silver2005

So yeah, UC is going to Spokane, Washington. If by some off chance anyone has been there, I'm open to tips (keep in mind- college students, limited transportation, etc). Weather is looking to be in the mid-40's with lots and lots of rain. As said, I will be posting a trip report with pictures, possibly from the hotel each night. A lot of 'experts' are picking UC to lose, but hey, that's why you play the game, so to speak. I like our chances to at least make it to the round of 32. It'll get interesting from there. LET'S GO BEARCATS!!!

Wow, it really burned momentum really quick. A result of the un-banked track perhaps?

So if the brakes were under the cars, how did they slow down before engaging lift #2? Did trains just fly up the lift? How was it slowed at the end?

I happen to know that the person which you speak is a staff member and mod on another coaster forum which might add even more to that aspect. He also doesn't speak like that at said site. Speaking of that other coaster forum, its one I was once very active on (spent 8 years on, was a mod, a few other roles), but it changed much in the way you're describing devarious; stricter mods and rules, admins trying to do too much, etc. Its now a shadow of its former self with admins desperately trying to saturate it with material in order to get members. I may be a newer member here, but I know and have seen the effects of such change and would hate for this site to go down the same path.

Well, I'm only at Cincinnati State through the end of this semester. I transferred from UC as I had a lot of medical issues (which I may go into that here, but at another time, its a LONG story) interfere with my studies to the point where UC had to take time to clear my grades as I'm a fairly unique case, not to mention a LOT of red tape to go through. During that time, starting last year, I wanted to keep up my studies and switched to Cincinnati State to accomplish that end. I just got things cleared at UC over this past winter break, but I wanted to get a fresh start in the fall, so that's how that ended up (I'm at a point where I have the luxury to be patient about things). I can't stay at CS anyhow as I'm majoring in psychology (which CS doesn't offer). Despite all the crap that goes on in Clifton like the crime and so forth, I'm very happy being up there. I'm really excited about how the area is growing off of campus, like along Calhoun/McMillan Streets. Of course, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, I've been able to remain a member of the UC band during all this crazy stuff which has been invaluable in helping me get back on my feet from the medical stuff.

I'm glad I don't fly a lot, I'd hate having to sort through these TSA regulations all the time. At least NCAA trips are charter flights so I don't have to waltz through normal airport security (which is nice). The last few trips we flew out of Lunken (once in a 737, we needed the entire runway to take off and land). Right now, doing some initial research on each possible city. I may be asking for pointers since I get the feeling that most of you have been around more than me (especially because I've never been to any of the cities on the list). We'll find out more come 7 pm tomorrow. I could really, really use a bit of time away, March has been dreadful for me.

Looks like they've been taking Drop Tower through its paces.

This new show is actually kind refreshing to see. I can't recall the last time Kings Island had a show like this (at least during my years of going).

Is anyone else hoping the queue gets really close to those gates, right up close to the track?

The problem I had with Mr 300 for The Beast spiel-er was on a few nights, the crew would have all 3 trains stacked, which, on Beast, you almost have to try to get that to occur. I would say that most of the Coney Mall flats have pretty good spiel-ers.

I think Twisted Twins had its trains moved to Six Flags St Louis just before Six Flags moved out of Kentucky Kingdom.

I'd love to have Phantom Theater back out of the two. It kept things really original with the different characters, the visualizations really immersed you into the atmosphere it presented, and for me, the part that really sold me was the use of the music. The way it built things up introducing the characters to the fun bits in the 'backstage' area and that wonderful climax in the stage scene. It reminded me a lot of Phantom of the Opera, Beetlejuice and Nightmare Before Christmas wrapped up in one amazing piece of ear candy. It really sucked you into the ride experience. Heck, even the queue was entertaining.

Wait...how can you bring back SDatHC and Phantom Theater when they occupied the same building? silver2005, asking questions.

I'm hoping this means they'll bring back the colored lights it used to have during the first few years it opened.

I hope its an improved walk way more than anything else as Action Zone will be brimming with people now. Anything else will make that area a congested mess (people who've been around the park during SOB's first few years and when Delirium opened should know this).

