BlondyRidesOn

If they do anything to BLSC, they should give it a frontier, western re-theme and annex it into Rivertown, with a name on the lines of "Kings Mill Run" or something. But I don't see them doing that until the ride becomes a huge problem, or until the Italian Job-esque theming starts to become bland and tacky, which probably won't be for a while.

I accidentally double posted my response. I apologize.

I was in line for The Beast and a lady next to me got my attention and asked, "Did you know that this is the oldest coaster at Kings Island?" I corrected her, telling her that The Racer was older, as it opened in 1972. When we reached the station, she tapped me on the shoulder and pointed the wood board that reads "Rivertown 1979" hanging near the control booth. I said "Yes" in agreement to the fact that The Beast did open in Rivertown in 1979, but said nothing further, I just gave up. Nothing huge about it, just a mix up of information, but I thought it was worth sharing.

I think the only thing that can save the German tones of Oktoberfest is to get a flat ride and give it a German/Bavarian name. For food options, they should sell Goetta dogs from Gliers. I've had them before, really good.

They served bratwurst and mettwurst with saurkraut at the Christian Moerlein Bier Garten until this season. Now its just beer and nachos. I enjoyed it when it was there, if only more people ate there. It seems rather odd because hot dogs, brats and metts were a common food on amusement park midways.

This is also a good sign that Rebel Yell and The Racer will be spared... For now. Blondy, hoping for the best out of this.

Don't let the destruction of wooden coasters spread to Cedar Fair. Let The Racer continue as a wood coaster. I feel like there are better candidates for an Iron Horse conversion in the Cedar Fair chain.

I saw a few Kentucky Kingdom billboards in Indianapolis this weekend, as well as ones for Holiday World.

I think for a while, they lubricated the track, possibly making it go faster, but I think it was just advertised to make it seem bigger and faster to draw people in.

If Roar does indeed receive an Iron Horse conversion, which wouldn't surprise me, wouldn't it be the first GCI to receive one?

There might be more historical appreciation about Kings Island and not as much with Carowinds because many older Cincinnatians understand historically that Kings Island was a relocation of the beloved Cincinnati staple, Coney Island. Many of these people visited Coney until the very end (My father and his family were present at Coney on September 6th, 1971, when it closed). It's the rich history of Coney and Kings Island that dates back to 1867. Its the spirit of old Coney Island that still holds Kings Island up to this day, that's sole the purpose of Coney Mall and The Racer. Carowinds, on the other hand, doesn't have a history that dates as far back as Kings Island, so that might be the reason why Kings Island's history is more appreciated than Carowinds. I think that's tragic, as Carowinds has a very interesting history. It is the younger park goers that seem to not care about the history as much. I can't tell you how many times I have read things on social media, calling for The Racer to get the Rocky Mountain hybrid conversion, despite what it has meant for the present day coaster industry. It always makes me nervous about the history and the future of our park; I even had two nightmares in a row where The Racer was being torn down. However, I'm sure there are younger people out there who understand significance of the remaining original aspects of Kings Island, as well as Carowinds. I'm only sixteen years of age, and I respect the history of these parks because both of my parents visited Coney Island and have watched Kings Island change, evolve and grow for over 43 years. Understand the concern for appreciation, and hope more of it will come from people my age and younger, and not just myself. Blondy, who appoligizes for such a long comment.

I have similar feelings about the music in the park. I haven't been over in Planet Snoopy much this year, so I don't know exactly what they play, but I believe it's similar music over the loud speakers to whats played on International Street, plus Kidz Bop. This would be my ideal soundtrack list for each section: International Street- Whatever they play at Kings Dominion (The Reivers Main Theme by John Williams, Gabriels Oboe by Ennio Morricone from "The Mission," etc.) plus some from the Taft/KECO era (Sabre Dance by Aram Khachutarian, Hoedown by Aaron Copland). Planet Snoopy- Music from the Peanuts specials, like "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Coney Mall- Nothing much to change. Action Zone- Nothing much to change. Rivertown- Bluegrass music in train station. Soak City- Beach Boys music.

I'm at the park right now and the organ sounds amazing in person.

I was a tad bit nervous about it not working. When I came opening weekend in April, it sounded bad. Can't wait to come back to hear it in person. It sounds amazing!

Lets hope that since The Racer played a huge role in starting the second golden age of coasters, and since it's a tribute to the beloved Shooting Star at Coney Island, as Kings Island was a essentially relocation of Coney, and since it still has pretty good ridership, that it stays for a while longer.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/british/metal-fatigue Metal fatigue is a form of weakness, resulting from constant use. In the case of a steel coaster, and wooden ones alike, track and supports move; this movement can be seen on Diamondback from the Rivertown midway or on Vortex from The Beast's loading platform. However the constant swaying, wobbling and bouncing of the structure can cause weakness, and in most cases tearing and ripping of the metal.

It is true that rides don't last forever, however wooden roller coasters have been known to last longer than steel coasters. There are coasters from the 1920's that still operate, Cyclone at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY is an example. Structure and track can be replaced or repared when they start going through fatigue. When a steel coaster gets metal fatigue, thats it. Many mechanical elements on wood coasters could be replaced by ones from a modern manufacturer of wooden coasters, such as GCI, while steel rides have to close because replacement parts are difficult to find once it's manufacturer becomes defunct, such as King Cobra once TOGO went bankrupt. Usually a wooden coaster might close because of dwindling popularity, or in some cases it could be an unsafe structure. The Racer, despite not being as popular as The Beast, still got a very large line this past Friday when I went, and I rarely ever see a train leave the station with an empty seat, unless it's a slow day or a passanger is riding alone. I don't see why removing it would be an option because its one of the main reasons why the park became so popular and it pays tribute to the Shooting Star from beloved Coney Island. But back on topic with the Monster, I've always wondered how the park gets replacement parts for it, because Eyerly Aircraft Company doesn't make rides anymore, at least I don't believe they do.

This is truely sad to hear. I just hope this is only for their water park expansion, and not a new trend coming from Cedar Fair.

Those are all true factors. It is agreeable and understandable why the fifth car shouldn't be removed, because it was added to increase capacity as a result of the rides popularity. The only major change to the trackage was the removal of the final dip before the brake run into the station.

Because of The Racer's historic value in bringing back the roller coaster, which made it earn its status as an ACE landmark, I would love to see it restored. New wood track in some areas, and a fresh coat of paint can make all the difference.

It was operating on preview night. It was playing different rolls of music, however it sounded very off.

I don't see why either coaster needs the Iron Horse conversion. Rebel Yell, like Kings Island's Racer and Beast, is an ACE landmark, and Thunder Road is one of the few remaining original rides at Carowinds.

Front of any car on The Racer. I rode in the very front a few times; it's smoother, but the wind deforms my face throughout the course.

There were poles set up around The Racer. I noticed them each time I rode it. There was a trail of dirt leading to them as if they're connected by some sort of electrical conduit buried underground.

I feel like the Boo Blasters ride should remain a smaller, low thrill dark ride. Maybe re theme it to Peanuts and create an Enchanted Voyage style experience.