CoasterKrazy

Thanks for the help. I used the HalloWeekends site to compare with Kings Island's, and when Sundays/Howl-o-Fest weren't mentioned on the Haunt site (from what I could see...probably missed that too) I figured they weren't happening. Thanks again!

I'm surprised to see that Halloween Haunt will not include a kid-friendly option during the day, and that the park will not be open at all on Sundays. Were these attractions/days not well attended in the past? I can understand why the park won't be open on Sundays, but I thought the kids zone went over pretty well.

If I am reading this right, then its similar to what I have been saying for a while (not just about SOB). CF will invest in the parks they own but not enough to make them look better or have bigger better rides than the home CP park. All four WindSeekers have the exact same specifications and the exact same price tag of five million dollars. Cedar Point will spend "$6 million in capital improvements to the park for 2011," according to their website. The Knott's, Kings Island, and Wonderland sites, however, do not mention additional capital improvements. Additional foundation design could easily account for the "extra" million being spent at Cedar Point, or even more simply, the other parks decided not to mention additional capital expenditures. Perhaps years past have favored Cedar Point, but 2011 does not, at least according to information released by the parks.

With regard to situations like the infamous Swan Lake cell phone photos from Diamondback's construction, I completely agree with the TOS and understand its purpose. Those photos were taken from a restricted area, and were therefore a violation of this site's rules, the park's rules, and probably a few applicable laws. When it comes to a website, however, I feel that if the park has yet to learn how easy it is to come across a site with unreleased information, then they should expect that it will be released if found. If some sort of hack was used in order to enter the Haunt site, then that information was obtained illegally and the removal of that post was entirely justified. If however, it was accessed by simply changing a few numbers in a URL or altering the date on one's computer (tricks enthusiasts have used for years now), the site was easily accessible and the park is responsible for whatever information was leaked. I understand this is far from an important matter, and I fully support the TOS. I just like to see the little guy "stick it to the man" every once in a while.

Perhaps Kings Island should better protect their information, rather than trying to put the cat back in its flimsy bag?

On Tuesday, August 17th, the fog screen effect on Boo Blasters was working, but the skeleton scene was not (no movement, and all targets were off). The pond on BLSC was filled and water was being ciruclated (the splash effect has been removed entirely) but the helicopter remained in the up position and did not move. You win some, you lose some.

All photos taken are to be used solely for personal (rather than commercial) purposes, and there is a limit to the size and type of lens you are able to use within the park. I don't know what those limitations are and I haven't been able to find it online, so perhaps those photography-minded people on the site could help out.

How could anyone know that Maverick was originally going to be an AquaTrax coaster?

As shown by the video , the suspended coaster concept was actually tested extensively by Arrow. Notice that the scale model has a corkscrew, and that at least two different track styles are used in the full scale test. The Bat's first riders were far from guinea pigs, as the article implies. Regarding the 4D concept, it was developed by Arrow's Alan Shilke in the mid 1990s, and based on the information he provides here it was not at the request of any one particular client (in other words, Six Flags couldn't have gone with B&M or Intamin to build the ride, because they didn't offer it). An interesting article, but not well researched it seems.

The smoke screen effect has slowly gone downhill since last month, and as of two weeks ago, was not working at all.

Regarding the Slate article: I've not been to Islands of Adventure since WWHP opened, but I have been there in the past. I've also experienced all the parks at Walt Disney World, as well as Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea, which I believe is the best and most beautifully themed park on the planet. The article's main argument is that Disney would have done what Universal did not: Where are these surprise-packed corners in Disney parks? the ticket-taking animatronics? the hoards of roaming actors? Perhaps I've forgotten (doubtful) but they aren't there, at least not in any greater proportion than that (reportedly) found at WWHP. As I recall, there are more interactive animatronics at Disney, but none that could perform tasks like taking tickets. Generally, Disney does do a better job themeing their parks, but in my opinion, not to the extent that this article would lead one to believe. To dislike the experience because it does not live up to what you think may have possibly been built at another park doesn't hold much water. At least when enthusiasts complain about a new ride, they can compare it to other coasters that have already been built! I understand this reporter didn't enjoy the park, but I would respect his opinion more if he had better reasons for disliking it.

