Don't you miss those days...

[chippewa&idora4ever]

Don't you miss when you didn't even know that Kings Island was getting a new ride until you stumbled upon the story in late April on the local news? When you didn't know what it was, what color it was, and what it did? I know I really do, that element of surprise, when summer really needs to start coming. I remember when Son of Beast opened I had no idea it was even a thought until I saw a story on the news about a month before it was to open! Now there's web-cams, and web sites. I know If I were in charge of the web cam, I would replay one image, over, and over, so that people will be at least some what surprised when they come and see a highly themed que and station, that they last saw on the web-cam said was still under construction. Or maybe I would just cut the web-cam all together.Would you like the surprise?

[standbyme]

Not at all...if it weren't for fansites like this I would not have gotten a "heads up" to make sure I had plenty of photos of things that were being removed...like HB Land, Swan Lake, the Antique Cars, The Flying Eagles, the old Paramount theming...and this year The Beast entrance. (Not to mention the chance at enjoying them all while I could.) I live for all of the early news and photos!

[gigacoaster2k]

I normally love surprises, but not in this case.

I'd be pretty upset if I missed all the construction, updates, etc. It's always amazing to follow the creation of something as massive as Diamondback.

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

I might not have gotten a Season Pass for next season if it wasn't for DB.

[The Interpreter]

Do I miss:

* Traveling hour after hour and mile after mile only to get to Paramount's Kings Dominion's Hurler grand opening...only to see at least ten feet of the first drop MISSING....all the way to the ground?

* Traveling hour after hour, again to Kings Dominion, only to find the park unexpectedly closed?

As for Son of Beast, some of us knew what was to be built even before it was announced, much less before construction began.

Do I miss the old days of waiting for ACE "NEWS" to read about stuff that was already three months old? Do I particularly miss missing out on entire parks because I didn't even know they existed?

In a word: No, No, No, No, No, etc.

The Internets and pre-ride publicity has only helped the consumer, the industry and enthusiasts. I in no way miss being in the dark. Well, except at Cedar Point on the Pirate ride, but that's a whole nother story.

[74Gibson]

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

I understand the element of surprise and when I took my friend on Mav he knew nothing about it and that would have been cool... he thought the ride was done when we entered under the station and started asking me what was up with the first hill when we launched. That was a great pic.

However, I love watching the webcams and seing how they actually coordinate getting those huge pieces of steel in place. IO get excited watching the progress and looking at old construction pics and remembering when that was all we knew. It's kinda become a hobby. Besides, it gives us something to do on the offseason.

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

That's a great regret of mine; going to CP for years and never riding the Pirate Ride, and then it got taken out.

SOB was one of the first big coasters I got super hyped on. When I was in the park and saw the model they had of it, I was hooked. Even went to the park multiple times in the off season just to get a glimpse of it building up and get pictures. Diamondback is the kind of coaster that has me psyched again and I've been finding reasons to drive by KI just to glimpse it's construction, so no, I am much happier that we're able to know well in advance what is coming.

[Phantom Theater]

That's a great regret of mine; going to CP for years and never riding the Pirate Ride, and then it got taken out.

SOB was one of the first big coasters I got super hyped on. When I was in the park and saw the model they had of it, I was hooked. Even went to the park multiple times in the off season just to get a glimpse of it building up and get pictures. Diamondback is the kind of coaster that has me psyched again and I've been finding reasons to drive by KI just to glimpse it's construction, so no, I am much happier that we're able to know well in advance what is coming.

Whats the Pirate ride?

[Vortex]

Whats the Pirate ride?

It was a old dark ride at Cedar Point right next to the Blue Streak. The ride was not that great but kinda funny.

Also wish the web was big back then. I went to Kings Island to ride SOB only to find out it was closed and I only got to go once a year.

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

I guess Terp could explain it better since he's ridden it, but I assumed it was a Pirates of the Caribbean-like ride at Cedar Point that was next to the Blue Streak.

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

Or Vortex could explain it better.

[Coney Islander]

I do like that I would of never found KI central if I wasn't excited about them building Twister at Coney Island, ALMOST A YEAR before it opens. Its kind of annoying that I'm a little too excited about riding it every day next summer. It is nice they told us so we could ride the Zoom Flume before they got rid of it.

