dare-to-fly

Might not be a bad idea. At least Dollywood's cabins were not affected. The fire was on the other side of the parkway.

Give it extra grease and that might work against you. Just ask maintenance how well trains work on the first trip around the track for the year with brand new grease.

Well, I can safely say that wasn't me. If I suspected someone was on KIC, I'd just ask, "Do you post on KIC?" Glad you're here though.

Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw. You'll find it very hard to find a day when Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, and Maverick are walk-ons. Those days are few and far between. There are quite a number of days in the non-peak season where everything else will be though. The trouble is Cedar Point likes to rope off three fourths of the train when there aren't riders to fill them so you still ending up waiting a few trains sometimes even on low-attendance days. I've also seen them remove a train on Blue Streak for the same reason. Here I go being negative again. I'd just rather go to KI. They aren't prone to taking trains off or roping off cars. If it's a light attendance day, you just sit on the train and enjoy it.

But you do sit down inside the car. It's certainly not open air...though I completely agree about the ride experience. I LOVE PR. There is no "s" anywhere in The Racer. Personal pet peeve - had to throw that in.

We try to forget about those. Hard to forget about them when they use them on Colossus every year at Haunt to run it backwards. I got the opportunity to ride in those trains during my visit to California back in October. I thought they were rather comfortable, and without a seatbelt was a plus. It was rather funny that they still had the name "Psyclone" written on the side of the train as well. Terpy, since you liked those trains as well as Morgan trains, we obviously have very similar taste. I love the Morgan trains.

I will NOT get exhausted before the ride starts. Just saying Then you're not putting enough effort into spinning. Tee hee! We like to go around in circles...as fast as ever we can. Do you need to sit on the bench for a while there, Terpy?

You are correct. There is a much larger fire today, but it was not caused by the Dollywood fire. In fact, it's quite a bit farther on the opposite side of the parkway from the park. It's big enough though, that we can see the glow of the flames from our apartment well northeast of the area. Sad! Here's a link for the latest update for today. http://www.wate.com/story/21664777/fire-crews-battle-brush-fire-in-pigeon-forge Again - not related to the Dollywood fire - just so everyone knows.

I never start until the ride does. If I do, I end up exhausted before the ride actually begins and then it's not as much fun.

Apparently what appears to be the train started a 10-acre brush fire starting at the top of the train loop at Dollywood. It appears to be contained with no threat to structures, and it looks like it won't effect the opening for season passholders or gp this Fri/Sat. . http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/mar/16/emergency-crews-battle-brush-fire-at-dollywood/ I leave the park for three days and they try to set the place on fire. I know I left Dollywood, but that doesn't mean I want the park destroyed either...just one manager

Don't get in my way and we won't have any issues. Bwa ha haaaaaaa!!!!

Just let me know when you'll be there, and I'll be glad to give you one ride on Lemon Twist. I limit myself one ride a day - my arms and fingers are really, REALLY sore after a ride on it. Plus, I end up exhausted!

Sure I do. About as much as I love waiting an hour in line and being the next person to get on when the coaster goes down for the day. No...I'd rather do that. About as much as I like waiting in a 2-hour line because of single train operation - no I don't go to Six Flags Over Georgia opening weekend anymore. About as much as...well there IS no worse example.

Agreed...I believe we spent almost an hour trying to find a good place to park and ended up on the other end of where we needed to be. One thing that was not told to us until after - the boats are free - don't walk!

Try again, Chris. There is indeed one trim brake to slow it down for the benefit of the main braking system. Look down next time you're in line and crossing the bridge to the loading area. No, we have trim brakes to drive me insane. It's all a conspiracy I tell ya. Actually, though...that's why some coasters have them - B&M for example can't seem to build a coaster without them. Others - mainly wooden coasters - have them because the parks want to save on maintenance costs...which is why I rant about them constantly. I can't pass up a trim rant.

I teach math, so I get enough of this kind of thing. How about we just say that all the aforementioned factors have an effect on the speed. It is possible to change it within a few miles per hour at any given point, but not significantly faster or slower one way or the other.

