coasterdime

I'm not claiming to be any better than anyone else. I must say, though, that while Beast crews are on site everyday, they are not riding during most of that time. Even last year, I was giving pointers to two of my favorite ops. For what it's worth, PKI's are notoriously easy to snap. Try the ones at Holiday World, Americana, (if it ever reopens) Knoebels...or many others. The eight tub Bisch-Roccos are a little tougher from what I was taught, and they take practice. I was told they spin at a slightly slower speed. Forget about snapping the newer Larson models, they won't let you! Also, I don't "keep track" of the flyers. I don't go into the park with a clipboard and pocket protecter, while making formulas and taking measurements. My post above is simply from experience. As I've stated in numerous posts, I've ridden this ride literally THOUSANDS of times. Chances are, if you are/were a crew member; you would EASILY recognize me. I won't defend my love for, or experience on this ride. This ride (for me, at least) is about thrill, and more importantly...respect. This ride has operated now for more than 6 decades. I have an appreciation for this ride that I really don't have for many other rides in the park. Also, there ARE differences in the birds that make them very different. I can easily snap them all, but they are FAR from the same. Again, when I was a novice, I would actively seek the advice... and then later high fives of the ops. Now, after thousands of rides, hours of online research, and numerous verbal attacks by ignorant guests (three of which almost escalated to violence) I'm quite confident with my snapping skills, and feel I can hold my own. For what it's worth, I still have rust from rainy rides stained on a shirt, and blue paint chips attached to my wallet. (still not sure how that happened) Time for a showdown....how about 4/3, at HIGH NOON?! Just kidding of course.... BTW....flyer06, email me if you want...I probably know you!

Sounds like a challenge!!! LOL Cool topic! And Momma, it's about time you finally showed up around here! I've ridden in each tub literally dozens of times. Here are my findings: #1 Great for loud, booming SLAMS. This tub can scare people out of line #2 not the best, not the worst #3 this one is great for the ever elusive double snap. I can actually snap the cables, and then snap again before swinging back down #4 I've had good luck in this one, but lucky is: #5 the one with the giant rust spot on the floor. I like this one because the cushions are loose, and you can always find change! #6 The best bird on the ride #7 can be very violent, but you have to learn it. The stoppers are about 1-1/2" farther apart, meaning a larger range of motion on the rudder. #8 If I have a least favorite, this is it #9 Earlier in the season, I hated this one. Last fall, I was FINALLY able to get some serious snappage #10 runs hot and cold for me. I'm either in need of a Chiropractor, or mad beacause of a tame ride. Some might say they are all alike. I learned from Brian (you all know Brian, right?) that there are actually subtle differences on each flyer. For example, #6's cables are (were) just a tiny bit longer than the rest. I also remember him telling me that #3 gets more vomit than the others....I can't figure that one out.

So, will Dry Run day folks share the day with the radio station ticket holders?

I have a question for someone who knows. Will the preview be one or two days? I was listening to the radio, and heard the ad for tickets too, and I'm just hoping there won't be insane crowds like last year. I'm not complaining...or even taking the "PKI owes me 'cause I have a pass" stance...I'm just hoping they can find a way to spread out the crowds a little better. From what I understand, the preview day last year became so crowded, because of the unusually warm weather. More passholders decided to make the trek to the park. Just looking forward to going....

PKD also has 4 Rebel Yell Grizzly Hurler Scooby Doo (or whatever they're calling it) Still, pretty good record to share.

LOL, not bad.....It could get pretty boring. I was wondering, what do you do to keep yourself from getting bored out of your skull when working a ride like KI&MV RR?

I made visits to the park a grand total of 83 days. I'm not sure of how many times I rode different rides, but I did count my Flyer rides....497! If it hadn't been so busy, (that final weekend) I would have made it to 500! God, I love that ride. The Beast would be runner-up for me. Easily in the hundreds, but I didn't count.....

