KIfan1980

markr - I agree with your position here that these forums are for fun debate and expressing opinions and people shouldn't become personal and/or tell others to shut up but - I think the point some SoB fans are trying to make is that the SoB haters seem to find a way to turn almost any forum into a SoB bonfire forum. I think it was post #5 in the "Congo Falls" topic earlier today and post #4 on another one I read that wasn't SoB related (I can't recall which right now) that the words 'tear SoB down' 'burn it' 'B&M invert to replace SoB' or something similar were found.

Totally agree about Diamondback with the fireworks going off - amazing, but have to point out, this is not the very last ride of the night (it's also fun to watch fireworks while in line and ride the last ride of the night) and it doesn't happen (any more? or never did?) on Beast with the shutdown.

But don't you kind of wish you'd gotten 20 rides in today and made it to 130?

Since I'm not normally carrying a bag I missed this, but am not too concerned - I wouldn't mind if they decide to take out the detectors entirely, so long as they redistributed the security to the park to enforce park rules. Although my cynical side says they are probably reducing the # of security to save nickels.

I also forgot to mention that despite the crowds, I thought the KI associates on duty yesterday were doing a great job. - Parking was efficient both times I enterred thanks to a watched Gold Pass lot and fast moving, friendly folks at tolls - Metal detectors and gates were also faster than normal (have they adjusted the process at the metal detectors?) - I saw several shirt and tie types confronting smokers and helping out in general - Ride ops were excited (except at AE, although he may have been trying to be funny and I just didn't get it) and kept the lines moving as much as possible. Flight Deck in particular had a crew that was interacting well with guests. BLSC crew was getting the trains loaded and out fast. - Show performers were both entertaining and talented Thumbs Up, thumbs up

I always wondered why those prime spaces are unutilized - hadn't thought about the tram stop, but sounds like an explanation. As an aside, when did trams stop running at KI? Also, although it is outside Gold Pass (in the area between Gold Pass and the Exit lane), there are also about 20 non-spaces under a light that have a big yellow X in them that. Anyone know what this is or why there is no parking allowed there? Was this also an old tram stop?

So I had the night to sleep on it, and the more I think about it the more I understand the point FF EKU is trying to make here that I think is being missed by some. Kings Island has a fine line to walk with attendance - you want it as high as possible (profit), but you also don't want it to be so crowded that people do not enjoy their day and may not want to return. While it was possible for many to enjoy the day, despite the crowds, and while it probably will not stop most people from KIC who went yesterday from returning (and/or buying a Gold Pass again next year), I think the insane crowds yesterday could impact the park more than the extra $ made yesterday makes worthwhile. I met non Dollar General people from Tennessee, West Virginia, and Canada yesterday that may look at the trip as not worth repeating and there were likely local families that looked at the weather and decided to go to KI that won't do that again. I'll again say I don't have a solution - but think there is a valid point here that management at KI/CF might want to look at as an opportunity area to improve upon in the future.

I knew there had to be a *good* explanation

As I was on vacation last week and am booked all this week with non coaster riding family in town - I decided to brave the July Saturday crowds and take the boys to the park for a couple of hours this afternoon. To make a long story short, the park was insanely packed so we skipped the normal rides (FOC, Scooby), but had fun with other activities: Shows, Eiffel Tower, RR, Viking Fury. The pleasant surprise came, however, with our normal height check when my 5 year old was fitted with his Purple wristband - for those of you without kids, this is the one that says 48" on it! So after heading home for dinner and leaving the 3 year old with the wife, my coaster buddy and I braved the crowds again and returned to the park, although he wasn't entirely sure what the purple wristband meant, he was excited. Our first stop was Action Zone (he has never been in this part of the park before) for a Flight Deck ride. We waited for front seat and had an amazing ride which he loved - FD immediately moved to number 0 on his list (in a 5 year olds mind, this is better than number 1!) We followed this up with a ride on AE which was just ok - he rode Thunderation at SDC and Big Thunder Mountain at WDW earlier this year which I'd say are better mine trains. Then we went to Red Racer which was running great today and tied FD for number 0 on his list - the best part of this though was waiting on the brake run where he looked at me and said that he loved riding roller coasters with me (I can admit to having a tear in my eye for that). Finally we ended the night with a ride in front seat of BLSC. Ok for me, but he thought it was the best of the night - he is a car nut so riding in the blue Mini Cooper probably pushed it over the top. All in all, despite the crowds a great day at KI.

