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9/2/12 TR - $1 Days - and a Ride with Gary Coleman


kifanblh2011
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I was a little worried about the weather, as I think most people were. However, it turned out to be a great day at KI for my family and our sixth trip of the year.

We got to the park about 3pm and the parking lot was the emptiest I think I've ever seen it. Last time I was at the park, we had to park in the very last row of the parking lot on the GWL side it was so packed. It was a nice surprise to see so few people. The lines were pretty short for the majority of the day; only FoF had more than a 30 min. wait.

We wanted to take advantage of the $1 deals on the day and so we did. As soon as we entered the park, we went straight to the Skyline on Int'l Street for the $1 coneys. 10 coneys = $10.

Once we finished eating, we looked around the I Love the 80's shop to let our food settle (can't believe the Back to the Future Flux Capacitor was $300). Then headed to one of the kids favorite rides - Adventure Express. It was a walk-on and a great ride as always.

Next, I wanted to check out the lines for FoF, figuring it would have a less than normal wait. It did thankfully as I've been wanting my 9 year old son to ride it since he's grown to the 54" requirement. We haven't ridden it this year due to the long lines every time we've been. It's been over a year since I've been on it and a great ride as usual; my 2nd favorite ride in the park. I don't know if he liked it but I congratulated him for riding his first big (over 54") ride. I loved the lighting improvements; it was great to see so many lights working. The lights in the ****pit of the UFO were lit probably the first time I've ever seen them lit. It was also nice to see the alien in the container on the left side of the UFO. The LED type lights in the tunnel were on and was a nice addition. Great to see FoF get some little improvements to make the experience better.

My boys and I then went to Vortex; it was another walk-on. And this is a first for me - a re-ride. We rode in 5-1 and 5-2 (this truly is the best place to ride this coaster; thanks to all on here for suggesting it in other posts). We came back into the station and nobody was in our row - yay, re-ride. My boys loved it; I'm okay with one ride as the second was a little tough for me. I guess I can't call myself a "ride warrior".

After a ride on The Racers, and a couple rides my kids took on The Racers, I told my wife I wanted to get on Diamondback. My wife and kids went to partake in $1 blue ice cream - thank you KI - and I went to Diamondback. This would be my first ride on Diamondback in a couple years. I boarded the train and Gary Coleman asked if he could ride with me. Of course I said he could. He said the ride was number 8,066 for him. I love this ride; definitely my favorite. So much airtime it's hard to believe. Gary had mentioned he liked Diamondback better than MF and TTD at CP. Sounded like he may think MF is an overrated coaster like some others on here. Then while waiting on the final brake run we got to talking about what KI may be getting. He said he's heard we are receiving a coaster in '14. And if it's what he heard we are getting, I'm excited as I've never ridden the type of coaster KI may be getting. I can tell you one thing, the type of ride will be wild and will keep people coming back to the park. I'm excited.

We then took a nice, relaxing ride on the train. Then we started to wind down and chose one more ride - Backlot Stunt Coaster. I can tell you that after this ride BLSC is definitely a triple launch coaster. I've never paid attention or noticed it before but after reading some discussion on here recently it's easy to spot/feel the 3rd launch.

Afterwards, we took a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower and got some last good looks of SoB. I've only been on SoB once and it wasn't that great of an experience, so I'm not that disappointed it's coming down. I'm more excited to see and/or ride what will be coming in it's place.

We left the park about 8pm and seemed like the right time. It started pouring rain as we were making our way down 71 and raining very hard.

My family and I love KI and plan on renewing our season passes next year. This was the first year we had season passes and we enjoyed every visit.

Looking forward to HH now. We went for the first time last year and very much enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading.

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Glad you had fun on your trip. I very honestly cannot understand how a person can ride a coaster 8,066 times (or more... why) that I swear I could fall asleep on, and call Mille over-rated. I guess I am one who is captured by raw speed (Millie) and adrenaline (TTD). Thats probably why my #1 steel is I305 (speed AND adrenaline... 58 seconds of "HOLY S*** MY MIND CANT KEEP UP).

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As I was reading this again, I noticed the comment about BLSC being a "triple launch coaster". I will give you one (the launch out of the station) and two (the launch out of the helicopter scene)... but where is number three? I want to see if it exists/ I can feel it when Im there Friday evening.

In the tunnel right before the billboard. It's small, but you can feel it.

