CoastersRZ

Except for the fact that in addition to a fence along the property line, I`m sure that Kings Island has security patrolling the park year round, and 24/7 to make sure no intruders enter the park.

Thanks for sharing those photos! Its amazing how much the trees have grown up at the park, especially by the train station!

April 29th, 1972 was the official opening day for Kings Island. Daily operation would not begin for a few weeks after that date, just like the seasons now a days.

By the time the leaves come onto those trees, Diamondback will be all but obscured from that photo with the house in it. And yes those houses were likely built in the 1990s, so they really have no right to complain about noise.

Another awesome picture! The back end of Coney Mall was not completed (along with the connection to Rivertown) until 1975 when Shake Rattle and Roll and the Zodiac were introduced. See the Haley`s Comet ride? The Super Round Up ride painted in red? See that large sign that it sports? That was actually the old sign from the Shooting Star, that was moved from Coney Island and renovated for the Haley`s Comet ride. Just another little tidbit of history I thought I`d share. And if you notice, the crowds were rather sparse on that first day of operation on April 29th, 1972. That was because it rained most of that day!

Fair enough. I typed the wrong brake in my above post. (But I did mention the correct form of brake as well in that post). There is no excusing the fact that I said the wrong form of break. Except for when I took a brief respite and made a few posts on KIC during my break, I have been deeply involved in my thesis project. I have spent all day working in AutoCad and Sketchup for my thesis project, so I`m not quite as sharp as I normally am, since my mind is fully involved in my thesis project.

Well, with the exception of the supports for the actual break run, they have all the supports up for the helix. In addition, they have the track for the break run ready to be put into place. It should be only a matter of days for the all the track in the first helix and the brake run to be completed. Same goes for the second helix. I wouldn`t be surprised if they completed or were nearly complete with placing all the ride steel by next Friday. Of course, that depends in part to having weather that permits them to place steel.

Well, if the end of last summer is any indication, Coney will need all the help it can get! From early to mid August, we were short staffed in the rides department almost every weekend that I worked! We even had volunteers helping run the kiddie rides, and were still short staffed! Coney`s rides always start the season fine staffing wise, but as colleges start to go back in August, and local schools start back at the end of August, it becomes harder and harder to fill all the positions, even on weekends.

I can`t find a link to the article on Cincinnati.com right now. However, in today`s print edition, the Enquirer had an article updating the progress of the mortgage talks with GE Capital. The deadline has been extended to January 23, with interest rates retroactive to the previous deadline date of 6.5%. No update was provided on how close they are to reaching an agreement.

Its called they temporarily moved the sign when they were doing heavy lifting, so as not to damage it. Rest assured, that it will be moved back into place by the time opening day rolls around.

Don has updated the Diamondback photo gallery with ten new photos.

Or even before that, Adventure Express used to have mist right before the first tunnel.

The brake run on the ride (comprised of a series of magnetic brakes and finally some pneumatic brakes is enough to slow the train down on its own. The water splash down effect (when there is water in the "splash down" area) will just slow the trains down slightly, causing the magnetic brakes and the pneumatic brakes to do less work to stop the trains. In other words, the water effect will slightly slower the speed of the train before it hits the true braking system. And I imagine that they will do several rounds of testing before they put any water in the splash down pool.

Well, if the park is not generating the attendance levels or revenue to justify those rides operating, then closing those rides and attractions can save on labor, maintenance and utility costs for the park. It is merely a cost savings move, in part likely justified by lighter attendance numbers.

What about some Carousel music from the old Wurlitzer Duplex Band organ? I have some mp3 recordings of that. In fact, there is an album on iTunes that features several tunes from Kings Island`s old machine.

Well, library cards (at least Hamilton County Library) don`t have pictures on them. School IDs, driver licenses, etc. would work. But really, as long as you know your name, we will be able to confirm that you purchased a ticket to the event. If you`re concerned about it, you can send your name in a PM to one of us moderators, and we will be able to confirm that your name is on the list of having paid.

I wonder if this rehab will include the Rockin` Space Mountain, like the renovation of the ride in Disneyland resulted in, when it reopened in 2005 from its extensive refurbishment. I love Space Mountain at WDW and find it a fun and thrilling ride. It provides a rather long ride experience, with some moments of speed and quick turns. The excitement is heightened by the fact that you can barely see anything in the building, and the fact that you can just make out the pencil thin supports whizzing by your head. Keep in mind, that the Tomorrowland Transit Authority people mover ride (that provides a glimpse into the Space Mountain queue and loading area) will also be shut down for a portion of the Space Mountain rehab.

Skywriter, you were a little late with that blog update. I posted that Don had updated the blog at 10:24 this morning. And technically, that orange thing is not a crane. Those are technically called telescopic booms, and are meant to transport workers to heights. In this case, it is likely ironworkers who are likely doing some final torquing on some of the bolts for the track or the supports.

Take note that there is no current mention on KI`s website about the pass holder night on the 17th. Take that for what its worth. Coney Island and Sunlite Pool do not officially open until Memorial Day weekend. However, in years past, the rides have operated for the Appalachian Festival at Coney. This year`s Appalachian Festival is the weekend of May 9 and 10th. Note however, that season passes to Coney may not be valid for admission that weekend!

Well, a drop is technically a hill. And they therefore count the hammerhead as a hill/drop.

The track rises in elevation up into the over bank turn and falls as the track proceeds from the hammer head turn. Technically, the hammer head turn is a hill. The park even considers it one of the ten hills on Diamondback.

And to be technical, that is the pullout of the fifth hill. Don has posted another blog entry. The trains will beginning arriving at the park soon in half train increments.

Well, GE Capital might be hurting as well, and looking for some cold hard cash. That might be one of the reasons why they haven`t reached terms with Great Wolf yet.

Relax. Patience is a virtue, my friend. Its the first week back after the holidays. I`m sure he has some catching up to do in the office to start off the new year and from the time that he was out of the office over the holidays. Besides, the weather the past two day has been rather crappy. Although, that certainly hasn`t stopped the construction crews from working!

And in this current economy, other than foreign investors, I`m not too certain who would be willing to step up to the plate and buy Six Flags. Heck, no one was interested in buying Hard Rock Park for the minimum bid of $35 million. Only time will tell what happens with Six Flags. Given their current stock price ($.33) something has to happen. Their last conference call was also suspicious, as if they were looking into possible ways to increase their stock price and/or raise capital to pay off some of their maturing debts. But things do not look very good at Six Flags right now.