CoastersRZ

Fortunately, that CEO is no longer in place!

I have never been on a Power Surge. I imagine that the ride experience will be pretty intense on this new ride. One problem with Trabant is that the restraints can be difficult for guests, and even operators to release and lock. I witnessed a few results of what happens when people slam the restraints down on their fingers.

Yep. It was my understanding that phase one occurred during the 2013 season, and that phase two would roll it out to all Cedar Fair parks. Its a good thing if it leads to reduced loss prevention and improved revenues. I wonder how much they spent on this software, and what, if any, impact it has on the speed of transactions. I know that some places like the registers in the Festhaus are pretty large through put registers and have to be given the large volume of people that eat in that building everyday.

Yes, that is certainly true. I still think that the cost of a Gravity Group coaster (along with the necessary inspections and flood proofing requirements) would be more than paid off with the influx of visitors. Not just walk up admissions, but with season pass sales and group sales. It would give people a reason to go to Coney other than just for the big pool. Because right now, that is the big draw at Coney. The rides are just part of the "package" and not the attraction that draws most people to the park. Yes, there are some people that come to Coney just for the rides. But those are typically people wanting a cheap day/afternoon worth of entertainment. A regular all day rides pass costs just $11.95 at Coney. Which is a bargain compared to places like Kings Island, that charge close to $35-40 per person, if you buy online.

But to be fair, the Zoom Flume stood at Coney from 1977 through the 2008 season. Its support structure was very reminiscent of a wooden roller coaster. Not saying it can`t be done. Its just the attractions that Coney has added of late, seem a little lacking on the attention grabbing factor. In other news, I have heard that the park is sprucing up quite a bit of the landscaping this year too.

It was a fun ride. Especially when you rode it on a cycle when it was running backwards. It provided a nice pop of air to it. It will be sad to see it go. I definitely think the new ride will be more vomit producing than Trabant ever was.

While flooding is of course a concern, the bigger reason it didn`t happen was the cost to build the ride. It was too high for what Coney wanted to spend. Instead, they installed Como Cruisers on Lake Como to replace Bumper Boats. That wasn`t exactly a stellar addition either. Who manufactures battery operated boats and doesn`t make them water proof and include drains in them?

I too think that would be a wonderful addition. I don`t know if that will ever come to pass though. I know a few years back, Coney was exploring the possibility of a wooden coaster, but I think the idea hasn`t progressed much farther than initial talks.

Thanks for posting this topic again TG1993! I love these history photos. I have a few that I may add from Coney as well...

I still do not know what the height requirement will be for this ride. If I had to guess, I would say it might be similar to Rock O Planes and Round Up. 48" or taller to ride.

They are called footings. Footers is a slang term. Footings are designed to handle the forces and designed for the soil conditions. I am studying for my site design and planning test right now for my ARE right now. I take that test on Monday and just was studying about footings and soils reports today.

Yep. Trabant is being removed. It was not operating at all in the 2013 season.

According to the MoseRides website, the capacity is 720 people per hour. While it may be comparable to Python, the capacity of this ride compared to Trabant, will be less, so the overall capacity for the park will decrease. But it will be better than having a ride standing but not operating, which is what the Trabant was all of last season.

Yes, capacity will not be that high, since it only holds 12 people per cycle. Hopefully it attracts people to Coney. They are hoping it attracts some thrill seekers and teenagers to the park. The ride is expected to arrive at Coney in February.

Coney will be adding a new attraction in 2014. The ride seen in the video below will be opening at Coney in 2014. It is an Action Arm from Moser rides, which is the same company that built the Scream Machine ride at Coney. It will be located where the Trabant used to be located, as that ride is being removed from Coney. The ride experience looks quite intense.

Just got back from a weekend trip down to Dollywood. Crews down there were working on putting pieces in place for the new Firechaser Express both on Saturday and Sunday as well. Of the two rides, Firechaser Express opens first at the end of March. Firechaser Express looks to be a solid addition to the Dollywood coaster lineup.

I`m sure that the park wants to spruce up Action Zone a little bit, no unlike what they did with the surrounding buildings in Rivertown when Diamondback opened in 2009. It will be fun to see what changes they make. I also wonder if we will see the installation of more pavers in Action Zone, replacing the concrete.

That is certainly a very accurate statement about using a little artistic license with the layout. It is still a very impressive display, and well worth the visit. I certainly enjoyed it. But then again, I love model trains, and I love Coney Island. I have worked there for 12 seasons, with season number 13 on tap in 2014.

I would love for KI to bring back the Clown Band. Hopefully if not for the 2014 season, then the 2015 season!

Looks like Clifford Jr. has awaken from slumber and is moving around this morning.

That would be amazing if they brought this back to the Carousel! Simply amazing! It adds so much to the experience hearing the music playing from a band organ like that! Hopefully they get it refurbished and it returns in all its glory to the Carousel.

And to this day, many that ride Coney`s Ferris Wheel still claim it to be one of the fastest that they have ridden.

Wow! Great videos! Thanks for finding those and posting the links!

Here is a video from International Theme Park Services (its fourteen minutes long): And here is a video that Coney posted with historical footage from 1937-1956: And then there is this video (which is an hour and a half long) detailing the history of how Coney grew into Kings Island. It includes footage from Coney, and interviews from Gary Wachs, whose family owned Coney Island. I hope that helps. There used to be another video I think on Coney, but can`t seem to find it right now. Let me know if you have any questions about Coney Island. I have worked there for twelve years.

Yep. Dollywood for Smoky Mountain Christmas is simply amazing. Do NOT miss the shows. They are high quality productions. Some of the shows last about 45 minutes, and the lines will form early for the shows. Especially on the weekends as noted above. Also, don`t forget to ride the Dollywood Express railroad, featuring genuine coal fired steam engines. Unlike at Kings Island, the Dollywood Express departs at scheduled times, so be sure to check when the train departs. A couple other tidbits. Be sure to check out the cinnamon bread from the Grist Mill. Dollywood does food amazingly well, and this warm treat on a cold December day is an amazing way to bring some warmth to your hands and your stomach. Also, if you are planning on visiting Dollywood more than one day, you may want to get a season pass. It gets you into Dollywood the rest of this season, and all of next season (including next year`s Smoky Mountain Christmas), so that is a pretty good value if you plan on making more than one visit to the park. Especially if you plan to swing by next year to check out their new roller coaster, Firechaser Express, set to open in the spring.