mountain. The Beast used the same type of panel that featured the coaster's layout on a backlit acrylic board. The electronic eyes (still used on the coaster today) alerted the panel as to the location and speed of the train. When the train passed the eye, the block section of track where it was located blinked on the panel. The release of the final brake run/station brakes was performed by switches and levers attatched to the panel that when depressed or pulled released the compression within the hydraulics lowering the skids in station. There were "kicker" tires that were engaged by switch in station in order to move the train forward and gain the momentum needed to move the train off the skids and out of the station. Those tires (no longer used) are still in the station today. The skids located on the first drop, in the mid-course brake shed and on the drop to the helix have always existed on the coaster. They were counter-weighted in order to increase/decrease the speed of the train. The speeds were measured by a reading on the clock panel in station. If the train was running fast or slow, a wooden coaster maintenence crew memeber would go to the specific trim and either add weight or remove weight from the skid counterweight. The counterweight on these skids was literally a long wire attatched to the underside of the skid that hung down through the coaster's structure to about 3 feet off of the ground. At the end of the cable was a metal can. Weight was added in the form of nuts, bolts rocks etc being put in, or taken from the can, thus raising or lowering the trim. Ironically (and humorously) these counterweights were used up until the skids were replaced with the magnetic brakes just a few years back. When the magnetic brakes were added to Beast, it required fins be placed on the bottoms of the trains. Because of that, rebar that was used on turns as track ties had to be replaced with split-rods. These act just as the old ties did... running through each side of the track and bolted together. However with the addition of the fins, the original rods were replaced with two rods held together by C-clamps. These C-clamps allow the fin to pass through those areas unobstructed. Finally, footage of The Beast exists showing the original operators panel. I believe it might have been footage from the "Real People" show that was filmed featuring Beast just after it opened, The Beast 25th Anniversary special, or a kids show that featured the ride shortly after it premiered. Shaggy

Besides....the spongebob costume would have been god awful for someone to try to skate in. You have to still have a decent range of motion and mobility in the costume in order to skate in it, and with the spongebob costume the performer would loose all upperbody motion...not good for a skater. Disney on Ice has been using upperbody constricting costumes for years. I firmly believe the Nicktoons will be out by 2011. Nick is a goldmine. It's one of the reasons that Cedar Fair was interested in purchasing the Paramount Parks to begin with. Nick is a viable licensing product that kids immediately recognize and flip over. I doubt it will go anywhere, anytime soon.

The two Great Americas each had the Triple-Arm Wheel. Hersheypark and KI had the Double-Arm wheel. Astroworld also had a double armed "Astrowheel" and Magic Mountain had one called "Galaxy" I believe. However I don't think that these two were Intamin products. BTW, I rode both the Hersheypark, SFGAM and KI ones several times. Although I never felt comfortable on them. Something about the fact that the cars were held on by rusty chains ;-) Shaggy

That was great!!!!, that's when Kings Island actually had a public relations department that cared about what the public felt. What a horrid, un-educated and foul statement. Jeff Siebert and Maureen made one heck of a fun team, and had some clever ideas that were delivered in a very enticing manner. However I guarantee you that Don Helbig and crew care just as much for the park and it's perception. Shaggy

I'm 100% sure that if the ride was allowed to reopen that this accident would no longer happen. So without question, you are absolutely, positively, completely sure that there would never be another accident? Your dreaming. The ride was the FIRST second generation free-fall. It was the prototype and has been plagued with mechanical issues and downtime ever since it's install and well before the Lassiter accident. Tearing it down is not only the best move for safety reasons... but it also allieviates the park from having a morbid reminder of a terrible tradgedy. The ride is the first thing guests see when they enter the front gate. IMO, that is the equivilent of putting a rolled-over top-heavy SUV in the showroom of a new car dealership. To give you an idea of the adverse effect the accident had on folks here in Louisville... well, people are sarcastically calling it "Footloose-the ride" and many are adamant that they will not return to the park due to safety concerns on other attractions. It's sick that they joke that way, but there's always truth in humor. Shaggy

