Outdoor Man

the same way that 47 years after it's construction, The Beast is still a top 3 (maybe even 1 or 2) at KI- and is usually featured on a majority of their marketing pieces. It always has a wait, high on guest reviews.... and that popularity has endured the pandemic, droughts, hot weather, terrible summers, bad ride attendants, GMs, and countless recessions. It is a a textbook definition of a "Great Coaster". It is remarkable, out of the box, and not available anywhere else. People come, sometimes specifically, to ride the legendary Beast.

LOL... OK- don't rank it. Guessing you're affiliated with the park or draw some sort of income from therein. No other could be that non-objective.

I'm just asking for his ranking. I'd place it 7th or 8th. Not bad. I'm not a coaster enthusiast; just someone that picks and chooses where to spend $. That said, it was the largest investment in park history and they installed a coaster that barely made it to giga status... and does not offer any unique experience that separates it from others in its category.

Rank it. 14 coasters; where do you place it?

Answer my first question instead of commenting on a statement with your own question- where do you rate Orion in the list of 14? Though I will contend that Siren's Curse has sold more daily admissions to curious thrill seekers than Orion has done for KI. Multiple Choice: which would you like installed at KI given the choice: Orion Siren's Curse Voyage Night Flight Expedition Again, it a "good" coaster, but VERY middle of the pack. Not a signature installation you would expect for the largest investment in the park; $30M could have been better spent than Diamondback 2.0.

I'll go with you. Where does Orion fit in this list? This list, by the way was in no particular order- it was just as I could think of them, and I'm probably missing a few notable ones. Top Thrill 2 Millenium Force Orion Diamondback Fury 325 Thunder Striker Pantherion Wrath of Rakasha Yukon Striker Leviathon Behemeth Goliath Apollo's Chariot Mako Don't get me wrong. It's a good coaster, but "middle-of-the-pack"- behind Diamondback. A low bar to clear for the largest investment in the history of the park. My point, instead of Diamondback 2.0, create something truly unique that will sell tickets.

typical guest sentiment. it's a fun ride experience.... and largely one you can find at most other legacy CF and SF parks... including it's own home. Nothing sticks out as a "must spend $$$" investment to go out of your way to experience.

Not much they could do with it than what is already there. If not mistaken, it was designed to be in the San Francisco park and the "just over" giga requirement would have far surpassed anything that is/was currently there. I don't remember why the change. If it had been designed specifically for KI maybe the end result would have been different. But, the investment was already spent and needed a place to go. If it didn't go to KI, then the giga crowd would be claiming a miscarriage of justice. Problem is, now there is a $30M "2.0" version of a coaster already onsite, that may not be taller or faster- but has better elements. My fear is that legitimate installations that will sell tickets will ALWAYS go to Cedar Point- so long as KI remains a Six park. The park will get new, and somewhat innovative, attractions in the future... though they will be "ordinary thrills, available at other parks too." CP will get the innovative investment $'s. Dollywood, on the other hand- installs a $50M investment that WILL sell tickets and be a boon for the Pigeon Forge area for several years.

ok... ANYTHING but Panda Express...

I'll probably regret this, but... what?

I'd personally like to see Panda Express moved elsewhere. I agree that it doesn't necessarily need to have German food... though it IS in the last visages of Oktoberfest and IS in a German themed building. the smell of Panda Express is nauseating and overwhelming when entering the main entrance. Keep LaRosas, but I'm not sure why a place that served: Bratwurst, currywurst, weisswurst, schnitzel, roasted meats, potato specialties, etc.... wouldn't go over well... AND be a MUCH more pleasant smell upon entering. Most of those things are relatively easy to cook.... less overhead. It would NEVER work, but I always thought that it would be interesting to see what could happen if Hofbrauhaus took it over for a season and had the lively atmosphere that they have along with German-themed entertainment instead of, what is usually, a "music review." I would thin year #1 would go over because it would be something new... and something most have never seen.

Couple thoughts: - in the image above- I like the Coney throwbacks in the park- but some of this seems misplaced since "Coney Mall" is somewhere else in the park. I thought they should dismantle one of the original Coney Island entrances from the old park (not sure what they'll be used as now) and reconstruct them at KI.... and build a replica of Moonlight Gardens as an indoor eating experience with a feel like the Grand Pavilion at CP. As for the themed area overhauls listed above... KI has too many "areas". International Street- one of the best environment entrances, but hardly "international" anymore Planet Snoopy- should be overhauled and incorporated into Camp Snoopy Camp Snoopy- great start (will it be expanded?) Action Zone- no cohesive story and has some aging rides in their last stages in prominent locations Octoberfest- basically a German-themed hall with American-Italian as well as Chinese fast food... and a swinging ship Adventure Port- two spanish themed rides... and arguably the best themed ride in the park Adventure Express Coney Mall- annoying pop music with a large scar in the back coming to it's 7th season Rivertown- Nice "rivertown'ish" feel with coasters that point in another direction Area 72- a good start but with a lot of concrete and nowhere to expand. Did I miss any?

I'll be at the Press Conference at the Expo next week. Some of what I've read about what will happen at the Press Conference; that's not how these things work. Largely at these, they have a "Ride Vehicle" covered until the event announcement; unveil it and then reps from SDR and Six will make comments, and "MAYBE" show a video; but in this case it's unlikely... and that'll basically be it. I think this is being done at the SDR booth- not at "IAAPA Central". Their booth is unlike to have a large screen to view it on. I don't think it will go 15 minutes even. They may have a ride vehicle or maybe an animatronic. These Press Conferences aren't for park guests and fans. They're to promote their business and "pound their chest" on what they are doing. I may be wrong, but I've been the EXPO year since 2015, except 2020 (which was canceled)- and this is generally what happens. These are business announcements, not for the park goer.

I have high hopes for this; I believe the Sally Dark Rides has a great team on it and believe it as one of their "Press Announcements" at the IAAPA Expo next week. though I have to agree, much of what I've seen is very cartoonish. I applaud Six management for listening to the "crowd" that has missed this attraction, and SDR grabbing onto it. Though I hope that it doesn't stray so far away from the original concept that it falls flat with the crowd that has clamored for it. Sort of reminds me of the Muppet Theater (RIP) storyline at Disney with all of the details going off the rails. So, with PTON being a "sequel" I hope that SDR is up to the challenge so some lyrics from a Muppets song don't present a self-fulfilling prophecy... We're doing a sequel, We're back a popular demand. C'mon on everybody, strike up the band. We're doing a sequel, That's what we do in Hollywood. And everybody knows, The sequel's never quite as good.

They could make a dent in the debt load if they were able to offload 3-4 "non-core" parks in a package. It may take inclusion of a marquee "core" park to sweeten the deal and bump the price though.