Beast1979

Welcome to the latest in a long line of Photo Trip Reports from me! In this edition, Jackson joins members of the KIC universe to tour the biggest, baddest, tallest, fastest (I know it's a little off, I couldn't say longest could I?) roller coaster in Kings Island's history, the new monster dominating Western Row Road, the one, the only, Diamondback! The previously scheduled trip around the site for January 31 was postponed due to Snow and Ice! Ironically, this event was almost postponed due to a possibility of snow. But the Lord, Mother Nature, and theme park gods smiled upon us and gave us a light enough drizzle to let our tour happen. (Yea, I read it Ryan) In the middle of the tour, right about when we were outside Rivertown Junction (Read on if your Baffled), it started drizzling. It continued to steadily pick up pase until by the end of the tour we were running for the cars to hide from the cold, windy rain. I am even told during the ACE Winter SOAR event it was snowing! But the Weather did not keep the KIC Forumites from having a good time, like always the group was a lively and fun bunch, and quite a pleasure to be around, despite the weather. We were given a walk through International Street, then into Nickelodeon Universe, through Rivertown and past The Beast, where we were given the opportunity to see the new pathway leading to everyone's favorite woodie! We then progressed through the back end of Coney Mall and into the Pathway closed off for 2008, which WILL be returning. A Quick Q&A followed in the Skyline Chili Place, then we walked back to our cars as the weather worsened. I have to say, this was a great time for me, seeing others and Diamondback in the offseason was very helpful to the ole' Offseason Blues. I'm sorry I was unable to attend the Jungle Jim's and Krazy City meet up, I would have liked to be there. Picture Time! I promised Adam (Pkiboy) that I would show him my camera. This is what I take my pictures with, I only wish I had one like Ronny. Unlike 3 weeks ago, the weather was windy, cold, and little to our knowledge, was about to rain. Still, Kings Island beckoned! And the numerous peaks of Diamondback were waiting for us! Kings Island looked, as always it does in the offseason, cold, lonely, a desolate location. Waiting for Visitors to bring back life to the park. Diamondback has been fully constructed, and the trains were on for a bonus! Like all B&Ms, Diamondback is a magnificent piece of art There are just certain roller coasters that you can not help but drooling over Hi, I'm with the KIC group, is this the right congregated mass of suicidally cold offseason crazed coaster freaks, or is the one I'm looking for down the road? Through the same entry as before, we entered Kings Island, the one safe heaven for many an enthusiast. We were greeted with the same midways as we remembered, walking past these same views on sweltering hot summer days, running toward our favorite rides to get the next adrenaline rush. Ahh, memories. The same attractions from many a spring morning, running at the rope drop to get to the newest and best ride at the park, then wandering the midways, hearing the sounds, seeing the sights, and soaking in the atmosphere. Although this year, there was a new sheriff in town. Diamondback. The Eiffel Tower moaned in the high wind, creaking as it is battered by brutal gales. One Ride that is safely on the ground was Little Bills Giggle Coaster. Before we had time to finish enjoying the paths of Kings Island, Diamondback Greeted us with a 230 foot hill! The last time I was as close as I was yesterday, it was 2008, the park was open, and Construction hadn't even started on the second hill. My what a difference it makes. Another Post coming in a second....

WOO! Bubba Gumps! I can say I'm not as dissapointed as I thought I would be, being thats one of the few places you can actually digest the food!

Having gone to Florida for 2 weeks in the middle of summer every year for the past 4 years, I consider myself a semi-tourist now and can honestly say that you would have not done well at all. Cincinnati has one of the wierdest climates out there, we can be in the 70s in early February and have a foot of snow in Early April. It is funky up here.

Nice PTR! I saw you there a few times, you really looked like you were enjoying it!

I'm sorry I havn't been able to do a PTR. I have been busy with things and will be for quite a bit. Expect my PTR tomorrow morning. I am sorry. But for now, here are some of my faves:

Fantastic! Just followed it, can't wait to see some more updates!

15,001+ posts .... Terpy sometimes I wonder why we keep you, sometimes I wonder why we want you gone.

We're congregating outside KI at about 2 so maybe 2:30 - 2:45? Look for a large group of people waving "HI!"

We're congregating outside KI at about 2 so maybe 2:30 - 2:45? Look for a large group of people waving "HI!"

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the man with 15,000+ posts.

Don Said that testing would begin in Early March, does that include pull throughs? Because I bet they have a lot of mehcanical do-hickeys to tinker with before it is ready to be pulled through the course. Am I the only one who is baffled by this?

Voted, Horay!

I think I see 3, but it is hard to tell in this light.....

And Also, http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16339

The 5th hill trim will not slow the ride much at all, if the renderings can be trusted, but I guess in dare-to-fly's position, having it removed just adds reassurance.

Don mentioned Testing beginning around the first week of March. So despite all the comments of Diamondback being behind schedule, we are still on track.

TRAINS!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see the glossy Hi-Def Photos Don Always sends us of the Trains! TRAINS!!!!!!!!

There are flurries a flyin here in Montgomery.

I remember somewhere someone saying that the exit would flow under the lift into the Old Time Photo Shope which would be redone as a gift shop

I want everyone else to go to other coasters so I can ride my Sonny! Boy do I miss the days when the GP hated it and it was always a walk on! Well I hate it. That's one less for ya.

Way to go, Chase! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who had fun on that one! Jackson, who rode it but once during the season, and my what a joy it was!

I have seen KI in almost every size crowd, and know that there are several things that determine a rides wait time. 1. The ride itself. Do you think Son of Beast will have a shorter wait then Little Bills Giggle Coster? The popularity of the ride DOES play a factor, and Diamondback will be very, very popular. 2. The rides capacity. Let's take Invertigo for example. The ride has but 1 train. Capacity is down near 600 or something, because it can only take so many people at a time. Diamondback, however, will run 3 trains, each holding dozens of people at a time, and not to mention the ride will have no seatbelts. 1620 pph is nothing shabby in this industry. 3. Crew efficientcy. The crew for the ride plays a big factor in how it runs. The Zephyr, one of my favorites, has a terrble crew. They talk to each other, sociallize with guests, play on their cellphones in the op booth, and overall treat the job like a joke. Crews like The Beast crew however, stay focused on the task at hand, checking restraints, dispatching trains, and making the ride run faster. I am confident that Diamondback will have one of the best crews in the park, and will keep the ride running smoothly. 4. The crowds. Some days, the park will be overflowing with guests, and Opening Day will likely be one of them depending on the Weaher. Other days, such as Sundays in October, the park will be practically abandoned. I suspect lines on Diamondback this year could range between 30 min and 2.5 hours. Either way, you will get toride it.

Just wondering..... what about it?? It blocks out the area featuring Twisted Twins, which is closed for the second year in a row.

I just can not help but to smile at that. Give it time, it is frequently rough for new members. In time, it will all work out. Take it from me!

No worries, I am just very annoyed that people are not using the search engine. Live and Learn, you will make mistakes.