7/8/12 Sunday Morning Sad Coaster Tour

[Bennett]

Took some time on Sunday morning to do what we hadn't done this season yet, and that was to purposely ride the three saddest coasters in the park.

1) The Racer.

What KI has let happen to this ride is nearly criminal. No upkeep to speak of, weeds growing out of every nook and cranny, in desperate need of a paint job and a good general cleaning. I had hoped for the 40th anniversary of the old girl, that she would get the attention she needed. Not so. Quite the opposite, I feel. Almost feels to me that they are letting her die a slow death, almost makes me feel that something is going to happen in her footprint. The ride is still good, why no love from the powers that be?

2) Adventure Express

Again, a decent family coaster that, with proper theming, would be a fun little ride. However, at 10:30 am on a Sunday, just a herky jerky typical Arrow ride. While maintenance has patched up the final lifthill as best they can, is still just a ride more for taking a peek at SOB than anything remotely enjoyable. Certainly nothing worth more than a 2 minute wait to ride, if that.

3) Flight Deck

In the front row, is a FANTASTIC ride! However, KI screwed the pooch in making the walk back longer than the ride itself. The Ops yesterday were moving in super slow motion, making a walk on ride a wait. Just amazing. I guess that the big question is, does it stay, or go? Would be a shame to lose the best 1:52 ride in the park due to the poor placement of the ride back in the '80s.

I include this in the sad coaster part because it seemingly gets no love either, not for the poor ride/theming, but because of the lack of anything around it to draw riders. Will the park continue to maintain that ride, secure parts, etc, for such a low number of riders?

Seems to me that the powers that be are dropping the ball in regards to these coasters. Perhaps they have their reasons...

[medford]

1) The Racer I'm not one to pay much attention to the asthestics (Did I spell that right?) of a ride; pay more attention to the ride itself. The Racer still is an enjoyable ride with lots of air time each time I'm on it. A paint job would be nice, not sure how the new lead paint laws affect the cost of such a paint job, but it wouldn't approve the ride itself, just the apparence of the ride. While that matters to many, to me its just spending money to spend money. Still wish one ran backwards.

2) Adventure Express, I haven't been on this one yet this year, but rode it many times last year while my wife was taking our 2 year old on the scrambler and/or monster (spinny rides don't agree with me). I found a great appreciation for the ride last year. I wish the theming was still intact, but that and The Racer became my 2 staple rides last year when our son was on the rides I wouldn't do. Can't speak to this season, but last year the ride was very smooth with tight quick turns. I take a detour from my normal thinking about the asthetics of a ride in this case, since the final lift hill is just that, the end of the ride, so the theming here is more noticable then most rides for me. Still overall, it is what it should be, a nice family coaster that is a bridge b/w kiddie land and riding The Beast or The Racer.

3) The line back to Flight Deck worked well when it opened as top Gun and had a lot of theming tied in. It still worked when SOB was opened, now its just a long line back to the outskirts of the park with few other attractions around it, which include a ride that excludes those who don't want to get wet, 2 rides that excludes those who refuse to pay for "upcharge" type thrills, and a ride for those that get nervous over heights (I'll ride Diamondback no problem, 1 ride of drop zone was enough for me) On top of that, you can't really see the ride from anywhere inside the park, so it gets forgotten about pretty quickly. If something is done about SOB and that part of the park becomes more enticing for the average park attendee, ridership will pick up on Flight Deck. They just did a pretty solid paint job on the final break last season, so its not like its gone on w/o some love from Cedar Fair.

As for the ride ops, while we'd all love for them to move lickety-split, its probably human nature that if there are few people in line, you're going to take your time as there is no need to rush everyone thru.

[HWBeast1039]

It is very sad what has happened to The Racer. Even last year, it was an enjoyable ride. But this year, it is rougher than The Beast. I guess in Cedar Fair's eyes, money goes over sentimental value. Which is understandable, I mean, they are a business. But I feel that they are not even making an effort to keep this ride in top shape. You'd think that they'd at least repaint it boring white for the 40th anniversary, let alone the glorious red, white, and blue like it used to be. But no, I guess peeling white is the new black.

Also, Cedar Point's ride ops were VERY slow this week. A train on Gemini was being dispatched about every 3-5 minutes.

[LongliveKingsCobra]

Forgive them for having to work in the 100+ temps the past previous days...

[Diamondbill]

I can't agree more about The Racer. The good news is the red side is still fairly smooth in my mind due to lower ridership during it's backward days. It's appearance is even more sad to me since I was able to see the original model for Kings Island when I was 8 or 9 while visiting Coney Island. I was joking with my wife there Saturday night since we drag race also that they should change The Racer's name to the bye run since it seems rare that both sides are running. Flight Deck and Adventure Express have an even bigger step child appearance these days but neither of them have the place in roller coaster history The Racer has. I'm actually surprised they are still operating.

[TheCrypt]

I agree, that Kings Island has let some rides go. Few notes about what I observed at the park today:

Flight Deck- The ride had a wait extending to the bottom of the station stairs today when I was there. Unpopular? Kinda. It doesn't draw the Top Gun crowds, but it still does draw people in. Also, the ride looks good as far as aesthetics go.