This may be a slightly minor complaint as it isn't quite as baffling as some of the things the park has/hasn't done, but why did they name their new coaster in a way that so closely resembles Thunder Run? I've already seen a lot of general public posts confuse Thunder Run and Lightning Run. Again, minor complaint, but a little originality goes a long way.

Negativity and criticism are 2 different things. I can be critical of something and still want it to succeed. Examples: I am a HUGE Cincinnati Bearcats fan. Though we have been kicking butt and are pretty much a lock to go dancing in March, there are still things I am critical of about how the team plays that might prevent them from getting to the Final Four. That doesn't mean I automatically hate them. In terms of Kings Island- I love the park as much as anyone, but for the longest time, I really wondered why they didn't tear down, or at the very least, make a decision about Son of Beast when it was pretty clear it wasn't going to open. I admit, I did get a bit worried that the park was ignoring the elephant in the room and not making a decision earlier than they did. Of course, they had their reasons which I found out through research, reading from those with more knowledge here, and using a little common sense. That doesn't mean I hate Kings Island or Cedar Fair. To me, someone who you've labeled as a Kings Island fanboy, Kentucky Kingdom looks like an interesting park. I wanted to make my way down there before it closed but didn't get around to it. I plan on making a visit, probably when they get T2 and Twisted Twins re-opened. However, as others have mentioned on this thread, I recognize their financing and PR efforts have been questionable and they face stiff competition from what are already established parks, including Kings Island having a HUGE new coaster during the same year, to say the least. Even you have to admit those are things that can't be overlooked. But that doesn't mean I hate the park. If you interpret it that way, then you really need to learn how to differentiate between hating and criticizing.

Looks like the park is getting some love from the LA Times. http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-Banshee-coaster-kings-island-20140226,0,7731891.story#axzz2ujPHLiBl

@ sccard01- Is it really that foreign a concept to you that Kentucky Kingdom's decisions and actions might be detrimental to the park? On what grounds and what info do you have to go on to be so sure Kentucky Kingdom will thrive the way you've been describing?

Who says we're not thankful and what's so wrong with thinking about the future?

One thing I think that deters people away from Stunt Crew Grille is the fact that Festhaus, an indoor eatery with air conditioning, is not but 100 ft away. Unless the new Chicken Shack has mind-blowing food, its likely that trend will continue. Also, whenever I've tried to go eat there, it seems like every other time its closed.

Honestly I can't imagine the circle being anything but a walkway. There's not much room to walk if that circle were anything else. Anyone who knows Action Zone from the early 2000's knows it can be really congested in that area. Still begs the question of where they will add lockers though.

For me, in order for Banshee to surpass Beast at night, it better be lit like this. Picture from RCDB. Link- http://rcdb.com/6667.htm This is Heide Park's wing coaster, Flug der Damonen, and it's lighting package.

So as I said in the NCAA basketball thread, I will be with the band that goes with the Bearcats for their NCAA Tournament run. I've sorted things out with my professors at Cincy State that I will be able to do the first weekend as well as the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 round should UC make it that far. Obviously won't know where we'll go or the opponent(s) until Selection Sunday. I will be posting a trip report with photos, all from a band's perspective during games. Here is a link to the tournament trip locations. The NCAA range for flights is 400 miles, which all of the second/third round games are beyond that range.

When I stay until closing, I usually try to end my day going Racer, Vortex, Diamondback, and Beast. I usually do the Eiffel Tower and the train together when I'm burning off food after a meal. Its a nice break in the action. In Action Zone (pre-Banshee), I rode Flight Deck (Bat), Drop Tower, Delirium, Invertigo and Congo Falls. The first 3 could be in any order, but the last two are on the end for a reason. I usually try to warm up to Invertigo as there are times the high g's get to me, and Congo Falls is a nice way to cool down from that. I often ride Congo Falls 2-3 times in a row after Invertigo, especially on hot days. Adventure Express usually follows. If I'm doing a thing where I'm trying to get all the major attractions in, I usually end it with WindSeeker into Backlot, before I go onto re-ride things. I have a few day plans in my head depending on a lot of factors when I go to the park. I'll have to find a way to fit Banshee into all of that. A lot of that will involve paying attention to how the crowds flow during the day. Should be interesting to see how Banshee affects crowd flow this season.