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Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/19/2017 in all areas

  1. That is one mean twist heading into the tunnel.
    9 points
  2. A new Instagram pic of MT. Sounds like trains will be on soon.
    8 points
  3. So I was at my grandmothers house today cleaning out her belongings. She passed in Dec at 96 yr old. I was going through one of the bedrooms and found my favorite book from when I was growing up. Almost as if my grandmother left it there for me. The book is is pristine. Never read. So glad I have this in my collection now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    6 points
  4. ^ To be fair: when it's actually functioning and turned on, that's exactly the kind of sound that plays on Adventure Express's first lift hill. I think bkroz mentioned a while back, shortly before or after Mystic Timbers was announced, that the glowing green lights shown in KI's scrolling banner on their website at the time would look nice in the trees lining the lift hill. I'd agree with that. Here's the image I'm talking about: Source: KI's website; image hosted by ThemeParkTourist.com. It adds a new level of mysticism to the ride AND makes for a new reason to ride at night. Some heavy-duty, translucent, sea foam green pendant lights in the trees would go a long way. But that's me! I don't actually know what sound you might play at the top of MT's lift, anyway. There's not exactly an iconic monster sound you could automatically attach to this ride based on the theme, unlike Banshee's Banshee scream. Maybe someone's voice yelling "timber"? Maybe take a page out of BGW's book and have some magic-y, windy noises and a spirit's voice telling you to run? I'm not sure. I'm also not sure that having anything playing noise loudly on that side of the park would work anyway--weren't there supposedly some complaints about noise levels for Diamondback and Banshee when they both opened?
    5 points
  5. I've never seen a duck in the lake whenever the train would pass by it. I guess the Fabio scenario doesn't "fit the bill" for Kings Island
    5 points
  6. Might be fun to take the train over to SC for lunch/dinner?
    4 points
  7. Here's a question I don't think anyone's asked yet. Will there be props layed out or maybe sound effects played throughout the course of the ride similar to when Italian Job first came out? It would be awesome if MT had a first drop sound just like Banshee
    4 points
  8. Based on the given list? Slingshot & Xtreme Skyflyer are no go's. The are up charges that aren't worth the extra $25 I usually see the sign at. However i e seen a few times when the park first opens they are down to $5 or $10 and it's maybe worth it then. Vortex for me gets the axe in terms of "re-rideability". I love Vortex but being 5'5, even in 5 or 7, my head hits the right spot on the shoulder restraints that it just bangs back and forth. I will ride Vortex but I don't re-ride it for that reason. Drop Tower. You could re ride it if the line is short enough but personally if it's a long line I don't get much thrill out of just being dropped. Firehawk is okay to re ride, it really pulls some Gs in some spots. I can re ride it just fine but I know others who are sensitive to that kind of thing and can't re-ride it. Delirium. I could re ride Delirium plenty of time. This ride puts me to sleep, it's quite relaxing to me. Banshee. I find it to be very re-rideable. A quick Crew, smooth tracks and a great ride! I will ride it two or three time then take a break to prevent any motion sickness. I will say that I do think you should add Diamondback to your list. It's incredible re-rideable. It's smooth with awesome airtime! If you can ride Drop Tower then then height shouldn't be an issue. It's an easy ride and a great ride for anyone looking for a fun time. Lastly I think you should add the Train to your list. I enjoy a good train ride in the middle of the day as a way to relax after lunch, take a break from the thrills and really get some great scenes of the park! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    3 points
  9. Yeah, all those extra couplings between cars and wheel sets are pretty loud on Millennium Flyers. GCI's may be many things, but quiet sure ain't one of them.
    3 points
  10. Does anyone else think that this restaurant is going to invite lots of non-bathing-suit wearing guests to take a train ride and venture into the waterpark (not that that's necessarily a bad or good thing)? I can't help but think the park has already thought of this (or possibly planned on it for some reason?).
    3 points
  11. I actually have a copy of that very book. It is sad to see the park after all the rides had been moved to Kings Island, standing just like a ghost town. Fortunately the park is still running today. Although it would be nice for the park to add another wooden coaster someday.