As for Seibert....He also speaks (at least til this year's closing day) on the lift hills of The Beast, I might add... ... And on Runaway Reptar... and on no-smoking speels... and on Delirium... and on... The legend lives on ;-) Shaggy

She was indeed a very special lady. Mrs. Voss passed just prior to me working at the park, and I recall how many of the long-term employees were still lamenting her passing... specifically The Beast maintenance crew. She left quite a mark... even outside of KI. As a matter of fact, I think Richard Nixon mentioned her in a speech he gave. Not positive it's her. but sure seems like it... here's a link to it: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=3197 It says: "Then yesterday, while you were taking your tour of the White House, another lovely lady came to see me. She was from Cincinnati, Ohio--Mrs. Ruth Voss, the mother of eight children. She worked for the Cincinnati Enquirer. Incidentally, whenever I get discouraged with the Washington Post, I read the editorials in the Cincinnati Enquirer. But she works as their teenage editor. Over the past few years, this woman, with eight children, has given over 50 percent of her time working on projects for teens. Her present project is to develop in Cincinnati a halfway house for girls who have gone to correctional institutions and then come back into productive life and, of course, need a chance, a chance to get some hope, a job, and so forth. As she described what she was doing, not in a boasting way because I was probing her to find out what she was doing, I realized what a perfectly remarkable woman she was. I also realized that across this country there are hundreds of thousands of women like her doing volunteer work, with young people, with older people, with those who have not had a chance, with those who were disabled. I think of the volunteer spirit of America, and I think what a good country this is. " WOW.

KI is in desperate need of flats IMO. However the rides being removed from GL do leave a lot to be desired and are unsuitable for KI. The Time Warp, as others mentioned, was a pretty painful ride. The idea is good. But if you think TR is bad, then I cannot begin to tell you the agony felt being thrust forward, outward and upside down for a seemingly endless cycle in excruciatingly uncomfortable restraints. Their single-armed Flying Carpet (El Dorado) was mediocre at best. Very slow with little to no "tummy tickling." It was also a portable ride, trailor mounted I believe. Haybailer was fun, but it's pretty antiquated and limited in it's "thrill factor." It's simply an enclosed Flying Bobs, and if memory serves me, Coney Island has one. The Enterprise had been removed prior to this past season, correct? That leads me to assume that it had mechanical issues that deemed it unusable. Doubt we'll see that. GL also had a Matterhorn ride, but it dissapeared prior to last season too, didn't it? The Texas Tornado (Top Spin) is headed to Great America... correction... CALIFORNIA'S Great America. Plus KI already has one. The Americana Ferris Wheel is something I'd like to see it at KI, I think it's a flat they could use. However, it's a Chance Wheel and with the new restrictions I, as a single, would not be permitted to ride. That leaves Thriller Bees (eh), the Yo-Yo (eh), Scrambler (have one), Pirate Ship (Have one), Octopus (They have a Monster) and Pirate Bounty Ride (They have a flying version in Nick Central.) Isn't that about it in the flat dept? Personally I'd love to see KI get a package of new flats. A Breakdance, a Tilt-O-Whirl, a traditional Flying Carpet, a whip, spinning teacups etc etc etc. ...none of which GL had.

In response to your message, I have a question. Should we just worship outside? Jesus did ;-) Seriously, I understand your point. But what about meeting in smaller groups, rather than large multi-million dollar facilities? Why is there such a concentrated focus/drive on being a huge congregation with enormous facilities? What better way to reach people than to meet them at there point of need. Need? I hardly consider a wave pool to be a need. ;-) Again, I respect everyone's beliefs. My responses are simply based on curiosity about where the focus lies. Frankly, I couldn't care less what your church builds... as long as it's not my hard-earned money supporting it. I'll digress because it's really a moot conversation. My common feet will never step foot on that property... my kind aren't exactly welcome at "church." BTW, heated responses are very telling. Utter defensiveness directed at those who sincerely question serves no purpose but to further alienate. Isn't that a contradiction to the ultimate goal of outreach? Shaggy

