Outdoor Man

hey Firehawk... as a side note, could you add an "E" to your "GUID TO Kings Island..." I don't have so much a problem with "touchdown Jesus"- someone who goes there can correct me- but if not mistaken, it was a donated gift. Granted, that amount of $$ could have went to a place more productive, but it is what it is. I've worked with and in a church sinc HS, and I'm 34 (you do the math)- and i hear way too often from people that think that churches should only be about (fill in the blank). Churches should have no innovation, should have so outward mission other than homeless and poor... those things are important- but too many think that the church is a place to come, hang your head, be seen, and feel "good" or bad about yourself... and there are a few places like that. Not doubting the unfair business practices, but I was an accounting major and very familiar with 501c3 law... to which are your referring. I know "other" ways that some in the church use the tax-exempt to advantage, but not the business side.

ernie.. one comment to your post- I don't think removing the marine animals was entirely CF's decision- and someone may correct me on this, but I think 6 Flags opted to pull them with their ownership, or at least did not include them as part of the sale... other than that I think most of the posts on this topic are very similar. If the parks not profitable, it's not profitable- although being in the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown area I can't imaging that you couldn't make a serious run at profitability. You've got metropolitan areas north, south, east, AND west.

My 5 cents (which with inflation and calculating the deflating dollar might be worth 2), CF did lose an opportunity to promote a "Farewell" season to get one last, and REALLY GOOD payday from GL. And really did themselves a disservice in the PR department to not even announce it until after the last guest left when it closed for the season. From CF's perspective, they are saving millions in a 2-3 year span to distribute seemingly "new" coasters to the other parks by recycling GL's coasters. Just like last year... KI got a "new" coaster and nothing else but general improvements/maintenance. Granted there were some costs involved in the move and site prep... but saved $$'s on the front end without having to order new. hmmmm.... whch parks's coasters are going to be "poached" from next. maybe Vortex IS "sinking"......

50 foot level on the tower.

Sarcasm???? I should hope so, 'cause I was laying it on pretty thick.

right on target at this time of year- everyone has their token expertise and inside track to what is going to happen. I heard... and this may be just a rumor... but CF was going to close Kings Island in 2010. All of the record breaking coasters were headed north to Cedar Point, along with the majority of NU. Then to get cross-commercialization, Kinzel was going to arrange a marriage between Charlie Brown and Dora so that the Nick theming would be "green-carded" into CF and create a record-breaking children's area featuring both the Peanuts and Nick characters at CP. Everything else was going to be dispersed to the other CF parks prior to their sale to the new Miller/Coors Brewing Company to compete with Busch Gardens. Again, it was just a rumor but it was from a reliable source.... the insect I talked to had, in fact, been flying around inside the unused board room atop the Eiffel Tower when the KI management team was discussing it.

i was being "over-dramatic"- just to say that I would hope that the re-introduction of any past ride be an afterthought of a much larger announcement.

I agree with Mr. Chef.

Flying scooters and antique cars are gone... get over it. If they made a HUGE annoucement that in 2008, we are getting 5 rides: Flying Scooters Antique Cars and a host of other "wonderful, nostalgic" flat relics, etc... and that's "it"-- and we didn't somehow cash in on the CF coaster jetison from GL.... I would demand my money back from my 2007 season pass and not buy one for 2008.

would have liked to have been at the marketing meeting where a committee of people decided that it would be "creative" to name a roller coaster (or any thing for that matter)- "the Hurler."

ok- someone can correct me here, but isn't Timberwolf operated by a third party these days?

would like to see a coaster come over... and maybe this could be a HUGE cash in for the NU area. But other than add "Americana" (ferris wheel) to Coney Mall... i wouldn't want any of their flats. i'm kind of disappointed. This site is usually right on top of things. Apparently this has apparently been "public" for going on a week now.

no. kc went over the rainbow to be with dorothy and toto.

Definitely the Parking Lot Trams

according to the sight- they speculate that it may have something to do with Pluto's "2 moons"- I was having an exhausting day yesterday when a friend forwarded that to me. I generally despise forwards- and regardless of what the kid did or what kind of parenting was involved... I got a pretty good laugh out of it.

one of the best additions to the park? I don't know if I would go that far.

and don't forget.... KI is no longer the "favorite child" in the chain. Cedar Point is the "spoiled" sibling in the CF family to get most of the record-breaking attractions.

actually Coasters... i feel that A LOT of things in the Fear Fest / HH are in particular bad taste.... most notably in my opinion is having people take pictures in a casket. That's just plain poor judgment of a responsible adult making a decision for an attraction.

