KIBeast

I have to install a program on my computer, but I hope to get some pics up today of our trip.

It was an announcement for an announcement LOL. I figure Mantis will change. I don't believe it is being removed. I have been known to be wrong. Exactly what that change is, I don't know.

It's an epic fail because what she did distorts the reason behind it to begin with. It was meant to draw attention and raise funds for ALS, not making a political statement. It would be like me attending a fund raising event for cancer only to make a speech about what's going on with Russia and the Ukraine.

Ice Bucket Challenge Epic Fail www.campusreform.org/?ID=5878

I would rather see Camden get one of these Larson Giant Loop coasters. Smaller footprint, still provides a thrill, and they can market it as a coaster because Larson does. On topic, I don't really see any amusement park clamoring for this coaster as Togo no longer exists. The whole standing coaster phase is over.

That was always a favorite place to walk through was that vine tunnel. I would expect that KI will make a minor addition or two for next season. I haven't been in a few years, so I'm not sure what else they need as far as paint, general clean up of an area. I'd like to see something get added to the area where Firehawk and the old Outer Limits (don't even know what it's called now) are.

You're welcome. Forgot to mention he took a lap on the hand powered cars over in kiddie land before we left. Seems he liked it just as much as daddy used to.

So, my son and I made a trip to Camden Park about two weekends ago. We went from 5pm to 10pm. We arrived shortly after 5 and immediately went to kiddie land. He was so excited to be going to Camden Park with daddy ever since we rode a roller coaster at North Myrtle Beach. The coaster was similar to Wildcat, but it was a portable model. He was really ready to ride that one when we got into the station, but as soon as we departed, he asked me to hold on to him. Back to Camden. He rode the boat ride there that is just circular and enjoyed it very much. I guess all kids like to pretend that they are driving something. After that, we went over to the junior whip and he liked that as always. I so enjoy watching my son (who is 5) smiling really big when he is getting a thrill from rides. After that, we went to the planes that go in a circle. They have two seats and guns that I saw several kids who enjoyed pretending to shoot something. Next, we went to the carousel. Daddy rode this one with him and he liked it as I commentated on how we were racing each other and one horse took the lead over the other. After that, we went to the Paratrooper. I still like this ride much as I did when I was a kid and went to Camden on a school trip. He was a little bit scared once it came to maximum height, but I reassured him we would be fine. Next, we went to the Big Dipper. He loves coasters. I have the Roller Coasters of Cedar Point video and he loves watching it. It's funny how he'll say he's been on this or that one and he's never been there. I find it particularly funny that he swears that the Blue Streak is at Camden. I guess because in his eyes, it's the Big Dipper. He loved his ride on the Big Dipper and had daddy hold on to him as we rode. He told me afterwards how he likes the tunnel. Next, we went across the railroad tracks to get a ride on some others. We went to the Rockin' Tug and it was down. So, we went next door to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl. I told him that daddy new how to ride one of these so we could get maximum spinning out of it. Man, I had really forgotten how much fun that ride is. We went to the Little Dipper after that. He likes it pretty well and I just enjoy watching him experience the wonder of amusement parks. So, he talked me into a round of miniature golf after the Little Dipper. I thought it was a really good course and I didn't even bother to get a score card because he was going to win anyway lol. We went to the Whip after that. I love the Whip, but man that ride is hard on my back. The turns are not that bad, but you kinda slam back into the straight away. Not a problem or a complaint about the ride. I just have a bad back. we headed over for a spin on the Scrambler next. This is another ride that I loved as a kid and as a coaster fanatic, had forgotten how fun other rides can be. I love the flat collection at KI and CP and ride them every time I go. However, there was a time where I didn't bother in the early 1990's because I just used to go to marathon coasters. I was really missing out. Plus, now that I have a son, I am more about the overall park experience. My son Trey really enjoyed the Scrambler. We wound up riding them twice each. He also rode what he likes to call the umbrella ride, which is a circular car ride that has different vehicles on it. He rode that one twice and smiled all the way. At that point, it was the end of the night and we were heading out the front gate when he saw some light sabers, which I had to get him one. He is a Star Wars boy after all. We had a great time at Camden Park and I can't wait to take him to Kings Island next year. I still can't manage to get him to ride the haunted house again. He had one ride two years ago and it scared him to the point that he wanted to get off the ride. I told him he had to wait until it was over. I spoke to a couple of the employees there while waiting in line and everyone was really friendly and helped make my experience a great one. I took several pics with my phone, but I can't really upload them because I'm on a company computer. If you are ever in West Virginia, take time to help support our little park. It's not the greatest in the world, but it has plenty for the little ones. Did not ride the Rattler either as he is not tall enough. Maybe next season.

