BlondyRidesOn

Can't wait to go to Winterfest next season. I never got to go in 2005. This makes me wonder if Christmas in July was a dry run to see if Kings Island can do a holiday themed event. Since it seems like it was a success, that must've given them the green light to bring back a better than ever Winterfest.

I mentioned that possibility before in the thread.That stake has also been there for a couple of months.

That stake was there for a while. It's probably electrical conduit under the ground. It's possibly a flag for maintenance to look at in the future. I saw some orange flagging tape on the red side at the beginning of the season, but that's long gone. The Racer seems too popular to close.

Don't wooden coaster footings usually have bolts to hold the wood structure in place on top of them?

Whenever I get it, I still call it Smurfberry ice cream, even though I was never around during the age of the Smurfs.

It sort of baffled me when they said it was closing for good. I was sure they were going to retrack and reprofile it with Great Coasters International, but it looks like it may be a Rocky Mountain treatment or full blown leveling. It will be interesting to see if Rocky Mountain is getting involved, since it was a rumor for a while and may lead to angry enthusiasts if it gets torn down.

That always worries me, however The Racer still gets great ridership, and even clocks more riders annually than The Beast. People say The Beast is rough as well, so I wouldn't worry. From what I hear, no matter where you sit on Mean Streak, it's rough and awful. On The Racer, that isn't much of an issue. Middle rows, especially in the front car on both sides, are very smooth.

The last time I've been to Cedar Point was 2007, when I was still petrified of coasters (Although, I do get a little motion sick, so I avoid loops). I'm planning to go sometime with my sister to ride Mean Streak for the first and last time.

Same here. I tried drowning the pop music out most of the time I work by humming "Stars and Stripes Forever," etc.

They called Mystic Timbers the fifth woodie at Kings Island, unless they're counting Son of Beast as fourth.

^^^ I think The Racer can be classified as both one coaster and two. Both sides are a coaster, although it is one ride with two sides all together. The shed with the Miami Lumber Company logo seems like it will add more of a themed element to Rivertown, especially to the train, that hasn't been seen for years.

Regarding the music, this past week I was working Emporium and the music suddenly switched back over to the regular pop music for a couple of hours. They eventually got it fixed. The fact that they only played the orchestral music on International Street and not park wide makes me wonder if it's possibly a dry run for a new soundtrack for the entrance and International Street. Most likely not, but one can only dream.

What if the inside of the shed is overgrown with vines and the truck is dangling above the riders? That would symbolize nature taking revenge on the lumberjack that cut down the trees, or something on those lines.

As much as I think it will be Plants vs. Zombies, I would love what others are suggesting like a 45th Anniversary refurbishment. Maybe see GCI retrack The Racer, as it is the reason rides like Mystic Timbers exist (one of the reasons why I don't think it's closing soon), maybe a restoration of theming in some areas. Only time will tell, though.

Plants vs. Zombies. It could also tie in with a Coney Mall revamp. I'm with SonODiamondback, this talk about The Racer leaving is depressing to think about.

I don't know why we should be only comparing Mystic Timbers to The Racer. It seems like it's different. I think the second announcement is going to be Plants vs. Zombies in Action Theater.

Name: "Psycho Beast" Manufacturer: Great Coasters International Height: 83' Length: 3200' Speed: 50 mph Inversions: 1

No matter who builds it, I'm sure it'll be a good ride.

What you just did.It's there, And I see it. ☺

So do we need to RSVP for the announcement, or is that just for the media?

That post almost makes me want to drive down to Kings Island, right now. Makes me wish I were working today.

As cool as it may be to see a Gravity Group or Rocky Mountain woodie, this is most likely going to be a coaster from Great Coasters International.

Did anyone suggest that the park should name project 2017 "Big Bad Wolf"? I know that was an old Busch Gardens coaster, but it sounds like it could work.

YesBlondy, protector of classic woodies.

"Deliverance" fits a lot of the clues. Would also work for a flume. Lol For all you kids.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068473/ That movie was terrifying, but I see where you're getting at. It would kind of fit the Rivertown theme.Blondy, hearing banjos...