medford

Missed it by "that" much...

Even Invertigo?

Gelato, Sorbet, Sherbet, Frozen Custard, Frozen Yogurt, semifreddo, Ice-Milk, snow cones, dippin-dots, etc.. All called or refered to as ice cream at one point or another, all called by the listed name above repectively, some most definently not ice cream, some can be argued one way or another. All that matters, does it taste good??? The blue ice cream at KI, definently tastes good.

Question, which park actually has every single type of coaster out there that fills up the coaster catalog?I don't understand the "in" thing because there were only 3 B&M hyper coasters that have opened between 2008-2010. One respectively for each year in the United States. Between the 2008 and now, I've seen more relocations of coasters and "new" types of coasters than constantly adding the same type of coaster throughout numerous parks. The new "in" thing is Wing Coasters because there were two that opened last year and one this year. So I guess that cancels out the inversions are no longer fun thought. In 2012, there was not a single Wooden Coaster that opened, so that wasn't the "in" thing, but this year, 3 have opened. Is that the new "in" thing? But to the comment of Hypers are no longer enough, how many parks can add a hyper? Should parks that already have a hyper add another? I seem to look at Canada's Wonderland that has a B&M Hyper and a B&M Giga and both attractions are doing just fine. I've got a few friends that visit that park frequently and both seem to have the same wait times generally. We've seen that the 300 foot mark hasn't curbed people for looking for more speed, height and airtime. Look at Top Thrill Dragster and Kingda Ka. They both have long lines generally. 400 ft plus. So I guess the question you're really asking is when is it enough. Well we won't know until we reach that point. Those who visit amusement parks tastes change constantly with the type/age/area of people. What was once thrilling in the 80s is no longer thrilling in 2013 generally. There are some rides that fit the category for some, but not for others. I guess I'm just frustrated with your post because you are speaking of the thoughts of all the coaster enthusiasts and "everyone." Me, do I want a Giga? Yes. Why? Because I think they are fun (I've only been on Intamin's), they give airtime and I love over-banked turns. Would I be happy if KI got an Inverted Coaster in 2014? Yes. Why? Because Inverts are fun. Would I be happy if KI got a coaster in 2014? Yes. Why? Because the park could benefit from any new coaster. Just because you've heard a certain number of enthusiasts or whatever that have said they want to get their "high" doesn't mean that everyone feels the same way. When talking about Coaster Enthusiasts remember you're talking about a lot of people on here and not everyone here feels the same way that you think all coaster enthusiasts feel. Obviously I'm not getting my point across. I'm not going to aggravate my carpal tunnel trying to convey a particular message when no one is understanding my point. But I will clarify a bit more and say I'm not talking about ALL coaster enthusiasts. I'm talking about the ones who have a "gotta have more and higher and faster" mentality in order to stay satisfied. Why does KI need a giga right now? Answer that question for me. Will the park collapse if it doesn't get one right away? Expressing myself clearly has always been a problem I've had. So I give up. You make a valid point about the fuel cost. But $25 million worth of gasoline comes out to be 6,250,000 gallons. How much gas did those things use on a seasonal basis? I wonder how many years the antique cars could operate on the money it would take just to build a new giga. You know what would have been cool - meandering the antique cars in and out through the Diamondback layout. Interesting contrast between a really slow old ride and a really fast new one. ha ha. Anyway, I digress. Pure guess here: I'm guessing the average car used about 1 gal of gas a day x about 50 cars, so about 50 gallons a day, x about 150 operating days = 750 gallons of gas a year x 10 years = 7,500 gallons of gas, well short of your propossal, but there is a lot more maintanence that would go into the equation, plus the general lack of ridership on the ride. Italian stunt job remains a pretty popular ride today. Since you're preaching that higher and faster isn't what the park needs right now, couldn't it be said that the park would be sorely missing out on a ride that the "whole family" can ride together. There's not a lot in that 48" ride selection that doesn't go too fast for grandpa or too high for little sister. The problem with removing the tiques, in my opinion anyways, was installing a ride that was designed to look a little "tacky" then not keeping it up to date.

secondson, isn't that just the nature of progress? Who wants to build a roller coaster that's worse than the one before? How many camry's would Toyota sell next year if they said, "hey they were good cars back in the 80s, we're going back to that design, who needs data ports, GPS, airbags, etc...? What if they could build a raptor clone for $18 mil? It would be wildly popular amongst the regular park patrons, but how is that going to get someone in northern Ohio excited about making a trip to KI next year, when they could spend $20 mil and make something a little bigger, a little better than raptor? the 'tiques were a bunch of fun as a kid, and they're remembered very fondly on this site, however my last images of the 'tiques is of short lines, practically walk on every trip I made to KI as a kid. Considering the cost of fuel and maintance on those things, I doubt they were destined to remain for long, especially considering an owner that liked to pinch his nickles. The problem is, when they took them out, they put in a highly themed ride, then failed to keep it up to date. If the park had put in something more asthetically pleasing, and kept them pain fresh so to speak, the 'tiques wouldn't be missed nearly as much.

