Geauga Lake Sells All Their Rides...

[westcoaster]

Ferris Wheel 2008 Hopeful

[Guest TombraiderTy]

http://www.intermarkridegroup.com/used-rid...horn-mj969.html

Note:

Americana

Are not on the "For Sale" site

YEAH!!! It could fit on teh spot of Launch Pad, and the old food stand next door could be converted into "American Tradition", a new food location that serves American dishes including hot dogs, hamburgers, ect. Seriously, there are only two places that I'm aware of in the park you can buy a hamburger, and only four a hot dog. Not counting picnic grove.

But also, saying the Americana Wheel was added there, it would be a more gentle and mild alternative for those not brave or tall enough to ride The Vortex yet while their family and friends experienced the wrath of teh Vortex. Also, The Racer could be repainted red, white, and blue and be renamed "The American Racer". That may be stretching it, but you must admit that'd be cool.

[The Interpreter]

Racer is SUPPOSED to be red, white and blue! It need not be renamed to do that!

[dare-to-fly]

Racer is SUPPOSED to be red, white and blue! It need not be renamed to do that!

Come again? Please elaborate on this, as I've never seen or heard of this...need details.

Also--Changing the name of The Racer...uh...I think not! As a change-hater, I don't approve.

[Browntggrr]

Interp was not saying change the name, he was referring to The Racer has always been intended to be Red-White-and Blue. It has unfortunately been all white for a couple of years now.

Added:

Here are some examples:

http://www.KICentral.com/history/photos/di...um=1&pos=24

http://www.KICentral.com/history/photos/di...um=1&pos=59

http://www.KICentral.com/history/photos/di...um=1&pos=58

[CoastersRZ]

When The Racer opened, the structure was white, the 8 boards that comprised the wood track were painted red, and the handrails were blue. Additionally, the trains used to have name plates on them that read "Red Racer" and "Blue Racer." Hence the Red, White and Blue color scheme. The red and blue paint scheme has long since faded, likely a result of non essential maintenance cuts.

[PKIVortex]

It would look nice if they painted Racer like that again. I remember when Racer had the Blue and Red Racer name plates on the front of the trains. Paramount took them off and added The Racer Logo with Paramount's Kings Island up above it. Of course that only lasted till the end of the 06 season, and as of the 07 season the front of the trains were blank.

[CoastersRZ]

Which I found rather odd. I mean, they added the Son of Beast logo and Kings Island name to the front of the new Son of Beast trains. Why did they leave the front of The Racer trains blank. They looked a little bland and boring without a logo on them.

[PKIVortex]

Not that I know anything but maybe the rumor of the "G" trains may be true. I hope not. But yeah, maybe just ran out of time, and just didn't mess with it. Or they took the old logo off at last minute? Not sure.

[CoastersRZ]

Well, the reason the old logos were likely removed is because I believe they had the "P" word on them. And I doubt we see G trains on The Racer. The PTC trains hold 30 people, while the G trains that were running on the wood coasters at Geauga Lake only hold 24 people. That would put a serious dent in the capacity of the ride.

[Browntggrr]

Which I found rather odd. I mean, they added the Son of Beast logo and Kings Island name to the front of the new Son of Beast trains. Why did they leave the front of The Racer trains blank. They looked a little bland and boring without a logo on them.

I suppose only because of the new SoB trains vs. the normal ones for Racer.

Unless they are changing The Racer trains for '08...

(Which only adds to the new Racer train rumor)

[JacksonPKI]

The Racer looks so much better in those pictures.

It looks more cared for, the plain white looks so derelict.

I also noticed it had an extra dip on each side right before the final brake run. These dips were removed before the Flight of Fear opened to make way for the path to the future X-Base area, right?

[The Interpreter]

Nope. The then Outer Limits: Flight of Fear operated with both those hills still there. Then, first the forwards side hill was removed, then the year after the backwards side.