Not trying to pick a fight, but there is a big difference between a corporate sponsorship of a NASCAR team and the Ohio Dollar General distribution center having a day at Kings Island. That said, I understand your frustration and am sorry that you had a bad day at KI. I don't have a solution though as in some ways KI should be trying to get this full more often from a profitability standpoint.

I'm pretty sure that P&G has two days, not just one, Cincy Financial was in April, and am not sure about GE. Also, I have no idea what it takes to buy out the park, but I'd bet it is a large number of nickels. The 3900 guests quoted above is likely nowhere near the amount needed to make it justifyable to Dollar General to have a private day.

I also went today (had been on vacation for a week and are busy from tomorrow through next Sunday)and was amazed at the crowds. I haven't ever seen the parking lot that full and overflowing ever in almost 30 years of park trips. The line for rides reminded me of what it used to be like when the only major coasters were Racer and Beast. So what did me and the boys do - we skipped the lines and instead went up the Eiffel Tower, rode the carrousel, took the KI&MV RR trip, watched Flashback Totally 80's, went to Marty's Party, and mixed in a couple of minor rides like Viking Fury. All in all, we had a great time doing things we often skip on less crowded days.

I'm confused as to why anyone in the amusement park business would sign an agreement/contract that would expire in mid-season? Then again, I'm also confused as to why CF would pay $1.24B for the old Paramount parks.

KI Man - I'm with you on this. While if given a choice to only have one ride, I'll head to 16 as it is my favorite location (I've ridden enough different seats to know), I also think there are incredible rides to be had in the middle. IMO, row 10 gives the best first drop as you seem to be perfectly balanced between "hanging in the front" and "pulled over in the back" Also, great front of train experiences can be had in row 2 and 4 as well as 1. Also for different experiences in the overbanked turn, and helixes, make sure to switch sides of the train. As a most times single rider, I've found myself on the left sides seats a lot, but enjoy the right side seats in the final helix more.

Hip Hip - Hooray!

To be clear, all roller coasters at Kings Island (and everywhere else that I can think of) are already in three dimensions. A two dimensional coaster would either be very straight or very flat.

You missed this poll also. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18601

But Giga - you didn't give us any poll options to vote on! Easy answer though - only thing I've ever purchased is t-shirts.

You hit the nail on the head. Son is a young person's coaster. markr - you raise a good question, but I don't think it is as cut and dried as windshawne might think. I think SoB is a great ride, but haven't been a teenage male in a very long time. Also, I can think of at least one fairly vocal critic of SoB who is a current teenage male, right Beast1979

1993 was the only year that both Top Gun and Monorail operated together. Top Gun was new for '93, Monorail was gone for '94.

I've loved The Beast for a really long time ... but lately I've found myself "cheating" with something younger, taller, and more graceful. Fortunately they live pretty close to each other so I can visit them both often.

The stair effect is not a "bumpy area in the track." If I'm not mistaken, that effect has never worked since day one and was supposed to be achieved by having a big subwoofer placed just under the seat pointed towards your butt and being activated at that particular point during the ride? Can anyone back me up on this? Yes. The effect is basically identical to "bass shakers" in home theater seating. Officially called tactile transducers, the low frequency bass sound can also be felt in the seat. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactile_transducer - yes I know you can't beleive everything you read on wikipedia, but ...

I'll prepare for flaming by some, but here goes: 1. Diamondback 2. Beast 3. Son of Beast 4. Racer 5. Vortex 6. Flight Deck 7. Fairly Odd Coaster 8. Firehawk 9. FoF 10. AE 11. Reptar 12. BLSC 13. Invertigo Historical Coaster Placement 2.5 King Cobra 4.5 Bat Can't really place Demon - In its day it was wonderful, but by today's standards, not so much

Since you mention intense flying scooter rides, as I was surfing the web, I came across the following website: http://www.flyeraddicts.com/index.php It doesn't look very active, but has some great info on scooters and a very interesting photo history/tribute to the Flying Eagles last rides. I apologize if this info is well known/available elsewhere, but it was the first time I came across it.

I was actually trying to figure that out because the trees framing The Racer first drop and the lights in the bottom corner. I was guessing it had to be elevated and from a distance like top of Vortex Stairs or Eurobungey location.