There has to be a place for the people to worship. How can we organize anything if they don't have a place to congregate? The sanctuary is one of the most important pieces. It's the head. The head? I always understood that "the church" was the "body of believers" not the building or facility they are housed in. I am not here to put down anyone's religion or personal beliefs. They are exactly that, PERSONAL. Whether you are a believer or not, each of us should understand that we all wear our hearts on our sleeves about things that are very personal to us... such as religion and spirituality. However, I do struggle with what I see as a commercialization of "church." Across the US we have mega churches that preach unity and outreach, yet spend millions and millions on outlandish facilities that serve the sole purpose of secluding it's congregation from the community. Churches today have their own health clubs, bookstores, counseling offices, coffee shops etc. They charge admission to special events such as Easter pagents and plays etc. When I walk into a church and see a concentrated effort on the "business" side of things I recall the story of Jesus turning over the tables in disgust when he entered the temple. He found that those attending "his father's house" had turned it into a "den of theives." I wonder how he'd react when he walked into the temple and saw a waterslide. In this situation, I am most curious to see if the church intends on using the waterpark facility as an outreach and will charge to attend. That wreaks of Heritage USA to me. Do they not recall Heritage USA and the Baker mis-appropriation? Shaggy

Good question! From what I am hearing PGA has sort of "turned the corner." Apparently the waterpark is a huge success for them. However with a future new NFL Stadium looming by, who knows. I will say this... I was floored when I saw Great America in CA a few years ago. It is literally in the middle of a million corporate office buildings. I never expected an amusement park to be located smack dab in the center Silicon Valley... but that's pretty much what it is. Obviously the park came first... but it was really unusual when I saw it. Shaggy

I would suspect that the removal/relocation of Thunderhawk and Dominator has been planned for sometime. I'd suspect the entire dismantling of the rides side was a more recent decision. At least that's what my gut tells me. Actually, it obvious that they knew of the demolition of the rides side prior to the end of the season. Employees are on record for having taken significant final rides on the attractions... including the GM. Eyewitnesses say the GM was acting in a very melencholy manner when taking a final ride on the Big Dipper. Shaggy

I hesitate to get involved... but personally feel that orientation is determined by the same parts of our brain that decide which hand we write with... or which side we sleep on etc. I don't think it relates to factors of how a person is raised. The philospohy that the job parents did with a child "caused" them to be gay has served no purpose but to cause countless parents to lay blame on themselves. It's also caused many children to fall victim to depressed lives and/or suicide at the thought of hurting their parents. It simply is not true. No one can "turn" you gay. The example of seperated twins was given. Well, what about families that raise, say, 3 children and only one of which is gay. There's no difference in the parenting, or surroundings persay. On the flip side, ignorance, narrowmindedness, and bigotry IS something that is generated by our surroundings, our religious connotation and/or how we are raised.

Of course the child comes first. IMO the priority includes establishing her well-being years from now. Hopefully the lawyer her parents have hired will keep Kaitlyn's bests interests in mind. If so he/she will be well deserving of whatever commission he/she stands to make. Wanted to pass along a taste of what is going on here in Louisville in support of Kaitlyn and her family. Next Monday, 100% of the proceeds from a local establishment "O’Shae’s" will be donated to the the family of Katie Lasitter. This is being done to help establish a fund for the family as they are struggling to survive. The family is facing realities such as forclosure, inability to pay general utility bills etc. That's the reality of all of this and it's so terribly sad. The decision to ride an amusement attraction has cost her family their abilty to even basically survive. Apparently the father is nearly devistated emotionally by all of this... there's been a lot of "Why not me?" expressed by him to friends. It breaks my heart. I hope the lawyer is a barracuda. Shaggy

I was shocked when I first visited SFOG back in the 1990s and stayed at a nearby hotel. It was SCARY, and I mean SCARY! Drugs deals, prostitutes, and a held up convenient store were just a few of the things I came across that evening. I was really surprised that the park, which IMO is quite removed from Atlanta proper, is surrounded by such crime.

