Creed Bratton

Sorry for the double post. I'm hoping to make it to Disney this year, but it's a long shot.

I thought having a legend by each area would be better than all of to one side like this past year's map....I just feel like the map is just squished together.

Thanks Dane!

Agreed! I scratch my head when I think about it's recent repainting....why wasn't it painted this color back then? What made this time different?

I love foodtrucks and hope amusement parks start using them. I know Cedar Point has had one and it serves Lake Erie perch sandwiches. I would rather stop by a food truck while I'm walking to a ride than go out of my way to walk into a restaurant and order. In no way am I lazy and there are cirumstances where I'd prefer the latter, but most of the time I don't want to spend a large amount of time eating a meal when I'm at a park. I'd rather get something quickly and then move on to the next ride or attraction I want to hit. I could really see foodtrucks' popularities expand in parks if they were advertised throughout the park and they offered more selections. I think it would be a great idea. I mostly agree. There are times that I feel that a sit down is necessary. When I'm at a park, I typically eat one big meal while there. Then snack on the way home. For instance, at Cedar Point, I take a break right around 3 ish and eat at Midway Market....I've never had a bad experience there, it's a little pricey but I get full, I'm able to relax and enjoy the air conditioning. I'm right there with you! I expect better quality, service, etc. when I pay more than I would outside of the park. Sometimes I've gotten it, sometimes I haven't.

Let's make it happen Gator! Edit: This just in: 2014 Plans, traveling to CW and other places with Gator and his family!

Stats still seem a bit off; I don't know why it would be only 295 feet tall and shorter than the 232' Intimidator. If you look at that link, you'll see that above Carowind's section, there's a park called Kings Iceland (if you translate in Chrome) getting a coaster named Banshee as well!

Dear Gator, I wanna tag along! I wanna go to Erie, Waldameer, back to CW and of course back to Niagara!

Honestly, I agree. I am very tired of "red" at amusement parks. I must thank Mr. Kinzel for that. Even a blue at that point of time would have been nice. The one thing that I can't stand about Firehawk's look as it is now, is that one of the trains is a lighter shade of the track....They could have kept the blue train. I believe that one is used for parts.

I've never been, my sister has. She says the food is overpriced, but it's whatever. She never said that the servers attack people personally. I've seen several friends go to one and post pictures of their fun. This pic is a friend on her vacation in Tennessee. This is what Dick's describes the experience like: From rug-rats to old farts, from high-class to no-class, from the top of the food chain to the bottom of the barrel, it's fun for all and all in fun for those who dare to enter! Sit back and watch or join in the fun. Dick's has always been known for its outrageous, surly, energetic waitstaff who inflict humor upon our guests. Our atmosphere makes everyone feel like they're temporarily breaking all the rules...and getting away with it. I think a lot of people are putting the word "insult" out there, because they are uncomfortable with this type of humor. I get that people have reservations about people poking fun at them, I have had reservations for years, but I learned that if I don't laugh at some of the things I do or believe, someone still is. The thing about Dick's Resort that I've understood as the biggest "insult" is the hats.....they write something on there about you, it can be so extremely far off that it doesn't make sense for you...but here's the thing, the servers don't know you at all...they don't know your life or issues, so why not laugh? Google Image Search Dick's Last Resort, some may be a bit inappropriate, but overall they're pretty humorous IMHO. Either way, I'm happy that a new business is coming to Newport and hope that many here will at least give it a try.

For those of you who don't know and/or need a blast from the past.... Since we're talking about Firehawk, it wasn't always Firehawk...here's a little blurb about it's history! http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2011/04/blast-from-past-six-flags-worlds-of_21.html

And to think, I've been on 4! Yuck!

I see this as a good thing. As I saw in the other thread, people are upset because they won't have a place to put their souvenir cups without having to pay for storage, etc. Here's the thing, soda on a hot day really isn't good for you, yeah it may taste amazing but it's not good for you. I don't think this is a money grabbing opportunity for the park. It's for the park to make a profit....if they didn't make a profit, you wouldn't have a park to visit. Save yourself money, by not buying the souvenir cups and drink water as well as not buying a locker! I've been agreeing with most posts about only bringing whats necessary to the park. Having been a part of operations, it is a PAIN for the employees to deal with the bins and the souvenir cups. People take forever to place items in the bins, trying to "hide" whatever they have with them in a corner of the bin so no one steals their items. On top of that people take forever to retrieve their items, the train is ready to go but cannot be dispatched because people are in the station trying to gather all of their belongings, then if their souvenir cup isn't there they have to find it and insist on filling out a lost and found form, so that if we would find it they could get it at the close of the day. I get the frustration of the GP/Enthusiasts who want to have a place to store their items without being charged but is it something so upsetting even if you have a way to control how you manage your items and use?

