HandsUp

Sure they do-But much of the sentiment from the GP on social media when they announced it was in the veins of: 'No loops-lame!' 'Just like Diamondback-boooring' 'I hate roller coasters, they need more family rides' 'No way I'd wait 5 hours to ride that thing' etc., etc. With social media coverage you open yourself up for criticism as much as promoting your project. If I was KI, I'd sit back and let the actual ride knock people's socks off when it arrives.

No offense, but 'opportunity' for what? The GP doesn't care until the thing is operational, and after the lukewarm excitement from enthusiasts and GP alike at the announcement of a mega-project, the last thing I'd care about is providing footage of every minute of construction.

Given the top secret theming of Orion, I'd say a missing cam is pretty much on-brand. Plus, maybe they want to keep some elements of the new area under wraps.

Amazing work. I love the park now still-but back then it really exuded an other-worldliness that has since faded. The overall classiness and details was next level stuff. I can't imagine maintaining all those food options-and that ice cream shop-WoW! I know American tastes are boring and basic these days but I would love to see a revival of truly international flair (at least re-do Octoberfest!)

#2 all day

Bill Monroe, Grisman/Garcia, Old & In the Way

I'd love something other than B&M--for variety if nothing else. We'll already have 3. Never ridden a Mack launch-but something that resembled that or Maverick would look really cool in that spot and still be the 'pit of twisted metal' that makes Vortex look so sweet. Obviously, if they wanted to do a ground up RMC and call it 'Nephew of Beast' or whatever it would totally fit in that area as well.

I've had fantasies about owning the Bengals and having the single-minded focus of championships while smashing the Steelers into irrelevance. Kinda like Jerry Jones except I'd bring in the best football minds to run the actual team...become the best community partner ever, etc. This thread makes me realize that I would love to forge KI in my own vision as well.

This is what I remember...and by that time I'd ridden Mantis-so I knew that stand up coasters could be much bigger/better

My wife still fumes about the Eagles--at least we have the kiddie version. I loved the Cobra and KKKC, as well as the original Tiques. I saw the removal of all of them as simply parts of Paramount's plot to destroy my childhood wonderland so I was not happy.

I have plenty of sentimentality and memories tied up in Vortex...and my son (7) absolutely loves it. I'll be sure to get a last ride in, but let's be honest: It is way cooler to look at than to ride these days. I can't remember the last time there was a line for it (which is one of the reasons my son loves it)-so I'm sure it was a simple numbers decision...if there's any ride I want preserved as long as possible, it's The Beast. When I was young, we had the Cobra, Racer, Beast and Vortex were it as far as coasters. Now the lineup is much better and I have faith that they'll populate the area with something of substance.

The area is so perfect for displaying a coaster--I really hope they put in another picturesque one. I would be totally fine with it turning into the 'Beast District' with another Beast/Rivertown/Mystic/Maverick themed RMC

Something like Maverick or an RMC (Trex or Ibox)

My son (7) loves it-he'll be bummed. Still, it's better to look at than to ride these days. grateful for the many years but have no problem using the spot for something more rideable.

I have a feeling that coaster stats =/= ride experience, especially with this one. I think that wave turn out of the first drop will be nuts and the whole ride will be fast and forceful with plenty of elements that KI hasn't seen before.

I was only 5 or 6 when it went in but I remember all the hype, and seeing the track-looked amazing. I remember thinking how cool it was that each car was its own little pod. Unfortunately earned the label as unsafe due to being closed all the time.

I had the same idea-except instead of straight up and a slow coast over the top, it would be a launch into a ginormous floater hill and then land you on the other side of the park. Could be out and back, or have 2 stations on either side of the park-each one a 'portal' to the other side.

All I know is that a ground-up RMC that went through the woods would be universally embraced.

The cards take away spontaneity but they also ensure at least a 5$ outlay whether you spend it or not-plus having to get a card encourages you to 'make it worth it' by loading more on than you would for a random game. And you can use your CC to load money on which allows for a more frivolous attitude and a more liquid transaction (likely with higher amounts). Add in the loss prevention and elimination of administrative hassles and I'm sure it's worth it. It does get away from the spirit of carnival games but as long as there are nagging kids or show-offs, there will always be a market.

My kids always want to play games, and the fact that you need to mess with the cards is #1 excuse not to.

Ton answer the OP-Adventure Express was a severe let down at the time

I'd rather they open up a new path to Xbase here:

Hope you're right...this is definitely what it seems like.. And MF may be my favorite coaster ever.

I like the ring of the name, but i have trouble getting over the fact that Orion is the most prominent WINTER constellation...now if this fact makes them want to run that baby for winterfest then I'm totally down ;-)

^This. A special day like this it really makes me grateful for what we've gotten in a relatively short window of time. In my youth (old man alert), we had the Cobra, The Beast, The Vortex and the The Racer. That was it. The park then endured 2 decades of limited additions before we got DB 10 years ago. Over the past decade we've seen three heady coasters go up and tonight we'll officially be getting a 4th. Not many in the nation can just roll up to a park of this caliber for some after work rides like we do.