Like other posters have said, there is no room to put a decent coaster here. Or course there's room. Trust me, there's plenty of developmental land (or real estate as KI Execs call it) in Rivertown. I personally think Rivertown is RIPE for a new coaster. Imagine something along the lines of a Maverick themed coaster... makes total sense. Now WHEN we may see it is another subject altogether.

If they can make a buck, they'll sell them ;-) Actually, you can find the episode on VHS. I have a copy I picked up several years ago at Suncoast. (Are they still around?)

I reside and work in Louisville with someone who is good friends/neighbors with the Lasitters. My co-worker's daughter goes to school with Kaitlyn. He recently had a conversation with Kaitlyn's father. Obviously Kaitlyn's family cannot discuss details, but did indicate that the amputation happened after the carriage dropped. Now, that totally goes against what the callers were saying on the 911 call. Kaitlyn was not the person originally intended to sit in that specific seat. It's been confirmed in the local news that another rider backed out because they didn't want to sit on the "end." Kaitlyn and her family had apparently ridden just prior and had gotten back in line for a second ride when the accident occurred. Kaitlyn volunteered to trade places with a girl that was afraid of the outside seat. (The paragraph that follows is second hand info obtained by associates I know that are affiliated with the fairgrounds.) I have heard that when the ride reached the bottom, Kaitlyn was in shock. A nurse in line immediately jumped in, called 911 was instructed on what to do. Oddly enough, she was not bleeding profusely. However the nurse, at the instruction of the 911 operator, acted quickly to help prevent Kaitlyn from bleeding to death. There's floating rumors among Fairgrounds personnell (SFKK is on KFEC property) that once the investigation is completed the park plans on scrapping the ride. That would coincide with the statement of concern that the family has issued (referenced in the article in this thread) that the park will remove or destroy the ride or mechanical parts associated with it before the lawsuit is settled. I digress... Irregardless of who is at fault... SF or Intamin etc etc etc, the Lasitters are struggling teribly with bills etc. The mother has lost her job (she was the main breadwinner) and the father is trying to maintain an income. Kaitlyn was flown to Vanderbuilt (Nashville) after the accident and the parents wracked up hospital and travel bills. There are various benefits and fundraising events being planned to assist the family. The horrible thing about all of this is that it's not only crippled Kaitlyn, but crippled her family's finacial well being as well. I'm a layman who knows little to nothing about such insurance claims. But as such I am concerned to think of the time and anguish the family will have to endure in order to receive compensation of all of this. A lawsuit or settlement could take years. I hope for the family's sake that some form of retribution comes quickly to relieve their financial burdens. BTW, apparently Kaitlyn has handled this whole thing like a champ. Her parents are obviously distraught. But her Dad said that Kaitlyn has prooved to him how strong and wonderful a person she is. I have a feeling Kaitlyn is not the kind of girl to let something like this hold her back.

Most interesting is how Danny Bonaduce is riding Racer standing up! ...and people wonder why they installed individual lap bars eventually... ;-)

I was surfing and found the following. I've not seen it before, so forgive me if this is an old find. However the following link takes you to a page showing a brief article (with pics) about the Partridge Family filming at KI during it's inaugural year. I found it small to read, but squint and you might make it out ;-) It ran in TV guide in December 1972. The episode aired in 1973. http://www.cmongethappy.com/eguide/kingsisland.jpg Oh and here's a link to a page detailing the episode. http://www.cmongethappy.com/eguide/ep66.htm Shaggy

"The problem being, some of them aren't up to the calibur of KI. " Well, depends on the model/brand they get. "I LOVED the Magic Carpet ride at KP, but I don't think CF could pass that off as a hot new attraction at KI." BGW's Davinci's Cradle is one of my absolute favorite rides, and it was a "hot new attraction" once upon a time. ;-) Either way, I guess I was thinking more of a "package" of new rides, not just one. "ki alredy has a mini flying carpet in kiddy land that is a terrible ride!" Actually, that's a themed Zamperla Crazy Bus... and I'd hardly put it in the same league as a good adult flying carpet.