gigacoaster2k

If I were Katie, I would be angry, but there are a lot of rides that have manufacturer limitations. If the employee doesn't follow the rules based on those limitations, they can lose their job. Perhaps an employee or member of management saw Katie riding back in December and perhaps the policy was modified as a result. We have no way of knowing what the media cut out of this, so I'm throwing that out there. Every park has rules and limitations for personal rider safety and security. Diamondback doesn't allow casts, Millennium Force and Dragster don't allow backpacks in their queue or on the ride, and Dollywood doesn't allow riders to wear hats or scarves on any of their rides. Many rides at parks all over the US do not allow pregnant riders, too-short riders, or riders with prosthetic limbs. None of that is discrimination, but people play that card all the time in sue-happy America. We may not understand why the rules are there, but if something is not allowed then surely something must have happened for the rule to be in effect. People get up in arms over things like this all the time, but suppose they let rules fly and an accident happens as a result of negligence. I as a rider would rather be angry than dead or injured. I understand and admire that Katie is skilled and adept in her personal life, but the park does not know that. I'm hoping to be a ride operator for the first time in my life this year. I know that if I was faced with a similar situation and was told that a guest with amputations could not ride as a result of manufacturer regulations, I would have no choice but to politely ask the person to exit the ride.

Excuse me? At Carowinds this past weekend, I not only ate in the park, but I purchased a shirt from the gift shop. At Kings Dominion, I ate in the park, and blew about $60 in the gift shops. I was walking around with a KD bag on my back and a $4 bottle of water in my hand. I still eat in the park and buy souvenirs at both KI and CP. Once again, my point was completely overlooked and yet another judgment was made about me and others. I am sick and tired of explaining that not all thrillseekers refuse to spend money in the park. This generalization, whether directed at me or not, is unnecessary and irrelevant, and it's really starting to tick me off. Comments like that are hurtful. I did not ask to be judged, but I guess that comes along with being a member of KICentral. I'm going back under again for a while. I'm sorry I started posting here again. I forgot that respect for others is not part of the agreement in the TOS.

I certainly understand that. But from a guest's point of view: It's frustrating to go to a park after dropping $165 on a platinum pass, and being allowed in early only to see that nearly everything I want to ride is closed. I don't live as close as many of you do.. I live 63 miles from KI. The first thing I want to do when I get to KI is hop on Diamondback, because that hour+ drive is all anticipation for me. So when I saw that ERT on my favorite coaster at KI was taken away this year, it really took the wind out of my sails. I get a kick out of going to Cedar Point and seeing that rides like Millennium Force, Maverick, and Raptor are open and ready to go. The full hour of morning ERT every day of the season makes the 170 mile drive worth it, and it makes the amount I paid for my pass worth every penny.

How did I just know that Cedar Point wouldn't pull something stupid like yanking ERT from some of the most popular coasters in the park? I know where I'll be this season.

I voted for whatever the KIC group is doing, but then I realized everyone is going to split off in different directions. I'll go with the biggest KIC group (or the least boring one lol.. I'd rather not waste time by walking around in circles and being indecisive, that drives me insane). I would have chosen Diamondback, but they decided that a 230-foot B&M hyper doesn't deserve ERT recognition anymore.. besides, I already kicked off 2011 with Intimidator at Carowinds, so I suppose it really doesn't matter how I start opening day at KI as long as I'm around my friends.

Several of us got Carowinds platinum passes this past Saturday. They scanned just fine at Kings Dominion on Sunday. But that sounds like a good idea, to go down and see if they scan. Like you said, can't be too sure. My KI pass has had a few issues at CP in the past and it didn't scan at Carowinds or KD last year. You would think with technology the way it is, they'd have this issue resolved. Those platinum passes are $165 a pop. I don't often get irritated with park operations, but when my CF platinum pass does not scan at a CF park, that shortens my fuse a bit.

I forgot to mention that one of my rides this past Sunday was in row 1. I suggest you spit somewhere obscure before you ride in that seat or in row 2, because any drop of saliva you have in your mouth is going to blow out your mouth and down the sides of your face. It's truly an experience beyond words to ride in the front seat of I305. I realize that some of you prefer more theming, but I basically like coasters that kick my butt and make me feel like I'm going to fly off the track at any given second.. besides, you don't really have time to enjoy the scenery when you're twisting and turning at 94 mph.

