CoastersRZ

Do we have a time when this pre jump air show will take place?

And it should be noted that IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) opposes Ed Markey`s push for the CPSC to regulate fixed amusement park rides. Even with CPSC oversight, fairs and traveling rides still have more accidents annually in the US then what permanent and fixed attractions have. If you watch the video from CNN, it is clear that they are trying to sensationalize the accident and make it seem like there is a dire need for federal oversight. However, while this was a freak accident (and from the tidbits that have come out about the incident at Kentucky Kingdom, it seems like Six Flags was not properly maintaining that ride), you have to look at the overall statistics. How many people die or are injured at amusement parks every year? Then compare that to the amount of people visit amusement park every year and the odds of getting injured are slim to none. However, any accident, as minor as it may be is tragic. Surely Kaitlyn`s life will never be the same again. Could this accident have been avoided? It sure sounds like it could have. Would the federal oversight have prevented this accident from occurring? I don`t think so. And, immediately after this accident, all similar Intamin drop rides across the country were shut down until inspections could be completed on the cables on those similar rides. The shutting down of those similar rides was done by the respective park operators themselves. I`m sure Six Flags wishes that accident never would have happened, as I`m sure their attendance was way off last year at Kentucky Kingdom. I know that since Drop Tower reopened after the incident last year, its lines have been shorter then they used to be in past years. Also, keep in mind, that Ohio is one of the few states that employs full time ride inspectors. The inspectors work for the Ohio Department of Agriculture`s Rides Safety Division. They inspect every ride that operates in the state of Ohio every spring before it opens. (Every ride in Ohio has a bronze plaque issued by the state that gets a new operating sticker every year). They also do site visits throughout the operating year to ensure that all the proper operating procedures are being followed (this includes checking heights, shutting gates, etc.). In addition, they require that any injury from an amusement park ride requiring hospitalization be documents and the Department of Agriculture notified. When accidents do occur, like with Son of Beast, the state will investigate why the accident occurred. I think I`ve said enough about this topic for now.

Well, technically it is two new rides and one new attraction. The Eurobungy Dome is a pay attraction and is not technically a ride. While not official, I`ve heard that the price will be $3 to experience that attraction, once it is ready to roll. The new Turtle Parade debuted last Saturday. The River Runner was not yet ready for operation, but will hopefully be ready to roll for next weekend`s official start of the summer season.

That Smoothie Stand, called Paradise Island Treats, was open sporatticely. It seemed to be open on busier weekends, but never really drew much of a crowd. In part that was because there is not much going on along that path, especially since the long gone Salt Water Circus was removed. And as others have said, that stand is currently behind the construction fences. Although, the building is still standing as of last Friday. So who knows if it will open next year or not.

Keep in mind that part of the Clown Band was still around around 1990s. Yes, that is almost twenty years. But its not like they were that old when they were in the Clown Band. I actually have an uncle that was a drummer for the Kings Island Clown Band for a few seasons. Not sure if he is one of the returning members or not.

The Clown Band (known as the Kings of Komedy Kings Island Clown Band), was a group of musicians (maybe six to ten members). These musicians were dressed up as clowns and paraded around playing music and acting crazy. They would run up and down International Street and run in circles. The energy that the band provided was wonderful. And the fact that it provided live entertainment right on the midways was something that has been long gone from KI. I for one, would be happy to see the Clown Band make a return as a permanent fixture in the peak summer season. Will it happen? Who knows, but one can hope can`t they?

Too bad the revival of the Kings Island Clown Band (which was known as the Kings of Komedy, Kings Island Clown Band back in the day), won`t be a permanent feature this summer. It would be awesome to have roaming musicians in the park again!

That webcam from Coney Island is not a live feed. Those trailers seen sitting across Lake Como are remains from the Flower Show a couple weeks back. They were not in that spot this past weekend. And for those interested, when that webcam is live, it is mounted atop the Administration building at Coney.

Well, there is always the twelve car Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel that runs at Coney Island. And you`d be surprised at how fast it goes! I`ve had more people comment to me when I was operating that ride, that it is the fastest Ferris Wheel they`ve ever seen/ been on. And believe it or not, it produces a fair amount of protein spills!

And to think that on the third of March, I paid $2.99 a gallon. Now, a little more then a month later, and the cost of gas has gone up nearly a $1 a gallon. That hurts even for me, commuting to and from work. I have to refill about once every two weeks. My car holds 17 gallons, so that increase right there is $17 more in gas every second week, just in the last two months. I shudder to think how recreational enterprises (Cedar Fair included) can think that higher gas prices will help them in any way.

Hey now. Spell both his and my first names right! It`s Robbie, lol!