I'm hoping that as part of the expansion/revamp of Action Zone, that more family friendly flats/rides are part of the long term plan. The current construction certainly seems like some sort of major coaster installation, and I completely get putting in the major attraction first, but that area, and the park as well, could certainly use a handful of smaller, gentler flats (tea cups or spinning barrels seems like an obvious ommision from the park) as well as another coaster designed for the 40-48" and up crowd, something along the lines of flying Ace Arial Chase (but hopefully with better capacity). Planet Snoopy is about as packed as it can get. There is some room for a smaller ride back by the stage area, but otherwise they're going to have to take something out if they decide to add a "big" kid ride in that area. Honestly, its a very nice collection of rides for all age levels, flying ace arial chase, woodstock express, surf dog, race for your life charlie brown (which probably isn't technically in Planet Snoopy, but close enough) all pack a decent punch for the under 48" crowd. Snoopy junction, the multiple car rides, swings, planes and helicopter rides, great pumpkin coaster, etc.. all offer a thrilling experience for the under 40" crowd. Then they've got a good collection of rides that aren't really huge thrill rides, but are not aimed at the typical 2-3 year old in boo blasters, the smaller bumper cars, linus' launcher, tree kite, etc.. If there is one thing I'd take out, or at least modify, its the splash pad type attraction. I'm not sure how it worked when it was the slime zone, but I can't help but think just how poorly that layout is designed. Its an attraction aimed at kids in the 3-6 year old range, you enter on one side of the ride, then exit on the complete opposite side, which means parents either have to race around to the other side to collect their kids, or trust that their kids will come back around to the entrance. Just a dumb layout.

Don't know, but it was down tonight as well

Something tells me Terp doesn't know the hot dog dance song.

unfortunately, it is supposed to rain tomorrow. That may not be terrible though, if 1) its short and not too severe, and 2) it drives down crowds and makes wait times short. An 8 year old getting to marathon The Beast? depending on the weather, you may get your chance. As the 8 year old ever ridden a roller coaster before??? IIRC, in another thread you said he was excited. At any rate, you may want to ease him into it. Vortex sounds like a great idea, until you're staring straight at it. Of course on the flip side, some kids have no fear, until you start putting it in them; I'll never forget taking my niece (I believe she was 6 last season) on her first ride on The Beast last year. She had gone with us several times the prior season but didn't reach 48" until last year. I was half expecting her to back off as soon as we got up to the station, but rode it with no fear. When we got off, she looked over at Vortex and asked "what is that called?" I told her it was Vortex and she immediatly asked if we could ride that next. I asked if she was aware that Vortex went upside down several times. She looked at me and said "yeah", so away we went on her first Vortex ride. After dinner, she really wanted to ride drop zone, something I won't ride, but my wife loves. My wife was more than willing, but we talked about how my niece's mother was too scared to ride drop zone, how I didn't like it (I'm definently afraid of heights, but sitting in a coaster doesn't bother me) and all of a sudden, she became too chicken. So in other words, if they're willing to hope on something, know that its perfectly safe and don't plant that seed of doubt in their brain.

My four year old son always brings up Kings Island anytime he sees a Peanuts character around town, though he's likely one of the few. Disney is nirvania for families with young kids. When you have kids in the age range of 4-10, high thrill rides are rarely at the top of the agenda. Getting a chance to have lunch with a disney princess from the movie you've seen 100 times is. It should be no surprise that Disney is #1. Its a travel destination for families thru out the world thanks to their long list of high quality, long lasting films aimed at small children. Universal has taken a huge blow to their parks, at least if the charm of Harry Potter can match the long standing run of Disney. I'm sure its a "challenge" we'll face in the next 5-10 years w/ a 4 year old boy and a 1 year old girl. A girl who's mother wants to do the whole "dress up like a disney princess" for a day thing. Thankfully, the boy also has a mother that will be equally happy hitting up Universal for any and all thrill rides including Harry Potter.

As a kid, I used to prefer wearing athletic shorts to KI. I was not old enough to have a driver's liscense, had no need for a credit card or debit card (I'm not even sure if the debit card existed back in the early 90s, probably but most like was an ATM withdrawl card rather than a card that could be swiped anywhere) I had little use for a wallet, besides those shorts rarely had pockets. So where did my money go???? tucked into my socks of course. I'm guessing all parties would have preferred a wrist band transaction rather than money being stored in your shoe.

B&M invert, with multiple launches. Inversions: 8 max height: 198' length: 4,192 feet.

