CoastersRZ

Wow. Not only did I miss the Super Bowl Commercial, but I also missed that thread! Which is a little shocking, considering how much I`m on here!

I didn`t even think of The Beast paw prints. But now that you mention it, that would add a classic element back to the park, and cost a trivial amount of money (albeit more than a few nickels). Not to mention that this is The Beast will be 30 years old this year, and still the longest wooden roller coaster in the world after all these years!

Well, considering that there is a new show in the Festhaus this year (replacing Girls Night Out from last year), I would not look for this to be a new show in the Festhaus. I think it is safe to say that this "new" thing is not a capital expenditure project (ie new rides). My guess would be some sort of live entertainment perhaps? Something other than a live show? Or maybe a parade? Or what about a table service food in Wings instead of all you can eat? Or what about a series of concerts beyond just the Spirit Song lineup at Timberwolf? There are lots of possibilities. And I would not count on Nick going any where in 2009 at Kings Island. Don`t read too much into this. Good grief!

Yep. Most of them were slightly surprised that overall capital expenditures has not increased that much since the Paramount Parks have been integrated into the mix. 2009`s numbers were particularly lower (as has been discussed in other threads), in part because Great America`s coaster that was planned for this year has been postponed due to zoning issues and complaints from neighbors.

Ok. I`m curious. How did you win these free tickets?

Especially considering the fact that by all indications, Cedar Point is not getting any major additions this year. 2010 will mark three years since Cedar Point got its last major capital expansion project. And I`m sure part of the plans for 2010 will depend on how the economy is looking as 2009 marches along.

The ventilation system now turns over all the air in the indoor water park three times every hour, or once every twenty minutes. In addition, there are return air ducts that are located a few feet below the floor level. The return air ducts are used to recover the air with the chloramines and remove it from the indoor atmosphere. It takes six large air handlers (like the size of semis) to clean and turn over the air within the resort three times an hour!

First of all Frank, I was referring to the fact that you were implying that you wanted to discuss future attractions and additions down the road, as GigaCoaster linked to. Secondly, the upper level management probably has already or is discussing what is in store in 2010 and beyond. A lot of work goes into planning these attractions. Just look at the fact that work was evident on Diamondback by opening day 2008, more than a full year before the ride was set to open. And not every year needs to bring in a new attraction to keep the park fresh for repeat visitors. Just look at this past season. The park hosted several special events to attract people to the park.

This is something that a LOT of people have been wanting to see from Delta for a LONG time. Why has Cincinnati had these high fares for so long? Because Delta is the only dominant carrier that flies out of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. In fact, when I was planning my September trip to Florida in August, it was actually CHEAPER for me to drive to Dayton, catch a small flight from Dayton to Cincinnati and then fly down to Orlando than it was just to fly the Cincinnati Orlando flight. Even though the Dayton option utilized the same exact flight down to Orlando, it was cheaper! I ultimately ended up biting the bullet and going with the expensive direct flight out of Cincinnati to save time, and I didn`t want to have to drive up to Dayton and pay to park the car for five days.

Or it could be related to work on landscaping around the splash down area. I would imagine that they will be resurfacing at least part of the midways in Rivertown as well.

And the reason for that is that only park employees should be changing the signs...

How is the line crossing under the lift any different today than it was when King Cobra was installed? Keeping in mind that several portions of Diamondback, including the first drip, cross right over midways, and The Crypt`s queue and exit area.

Well, it should be noted that at the end of last season, Son of Beast actually sported one of these approximate wait time signs... The only issue is that the signs are approximates, and therefore the actual wait time could vary. They are not as accurate as Disney`s wait time signs. For those, they actually give guests cards that are scanned when they enter the line. They are then scanned when they get to the actual ride, updating the ride wait times using real information, not just approximations.

I believe that the S&S prototype was modified and because Hypersonic. And I don`t care what you say, getting launched from a standstill to 120+ miles an hour in a matter of seconds is quite an experience!

Those of you who were able to ride King Cobra would know that the entrance line crossed under the lift hill, immediately adjacent to the lift motor, before reaching the main queue area.

How about lets get Diamondback open and enjoy it before we start talking about investing in the future? Diamondback is one of the largest coaster installations in the park`s history, behind The Beast. It will surely be a sensational hit. No need to wish your life away just yet talking about future investments when Diamondback isn`t even open yet.

