CoastersRZ

Yes. I still prefer Afterburn over Montu. The pacing is better on Afterburn, and some of the transitions on Montu seems rough (the train seemed to be rattling in some places). And of course, it didn`t help that they had one train operations on that coaster, and the crew seemed to be in no hurry. In fact, I witnessed several workers at both Busch and Sea World that clearly did not want to be there. Don`t get me wrong, Montu is a very fun ride. I just think Afterburn is better.

I kind of have the same sentiments as you. I`d rather not see a larger cash distribution this coming year, if it means the company is better off financially over the long run, and can begin issuing larger cash distributions a few years down the road. While Kinzel has done great things for Cedar Point and the company, I think his time has come. Just look at the comparisons that Q makes to Six Flags. Yes, they went through bankruptcy and even recently ditched almost all of their licensing agreements, they seem to be more in touch with their customers than what Cedar Fair is. I do not want to beat a dead horse, but I have to bring up the food prices again. Having just been down in Orlando, drink prices there are still very reasonable, considering the venue. $2.75 for a 20 ounce soft drink. By comparison, KI was charging $1 more this year from vending machines for the same product. While I don`t know about per cap spending at the Florida parks, and they are somewhat different since they are destination parks, Cedar Fair has suffered from decreased per cap spending. Has it ever crossed their mind that high food prices/ lack of quality in the product offering has led to fewer sales and thus a decline in per caps?

While wild mouse coasters are fun (I rode yet another one at Busch Gardens Tampa over the weekend), they are low capacity rides. (Yes, a PTR will be forthcoming in the coming days from my trip down to Sea World Orland, Busch Gardens and Universal). I would much rather have a B&M inverted coaster, or even a B&M dive coaster. Between the two, it would be a tough decision. I`d have to say that if they got an inverted coaster like Afterburn at Carowinds, I would certainly be happy. That is still one of my favorite inverted coasters from B&M that I`ve ridden.

Q has filed a letter, outlining their positions. You can read it here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/q-investments-sends-letter-to-cedar-fair-unitholders-urging-them-to-support-changes-that-enhance-corporate-governance-and-dividend-distributions-111843839.html

Hang onto your seats. This could get very interesting.

Son of Beast was announced in early May of 1999. In fact, it was reported in the front page of the Cincinnati Enquirer on May 11, 1999 that "Tallest Wooden Coaster Coming."

And technically, Flying Ace also crosses partially over the midway at the entrance to the ride.

I agree. The Crowne Colony had an excellent setting. Not to mention the best view of the construction of the new roller coaster. Was really nice to have a sit down restaurant at an amusement park. Great food at a great price. A place like that at Kings Island would be nice. Do I think that would work well? If done correctly, it would be a huge success.

I agree. The Crowne Colony had an excellent setting. Not to mention the best view of the construction of the new roller coaster. Was really nice to have a sit down restaurant at an amusement park. Great food at a great price. A place like that at Kings Island would be nice. Do I think that would work well? If done correctly, it would be a huge success.

Yes. Diamondback was a wise investment for KI. So too, it could be argued that Intimidator at Carowinds was a success since it was reported that Carowinds set an attendance record. As an aside, prices at Sea World for drink are really reasonable. $2.75 for a 20 ounce soft drink. And I ate at the Crowne Colony at Busch Gardens and had a HUGE turkey sandwich with fries. The sandwich cost $10, and I could barely finish it. I have no problem with paying that much for a sandwich when the quality and quantity is so great. Often, KI's huge prices, more than the parks down here charge, and KI's food lacks the quality. I'm still amazed people pay for the food at KI.

Here are the pictures that we have here on KIC: http://www.KICentral.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=123

People will sue for very mundane things such as "tripping" on the sidewalk. Ever wonder why there are so many warning labels on things anymore? Its partly because people have sued in the past. Yes, sometimes there are tripping hazards (the start of the Adventure Express bridge, for example, which was remedied this past year). And it is a real shame that people who trip on their own accord feel the need to sue. Most are after a quick payday. It is, an unfortunate fact of today`s society. Doctor`s have to carry very hefty malpractice insurance to protect themselves from being sued, even if they did nothing wrong.

Why I understand that is good to be philanthropic, that is $500,000 that would have paid down some of their additional debt. Granted, they likely can write off some or all of that amount as tax write offs.

I have not noticed that, in part because I don`t go that way very often. It would be interesting. But not totally surprising, especially considering that other relics from KI have turned up at other local attractions in the past. (Not to mention one of the higher ups at EnterTRAINment Junction used to be a higher up at KI.

Kenwood? I doubt that. Jungle Jims does plan to open a second store, although in Eastgate, at the site of the former (and original) location of bigg`s. I just don`t see them moving the monorail. Although, they do have enough trains that they could maybe relocate one or two if necessary to the Eastgate location. The question is, how many trains have they retrofitted to have the onboard generator and motor? Keep in mind that the current monorail is a Point A to Point B operation, and not a complete circuit, (although I heard they eventually plan to make it a complete circuit), so they can only run one train at a time. May I suggest checking out this article, found right here on KICentral: http://www.KICentral.com/history/monorail.php or you can check out Ronny`s photos of the monorail here: http://www.KICentral.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=247

While I will be sad to see The Beast loose its record, that park is far from a certainty at this point. Financing, government approval, etc. all can change between now and 2013. Not to mention, plans can change as well.

But, while the board was expanded by two members, I believe it went from seven members to nine. So while the number of board members increased, they haven`t fully impacted the board yet. The one thing I found odd in the revised proxy is that there is no date or location for the proposed special meeting. The only thing that is stated is only unit holders of record on December 9th are eligible to vote in the special vote.

On the subject of designing, I have been involved with some projects in the amusement industry that are very near and dear to my heart. Lets just say that one of my co-ops provided an excellent opportunity! Those of you who know me well, know where I worked and what I got to work on!

There are two of those signs. One was actually removed prior to the end of the season (the one missing in the picture above). Those signs had been looking rather aged. Hopefully they get a new lighting package. I wouldn`t mind seeing a lighting package similar to the games building by the main midway at Cedar Point. That building looks great at night.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20101201/NEWS0103/312010046/Creation-Museum-seeking-tax-breaks-for-theme-park- Notable from the article is this portion: So, the state is willing to support this project, but is unwilling to help support Kentucky Kingdom? Makes my head hurt. Definitely read the article as it is a very interesting read.

Or right now, its cold and snowy Cincinnati!

Another article, this time from Cincinnati.com: http://nky.cincinnat...S0103/311300043 Notice, in particular, this line from the article: The article I linked to also stated a $24.5 million cost. You can`t build much theme park for that small figure. Diamondback cost $22 million.

Could we throw around any more puns about a rides foundation?

I was restraining myself from explaining my theory on the correct terminology of the foundations that underpin and restrain the forces of the ride, for fear that not many people would be seeking that information. And, technically, WindSeeker may not have footings or footers in the traditional sense. Like Drop Tower, it will likely use piles to anchor it into the ground. So it won`t have typical spread footings that are found in typical buildings or ride stations.

Especially since their ratio was the highest (by a marked amount too), among the five listed in the leisure industry.