Shaggy

Hmmm.... Could "Villian" be recycled? CF has been known to use, and re-use already trademarked, or copyrighted names... The signs appear to have a "branded" script to them. Shaggy

1) Yes, lightning strikes, but in keeping with the western theme, why would they use something that happens everywhere? 2) If the theme is a western snake, why use a snake found in Ohio? Because Rivertown is not western themed. That's a common mistake people make when describing Rivertown. It was actually originally themed to primitive life on the banks of the Ohio River. Another aspect to all of this involves the recently leaked specs. The exit side of the station is on the Rivertown side. So the exit will likely take people through one of the existing Rivertown buildings not currently in use. I'd guess the Mining Co building would become a souvenir/photo shop that people pass through after riding. So the coaster could very well have a mining, or gold-rush theme. Gold is something that get's "struck." BTW... how does this... if at all, affect employees lunching at the former Oscar's? And what is Oscar's called these days? Shaggy

Interesting. I'll be honest. The name aspect is virtually the only part of this coaster that had me guessing. I've had a fun time pondering what it could be. I doubt they'd go the King Cobra route again... at least I hope they wouldn't. Plus King Cobras strike me as being more African/Asian in theme. A King Cobra doesn't seem to fit Rivertown in my mind. But it could very well be a snake theme... snakes spook horses, they also strike. Rattlesnake Moccasin Copperhead But then again, something else that strikes is lightning. Shaggy

Although Members of KICentral (Shaggy and Company) have been sying for months now that it will be a B&M Mega (Hyper) Coaster. I've never said it was a mega/hyper. I have said that it's not a diver. Shaggy

They are now saying there will be an autopsy. Why on earth do they need to do that? It's not as if we don't know what killed him. Then again, maybe to find out if he were intoxicated or high? The latest reports said he was trying to see if he could sneek out of the park, then back in and along the way he jumped up to touch a passing train when... Shaggy

I've seen 20 couples married at once at KI. Holiday World incessantly does it on their coasters every time they need publicity. Oy But really... marriages at an amusement park just seem... I don't know... "de classe" for some reason. Those couples that parade around Disney Parks with the Mickey Top-Hat and Minnie Veil ears get on my last nerve. Just my opinion. I guess if that's really what you want... then more power to you. So I'd say the best place to be married at KI is not listed as an option. It's hands down the Carousel... Shaggy

1 2 in North America

That and the fact that the internet now exists so people can more accurately follow construction and make educated comparisons. Back then, there was no internet, and you had to actually visit the park to see changes being made. That, or listen to chit-chat and buzz from everyday conversations that mentioned it. The days of people lined up peeking through knottholes in construction fences are pretty much gone. People don't need to since internet sites and webcams get them visial access from home. But that was the only way folks used to find out about things changing at a park. I kind of miss those days. Yes it's fun and more revealing to follow construction online. But as others have said, it does spoil the surprise somewhat. Shaggy

Re: the King Cobra Water Cannon. When KC was built, the area in which it was installed was called the "Wild Animal Habitat" themed area. You entered the section by walking under an arched sign, and then crossed a wooden footbridge into the area. The foot bridge existed approximately where the entrance to Action Zone now resides. However it was much more narrow, was densely covered with tropical foliage and of course crossed over a pond/stream. There were tropical birds housed in the area, and of course jungle music playing. The "stream" was very shallow, but flowed from the Screamin Demon loop area, over to what is now Stunt Crew Grill, under the foot bridge then under the KC helix. In the center of the helix there was a water cannon that shot a geiser of water up as KC trains passed through. Unless the wind blew, riders did not get wet. The cannon was timed by sensor on the KC track. It was the same type of cannon used on WWC and Congo Falls. It made the same air "popping" sound those make. When EXtreme Skyflyer was added years later, the area was "re-vamped" and had the entrance arch and footbridge removed. The stream was also drained. The area was re-branded Adventure Village. The KC water cannon still worked for about one season, minus the pond below, but then was turned off and never returned. Quite honestly, the Wild Animal Habitat area of the park was a really well done (albeit small) area of the park. It was a terrible shock to see the gutting that took place in it's conversion to Adventure Village. You have the installation of the upcharge Skyflyer to thank for that. Oddly enough, the Skyflyer was added mid-season. So construction walls were in existence for quite some time that season. When the arch was first being erected, people were abuzz about KI installing a coaster with a giant loop, much like people are speculating about the Rivertown construction today. Shaggy

