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Expectations are always high for a park like Kings Island, where the majority of new attractions are completely custom. I just don't think it is realistic to expect that every time a new coaster or ride is built that it will be the "greatest every created" in its category. The comparison should probably not be against other similar B&M coasters, but instead against the Vekoma flying coaster that stood in the same place just 2 years earlier. That is what the public will see, and is anything but "underwhelming".

I had not heard about the new lift system. That seems like a great idea for Racer at KI. I can't imagine that they would ever overhaul the layout of Racer, even though as you pointed out, there are some possible improvements that could be made to improve the racing aspect of the ride, or the air time. Racer is considered an important historical coaster. My hope for the future is that someday they will do something to improve the restraints in the trains so they are not so uncomfortable. If they did choose to change the trains, they could pursue having one side go backwards again. There are plenty of coasters out there that go forwards and backwards these days, so it is just a matter of getting the manufacturer to sign off on that usage legally. I know that topic is brought up and shot down frequently by park management, but Kings Island continues to have such deep love for nostalgia that I could see it happening some day.

Kings Dominion, Carowinds, and Valleyfair all have the "Looping Starship" made by Intamin. Canada's Wonderland used to have one, but it was removed for their WindSeeker. Cedar Point seemingly almost removed their swinging ship (not a looper) for WindSeeker, but it was moved up front instead.

Because of newbies.

I think it's funny that there is a thread about re-theming Adventure Express, when Backlot Stunt Coaster easily wins the award for worst theming (and overall ugliness).

...a very special set of Intamin tires, on the way from Switzerland.

If it ever does get removed, I hope the park replaces it with another swinging ship ride. I rode the Mayflower at Holiday World a couple years ago not expecting anything and was very impressed by how forceful it was. (Mayflower is a Chance Rides swinging ship.)

The park wants the new ride to sell season passes for 2020. This is the entire goal of the announcement. Things the park tweeted about today: Skyline Chili cheese coney giveaway this week on The Beast. 7 money-saving tips blog post. National Ice Cream day. Soak City private cabana rental blog post. 40 things you may not know about The Beast blog post. Clearly the park has other priorities right now that they are promoting. This coaster will almost certainly be the biggest off-season investment by Cedar Fair, so it is not like they need to be concerned about being up-staged by anyone else.

That was a very detailed post. I think you should be at least an honorary janitorial supply specialist.

In its first year, it was literally 2 seconds to brakes on I-305. They added trims almost the full length of the first drop until the ride was modified further.

I believe the point on The Beast where it hits its top speed is the turn before the second lift hill, not the first drop or the final helix.

I knew most of them, but I think that is mostly because the park seems to write some sort of social media post about The Beast every other week. This has been the case not just this year either. Maybe we should start our own additional list of Beast facts. 41. When it opened, The Beast trains had "buzz bars" as restraints, and not the individual lap bars and uncomfortable seat dividers it has today. 42. The Beast used to operate during the nightly fireworks at park close. This changed sometime in the 2000s and now the ride closes and re-opens after a brief re-inspection. 43. The Beast holds the world record for least amount of air time on a wooden coaster.

In 2002, there were trams and parking cost $8. In 2019, there are no trams and parking costs $20. I believe it was in 2014 that the long sidewalk from the entrance was updated to be bigger and go all the way to the Kings Island sign. This was a big improvement in my opinion, as it made it much safer to walk to the entrance. I believe this covers a portion of where the tram used to run.

How much do you think Fast Lane Plus will go up in price next year?

I don't think any teasers will happen until July. I also think the announcement will be at the end of July, the first one for any Cedar Fair park for 2020.

Millennium Force Blue.

I always thought the lack of more KIC-specific events was due to cost. You don't see many coaster groups doing individual events anymore. I think that is related to cost, as well as the park pushing their own events like Coasterstock.

...and they want you to buy something not on the dining plan. Time to get a funnel cake?

I wonder how long it takes them to drain the fountain and refill it? I'm sure they do as much maintenance with it filled as possible, but it seems like with the kinks still being worked out in a variety of areas, they are likely doing some late night/early morning maintenance pretty frequently.

I asked about the Eiffel Tower top levels when we were up last year. I was told the answer that others have given: if there is threat of rain, or it rained recently, they use the lower level. However, it my experience it seems more arbitrary than that. To me it would make sense to use both elevators equally, as that distributes the maintenance between them equally.

There is no set pattern in how they have trademarked the names of rides. Orion and Polaris both deserve our attention, since many names have been trademarked far in advance. Banshee, Rougarou, and Valravn followed this pattern. However, GateKeeper, Mystic Timbers, and Steel Vengeance were all trademarked the day after they were announced.

You are right on with this assessment. Monty Jasper did an interview in 2005 where he talked about how they considered using linear motors for the launch, but that it would have required moving 2 additional rides. I've always assumed the rides would have been Witch's Wheel and Gemini. You can still read the article here: https://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/TechZone/Accumulators/Article/False/9810/TechZone-Accumulators

During The Beast tour at Coasterstock, we walked right past Slaughterhouse, which has a very large water hydrant-type connection sticking out of the ground near the building. It is clearly labeled as "Slaughterhouse Fire System" or something similar. Seems like this could be a similar case?

Are you sure that isn't some random guy who wandered into the fountains?

It would be a waste to re-theme Flight of Fear. The indoor queue and station are already themed and not in bad shape. The indoor queue still has the pre-show video too.