silver2005

I'd put the Random Discussion and Random Food Discussion threads as close 2nds.

There's probably a list of things that prevented RMC from doing a Son of Beast refurbishment. One of the primary ones is, as you mentioned, the structure, not so much from sitting there, but rather by bad structure design. The heavy trains it used during its looping days didn't help much either. I did a paper on SOB a while back, and the forensic investigator who covered the 2006 accident even mentioned that the ride shouldn't have been opened...at all with the way Paramount and RCCA handled the project. There's a lot more, but I'd be writing a very long post.

I think I'll add some input to this thread. Adventure Express- Raider's March (Indiana Jones' theme)...you know what? Any music associated with those movies. Backlot- music from The Italian Job and the Ocean's movies, Rhapsody in Blue, some of the action music from Bond films Banshee- any songs associated with Halloween or macabre themes Bat- Danger Zone (yeah I know its off the old theme, but I well remember the days of Top Gun well), some of Banshee's related music as well as Danny Elfman's Batman (sharing with Beast) Beast- Theme from Jaws (on the lifts), Danny Elfman's Batman theme, Night on Bald Mountain Delirium- Crazy by Seal Diamondback- Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi Drop Tower- Right Now- Van Halen, Thunderstruck- AC/DC Eiffel Tower, Antique Cars and Grand Carousel (or even I-Street in general)- Percy Faith and His Orchestra- Theme from A Summer Place Firehawk- Kickstart My Heart- Motley Crue, Smoke on the Water- Deep Purple Flight of Fear- a few specific Star Wars pieces- Asteroid Field, Hyperspace, and the music as they go into the 2nd Death Star in ROTJ, themes to Twilight Zone and X-Files Invertigo- Living After Midnight- Judas Priest Racer- We Got the Beat- Go Gos, Gimme Some Lovin'- Spencer Davis Group Son of Beast- about any song done by Joan Jett or about anything off of Sgt Pepper, The White Album, or Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles Viking Fury- The Tempest section of the William Tell Overture Vortex- You Spin Me Round- Dead or Alive WindSeeker- any song about flight, or heck, anything on its current playlist

There are big differences between The Beast and any GCI. The Beast focuses on maintaining speed with big stretches of track, making for several big moments. GCI's are much more fast paced and erratic. They are always doing something sudden from the time they leave the lift hill. They design their woodies to have elements within elements. Even on what looks like a simple curve, there may be a sudden drop or changing of the banking angle during the curve which comes a surprise, making them a haven for air time. They're a much, much different animal than The Beast. Also, Millennium Flyers are, in my opinion, the best modern wooden coaster train running right now.

Anytime a company is hired to build an attraction at a park, there is some sort of contract involved. Six Flags just bought RMC's in bulk, that's all, not unlike Cedar Fair and their dealings with B&M and Mondial. On topic- For these wooden conversions, I think it boils down to how each park and/or chain takes care of wooden coasters. Some are clearly better than others. A lot of it also has to do with how fads among the ride industry go as well as, above all else, the almighty dollar.

This just in from KI's Facebook page-

I don't think I've ever seen this amount of one ride type, from a single company no less, added for a single season like these Larson Loops are this year.

To be honest, its kind of picking your poison between the 2. S&S have had pretty bad failures as well (Hypersonic, their launch coaster at Nuremberg's racetrack that was supposed to set the speed record but only manages 99 mph because its air tank exploded). I would still be slightly more trusting of S&S, but not by much over Intamin.

If you want to know the origin of those hexagonal frames, go look at a current Charlotte Hornets logo.

True. There are some among the public who still ask if Vortex goes upside down or not. While standing in plain view of it.

I would think the obvious signs of water soaking the bridge would be warning enough. Its not like WWC where much the ride is hidden from view. You are pretty much guaranteed to see how the ride works when you're walking up to it and riding on it.

I don't know about you, but when I'm eating LaRosa's outside the park, I'm reminded how much better it is than it is in the park, especially with the added selection of their hoagies and calzones. But you could have the taste of Kings Island! Get that pizza, and those breadsticks, with your drink of choice. I get what I would at the park during the off season, to cope with the withdrawal. Seriously, try their other products. You'll thank yourself.

^Its a car pool parking lot for commuters.

I don't know about you, but when I'm eating LaRosa's outside the park, I'm reminded how much better it is than it is in the park, especially with the added selection of their hoagies and calzones.

Anyone else here find it odd that the Soak City webcam is facing the car pool parking lot? Also, the tubs have arrived on the site of Woodstock Gliders.

Holiday World advertises sporadically around here as does Dollywood. In recent times for the later, I remember a giant Wild Eagle advertisement right next to the P&G twin towers on south I-71 before the tunnel. You couldn't miss it and it was in view of a very large quantity of traffic. Cedar Point has a bit every now and then as well. Kentucky Kingdom only did when they were opening large attractions. I remember ones for Chang, Twisted Twins/Sisters and Greezed Lightning quite well. I've never seen Kennywood. The furthest park, aside from Disney and Universal Studios, that I've seen is Six Flags Great America advertising on Pepsi products.

But what if I read the title of this topic between April 18th and November 1 this year?

1. LeMarcus Thompson's Scenic Railway in Atlantic City, NJ (Thompson developed the first patented roller coaster) 2. Harry Traver's Crystal Beach Cyclone, Crystal Beach- I would bring my own padding and ways to keep my head stable though. Probably some pain killers as well. 3. Shooting Star, Coney Island- Cincinnati 4. Drachen Fire, Busch Gardens Williamsburg (and while I was there, Big Bad Wolf) 5. The Bat- Kings Island (circa 1981)

This looks mighty impressive for a coaster built in-house.

Considering the train will be probably be doing 65-70 mph at that point (just a guess), it'll make for a pretty intense high-speed near miss.

I rode the Smurf's Enchanted Voyage in its final years. I was very young at the time and also wasn't a fan of dark rides (they frightened me), so I probably wasn't of the mindset to appreciate it. It took me a while to warm up to the Phantom as well, but once I did, it was a staple of every visit to the park.

1. In GCI I trust 2. No 3. 1989 I believe 4. Phantom's Theater by a mile

It's also putting KICentral at major risk as well, especially in this case where the site would be the source of the leak. Not too sure Don, Kings Island, or Cedar Fair (to name a few) would look too kindly at that.

Seriously. Don't. Say. Anything. Even if they're hints. You'll save yourself soooo much trouble.

I don't bother to think about the long term future of this park. It seems better to view this park on a year-by-year basis.