jbeast

I make a point to go down to Kentucky Kingdom every summer. Stormchaser and Lightning Run are worth the 2.5 hour drive alone. Same with Holiday World. Have to get my rides on Voyage! Cedar Point is a every other year trip, and this year will be it.

As a much younger person, I can remember when KI announced The Beast, The Bat and King Cobra. It seemed like they were always trying to be on the forefront regarding new coaster installations back then. I am hoping for an incredible coaster in The Vortex old spot, but this news worries me regarding that.

Before my move to northern KY, I used to live on the East side of Cincy and would take a ride by the plant every once in awhile to see if I could spot any track outside. Coaster nerds unite! Ha!

I visited for the very first time last year and was blown away by the detail of the scenery and trains. I sat by the Coney Island scene for awhile just taking it in. It is a shame that it is closing, But it is what it is. I will make sure and get out there again before it closes.

The structural issues with both the original Bat and SOB doomed both coasters. If I remember correctly, part the lift hill structure for SOB fell over in high winds during construction. The design flaw in The Bat was what made it so much fun unfortunately. That wild swinging back and forth was what made the ride memorable for me. I'm sure it was slower and rougher than I remember...seems forever ago. But it was a new concept at the time that I was in awe of. I am really happy they brought back The Bat name at least. I agree. I think it would amazing if they could rebrand a new ride around the story of a doomed Son of Beast. I'd still be wary though since it does have such a negative light. I would love to see a ground up RMC there with some Beast theme.

Of all the coasters I have ridden, Son of Beast was just repetitive and had a somewhat boring layout. The first drop and loop were awesome. The rest of the ride was rough as hell at times. I rode it many times with and without the loop cause my oldest kid loved it. He liked jarring pain I suppose...ha! And the more I rode it, I just wished it was something so much more. I agree, times are indeed different and who knows what it could have been. Although with the negative PR the ride garnered, I doubt they would want to revisit the name again for another version. But as stated, look at Top Thrill 2. So, I could be wrong. Maybe because it was so big and such an intense and jarring ride is why so many liked it and it continues to be talked about. I was a young teenager when the original Bat was opened. And through the lense of a young kid, that coaster holds a special place in my heart. So, I do get the fascination with Son of Beast...as rough as it was.

I personally love Orion and enjoy it for what it is. The first drop and speed are amazing. I don't mind it may seem a bit shorter than Fury. I am happy that KI finally got a 300' drop speed machine. I love Fury too for the same reasons! I love Diamondback too for it's great airtime and fun ride. And my love for The Beast knows no bounds, but Voyage, for me is one of my favorites too. And thinking about it, just about any rollercoaster I have had the opportunity to ride through my life, I enjoy it for what it is and the park that it may be in. It's always a good day when I get to ride a good coaster. Each have their own great elements and that's why I travel to different parks to enjoy them. I just spent last Sunday at Strickers Grove riding Tornado (and the flyers). Not the biggest coaster ever, but so much fun to ride! I am and always will be a coaster geek, but as I get older and wiser I have fully realized that KI has been so fortunate to get the coaster installs it has. We are lucky to call KI a home park.

Don, My vote is for Son of Beast. I am still hoping they figure out how to make Top Thrill 2 a reliable thrill machine. I loved Top Thrill's speed, so it would be amazing for them to figure it out. Son of Beast was doomed from the beginning. I so wanted to love that ride and was genuinely excited about it. But then I rode it. That's all that needs to be said...ha!

Johnjniehaus: I cannot agree more! To this day and everyday I visit the park, I cringe when I walk by the stupid basketball game that sits where the Eagles once were. To say I still miss the original Eagles is a huge understatement. I absolutely loved that ride! Snapping like crazy and every single ride was a different experience.

After visiting Holiday World for two days recently again, I get reminded how much our KI waterpark needs some love. Surfin' Safari is just awesome on every level. Wildebeast and Mammoth alone are worth the trip. Although, I realized I am not as young as I used to be climbing those stairs to some of the slides. And going absolutely airborne on Jungle Racers. That was a bit painful. On the other side, Voyage is still my all-time favorite coaster, next to Fury and The Beast. It's nice to see the new additions for next year at KI. I agree more trees are needed too...it gets so hot and crowded out there. It'd be nice if you could wear your water shoes on the rides at KI too like HW does.

I completely agree! It is supposed to be fun being on the forums talking about our favorite park. I just stay away that kind of banter that is argumentative in nature. Get enough of that everywhere else. And, funny story. A person called me a name on another coaster site and really was not nice to me for some odd reason, no matter how I tried to be cordial. We had an event up at KI a year later. I saw his screen name on his sticker on his shirt, and approached him to say hi. The look on his face when he saw me and how big I am was priceless. I was like, you remember the name calling you did. He apologized profusely. I had no ill will, just wanted to make him realize, you don't always know who is on the other side of the keyboard. So, be nice and have fun and respectful.

Interesting addition to CP's lineup that I did not see coming. It'll definitely be a fun coaster to enjoy with my pass next year! Now, let's get that big wide open old Vortex spot some love with an amazing and quality coater installment too! It has been empty too long now!

I remember the excitement I had when Son of Beast was announced. From the giant crate in the beginning and then seeing it rise over the skyline of KI so massively. I so wanted to love that ride. The turnaround, first drop and loop were great. After that it was a bone jarring and kind of boring layout compared to its namesake as visually stunning as it was. I rode it numerous times cause my oldest son loved the ride and wanted to get on it every trip. But after awhile, I just let him ride it when we went. I'd go ride The Beast instead. I give credit to KI for trying to install a landmark coaster. Growing up with the park, that was something they were good at. But, unfortunately, they missed the mark with SOB in my opinion. Some people love the ride and it's roughness, and I get it, but I just wanted them to start over and RMC the thing.

