CoastersNSich

I am so looking forward to this event, and plan to be there first thing. Unfortunately, since I will be working the overnight shift before and after the event, I will have to bail after the buffet, since I need my day's sleep! I am looking forward to some of the tours, though disappointed that there won't be a KIC Train Tour. I guess the WMATA Train Tour a few days earlier will have to do.

Obviously Cedar Fair liked Kings Island so much to buy it, so that is going nowhere. Its market spans at least four-five metropolitan areas! If there are two properties I see them letting go of, there are Geauga Lake and Star Trek. GL because it doesn't truly fit Cedar Fair's operating model, ane Star Trek, because it fits in even less, and it's something that another company could run as well, if not better. I don't see them letting go of Canada's Wonderland because it has some good potential being Canada's top theme park. Great America, although landlocked, also has some nice potential, and Cedar Fair can be a good steward of that park and in a good market.

Undoubtedly TEH ride to TAER down. I'm not sure if anotder Maverick would replace it, but resurrecting Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal would be a serious improvement. Way to go, Paramount.

Kings Dominion has more coasters, including 4 wooden coasters (5 if you count Rebel Yell as two). There's also some decent steel coasters, Volcano IMO being the best. You'll also find Drop Zone, some scooters, a Tomb Raider top spin, and the newly expanded WaterWorks. While BGE has fewer coasters (5), they're just better. 2 Arrows and 3 B&M's, including the new Griffon! Having not yet been to Florida, this is the best theme park I've ever set foot in. Wonderful theming throughout, and the food is worth the price! There's also a couple of dark rides, as well as some great water rides, too. You may save money with KD as you might have a MAXX Pass (I assume), but Busch Europe will be a more memorable, quality experience.

Once again, I've wasted moments that I'll NEVER get back after clicking on this topic.

The guy buying the ZoombeziBay.com name isn't the only case of taking advantage of a domain name that someone else might want... KingsIsland.com for a while has been one of those "squatting" sites that people may visit in error or by misspelling a name. Right around when Cedar Fair was dropping the Paramount name from the park, someone from Toronto (?) took over KingsIsland.com for his internet/data service business. As of now, the site is again held by a squatter. I have a feeling also that KI doesn't want to refer to their website as "PKI.com" much longer. As for Wyandot Lake, I went once in 2005 and enjoyed the place. It had a nice, unique atmosphere where dry amusement rides were mixed in with the water park attractions, and some of the slides were great too. The wave pool was deep and intense, so I'm sure I'll miss the old place. But what the Zoo is giving us is certainly progress.

Looks like they're putting more than the loop back into the park...

To (indirectly) quote Dick Kinzel (from CoasterMania Q&A)... "No."

I'm honestly not a fan of Fearfest or gory halloween stuff, but a reworking of the Fearfest logo wouldn't be bad... the current one seems a little gratiuitous in dripping blood, IMO.

What about a train tour?! (If not, I may have done one in Washington, D.C. a few days before...)

The forward side had its bunny hill removed in 1996 when Flight of Fear opened... however, the backward side still had its final bunny hilll then. It would also be removed a year later.

You won't believe how good an idea that is.... However, this announcement has nothing to do with something from KONE, Schindler, or Otis...

Voyage, 50 times, Media Day, 2006. Not a bad choice... Funny how Don Helbig is now Kings Island's PR/marketing guy...

I rode for the first time this year (actually twice) on Sunday. The Gerstlauer trains seriously make a difference! No more annoying raised floor, and it was not bad on the side either. No headrests either... hopefully Beast and Racer go the same way, whether by modifying the existing trains, getting new PTCs, or something else! I don't really get the need for headrests, as many large, fast, and tall coasters function well without them, especially throughout Cedar Fair's parks. The big double helix was intense, but not painful. And one of the biggest improvements, the train does not drag along on the final turns! I didn't have any real noticeable airtime in the back but so far, a much better ride.

I was certainly tickled pink when I ran into Don yesterday at the front gate. It's going to be hard to fill Maureen's shoes (OK, trying fill Jeff Siebert's shoes might be a better idea...) but Don Helbig is just a great fit for the park. I sure missed him when he left for Albany, and likewise I'm sure he missed Cincinnati... I hope he does well for the park and continues a great relationship the park has with coaster and park lovers all around!