I didn't know that.. whoops. Thanks for pointing that out though.. I suppose you learn something new every day!

MAKE IT DO THIS.

I fully second that. I rode Crypt at KD on Sunday, and the flips were so intense that I screamed like a little girl. It actually scared me. Which is why I'll be riding it again. The way Crypt operated at KD is how a Huss top spin should operate. It looked pretty wicked with the water and the flames shooting up toward the riders. There were more people watching than there were riding.

Don't let that stop you. To me, it's like they threw Cedar Point and Paramount's Kings Island into a blender and out came Kings Dominion. It's a terrific park with beautiful scenery and a lot of great and unique thrill rides. Something tells me you're going to love Volcano. They also have a swinging ship called Berserker, it flips in a full 360. I rode the one at Carowinds (Southern Star) and it was definitely a new experience, to be in a swinging ship with OTSRs and hanging completely upside down for a few seconds.. that was whoa. lol. There are only 2 coasters at KD that I don't like, and those are Anaconda and Shockwave. I'll gladly ride everything else.

I have never grayed out in the helix on BLSC at KI. The one at KD made me gray out.. the helix felt faster and more intense. I would have power lapped 305 all day, but I was there with 5 other people I wanted to spend time with, and I had to show love to Dominator, Hurler, FOF, Volcano, and Rebel Yell too. That and it was only my second visit ever to KD. I didn't get to do much on opening day last year because it was crazy packed, so I made sure that I got to ride everything I wanted before I left this weekend. At one point, everyone went to ride Anaconda (a ride I'm not fond of), so I sat out. It suddenly dawned on me that 305's entrance was about a 2 minute walk to my left. I literally ran over there to see an empty queue and the gates open with a half empty train waiting to load. So I rode 305, and then ran back just as everyone was exiting Anaconda.

On Sunday, April 3, I visited Kings Dominion, and had the glory of riding Intimidator 305 seven times.. it was a walk on and progressed no farther than a station wait all day. The new restraints are great. Last year they were identical to Maverick's restraints, and left a lot of riders in pain from their head being flung back and forth from the hard transitions in the layout. This year, they are soft straps that rest comfortably on your shoulders. They are a good change for this ride, and you focus more on having fun during the ride than worrying if your ear is going to get ripped off or if your glasses will get snapped in the next transition. The reprofiling of the first turn did absolutely nothing to alter how amazing this coaster was the first time I rode it. It blew me away on its debut on opening day last year, and it blows me away now. It still proudly sits atop my steel coaster list as number one. It's going to take something really amazing to change that. I'd like to point out that I grayed out harder than I did last year after the first drop. In fact, I grayed out every single time I rode it, but only for a few seconds. I have grayed out MUCH harder on Millennium Force, to be perfectly honest. Graying out doesn't bother me; it just shows me how intense the ride really is, and I'm cool with that. I have not heard of anyone completely blacking out yet, and I pray that they don't, because I'd rather not see another ridiculously botched experiment with excessive amounts of trim brakes. However; the trim on the third hill (the second airtime hill) grabs a tad harder than I'd like, but once the track heats up, it seems to fly faster over the trim. I normally don't mention trim brakes, but some are so highly opposed that they let it ruin their day. I along with a couple others noticed that you don't feel the trim as much when you ride in the front of the train, as opposed to riding in the back of the train. The intensity of how hard the trim grabs seems to lessen during the course of the day (which seemed to ring true last year as well from those I spoke to who are regulars at KD). So if you really want a ride worth mentioning, ride toward the front of the train in the late afternoon or in the evening. From observation: If you don't like Maverick at CP, you probably won't like I305 either.. just something I've noticed, people who dislike Maverick are the ones who believe that Millennium Force is a better ride.. it all comes down to the opinion of what you like. As much as I love Millie, the intensity of I305's layout gives me a mind blowing thrill that I can't describe. If you do enjoy Maverick like I do, then start planning your trip to Kings Dominion.. I305 alone is well worth your trip.

Chris, we seem to like the opposite rides! I LOVE I305 and Hurler, although I do agree with you on Dominator.. that's a great ride. I'm not too fond of Anaconda either. It was nice to see you and the Wetterstroems, and Rachel and Jack! <3

You have absolutely no idea how terrified I am of sky rides for that reason. I'll only ride them if the park is truly worth looking at and can't see it any other way, or if I'm tired of walking, but I'm white knuckled the whole time. I've never been on a zipline at a park. As far as Flying Eagles, they have several cables that attach from the ride itself to the car, not just one cable.. plus the sky rides and sky flyers are MUCH higher off the ground than a flying eagle ride. I suppose that may also stem from the fact that my fear of heights is still about 5% there, which is probably also why I was really nervous on Kings Dominion's Drop Tower.. that thing is far more terrifying than any Drop Tower I've ever ridden.

