BeeastFarmer

I'm not in Tower Gardens often enough to notice if the pines trees have been there for a while or not. But, large trees are installed all the time. In my former line of work, moving a 50' conifer was par for the course. In Phoenix, we used cranes to install saguaro cacti and palm trees.

I'm glad the creaking noise has returned on the first lift hill.

I guess I misunderstood your original cost of maintenance and fuel long term vs up front investment. The attractions that were removed are missed. I think many would love to see them return even if in a much smaller version. I'd also like to see many other things return, so it will be interesting to see what happens. I'm just extremely happy with the return of good music on IS, Winterfest and Mystic Timbers.

Yet big parks and small parks alike have them and keep them. I'm hoping they return.

I rode at Coasterstock this year for the first time in 9 years. I will only do a lights on ride from now on! It was bumpy but not rough. The only coaster at KI I haven't ridden is Invertigo and I have no plans to ride that death trap.

The parodies are about the only thing that I can tolerate from this guy anymore. I lost respect for him because one of his prediction videos pretty much parroted the information that was given on a private event. At the time, it was asked that the information to not be shared. He may have had permission to share the information months later, but he passed it off as his own prediction on what the next five years could bring. I like prognosticating, but claiming that information presented at a private event as your own theory is dishonest. Also, what is the deal with the YouTubers calling subscribers "fans?"

I don't ride carnival attractions, so besides the sympathy for the affected people, I'm not too much of an active participant of this story other than following the industry at large. That being said, when the local (Lexington, KY) news put the local spin on this story today, the Dept of Ag inspector they interviewed stated that in KY, the rides are inspected at set up and daily at each location. Don't know about Ohio, but that seems pretty extensive. But again, is it cursory or detailed? I have a feeling most inspections will be ramped up after this incident.

If I recall correctly, the ride was inspected by the appropriate governing authority. (Ohio Dept of Agriculture) The rides are supposed to be inspected before at each site before the operator is allowed to operate them to the public. So, in theory, the ride is inspected several times a year. But, is it a cursory inspection to ensure it is properly set up, or is it a thorough inspection to include all aspects of the ride. On the surface, it appears that multiple inspections should prevent such failures vs annual inspections at fixed rides in amusement parks. But then there even problems, like the cable that severed the girl's legs at SIX FLAGS Kentucky Kingdom. (Of note, many enthusiasts blast the "new" Kentucky Kingdom for having redundant safety checks that can slow down dispatch times on some attractions.)

I carry an insulin pen with me and have never bothered to ask. Security does not say anything. A couple of years ago, the gear in my pen broke, so I went to first aid where they gave me a syringe to draw out my dose and a syringe for the road. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I got the tree twice last week on the four rides I had. Something I have been chewing on: The teaser video tells the story about the truck running away from the mystery. But it had ALOT of the medusa-like vines. Like, vines everywhere. Engulfing just about everything at the park. Yet on the actual coaster, the vines are pretty scarce. Yes, there are some, but not very medusa-like. Anybody reading this post have any thoughts?

I actually enjoyed it when I rode in January.

In defense of food service (which I am generally critical of)... Not all food is bad. Chicken Shack, Hanks, Skyline and Island Smokehouse are good to very good and there is enough food for two people. They seem to have put some effort into this department this season, but speed of service and the attitude of many of the employees need major improvement. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

The more I ride Mystic Timbers, the more I like it. The more I like it, the more curious I get about it. The more curious I get, the more things I find. On YouTube, there is the official soundtrack to the ride. From that, I found a recording that someone did of the audio from the truck. Holy smokes, they went all out in the theming details of this ride! A Coast-to-Coast style radio call in show, inferences to the blonde headed ghost in the blue dress and her mischevious ways, and on an on. Way more detail than I had ever picked up on. This, in turn, makes the shed make much more sense. It seems that the park is really giving what many of us want: An actual themed coaster. Good music on I-Street. Winterfest. Food--they are working on it. Color me impressed.

Cedar Fair is reporting record results. I highly doubt that KI is in financial troubles. It just puzzles me to no end that KI, in my experiences, cannot give quality service in an acceptable time consistently. I've been to Knotts, CP, Dorney, KD and Carowinds and had faster service at each park. KD and Cwinds especially have higher quality of food. I think they are trying to address the issues with the que lines and more drink stands, but the apathy of the majority of the workers is concerning. I've gotten better service at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Over Georgia!

Congratulations! Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I'm 6'2" and 240, can only do seat 26 on Drop Tower. I had no issue on FOF. You may have an issue on Diamondback, use the test seat. On Banshee, there are big boy seats but I've had no issues on regular seats. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

Great trip report! Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

Please don't take my views in the wrong way. I'm not telling you to never come back to KI, just giving some unsolicited advice to step away and let the absence of presence give you a different perspective.

Actually on my last SWA ride from Phoenix, the steward did a rap and ended with some thing like "Thanks for flying Delta" and then quickly followed up with something like "why would I wish THAT on you fine folks." If the things the park does irritate folks, and Guest Services has been notified, then maybe it's time to step away from the park for a time--week, month or season. Sometimes the best cure for a splinter is to remove it.

I don't mind the spiels in moderation. I do get tired of hearing how much Diamonback and Banshee cost when riding the train. In all the parks I went to in PA last week, they had recorded spiels and I found it boring. The only word from the ride operators was "Dispatch." In a like manner, I like traveling on Southwest Air and the stewards/stewardesses will crack jokes and spiel.

I rode Coal Cracker at Hersheypark last week and even though it's not the exact same model, it did bring back great memories if KCKC. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I went to Conneut Lake on Saturday. I was blown away. Upon first glance, you see a run down park and wonder "Is it is even safe to be here?" I'm not a spinny flat ride kinda guy, so I skipped those. But Blue Streak and Devils Den were a real treat. I have never seen ride ops work so hard, and they have to given the tech on the rides! The water park was packed and the dry park was crowded. Good food and great staff all around.

I haven't been to KI as much this season as in past years because I concentrated on the NJ/PA circuit, but for those who have and who frequent Soak City: What amenities other than Island Smokehouse were added? IIRC, SC was supposed to get more chairs and shade structures? Did this pan out?

I applaud these actions taken by KK! Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

Well darn! I really wanted to ride T3! Not really, but actually had a decent ride last week. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk