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Hoeter

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Posts posted by Hoeter

  1. So I heard that there is clearing back by The Beast, meaning this coaster would be even more massive than we thought. Can anyone confirm this?

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

     

    I will confirm this as I just rode The Beast this evening.

     

    Right after the first turn coming out of the drop on the right hand side, you can see the clearing about 3/4 the way up the second lift hill if you look to your right.

    • Like 7
  2. I have no complaints about The Beast. I've been riding it for almost 10 years now and it's just as enjoyable as it was the first time I rode it.

    For the smoothest possible ride, sit in the middle row of the car. You aren't above any wheels.

    • Like 6
  3. I'd be glad to offer what insight I can. My first and only visit to Kings Dominion, and my first visit to Carowinds took place Fourth of July weekend in 2014. Crowds weren't too bad- definitely less than I expected. I was able to get in a ton of new coasters that weekend- about 40 in all.

     

    Kings Dominion

    • Intimidator 305- this INTAMIN giga, hands down, is the most intense coaster I've ever ridden. Think the height and speed of Millennium Force plus the quick turns and intensity of Maverick and that is Intimidator 305 in a nutshell. The first drop is one of the best of any coasters I have ever been on. Did a night ride on Saturday of that weekend and rode it six times the day after. I greyed out all but one time after the first drop. That usually never happens on a coaster for me. This coaster is actually in my top 10 as I enjoyed it. Walk on for the majority of my rides on that Sunday.
    • Flight of Fear and Backlot Stunt Coaster- I rode for the credit only. Layouts are exactly the same as it is at Kings Island, but theming could vary in places, for example the splash at the end of Backlot works on the Kings Dominion version but not ours. 
    • Eiffel Tower- Do not miss the opportunity to go up to the Eiffel Tower and see the beautiful Virginia countryside. The area around Kings Dominion has not seen the urban sprawl that Mason has, so it's definitely neat to go to the top and see nothing but trees for miles.
    • Other coasters to not miss are Avalanche, Volcano: The Blast Coaster, Grizzly, and Rebel Yell. Hurler is closed for the 2016 season so that will not be open. The Crypt is definitely a must ride as well. We had a Huss Giant Top Spin, theirs is just a regular Top Spin, so it's smaller and it's outdoors.
    • Anaconda- honestly, I rode this for the credit only. It's your standard Arrow looping coaster. I think Vortex is better- I rode it for the credit only.
    • Be sure to notice the differences between Kings Island and Kings Dominion, as the latter opened three years after Kings Island. The park is laid out differently and the front gate is completely different than what we have here.

    Hotels- Kings Dominion is 25 miles or so north of Richmond and about 90 miles south of Washington DC. I stayed at the Motel 6 in Fredericksburg, about 40 miles north of the park. https://www.motel6.com/en/motels.VA.FREDERICKSBURG.4447.html

     

    Carowinds

    • Fury 325- This B&M giga should be reason enough to visit Carowinds. It's a completely different experience than Diamondback at Kings Island or Intimidator, also at Carowinds. I drove 8 hours from Cincinnati to Charlotte the weekend it opened, just to ride this coaster. And it was well worth it. This is my #1 coaster, with Intimidator 305 being my #2. The best coaster I have ever ridden- I recommend you get down there and ride it.
    • Intimidator- A B&M hypercoaster, similar to Diamondback. I honestly enjoyed this coaster more than Diamondback as the turns and elements are different. It's not as good as Nitro (which I also rode that weekend) at Six Flags Great Adventure between Philadelphia and New York City. Nitro is my favorite, then Intimidator, then Diamondback. This is a must ride while at Carowinds.
    • Afterburn- One of the best B&M inverts I've been on. Definitely a must ride.
    • Nighthawk- A Vekoma Flying Dutchman, similar to Firehawk. Didn't ride it as I can't stand Firehawk.
    • Woodstock Gliders- DO NOT leave Carowinds without riding these. These are the old Flying Eagles from Kings Island. Speaking of which, look who is in one of the pictures on Carowinds' website. https://www.carowinds.com/rides/planet-snoopy/woodstock-gliders

    Hotels: Motel 6 Carowinds. https://www.motel6.com/en/motels.sc.fort-mill.1417.html (stayed here in 2014- as close to the park as you can get)

    I stayed at this one in 2015, Days Inn about 10 miles south from the park in Rock Hill, SC. http://www.daysinn.com/hotels/south-carolina/rock-hill/days-inn-rock-hill/hotel-overview

    • Like 7
  4. Me and Magenta Lizard got the last ride of the day on the train. Or last train of the train of the night, however you want to say it.