Since you work at Dollywood and are very knowledgable about the park, I have a few questions. I haven't been in a few years, but I decided to buy season passes this year. Can you tell me about the Season Pass Preview Day on March 22nd? What are the hours? How crowded is it compared to the Public Opening on the 23rd? I have a friend on the bigger side (he's about 6'5" and a little heavy), will he have any trouble fitting on the Dizzy Disk or the Mountain Slidewinder? I've heard that the seats might be uncomfortable for some and wondered. Thanks for your help and useful tips! Pretty sure preview day hours are 10-7 but they aren't really posted anywhere. I can confirm on Monday. Preview day will be less crowded than opening day. It's hard to guess what the crowds will be like, as it largely depends on weather. 2011's preview day was very moderate with few lines, but opening day was very busy because the weather was beautiful. 2012 was very busy both days because we were opening a brand new B&M wing rider and the weather was fairly nice. In 2010, both days were deserted because it was rainy and cold. As far as your friend fitting, Slidewinder doesn't even have restraints. They are a custom built boat that's more like a mat. He should have no problem. Dizzy Disk, in my opnion, is uncomfortable for everyone regardless of size because the restraints are rather awkward. The two rides I would say he should be concerned about are Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. They are a similar size to Drop Tower's restraints. Also, Wild Eagle has a maximum height of 6'6" and most people who are close to that height have a difficult time getting in because of their shoulders. But you'll have no trouble at all with either of my rides - TN Tornado and Blazing Fury

Only if you didn't have maintenace, in which case it would be catastrophic either way. The inconsistency is what makes it fun. A good rain ride sounds wonderful right about now.

And just think. Most of the time, Tip Top is not even that easy to spin fast. Gator - Apparently I went over your capacity and incapacitated you temporarily.

How very, very true, Gator! Kat says, "Flight of Fear, really?"

I can think of a few reasons. 1. If someone sees a video that you used a glasses mounted camera for (or something along those lines), they are more likely to want one of their own and will be more likely to take traditional cameras and cell phones on the ride. 2. Also, when said really expensive glasses with camera fly off and are then broken or lost, people have the tendancy to want to blame the park for not looking for them or want the park to pay for them. Guests really are that way whether you are or not. 3. Lastly, many rides do not allow photography for copyright infringement issues. Mystery Mine for example is completely a copyright violation to video. The music mostly but also the effects. Just listen to Don and realize it's prohibited. If you want a video that badly, look at the park's official videos. There have been more than enough mounted camera videos of almost every ride, and they will be much higher quality than something handheld (or glasses held).

Ahhh...stop being a weinie. I bet GatorGirl will ride it with me. Note - if you ride with me - there's no such thing as too fast. It's like the washer on spin cycle if you ride it with me. Bwhahahaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! No trim brakes on Lemon Twist! If you don't watch it, you might dare-to-fly right out of the cup.

Thanks for that #5...but that should read NO trim brakes, not "fewer" trim brakes. lol Tee heeeee!!!

Which reminds me - don't miss the shows. Make sure to see me at Tornado and Fury - these two are still great rides!

That's happened to me there, and that may be the incident you're referring to. I forget who was with me at the time. I was quite perturbed, and pointed out to the ride op that it was in a zippered or velcroed pocket. It didn't make any difference. I unhappily handed over my phone, but that day I learned a valuable lesson: Never get your cell phone out in a Holiday World station! I don't think it was you I saw, but I noticed it several times prior to last season. I've noticed starting last year that they aren't as overly picky about having one out in the station anymore as long as you put it away before you get on the ride and don't have it out on the ride. Then they'll still take it, but then again, so will I if you have one out on the Tornado if I see it. FYI - As a side note for everyone, the prohibiting of taking pictures on the ride is also presented on the sign at every entrance and exit at Kings Island...along with the rider responsibility law, which states that it is your responsibility to follow said posted rules. Just saying.