That is very true. It's why I don't like emails or text messages. My mood affects how I'm trying to read someone else's emotions. Never works out. On a side note, whatever CP has planned for Mantis, I won't be upset if this change means a more comfortable ride experience for others. I have not experienced the pain that other people have, and I'm not sure what I do differently than anyone else. I never have purposely positioned my body for a painless ride. A friend of mine and I rode it on a trip we made together years ago. We both had different experiences. He said his legs hurt while I had no after affects. We are both around the same height at 5'11". He weighed about 20 lbs more, but I have no idea if that even makes a difference.

I don't believe that it has been officially announced (by CP that is) that Mantis is being removed. GYK, I agree with a lot of what you said about B&M stand-ups as opposed to TOGO. I took what B&M did with that style was looked at the standing coasters and figured out a way to put different kinds of inversions within the layout as opposed to one inversion that you find on TOGO's. The only thing I don't like about them is the back and forth changes of direction towards the end of these layouts. Other than that, I think they transition through their inversions very smoothly.

In retrospect, I have been thinking the same thing. No need to redo the station at all. I'm fairly sure that they have chosen the least expensive way of converting Mantis, if that's what they are doing.

I won't STAND for this!! I imagine that if Mantis is getting the floorless conversion, I'm sure B&M has figured out that it will work.

I would like to see Woodstock Express be left as it is. Kids need their first dose of a wooden coaster experience and that covers it quite well.

I'm hoping for floorless trains on Mantis too. I enjoyed it for a while, because the only stand-up coaster I had been on was King Kobra. B&M took the concept and ran with it. But now, I'm over the novelty of it and I would like to see it become a more enjoyable experience. Plus, if it gets new trains and a re-paint, that's marketing heaven.

Looks like a cool coaster. I know that the Son of Beast didn't turn out to be a really good coaster, but I give them credit for trying to push the envelope. On paper, I'm sure all of these ideas sounded really good. It had two helixes, which is what made The Beast really popular. It had height, which at the time, many parks were racing to build the highest coaster. It had a loop, which was huge and you just didn't see wood coasters with loops. Also, it had that high bank turn after the first drop, which is something that has been done more successfully as of recent. I guess what it all boils down to is other coaster manufacturers learned a lot from the mistakes made in the design and building of Son of Beast. Oh, and I also forgot that The Beast name was used in hopes that by using a variance on the name of the original at the park, it would bolster a lot of interest in the ride.

I would say after the accident at Cedar Point, Intamin has to figure out a way to regain their customers' trust and confidence. Has El Toro had problems? I haven't really been around any message boards for quite some time, so I'm out of the "loop".

The one that I would vote for which is not an option would be wood coaster like El Toro installed at KI.

I agree with APE on that one. I figure all the "enthusiasts" will be up in arms over these installations. On a side note, these mega loop installations got me to thinking. This would be a good installation at Camden Park. I'll go ahead and call it a coaster because it has a coaster train even though it's not full circuit. (See Superman SFMM). I would also note that the Demon at KI really wasn't much more than this ride save for the two towers.

I happen to like the S&S towers. And from what I have seen, so does the GP. I think that the Super Loopers, or whatever they are called, are good, cheap installations. A few of these parks installing them may be getting what enthusiasts would call "legitimate" additions in the following year. I've been on one of the smaller ones at either the Jackson Apple Festival or the Pumpkin Festival in Milton when I was in the high school band. I took my girlfriend on that ride and she was so terrified, that she began to cry once we got going. I had to keep telling her that it wasn't that bad. I had been on more intense coasters at KI and that was back in the 80's. I had probably been on Vortex and Beast by that time. So, even though it seemed a little on the tame side to me, she was scared senseless. I thought it was fun, but not terrifying.

I agree that corkscrew is still a fun coaster. I think that it's a nice transitional coaster for the younger ones not quite ready for the many bad boys that are all over CP. I used to really enjoy the Wildcat as well. It was a fun family coaster.

I guess there's no need to dust when you're in the dark, LOL.

I liked the video. Some of the stuff on there I already knew. A good bit that I didn't know was on there too. LOL at the no bumping in bumper cars. Next rule: No screaming on roller coasters or thrill rides.

I don't know all there is to know on the subject, but I do happen to know that non-profit Christian organizations have the right to refuse employment due to sexual orientation, as long as they don't accept federal government assistance. Meaning, your funds have to come from private donations.

I really need to make it to Kings Dominion. They have an awesome collection of rides and now a great expansion to their water park that sounds really thrilling.

I would like so see an Intamin plug-n-play wood coaster myself. I hear El Toro is a good one.