The reasons for the removal obviously had nothing to do with Outer Limits: Flight of Fear.

[JacksonPKI]

Ohh, thanks for clearing that up.

[dare-to-fly]

Nope. The then Outer Limits: Flight of Fear operated with both those hills still there. Then, first the forwards side hill was removed, then the year after the backwards side.

The reasons for the removal obviously had nothing to do with Outer Limits: Flight of Fear.

And I still think it's crap that they removed a hill at all! I first noticed it in a you-tube video and frieked. I had some sort of ridiculous reaction about, "what is this" "Racer isn't original" "reprofileing my favorite ride" and all kinds of other things.

At any rate--yes I know the claim about doing that for extra brakes--bs. There is only one there, and the brake run for Racer is huge.

As far as the pictures--Racer looks absolutely beautiful in those photos and I wish it was still painted to look like this. You are right, it does look more cared for. Personally I think it is a very under-rated coaster for having the best airtime in the park.

Incedently, in case you can't tell or haven't picked up on it, Racer forward is my favorite ride at Kings Island and so I'm a little sensitive about it. I look forward to many more wonderful seasons. However, I can't say that it is the first place I go at KI, because The Beast has to be first, as tradition goes. And...if you're wondering how Racer ranks above The Beast for me, airtime is what gets it. But my belly ache is the same on both--get rid of the friekin' trim brakes. Three of four on The Beast are unneccessary, and the one on Racer is UNCALLED FOR and senseless. Oh, the opinions!

[dare-to-fly]

Well, the reason the old logos were likely removed is because I believe they had the "P" word on them. And I doubt we see G trains on The Racer. The PTC trains hold 30 people, while the G trains that were running on the wood coasters at Geauga Lake only hold 24 people. That would put a serious dent in the capacity of the ride.

I also RESENT the fact that the logo for The Racer isn't on the front of the trains.

And...I also am hoping that the trains for Beast and Racer STAY. I do NOT share CF's love of G trains. Also, the seatbelts (if we must have them) are much easier to use as retractable than the usual way they do the g trains.

[CoastersRZ]

Trim brakes are put on rides for reasons. Sometimes it is to provide a more comfortable experience for riders on the ride. Other times, and often the case on wooden coasters, the trim brakes are there to lessen the wear and tear on the track caused by the trains. Wooden coaster trains are not light pieces of equipment, and they impose a lot of stress and wear and tear on the tracks. Trim brakes help alleviate some of the stress so that the ride does not have to be retracked as often (which takes a lot of time, is usually done in the offseason, and has some expense involved). In short, the trim brakes are there to try and reduce off season maintenance costs on most wooden coasters.

[Gordon Bombay]

Not to mention The Beast has always had trim brakes, and in the same locations as the current ones. The former skid brakes were removed in favor of using magnetic trim brakes that slow the trains down more abruptly than the skid brakes did, however the trains still go the same speed.

[dare-to-fly]

Trim brakes are put on rides for reasons. Sometimes it is to provide a more comfortable experience for riders on the ride. Other times, and often the case on wooden coasters, the trim brakes are there to lessen the wear and tear on the track caused by the trains. Wooden coaster trains are not light pieces of equipment, and they impose a lot of stress and wear and tear on the tracks. Trim brakes help alleviate some of the stress so that the ride does not have to be retracked as often (which takes a lot of time, is usually done in the offseason, and has some expense involved). In short, the trim brakes are there to try and reduce off season maintenance costs on most wooden coasters.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON for trim brakes on a wooden out and back coaster. ESPECIALLY when there is NO NEED for it. That trim was NOT there for the majority of the life of the coaster!!!!!!!!

In short--if you are going to have a roller coaster, then have a roller coaster. If you just want to RUIN the ride with all of the UNNECCESSARY trim brakes, leave it to a park that will take care of its coasters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kings Island already has developed a reputation for trimming all of their rides and it is absolutely no wonder. There are VERY FEW rides at KI that do not have trims. At least they had the good sense to stop using the STUPID one on The Beastie later on this season, as it was not on the last couple of times I rode it on closing weekend. I can't vouch for earlier than that, but in closing weekend, it was not in use.