    3 points
  12. Why hello... it's been a while since I've been on here. Almost four years. But I recently acquired something cool in terms of Kings Island history and have been wanting to share it. So, quick history lesson: In the early 1970s ABC aired The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie on Saturday mornings. The series consisted of hour-long specials produced by Hanna-Barbera, Warner Brothers, Paramount Television, and others. The twelfth episode aired on November 25, 1972 and was named The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park. It featured the stars of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour (a variety program that aired from 1968-1970) and was partially filmed at Kings Island during the park's inaugural season. The episode mixed Hanna-Barbera's classic animation style with the live-action segments shot at the park. The story focused on the Banana Splits touring a young girl named Susie (played by 11-year-old Michele Tobin) around the park. Susie is tricked by an evil witch and lured into a cartoon billboard, leaving the Splits to follow her into the animated world. The majority of the story takes place in the animated world, but the beginning and end take place within Kings Island. Despite the episode's popularity, I do not believe that it has ever been released on DVD, streaming, etc. It's occasionally aired on Boomerang, albeit very infrequently. I had never seen it, but after some extensive online searching I was able to find a copy for sale from a random CD shop. The legitimacy of the DVD is questionable at best... it was clearly recorded off of Boomerang at some point. But without any other methods to obtain the film, I ended-up purchasing it. With DVD in hand, I watched the full 60 minutes. I honestly only cared for the six-and-a-half minutes shot at Kings Island though, which is what I figure a lot of KIC users are interested in tool, so after my initial viewing I edited the video down to feature only the material shot at the park. I also cut gifs out of scenes that depicted points of interest within the park, like defunct rides or unique views. So, without further ado, I wanted to share the video and gifs below. I've also included some commentary and fun facts for the gifs. And quick note - I wasn't alive yet during the 70's, so all information is from what I've read, watched, etc. If something seems wrong, please let me know. Enjoy. To start, Winsome Witch's Cauldron (also identified at different points on park maps as Winsome Witch's Caldron, Winnie Witch's Cauldron, Witches Caldrons, and Witch's Cauldrons). The tea-cup style flat ride opened with the park and was themed to Winsome Witch, a Hanna-Barbera cartoon that appeared in the 1960s. There were 18 cauldrons split between three small and one large turntable. Note the pastel colors - the ride opened with yellow, blue, and red cauldrons. This paint scheme only lasted two seasons before the ride vehicles were painted black with orange flames in 1974. Winsome Witch's Cauldron last operated in 1991. It was replaced by a small Zamperla-built swings ride, today known as Charlie Brown's Wind-Up, in 1992. Following the ride's removal from the park, several of the cauldrons found a new home elsewhere: one is now a photo spot at Jungle Jim's store in Eastgate, another is featured in the Dent Schoolhouse haunted house in Cincinnati. Here we have the Banana Splits trying to find park guests to tour around the park. Note the station for Enchanted Voyage in the background - the ride was manufactured by Arrow Development and loaded guests into small boats outside the building. Once on board, guests would then float into the show building and through several Hanna-Barbera worlds. When the ride was transformed into Smurf's Enchanted Voyage in 1984, the canvas tent structure over the station was replaced with a more permanent wooden one. That structure remains today and is now part of the station for Great Pumpkin Coaster. Bavarian Beetle was a compact steel roller coaster in Oktoberfest. It was manufactured by Italian company S.D.C. and had a previous life as Galaxi at Cincinnati's Coney Island. The coaster stood 45-feet tall, stretched 800-feet, and was adorned with lighted archways and spires. Bavarian Beetle's history is a little iffy... the ride is still depicted on the 1978 park map, but a photo from that August shows that the coaster had already been replaced by Ferris Wheel. The ride may have operated for part of the season, or it could have been like Cedar Point's Wildcat in 2012, where the coaster was expected to operated but was quietly removed just before opening instead. It's