Crazy31088

I generally start in either Coney Mall or Rivertown. If Coney Mall, I start on Racer, if Rivertown, Wild Thornberries. I then make my way through the park from there, and I usually get in at least two rides each of Vortex, Beast, WWC, Top Gun, and Congo.

I, at 5'11" 1/2 or so, think that the ride isn't particularly jarring, no more than Beast, certainly. However, I did feel differently when I first rode The Vortex, for in those days, I was only 5'0". My head got banged up a great deal, but I still enjoyed the ride. Even then, I would've objected to changing it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and I honestly don't believe that Vortex is broke.

'Bout 10 minutes. I live in Montgomery (Cincy suburb in NE Hamilton County).

Racer-on 4/9. I came back on 4/10 when I rode much more extensively, and learned that riding The Beast while soaking wet when it's 50 degrees out is a BAD idea. One sarcastic game stand operator commented "Weren't you dry the last time you walked by here?".

Wooden: Forward Racer (nothing beats the experience) Steel: Vortex (can give anything from a monstrously unstable [but never painful] ride to a completely smooth one, either way, I love it).

The Racer, either forward or backward, it's always my first ride, every time I go to the park.

Best Moment: My entire first trip to the park. Everything was completely new to me, and I was filled with such wonder about it all (1995, age 7). Worst Moment: My second ride on SOB (2003, age 15). Honorable Mention: Riding Backward Racer in the snow (1997, age 9).

I know there were a couple at Coney Island that lasted for ages, longer than any at PKI, and they had to endure the flooding every spring, and they had no real problems with running them, despite this. This was what prompted my question of whether or not this is normal.

I'm just wondering how long we can expect The Beast, Vortex, and Racer to stay with us? How long do such well worn and loved coasters usually survive in such an environment, barring tornadoes, floods, windstorms, etc? Do steel coasters tend to last longer than wooden ones? Is there an average life expectancy for roller coasters that recieve such wear and tear, but are well maintained over the years? The day that these classics disappear will undoubtedly be a sad one, and I hope that day isn't for decades to come.

I'll go back into my cave and wait for April to come again.

I really wouldn't mind it if they tore down SOB, and reinstalled KC on that spot...I know I've said this before, and I will likely get crucified for saying it, but I stand by my opinion. As for re-theming, KC wouldn't need it, but it would be nice to retheme the area around it, and at least make a *small* part of AZ back like it was before it sold out.

Since 1996.

It depends, really, I think. On sunday, I rode Top Gun and Vortex either during the rain, or shortly after it had rained, and it was the smoothest ride I had ever felt on any coaster at PKI. But SOB is undoubtedly the roughest.

Can someone finally kill this topic? It's been around as long as I've been here, and from the looks of it, much longer! PKI and Cedar Point are different parks. Can't we just leave it at that? It sounds almost egotistical of us to argue over which park is better, just so we can say that we have the better one. Please! I've never been to CP, but I am a long time fan (8 years) of PKI. But I don't go around putting down other amusement parks because of it. Opinions are just that, opinions, but arguing over which park is better seems almost sad to me. The two parks complement each other wonderfully, from what I hear...can't we just settle on an agree to disagree? Of course, I realize that arguing is human. Several months back, I was visiting Maryland, to see a few relatives. My 15 year old cousin, my father and I went to Six Flags America there. My cousin had never been to PKI, his only basis for comparison was a few photos I showed him at rcdb.com, and the fact that I told him it was similar to PKD (where he went when he was a little kid, and only rode their "Beastie" type coaster...he said that park was gay). For much of the day, he was talking about how great SFA was (And it was a great park), and how much PKI sucked. He went on and on about it, and I felt like I had to defend my park, so I started doing what he was doing...later, I remembered what I said, and felt so stupid, and realized how immature what we said really was.

PKI is the only reason I'm still in Cincinnati....Oh, yeah, except high school...and my parents...and my dog and cats, come to think of it...and that little mound of dirt in my front yard where I buried that guy I accidently shot...