The Cincinnati Enquirer has an article that discusses the Cincinnati Zoo is beginning to think about what to use its 528 acres of land that it owns in Warren County. Current plans call for a breeding ground that would be closed to the general public. The article does mention one day hopefully tapping into some of the tourists that visit Warren Co. for Kings Island. Read the full article on the Enquirer`s website here.

Really? I seem to recall that the cheerleading competitions are held in Timberwolf every year on Labor Day weekend.

they were also the ones who were going to remove Flight of Fear. Well, if you want to be technical about it, the park was no longer under the same owners as when Flight of Fear was put in in 1996. Back then, Paramount Parks was owned by Viacom. In 2006 when the parks were sold to Cedar Fair, the parks were no longer under the umbrella of Viacom but CBS. It was CBS`s Paramount Parks that was going to relocate both Kings Island`s and Kings Dominion`s Flight of Fear rides to Carowinds and Canada`s Wonderland (or at least that is what rumors suggested). And keep in mind that Kings Dominion`s Flight of Fear was closed much of the 2006 season, until Cedar Fair reopened the ride in August of that year.

Keep in mind, that for Halloween Haunt, Kings Island has a strict no readmittance policy. But that is only in place for Halloween Haunt. And the park has other reasons for that policy besides keeping people from going to nearby restaurants instead of spending money inside the park.

Actually, I believe that the clock was in its typical off season form. Although, since that path to Rivertown by Paradise Island Treats is closed, I haven`t walked down the path to Coney Mall from behind the Eiffel Tower, during the daytime. I was on that path this past Friday night, but didn`t really pay attention to it.

Yeah. I agree. Even if the sale price was only at select venues every month, they would get a lot of pass holder A) spending more money in the park on food and beverages, and they would stay in the park longer and be more apt to play a game or buy merchandise. The Gold Pass Meal Deals are not that appealing to people that are not visiting in groups of four, and added to the fact that the meal deals pretty much tell you what you are getting. A discount like 10% off the price, would allow the pass holders to choose the items they want to eat, instead of getting a large pizza, four salads and four soft drinks, etc.

You mean Nickelodeon Universe? Yeah. I haven`t been on a few of the rides in Nick Universe. Specifically, I have never ridden the Lazytown Sportacopters (monorail helicopters). And up until last August, I had never ridden the Slingshot. That is a fun and thrilling ride, and well worth the $5 I paid to ride it.

Like I said in an earlier post, this is not surprising. I worked a grand total of two hours at Coney today. The rides were only open from 12-1:15 at Coney, before we shut down due to the weather, and lack of people riding the rides. (Only twelve people bought rides wristbands today). There is no sense in loosing money by paying the employees to work, when no one is at the park because the weather conditions are terrible. I know that it was quite cold and wet at Coney, and I was sitting underneath cover next to the admin building selling wristbands!

Well, the rides at Coney were supposed to be open until 6pm today. I was working the ticket table and between 12 and 1:10, I had sold 12 rides bracelets. Needless to say, the operations managers decided to throw in the towel for the day at 1:15. It was cold and rainy and had been doing so since I got there. But, for those twelve people that bought rides bracelets were given comp tickets to return another day. Not sure about Kings Island, but you`ll likely have frequent ride closures due to the rain. And, run the risk of them closing early like Coney did (or KI last Friday).

Do you care to enlighten us on how exactly you parked?

Why would The Crypt no longer be called a Giant Top Spin? True, it doesn`t have as many seats as it once did. But it is still larger (in terms of height that the gondola actually spins through, then standard HUSS Top Spins.

Just as a note to pass along for anyone planning to go to the Appalachian Festival tomorrow (yes, the weather looks less then perfect by far) a rides wristband (good for all operating rides) is $6. That is on top of the festival admission price. The rides will operate tomorrow (weather permitting) from 12-6pm. Also, in addition to The River Runner, which is not yet ready to makes its debut several other rides are not yet ready for the year. The new Eurobungy Dome is not ready, Frog Hopper and Giant Slide are not ready in their new locations and the Super Round Up is also not ready for operation. After tomorrow, the rides, Sunlite Pool, and hopefully the new River Runner will open for the season on Saturday, May 24.

I can say that while Kings Island may have been crowded today, Coney Island was not! Today was the first day the rides operated for the year. I spent all eight hours working at the Ferris Wheel, and the most full we ever loaded the ride was 8/12 cars! It was a beautiful day today. Unfortunately, tomorrow isn`t going to be so nice.

Well, the early form work that is now on site does seem very suggestive. Take a look at this picture from RCDB.com of SkeiKra`s splash down. Notice the similarities between the two?