KIBeast

I signed up too. Good luck everyone!

That's pretty awesome for this chain. Wonder if CF could do anything like this? Might help with their outlook.

This looks like another great addition for Dollywood. I really want to take my 3 year old son to KI because of the great kids' area, but I'm starting to lean towards DW. Is there enough to do for a child his age who is 3ft. tall there?

I could see myself riding this one! A little danger makes it more appealing to me.

I really liked Son of Beast in its' original layout with the loop. The new transition was lacking and I'm not really sure what else could have been done there. However, I did like the newer trains over the older ones. Whatever is done with it, I'm sure it will be in the best interest for KI.

Sorry, I should have clarified. I meant, is there any food that is can't miss.

I would think that if they want to make it a separate gate, there would have to be some kind of accomodations added to make that more viable. Glad to see the waterpark getting some upgrades and additions. My last trip to Geauga Lake when the rides were still there included a day at the waterpark. I hadn't had so much fun in years. I had truly forgotten just how much fun they can be.

I think this ride looks really cool and this gives me one more reason to finally give in and make a trip to Dollywood. I'm just disappointed that there isn't any ride animation on the site. Most every time something new goes in at a park, there's always 2-3 videos to give you an idea of what it will be like. I hear the entertainment is excellent as well. How's the food there? Anything that is can't miss?

I can relate to those who miss Paramount, although I never really liked Paramount all that well. I miss the days long before PKI when the children's area was Hanna-Barberra Land. Things are always changing and always will...I thought Paramount did some things well and then did some things horribly as well. Whomever owns KI and the other parks in the chain will never be able to satisfy everyone, so you have to go with the majority or your target market.

It was...and quite thrilling too. Never thought it was that rough IMO. They do need to make a decision though. As much as I'd like it to stay around, it seems Son of Beast has cost the company more than they would like already, so I see it torn down before rebuilt into something else.

My brother rode it and seemed to really enjoy it. We are both coaster freaks and this satisfied him, so I imagine I would like it as well.

What a shame. Camden holds many great memories for me as well. Going to take my 2 1/2 year old there this year. The rides that he can ride all seem to be in relatively good shape. Can't believe he's already 35 inches tall. One more inch by next summer will mean a trip to KI. What's the height requirement for the Little Dipper?

Not sure I agree with voting on whether or not to keep SOB, but I distinctly remember watching some coaster specials on tv referring to the days of old when woodies were not really that safe. I think it was the Crystal Beach Cyclone that had a full-time nurse on duty at the exit. And, it seemed that the more dangerous the coaster was, the more people wanted to ride them because it was a sort of bragging right to have survived riding said coasters. Just a thought.

Those are some great photos from the herald-dispatch. Still haven't made it there in quite a while. Probably won't look to go until next year. In school currently and find it hard to find time to do anything extra at this time.

How is a re-working of Superman count as an addtition?

At first, I thought this ride looked boring. But, at 300 ft., it would be intimidating to say the least.

I bought an on-ride photo of IJ:ST of my brother and I. It was on the launch. Does Firehawk still have an on-ride photo? Still need one from that coaster.

I have heard also that B&M was approached about doing Millennium Force and that was pretty much the first time I had heard that they were not comfortable going to/over the 300ft. mark.

I have to agree somewhat that it would be a former shell of itself if/ when changes are made. However, I believe it has been discussed before that it has been trimmed before and it caused the ride to valley, so I can't really imagine that scenario playing out. I guess they could add trims if the ride is drastically changed, but again, the train would have to be able to complete the circuit.

The shuffling of the trains from side to side was far worse with the old trains than the new. The only real possibility to make it more rideable would be to take out the Rose Bowl and add some airtime hills. That's the worst part of the ride.

The reality is that the do know what they are doing. They are following a strategy that is carefully thought out and that they believe will result in improved results for themselves and the CF unit holders. It has worked for them in the past and they believe it will continue to work. I would agree with that sentiment except that the old way it worked in the past seems to work no longer. "If you build it, they will come" just isn't working any more. Which is exactly why the final paragraph I wrote - that you erased from the quote - was written. Repeated below: "The problem is that so many things have changed - the economic situation and its impact on customers, the availability/ability to refinance debt, the overall size of CF, and much more. Whether the strategy is going to work out long term is undefined." I just don't see that strategy ever working again is what I'm getting at. So, their long term strategy is pretty much defined by if you build it they will come and it's not working now, nor is it going to work any time soon. Time for a new strategy.

I guess people will believe what they want to believe. I had heard years ago that someone died falling off of The Bat. Didn't hurt the reputation of The Bat, although it was only open a few years. No one seemed to shy away from it when it was open. The GP really doesn't need to know the details until and unless the park wants to give those details. Stupid rumors about a certain coaster won't keep anyone from going to KI. You also have to consider that they want people to be assured that it's perfectly safe to ride SOB. It could mean a re-design or complete demolition. I think it is entirely possible that there's a huge discussion going on with the CF board members about what to do concerning SOB and that nothing has been decided.

The reality is that the do know what they are doing. They are following a strategy that is carefully thought out and that they believe will result in improved results for themselves and the CF unit holders. It has worked for them in the past and they believe it will continue to work. I would agree with that sentiment except that the old way it worked in the past seems to work no longer. "If you build it, they will come" just isn't working any more.

Thanks, Intepreter! We are very excited about future trips with the little one. My mother thinks about 2 summers from now, he'll be able to ride some of the smaller rides over at Nick or whatever the name will be by then.

I'm wondering what the price for this new coaster would be? $25 million to build Millennium Force and I can imagine this one won't be any cheaper. I understand CF needs to build new coasters occassionally at these newly acquired parks, but with their current debt situation, I'm kind of bewildered by this kind of investment at one park. And I just checked RCDB and it says 22 million for Diamondback. I hope these guys know what they're doing. If not, the next owners could have a nice coaster lineup already in place.