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As I was reading this again, I noticed the comment about BLSC being a "triple launch coaster". I will give you one (the launch out of the station) and two (the launch out of the helicopter scene)... but where is number three? I want to see if it exists/ I can feel it when Im there Friday evening.

I never noticed the third launch before either but it's there; subtle, but there. It's as the coaster is about to exit the billboard; you may consider it more of a boost than a launch.

Oh yeah, and while waiting in line for Diamondback, I heard the real reason why there's a splashdown. The splashdown is there to cool the wheels on the coaster. Since the Diamondback runs at such high speeds, the wheels would catch fire on the final breakrun if not for the splashdown. I didn't think of that. I thought the splashdown was merely for style; not function.

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Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Glad you had a great time. I hope your son enjoyed Flight of Fear!

Thanks. I hope he enjoyed FoF as well. I've always loved it but I'm not so sure he did. He was worried going into the ride and was even hiding his face in my shoulder during the majority of the ride. He even said he hated the corkscrew. He loves Vortex and the corkscrews but said he hated the FoF corkscrew. Funny.

I don't know if I'll ever be able to get him on Firehawk or Diamondback. He's only 9 though. I guess we have plenty of time to ride the bigger rides.

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As I was reading this again, I noticed the comment about BLSC being a "triple launch coaster". I will give you one (the launch out of the station) and two (the launch out of the helicopter scene)... but where is number three? I want to see if it exists/ I can feel it when Im there Friday evening.

Oh yeah, and while waiting in line for Diamondback, I heard the real reason why there's a splashdown. The splashdown is there to cool the wheels on the coaster. Since the Diamondback runs at such high speeds, the wheels would catch fire on the final breakrun if not for the splashdown. I didn't think of that. I thought the splashdown was merely for style; not function.

The wheels do not come in to contact with the water at any time.

Truly memorable moments at the park were created. I still remember my first ride on (what was then) Drop Zone with my mother, and your son will remember his first big kid ride with Daddy for a long, long time.

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Oh yeah, and while waiting in line for Diamondback, I heard the real reason why there's a splashdown. The splashdown is there to cool the wheels on the coaster. Since the Diamondback runs at such high speeds, the wheels would catch fire on the final breakrun if not for the splashdown. I didn't think of that. I thought the splashdown was merely for style; not function.

Was this person by any chance trying to sell you Dippin' Dots?

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As I was reading this again, I noticed the comment about BLSC being a "triple launch coaster". I will give you one (the launch out of the station) and two (the launch out of the helicopter scene)... but where is number three? I want to see if it exists/ I can feel it when Im there Friday evening.

I never noticed the third launch before either but it's there; subtle, but there. It's as the coaster is about to exit the billboard; you may consider it more of a boost than a launch.

Oh yeah, and while waiting in line for Diamondback, I heard the real reason why there's a splashdown. The splashdown is there to cool the wheels on the coaster. Since the Diamondback runs at such high speeds, the wheels would catch fire on the final breakrun if not for the splashdown. I didn't think of that. I thought the splashdown was merely for style; not function.

Thats funny! There are rides that are much higher speeds that dont have a splash down and they operate just fine.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Nice report! I'm just catching up from my big vacation and so am just now reading through all the trip reports that have been posted over the past month.

Then while waiting on the final brake run we got to talking about what KI may be getting. He said he's heard we are receiving a coaster in '14. And if it's what he heard we are getting, I'm excited as I've never ridden the type of coaster KI may be getting. I can tell you one thing, the type of ride will be wild and will keep people coming back to the park. I'm excited.

What. Did. Gary. Say. We're. Getting???

Oh, and how many grains of salt should I take that with?

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What. Did. Gary. Say. We're. Getting???

Oh, and how many grains of salt should I take that with?

The type of coaster "he" said we're getting is one that you will find in a park in Tennessee and one soon to be found in a park to our north.

I'm excited to see what will take the place of SOB. Whatever is to come will be better than what sits there now.

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What. Did. Gary. Say. We're. Getting???

Oh, and how many grains of salt should I take that with?

The type of coaster "he" said we're getting is one that you will find in a park in Tennessee and one soon to be found in a park to our north.

The Point will be getting a GCI? Either that or Arrow's coming back and building a multi-looper!

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What. Did. Gary. Say. We're. Getting???

Oh, and how many grains of salt should I take that with?

The type of coaster "he" said we're getting is one that you will find in a park in Tennessee and one soon to be found in a park to our north.

The Point will be getting a GCI? Either that or Arrow's coming back and building a multi-looper!

B&M Wingrider

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