Geez! And I feel bad leaving my food tray and paper cup on the table after eating at the Brewhouse. If they had trash cans in there, I'd clean my table off. I ate at Rivertown Potato Works last week and they had 2 people cleaning the tables there. They actually cleaned ours right before we sat down. And we always throw our trash away after...my parents and grandparents taught me that simple task and I have passed it to my sons. Just common decency.

I agree, the empty space that the former Bat and Vortex previously occupied is worthy of another iconic landmark and worthy coaster. The original Bat wasn't the fastest coaster around, but it was blast to ride while it lasted. Vortex was a stunning looking coaster and fit that spot perfectly, and a solid ride. My hope is that the powers that be install something in that spot worthy of its predecessors.

It is unfortunately a sign of these times I suppose that this has to be implemented. I cherish the days as a preteen and teenager enjoying the park so many summer days by myself or with some friends. So many fantastic memories! Like I have said before, as a young kid, I never thought once of causing any problems at the park. It is my Zen place and always has been, so I treat it with the respect it is due. Line jumping and stupid behavior has always been a thing by few, but it seems more prevalent now at times. My parents and grandparents would have made my life miserable if I behaved badly at the park. But they never had to worry about that because KI is so special to me.

I just got back from a two day visit to Holiday World with my youngest son a couple weeks ago. The Voyage absolutely rocks! Not as smooth as it once was, but very re-ridable for me anyway. Just truly, one of the best coaster experiences out there! Got 22 rides that day! I cannot get enough of that ride! Legend was running pretty good too...definitely rougher but still a wild fun ride. Raven on the other hand...not so much. First, as I have gotten bigger with age, those trains feel so small to fit into. And it was way rougher than I remembered from a few years ago when I last visited. The bonfire, a couple brews and comfy bed at the house we stayed at close to the park was much needed! Spent the first day enjoying the waterpark. Trying to keep up with my 18 year old walking up all those stairs was fun! Ha! Those water coasters are so much fun though! Wildebeast is my favorite there and such a blast! Cheetah Chase was awesome too! Hopefully the new addition to KI's waterpark will be close to those.

Well with the posts today by the park, hoping for a Cheetah Chase type of racing water coaster! Just went to Holiday a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed the water coasters. And the tons of Voyage rides!

This is truly a sad event. I just cannot wrap my head around thinking it's ok to climb over fencing with obvious warning signs and a coaster train traveling almost 70mph, to find your keys that were lost while riding. I always have worn zip pocket pants/shorts when I go to any amusement park since lost my wallet once at KI (very luckily I found it in the following train). Learned a lesson that day a long time ago. Secure everything in a zipper pocket when riding and check that everything is zipped up right before getting on a ride. I have seen a couple of horrible accidents, and I witnessed a truly tragic loss of a very young life when I was a teenager in my neighborhood when a little girl got hit by a car. It is an indescribable event and truly horrific. The lady that hit the girl was beyond grief, shock and heartbreaking emotions you rarely see. There was no time for her to react since the girl ran right out in front of her. Me and my friends were in complete shock. Even the first responders were hit hard by what happened. It is a rough story to read I know. But, my point is, once you witness something like that, it will always be there in your mind. So, I feel for the employees, riders, first responders or anyone there having to live through something of that magnitude. It stays with you forever. I truly hope the man who is fighting for his life survives and recovers as best he can. One lapse of judgement, so hopefully he pulls through. Those warning signs are there for a reason, but like the employee in the interview said...if someone wants to really get back there, there is no stopping them. People seem to think sometimes they can break rules, oblivious to the danger to themselves for things that just can wait and not worth being critically injured or killed over.

And that's why, even as a big tough guy, I don't mess with anyone cutting in line anymore. People seem to have extremely short fuses, less morals and are prone to fight or worse these days. Even when they are obviously in the wrong. I was taught respect and rules from my family, especially in a public place. I love my home park and never think about breaking rules or being a general jerk in respect to the place that has been my second home my whole life. I just do not get people that think they are so special the rules do not apply to them and potentially are violent like this instance.

I'm old school when it comes to having a physical pass always. I was in line at the Brewhouse last year with my son when a girl in front of me of had her phone die in line and had no physical pass to use her meal plan. She was freaking out a bit. I let her know her that she can get a physical pass. She kinda acted surprised you could get an actual pass. What would we do without our phones now...ha! Saw her later that day and she thanked me for pointing that out to her.

Fearfest was definitely less tame than now days. Who could forget actual Midget Wrestling matches during Fearfest in the middle of the Festhaus! Who thought of that? There seemed to be generally more scares along the midways, alot more fog and if I remember right, real bugs in one of the mazes that was close to The Racer back then. I think it was a Mummy themed walk through and they had real bugs enclosed in glass as part of it. Yep, those were the early days of the event. There was so much fog, that riding Drop Zone, you could not see the ground below you after a certain point. It was freaky fun!

I finally got a ride on Drop Tower this past Sunday. Absolutely love that ride. Only problem now as I have grown since it first opened, they had to squish me in my seat. My shoulders and torso just don't fit easy anymore. Only time being 6' 4" is a bad thing...ha! So, got the ride in but it was a bit uncomfortable going up. That is the only ride at KI I have trouble fitting into for my size.

Cannot agree more and to add, the sound of snapping the Eagles back on that path is missed by me just as much. Vortex was an icon at the park and fit that spot perfect after the original Bat. So, whatever goes there has to pay tribute to the legendary coasters before it.

I cannot remember ever seeing that particular refill station open it seems. Seems there is always a lot of people any given day through that area of the park. I think I got a drink there once...ha! But, very true, two people manning the beer bar next to Larosa's last night.