I'm baffled by people on KI's Facebook! They updated the Cover Photo of the track out of the Batwing element heading to the 2nd vertical loop and people swear the ride is from Cedar Point or they're taking it down already! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152476059428368&set=a.10150821122978368.513320.155893938367&type=1&theater

The following: You literally have to climb up into the "seats" once situated during the continuous load, the staff then brings the back down to lock you in. When they lock you in, your feet (from what I remember) are pretty much set on whatever bar you place them on. Now imagine flipping upside down even for a few short seconds to have your back thrust upon the back of the cars. Time Warp picture from Negative-g.com you pretty much have to keep your hands on the vertical bars for best "comfort" unless you've got space on either side of you. It's incredible uncomfortable to be in a car with all 4 seats filled to put your arms out and/or folded in front of you, or even on the vertical bars as the person next to you puts force on your arms through transitions. No imagine the slowing down abruptly at the midcourse and at the end of the circuit....where will your shoulders go? Forward into the semi-restraint like bars. OWW!!! From http://centralpark-fr.com/ As talked about a little before, imaging going through transitions in those cars....the transitions on these I feel are very uneven, not drawn out length wise and should be. The quick transitions thrusts riders into the restraints unlike any other coasters with quick transitions. Most roller coasters allow for free upper body movement (to a certain extent) whereas these flyers do not. The transitions are too quick and put awful forces on the body. Superflight from coastergallery.com

I've been on several...hoping for each to be better than the last I rode....well...that makes me an idiot! Lol! I will say the one at Coney Island in NYC isn't all that bad (disclaimer, I may or may not have been exhausted so everything at that point hurt so all pain felt like the normal lol).

I prefer B&M Flyers over Vekoma's. And I really prefer them over Zamperla. Vekoma's to me are not comfortable as well as Zamperla.

I'm fine with what Kings Island has. There could be a few more options, especially when it comes to a sit down restaurant with air conditioning whether it be a cafeteria, buffet, full service, etc. I enjoy Panda Express and LaRosa's. Honestly, I've never ate Subway at the park because I don't enjoy the prices nor the condensed menu. As for cafeterias....I'm not a huge fan of them in parks. For example, at Kennywood this past summer, I decided to get a salad and a cookie, I paid for it and sat down to eat. That wasn't enough to satisfy me. I then had to fight through about 30 people to get to the area where I wanted food from, then had to wait for someone to put the food on the plate and then had to wait to pay. I think cafeterias are more of a cluster than anything.

Hanging with chugh43 and another friend on OSU Day, being stopped by Matt Ouimet and him joking with us that we weren't allowed to sleep in the park (since he had seen us the day before) and impressing me that he actually stopped to talk with us and has a sense of humor (something we felt prior management wouldn't have done), the three of us waiting with Don in line for Iron Dragon and as a result trying to start a rumor about the land clearing that was being done in Action Zone, and chugh43 convincing me to give Mean Streak another try (I won't be making that mistake again). Too bad I couldn't stay with you for more fun on the next day too! I believe it was at Iron Dragon, that Mr. Helbig mentioned to me the Son of Bat and the camp ground returning as a joke! That was hilarious!!! P.S. Come on, Mean Streak wasn't THAT bad. Lol

I've always thought about going, but to me, going for 3 woodies that I've been on numerous times with little to no wait, is silly.I'm not a big fan of water parks either, sorry BB1. Whoever goes, I hope you have a great time!

It looks amazing Rhonda! Love ya!

Good to see you Rhonda!!! Glad you finally joined KIC! Hope to see you early on in the 2014 season, we can chat about our gardens!

Honestly, this news is nothing special to me....I don't drink soda and rarely go to Frisch's. Also, remember the people who said that they wouldn't go to Cedar Point because they switched to Coke. If people like the main attraction (a park or in this case food) they'll still show even though they act like the place committed a heinous crime!

3. Yes, but I won't go into detail on this thread because there is always at least one or two people who try to disprove what I personally experienced and what I have dealt with.

Hey All, I'm working on an entry for my sites with Coaster Crew to re-visit the 2013 season before 2014 starts. I am looking for anyone who would like to share their favorite 2013 Season Moments at either Cedar Point or Kings Island. If it's okay for me to use your moments please let me know and I'll PM you before all gets posted on the site. Even if you don't want me to use your highlights/favorite moments, that's fine I'd still like to hear what you enjoyed this past season! I guess I'll start: 1) Coasting For Kids -- This was my 2nd year participating but 1st year at KI. I enjoyed KI over Dorney for sure. The itinerary was a lot better than Dorney's, I got to see some friends I hadn't in a while and it was just a ton of fun! 2) KI Big Bang! with Coaster Crew -- This was a fun event as well! I got to bring my friend and her son who hadn't been at Kings Island since her son was very young. They had an amazing time being back at the park. This event was a great time to see some friends I hadn't seen in a while and those who I hadn't met in person. This event also allowed me my first and at the time last visit (I'm not that hard headed to not try it again) to the Reds Hall of Fame Grille. We closed the night out with a Beast night right in the light rain! So fun! 3) All of the Banshee rumors and Bat Rumors -- those speak for themselves! 4) Gatekeeper Media Day/OSU Day -- Getting to the park at 3 am, on 0 hours of sleep! My friend and I thought we were going to sleep for about an hour when we got there, but we were the 3rd car there, met the families that parked in front of us and had a good conversation. Walking up to the front gate while the coaster was testing before getting into the park left me awestruck! So cool! When we finally got to the coaster, we were on the 1st train and had such an amazing ride! We literally rode for hours! Later in the day they opened up Millennium Force for us. We started out of the station and ended up getting stopped 2/3 of the way up the lift. Something about a seat belt....either way, we were stopped for at least 20-30 minutes. I had no sleep the night before and fell asleep for a good 20 minutes. Ran into Matt Ouimet not too long after we got off the ride and he asked how thing were going, told him I fell asleep on Millennium Force, he just laughed and said something to the sort of falling asleep doesn't happen everyday on our coasters. OSU Day was just fun, we had got rides on everything. Everything about the day was just good. I remember getting one of the best rides on Magnum I ever had. Later that day storms started rolling in but hadn't reached the park yet. My friend and I got on Millennium Force before heading out of the park for dinner and we got stopped on the brake run due to the storm and they didn't move any trains from their positions. So we got evacuated.