Nice report. Spiders and Monsters (Kings Island has a Monster) were built by Eyerly Aircraft: A little known fact is that the Monster now at KI is, according to what I have been told, not the one that opened with the park. In the 1980's the original was removed and a different one installed. The Monster pad sat empty for at least half a season. The original was rumored to have been re-furbed and sent to Wonderland. BTW, those pics in the TR are great. You have a very good eye for taking interesting pictures. Shaggy

I would suspect he means the doorway that is sometimes left unlocked in queue area #1. It's adjacent to the photo booth. Shaggy

It was a joke.

I wonder if Shapiro will sign the check himself... ;-)

Ryan... the dance was called "The Hustle" not "hussle." Young'n ;-) Shaggy

Disguises? Geez, who does he think he is, Michael Jackson? Shaggy

I am in no way a Miley Cyrus fan, I think she's very lacking in the talent dept. However, "Hannah Montana" is one of the VERY few wholesome characters that little girls have to look up to today. The pictures of Miley were obviously an example of poor judgement on many levels. I hope for her sake, and the sake of little girls everywhere that future endeavors will utilize more foresight into possible reprocussions. Actors and celebrities, more often than not, use the argument that the "Characters I play have nothing to do with who I am as a person." But I disagree. I think whatever you put out into the world is ultimately a reflection that affects you and your fan base. I recently found it hysterical when I saw an interview with Madonna where she lamented the fact that her 13 year-old daughter is trying to dress and act too provocatively for her age. As an adult, I have always enjoyed Madonna as an artist. But I found it terribly ironic that she refuses to let her daughter watch TV or read magazines, wear suggestive clothing or curse... all due to the effect they have on her mind and maturity. I mean, here was the absolute queen of sexual boundry-pushing controversy saying that she holds her daughter with very tight reigns. But she made a great point in that interview when confronted. She said that it was her job as a parent to teach her daughter right and wrong, and ultimately protect her children from images that could affect the decisions they make during their childhood. She flat out said that the images and ideas she had put out were in no way intended for a child. In terms of her own kids she said that once they turned 18, they could then make their own decisions, but until then it was her job to guide and shelter them. Hollywood and media has turned into the great abiss. No longer is our entertainment talent based, it's spectacle and controversy based. And quite frankly, I think the general public is sick of being treated like morons... hence the popularity of wholesome shows such as Hannah Montanna, Dancing with the Stars and American Idol. I am not a parent, and am an EXTREMELY open minded individual. However, when and if I have a child they too would be protected from what I feel are harmful and overtly unnecessary images on TV, in movies and online. There would be reprocussions for acting or dressing in certain ways. I would want their childhood to be filled with their own thoughts and ideas rather than what popular culture tells them. That's the job and responsibility one assumes when they have a child. In Miley's case, Disney is obviously pulling in the reigns for PR purposes as to avoid a backlash against their cash-cow juggerknot. Her Management is trying to milk Miley's career and "mature" it with her ever-aging teen base. But in all of this, Miley is still a little girl. I am most dissapointed with her parents. I hope that someone is there to hold her up, guide her in what's best for her own character development as a young woman and show her accountability. I hope for her sake that she is not the next Britney, or Paris or Lindsay. Shaggy

Going back to the B&M vs Intamin debate... It's all a matter of opinion, of course, but I have been fortunate enough to ride several B&M hypers, Arrow Hypers and Intamin Hypers/Gigas/etc. My favorite coaster, of all time, is hands down Superman ROS at SFNE. It's a masterpeice. I remember it shocked the heck out of me when I first rode it. It was during an 8-day coaster trip I took with friends the year it opened. It came near the end of the trip, and to be honest I was so sick of seeing parks and riding coasters by that time, I was one tough cookie to please. I had felt very uninspired by looking at it's layout and construction throughout the construction phase. But we added the park to our list of to-dos because one of my travelling companions was insistant upon it. I even remember arriving at the park prior to opening, seeing it in the horizon and thinking "What's the big deal, it's just another out-and-back coaster." Well, lo-and-behold, I rode that thing and found coaster heaven. Close on it's heels is Apollo's Chariot. Nitro is up there but MForce is down the list somewhere, Raging Bull is in there somewhere too. Although my favorite is an Intamin, I think the B&Ms hold up a bit better and overall deliver more on an enjoyment level. Actually, the last time I ride MForce, it had some surprising jarring to it. (But if we are being frank, I have never *gotten* all of the hub-bub surrounding M-Force. After that 1st drop it's a yawner to me.) I was extremely excited for CW when I heard about Behemoth as it fits the park to a "T" just as "?" will likely fit KI. Shaggy

