bkroz

When you truly think about it, all four Disney parks and both Universal parks are basically dark rides and simulators. Islands of Adventure has three full-sized coasters. The Magic Kingdom has two. Hollywood Studios has one. The only Florida park with major rides is Busch Gardens. That's just not the climate down there. People want full-fledged, immersive experiences. Islands of Adventure bumps it up a notch in the thrill department, but what are it's key rides? Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Cat in the Hat, Jurassic Park, etc... Not major roller coasters.

Rock bottom pass prices were a staple of Six Flags in past years. The idea was to pack 'em in. Once they're in, they need to pay, eat, shop, buy front-of-the-line passes, use family driers, fire water cannons at rapids riders, buy soft drinks from soda machines... How'd that work out? GYK, who very sincerely enjoyed his day at a Six Flags park last summer and would easily have returned for a second day's admission, second day's food, second day's Flash Pass, etc. if it weren't for the absolutely ludicrous $20 parking fee. I can see how, if you bought a $50 pass, you'd think "Hey, let's go to Six Flags today!" then forget that it's another $20 before you can even step out of the car. Maybe that's the point!

Really a fantastic element of the ride and I now can't imagine that scene without it. Tell him he has at least one satisfied customer!

... Interesting thought!

The problem is twofold, and the park does deserve part of the blame. At least in the past, we've all seen inappropriate clothing, smoking outside smoking areas, and line-cutters left without a word said to them. The idea being that if Kings Island put out a sign that said 'Smoking outside of designated smoking areas is cause for immediate and unrefunded dismissal from the park, no exceptions' and then actually followed through with for a few weeks, word would spread and it would no longer be an issue. If the park had enough trained security staff who were not "uncomfortable" approaching and confronting "gangsta" teenagers, that, too, would end, and they'd take their inappropriate clothing back home. As far as pricing, I agree that Gold Passes should be $20 more. $20 is not a lot for the benefits you receive. I think another important aspect of that (which many will disagree with) is greater stratification of passes. Maybe don't even discount the Gold Pass in the fall - let people get Regular passes from day 1, and have those be $90. Further, make the Platinum Pass something that people want for Kings Island. As it is, the Platinum Pass holds no value unless you plan to travel. Why not make it have a few perks even above the Gold Pass - free Skyflier weekdays from 10 AM - 2 PM, free Dinosaurs Alive on Wednesdays and Thursdays, flat 20% off food (with Gold Passes getting 10% off instead of the c0ckamamie "deals" of the past)... If the Platinum Pass were an actual level above the Gold Pass, people seeking that "VIP" experience that Fast Lane provides could pay $200 for it.

The of Kings Dominion's taken this week replicates my ride experience perfectly. Even the "billboards" along the edge after the overbanked turned are almost entirely faded from the sun, peeling and stripping more and more each day. As I said, you can hear the "clicks" where the sudden burst of gas is supposed to ignite the flames and the helicopter is cracked backwards on its arm. It looks like it's not even ABLE to move, but I'll take your word for it, kingsrattler. Literally the only effect I saw working there was half of the splashdown (it only splashed on one side).For what it's worth, Backlot is one of my favorite night rides anywhere. I love the sirens, the billboards, the streetlights, the parking sign, the flames, etc. all illuminated. I waited until 9:30 at Kings Dominion last season to ride it. It was pitch black, and not a single light turned on. Not one. No sirens, no spotlights, no billboards, no flames, no gunshots... And they think people don't notice this? Look at the comments on that video... People recognize when something isn't how it used to be. Maybe not incrementally, but when literally everything stops working?

It's happened at Kings Island. I think The Interpreter said he saw one. And if I recall what he said, the process to get the train back into the launch position requires physical pushing... Roll-backs can happen on any launched coaster, so why accidents like Pony Express' aren't planned for is totally bizarre to me. Of course, they're more common on cooler days, windy days, and after long periods of nonuse. Be on the first train of the day on Top Thrill Dragster in the morning on a cool, misty October Sunday...

I would hardly say that the roller coaster FACE/OFF was in any way themed to the movie of the same name. Same with Drop Zone, Days of Thunder, etc. The movie posters in the plaza were the only indication that the movies existed to begin with. I think it was 30% a clever way to market the company's films and 70% just good use of the titles they had in their portfolio. "Drop Zone" was just a good name for a Drop Tower and they had the exclusive rights to use it, so why not? "FACE/OFF" made sense with the face-to-face seating, Top Gun had the aviation feel, and Days of Thunder was about racing, just like the film.

I thought so. The decision was appreciated. How is it running this year, by the way? All of last year's effects still working?

Kings Island is the "family park" with the "World's Best Kids Area!" Backlot Stunt Coaster is a really great "family" coaster. I think that may have something to do with it. And some portion of that may be power given to local authority instead of corporate mandate. The same season Backlot was refurbished, The Crypt had substantial work done to its queue including expensive lighting fixtures, sound effects, and construction work. We also got the mid-priced family WindSeeker and the family-oriented Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. I can't imagine that Backlot & The Crypt's work was something demanded by Sandusky... Seems more like something prioritized by Mason... But I don't know.

Same here. Drop Zone, FACE/OFF, and Congo work far better as ride names than they do as films...