I think they were talking about moving the entrance to the ride further back than where it currently is... and SOB does have turnstiles just past the concrete tunnel that I don't think have had warm bodies standing/waiting in them since summer 2000.

i overheard a rumor over the weekend (not about ride removals- so don't slam me yet). It wasn't ride ops or anyone in KI clothing for that matter... they were in construction gear who were commenting something along the lines of... "(insert company name here) submitted the bid to pull those turnstiles and reposition the ride line entrances." has anyone heard anything to that? it makes sense... neither TG or SOB use more than half of their line capacity even on busy days.

The question on the line wasn't the point of my post, just a question. The only issue I had with it was there was no line for rows 2-whatever.... it just seemed like a request for the front seat which was 7-rides deep was- anyway, just thoughts from the balcony.

this lady wasn't in a wheel chair and walked up the exit ramp... and proceeded to walk back.... not doubting the integrity of her "limp"- but it seemed that if she could walk the exit... she could have walked the entrance and waited like everyone else... or at least taken a seat in the middle that had no wait.

Wife and I made a last minute decision to head to the park around 4pm on Monday. When we got there the lot seemed pretty full, but wasn't so bad once we got inside the gate. coulnd't help but notice that a month before it begins, Halloween Haunt items were aplenty. Once there we headed over to AZ where I figured to ride Delirium. ehh.... line too long, we noticed that SOB was running (actually I think EVERYTHING was running with the exception of TR:TR)- so we reluctantly/cautiously headed to the SOB line. This was the first ride for me since June of 2006 and probably since 2003 for my wife. I have to say I give the park staff an A+ on the refurbishing of the coaster. Granted, without the loop, it's just a tall/fast coaster, but with the exception of some bumpiness in the "rose bowl" it was for the most part.... dare I say enjoyable. The park should do a "re-launch" of the ride to let people know "it's OK to come back "into the water". Because it's still a record holder, and on a pretty full afternoon, it was a "walk on" line. It will never be one of my favorites, but it is remarkably smoother than it was. Next rode Top Gun. Noticed the new building for HH going up.... it is sad what years of neglect have done to TP. It's still a wicked ride but just looks terrible. Over to Fort Cooper/Kinzel. Uh- lines too long, will come back. Onto Vortex. Middle of the train- still a great coaster. Was able to spot a ton of vacant cement footings that once held The Bat. Perhaps they can re-theme Top Gun to The Bat.... in the woods- still works. No line, so stayed on and hopped to the front car. Again- still a great coaster- though i find as I am getting older it makes me light-headed moreso. Onto The Beast. 1st car, second row. Picture pose: knocking back a refreshment. No original description of The Beast can be made. Classic coaster. noticed while waiting for train to leave.... what is going on with TR:TR? the theme elements were stacked behind the building. IJST: about a 25 minute wait. Will be a constant reminder of all that was the Paramount years.... good concept and idea..... just way too short to be considered great. nothing was working in the action scene.... btw- when the Paramount facades change.... what will this be rethemed to? back over to Firehawk for first ride. 40 minute wait- but worth it for a first ride. It was an amazing ride; unlike any coaster experience. It would be nice if they could theme something to the ground so that when you are flying towards the ground there is something other than mud, grass, or gravel to look at... water would be a decent element. overall a great night at the park. 7 coaster rides in just under 3 hours. just a few questions/observations: - I heard a rumor tonight that the line que's for Top Gun and SOB were getting removed until past the concrete tunnel... anything to that? - While climbing the hill for SOB noticed the abandoned parking lot trams. Funny how the park attracts more people that before... and they have ceased to use them.... as part of this "notice"- the park has a lot of abandoned junk strewn behind the scenes. - there are a lot of people that assume the "smoking ONLY in designated areas" applies to everyone but them. - maybe a ride op can answer this... just because a person is handicapped or otherwise disabled of sorts automatically jump them to the front of the line with no waiting.... and in the front seat. example: we were in line for The Beast.... it was pretty much "walk on"- and a ride op told the people in line for the front car that they would need to wait and that some "other guests" would be on the next train. My wife and I were in line for the #2 seat so it didn't affect us... but I would have been pretty upset if I were in the 7-ride deep line for the front.... and to be honest- this couple could have walked through the line.... and if you truly have a leg injury- your Dr. probably would not approve you to ride a bumpy, rough wooden coaster.... anyone have a comment to that?

i never said i wanted to see it removed. i think everyone would agree that TG has needed some TLC for several years now... and it never seems to happen. which i contend is a bad sign for it's future. as a side note, I have never seen a primer paint a dark red.

and rumorsmasher to answer your second thought.... not too much could go in that spot easily, as Top Gun was designed specifically for that spot- which also means it wouldn't fare too well being relocated.