TombRaiderFTW

The ride op at White Water Canyon's pay geysers could tone it down, too. They're currently addressing and taunting every boat that passes, to the point that it's nearly a continuous stream of loud talking. It's not necessary, and, like others have said, it distracts from the ride op's actual job, which is to keep riders safe. It's also not just a Kings Island thing. They do it at SFStL, too. It's unnecessary there, too.

I got to see the new acts. They're both very good, but the ring lady is really phenomenal. The way she flips the rings almost feels like an illusion--the way she whirls and flings them around herself doesn't seem possible. Hand2Hand was great, but the only part of it I find myself missing is that momentary pause in the music where those two would quickly flip around into that lean--that was just a really neat effect that gave me chills. The ring performance is a suitable replacement in every other way. I love seeing the show reach a "sweet spot" as time goes by. Cirque did it twice, and Origins is doing it. Even the painting portion seems like it flows much better than it did during the passholder preview. It's still very much a pause in the action, but I think they've found a much better balance between the time taken to paint, the way they ramp up "decorating" the audience participant, the distractions in the background, etc. I do miss Yannick, though. He really did have a fun personality for the show. I'm sure the new performers will get better and better at putting their personalities into their performances. The juggler/painter (whose name I don't know) has really put a lot of charisma and fun into his role, too. Also, Magenta Lizard... If you wouldn't mind, I'm still dying to get my hands on the Origins song list. Pretty please?

Ladies and gentlemen: on June 15, 2016, RCDB.com finally changed its ways and added Haunted House at Camden Park to its database. I mean, it's (intentionally?) misspelled as "Hawnted House," but let's not get caught up on details, right? Or is that its actual name and I've been calling it the wrong thing all this time? There's a picture of the sign on RCDB. I suppose you could accuse it of saying "Hawnted" instead of "Haunted," but that's definitely not something I would ever assume by myself. No sign of Devil's Den at Conneaut Lake Park so far. Maybe they'll get around to it, as well as getting rid of Thunder Run at Canada's Wonderland.

That would be the Kings Island Theater at 3, 5, and 7, with an additional showing at 1:30 on Saturdays and no showings on one of the weekdays. TRFTW, always willing to help.

^ On the subject of the different type of wood: Back in 2009, Beast's helix was retracked. I can't find the exact source, but I swear I read on Kings Island's old Blogspot blog that Ipe wood was used. I remember being surprised at learning that it is so dense that it doesn't float in water. Maybe I'm confusing my sources, because Gordon Bombay posted something in a thread from early 2009 that has a lot of the information I remember. Link. I also remember reading speculation that the banking of the helix was increased then. I don't think I ever heard if that ever officially happened.

That was beautiful. Thank you for saying it.

Interesting... That's two acts that are gone. I wonder what the replacements will be, or if there will be replacements soon. The trampwall act could probably fill in for the trapeze, but I wonder what they'll do for the other one.

What a tragedy. This is awful. My prayers are with those affected. (Given that someone started killing a group of people who were otherwise going on with their lives, isn't this the exact definition of a terror incident...?)

Six Flags St. Louis. These days, it's a better version of Holiday World for me, except it also gets the benefit of being a lot closer to other stuff I love. I'd agree with Six Flags Great Adventure. To me, it does a better job of being Cedar Point than Cedar Point does--Cedar Point seems to be on a bit of a coaster kick at the expense of trees and atmosphere, whereas Great Adventure manages to have big rides AND a level of theming I prefer. But maybe it's a "grass is greener on the other side" kind of thing--I've been to CP way more than SFGAdv. It's funny that homestar just put these as some of the more overrated parks, because I'd say that Canada's Wonderland and Kings Dominion are both underrated--or underappreciated, at least. (Different strokes for different folks! ) A lot of TRs for both focus on their respective coasters over 300 feet tall and not much else, which is a little sad, as I don't feel like either park's theming is really appreciated enough. In fact, I think Leviathan and Behemoth (though that one's under 300 feet tall, of course) were both very, very forgettable. Wonder Mountain and Congo Safari Village are both some of my favorite park features. I could name more rides I find underrated than parks, though: Georgia Cyclone, the Coney Island Cyclone, Timber Wolf (WoF), Boss, Hurler (Carowinds), Verbolten, Wonder Mountain's Guardian, Mad Mouse (MA), Racer (Kennywood), Tempesto...

EDIT: Forget this. It's not worth it.

^ Will you please share the song list? I really like Origins's soundtrack and would love to have it to listen to.

I think it's a wonderful show and a significant improvement of the format of the Dimensions: A Cirque Experience show that was at Canada's Wonderland last year. I highly recommend it. Dropping some thoughts behind a spoiler tag so I don't ruin anything for anyone. Kings Island folks, if you're reading this: thanks for bringing this awesome show to the park. It's another home run!

They close early so they can get through all the customers in line just in time for the 10pm closing time. (Just kidding. I don't know anything about this.)