almost absurd how many different stages and entertainment venues Kings Island has had. This here is a short-lived one in Coney Island. It wasn't there opening day but was present by July and appeared to have some musical act. The stage's last year was 1974. It was replaced by the first incarnation of the park's Floral Thermometer in 1975 when Coney Island was expanded, and that space today is a grassy area next to Zephyr. Beautiful view of International Street from Sky Ride. Royal Fountain was advertised as the world's largest animated fountain at opening and was created by Fountain Specialist Co. of Milford, Ohio. Also note the park's entrance building does not yet have International Restaurant... that wasn't added until 1973. Susie should really stay on the pathways... But this shot really shows Coney Island and its neatly-pruned ginkgo trees. 35 of them were relocated from Cincinnati's Coney Island and they required pruning six times annually to maintain their distinct shape. It's a little hard to see, but on the left you can just make out the building for Dodgem and Cuddle Up. Both rides were also relocated from Cincinnati's Coney Island. The building remains today and is used for the Attitudes gift shop and Sorority House Haunt maze, but both attractions are long gone. Some claim that the current incarnation of Dodgem is the same as the original, but it features a different ride area, different cars, different shape... you could have a whole philosophical debate over what makes a ride "new", but I don't think it makes sense to say our current Dodgem is original to the park. I've been trying to figure out when this was all shot at the park. At some point, the archway in the back had The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera added to it. But that wasn't until at least July. This, plus the stage from earlier, shows that the park was still adding all those finishing touches through-out its first season. You can't argue that International Street didn't look like a street... but look at that total lack of shade and all the asphalt. A lot of enthusiasts were amazed when Disney introduced its "talking" characters a few years back, with mouths that could move. But Kings Island was doing it long before then Also check-out Winsome Witch, flying around her tree in the background. The old plant tunnel. It had 100 London-plain trees bowed over its pipe framework. The structure remained in some form through the end of 2006 2005, then was removed for Nickelodeon Universe's addition in 2006. I like that the park is attempting to bring it back in White Water Canyon's queue line. Few things to comment on... First, those lights on the top of Monster. They were removed around 2005 I think, but I could be off. Second, Monster in general... I've heard before that our current Monster is not the original ride. The original version opened at Cincinnati's Coney Island in 1968 and was relocated at park opening for 1972. There's an interesting photo from 1981 that shows Monster's ride platform empty though. Rumor is that ours was replaced the following year and the original version was sent to Canada's Wonderland in time for its 1981 opening. If true, it's ironic that CW's version of the ride, named The Fury, was removed after 2003 and it was sent to our park to use as spare parts for Monster. It's worth noting that the park has claimed that the current ride is the original though. Edit: Here's a lengthy conversation on whether the Monster was sent to Canada's Wonderland or not. It seems that the verdict is the ride was not sent to the Canadian park. Third, check out Dodgem's sign in the background. It, and the out-of-frame sign for Cuddle Up, both came from Cincinnati's Coney Island. At the old park they were housed in the same building as the Whip, but that ride was unfortunately never relocated to Kings Island. Racer is one of my favorite rides at the park today, but man I would have loved to have ridden it in 1972. No head rests, no seat belts, no seat divides, just a buzz bar... plus the final airtime hill was still in place (interestingly that was removed a year apart for the North and South sides... North's during the 1995/96 off-season, South's the 1996/97 one. Two things in this shot. First, the trains only have four cars each. A fifth car wasn't added until 1973. Also, red train racing red train. From 1972 through 2007 both tracks had a red and a blue train. The rides were only assigned specific colors in 2008. I should've ended this gif a bit before the zoom... sorry for how obnoxious that is. Anyhow, Der Spinnen Keggers on the left. The ride was similar to Winsome Witch's Cauldron, only