I was VERY impressed with Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular on Friday, May 28th. The lights are beautiful, the soundtrack is set at an appropriate volume throughout the area, and the Eiffel Tower looks nothing short of amazing! The only suggestion I would make is to encorporate some kind of cue in the show to indicate that guests should direct their attention to the Eiffel Tower. I was standing with the Tower to my back to best see all the lights, and when the lights stopped changing but the music continued, I was a bit confused. I assumed the show was over, and turned around to see the Eiffel Tower with its incredible new lights! Obviously, this is a result of my location and probably not a huge issue, but to make this great show even better, I think a cue would be useful. Job well done, Kings Island!

What's the difference between log flumes and hydroflumes?

I'll be the first to admit that there are a number of themeing changes made by Cedar Fair with which I am not happy (the new paint job for BLSC trains being just one of them). I think, however, that some of the anger here may not be entirely warranted. It seems people tend to remember only what Paramount originally installed, and not what they actually maintained. For instance, when Tomb Raider first opened, the themeing for that attraction surpassed that on similar sized attractions at Universal Studios (Doctor Doom's Fearfall). But even during the first season, special effects came and went and the attraction really went down hill. Cedar Fair made a huge mistake by ransacking it they way they did, but TR:TR was a shell of its former self even before CF took over. Flight of Fear has seen a similar fate: while admittedly on a smaller scale, I feel that the original themeing was comparable to that on the Incredible Hulk. Now, however, the hanger is a mess, the lighting effects aren't used, and you're lucky to see the pre-ride video. These issues too, started with Paramount, not Cedar Fair. The same can be said for Italian Job Stunt Track, and for that ride, themeing was eliminated even before the coaster opened! Top Gun, Adventure Express, Action Theater, Phantom Theater, and Scoody Doo and the Haunted Castle all saw themeing installed and neglected. Cedar Fair simply doesn't do extensive themeing. Personally, I prefer to have well-maintained moderate landscaping (i.e. Maverick and Diamondback) than extensive themeing which is left to rot. Could Cedar Fair have handled Kings Island's original themeing better? Absolutely. But as far as purely Cedar Fair additions go (Firehawk, Diamondback, and from the looks of it, Planet Snoopy) I think they've done a great job.

Haunted Mansion is on a completely different level than Phantom Theater was, but even so, the "edginess" of PT made it a great ride. I would love if Cedar Fair continued with the nostalgia theme they've been going with and make a Phantom Theater sequel. Frankly though, as long as we have a dark ride of some sort, it'll be better than none at all.

The old skid brakes could be adjusted in real time? I didn't realize there was any other adjustment mechanism other than the weight and pulley system similar to that (formerly) on the first drop.

I'm not so sure Diamondback wouldn't be a good ride to start with. A friend of my had never ridden anything other than kiddie coasters, and we were able to coax her on Millennium Force, which set her up for a great day enjoying the other coasters at Cedar Point. On another occasion, I was with my friend on his first roller coaster ever, Magnum XL 200. While he doesn't particularly enjoy roller coasters, he's been adventurous enough to try other rides like Vortex at KI. In my experience, starting at the top keeps people in the mindset of "Well, it can't get much worse than that, so I might as well give some other coasters a try." Starting from the bottom can lead to a mindset of "If this small coaster was so bad, a bigger one can only be worse."

Which rides do I miss the most? Phantom Theater and Tomb Raider. There's just something about themeing that get's me every time.

I wonder if KI has decided whether or not to incorporate the additional landscaping into the splash down area....

This may be a matter of perspective, but HOLY COW that track is close to the midway! Link to photo

Wasn't the old sign 3-D as well? From the midway

For the record, I'm not complaining, but I still have to ask: How will this be different from the previous sign?

There are still remnants from the pre-Paramount days in certain behind-the-scenes areas of the park. Granted, there's not much point in getting rid of those things, since licensing isn't an issue.

Yes, but there's only so much manufacturers can do against pure stupidity.

Are you implying that she may have been murdered?