CoasterKrazy

Cedar Point is known for having all of its rides operating all of the time. Jeff from Guide To The Point has mentioned several times that Cedar Point has had a 96 percent up-time in past seasons. That includes their record breakers. And if you take out the major coasters at any park, including Paramount's Kings Island, they're going to be in trouble. Some more-so than others, but if we wake up tomorrow morning to hear that "In an astonishing press release, Paramount's Kings Island has announced that they will be removing the following roller coasters from the park: The Beast, Son of Beast, Flight of Fear, and Vortex," you can bet that there would be a major drop in attendance. Not to mention the tons of hate mail the park would receive.

I've always wanted to work for Arrow Dynamics ( S&S Arrow ) but considering they are getting little to no business now, I would have to chose Intamin. I'm still hoping that the 4th Dimension concept will take off and Arrow will be brought back into the limelight like they were for the majority of the 80's and early 90's.

I gotta go with Vortex. Its got it all; airtime, inversions, length, intensity.

A few more general tips: -Free ice water is given out at almost all food places around the park. Instead of buying bottled water, get the ice water for free. I usually get two cups at a time to keep me hydrated. Also, when buying meals, get the free ice water here as well. It can save you up to $3 per meal. -I have found that the best places to eat are Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack ( Located in Oktoberfest ) Madarin Cuisine ( Located on left side of Internation Street just as you enter the park ) and Wings ( Located at the end of Rivertown, near Nick Central ) They always have good, hot, food and if you take my advise on the water, the prices are reasonable. -Take your time! It sounds like you'll be at the park for several days, so don't be in any rush to get things done. You'll have plenty of time to ride everything during your stay.

Shaggy, You mentioned that in there used to be a volcano effect in Tunnel 3 of Adventure Express. What exactly was this effect? Also, how much water poured from the Aztec statue, and was there anything special about it, like red dye or lighting that made the water look like lava?

I just find it amusing how two or three feet of magnetic brakes can slow down that multi-ton train so much. Technology is truly amazing.

Could someone please explain in detail the "Ice Show" that has been mentioned? I've NEVER seen or even heard of this. Thanks.

If Paramount's Kings Island is going to go the way of the wild mouse, I would rather see an ArrowBATic instead of an S&S Screaming Squirrel. I think the ArrowBATic would have more appeal to the General Public, and better capacity. I have to admit though, the negative G's on one of these things has to be amazing.

StXBomber: I realize I can get annoying with all of my questions ( BeastFreak may be able to relate to this since I went to him for all of my job information. ) but I'm a perfectionist, so here goes. Flight of Fear does look A LOT better than it did before. Its great how there is no longer huge amounts of dust floating around the hanger. However, has the UFO and surrounding scenery been cleaned? It seems that the UFO and the loading station are covered in a think layer of dust. I noticed on one of my rides that a ride-op brushed against the wall on the control-side of the station and there was a very noticable difference from where he had and hadn't rubbed against the wall. Obviously, I am not an employee at Paramount's Kings Island, and I don't know exactly what the job requirements are for ride-ops concerning cleaning. If you are [ legally and willing ] able to answer this, how much emphasis is placed on cleanliness by the higher-ups? BeastFreak: What you said about allergies makes a really good point. If in fact PKI stopped using fog on Flight of Fear for this reason I would understand. I would actually think better of PKI for being that concerned about their guests.

That's too bad really. I'll never understand the point of themeing a ride when eventually, it will just sit there collecting dust. This applies to almost all other theme parks as well. I would much rather they don't theme a ride at all than let it dwindle away after the first two seasons. It always seems like I'm missing something when I KNOW that the themeing is there, but its not working. Well, nothing I can really do about it for now. No use in complaining I suppose, so I'll just have to wait a few years until I own Paramount Parks.

Is it true that the turn after the first hill was re-designed so that the trim brakes on that same hill would no longer be needed? If that is true, I don't see why Paramount's Kings Island couldn't do that to the entire ride. The trims could be removed, and the ride would be a lot smoother as well. Yes, this would take a consideral amount of $$$, but the project could be spread out over a course of four or five years. I realize that The Beast isn't supposed to be a nice, tame, kiddie coaster, but the roughness does get old in my opinion. The Beast is a great ride, but the extreme intensity keeps me from coming back for re-rides. Once a visit is enough for me, and for a good amount of the General Public as well.