308 foot inverted woodie, now there's something new

Dwight, don' you know, the construction guys already get their plans from the dippin' dot guys; he's never going to fall for an immitation dippin' dot guy saying he needs the inside scoop. You're much better off telling him that you're life long dream is to be a dippin dots guy at KI, and beg the construction worker on some inside tips that can get your foot in the dippin dots guy door.

don't they typicall blow straw over grass seed to keep it from washing away, while soaking in some extra water for growth? I can't say if its grass, weeds, whatever growing in that area, I can't say if it was done on purpose or just nature taking its coarse, but the lawn & garden guy on 55krc mentioned the other day that the weather this year has created a "double growing season" meaning that the growth you'd expect in a typical spring on your trees, has grown twice as much this spring. Same would hold true for grass seed, weeds, rose bushes, etc.. Perhaps that accounts for more natural growth in that area than anyone would have anticipated. I'll agree that you're not going to throw down grass seed in an area you plan to tear up again, but I wouldn't think you'd throw down grass seed until all the heavy equipment was moved out. Heavy equipment used in the construction has a tendancy to tear up existing ground.

Close, but no cigar

Where's the high point on The Beast? 1st lift hill or 2nd? Sure seems like there is a greater than 7' difference b/w the high point on Vortex, and the 1st lift hill on The Beast. Although terrain elevation relative to their respective lift hill could account for why I've always thought Vortex was significantly higher than The Beast.

Old news. The green track at the Ohio manufacturing plant is probably not relevant to Kings Island, so it'd be advisable to just throw that idea out the window. Is it another Mega Coaster? Let's not forget Cedar Fair was maladroit enough to build two B&M Mega Coasters back-to-back in Canada's Wonderland.... so anything is possible with this companies inane thought process.... Is there any garuntee that the track at CSF has to be for a wing rider? Further, I don't believe the track has been painted in the last pictures. The supports, yes, but the track no. Are there any other plants that make B & M track in the US? Mr O has said that they've already hired B & M for another coaster project. While this doesn't neccessarily mean they hired B & M for whatever is going in now at KI, B&M is in Cedar Fair's near future. As far as I've seen, only dollywood and KI have signs of construction. Would B&M produce track and supports this early for a project that hasn't broken ground yet???? I don't know, but if it smells like a duck, looks like a duck, and quacks like a duct, its probably a duct. All signs point to a B&M at KI for the 2014 project. While nothing is garunteed, I'm holding that line of thinking until another reasonable or garunteed (ie someone else's track showing up on site) answer is presented. Right now: KI has tore down SOB & TA KI is installing footers that strongly resemble footers for a steel coaster of some sort Cedar Fair has hired B&M for a new project as of Gatekeeper's opening day Cedar Fair has no winged coasters on the menu in the near future. Clermont Steel Fabricators is currently building both track pieces and support pieces for a B&M installation.

but, it does bring up a good point, other than KI & dollywood, are there any other parks in the US claiming construction for next season?

they'd like head down I-81 thru WV to get to dollywood.

If Intamin track is traveling down I-71 and if it is heading towards KI, the best place to spot it will be from the tower this afternoon. As soon as the track gets to the park, they're going to use a crane to lift it off the truck and get the truck in its way to its next destination. Question, I don't follow roller coaster construction, but since KI is in the early stages, why would the track be showing up so soon? There are no supports going up, so it would seem like that track would sit out on site waiting for installment for several months. Just seems like a bass akwards construction schedule; I would have expected most of the footers to be installed prior to the first supports/track showing up. But like I said, I'm not at all familar, so what do I know.

well, Mr O did come out of Disney, so it wouldn't be a stretch. Would love to see KI come back and improve the theming at Backlot Stunt Coaster, add the water back to the ending, etc...

From what I can infer from that video, it would appear that the trianglur footers (around the 1:24 mark) would have only 1 connection point to the track directly above. If I'm looking at the recent pictures of KI, it would appear that the triangular footer has 3 connection points, perhaps for a turnaround coming out leading to the lift hill where you'd support the track passing over head, as well as the tracking circuling back below.

usually a pretzel from the main food stands in Planet Snoopy when we get to the park (which is typically middle of the week at nights). I've made the mistake (and thankfully they exchanged them at the central food stands in Planet Snoopy) of picking up some preztels from the stand b/w woodstock express and the kiddie bumber cars while my wife & son were on boo blasters. they don't always have them, and it most not be a popular purchase as they seemed like they'd been there all day; hard as a rock. I've never had one from the stand that is centrally located, kind of my the pumpkin coaster. I've never had a problem w/ the pretzels over by festhause, now that they are auntie ann's we'll probably hit that one when we get to the park. I'm not a huge fan of Larosa's in particular, its good, but not great (though I love the sauce). Its even worse in the park, I'd call it edible, and that's about it. Of course that is what we usually get if we eat dinner there. I understand the difficulty in producing a pizza on par w/ the regular restaurant, but I wish they'd implement some sort of system where you could get a freshly made, just to you order pizza, with fresh dough, etc.... (I could be wrong, but the crust always tastes like its been made in some factory, frozen and shipped to KI, perhaps they do this at all LaRosa's, but the regular store dough seems much better to me.)