Yeah, it turns out that the Majestix are a well known, well respected duo in their field. I hopped into the theater last season simply to escape the heat. I returned more than a few times for that show. They also work with large cats, ala Siegfried & Roy. I've seen them on a few magic specials in the last year on TV. When they perform in Las Vegas, they are always sold out. I honestly can't believe PKI spent the money to book them for the entire season. I wish they could return with new acts some season in the future.

The sad part is, Six Flags intentionally runs at a horrible capacity-- just to sell their fast pass/Q bot thing. I've had a Six Flags SP for years, and I actually enjoy 'WoA. Other SF parks have been bad for me, though. One thing is for sure: SF simply can't compare with PKI in the service, friendliness, or efficiency departments. Also, considering SF is a few Billon dollars in debt, very few "big rides" will be coming to any SF park any time soon. Love their coasters...doesn't make for a great company....

After seeing the picture, I agree that it is Bayern Kurve. For some reason, I thought KI had a different name for it, but that's just my 30 year old mind playing tricks on me. I remember how well themed the ride was, complete with spectators around the back of the ride. In fact, as a preschooler, I actually thought those people were in line....

I'm not sure myself on the blocking situation. I was merely repeating what a group of us was told by the park's (best) spokesman. From the uninformed guest's perspective, (me) I don't really count blocks or think to much about it. I was fascinated be the revelation, and simply relayed it here. I did notice the exta footers, though. I didn't put two and two together until it was mentioned here. I know of a site the shows pics of SOB's announcement. (The announcement took place just below Beast's first drop BTW) If I can, I'll post the pics, and we can look at the model....

Jeff Siebert touched briefly on some measures being taken to smooth out this ride. Funny thing is, there are times when this thing runs perfectly, and times when I am convinced I'm injured. I'll give PKI credit, they're doing whatever it takes to get this thing to STAY enjoyable....and comfortable. A little advice for Beast riders complaining about roughness....follow the commonly accepted advice given about SOB..try front seat, second seat....or second to last seat on the train. (just stay in a seat NOT over wheels.) I enjoy this ride anywhere, but members of my family are roughness-sensitive. This advice has made them happy riders. To go off on a tangent here, did anyone else (here) listen to Jeff answer the question about SOB's third train? The person asked why there hasn't yet been a third train added to the ride. He explained, (and I think this is fascinating) that at last minute, a design change was made. The change effectively switched the locaton of the station! It was originally to be located where the transfer table is now. In the change, he explained that the ride lost a "block", but then basically stated the park didn't want to use the brake run before the loop as a permanent block.

I actually miss many of the above. My favorite KI ride had to be one from my childhood. Enchanted Voyage (HB) was a ride that just blew my childhood mind away. I remember the music, some of the props, the entrance, and even those little boats. IMHO, it was one of the best- outside of a Disney park. Taft really did a good job of theming in the 70's. Screamin' Demon just completely scared the crap out of me. It was my first looper. The first part was fun, but to me....at my young age and experience, the reverse loop was diabolical!

Below is a link that touches briefy on The Bat's history, and shows a few pics....This isn't the sight I was thinking of, but still pretty good. http://www.coasterglobe.com/features/lostlegends-thebat/

From my understanding, there were two major design flaws that shortened this coaster's life. 1. There was a severe lack of banking in the turns, putting stress on the track and vehicles. 2. Unlike Top Gun, the brake fins were below the cars, but the wheels were (obviously) above the cars. This somehow "torqued" the wheel assemblies. (not sure if torque is the right word, but gives the right idea.) I know of a site dedicated to The Bat, I'll look for it. I was only ten when I rode this ride, but I still remember it scaring the crap out of me.....

Jeff touched on that, at least to a few of us...as we were waiting for the rest of the group to catch up. He said the trains are currently in pieces. He described the boxes and boxes of wheels, nuts, and bolts...and piles of lap bars.

