For those who have ridden X-Flight...

[coasterdadGL]

I think Kings Island operations will be able to give Firehawk a pretty good run for its money in terms of capacity.

I disagree. Firehawk lines will be among the longest lines KI has ever seen! Waits were 2+ hours on a busy day at GL and busy day at GL is no where near the amount of guests KI gets on a busy day.

[boricuabud]

so you're saying that even running at full capacity, the wait for the ride is still going to be completely ridiculous?

[King Maple The Tree King]

I agree with Delorean Rider, after getting my MAXX pass and visiting this weekend I noticed capacity was very, very good both days I attended the park, considering no one on here whos home park is GL really has a hands on experience of how operations go about at KI in terms of ride capacity nor know how the park intends on running Firehawk and has only experienced GL and Six Flags running X flight (whose reputations were not good to say the least) I dont think their opinion is very valid. Only time will tell though.

[coasterdadGL]

so you're saying that even running at full capacity, the wait for the ride is still going to be completely ridiculous?

Yes and these are the facts I based my opinion on:

Firehawk can do 650 guests an hour when running at peak efficiency with two trains running (1430 with three trains but that never happened). I recall when FOF and SOB first opened the lines were ridiculous (3+ hours) and these rides are rated at 2000 and 1600 guests per hour. Peak efficiency means that all guests sit down and there are no problems. With the nature of Firehawk not all guests are able to figure out how to get them selves situated and will need ride op help, thus slowing down efficiency.

But what do I know - time will tell.

[Reclaimer]

Way to bring back an old thread simply for another chance to bash Firehawk. Unless you can predict the future, you're just going to have to sit back and wait like the rest of us, because only time will tell just how good/bad the capacity is when it opens in its new home under new staffing.

[coasterdadGL]

Way to bring back an old thread simply for another chance to bash Firehawk. Unless you can predict the future, you're just going to have to sit back and wait like the rest of us, because only time will tell just how good/bad the capacity is when it opens in its new home under new staffing.

I was simply answering a question and backing it with facts that maybe someone had not seen.

But hey - like you said, only time will tell.

[King Maple The Tree King]

But what do I know

Absolutely nothing of the plans that KI and CF have set into motion to improve the rides capacity and operation as well as things both KI and GL's excellent maintenace teams have done to improve the trains and reliability of the rides electronics. Considering you dont work in KI's park operations, haven't traveled to the future, nor have any idea on how the coaster is to run I dont believe you have any valid opinion on the capacity of its future use. Like Maureen stated at SOAR, its basically a whole new ride openeing with how much work has been done to it and its at a new home with new crews and new maintenace teams as well as new components whom CF feel are obviously better prepared to operate this wonderful ride or they wouldn't have moved it here so past experiences dont really do much on this matter considering how much can possibly change.

Time will tell but I'm holding up high hopes for how well CF has seem to have done wtih KI so far.

[The Interpreter]

I find his credibility seriously lacking, in that I have NEVER, EVER seen a long line for Son of Beast. Even when it opened. Even when it was only running one train.

Now, if it reopens and is an enjoyable experience, it may indeed have long lines...but I have never seen a QUOTE 3+ hour UNQUOTE line for Son of Beast.

Ever.

[RingMaster]

Dude.....

....if Firehawk gets really cool and reliable crews like what Vortex and Beast have, then there's no need to worry about long lines. Crowded days at the park and the longest I've had to wait for Beast was, about, an hour and fifteen minutes. And that was with all the queues filled up.

[italianchef]

I never rode it, so I cannot vote.

[Guest kwindshawne]

Interesting concept-Firehawk-guess I better spring for nexium.....

Totally new experience for me, so I have no opinion

[boricuabud]

lol in all honesty, there really isnt any point to complain about the length of the lines, becase we all know that we would wait 6 hours for the darn ride if we had to.

[The Interpreter]

Well, actually, I won't...if that's the choice.