[The Interpreter]

Indeed....I don't remember many being thrilled to find out only after Geauga Lake Park had closed forever that it had been open its last day. Some surprises can be very jarring.

[Jasper]

The good ole days of the Rumor Coaster For 2009 topic extending farther than any topic in recent memory.

[tigellinus]

^^Or the other 2009 Coaster Rumor thread in the summer of 2007 that was legit speculation (I think, anyway?) that was active before First Drop magazine blurbs or any land clearing of any kind.

[BavarianBeatle]

Do I miss:

* Traveling hour after hour, again to Kings Dominion, only to find the park unexpectedly closed?

"Sorry folks, we're closed for two weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park. Sooooooorrryyyyy.... Uh huh uh huh uh huh!!!"

--Beatle, always looking for the opportunity to refer to the original Vacation movie......

[Ogrmac]

Before I found this site, I didn't know what I was missing, but now with the webcams and updates I couldn't imagine not knowing what is going on. I feel that the real element of surprise for me is getting to experience the ride for myself the first time. I can browse the web all I like and watch POV videos for any ride over and over, but that just doesn't compare to actually riding something.

[The Beast Rider]

Do I miss:

* Traveling hour after hour, again to Kings Dominion, only to find the park unexpectedly closed?

"Sorry folks, we're closed for two weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park. Sooooooorrryyyyy.... Uh huh uh huh uh huh!!!"

--Beatle, always looking for the opportunity to refer to the original Vacation movie......

Don't forget to punch the moose in the nose while you're at it!!

[DropZone99]

I do miss those days, but I like how it is for me now alot more. It was always neat going to KI and just wandering and not really know where were your going, and not knowing what the next element in the coaster was. But it's alot more awesome knowing where to go and when, memorizing the whole entire layout of the coasters, and knowing what the park is doing even during the off season. Those days weren't that long ago for me though, I didn't actually start knowing coaster manufacturers and full coaster layouts, ect. til' about 2006! I have always loved coasters though!

[Jasper]

One day we will look back on these days and think, wow i dedicated so many hours to that dumb ole website on there posting and all for what, nothing. Well for some of us it will go that way. I dont plan on it any time soon though.

[dare-to-fly]

I do miss those days, but I like how it is for me now alot more. It was always neat going to KI and just wandering and not really know where were your going, and not knowing what the next element in the coaster was. But it's alot more awesome knowing where to go and when, memorizing the whole entire layout of the coasters, and knowing what the park is doing even during the off season. Those days weren't that long ago for me though, I didn't actually start knowing coaster manufacturers and full coaster layouts, ect. til' about 2006! I have always loved coasters though!

Memorizing layouts is certainly easy enough for me. At opening this year, I'll be able to recognize things as small as a missing bump in the track.

As for wandering, I so agree. It is fun to learn the layout of a new park. I have to admit, I don't wander very long. I'm good with maps, and I usually find where I need to go for the wooden coaster I'm looking forward to the most, and by the first 3 hours or so, I usually have a park pretty much figured out in terms of where things are. Even the parks with weird layouts...i.e.SFKK.

[Tomkatt7]

Do I miss:

* Traveling hour after hour, again to Kings Dominion, only to find the park unexpectedly closed?

"Sorry folks, we're closed for two weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park. Sooooooorrryyyyy.... Uh huh uh huh uh huh!!!"

--Beatle, always looking for the opportunity to refer to the original Vacation movie......

Don't forget to punch the moose in the nose while you're at it!!

Then stop by the store and get you a "Magnum PI"

"Lets Ride"

[Big Red Dice]

Do I miss:

* Traveling hour after hour, again to Kings Dominion, only to find the park unexpectedly closed?

"Sorry folks, we're closed for two weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park. Sooooooorrryyyyy.... Uh huh uh huh uh huh!!!"

--Beatle, always looking for the opportunity to refer to the original Vacation movie......

Don't forget to punch the moose in the nose while you're at it!!

Then stop by the store and get you a "Magnum PI"

"Lets Ride"

then take a security gaurd hostage and make him go on every ride with ya lol