Outdoor Man

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.

I don't have insider information, so I can't really comment for certainty that Cedar Fair is or is not self-insured, but I'm going to go out on a HUGE limb and say that they are not. Not even P&G is self insured from a liability standpoint. Health insurance, maybe- not from a liability perspective.

though I could see it happening some day, I wouldn't hold my breath for it soon. Over the next few years there are going to be a lot of moving parts at the park beginning with the re-purposing of a large pile of lumber. I think that SOBs fate has been known since 2009. My unqualified guess is that when the last lady said she was hurt the insurance company said "close it or you're on your own."- and that it has simply been taking up space until a master plan for the area was created. if they intended top open it I would assume that test trains would have graced the tracks over the past 3 years. anyway, developing that area is going to be a monumental task- and creation of a new event would be a distraction to that.

there were a handful of rides open: scooby doo, carousel, train, and maybe a handful of nick u rides.

meanwhile, back at the reality ranch. 'if' Winterfest made a return, it wouldn't be 2012, something would hsve been announced by now. WindSeeker, not to mention, The Beast would NEVER operate in the winter. i could just imagine the frost bite lawsuits on that one. that being said, with Cedar Fairs ceo being a former Disney'ite, he has seen first hand what a park can do under the lights. i could see reboot of the event in the future. i honestly think that paramounts biggest mistake was pricing it so high. other than that i thought it was awell planned event (though i wasn't a fan of the tower/tree lighting scheme.

see jazzland, astro , geauga lake, kentucky kingdom, etc... plus wasn't there a bankruptcy in there somewhere

park chains all have their plusses and minuses, but ki definitely in better hands with Cedar Fair.

what i find odd is that with a line that could account for a 3-hour wait, where they have a concession stand selling drinks.... the nearest set of restrooms is NO WHERE close (and never has been).

for what's its worth... where does Jurassic Park fit into Coney Mall?

The Bat. The very thing that made it so unique was what caused it's demise unfortunately. The original Enchanted Voyage maybe most is the consistent theming that has been lost over the years.

did you turn around after every act and every joke to see what was going on? I'm not going to argue the point. You're entitled to yours. I've owned a season pass for 23 of the 40 years of the park, spend a fist full of cash every time we go- and as one of their long-time patrons- I'm saying the show is inappropriate and they could do better. the guy even asked an 8-year old boy (audience volunteer)- what the he## he was doing? granted it was jokingly, but... Will that keep us from the park, no. We're taking our kids tonight. Anyway, like I said, jot in your calendar to circle back on this conversation with Mr. Schrute 20 years from now when you're in your mid-thirties.

we'll circle back on this point when you're 35'ish. We were there at the show yesterday and were not alone in vacating the theater. A non-dipping dots employee of the park even remarked that the number of families with young kids that leave by the middle of the show is staggering.