I fully second that.. I am so glad I'm not the only one. Skyflyer scares me because regardless of all the precautions, I just can't fully convince myself to feel safe while riding. I'm not too sure about a ride where a metal cable is the only thing separating me from life and death.

haha I know right? At first I was thinking........ what in the heck is KI doing?? Then my eyes got wider as I saw the tower getting taller and realized, this isn't just going to be a cracked-out version of Zephyr.. this ride may just have several people in a far more nervous state than they originally thought, especially once they're on the ride.

Holy crap.. I hadn't thought of that! Excellent point, Kyle!

I saw the tower on the second webcam just now.. my stomach twisted in a knot and I said "oh my God". I've heard many people refer to WindSeeker as an oversized Zephyr.. I don't think so. You're going to be 300 feet above the ground with your feet dangling. I don't doubt for a second that I'm going to have serious butterflies in my stomach while waiting in line for my first ride. Seriously, try to imagine what it's going to be like riding this. I think it's going to be a much bigger thrill than a lot of people are anticipating.. I'm probably one of the biggest thrillseekers you'll ever meet in your life, but I'm not ashamed to say the thought of being on this thing is making me a little nervous. I won't chicken out, but I'm not so sure I can calm my nerves when I'm in my seat and the thumbs up and all clear is issued.

OK......... I take back everything I said about KI not keeping up with thrill rides. The second pic that Delirium13 posted made my stomach do backflips. As much of a thrillseeker as I am, I may not be too sure of myself on this ride. I do have a teensy bit of a fear of heights that still lingers somewhere deep inside me, and I think that's perhaps part of what fuels my adrenaline rush. KI: BRING ON WindSeeker. I'm ready.. well, maybe.

Bring it on! You and Kim are more than welcome to go with us to any amusement park.. we miss you!

Simply put: If you're only planning on going to KI this year, I'd get a gold pass. If you're planning on going to KI and some of the other CF parks this year, I'd get a platinum pass. Both passes offer free parking. I'm going to Carowinds and Kings Dominion next weekend, and I'm a regular at Cedar Point, so this will be my 5th year being a platinum passholder. So it's really up to you which pass to get, based on your plans.

I realize that I'm taking a risk by not posting a happy rainbows-and-butterflies opinion on this website, but there is an issue here that needs to be addressed. I think that if the money for this attraction isn't going to fund rehab for the rides in the park that are falling apart, then it's a huge waste of money. Delirium has not run the same since its big breakdown in 2005. It doesn't swing as high as it used to, it makes a loud metallic whine noise when it swings, and it really slows down once it hits its apex, which is barely above a 90 degree angle compared to the way maXair at Cedar Point swings at a 110 degree angle and you can actually see behind you, almost as if you are upside down. Delirium is also quite jerky when slowing down from hitting its apex. Anyone who has ridden Delirium and maXair will tell you the same.. yes, they may show as the same ride on the websites, but it is not the same ride experience. Crypt used to be a terrific Huss top spin. It's now to the point where neither enthusiasts nor the general public enjoy the ride, and it is now known as the world's only indoor Ferris wheel. Son of Beast: Enough said. Is Delirium going to continue to run like crap? Is Crypt going to slow down to the point where it will close for "an undetermined amount of time" and just be a non-operational top spin in a building with a blocked-off walkway and no sign out front? Will we ever know what fate Son of Beast is going to face? I hope the admission costs from Dinosaurs Alive will go toward repair costs for the abovementioned rides. Yes, we are getting WindSeeker, but that does not change facts.. adding new rides does not fix our existing ones. I'd like to know what is being done to save our existing rides. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.

I was at CP one morning and went for the very last row on Magnum, and turned around to face the other way through the entirety of the ride, from lift hill to brake run. That was something else, to ride an Arrow hyper backwards.. you have no idea what's going to happen next, and seeing yourself fly out of a tunnel backwards was pretty cool. Not to mention it jarred me around quite a bit.. those bunny hills got me good.