KIfan1980

Simply awesome article and photo's. Thanks for posting the link, although it makes me sad that I had so many chances to go and ride Screechin Eagle and never did and now never will.

Good, no pain, SoB is rougher, but I also have to agree with riding in the correct seat on Vortex as I tried 5-1 on Sunday based on the reco's and loved it. As for the OTSR, like any ride, the restraints fit slightly different in each seat. Last ride in 2-2 was tight on the shoulders, Sunday in 5-1 had a good inch of room.

Ok - you guys both got me (and I try so hard to avoid this kind of response) Let me try again. The train of The Racer, that is on the right hand side track, as you look down the first lift hill, from the top, etc... is going forward. Therefore, since the book was published in ~1988 (which rules out the picture being taken over the last couple of years) makes me guess that the picture was taken before 1982. Does this satisfy you

In The Racer video, it is Blue Racer v. Blue Racer. I remember that they had a Red and Blue train on each track when they ran one backwards. Now it is Red on one side and Blue on the other - was it that way before they turned one around? A couple of other things I noticed on the video: - Blue Top Rails on the structure (a nice touch - I prefer to the white) - No enclosed Shed on the brake run (I say forget cleaning up the gum and spit, take the walls off!) - Are they just not visible or are the chain link fence separating the sides and the queue rails/gates not there?

What makes you say this timeframe? I was thinking it had to be around 1981 and 1982 due to the existence of the Ferris Wheel (new for 1982?) and The Racer running forward (I thought 1981 was last year for this?)

Yes ... somebody knows for sure! According to the stats on rcdb.com, it is the 3rd longest in the park.

I'm not sure if I should say thanks for the Trip Report or not - seeing this and others is making me want to plan a trip to Cedar Point again. I haven't been in many years (2001) but am reminded again what it has to offer! Although, I'm a little afraid of not being able to fit the restraints on some of the rides that I've heard are on the tight side (MF, TTD, Maverick) which I'd really want to ride, but there are so many other things to do that I know this shouldn't stop me.

I've sat out this poll for similar reasons to Beast1979 - I honestly couldn't choose between Wood and Steel and absolutely love many different aspects of roller coasters - Airtime, Speed, Lateral G's, Inversions. Even some of the most simple components are memorable and favorites - things like the slight lean to the left on King Cobra near the end or the swinging of Flight Deck as it hits the brakes.

I am sure they called Angie first when they started testing just to ease her mind! I was thinking the same thing. Actually, they made an announcement in the station at Voyage to make sure she heard it.

Does that mean I only get to count it once in my "coaster" count

Well, I've got to say I think the story is a little harsh on Disney. Stating Cedar Fair and Six Flags despite huge debts "can add material attractions to their parks, why not Disney" misses a few key points. - These rides were likely in the planning stages for a while before the economic downturn - Looking historically, Disney tends to have a pretty decent "masterplan" while the same can't be said for CF and SIX - In this environment, I'm not convinced parkgoers wouldn't be just as happy with discounts versus new rides - Shareholders are probably a lot happier with Disney's plan (its currently trading in middle of 52 week range) than FUN or SIX (oops SIXF.OB) at the moment

Yesterday on Beast before leaving the station. A ride op's "Who's ready to ride The Beast" was greeted less than enthusiastically by most - he followed it up with "well at least the guy in the KI Central shirt is" Off topic (but close), the most annoying thing has to be "How many - row x; how many - ok 2 in row y, 1 in row z, single rider row z" Do they really need that microphone echoing through the DB station and queue?

From signing Angie instead of Giga, the strong words in your PTR, and now this? Should we be expecting an avatar change soon?

So I was planning to go to KI on Friday night or for Saturday ERT to get some laps on DB in, but that was scratched when we learned the hard way that my 5 year old has a new allergy. He's ok, but I have to say I love the staff at Cincinnati Children's Hospital - good people! I then thought about going after getting home from the hospital on Saturday night after kids were in bed, but luckily I checked the radar at 7:30pm So finally at 9:30 this morning I was walking back to DB. First ride requested row 2 (love it) Second ride was in SRL and was assigned to join a group of 3 ACE members going to row 1 (hate when that happens). DaveStroem joined the row 1 line behind me and thanks to my t-shirt we got to meet Third ride right before the big crowd joined was in row 11 and I saw the most amazing thing. Going over the third hill a cell phone was lost from the front of the train and was floating along with the train as we crested the hill and started down. It was incredible to watch it fly along with the coaster before crashing to the floor of the car in front of us (although it could have been dangerous as coming off the mid course brake, the battery cover almost hit the kid in the row behind me) Following this I headed to Beast (where due to no lines, I was able to re-ride). Rest of the morning included a 5.1 ride on Vortex (y'all know what you are talking about), a ride on FOF, Flight Deck and my first ever Drop Tower ride (don't know why I've never gotten on before, but wow - what a rush) before heading home for lunch and to spend the rest of the day with the family (they were supposed to join me for the afternoon, but changed their minds). All in all a fun day. I should give kudos to the ride ops throughout the park as well - can't be easy being that charged up early in the day and they had the trains departing the DB and Beast station very quickly. Also, got a chance to meet Don Helbig on my walk from DB to Beast - very friendly guy and although I'm sure he had something else to do, he was willing to spend a few minutes talking to me and even was willing to respond to some input - I have family members with food allergies and think the park needs to do a better job with their allergy information. He acknowledged this and explained that they had a new person in food service with experience at other parks who was working to compile improved information - good news if you are like my family!

Awesome PTR. Thanks for sharing - I especially like the Legend and Raven structure pictures. I'm always impressed with the engineering and construction that goes into a wooden coaster. I'll have to find a way to make it to Holiday World at some point.

How could we not notice with you announcing it like that ... and I think McPollster would be a better name for you Oops - forgot to say. Phenomenal, No Pain, Only B&M. This is one of the few rides I could ride all day long without getting bored or feeling pain. Its addicting and I'm actually going through withdrawl right now since its been 2 weeks.

Not as good as Beast, so only got the Good rating there. The shaking doesn't bother me so the pain is only minor. It was better with the loop (there is just something missing without it).

Phenomenal - only minor pain (and only since they added the seat dividers) and I don't believe its haunted.

I loved the loop on King Cobra - the feeling coming down the hill into the loop and then the loop compression while in a stand-up position was incredible. Of the current, I'd have to go with Firehawk - so unique.

And I for one was sad. I thought the Backward Racer was a great ride experience in any seat.

charlie - the other mistake you are making is trying to pick an argument when you haven't done your homework. This thread was started before Sparky's trip report from yesterday.

Since I don't know the scope of the current refurbishment of Space Mountain at WDW, I hope the ride remains similar as your are right, it is a classic.

If these are Interpreters favorite woodies - then they have to be part of my top 5 I haven't ridden. On the Steel side, I'd have to say Maverick and either TTD or KK would make the list.

Its sad that this has turned into a flame Sparky forum. Whether you would have acted the same way is NOT the point. The point is that Kings Island has become a place where rules are not enforced. And for those that think its the same everywhere - you are just plain wrong. Kings Island needs to wake up and do something about line jumping before real problems occur (this kind of thing can easily escalate into violence) which will cause many more people to avoid future trips to the park.

I'll contribute to the FOC/Beastie winning this one. As an aside, anyone know when the tunnel was removed? And Dare to Fly, you can definitely ride next to my son on Little Bills if I ever see you at the park if it saves me from having to.