The Interpreter Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I have to agree the food is greatly improved...I was mightily impressed by my vittles at Outer Hanks...and I am not easily impressed. Easily one of the best grilled chicken sandwiches I have had anywhere....I, too, have been impressed with the courtesy and service that I've seen. I wish I could say I was as impressed with the enforcement of the smoking only in designated areas policy...if I had seen ANY enforcement, that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Yes. Just wait until its ninety degrees out in mid afternoon, and the park is open for twelve hour days. That will be the true test of the employees. I speak from experience running the rides at Coney. On really slow days at Coney, you can sometimes go up to ten minutes without running your ride! But since I have only worked on weekends the last three years, I`ve only had to deal with running the rides on the busiest of days, which means putting up with disgruntled guests. Sometimes you can meet the nicest people in the world, while other times, it seems as if there is a devil who wants to ruin your (and everyone else within earshot) day. But, even if you are having a bad day, good park workers will still smile, be courteous to park guests and have a good time. After all, some guests only visit the park once a year, so a positive experience with a park employee can leave a lasting memory. One of my fondest memories from Coney, happened on a slow weekend. It had poured early in the afternoon, but the rides stayed open because the Boys and Girls Club was coming to ride the rides that evening. There was literally no one at the park until a couple hours before park close. Then the Boys and Girls club arrived. I was working the Spin A Ree. Some kid get in line for my ride, and as I let him in he says "Hey, I remember you from last year. You were the nice guy running the helicopter last year that led us ride it more then once in a row!" It is little moments like that which make working at an amusement park so thrilling for me, and well worth the low pay, long hours, and hot weather conditions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianBeatle Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I have to agree the food is greatly improved...I was mightily impressed by my vittles at Outer Hanks...and I am not easily impressed. Easily one of the best grilled chicken sandwiches I have had anywhere....I, too, have been impressed with the courtesy and service that I've seen. I wish I could say I was as impressed with the enforcement of the smoking only in designated areas policy...if I had seen ANY enforcement, that is. I couldn't agree more! I smoke and always follow the rules, so it makes me particularly angry when I see people who don't. If only I wasn't afraid of a confrontation in front of my kids, I would say something to these people...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I actually witnessed someone smoking in line for the Dodgems on Sunday. He was the second person in line. Once the ride was started, the ride op told him he had to put out his cigarette as there is no smoking in any ride line at Kings Island. The guest complied, and the operator got a thank you from several people in my group when we boarded the ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markr Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I grew up with both Racers going forward. Made me feel very nostalgic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 I cannot tell a difference from it than the blue one except for it has Nostalgia on its side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster_junky Posted May 15, 2008 Share Posted May 15, 2008 i liked the red racer it was very smooth but it will take me some getting use to taking a right turn insted of a left one. (i still miss the recar though.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsktgrvy Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 The Red Racer is smoother than it has been in years and was very enjoyable. Now they need to make the blue side as smooth as the red, because it's still on the rough side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianchef Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 I give the Red Racer a "10" on a scale of 1 to 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viol8r Posted May 25, 2008 Share Posted May 25, 2008 well, when i rode The Racer yesterday it seemed they were having a problem with the blue car. it was running fine for a while, but every now and then you would see it go up the track by itself with no one on it. the red car stayed in the station during that time. eventually they just closed the blue car down. the red racer was a good ride for the most part, but while it seemed a bit smoother at first, it started to feel like it was trying to jump off the track several times through the ride. that COULD be due to the fact that it was sprinkling rain for a few hours that day, and maybe the track was a bit slippery, but it was a bit....unnerving. all in all it was good though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakota2112 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Finally rode the now-forwards Red Racer. Here's my theory on this: I think it's nearly impossible to compare the ride quality to last year. Going forwards, I believe the jarring forces act differently on your body as compared to when going backwards. And at least for me, it's generally more painful going forwards. I always sat in the last seat of the trailing car on the backwards side, and while it was very rough, it was NEVER painful at all. Now however, even though I do think the track is smoother, it's more painful (back/spine) going forwards in the last seat of the trailing car. Sitting in the middle of the trailing car is almost pain-free though (it was still a better ride overall going backwards of course) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welchce Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I've rode the Red Racer twice and the Blue Racer once this year. The Blue Racer gave me a headache because of the roughness whereas the Red Racer is as smooth as glass throughout. 