     

    We were the only two people on the train. It was raining during our trip, so the train was going faster than it normally does so it didn't slip on the rails.

     

    We sat behind the spieler in the very front of the train. Didn't have to do his spiel, let alone pick up the microphone. We talked coasters the entire trip around.

    • Like 7
  5. Took some regular video and some slo-mo video during my tour of The Beast at Kings Island for the Coasterstock event!

     

    (Regular)

     

    (Slo-Mo)

     

    Should automatically be in HD, but switch to 1080p if it isn't selected.

    • Like 6
  6. I've been on 17 different B&M coasters, from #1 (Apocalypse at Six Flags America, formerly Iron Wolf at SFGAm) to #100 (Valravn at Cedar Point)

     

    I've been on every style B&M except their flying and family coasters. I have never ridden a B&M that I have not liked.

     

    Some B&M's that I've been on have been more forceful than others.

     

    When I rode Green Lantern at NJFTP (formerly Chang at Kentucky Kingdom) my legs felt like jelly, and that's no exaggeration.

    • Like 3
  7. I'm impressed by the amount of work that's been done since last weekend on the new pathway back to White Water Canyon.

     

    When I rode the train yesterday about 5:00pm, they were working at a feverish pace to get it completed.

     

    Last weekend, the tunnels were not up. I don't believe any of the concrete had been poured yet either.

     

    Impressive the amount of work they got done in just a few days. I honestly didn't think it would open this weekend... 

    • Like 9
  8. Thanks for sharing! Beautiful pictures as well!
     

    Me and chugh43 were up there the day before you and part of that Sunday. Easily one of the best trips I've ever had to the park, other than Coastermania 2014.

     

    We saw sunshine for a little bit on Saturday. Only things I saw not running were Top Thrill Dragster, Gemini, and Mean Streak. Supposedly TTD opened for about a half hour on Saturday and was down the remainder of the day. Got in rides on all coasters but Rougarou (came dangerously close to being able to ride, plenty of slack in the belt- must have been an issue with the OTSR), Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Wicked Twister (was never able to fit on this one, but Volcano at Kings Dominion I fit with room to spare), and Millennium Force (it was close to buckling at the test seat, didn't try waiting in line). Gatekeeper went down for winds after waiting in line about a half hour for it and after it went down due to technical issues- ended up riding on Sunday before leaving.

     

    Valravn is an amazing ride in the front row and a fun ride all around. I was kind of sweating bullets going up the lift hill- I've never ridden a dive machine before up until this point. The hang time at the drop took me by surprise as I didn't think it'd hang you over that far. The 270-degree roll is amazing as well. I was very impressed by the ride itself and the improvements Cedar Point made to the Blue Streak/Marina gate area. 

     

    Thankfully the sleet held off until I was off of Magnum! Couldn't imagine a ride in those conditions.

     

    Longest wait of the weekend was for Maverick on Saturday, about 40 minutes or so.

     

    I'm gonna try to get back up there in July possibly.

    • Like 1
  9. Had a great time at Coasterstock!

     

    Have been hesitant to ride Banshee in any row but 4 or 5 with the longer belts. Tried last season in 8-4 and the computer didn't register it being locked. Tried it last night during ERT due to an empty station. Was able to ride in the front row, and then after went back and rode in 8-4. First time I've done that in a few years.

     

    I will definitely be at next years Coasterstock!

    • Like 3
  10. This past weekend. Cedar Point.

     

    Polar opposite of my experiences with Kings Island in regards to dining plans and food service operations in general.

     

    Ate at Chickie's and Pete's, Frontier Inn, and Panda Express. Waited less than 10 minutes for my food each time. Also hot, fresh, and delicious each time.

     

    And they managed their lines efficiently and kept things moving. This weekend I was able to appreciate my dining plan for what it's worth.

    • Like 6
  11. The different elements and overall layout on Fury 325 are better in my opinion. The first drop on Fury 325 is pretty amazing, one of my favorites.

     

    The drop on Intimidator 305 is amazing. It's steeper than Fury 325. The airtime hill that goes under the lift hill is amazing.

     

    Each one provides a unique experience, however Fury 325 is more interactive with the guest experience. The theming is better as well, I think.

     

    It's difficult for me to pick favorites, it's definitely a close one between the two.

    • Like 6
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