silver2005

I feel like a lot of the new track in combination with the new paint is still breaking in. I felt a few bits, particularly at the bottom of drops and most of the track on the return run, felt a little raw. All the new stuff is still adjusting to the ebb and flow of the ride just a tad. Should be really great once everything is broken in though. I also wish they put a little more TLC into the station and gave it new chasers lights a la Blue Streak (I see the old ones still remain). Regardless of my nitpicks, its gorgeous in person and is definitely running at the best its had since I started riding it. It almost does feel like you're back in 1972 with how new it looks, at least, if it wasn't for the giant blue giga coaster on the left.

I know we get Beast back in a month or so, but having grown up with Beast and Vortex as the 2 main right of passage coasters, having both gone or closed feels like part of Kings Island's soul is ripped away.

Adventure Express is smoother with its new paint.

I mean...you could ride Beast if you want to experience what it's like to be a Rollercoaster Tycoon bot riding on an unfinished track. Just make sure the trains aren't full of dynamite.

Here's a thread from 2014 which shows the ride counts, Bat's near the top.

I usually go to Opening Day pretty much just to end the off-season wait. I mostly cruise around with KICers and randomly do stuff with the shortest wait available. I have a Platinum Pass to go back and do better ride sessions. I'm bringing my good camera on Saturday for a bit of photography. If you want good ride sessions early, go on Fridays in May or the first week in June.

Crap, the Guardians are out of town the week I am aiming for (the last full week in July).

Opening day is looking like much better weather now, it's gonna be packed.

^As someone who read the 2006 accident forensics report, I would argue that most of its issues could be backtracked to it being built as bit as it was.

WWC is missing, also correlating with Soak City missing. Also, BLSC being in Rivertown now, naturally.

^Now I'm imagining KIC renting out a portion of the park a la Kentucky Kingdom and the KY fairgrounds situation, crowdfund a $20 million Mack coaster, and have all the ERT (with complimentary fountain for @pianoman using the old pedestals). It also has to be conditioned to run in sub-0F weather for @malem.

So, I've got my trip plan in place for this summer after going over a lot of finances. While I was initially planning on slapping on Waldameer to this trip, I thought otherwise and will be reducing it to 2 days at Cedar Point (which I essentially have pre-paid in full with a loaded Platinum pass) and my first trek to Indiana Beach prior to that. I will also be heading to downtown Cleveland, mainly for the Rock and Roll HOF, maybe a Guardians game even if the Reds aren't up there (not likely). Looking at a late July venture. I know CP (staying in Port Clinton per usual) and Cleveland alright (could use dining suggestions for downtown Cleveland), but I could use any suggestions on my first Indiana Beach trip.

I subscribe to the John Allen theory that no wooden coaster should be built more than 120ft or so, as evidenced by the failures of the many large scale wooden coasters like SOB, Texas Giant and Mean Streak. Intamin Plus N' Plays have their own issues altogether. Also, KI doesn't need another wooden coaster.

I also don't think the GP cares as much about theming as enthusiasts do at CF or SIX parks (which,I tend to agree with in that theming at more generic parks in overrated). Sure, it helps, but the lack thereof isn't detrimental to non-enthusiasts. To them, that's why you go to a park more geared to theming like Dollywood, Disney, or Universal Studios.

That also means rain soaked tracks on Racer and Timbers.

Opening day is looking rather gloomy.

I imagine most of the park, particularly International Street, is decked out like that.

Also look up what happened to Raven around that time and you'll understand even more as to why.

Part of me hopes that someone who isn't invited goes to the park as normal during that weekend to see how many said YouTubers were on the invite list.

^That's why I'm not going to bother registering anymore as long as they keep the attendance cap.

The band may be WIP with the lead trumpet player (who I know) working in LA a lot.

Bringing back the '72 lettering?

A sky ride from Action Zone to Rivertown. Also new parking lot trams.

You'd think PTC would design a set that went backwards due to how popular backwards racing coasters seem to be.