According to RCDB, you're right... Circumstantially. If the original poster is still lurking around unregistered, just know: our Stunt Coaster is by far in the best condition of the three. By far. Kings Dominion's Italian Job Turbo Coaster (that was really its name!) stops on the midcourse brakes where there are no flames, no sound effects, no helicopter, nothing. You just sit there and listen to the clicks where the pilot lights would normally plume. Wonderland's doesn't even stop on the midcourse brakes if it doesn't have to, cruising right on through (why should it stop, after all, when none of the effects work?).

Maybe that's why "your last chance to ride The Rattler" is next month. Even if a new coaster were to resemble it or share part of its name, it would be a totally different coaster.

It really was a "small scale" version. The same history, just with significantly lower expenditures all around (including legal fees).

Torn down?

That's the first thing I looked for, too. Exciting that they'll finally have a value resort, but to remove such a magnificent perk doesn't make it much more appealing than the often-great hotels just outside the resort that are a 10 - 15 minute walk to the park gates. Granted, I wouldn't expect the unlimited variety from a value room since that would de-value the pricy hotels there, but why not their "once-per-ride" regular Universal Express that you can purchase at the park?

It could just say, "What's going to happen to Son of Beast?" or "What do you like most about Kings Island?" That should at least weed out 90% of the problem!

Just use the report button in the lower right hand corner of the post. So, when are we going to require new members to be accepted by a moderator / a short written essay to create new accounts? But back to Son of Beast...?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Luminosity is at least partly inspired by Disney's ElecTRONica and Mad T Party... If that's the case, I think it's meant to be more of an interactive, street-party style event with DJ's, lights, dance floors, etc. instead of a strictly "concert" style event. Only on the rare occasions of having guest singers like the "Call Me Maybe" girl would a "concert" setting be appropriate. Otherwise, it seems like more of a club-lite atmosphere. And at least for Disney's parties, a way to maximize profits on glowing ice cubes and fruity alcoholic beverages... And then there's the question... Luminosity, Powered by Coca-Cola? Pepsi? Neither?

Well, you are on TPR (or someone is using your name) and as recently as yesterday were suggesting that Son of Beast's trains had been cleaned up and repaired [for testing?]. Then today on that site, you claimed that you'd heard people were walking the track and inspecting the ride. You certainly didn't hear that here, where it was a rumor about a week ago that was quickly squashed, but you brought it up there like it was brand new which we know it isn't... I'm confused, I guess.

Opinions are one thing. There are members here who work intimately with the parks and members who are very, very well-respected elders in the park industry - they know CEOs, park presidents, managers, famous designers, planners, builders... You are not the first new member here to use poor spelling and grammar as you insist that you know people who know people who make decisions. In short, visit https://www.facebook...sitkingsisland. There, you'll find SCORES of pre-teens who will absorb every single claim you make and 100% believe anything you say. On this website, though, we expect (and REQUIRE) that you provide names when you claim to know inside information. That is because, for one, if your friend is a higher-up at Kings Island and told you private information that details the possible expenditure of a publicly-owned company, then your manager friend must immediately be reported, at which time he will be either removed from his position or lose whatever prestige he has. Remember, too, that Joe Schmo who works Diamondback or even Gary Everyman the attractions manager overseeing all of Rivertown probably doesn't know what the park has planned for next season... And if they DID find out, they would lose their position and a reference by uttering a word of it. So even if your friend likes to tell tall tales about Son of Beast's future, keep in mind just what he'd be risking if he did in fact know the company's decision and then shared it with someone who was then stupid enough to turn around and post it on a public forum that park representatives frequent... When you signed up for this website, you agreed to the Terms of Service that state that you MUST provide information when you claim to have heard something from someone. Period.

Never been, but they could definitely use a better web designer. http://www.rivertoncity.com/ Also, at least three times Rivertown has housed "the next big thing for Kings Island." 1979, 2002, and 2009 come to mind. During any of those years, were the other rides 'forgotten?' Or do you just have to bring that up to mention Racer in your post?

Your restraint is appreciated... More recently than any time I can remember, new members are coming out of the woodwork and posting just about any thought or claim that crosses their minds. Most interestingly, they all talked to different people or are related to "managers" at Kings Island who all shared different secrets with them about the same ride! So I guess those workers never got the memo...

^^ The implication is that many people on here have made definitive statements about the state of Son of Beast and how much work it would take to fix it. Those posters - yourself included - admit to making their judgements from from a distance, often on MOVING ROLLER COASTERS, and without ANY noteworthy education or practice in the skills necessary to make such a claim. You can say that you "think the ride would need a lot of work." You shouldn't try to say HOW much, especially when your estimation is NOT based in knowledge, fact, or even educated guessing. In other words, you, as an individual, granted full access to the ride's hardware would not be able to make an accurate diagnosis of its current state or what work might be required on it. To imagine that you can do so from a distance while riding a roller coaster under the structure is absolutely ludicrous and carries absolutely zero weight. Gordon's delivery may be harsh, but at least respect him in that he knows what he's talking about way more than you or I in this type of situation...

How about a thread just entitled "HERE'S A THING!" and we can bullet point all of the minute, Kings Island related things we find / think / want / feel / learn / hear at once instead of having separate topics for each little thing that crosses our mind?