dare-to-fly

If it was me, I'd be so distracted by the roar of the coaster and the screams of the thrilled riders, that after a few minutes I'd put my chores off until later (whenever that may be), and spend the rest of the day at the park. My house would NEVER be well kept if I lived next to an amusement park! You might have a chance in the off season.

OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH! A new and exciting way of stopping the cars without so much as a single brake. I LIKE it. Obviously I need to go to Camden. It's on my list, but I just haven't been able to get there yet. Soon...very soon! I forgot about the station on Exterminator. Extremely cool is what it is. I don't have a clue about the answer, but I had to respond. Both sound like very good ideas, and I agree that it would add to the overall appearance of the ride. Especially the chaser lights!

Does this mean I have a reputation against brakes here? Oh, yeah...forgot! Actually, you underestimated me. There are a few brakes that I like very much. The brake run is a neccessary feature of coasters that allow them to run safely and even run multiple trains in most cases. Also station brakes I like even better, as they allow me to board the coaster without having to chase the train. The brakes that many coasters have before a transfer track is fine as well, as those generally are harmless. Actually, mid-course brakes for more than two trains are fine too, but only if they are used for safety only. Once they start trimming the speed, I'd rather have only two trains. Most coasters that run three trains end up stacking anyway. (See Vortex!) But you go sticking trim brakes in there, you are absolutely right. None are acceptable here...see signature for reference. If we leave coaster world, automobile, bicycle, and other movable devices usually have appropriate brakes. (Though even those have side effects...like when they are used on a two lane highway at 45 mph in a 55 mph zone because we went down a hill.) Most of the time, these are fine though. See...I do like a few. Flyer...who just HAD to. (And also HAD to do that.)

Well this thread has taken interesting turns since I last read it. I'm glad it's not me this time. I'd quote it, but I don't remember the page that it's on. I'm curious about the comment made that Flight Deck will be around longer than Vortex. Why, in your opinion, would they remove what is, in my opinion, the best steel coaster they have?

I completely agree. I'm sure I'm not the only one to notice how rusty parts of the track has become. But...Racer would look much nicer in red, white, and blue. But, then, it would run better trimless too and I don't have any hope that it will happen.

No need to be embarrased about that. Everyone does that! The only problem is you will have two people call you a rooky if they see you...or would I...would I ever do something like that...nah. I never call people rookies for looking at park maps either. (Well...at least I don't say it to their faces.) Don't worry about the belt on FOF, as it's in a useless, illogical place to begin with IMO. They need to just ditch the belt to speed up the checking process. Backlot does fine without them...but they didn't ask me.

October has been the best month for me. I've had a lot of the days I so desperately craved and couldn't find this summer...by that I mean WALK-ON DAYS of course!! Plus, I like the trend of lightening up on the brakes...shhh...don't tell maintenance that I've noticed. I agree that Beast's crew is amazing this year, and there are so many that I've gotten attached to who shall remain nameless. The Son of Beast crew should also be complemented. They almost always get out the train from the station by the time the one on the course comes back...but then...two trains...second longest wooden coaster...tall lift hill that takes forever...great big ride-sucking brake at the mid-course...they should! As for 09, other than the aforementioned excitement already present in this thread, I'm excited to see what they do to Beast for his 30th birthday...and it better not be G-trains.

Trio????? What happened to Mantis and Mean Streak?

Yes it was renewed at the renewal price of $140, but I was judgemental of Guest Relations too quick. Apparently, the...fine gentleman...that renewed my season pass scanned it incorrectly. Even though they told me at Guest Relations that it wouldn't be fixed because there were only five more nights was incorrect. When I asked this time, a different person stated that "I think we fixed it, you look very familiar to me." She checked on the computer, and it was indeed fixed, and had both 08 and 09 season parking and admission as unlimited use. She then went to the gate with me to make sure that I got in okay. I took my pass to the gate, it scanned as usual, I thanked her and went on my merry way. That was more like it, and I'm very glad I don't have to go through GR to get in every time. I just jumped to the wrong conclusion, and it was just a fluke...but if it happened to me, it could happen to anyone, so save your receipt.

Wooden: The Racer, with The Beast following closely behind. (Beast is #1 for re-riding, but coaster experience, I can't help but love the air on Racer, and wish The Beast had the airtime on its air hill for a change...but I guess that's asking too much.) Steel: Vortex

Collective comments from the thread: 1. Flight Deck: - Back car, front seat provides the best ride imo. - No matter where you sit, it's still a great ride. 2. SOB: - Blue is smoother than red...because it's slower...but not by much. - The front seat on SOB was able to even suit my mom, who hates rough coasters. I think you might be slightly judgemental based on what others think...but that's just my opinion. The rose bowl is the only rough part of the ride, yet it gets a bad reputation...it just makes me sad. - It runs much better with no brakes at the mid-course, no matter how rare an occurence it is. (not a comment from the thread, but it was an extra that I threw in.) 3. Racer: - I'm glad you see the beauty in The Racer. As far as the coaster riding experience is concered, it is my favorite ride at Kings Island due to its good amount of airtime on the "out" side...and could also have good air on the "back" side and occasionally does, but is forcefully removed by the use of a you-know-what. The ride it competes with for the slot of favorite at KI could easily claim that title, but can't for the same reason. That one is #1 for re-rideability, and I'm sure you can figure out what it is. - It amuses me that the trim right before the brake run was turned off this weekend...wierd, but very acceptable. 4. Vortex: - Grow enough that your ears are up past the shoulder harness, then it's a great ride. 5. Beast: - I was in the train coming back into the station when you posed for that front-seat shot on The Beast. Glad you had a great ride. Please note, judging by the TR, you still haven't found the seat that I consider the #1 best spot. Bwaa haa haa...I'm not going to give away my secret either....he he.! Your TR is a great one, and I see you and I have both noticed that everyone hangs out in Nick Universe on these late Sundays in the season leaving most of the rest of the park available as a walk-on day. I love this time of year for that reason, and I've been there every Sunday since the weekend before HH started this year. It has cost me a fortune in food. I will also go on record that I agree with you about Firehawk. Though I think it is worth the wait, I usually won't wait more than about 10 minutes for it. If they had used both trains on Sunday like last week, it would have been a reasonable wait.