Stricker`s Grove`s Ferris Wheel is also cable driven. Although it operates at about half the speed of Coney`s! And even though the Rock O Plane is cable driven, balancing is not as big of an issue on that ride, compared to the Wheel. I`ve seen more than my fare share of balancing problems on the Wheel. Typically at Coney, that ride is reserved for non-first year workers. However, they often will put a first year at the ride when I`m working it, because they know that I know how to run that ride, and could run it by myself if I had to.

Indeed! And many people who visit Coney will comment that it is among the fastest Ferris Wheels they have ever seen/ridden. Which also is likely why there are so many protein spills on it (which, like on the Rock O Planes, can provide disastrous results when the ride is in motion, and the guests try not to get sick on them selves, but lean forward...). And it should be noted per that link, that Eli Bridge no longer manufactures classic cable driven Ferris Wheels. For those who saw my presentation at the KIC event, you would know that Coney`s Ferris Wheel was originally built in 1947. Therefore, Coney`s wheel is a cable driven machine (as is the Rock O Planes), and requires to be balanced at all times, or bad things will happen! There is no easy button on running the Ferris Wheel. You need to pay attention to what you are doing and load and unload the cars based on how the control stick and ride sounds. You also have to pay attention to the size and amount of guests you are putting on the ride, and where they are in relation to other riders. Ie, two cars on one side each with two 12 year old kids opposite two cars each holding two grown men tipping the scales at 200 pounds is NOT good on the cable driven wheels!

Very interesting video. LED bulbs are more expensive, but they use a lot less energy, and last a lot longer. In fact, LEDs are now being installed in traffic lights, because they last about seven years, compared to the one year life span of halogen bulbs that have traditionally been used. One thing that was mentioned in the video is that Ferris Wheels do need to have their main bearing inspected and occasionally replaced. I remember talking with one of Coney`s ride mechanics and him describing how they replaced the main bearing on Coney`s wheel several years back. It is quite a process, because as the video states, the entire wheel has to be taken apart!

Yes, you are correct. If you are a member of one of the listed organizations and have a gold or platinum season pass, you can attend Ride Warriors Coaster Weekend for free. You MAY bring one guest with you. However, that guest will have to pay the admission price, regardless of whether or not they have a gold or platinum pass. Does that help clarify it? The park does not want this to become a season pass free for all where there would be thousands of visitors. That would ruin the experience and greatly diminish the quality of the exclusive ride times.

I don`t think that those are rocks. Likely just some sort of equipment that was left there before it snowed. However, they MIGHT be preparing to move the first cars onto the storage track. There is a crane over by the storage "track" area, and there are several people walking around the maintenance area of Diamondback.

But notice that the website says a MINIMUM of 96 seats. To me, that sounds like if they get more than 96 bidders, instead of bumping the lowest bidders, they will just add another train or two to the auction rides. After all it is benefiting the children, so the more money that can be raised, the better. I`m not certain if that is in fact what the park plans on doing, but it sure sounds like that is the plan.

I`ve always wanted to visit Entertrainment Junction, but have never found the time. I love model trains, and until this year, had visited the train display in downtown Cincinnati EVERY December. Sadly, I never had time/got around to going downtown to visit that this year.

At this point in time, the event is free to all Gold and Platinum pass holders. There is special pricing on the two day admission tickets for the event, which you must buy if you do not have a Gold or Platinum pass. At this point in time, there may be a meal ticket offered for a meal, potentially on Saturday. For example, Coastermania! at Cedar Point this year includes a lunch at 2:30 on Saturday. This is included with the admission to the event (free for pass holders). Additionally, Cedar Point is offering a drinks wristband for $6 per person for unlimited soft drinks on both days of the event. While those items are at Cedar Point for Coastermania!, I would expect similar things for Ride Warriors Coaster Weekend at Kings Island. Obviously the pricing and specifics for Kings Island`s event may be different.

Before any new attractions are added in that area, they should consider adding a new restroom in that area. The closest restroom in that area is a good walk either up or down Coney Mall from there. Yes, there is room for a flat ride or two between The Racer, Adventure Express and Flight of Fear. Will we ever see any of those things? Who knows, maybe eventually. But I wouldn`t look for it to happen anytime soon.