And on the subject of soft drinks, as Ryan mentioned, most parks aren't too friendly when it comes to diet drinks. For the most part, it's all just diet cola, with the caffeine. No Diet Sprite or Sierra Mist Free to be found. One exception that I know of is Holiday World, which dispenses Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi. Still carbonated, but caffeine is still something you should reduce or avoid on a hot day. (which is great, on top of the fact that soda there is free with admission)

I went over to ride it today, along with UncleHenry and Ryan, but unfortunately, just a couple cycles from boarding, a storm cell came in. They took off for Stricker's, while I took off to see Evan Almighty at a nearby movie theater. Yes, SOB was running both its red and blue trains.

I predict that Endless Summer on Ice will get my vote, but I have yet to see "Twistin' to the 60s" and "Nicktoons Live."

- Ride all of the adult coasters, if you can. Disaster Transport and Wildcat have low capacity, so you may want to do those earlier on. I'll agree with Paul, Mean Streak is most comfortable in the very front seat, but if you don't want to wait extra, then the front of any car is ok. Make sure to ride Gemini during the middle of the day, when it is most likely racing, and sit on the side closest to the loading platform. Ride it a few times! If you find Gemni running only one side at a time, they tend to switch operation from one side to the other so you can get your "count" in. - Of course, don't forget Millennium Force, Dragster, Magnum, Raptor, and Maverick! (And Gemini!) Many of these coasters you could do at any time, though a lot of people go to Raptor first thing... Doing Magnum earlier is also good. Mantis you could possibly do with a station-only wait (or even walk-on!) later in the evening. And don't underestimate Blue Streak! - DON'T limit youself to the coasters and thrill rides! Yes, Cedar Point has some of the best coasters in the world, but there are several classic and/or gentler transport rides great for relaxing on, and getting a great view of the park and scenery, not to mention reducing your walking. Don't miss the Sky Ride, and also take some time for the CP&LE Railroad and Space Spiral. - Parking in the Soak City lot is also highly recommended - it sure reduces the overwhelming feel of this mega-park, and it makes a great way to end your day with Magnum, as its exit is right next to the SC/Resorts gate! - Where to eat? In the park, try Midway Market if you're looking for a lot of decent food for a reasonable price. Johnny Rockets is great for a fun-filled atmosphere with your meal. If you like sports, you might find your game on at Game Day Grille, next to Blue Streak. Toward the rear, they just also added Chick-fil-A and Panda Express, if that's your taste. Just outside the gate, Friday's at Breakers, and Famous Dave's at the Marina are also great choices. A great place for a small meal or snack is one of the fried potato stands - I like the one across from Gemini. I've never done the East of Chicago buffet, but I hear it's a great price, although it's on the Causeway near Breakers Express. Enjoy your trip!

If anyone who is interested in attending the concert, and you don't have tickets, I'd act NOW. I bought a SINGLE ticket today at the park, and they put me in Section 14, in the last of four seating tiers at TimberWolf. Hannity himself, 55KRC, Mark Levin, and yours truly are saying that tickets are going fast... you could try calling into Sean's radio show once tickets get close to or have sold out, but don't hold your breath!

I still say that The Beast is on top, but you have to love Firehawk! They've got guys wearing the headsets on the floor, and that I'd like to see on more of the coasters at KI.

Having seen the show for the first time yesterday, I must say that it was a worthwhile show, though not a too unique one, having seen the Snoopy ice show a few years ago at Cedar Point. I also should add that the set was uh, OK, and the music, at times, sounded like it was a low-quality WAV or MP3 playing. This was overall, a show I'd see again. There are a couple other shows out now that I'd like to see too, soon.

The Theatre is definitely nice - it got new seats in 2004, and I much prefer them to the old bench pews prior to then.

Three words... (Hint, the initials are T.I.D. T is spelled wrong).

(Mikewhy is talking about KI.) Last night, and a few other times, I'd walk by and see people smoking outside of designated areas, and there would be park employees in the area, especially security, turning a blind eye/ Overall, I've had positive experiences at Holiday World. Yes, I'll agree that a lot of the ride operators looked uninterested/sluggish, but not terrible. Probably my one real peeve with HW is one-train operations on moderately busy days, especially at The Legend. And UncleHenry, I'll say if I can only go to one park before I die, and I had to choose between Holiday World and Cedar Point, it would be CP... more coasters, less hills to climb (more like none), and more efficient operations.