Actually, you won't have to wait until next year for this to apply. Remember that 09 season passes come with one free visit. Last Sunday, I went to the park as normal and had a blast. Last night, I then went back for another blast (apparently my 35 Beast rides from the week before wasn't enough), and I went to the front gate. Gee....what happens, but my season pass won't scan. "You'll have to go to guest relations." Meanwhile back at the ranch...my brother is already in and is being attacked by chainsaw guys. Inside the nice warm new-and-improved guest relations, I explained my situation, and she scanned my pass. "This is your 2009 season pass. You only get one free visit." Becoming aggitated. I then stated that it was 08 also and that I had just renewed it a couple of weeks prior. She asked when I bought it, when I bought my 08 season pass, mother's maiden name, etc. She then marked something down and sent me through the railing. I asked if it would be fixed by the next time I came. She responded "it won't be fixed, no, there are only five more nights." To which I stated that I was planning to come to most if not all of them. Guess who gets to trapse through guest relations every time he wants to go to KI in 2008? I'll probably have to argue over it every time. So...note to self...do not renew season pass before closing weekend. Now, I have no problem really with how guest relations handled the problem (though a little less argument would have been preferred), but having 08 disappear at renewal makes me mad. I have been a faithful Cedar Fair passholder every year since Cedar Fair bought KI, and I certainly have allowed them to make enough money off me for parking last year and food this year, so I really resent being treated in this manner. I don't believe that there will be a problem getting it to work in 09, but the rest of 08...another story. Sigh.

The paint on it has certainly held up. She still looks great! Now if only we could get them to paint a couple of other coasters that are in tragic need of paint.

By all means, keep the Millennium Ghost happy. I've never had anything quite like that happen, but I'm patiently waiting for The Beast to do something weird like that.

Yes, but once school starts, the "carefree" attitude changes (at least for me). The fall weekends just don't feel the same as the summer days, if you know what I mean. Yes they start to feel a little Haunted There is definitely a change in feeling late in the season from that of the summer season. There is also a change in feeling at the very beginning of the season into the summer season. It's really a strange thing that is hard to pinpoint, but the whole feeling is very different, yet somehow every part of the season is special in its own way. I tend to prefer the summer, just because of what it is. However, spring is special because it's the opening of the season, and everything is waking up. Late in the season, there is a more "haunted" tone to the park. Regardless, KI remains one of the best places on Earth in every moment of every season. Daily operation of 2008 may now be a memory, but don't forget that it's only August. The park is still open all the way up until November 2nd. There are still many more days to experience the best place on Earth. Kings Island, Where else? (Sorry, I had to do that.)

I hope you're right about that. I'm hoping for a smooth opening that isn't plagued with maintenace issues, and opening bugs of the other variety.

Oh, gee I'm sorry. It must just be my imagination that it ran consistently faster until this year. It must just be five hundred coincidences.

After you learn the layout of the ride, you'll be able to ride with your hands up if that's what you choose. I'm not saying it will be easy, but you can.

There's your mistake....don't go to the one on Kings Mill, but do the North Montgomery Rd. one instead!! You'll lounge in air conditioned desolateness! That's a nice word you just made up. I like it!

IMO The Beastie was the very best name it could have. It was unique and tied that particular coaster to the park with a very special (and very cool) name. It should have remained The Beastie forever, and would have required no licensing to do so, hence the reason that it should be returned!

standbyme KIfan73 cat13 Vortexfan92 jessie8 jamesv7 taynes and daughter BavarianBeatle dare-to-fly

Don't do it. It's not worth it. You'll regret it until it grows back. RUN. Not that I'm enthusiastic or anything, but RUN! For the record, you obviously wouldn't be too amused with mine... ...suddenly I'm feeling like I'm giving too much away...but it is rather long. Not the longest I've seen by any means, but somewhat long.

Including the ride itself I guess. The entire ride moves notably slower...but since it's me and I have a "scewed sense of speed" it must be my imagination that it takes the top-most portion of the ride much slower than it used to (to the point of wondering at times if the ride will crest the hill.)

That's a consensus on the sticky floors. From what I remember it wasn't the look of a dirty sticky, but it was just sticky all over. Perhaps they need a simple change of cleaning solution on the floors. Cleaners could make a floor sticky, and that would at least solve that problem.

Starting in Action Zone would be the mistake, but it's good that you had a good time anyway. They seem to be making an effort to race the trains on The Racer as of late. (When both sides are open.) When I go they are usually either running only one side, or they're racing.