Snowman

I didn't word what I meant correctly. Yes I've seen DB track move with the train, but it's a smooth bend with the weight and after the train passes it gently returns to it's original position. While Vertigo's many supports continue to shake and shudder well after the train goes by. I think that makes more sense regarding the technology advancements and the relationship I was curious about to the expected life span of the coasters.

Excellent point! If you watch the support structure of Vortex when a train passes over, there is a lot of movement (which has to put a lot of wear on the steel), but if you watch Diamondback, it's solid as a rock. There seems to be light years difference in the design and technology.

Didn't they close Big Bad Wolf in Busch Gardens because it ran the course of it's maintenance life span? Question to the coaster gurus here: How does KI determine the lifespan of a coaster like Vortex?

The same one that's over at Jungle Jim's?

What are the small things with the white roofs in the distant background?

AWWW that's cold!!! But deserved!! I hope the Bengals suck less than the Browns do IF they ever play again. Please call (513) 754 5700 during regular business hours. Push 0 to get to a human. As mentioned before "Be Polite" and let them know we would very much like to ride Beast/DB as often as possible before the park opens to the GP.

Good point, I missed that. Last time I post before having Coffee!!!! So Let me try to guess what Cedar Points Perk page will read for 2011: Coming for 2011 enjoy Early Ride Times on our newest thrill ride WindSeeker! also one of the most exciting coasters in the park..... Corkscrew!!! I'm going to see if I can get this egg off my face.

Here's a list of Cedar Points early rides, prepare to be UTTERLY SHOCKED: Millennium Force, Raptor, Maverick, Iron Dragon, Planet Snoopy (seven rides) http://www.cedarpoin...point_perks.cfm Notice something missing? Why aren't they showing the SHINEY, NEW ride off as you put it? Also "hoping" had nothing to do with DB/Beast ERT's. When many peoples' gold/platinum passes were purchased, it was advertised!!! I promise I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, just reiterating points missed by people who are posting comments that have obviously not read this whole thread.

Please call (513) 754 5700 during regular business hours. Push 0 to get to a human. As mentioned before "Be Polite" and let them know we would very much like to ride Beast/DB as often as possible before the park opens to the GP. The person I talked to seemed like they had been fielding calls about this all day. Maybe there will be persuasion in numbers. If you don't care, have fun going around in circles all season.

Gordon, If you were told by the Reds when you bought the tickets that Scott Rolen and Jonny Gomes would definately be playing, and Bill would definately be delivering beer with a melodic tune, and you got there and found out none of this was true, and no refunds were offered, wouldn't you be quite pi$$ed? If you added that, isn't it a valid comparison? It may be a relative few voicing frustration right now, but consider all the people who purchased Golds or Platinums that don't read this site or get email from KI who show up early to ride what they've been riding for the last 2 years and are told this news. I took Gordon's suggestion and called KI. Quote: "Early ride times are set in stone and NO refunds or downgrades are being offered to people who purchased their passes last year."

Agreed Indyguy4KI, Regarding the personal attacks that have been geared at me here. We have a valid beef with what KI has done to all of us that already bought our Gold Passes up 'til this past Saturday. To everyone who has provided spirited discussion and made valid points on both sides..... Thank You. To the others, go back and re-read the previous 11 pages and see how your personal "slams" probably demeaned valid points. Lets stay civil. Another point that no one has made yet: During ERT on DB you could sit in any seat you want. Thats a big deal to some people. Front seats have best view, Middle seats have most air time, back seats have sensation of the most speed. Now, unless they change the seat assignment policy, you will sit where you told to. If KI will throw this bone to us and let us sit on DB where we want, I'll go back to being happy about buying my gold passes last season. Now I'm off to go buy Red's season tickets. I hope I get to see the starters play the first few innings as promised, but who knows? Maybe (according to some of the posters here) I should just be glad they let me sit in the seat I paid for ahead of time and see anything at all! I would have made this point using the Bengals, but in their case the back ups would probably be more fun to watch!

You mean KI changed their website after stating things would be one way for 2011 and then deciding on something different??? I sure hope all those parents who bought gold passes for their children who will only be 48' tall on opening day for the ERT aren't disappointed.

Over and over for an hour on Saturday mornings and a half hour every other morning? Not so much. Like many of us have done on DB over the past 2 years, and was promised for 2011 by the park when we bought the passes at Haunt last October. We specifically bought our Gold Passes to ride DB and Beast early then leave the park to the tourists after the park got busy , but no refunds or downgrades to regular passes are offered. I bet we're not the only people in Cincy that bought Gold Passes to do the same thing.

Question: How many years has Beast been offered as an ERT benefit? (I have no idea, but I bet many pass holders have come to expect this as a pass benefit) Fact: DB has been offered since 2009 as ERT benefit. Personal: My wife and I came in June 2009 on vacation, bought 2 Gold passes, spent the week (and alot of money) using ERT riding DB and Beast, loved KI and Cincy. Came back in August, spent week using ERT riding DB and Beast. MOVED to Cincy in April 2010, bought 2 Gold Passes, spent every Saturday and Sunday of 2010 season enjoying ERT on DB and Beast. OCT 2010 during Haunt, told about 2011 benefits including ERT "ON" not "such as" DB and Beast by park (as referenced in earlier posts). Bought 2 gold passes for 2011. ( Discovered KIC in late summer, been a regular ever since. Much respect sent to all) February 20, 2011: kind of stunned that more people here aren't bothered by this. Please call 513 754 5700 this week and let KI know how you feel about their decision.