Also, Son of Beast's trim brake, and Flight of Fear's trim brake (and ESPECIALLY THAT ONE) are on so hard that it takes all of the steam out of the ride leading to somewhat of a let down!

Unless you can't tell--I am a trim brake hater. They are the number one cause of a loss of rank of a coaster for me, maintenance or not!

Try an arguement that works with me next time!

Also, the argument that The Beast doesn't have any more than it used to makes ABSOLUTELY no difference to me. The point is they need to LEAVE, whether they were there for seven years or twenty-seven!

Sorry if this sounds hyper, but this is a sensitive nerve that is very easy to strike. I have no patience for making a great ride that could be even greater were it not for the trims!

[Cory Butcher]

Dare to Fly, you are missing the largest point of all, let me CAPITALIZE it for you since YOU feel the need to do so ALL THROUGHOUT your post! Here is the point, try and UNDERSTAND it:

If there were NO trims than you would have NO coaster. You don't seem to realize that the trims are necessary for the rides to not basically tear themselves up anymore than they already do. Once Again, if you didnt' have these trims you DON'T have a ride. Also BTW, without those trims their are much HIGHER maintenance costs, maintenance costs that MANY parks could not afford to fund, in other words not only would you not have the coaster, you would not have the park!

[italianchef]

I wonder how long GL will survive as a water park.

[CoastersRZ]

Only time will tell with that question! It will certainly be interesting to see how that water park does this year.

And dare-to-fly, I personally do not mind the trim break on Flight of Fear. Yes, it does bring you to an almost complete stop. But by the time you get back down to the bottom of the bowl and for the corkscrew the train is flying. Look at it this way with that ride. The ride is already a short ride. By putting on the trim break, they are slightly lengthening the ride time, making your wait in line worth more actual ride time.

[dare-to-fly]

Dare to Fly, you are missing the largest point of all, let me CAPITALIZE it for you since YOU feel the need to do so ALL THROUGHOUT your post! Here is the point, try and UNDERSTAND it:

If there were NO trims than you would have NO coaster. You don't seem to realize that the trims are necessary for the rides to not basically tear themselves up anymore than they already do. Once Again, if you didnt' have these trims you DON'T have a ride. Also BTW, without those trims their are much HIGHER maintenance costs, maintenance costs that MANY parks could not afford to fund, in other words not only would you not have the coaster, you would not have the park!

Let me make my point to you even more clear. If the brake doesn't need to be there, then it SHOULDN'T be there. Kings Island certainly pulls enough attendance to fund a slightly higher maintenance bill to keep the coasters going. The trim on The Racer was not originally there, and thus DOES NOT NEED TO BE. The ones on The Beast may have been there originally and may have been put there for a purpose, but there ARE TOO MANY!

As for FoF, the ride time makes no difference to me if it is a more intense ride. With this logic, they would put a trim on Top Gun, and add it to the collection of many rides that they break beyond reason and cause even further hell with the reputation.

And...as to the ridiculous point about having no ride or no park...etc. IT IS INTERESTING TO ME THAT VERY FEW OTHER PARKS HAVE RIDICULOUS TRIMS ON THE RIDES IN SUCH STUPID PLACES. EVEN SMALL PARKS THAT HAVE LESS ATTENDANCE AND LESS FUNDING. I.E. STRICKER'S GROVE, LAKEMONT PARK, IDLEWILD--YOU SURE DON'T SEE THEM TRIMMING THEIR CLASSIC COASTER!!!!!!!

Hopefully by now you get my point because I will NEVER get yours. It's fine if they are neccessity, but dumb ones don't need to exist. Many of the current trim brakes are fine, if they are just dialed back!!!!!