Wow, is this hard to narrow down. The best is next to impossible to figure. I met tons of employees this season, only because I spent every second possible at the park. There are a few I now even consider friends. Easter Sunday was a fun day to be at the park, albeit a cold rainy day. I was also impressed with the caliber of employees this season. I honestly can't figure out why PKI employees don't rank any higher with those who rank "friendliest parks." My worst experience, though, involved a RUDE employee. She was working Face-Off during an early ride time.... and it was very clear that she didn't want to be there. For some reason, I let it get to me and actually left the park mad. (and early) I just didn't want to experience the park while in a bad mood. Someone else mentioned the 7/4-5 fireworks fiasco. (t-storms from he**) The park was incredibly gracious about giving my family members tickets to return on the 5th, simply to APOLOGIZE about the bad weather! What a class act. Another frustrating moment (I mean this lightheartedly) came on the last day of operations. From what I could gather, most of the employees were expecting crowds, but not those crowds. I missed my 500th Eagles ride by less than a half dozen. I visited the park 90 times this season, and in all of that time, VERY few really bad things happened. I had a near perfect season...but it's always over too soon.

I loved (in the earlier season) how the crowds would react to seeing Delirium for the first time. I remember waiting for the parking lot to open on Season Pass night in April. People were pressed against their windshields... pointing at the ride, all the while with their jaws dropped in awe. Again, reactions were quite entertaining while waiting for the 10:00 rope to drop. Hundreds of people audibly sucking in air at the same time, as if seeing a spaceship landing before them. I honestly think that ride has more curb appeal than any other ride in the park. Ride for ride, though, I really think I miss the Flying Eagles the most. This is a ride I just didn't "get" for the longest time. For me, It now possesses an addictive quality that alone makes me hate Winter. I spent so much time back there, that I actually developed friendships with the ride ops. This is a good topic, and as I type this... I'm thinking about a lot of great things I'm missing. Does anyone else miss just walking by Racer, seeing it is a walk-on; and not being able to resist catching a quick ride? How about that intense rush of wind Drop zone makes, as it pushes the sky into the queue? Maybe that wacky older man that worked the Eiffel Tower this season? (the guy from the train in 02) It seems like yesterday I was stuck inside, with cabin fever... waiting for '03 to start.

I think you may be on to something there. As it was explained to me, KC was made from steel that was of a lesser quality than the later models. That would help to explain why the newer models are "still on the road." From what I was led to believe, the cold winters and hot summers gave the steel too much of a temperature range to be "comfortable." Maybe someone here with more knowledge on the properties of steel could help explain?..... That being the case, it actually amazes me that the park was trying to sell it.

If I'm not mistaken, The movie filmed at PKI was "Fresh Horses." It starred Andrew McCarthy and Molly Ringwald....It was released sometime in the mid 80's. I can kinda remember the Winterfest scene, and a crack in the movie about grad students working Winterfest. Not entirely sure if that was the movie's title, but those were the actors.

The prizes were awarded today. (at least some of 'em) I know one person who won a $50 gift card. I won nothing. Did any of you get a prize? Here's hoping a PKI fan won something....

I actually miss the old red color of The Beast's structure. The brown is finally growing on me, after quite a few years. I like how well the ride blends with its surroundings now...which I'm guessing is why they changed colors in the first place. Also, I have a copy of ACE News from April 1979. (Wasn't called ACE News then, though) In one of the articles, the author describes seeing the trains' dramatic color scheme as each one returned to the station. I didn't remember the orig. trains too well, so those pics were helpful.

Very cool topic. I'm not sure what to do. Last winter seemed incredibly long. Maybe Orlando in January Although I'll miss my second home, the off season doesn't seem to drag until after Christmas. This season did go by wayyy to quickly, though.

Tomorrow wll make visit #76 for me this season. I've been pretty lucky, all in all. I spent 6 out of 7 days this season at a park, somewhere. Guess which is my favorite?!!