The horse is inches from death, amigo. The point has been made. If your Gwazi ride(s) are anything like the one I had back in 2014, I would recommend that you don't use that as the basis for your opinion on GCI's rides. Gwazi was sluggishly paced and unbelievably rough when I rode it--in fact, it's second only second to Son of Beast as my least favorite coaster. If you get a chance, try something like Lightning Racer, Prowler, or American Thunder. Of the GCI coasters I've ridden, those are some of the best. They're really good rides. The GCIs I've ridden that were built in the brief period that GCI used PTC trains instead of their own Millennium Flyers (SFA's Roar, Hershey's Wildcat, and BGT's Gwazi) have all been very rough and mostly not my cup of tea. I certainly wouldn't mind a GCI at Kings Island, but I wonder if a GCI has the capacity that Cedar Fair might be looking for for a park of KI's size.

Such a good topic! Always a good thing to meditate on. I've always enjoyed this one quote by Maya Angelou, which I have posted in the "random quote" thread but will repost here: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." I've yet to find a situation in life where that doesn't apply.

I didn't know Microsoft was in the business of making Greek food. Oh, wait... I'm fairly indifferent on Windows 10 (although I do think it is better than 8), but this isn't the first time this thing has happened for the park. There were stretches of time that the FUN TV's for Racer and Bat just showed a colorful Windows 10 login screen last season.

It kinda sounds like Epcot, except with a random ark included. That's a strange mix. I've wondered for a while now why a park hasn't been built between Houston and New Orleans. Both are decently large metropolitan areas that haven't a large park nearby since the mid 2000's. There was the Grand Texas theme park proposed near Houston, but that really hasn't managed to get off the ground yet.

In a little over a week, Origins: A Cirque Experience will open in the Kings Island Theater. After two years of Cirque Imagine, I know the bar is set high for me. I'm sure they won't disappoint, either! In case you all haven't already seen it (I haven't seen a post around here yet), there is a Gold/Platinum passholder preview performance on Friday, May 27 at 7:00pm. Per Kings Island's website, you must register in the passholder site on Kings Island's website and print off your confirmation to attend. Here's a link with all the info. Figured you all might be interested! Who's excited?!

I love your pictures. You've got a really good eye for photos. What camera do you use? Thanks for sharing your trip report!

Worlds of Fun and Knotts removed theirs this season. The parks that still have HUSS Top Spins (or one of the variants) are California's Great America, Kings Dominion, and Valleyfair. Canada's Wonderland has a similar ride, but it's from Mondial, not HUSS. The one at Worlds of Fun was awful--I think the seats are sized for children under the age of 10--but the rest are Suspended Top Spins that I dearly hope stay around. I've only ridden The Crypt at Kings Dominion, but it's legitimately a fun ride for me.

There was an ejection on New Texas Giant and Lightning Rod at Dollywood is having delays in opening. Texas Giant is the only real issue.Lightning Rod is due to the fact that they're putting new technology onto something wooden. Launched lift on a wooden coaster has never been done before. They want to make sure it's done properly. The launch was made by a third party as well, so that issue isn't fully RMC relatedSent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk RMC also did not design the trains for Texas Giant. Those came from Gerstlauer and were modified (either during development or after they were delivered--I don't remember which at this point) by Six Flags. Whose fault it was that a passenger was ejected was (is?) something the courts decided (are deciding?) It's been a while since I last read up on that incident.There are a couple questions I have for thought, though: 1. Who developed the launch system for Lightning Rod? 2. Whose decision was it to use the launch system that, according to RMC, is the cause for the delays? 3. Are the answers to 1 and 2 relevant to future customers? I'm just wondering aloud. This user has no insider information about any past, current, or future projects from Rocky Mountain Construction and/or Dollywood. This is a disclaimer. I'm completely speculating, but I don't think this would be an RMC ride if it is a roller coaster. It would be lovely to have one that close to home, but I feel like Cedar Fair's track record leans more towards working with companies they've got experience working with (GCI, B&M, Triotech) than someone new.

DiamondBanshee: I suppose that could be something, but consider also the size of the amusement industry. Everyone seems to know everyone else, it seems. Greg Scheid, Jeff Seibert, Luna Park NYC, and Dollywood follow The Gravity Group on Twitter, but it does not necessarily mean that Kings Island, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Luna Park, and Dollywood have ever done business with or have any plans to do business with The Gravity Group. If anything, it may just be a matter of networking. This post is not a hint. I have no inside information about any future park or manufacturer plans. This is a disclaimer.

Alright, let's review mine, then... ...Actually, wait. Nothing changed. That's still where I ride all of them.

I didn't check today, but as of last weekend the bell wasn't up... The stand for the bell was still there, but no bell.Don't quote me on this, but I believe the bell usually shows up around Memorial Day each year. It's similar to how, until recent years, an American flag would show up on the concrete block at the center of Beast's turn out of the station on July 4th. (Starting a few years back, it started being there throughout the year.)

Thanks for the explanation. I prefer the before compared to the after on maverick. You're welcome. Also, just to be clear: The problem with the "before" on Maverick is that that heartline roll (allegedly, according to enthusiast circles) pulled too many forces on the riders. It wasn't a matter of Cedar Point deciding they didn't like having an inversion there; it was a matter of Intamin providing something that couldn't be used. That's why there was a change.