Outdoor Man

trees growing through the tracks and general lack of maintenance being another factor.

I don't know if anyone has posted this link to Demo images from WLWT- but look at some of them... they haven't had intentions of reopening SOB for a llllllooooonnnnnggggg time. And before anyone bolts forth with "How do you know?" Well, I don't- but look at the pictures of the rusted laden track. I'd say the decision to close permanently came 2010'ish... http://www.wlwt.com/news/entertainment/-/9837584/16855402/-/lqm3m9z/-/index.html

I don't think they lied. The pre-season statement on SOB back in April/May was "status quo"- I don't think they intended to operate it again, as shown by the overgrown state of the rose bowl- but I don't think they every said that they intended to reopen the coaster. Thinking that they intended to keep it standing until a short/long-term plan was in place. My thought is they know exactly what is going to happen in that space (that will probably come to fruition over the next 5-7 years).

wow. just read all comments on thread. That's about 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back. I've read things from the park's press release that I am sure was well prepared and rehearsed... From that I would surmise a few things: don't expect anything in that area except grass and weeds for 2013 and maybe a construction zone in some of it for 2014. the words were clear way for future expansion. I think for some on this board that means every acre used by SOB in that expansion... doubtful. from my perspective. a few things: I anticipate an Action Zone makeover with a mid-completion date of 2015 and beyond. in regards to our newbie's critiquing the Board. I'm going to side with Terp on this. not saying that one should have 35k+ posts like terp to critique... but possibly more than 45.

Went to the kids halloween area yesterday. I think that it is a good start for the event in the Soak City area. lots of room to expand and create- it will be nice for some day when they do a new show; the peanuts (Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, et al... show is, I believe, 4 years running. But, overall- I think a great move that will take on a life of its own over time. On a side note, was freezing my tail off there yesterday and was finding it difficult to believe that just 20 days previous there were bathing suits in the water there. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

maybe someone asked this already, but am I correct in hearing that the kids area for Halloween is in Soak City, right? And the Kids trick-or-Treat area is in Dinosaurs Alive? if that is correct, not sure that was thinking one step ahead... like a carpenter that builds stairs.

It'll NEVER happen- but my vote for a new ride in the "action theater"

great idea to use area!

if you offered free demolition services and had about 25 acres of cleared land, you could probably get a large wooden structure pretty reasonably.

sorry about the resolution of that video; it was terrible- but the only one that showed the demo from that angle. Cinergy came down without so much as breaking one window on the new ballpark. ... and you're welcome.

I didn't actually hear anyone say this out loud, but sure they were thinking it. "my sun glasses should be secure on my head while riding Diamondback. And if they fall off while riding they certainly will not smack the person (me) behind them in the face (eye, more specifically).... No, just like the "designated smoking areas" - those warnings to secure loose articles doesn't apply to me."

they already said its going to come down in sections, so I'm not trying to insert something that's not there. But for those that say demolition would be too complicated with AE and FD 15 feet next to it- go back to 2002 when Cinergy Field was blown up with brand new GABP next to it... with its closest point having the feature that a tall person could extend their arms and touch both structures. Demotion is literally an art. They said it would come down in sections, which eliminates the above. BUT, it would be possible.

I wonder, by what metrics, they are using to gauge this massive expansion. As I recall, Soak City was to nearly double in size- maybe, if they doubled the raw acreage and converted to the Metric system.

some gasoline and a match. $10 tops.

I'm sure that whatever they're planning to do was finalized months ago and they wouldn't be "nixing" anything in the 11th hour.

I agree, i think, with Tom. A lot of these programs make us "feel better" because we think we're doing something- when in reality, these programs don't do much to affect change at all. in a majority of instances, "Bully's" are a bi-product of their home environment.

I don't want to sound cold and un-feeling (I was "bullied" in Jr. High also... 8th grade, under 5' tall- chased on my bike through town running EVERY stop sign risking life and limb while being chased by 5 boys much bigger than I- oddly they thought I was being unreasonable by reporting to the school). I got over it; most of them never left town, have bad jobs, and drink their sorrows away. So, I have some "relate-ability" here. If Kings Island ran a "Anti-Bully" campaign, what possible results would it produce. I don't honestly think that there will be a single person change their ways because KI says that they're against bullying. Its kind of like strict gun laws- it only keeps firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens; if someone is bent on wreaking havoc with a gun- a law saying that can't have one won't stop them. Conversely, just because there is an anti-bully campaign doesn't mean it will produce results. You can't legislate morality- unfortunately that needs to start at home. I worked with teenagers for over 10 years, and I have to say that the "bully's" get it honestly; after meeting some of the parents, it makes perfect sense. You need a million licenses for just about anything, but any idiot can be a parent. Was in Walmart a few nights ago getting a last minute vacation item... it was 1am. there were a pair of late-teen parents there with a toddler. 1am. the child was cranky and the couple, without wedding rings, were intermitently yelling at the toddler. This was an angry child operating with minimal sleep that will translate into an angry teenager that will likely bully those around him someday. No anti-bully campaign is going to stop that.

someone may have answered, but "Haunt" doesn't start until 7pm. it may be open at 11am, but the Haunt attractions don't "hatchet" up until evening; kids area closes at 6 to clear the kids out.

I rode the back seat on Vortex yesterday- it was the roughest ride on Vortex I've ever had. maybe my last- it really wasn't that enjoyable. As I'm getting older the quick turns get me more disoriented than I used to- which I can handle, but getting beat up in the process- not going there. Makes one wonder how many more years are left on The Vortex tank. Steel coasters don't last as long as wooden ones. And there's usually people on it, but seldom a line. I'm guessing that it's maintenance is pretty decent, but wonder how much irritation it would take for KI to wind it down.

i can't believe this thread has gone as long as it has. sigh.

there is so much to comment on here... I'm not sure where to begin. the demolition work for SOB they are probably talking about to begin "later" this summer likely refers to "prep" work. I doubt pieces of the structure will start to come down before the end of the operating season. It's not like they move in one day and POOF- it's gone the next. when a crane (a rather large one) moves on the scene, you'll know its close. See, since CF probably doesn't have a crane of that size in its list of assets- it'll probably be rented on a daily, pro-rated basis. If I were to guess, there will be remnants still visible and identifiable by opening day '13. Giga Coaster... I don't want to say "that's a load"..... but... that's a load.

i like the shoe store music analogy. I miss the "International" music that played on Intl. Street- the German music that played in Oktoberfest- the old-town music that played in Rivertown... As I walk through the gates, seeing the Eiffel Tower doesn't exactly strike me as "top 40/pop" music ambiance. I keep holding out hope that the new CEO, especially with his background, will take the excellent theming already in place and begin to use it...

there's going to be some level of "crane" activity in the general vicinity of SoB in the coming weeks. My guess is that they are clearing a path to the main structure and probably has nothing to do with Flight Deck's removal.

I point I would like someone to clarify- the 50' observation deck on the Eiffel Tower- Shaggy said it closed in 1983, never to reopen. I seem to recall climbing to that level at least into the mid-90's.... didn't I?

wow; i stand corrected. i must say, I don't pay much attention to their conference calls. This, does, however make the SOB instance even more elementary; if they're on the hook for 100% of the liability- they're going to be REAL conservative when it comes to "risky" attractions. Back to the original point from way... earlier then, imagine the lawsuits flying from frost bites.