There's a fine one nearly like it in the Carolinas!

And another in Maryland!

[UncleHenry]

I find his credibility seriously lacking, in that I have NEVER, EVER seen a long line for Son of Beast. Even when it opened. Even when it was only running one train.

Now, if it reopens and is an enjoyable experience, it may indeed have long lines...but I have never seen a QUOTE 3+ hour UNQUOTE line for Son of Beast.

Ever.

I have, I waited in a 3 hour long line for SoB opening year. It was my first ride, only reason I waited that long.

[PKIVortex]

Son of Beast used to draw pretty long lines in the first few years of operation. They use to use all of the que's and the line would still be all the way back to Skyflier.

[Delirium_Guy]

I find his credibility seriously lacking, in that I have NEVER, EVER seen a long line for Son of Beast. Even when it opened. Even when it was only running one train.

Now, if it reopens and is an enjoyable experience, it may indeed have long lines...but I have never seen a QUOTE 3+ hour UNQUOTE line for Son of Beast.

Ever.

Interpreter, we usually always agree......but this time I 100% disagree. First season, the ENTIRE queue was filled on a regular basis. That includes both one AND two train operation.....I waited through it several times with friends. Full queue with 2 trains is close to two hours. I have waited as long as 2.5 hours, so 3 was certainly not out of the question back in the day. I highly doubt it ever sees that again, but still.

- Todd, who remembers during October of the first season when SOB actually was half way decent!

[bear295]

Well, actually, I won't...if that's the choice.

There's a fine one nearly like it in the Carolinas!

And another in Maryland!

Yes. The one at Carowinds is Borg: Assimilator. I've ridden it. Loads of fun. Unbelievable feeling hanging by your chest under that train. For me, the shin supports were a tad uncomfortable. It is almost identical to X-Flight/Firehawk. I believe that Borg:Assimilator is 574ft shorter. It only has a single corkscrew near the end where Firhawk will have a double corkscrew. Everything else is the same.

Did I vote in the poll? No. I have not ridden X-Flight but have ridden a shorter version. It is great though. Rode it the year that it opened in Carowinds. Loved it. The extra corkscrew may not make that much difference.

I wonder why KI is not opting for the 3 train operation. They could certainly use the extra capacity.

[PKIVortex]

Borg has 2 corkscrews, and Firehawk has 2 In-Line Twists.

[Reclaimer]

...and those in-line twists look mighty appetizing

[BoddaH1994]

I wonder why KI is not opting for the 3 train operation. They could certainly use the extra capacity.

From what I understand the third train was parted. It may not be a viable option to run 3 trains without purchasing a new one.

[The Interpreter]

Yep. And it was Six Flags, not Cedar Fair, that first started the scavenging the third train for parts.

CoasterdadGL, I'm sorry! *I* never saw a Son of Beast line that long, but it is apparent that it was on busy days in the first seasons.

[Browntggrr]

Sure, Firehawk will have long lines this year. Probably next year as well. Every new ride has long lines. SoB had long lines it's first year, until people learned about the ride. I also remember FoF which had extremely long lines it's first two years. KC and some terribly long lines it's first couple years, mainly due to the loading/ unloading. And, of course, The Beast which had lines to the Eiffel Tower it's first couple years.

With Firehawk though the loading/ unloading process will initially be time comsuming; at least until both the guests & the operators learn the "tricks of the trade" so to speak. At GL, when the park was busy, the lines were long and slow. Both because it was a SF park, and because the operators never had the experiance of consecutive busy days. I'm sure at KI it will be different after some time. It seems that CF puts emphasis on load times, and the employees at KI may care about the park a little more than some at GL.

[mutedarkness]

Borg has 2 corkscrews, and Firehawk has 2 In-Line Twists.

and a helix

and

and the employees at KI may care about the park a little more than some at GL.

