CoastersRZ

Until they decide to bring it back again. This isn`t the first time that they have had Chopper 9.

I believe that WCPO is actually going to discontinue using Chopper 9 soon. I read an article somewhere a couple weeks back. They are going to go to Drone usage, which is presumably cheaper.

Thanks for the information. I love when you share the things you have learned over the years. Even if some of them are war stores that have been exaggerated over time. I have learned a great deal from you, and hope that you continue to post on here.

A couple of follow up questions. When did Dave Focke leave Kings Island? Did he retire? Also, what is Anthony Esparza doing now?

You might find out that and more on an upcoming episode of the KIC Podcast...

We completely forgot about Pass Perks! We didn`t even mention it in Part 2 either!

Essentially when they say a five year plan, what they are meaning is that they would like to install a coaster in year four as their new product. They start investigating the products, etc., just to see whats out there. They may even shift it a year based on other trends/needs of the park. It does not mean that they have selected a firm to design the coaster, or even locked in on a coaster at that point but they start generating ideas. Remember that some of the ideas for Kings Island originate at Planning and Design at corporate. The actual design time, once contracts are signed is closer to the two year timeline.

And it should be noted that the Lindner ownership years were generally not good years.

Here is an article that may shed some more light on the subject: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/07/31/Kings-Island-to-be-sold-to-Paramount/4515712555200/ Keep in mind that American Financial Corp, was owned by Carl Lindner. In 1987, he not only purchased KECO, but purchased Taft Broadcasting as well. The way I understand it, KECO managed KI, but its direct ownership was not with KECO after KECO was purchased, if that makes any sense.

https://kicentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Episode-6-2019-Year-in-Review-Part-1.mp3 Don`t forget that you can get this podcast on iTunes, and on Spotify! Show notes: Join Robbie (CoastersRZ) and Brad (IndyGuy4KI) as they are joined by Evan Duffy (DeltaFlyer) to discuss the 2019 season. On this first part of two parts, they discuss: -Kings Mill Antique Autos -International Street Renovation -Octoberfest Glockenspiel -The Beast`s 40th anniversary is celebrated -Grand Carnivale -The Vortex served its last riders at the end of the season. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the 2019 Year in Review coming soon! We hope you enjoy this episode! Sorry for the long delay since the last episode. We have Part 2 already recorded, and plan to record another episode in less than two weeks!

I doubt that we will see a new roller coaster in 2021, on the heels of Orion. I would look for something smaller in scale for 2021, like a flat ride, Planet Snoopy or water park addition.

And up until Coney decided to remove their rides at the end of this season, they still stored many of the ride components in the off season on the second floor of Moonlite Gardens (including the Carousel horses).

Why do you think Invertigo and Bat won`t be around much longer?

As the park has stated, The Vortex reached the end of its service life. The stresses on the ride, because of its height and speed are more than what is found on rides like Corkscrew. The station likely had to go as any other ride they put in there would likely need a different station set up anyway. The building was nearly 40 years old. Time moves on. Kings Island in twenty years will be different than what it is today. Just like Kings Island in 2000 was much different than it is today. Remember, twenty years ago, the park didn`t have a single B&M coaster! Now we are about to have three! Not to mention the GCI coaster.

As is Anaconda at Kings Dominion. Hopefully The Bat sticks around for many more years to come.

I had never heard that tidbit before.

Yep, this forum has been around that long! I have been a member since January 6th of 2004!

We actually just recorded TWO episodes. Look for the first one (episode 6) to drop soon! As always, if you have any ideas for topics that you would like to see on the Podcast, please send me a PM!

I`m kind of surprised that ride lasted as long as it did, to be honest. I am kind of surprised at the amount of things that have seemingly been removed from that park, with not a lot of replacements. Especially considering its proximity to Busch Gardens and how much they have been adding.

I doubt the roof is "being panted". More likely, they are installing standing seam metal roof panels, which were painted in the factory prior to arrival on site.

A couple of things. The park has traditionally been closed on one of the first Sunday`s of the season for a private company buy out. That is why the park is closed on April 19th. The park is closed on April 12, because that is Easter. Having been to KI in the past when they were open on Easter, the park was a ghost town. The amount of staff outnumbered the guests in the park. Yes, it does stink that the park won`t be open as late on Haunt nights. But consider this, back in the day, the park didn`t open on Friday`s until 8pm originally. Then they moved it to 7pm, and then finally they moved it to 6. The original years of Haunt (when Fear Fest was a separately ticketed event, the hours of operation were 8pm to midnight). EDIT: PKI Vortex, looks like we were saying the exact same thing at the same time!

I know when I worked there at Skyflyer, by the time midnight rolled around, the place really emptied out. They have had the 1am closing time for Haunt for quite some time. The first year they had Haunt the hours were 8- midnight.

A new episode will be coming soon. We already have the subject picked out. Just need to record the episode. I know it has been a LONG time since the last episode posted. We will try and have more frequent episodes.

Well, it certainly is easier to see if a bolt has moved with the torque marks they put on them, versus welding. However, certain things are required to be welded, depending on the type of connection required.

I think a lot of it also has to do with the new attractions that they are adding at the Six Flags parks. I mean, yes, West Coast Racers looks good. But when was the last time that Six Flags St. Louis got a sizeable new investment?