the platform tilted upwards during the ride. The vehicles were also initially covered, but at some point between 1981 and 1987 the tops were removed. Anyone know what year that happened? On the right, Kings Island Theatre (at times spelled Theater). It was built by Bird-Air Structures, Inc. from Buffalo, New York for $250,000 and could seat 1,100 guests. It played host to "Something New!!" its opening year. After the 1974 season the park experienced a heavy snow storm and the theater collapsed. It was replaced with a similar one in 1975, albeit with a blue covering instead of red. The floral clock has been a staple of Kings Island since 1972, but it has not always been behind Eiffel Tower. It was originally to the right of it, where International Showplace is today. It was relocated when that amphitheater was built in 1977. Flying Scooters, later renamed Flying Eagles, in its original spot. The ride was relocated to the back of the area in 1986, then again to Paramount's Carowinds in 2005. The ride originally opened at Cincinnati's Coney Island and was apparently relocated at least once while it was there too. In this shot, notice how the door is open on the side. The current Woodstock Gliders also has a door in its center console, but I would assume it's kept shut when the ride is operating. Scooby-Doo, later renamed The Beastie, later renamed Fairly Odd Coaster, and now Woodstock Express. It's probably been through just as many paint jobs as it has been through names. I love the oversized Scooby-Doo cut-out and didn't know it was ever a thing until I watched this. Also, you can just make out the coaster's last dip before the brake run. I don't know when it was removed, but I would guess sometime in the late 1990s. Anyone know? See that stroller at the bottom? The park still has some of these older ones, now re-purposed to help ride operators carry water coolers to their rides in the morning. At the end you can just make out the train blowing steam from its sides. The engines can still do this and indeed do for special events. I highly doubt you'd ever see costumed characters, like Snoopy or Charlie Brown, riding a coaster today. And that shot through the tracks? I also doubt that'd be permitted. The whole ride is encircled by a giant fence and anything within it is lock-out. Kings Island Theatre again. Some more facts: it was 137-feet long, 87-feet wide, and 40-feet high. It was avinyl structure and was supported entirely by air pressure. Last shot... Tumble Bug was a standard tumble bug attraction manufactured by Traver Engineering of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. It had a diameter of approximately 100 feet, featured five large tubs, and was the park's oldest ride at opening. It originally opened at Cincinnati's Coney Island in 1925. It last operated in 1985 and was replaced by Skylab the following year. I've heard that it was sent to Kennywood to use for parts on their similar attraction, but I don't know the validity of that statement. Today the space is occupied by Coca-Cola Marketplace. So that's that... some pretty cool shots of the park its opening year, and hopefully you learned a thing or two about its history. Again, please let me know if you think any of the facts are wrong or if you have extra info to add. Hope you enjoyed. Edit - Edited April 9, 2020 to correct a date and clarify one of the comments.
    2 points
  13. Being that it is a 5-minute ride, striking up a conversation is sometimes natural. Pretty sured I've never attempted to continue one in either tunnel, but my intuition says it would be harder in the helix tunnel. It seems louder, and it's also the most intense part of the ride. A Cash Coaster episode there could be funny.
    2 points
  14. I really hope they can keep the improvement trend going! That's great, and it's exciting that they managed to turn a profit for the first time in a while. CLP really could be a charming park if it had the money to keep going.
    2 points
  15. I agree with TombRaiderFTW on the lights idea. That would be awesome! As far as sounds? Hearing sounds on a wooden coaster would be hard. Based on my experience on GCI lift hills, I can hardly hear anyone around me. The sound of the train going through the course is generally not quiet either. Diamondback has had several complaints about noise from the neighborhood behind the park.
    2 points
  16. The saw noise would work well I think. Woudl fit the lumber mill theme. Do liek the idea of the lights in the trees. Think would be great to have them spread throughout the course of the track a bit. maybe not the entire length but different spots throughout the woods.
