silver2005

You guys should probably wait until the Wednesday before opening day to start guessing the weather.

And that prevents Kentucky Kingdom from inviting the press to the park because....?

Lightning Run is an 'iron' coaster? I sure hope not... Also, why do the promo in the news studio? Why not do it at the park? Most of the things Kings Island did with news stations when Banshee was stirring things were done at the park. This one came off as tacky, at least to me. Using a cardboard poster to display an internet screen cap? Really?

Its especially true for the helix now that I think about it. Since its such a gradual descent compared to most coaster drops (only an 18 degree drop if my memory serves me right), there's this steady build up of sound as you get closer to the tunnel after what is, to me, a rather quiet moment as it just disengages the lift.

I grew up on it without the music first of all. Secondly, its the kind of ride that doesn't really need music IMO. One thing that cemented that is when I did a Beast tour back a few years ago when they allowed them in conjunction with the Susan G Komen Breast Foundation for breast cancer. It makes its own unique music. There are many sounds unique to it, especially as it rounds through the final helix; it sounds like a distant caged animal. Its surreal. The sounds it makes on its own are good enough for me. I know the speakers are on the two lifts, but wooden coaster chain lifts are among my favorite amusement park noises. The music feels like a gimmick. This is coming from the mind of musician by the way.

I honestly prefer it with no music.

I'm not sure why so many people think that KI needs or will get a giga. No North American park has installed them outside of Cedar Fair. The parks receiving them have market areas that are more populous than Kings Island's. Not to mention, part of Kings Island's market intersects Cedar Point's, a park famous for "building them bigger". Bigger isn't always better. And yet, how did the park market their last 2 coasters? Kings Island may not be in a growing market, but its still a sizable one. Think of the cities Kings Island pulls from. Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, etc. That's nothing to scoff at. I don't buy that as an argument against Kings Island getting a giga coaster. I will say that Kings Island's lack of intermediate rides might prevent a giga from being built though. I think there's simply too big a gap between the kids rides and the rest of the line up. They have plenty of thrills to last them a bit IMO, especially after Banshee's debut. I hear about that so much nearly every time I go to the park.

It also depends on a lot of things. Weather might deter people, the fact that it isn't a year a ride like Banshee is opening (I remember WindSeeker's debut year's opening day being fairly light), etc.

It should be obvious about our lack of keeping time in this thread. We've been doing this.

I just thought of a reason for the lack of advertising outside of the state. My thinking is that the Kingdom is hesitant on spending taxpayer dollars out of state due to the election(s) to decide their fate, perhaps 1 saving grace they're making for themselves.

One thing I always do with Cedar Point trips to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the park size is planning to go 2 days. That way I feel I can take my time.

For the record, Kings Island has it posted on their Facebook page that there are 10 days left today. Just sayin'.

If you want to get pedantic about it, then the hours between midnight and 10 am on the 17th would be considered 1 day from it regardless of the hours left.

The last day before opening would be 1 day before opening.

Uh....last I checked, 18-7=11.

I totally forgot that area has Alpine Coasters now. I'm definitely looking into that whenever I get back to Gatlinburg.

A big nemesis of all B&M's- wind. I can recall several incidents involving the combination of both resulting in stalling (luckily, in the cases I read, no riders were on board).

I'm okay with indulging in those things. To me, its kind of par for the course when visiting that area. Also, the National Park is worth all of that and then some. Simply beautiful stuff.

I'd also suggest going down there for more than Dollywood. The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area has tons of things to do, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is not to be missed.

Kentucky Kingdom has a marketing team?

Deleted post, wrong thread.

I see it says 'Board seeks protection if attendance drops'. What exactly does that mean?

Excited to hear about the lighting package. Maybe they'll take a page from Kings Island?

It seems odd to me that Dollywood would be going for so many coasters in a small time frame. I kind of hope it'll be something else.

Somebody has Holiday World envy....