Cory Butcher

I've actually been wanting to know what makes Stand ups so uncomfortable other than the forces exerted on riders. I rode Mantis at CP and like Jasper talks about, throughout the whole ride I felt like every bloodvessel in my lower extremities was going to burst and my legs were gonna break. Was I possibly not seated right? I still cant figure that one out, it was the most uncomfortable ride Ive ever had on any ride. It was also the first stand up I had ever ridden. If there is any insight into how to ride better on my next visit someone tell me, because the inversions look cool, but WOW did that ride ever hurt!

I dont completely agree with you, yes the park may remain MGM in the hearts of its fans for some time but I still hear people refer to KI as PKI and Paramount's Kings Island. And, I have even heard ride ops accidentally blurt out Paramount when refering to the park. I know I occasionally have to remember not to say Paramount's..but Im getting better at it!

I think that there are no instances where a death on a ferris wheel should be less publicized than a death on a scrambler ride, but some news agencies seem to think otherwise and I think that I know why. If you look at all the serious injuries on Ferris wheels that I came across, they all happened at FAIRS, or carnivals. Whereas, all the others such as those on Roller coasters or drop rides occured at big amusement parks. Even the scrambler accident at Playland was publicized more when the accident first happened, than any of these ferris wheel accidents during the same time interval. Now it seems to be [not that this is right in any means] that people have become somewhat accustomed to accidents occuring at fairs and festivals, moreso than accidents occuring at big time theme parks where a major accident is not only completely unacceptable, but typically less likely to happen. I believe that news agencies realize that shock value of an accident at a big-chain theme park is much greater than that of an accident at a festival on the West coast in San Juan, or a continent away. I will never suggest that this is done to push advertising value, purchase power, or readership levels to extremes, but I think that the editors of newspapers are probably just as absorbed into certain stories rather than others as the populace is which by my model would mean that they may find a story about a fatal ferris wheel accident at a county fair not nearly as important as 5 family members minorly injured at the Happiest place on earth on Kali River Rapids. This story however may find greater press time than the other incidents just based on death toll alone...which yes is sad, but 5 fatalities is uncomprehendable to most all of us.

well actually, in a simple internet search I was able to count over 5 incidences where a Ferris Wheel has caused significant injury or death this year. I am willing to bet there are many more that I didn't see. It just is truly a sad state of affairs.

What's so interesting about that? Many new wooden coasters do that (biggest example is Voyage). I believe he finds it intriguing that there could actually be wooden coaster track through an element that goes upside down with such stress on it. To me that always seemed to be weird too, that you could go upside down on wooden track. But for some reason I remember thinking that the actual track in the loop was steel. I could be wrong but I remember thinking that the track was actually steel through that loop, and not wood. Cant remember though.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/...ferriswheel.ap/

Somehow, I highly doubt that you could do that! Oh yeah now I remember why, because it would probably be a lockout area! haha

WWL for Maverick? Somebody had to love that water ride! LOL In all seriousness though...Eiffel Tower needs to go...that awful Eiffel Green eyesore dominates the skyline too much...looks like someone vometed at the top and let it trickle down (or tried to clean it with comet, take your pick) either way we can put a better ride there! Not to mention it blocks the guests on International Street's view of that great ride we refer to as IJ:ST! Cory- Who in all serious seriousness completely agrees with The Interpreter!

Um...what? The Columbus Zoo is getting a new waterpark and a small traditional dry park with flat rides to entertain a family. If you don't like getting wet just go to the zoo, or stay in the drypark! I personally think that the Zoo needs less animals, cuz I dont know about you guys, but I cant stand animal noises!

because people still pay to ride it which means more money for a company swimming in debt. they took out the helicopters and that made money Im having a Yogi Berra moment right now: Just because they made money doesnt mean they actually made any money!

As an employee, We all really have a better day when someone compliments us on a job well done. Or for exceptional map directions, history of the park, etc. Getting that compliment from a guest really makes a 100 degree day go alot quicker, and recieving word from a supervisor or manager that a guest complimented you goes even further!