The Racer- My God does this ride need some good powerwashing and painting. The tunnels look revolting, what with the gum, dirt, finger marks, etc. The trains are fine. The Blue side is in need of desperate tracking done over the offseason, it's just unbearably rough. Red side is incredibly smooth.

Adventure Express- I think Kings Island is in the right direction with this ride. Last year, the creaking on the first lift was gone, but hath returned this season! Red lights in the third tunnel, Bubba's mouth is moving. However, there are still cons to the experience. The red lights in the third tunnel are minimal, the door is often left wide open in the last tunnel, "tiki men" are left unlit, the first tunnel is completely dark, and there is just plain 'ol lights in the second tunnel. Now, I hope for the best, but the cons outweigh the pros by far.

[spitfire]

Oddly enough, IMHO, I feel like The Racer is actually smoother than it's been in recent years. I had to stop riding it a few years back because it got unbearable - the constant slamming back down in my seat after every moment of airtime killed my back. But I started riding it again last year if I remember correctly, and in my experience, it was better - and I'm talking about the blue side. It's still a little painful at times, but to me, nothing like it was a few years ago. The red side was noticeably smoother, but I rarely ride that side since it was made to face forward. I do agree about the general condition of the ride, though, in terms of the aesthetics.

With Adventure Express, I just miss the old theming. I know there were legitimate reasons for taking those elements out, but I still miss them. It made the ambience of the ride. Sometimes I forget just how jerky that one is though.

Flight Deck still seems like a good ride to me, I'm just generally not a fan of walking all the way back there for a ride that feels like it's over in about five seconds once it's down the drop. And I still miss the days of hearing the TG soundtrack playing while walking/waiting in line. But then again I have a penchant for cheesy 80s music, so...

[KIfan73]

I hate to throw gasoline on the flames of speculation, but all of the rides mentioned in this thread, along with SoB are all close neighbors.

I could see how someone that is apt to jump to conclusions might think that they're all could be scrapped in the name of something all new.

In all seriousness, I couldn't see the park ever not having The Racer. It would seem like it and Kings Island's identities would be too intertwined.

[The Racing Racer]

Bennett-

if you dont know:

Flight deck was very popular when it was built. It was origanally called Top Gun, making it even more popular.

But i do agree. I do nt really ride anything over there exept the Delirium. Its a long walk over there from ALMOST anywhere. Then the walk all the way back there... ugh. But "back then" they needed all those bars. All in All i highly agree with yoyu.

[TheCrypt]

It would be folly to remove The Racer. The day they remove her, the day I stop going.

[The Racing Racer]

Agreed...

[TheCrypt]

If you didn't give me that like, I would feel obliged to tell you that one-worded posts also violate the Terms of Service. Luckily, I didn't have to say that.

Did you even read the ToS?

[Hank]

Patience is needed for all of these rides. Time will show them to be better than ever and, in FD's case, more visible once the area back there starts to get developed a bit. Patience, patience, patience!

[diamondhawk]

It truly pains me to see The Racer in it's current condition. I went on the blue side today and it was just painful. I got a headache. The only other rides at KI that can do that to me are Vortex (in a seat other than 5-1) and Son of Beast (in any seat).

[stashua123]

I think Flight Deck is fine the way it is. No lines=MARATHON!!!. Adventure Express hurts but it is tolerable. Racer is so dang rough. It was so rough that i even told an employee that it needs to be retracked.

[HWBeast1039]

I actually think the blue side is smoother than the red side.

On an off topic side note...

Last week I rode Mean Streak...

In the back seat...

Wait for it...

And lived.

[Browntggrr]

Beast is running fantastic this year and Racer is so-so. In any business, there is an order of importance since not everything can addressed at the same time. Beast received love for 2012. 2013 could be the love year for Racer.

[Pepsi]

I just realized I've never ridden on the blue side of The Racer. Not even back when it was going backwards. Anyway, I didn't think it was too bad when I rode it. I thought The Beast was much worse. I was screaming by the end - from pain, not from fear!

[MDMC01]

Here's what I think about the three rides that are being discussed:

-I think that even though The Racer is a bit bumpy at times, it's still a great ride. Other than roughness, I haven't noticed much wear and tear.

-Adventure Express is very jerky; though I do enjoy the effects in the last tunnel.

-I enjoy Flight Deck and try to ride it every time I go. In fact, I've ridden Flight Deck more times than any other ride this season. I also don't mind the long walkback.

[OldieButGoodie]

I think Flight Deck is fine the way it is. No lines=MARATHON!!!. Adventure Express hurts but it is tolerable. Racer is so dang rough. It was so rough that i even told an employee that it needs to be retracked.

Agree! My oldest son and I rode it back to back Saturday evening. Loved the ride in the dark, forgot how many bugs can be out there with no lights! (gag.... cough.... yuck!)

I do think they could put something back there... having just returned from a week at Kings Dominion, I submit a Boardwalk Fries stand (even better if they have frosty adult beverages to go with them). BW fries, made to order, several seasonings to sprinkle on - they're *great*!

[TheCrypt]

RPW? CPW? No need for more fries in the park.