5/5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Haven't had a chance to ride yet this year, but I did notice on 5/24, while in line for SB3D, that the trains were never staggered (always 'racing'). I can't wait to get back into some good old-fashioned races this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonofBeast07 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 first time i rode it this year i loved it, last time i rode it i hated it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Finally got the chance to ride Red Racer last weekend when I came home for the Knievel festivities and I loved it. They did a great job on the track work, and you can look all over it and see how much work has been done. It's smooth and there is even air time, its a great ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kwindshawne Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Finally got the chance to ride Red Racer last weekend when I came home for the Knievel festivities and I loved it. They did a great job on the track work, and you can look all over it and see how much work has been done. It's smooth and there is even air time, its a great ride. It is back to the way it was in the 70's. Dunno how the other side is this year, haven't been there-hope they redo that side as well!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Haven't had a chance to ride yet this year, but I did notice on 5/24, while in line for SB3D, that the trains were never staggered (always 'racing'). I can't wait to get back into some good old-fashioned races this year! I noticed just the opposite while waiting in line for SB3D on 5/24! Out of the nearly 20 cycles that went by while we waited there, only 4 (yes, my uncle and I actually counted) were dispatched together. This has been my biggest gripe about the "nostalgia of racing" this year. Luckily I have not seen one side closed entirely yet as I have predicted will be the case, but every visit, whenever I am close enough to Racer to see it go by, I pay close attention (it's my new hobby, and a fun game to play at the park). Now that my daughter can ride Monster, this provides an opportune time to watch as well. Including the 4 times in the SB3D line, the total number of times I have seen both Red and Blue dispatched at the same time is 6. And believe me, there's plenty of time to watch while stuck in the load/unload portion, and the queue, of Monster. Hopefully this is not representative of what is typically happening, but my small and admittedly unscientific study does not bode well for the racing of Racer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesv7 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 From what I have seen when they are running both sides they race more than not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 They seem to be trying to race both sides, which is great. I still have a preference for the Blue side because I got rather attached to it. So far I've logged about 20 on Blue and 10 on Red. It seems to me like the trackwork added a little extra umph to the airtime on the big hill in the middle and coming off the turnaround. Hopefully that will stay. Personally I've felt that The Racer has been running amazingly well this season and has regained the title of my favorite ride in the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 It is back to the way it was in the 70's. Dunno how the other side is this year, haven't been there-hope they redo that side as well!! Please pardon me while I disagree. While the Red Racer IS running well...it is nowhere near the way it was in the 70's...what with cushy soft seating, no seat dividers, no individual lap bars, no seat belts (different, and not in a good way), skid brakes, much more airtime than now and a final bunny hill that has been removed, brand new track, and the red, white and blue paint job...along with just refurbished rolling stock from the Coney Island Shooting Star (two trains) and two brand new trains (the other two trains)...the ride was substantially different (and, for the most part, far better than) it is now. It is certainly not back to the way it was in the 1970's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 It is back to the way it was in the 70's. Dunno how the other side is this year, haven't been there-hope they redo that side as well!! Please pardon me while I disagree. While the Red Racer IS running well...it is nowhere near the way it was in the 70's...what with cushy soft seating, no seat dividers, no individual lap bars, no seat belts (different, and not in a good way), skid brakes, much more airtime than now and a final bunny hill that has been removed, brand new track, and the red, white and blue paint job...along with just refurbished rolling stock from the Coney Island Shooting Star (two trains) and two brand new trains (the other two trains)...the ride was substantially different (and, for the most part, far better than) it is now. It is certainly not back to the way it was in the 1970's. I actually just got a message from Kings Island's PR, Don Helbig, about what you just posted. Apparently the rumor that two of the trains from The Racer were originally from the Shooting Star at Coney Island is completely false. All four trains were brand new in 1972 when The Racer debuted with the park. The two trains from the Shooting Star were actually sitting in the station and on the transfer track of the ride until it was demolished after The Racer was open to the public. The whereabouts of the trains is unknown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kicpfan Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 I would just like to be off the off-topic. In theory, shouldn't the two be the same? I can't tell the difference except for the views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted June 7, 2008 Author Share Posted June 7, 2008 The Red Racer had extensive track work done. That's why it can be two different ride experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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