[CoastersRZ]

Calm down there dare-to-fly. I know that you are an enthusiast, and trim brakes, in your opinion, may ruin the ride experience. But have you worked in an amusement park to maintain a wooden coaster? Have you had to budget the maintenance costs for an amusement park and its rides? Then you don`t really have room to whine and complain about trim brakes being added to rides.

And the likely reason that Stricker`s Grove`s wooden coasters don`t have trim brakes is those rides are not operating every day of the week in the summer. Therefore, there is less wear and tear on the track of the Tornado and Teddy Bear simply because it is a private picnic park, save for the three days they are open to the public every year. Keep in mind that Holiday World even added some trim brakes to the Legend this year to save on maintenance issues. Holiday World reported that they re tracked more than 1,000 feet of track last year. For a ride that opened in 2006, to have that much track replaced after its first year is a major amount!

Everyone has their own opinions and are entitled to express them on these forums. And, be open to others` opinions as well. Sometimes other people on these boards provide some insightful thoughts.

[The Interpreter]

I believe you meant to say Holiday World added trim brakes to Voyage. . .

[CoastersRZ]

D`oh. Yep. I meant the Voyage, not the Legend. Its been a long day, first day of classes at UC for winter quarter!

[dare-to-fly]

Calm down there dare-to-fly. I know that you are an enthusiast, and trim brakes, in your opinion, may ruin the ride experience. But have you worked in an amusement park to maintain a wooden coaster? Have you had to budget the maintenance costs for an amusement park and its rides? Then you don`t really have room to whine and complain about trim brakes being added to rides.

And the likely reason that Stricker`s Grove`s wooden coasters don`t have trim brakes is those rides are not operating every day of the week in the summer. Therefore, there is less wear and tear on the track of the Tornado and Teddy Bear simply because it is a private picnic park, save for the three days they are open to the public every year. Keep in mind that Holiday World even added some trim brakes to the Legend this year to save on maintenance issues. Holiday World reported that they re tracked more than 1,000 feet of track last year. For a ride that opened in 2006, to have that much track replaced after its first year is a major amount!

Everyone has their own opinions and are entitled to express them on these forums. And, be open to others` opinions as well. Sometimes other people on these boards provide some insightful thoughts.

Have you ridden Voyage lately? Or at all? It's insane. I'm talking about normal caliber wooden coasters. If you're going to use that arguement about Stricker's Grove, we'll use Blue Streak at Cedar Point. It doesn't have trims, and it is the oldest operating coaster at Cedar Point! Seeing my point yet?

[dare-to-fly]

And...for your benefit Cory Butcher

I would have used The Screechin' Eagle as an example if I didn't KNOW that you would use the arguement that they closed, since you love to argue every angle under the sun for the sake of arguing.

[Cory Butcher]

Hahaha, hes talking about "normal caliber wooden coasters". Wish I would have known that it all makes sense now! Pfft, I guess there are more "normal" wooden coasters than Voyage. Some people will never listen to others insights. I for one appreciated your post Robbie!

I would have used The Screechin' Eagle as an example if I didn't KNOW that you would use the arguement that they closed, since you love to argue every angle under the sun for the sake of arguing

And not just that Dare-to-fly, but every angle under the moon as well! Especially if the angle is of importance to the discussion at hand! Whether I particularly agree with that opinion or not!

P.S. The Screechin' eagle hasn't neccesarily been the smoothest ride ever created, nor had the park ever really had the kind of money it would take to chop a hill and create a trim. Trims are put on coasters for reasons, and if you can't understand the park reasons behind that, perhaps you should leave those trimmed rides to those of us who enjoy them!

[The Interpreter]

Hmmm...I wonder what caliber wooden coasters the following are:

The Georgia Cyclone

Pegasus at Mt Olympus

Hades at Mt Olympus

Tremors at Silverwood in Idaho

Cyclone at Six Flags New England

The Coney Island Cyclone

Son of Beast

Just wonderin'