Not to speak for everyone, but a lot of people i know love to work at geauga lake and take pride in their work. I can think of one or two that really could care less about the park but they still did what they needed to do. I don't think its about more of care than knowalge on the ride, i worked with people who worked the ride since 01. The ride also takes a while to learn, but once you get the hang of it its all good.

[coasterdadGL]

I find his credibility seriously lacking, in that I have NEVER, EVER seen a long line for Son of Beast. Even when it opened. Even when it was only running one train.

Even though my credibility may be lacking according to certain individuals I know for a fact SOB lines on opening year were among the longest lines I had ever seen for a coaster. You might not have been there so you wouldn’t know. Lately though the line has been among the shortest - I wonder why.

* CD – whose credibility may be upped a notch by the end of May

[The Interpreter]

With all due repect, you might want to have the decency to read the entire thread before responding in the future. I already apologized for that statement, which I am not taking back (the apology). Others would....

In any event, KI's crews will do fine with getting as many people on that attraction as can be done in a safe, efficient, and guest-friendly manner.

[corn4ahead]

Sure, Firehawk will have long lines this year. Probably next year as well. Every new ride has long lines. SoB had long lines it's first year, until people learned about the ride. I also remember FoF which had extremely long lines it's first two years. KC and some terribly long lines it's first couple years, mainly due to the loading/ unloading. And, of course, The Beast which had lines to the Eiffel Tower it's first couple years.

With Firehawk though the loading/ unloading process will initially be time comsuming; at least until both the guests & the operators learn the "tricks of the trade" so to speak. At GL, when the park was busy, the lines were long and slow. Both because it was a SF park, and because the operators never had the experiance of consecutive busy days. I'm sure at KI it will be different after some time. It seems that CF puts emphasis on load times, and the employees at KI may care about the park a little more than some at GL.

SOB, Beast, and FOF get really long lines on weekends still.

[coasterdadGL]

With all due repect, you might want to have the decency to read the entire thread before responding in the future. I already apologized for that statement, which I am not taking back (the apology). Others would....

In any event, KI's crews will do fine with getting as many people on that attraction as can be done in a safe, efficient, and guest-friendly manner.

I apologize - I didnt see your response. Also with all due respect I have seen XF in operation many many times. KI ride ops might be the greatest ops in the world but guests are guests and Firehawk is not easy to load quickly. I am sure they will do the best they can but the ride is what it is. Anyone remember King Cobra?

[The Interpreter]

Sure. And some of us remember Borg: The Assimilator and Batwing, not to mention X-Flight at the then Six Flags Worlds of Adventure AND at Geauga Lake, a Cedar Fair LP park....

[King Maple The Tree King]

With all due repect, you might want to have the decency to read the entire thread before responding in the future. I already apologized for that statement, which I am not taking back (the apology). Others would....

In any event, KI's crews will do fine with getting as many people on that attraction as can be done in a safe, efficient, and guest-friendly manner.

I apologize - I didnt see your response. Also with all due respect I have seen XF in operation many many times. KI ride ops might be the greatest ops in the world but guests are guests and Firehawk is not easy to load quickly. I am sure they will do the best they can but the ride is what it is. Anyone remember King Cobra?

With all due respect, you never worked on X flight in the years it was at the park, just viewed it as a guest and the same with King Cobra.

[coasterdadGL]

With all due respect, you never worked on X flight in the years it was at the park, just viewed it as a guest and the same with King Cobra.

Well at least you are right about one thing – I have never worked for GL or worked at XF. Although I am not sure what this has to do with anything. Have you ever worked on XF or Firehawk? Haw many times have you ridden XF while it was at GL. I think I can say that on the many many rides I took on XF I pretty much know how it works. This makes me more of an expert than you or anyone else here who has not ridden it. With all due respect and I do mean this with all sincerity - what makes you an expert regarding Firehawk? My opinion is just as valid as whatever you will say. But again May is coming soon and one of us will be right.