    2 points
  17. Or they could play that saw noise we heard at the announcement...
    2 points
  18. If it did have a sound it could simply just be a rumble with a whining wood sound... but that might be a little mean as people are 109ft up on a wooden structure~ Im glad a scream isn't probable
    2 points
  19. Looking on a phone lets your head be more lazy~
    2 points
  20. Same. That's why is was wanting a peek at the map. I'd like to see how it fits in with everything in Rivertown. I've seen pics and thing but I prefer the map to really get a visual. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    2 points
  21. There's a few others out there. Like... 1972, from an eBay auction by user "Momthrewitaway" (hence the watermark) 1972, from CheezOnAStick. You can see all the lighted archways and ornamental decorations along the track. 1972 (opening day, in fact), from holzsc.com. 1973, posted here on KIC by KIfan73 1973, another from holzsc.com. 1974, from KIC's own photo gallery. 1975, also from the photo gallery. 1977, from flickr user jade_41171. Date unknown, courtesy KIExtreme.com One of the more common Bavarian Beetle pictures. I think this was used in a View-Master set you could buy at the park. I think the large sign and accompanying decorations were added in 1976 or 1977. Something different... a picture taken while riding Bavarian Beetle. Notice all the lights. Source unknown, but date is sometime between 1972 1973 through 1974 (Hayley's Comet is still in its original location). And bonus picture... you can see the ride, still called Galaxi, in the background. There's a few other rides in the shot that also found their way to the new park... Sky Ride, Rotor, and the log flume.
    2 points
  22. A total of 811 bents were stood to construct The Beast.
    2 points
  23. Over the past couple of weeks I have noticed that there's been a big amount of members saying how they want Vortex gone in the next few years. I personally don't agree and I say it'll stay around for years to come. However, I'd like to see what our members actually think about our Arrow looper. I am not starting a rumor, I just want to get peoples' opinion.
    1 point
  24. Does the train have on-board audio? I only saw like 4 speakers on the course after the turnaround for the drop. While I think audio is nice for a ride, I don't think it'd fit Mystic Timbers well, nor the area. Imagine riding WWC and hearing chainsaws and music themed for another ride.
    1 point
  25. That's what I mean--rather than playing the standard pop music that gets played throughout the park in MT's queue, play the dramatic instrumental music from the announcement or the tracks that SonofBaconator suggested. Makes Mystic Timbers more of an experience from queue to exit ramp!
    1 point
  26. ^ I wouldn't mind having that track myself.
    1 point
  27. Great to see the park making money again, hopefully this continues and we'll see some new stuff come from the park soon! I'm hoping that I can attempt to visit the park for the first time this year!
    1 point
  28. One time when i was on it, there was a young girl of about 11 years old behind me, and she had, like most girls her age, one of those ear piercing screams that just goes through you, and that was on the open areas of the ride...when we got to the helix tunnel...it was sooooooooooooooooo loud i that one of my eardrums ruptured. LOL
    1 point
  29. Or even the audio tracks they played at the announcement! There was something really unique and engaging about the intense drumbeats and mystical chimes combined with chainsaws and shouts of "timber!" It's thematically appropriate, it helps tell the story, and it makes standing in the queue that much more engaging. I'd really, really love it if they'd do that. If you're going to go to the bother of theming a ride at all, why not use audio tracks you've already got prepared to make the experience that much more magical? But again, that's me. I'd rather have an immersive experience than listen to the same pop tunes I could hear outside the park. For me, that drives repeat visits and encourages me to invite more people to the park with me and [insert other things from Cedar Fair's Q4 financials that they are aiming to improve]. (But seriously, I might actually WANT to invite more people I know to join in a themed experience than just another roller coaster. But I'm sure I'm in the minority, and CF obviously knows their audiences better than I do.) A side note... Don, if you're reading this: if you aren't going to use the music from Mystic Timbers's announcement for anything for the ride, would you mind posting a tracklist here? It really made an impression on me, and I'd love to purchase the songs from iTunes or Google if possible.
    1 point
  30. I'd love to listen to this type of audio while I'm waiting in the que line or when the coaster enters the shed. Blowing wind, saw mills, owl hoots, crickets, bliss.
    1 point
  31. Park emerging from bankruptcy http://www.goerie.com/news/20170219/turning-corner-conneaut-lake-park-emerges-from-bankruptcy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    1 point
  32. My dad has an autographed copy of that book. Definitely a great find, especially for those of us who are too young to have experienced Coney prior to Kings Island.
    1 point
  33. I will be glad when I can watch this thing without tilting my head. Dont know why they never zoomed and tilted that web cam, it would have made for such better viewing.