I've only seen a roller coaster train pushed once at Paramount's Kings Island. I had just sat down in the Flight of Fear train and the ride-ops had said "Clear!" but nothing happened. They tried launching the train about three or four more times, but eventually had all of the riders exit the train and get back in line. The ride-ops called maintenance and about 10 mintues later, they pushed the train about a foot down the track. The train was launched, and we were on the next to go. I don't really know what happened, but I suppose that the train hadn't aligned correctly, so it couldn't launch. Anyway, this took place on Pass Preview Night 2003.

Is there any specific reason why some of the themeing on Flight of Fear ( mainly the fog ) is no longer used?

Actually, Paramount's Kings Island could keep The Beast forever. ( Or as long as the park is in operation ) Roller coasters are like almost anything else. As long as they continue to maintain the ride and give it a face-lift now and again ( Current examples: Magnetic brakes - Turn at bottom of first hill ) the ride will last as long as PKI does. I would think that eventually, new trains would be needed. Also, in the next 15 to 20 years, I wouldn't be surprised if The Beast was "all new." I don't know if any orginal wood is left, but over time, it will all have to be replaced. The following is just wishful thinking on my part, but it would be nice if the entire ride was overhauled like the turn out of the first drop.

I have a few questions about the themeing on Flight of Fear. 1. Was fog ever used anywhere on the attraction? I remember commercials where fog was shot out of the launch tunnel as soon as the train was launched, but I have never seen it happen. 2. Once in the loading station, there is a large maroon ball which hangs just above the middle of the train. This ball has a red stripe that goes down its middle. Did this ball ever move in any way, or have any other purpose? 3. Over the years, has any themeing been added and/or removed from Flight of Fear, from its opening as Outer Limits: Flight of Fear?

I really disliked Secrets of the Lost Temple. I didn't think that the special effects were good at all, and the storyline was below-par. I've never really liked any of the videos at the Action FX Theater ( I'm not really into motion simulators ) and this one was the worst in my opinion. I suppose this one will be replaced soon as well, so I'm not going to worry about it. Speaking of Action FX Theater, have there always been two different movies in the two different theaters?

BoObKiNoS: In the first tunnel, aren't the giant boa and the king cobra supposed to move as the train passes by? Also, I ALWAYS look for the spears to be moving, from the moment I enter the tunnel until I can no longer see them on the lift hill. While I was riding Adventure Express, they weren't moving. Its no big deal I suppose, the General Public isn't going to notice, but it would still be nice to know that PKI is willing to maintain their rides so they work like new. Tanner: I was also at the park on July 2 and the lights that un-lock the tomb were not in sync when I rode the ride. I suppose there might be a difference in what we consider to be "in sync." For the first few times I rode TR:TR, the lights would first form the right "combination" and then the tomb would un-lock. Now, the tomb un-locks long before the right "combination" is formed. The first of the two scenarios is what I consider to be in sync.