When did you ride?

Florence is getting new ones. Right in front of the Florence Mall.

I thought I was the only one. The ad appears at the top of the page when you access a message string. "Champion...blah...blah...blah." On a side note, I've always thought she had one of the best jobs in the world. Shaggy

FYI, Carmen was in the Magic show circa 1991 or 2. I distinctly recall her in the show. She was one of the girls that was passed through a plate of glass... the trick was later dropped. Nick and his brother Drew were part of a 4-boy accapella group that roamed the park and sang at random. The group was fired. Shaggy

Snakes are common at KI, specifically in the wooded area around WWC. I've seen a few there myself. Actually I've seen several critters there. Once a skunk walked across a path about 20 feet in front of me. Neddless to say, I ran the other way. Also, I have seen possums and chipmunks. When I worked FOF, raccoons used to get in the building/trains from time ot time. I will spare you the details of how they were removed. I expect the critters have a hard time adjusting to their territory being invaded during the operational months. However there was a pic online a few seasons ago of a black snake crossing a path at BGW, it measured over 8 feet long. Eeeeeyiikes! Shaggy

They actually had this in park a few years ago and it flopped. There were like 2 kiosks set up where you could have your pic taken and then emailed to people. I never once saw someone use it. Shaggy

Remember, the placement before the SOB lift allowed for pleasant smiles. The placement after the rosebowl likely results in grimmaces and horror. As someone else mentioned, I believe the on-ride photos are provided by an outsourced company. They seem to change with the wind... and move dependant upon interest in the attraction. There's a large empty on-ride booth from TR that has sat empty since year 1. FOF has seen more on-ride vendors come and go than I can remember. The on-ride trailer has seen several spots at KI... Adventure Express once had one. Face/Off once had one. KC once had them. I am surprised they still turn a profit. They were a great novelty once upon a time. But seems to not have the draw and purchasing interest they once had. Seems most people look at the pic on the screen, laugh, point, and walk away. The money lies with on-ride photos in the kid's area. I bet the Odd Coaster, Lil Bill and Scooby on-rides make a fortune. Shaggy

I'd have to look extra close to see the painting.... a little known fact is that I am partially colorblind! In regards to GL... I personally was never enchanted with the park. I recognize that others may have been. But I'm not so sure many other non-locals were as it ultimately lost it's audience. (And audience who was no doubt confused by all the changes.) That's not to say the park wasn't esthetically pleasing, or that it did not have fun rides, I just never held MY attention. I may be wrong, but I think that CF seeing it as a feeding ground for relocating rides was probably an afterthought. I am in no way in the know, however being a business man, my perception is that CF initially purchased the park with the intent to operate it in some form or another. After a season of operation, and no doubt close financial evaluation, the CF Board likely deemed that proper return on investement resided with a sale of the land and liquidation of assets. Prior to that liquidation, they likely evaluated what attractions COULD be relocated, cost effectively, to generate a return at other parks. Thus we've seen (so far) 5 attractions moved to other parks. The majority of attractions are being sold at auction. It's worth noting that relocating attractions park-to-park is typically just as costly as a brand new install. For instance, the deconstruction, moving, taxing on distribution of property and re-installation of Stealth at PGA to PCow cost nearly as much at the original install. Overall, the relocation of rides is not as "lucrative" as some may think from a savings aspect. The upside to relocating a ride lies with the ride itself. If it's proven succesful from an interest/rideable/marketable standpoint or fills a *need* at another park then its a wise decision to relocate it. It also saves initial design/developmental costs. Other than that, it's usually a wash. Shaggy