Ryan, Ronny, I want to truly give you both hugs for that! But, we'll keep it straight up with some high 5's! haha

Screechin' Eagle

Animal Kingdom was open in 1965? :SNICKER:

Haha, that would be very nice...I watch the show quite a bit, and I would be a billionaire by now, lol

Well, obviously if you deff are over the requirements than there isnt much we can do because it wouldn't be safe. However, if you can get in the car and are within the requirements just do not have proportions that agree with the system, than we can and will try our best to help you to ride. now if your legs wouldnt bend in any way to get under the restraint than that is obviously a restriction by the restraint and not much we can do with that. Now, as I said, if you agree to let us get you in, than we can get you in as long as it is safe! People will get on IJ and we will have trouble getting the restraint to go all the way down so that we can see the little yellow tape. When we get close we ask their permission to go further down on the restraint, if they agree then we will try to get the restraint into the proper riding position as much as we can, without sacrificing the safety of said guest. Many guests will say, no I can't go any further you'll have to let me off thank you for trying, and others will say, keep going I want to ride! We try to make sure that everyone who comes to the park is able to safely enjoy every ride, on IJ that includes helping guests with a tricky restraint system. To answer your question, I am not totally sure if it is the standard rule, but I do know that on IJ, and Beast especially, we deffinately try to give you the experience and guest service that you deserve. I have seen instances especially on those two rides! From a guest courtesy standpoint, it should be the standard rule, and most crews WILL give you that courtesy, as we do at IJ!

I assure you, that's not the case. The staff at KIC has come to know Jerry Couch personally and he's a very good-hearted person. He wanted that park to reopen in 2003 as much as anyone else did. Why would he buy all that land if he just wanted to have an RV dealership? He was ripped off. Call him guilty of ignorance, but I assure you that nothing he did was on purpose. Now the park is in horrible disrepair. Some rides are there, some have been sold off. It's a terrible site to see. Ryan, I never said anything bad about Jerry Couch...where did you read that I said something like that? If you read my post again, I said that Jerry got taken by the Pughes not that Jerry screwed the place into the ground. I know that Jerry wanted the park to open again...I said "The PUGHES" were the murderers not Jerry!!!!!!! Thanks for backing me up interpreter! Too bad the Pughes went and did what they did, LL has a very special place in my heart and I was probably more sad to see it fail than most anyone on here!

welcome to the minority! lol, we can get a lot of people in, and our weight requirement I believe is 300 lbs. but that is rated at a 5'9" individual...remember, its all about getting the bar down the two clicks, not how much room there actually is in the car, or if someone who doesnt way much at all can get easily into the car!

I love the look and coloring of the blue train, I have stated that many a time!

I believe we are saying that Cedar Point actually cycles MaxAir more than KI cycles Delirium...

You are right..."indoor waterpark" worked out decent enough for GWL. We all just think the "indoor themepark" branding is...misleading if you will! KI didnt kill Americana, Americana killed itself! They generated enough revenue in 2002 to go on, the world had other plans...If you wanna find a murder weapon and the perpetrator look no further than the Pughes!

Tom, there is only one thing you left out that other people have talked about...and that is a KIC day at KI...hmm, devil's in the details...

Family Entertainment Center...see Interpreter's post!

As other's have said...I have never really believed in that whole "indoor themepark" branding. They are always so much more an FEC or Glorified Arcade than anything actually thematic, and dont seem to be a "park" for that matter.

Ok some words on my behalf... Like KI man, I usually lean into the turns as well...has that racing in a stock car feeling to it! Also, once you are leaned into the turn, your body wants to move less than had you just been the opposite way, your body still keeps being forced to the opposite side of the car. If you start to bob side to side in this position there is a very real chance you will slam into the side of the car causing numerous problems which could result in injury. So I have found that leaning into the turns..."going with the track" has benefits. Now...on the topic of tensing up or "defensive riding"...tensing up, and defensive riding are never ideal, however...some rollercoasters will require something akin to this "defensive riding". Take any uber rough ride of your choice, and that is one where something like defensive riding could make the ride not so rough and allow you to enjoy your experience. I am not suggesting defensive riding, but something somewhat like it... The one thing that I see rookie coaster riders do the most, and subsequently complain about is sit in a coaster car like they are in a car ride, or at their desk chair and get beat all to hell on-ride. Now, depending upon how painful you like your ride, or if you are more like the interpreter, who enjoys a good woodie that takes charge (see Georgia Cyclone) you can benefit from something I will simply refer to as "rider anticipation". In any good relationship on earth there has to be give and take, from any marriage of man and wife to coaster and rider. You can choose to sit down and relax like you can do on Millenium Force, or hold your head up, keep your body loose but responsive and anticipate what maneuvers of a ride will come next. This is nearly required on Maverick...if you dont anticipate to which side you will be rolling next, you will plant the side of your face (or neck) in the OTSR. Having said this, it would be great if one didnt have to anticipate their surroundings on all coasters, but that simply isnt the case if you would like to have a decent ride on many of them. Remember to keep a strong neck, and loose but responsive upperbody when riding coasters, and treat many of them like The Beasts they are and you will have much more comfortable rides. Once again you dont need to tense up or be defensive, but just be proactive during your ride to minimize the pain that some of them put forth. Just my 2 cents!