My friend and I got to the park around noon on Sunday. After parking in Drop Zone 41, we headed over to the metal detectors. There were only about 8 of them open; 4 on the extreme left and 4 on the extreme right, but the wait was short anway. Once in the park, we headed over to Vortex. Only a five minute wait for seat 1-2. We usually sit right in front, but decided not to wait. I don't know how its possible, but Vortex was FLYING on Sunday. It seemed MUCH faster than normal. At the top of the second hill, I was completely out of my seat and and glad the restraints were there to keep me in the car. The increased speed also caused more headbanging than usual, but I didn't mind much. Vortex is one of my favorite steel coasters, and I hope it has a long life ahead of it at PKI. Next came Flight of Fear. Before getting in line I noticed that the price for helicopter tours over Kings Island is a very expensive $30 per rider. Once I get a job, I'll have to give it a shot. Anyway, back to FOF: The hanger has been cleaned! Its true folks, you can actually breathe now without taking in a lung-full of dust. However, it seems that the themeing is still covered in dust and trash. The cleaner air is a great start, let's hope PKI keeps it up. The ride itself didn't seem any faster/slower than usual, and it was extremely smooth. A great ride without the OTSR. Didn't see King Cobra trains, so I'm still looking. By this time we were starving, so we went to the now-open Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack. This place is AWESOME. The themeing is spectacular when compared to other places around the park. The food is great and the prices are pretty good as well. Paramount's Kings Island really hit a home run with this place, and I look forward to the furture when more places like Shrimp Shack are added. Adventure Express is right next to Bubba's, so it was our next ride. The spiels in the station were going full blast ( very cool ) and it seems like there is a little more vegetation growing around the beginning of the ride. The themeing in the first two tunnels still doesn't work ( not cool ) but everything was working on the last lift. All the guys were pounding away on their drums, and the head-guy at top was really lit-up with all his mouth-moving-eyes-glowing-lava-pouring action. Here's to hoping the rest of the ride gets spruced up. After Adventure Express, we decided to have another expedition and went to Tomb Raider: The Ride. Nothing really to report here. The lights that "un-lock" the tomb are still out of sync, and a few other special effects on the ride aren't working that great either. Even so, I love this ride and its a must-ride for me every time I visit the park. Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle followed Tomb Raider. I can't remember what I finished with, but it was one of my better scores. If you haven't ridden this ride, get to PKI. Its an awesome replacement for Phantom Theater. Drop Zone was only a three-cycle wait, so we couldn't pass it up. While going up the tower, I scanned the park for any signs of a 2004 addition, and came up with nothing. King Cobra is still sitting in a field, rusting away. I can't get enough of Drop Zone, and if the lines were shorter, I'd ride it all day long. Next on our list was Top Gun. No wait at all for seat 1-2. The kid in front of me lost his hat during the ride and I tried to catch it, but it was lost to the hat graveyard below the coaster. This is another ride that I hope spends a lot more years at PKI. Son of Beast followed Top Gun. The station was empty, except for ride-ops and about 8 people waiting for a front-seat ride. The new restraints do help a lot, but this ride is still pretty rough. I've learned to deal with it, so most of the time I can enjoy SOB. I have one question though: Why are there a set of brakes right out of the station? I've never seen them used, and I wonder why they are there. By that time it was about 4 o'clock, so we took a quick ride up the E. Tower and headed home.

It is almost impossible for the restraints on Vortex or Top Gun to open during the ride. ( I say "almost" because anything can happen, but the chances are so extremely small that you shouldn't even give it a second thought. ) The mechanism that opens the restraints is located in the station, and nowhere else along the course of the ride. Due to the design of the restraints, it will raise or lower a couple of clicks during the ride. Someone else on here can explain it better than I can, but I believe that the restraints can get "stuck" in between clicks, and this is corrected during the ride. Nothing to worry about.

This is great news! Flight of Fear really needed to be cleaned, and Paramount's Kings Island finally did it. This season keeps getting better and better. PKI is really cleaning up it's act ( Pun intended - couldn't help it ) Does anyone know if they were planning on this, or if they read our "constructive criticism?"

Sorry mike77. I didn't realize that you mean actual roughness and not headbanging. My bad.

Headbanging* ( See footnote ) is not a product of where the guide-wheels are. As long as the wheels are in constant contact with the track, "hunting" or "searching" will not be a problem. For proof of this, check out the few remaining TOGO rides here in the United States. The guide wheels are on the outside of the track, but that extra dose of morphine is still needed after the ride. Also, it seems that the height of the rider is a major factor in how much headbanging he/she experiences. It seems that for most people 5' 7" and under think that Arrow coasters are extremely painful. For taller individuals, leg room seems to be the only problem. But there is a bright side to all of this! Arrow has learned from all of their mistakes, and now offers to fix them. Check out this link to learn more: http://www.arrowdynamics.com/services/upgrades.php FOOTNOTE: *The term "headbanging" is sometimes used in place of "roughness." In my opinion, "roughness" involves such problems as a bumpy ride, which can be an issue of hunting when wheels aren't in constant contact with the track. "Headbanging" is the result of bad transitions, found on most Arrow, Vekoma, and TOGO roller coasters.*

I like Top Gun as much as the next guy, but I don't think murder is the answer here.

pkidelerium, Isn't that cut-through usually locked? I always assumed that it was for emergency purposes or handicapped individuals.

Is there a point in the regular operating day at Paramount's Kings Island where the ticket price drops? For example, say that at 7:00 PM the ticket price goes to half-off for those entering the park. Does anyone know that if PKI offers this ( 1 ) when it happens in the day and ( 2 ) how much the tickets cost at that time?