READ THE BACK OF YOUR PASS. Things are subject to change that's not False Info. And Just for your Info Kings Island does not offer refunds on season passes. Reading the Fine print always helps . So you don't find out you've been lied to until after you've paid money that won't be refunded? Thank you..... my point exactly!!!

Per Cedar Points site: http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/admission/season_passes/point_perks.cfm Millennium Force (must be 48" tall to ride) Raptor (must be 54" tall to ride) Maverick (must be 52" tall to ride) Iron Dragon (must be 46" tall to ride) Planet Snoopy (seven rides - height requirements vary) These are the early rides available at CP for ONE HOUR (as they put it) everyday. Notice that 4 of their premier coasters are offered. and 11 total rides are available as ERT for pass holders. Versus 1 flat and one neck shaker from 1987? Vortex is fun occassionaly but definately NOT a KI premier coaster! and not one that will bring tourists in from out of town. I wonder if KI will offer refunds to all of us that bought Gold Passes last year under false pretenses?

Agreed. My anger stems from purchasing my gold passes for this year in October 2010, and on November 10 2010 the official KI blog prints (as linked to earlier): "For just $5 more per pass you’ll be upgraded to Gold Pass status and enjoy a long list of VIP perks including FREE SEASON-LONG PARKING (a $39.99 value per pass!); early rides every public operating day on two of the best roller coasters in the world, The Beast and Diamondback; early entry every public operating day into Boomerang Bay, our splashtacular 15-acre waterpark; free admission to two amazing Halloween events, Halloween Haunt and HOWL-O-FEST; special discounts on select food items, merchandise and more! " Now they're saying they are only opening an untested flat and a coaster built in 1987. That's different than "marketing purposes", it's false advertising. If they decide to go through with this, they should be called out on it

So is your point of view that after the ERT is over we'll all go ride Spongebob? I don't think so. The Beast is not exactly a few steps from DB but still worth the walk. Not so much with Vortex. However you try to frame this Terp, it's a bad decision on KI's part.

So last season there were a number of ERT days that Diamondback was down and the op would say "The Beast is open!" which was great and still provided for a great morning. Now their big prize, an untested, unproven flat ( that isn't exactly something many people will want to do a ERT marathon on in the first place) breaks down, The ride op will get to say "Don't worry, Vortex is open" Woo....HOO!!! The Vortex is usually open with little wait ALL DAY!!!!! Maybe they haven't decided yet...call 754 5700 next week, maybe we can get this point across to KI.

Cut from the e-newsletter: "In addition to WindSeeker, early rides will also be available for Gold Passholders every public operating day on one of the most popular rides in Kings Island history, The Vortex roller coaster! There's also FREE season-long parking, early access to Boomerang Bay, exclusive food and merchandise discount offers, FREE admission to our two popular fall events, Halloween Haunt and Howl-O-Fest, and so much more!" The "among" perks seem to be what is listed in the second sentence. When we got our gold passes last year at the Haunt I thought the ERT's for DB and Beast were part of the promotion of buying Gold passes. This is the main reason we got the passes. This doesn't look good. I just spoke with KI security and was told that no ERT decisions have been made yet. He suggested calling 754 5700 during the week to get more info or put our 2 cents worth in about what we want to see opened for ERT. I'll be on the phone Monday morning!

Thanks, a moment of silliness is always fun to share.... Maybe we can get KI to rename SOB the Ghoster Coaster!! Seriously 16gwoods, I'm curious what your research has uncovered. Welcome to KIC!!! It's a great site I discovered last year. There are members here with a great wealth of knowledge who give amazing insights to all things about Kings Island. And there's also silly SOB's like me. "Have a good time always" Spinal Tap's 5th Drummer (please feel free to correct obscure reference)

Very well said Avatar!!! My wife and I believe we have found our tribe impatiently waiting outside the front gates for the hour of ERT on Saturday mornings. We don't know our fellow coaster geeks names, but the shared "Passion" we have to go up, then go down, makes us all part of a special tribe. If others who don't share our passion find joy in laughing at us... so be it. Just don't block the Gold Pass entrance with your strollers arguing with security about why your day passes won't get you in early!

Yes 16gwoods KI is indeed haunted and here's proof: When you you stand at Delirium and look past the go-karts, or look at Google Earth, you'll swear there's a huge wooden coaster there. But if you look at the KI park map in that area..... THERE'S NOTHING!!!!! It's a GHOST!!!! BOOO!

Without TW There would be no place to host the Sean Hannity show....... 'cause Six Flags has the Looney Tunes Trademark!!! I do agree, it's a waste of space, but it would be great if they would add a cool Cirque Du Soleil type show like at Busch Gardens Europe

I never could figure out why Drooper and Tigger had the same voice, were they related? Or why all the splits could talk, except for the Elephant. Or where dragons would go to buy white cowboy boots, and why is a dragon only wearing boots, but no clothes. Or why Mickey had a best friend that was a dog (Goofy) that could talk, and had a dog as a pet (Pluto) that couldn't talk! Did Goofy and Pluto ever bark at each other or sniff each other's butts? No wonder I'm so warped!!! I really NEED to ride a roller coaster!!!!