    1 point
  34. Schools are probably more likely to do the Math and Science Days (if they still do them) as can get more educational value out of it. Whereas Winterfest is much more limited on offerings and what they could give the schools. Plus smaller space to spread out large groups of students. Could get a bit crowded on Math and Science Days with the whole park open.
    1 point
  35. But back then, the stage was a lot further out in the Festhaus seating area. I wonder if they still have the ice making equipment (chiller, etc) at the Festhaus. I believe that the equipment is still there at the Kings Island Theater. I personally am hoping that Santa`s Toy Factory returns to the Kings Island Theater. That show was held at the original Winterfest, the re-instated on in 2005, and I believe that they had a very similar show (although with a different name) at California`s Great America for Winterfest this past year.
    1 point
  36. I wonder if we're gonna need to worry about ducks on the lagoon overpass.. how did busch gardens remedy the fabio happening?
    1 point
  37. Hours have just been added to WinterFest 2017. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/hours-directions/winterfest
    1 point
  38. Another pic was just posted on Twitter.
    1 point
  39. In my opinion, the meal plan pays for it self on multiple trips. The average meal is between $10-15.....eating 2 times a day, for at least 5 trips....should get you to breaking even. It's also nice because it's not $ out of your pocket that day. If the all season dining doesn't work for you, you can purchase the all day....I believe you can eat every 90 minutes on that and it's much cheaper.
    1 point
  40. Honestly, The Vortex is probably my least favorite coaster. For a metal, it's rough as sin, and I end up punching myself in the face when I hold the grips by my head. Between how bad it hurts my neck and back, and how great the newer coasters are (Diamondback and Banshee), I'd say this old friend has started to stay past his welcome. Disclaimer: I only want this ride torn down if they get a new coaster to replace it, no sense in tearing something down that many people enjoy unless there's something better on the way!
    1 point
  41. From the first time I rode it in 1989 (and it drove my earring posts into my head) until a couple seasons ago, I was very much in the "tear it down!" camp. When I was still a young teen it always made me so angry to hear people play it up as the one to ride to show how brave you were. Beast was so much better! Then I had a friend (NoChickens) who I often ran into at the park around Vortex, and he wanted to ride it. I had heard about 5-1 previously, and rode that but wasn't impressed. NoChickens introduced me to 7-1, and I realized I could ride with very few punches to the jaw. As I learned to avoid the restraint in the spots it still hit me, I also learned to really appreciate the ride. I even ride it alone most visits now. I've been told that steel coasters have a lifespan, and have accepted that eventually Vortex will have to go regardless. But I'm hoping it is awhile before that happens. There is something beautiful about that turn before the first drop, when the entire park comes into view. I particularly love to ride at sunset for that reason. And that first drop is among the best moments in the park!
    1 point
  42. Well technically, they rebranded the pool area last year as Sunlite Adventure. (Which features Sunlite Pool, Twister water slide, Typhoon Tower, and Pipeline Plunge). Calakapepe, don`t look for a RMC. Remember that it says a splash is coming...
    1 point
  43. I'm all registered and signed up for the 2 pm Beast Tour!
    1 point
  44. Looks like something new came in the mail today at Kings Island for WinterFest 2017. Photo from ki_entertainment on Instagram. Can't wait to see what they have in store!
    1 point
  45. Today is a really nice day in Louisville. There's only a slight chill in the air, but the sun is out and makes me look forward to the looming spring (my favorite time of year.) We were lucky this year and, knock wood, didn't have a really snowy/icy/bitter cold winter. it had it's moments, but overall it could be a lot worse. Why am I bringing this up? Because every year I marvel at the workers that labor in rain, sleet, snow, cold, hail, ice, wind, freezing temps etc all to build something we'll enjoy in much more pleasurable weather. Year after year the construction crews that assemble the new attractions at KI must face some pretty difficult elements. I hope this season, as each of us ride Mystic Timbers, we take a moment to think about those that braved the elements to help make magic for us. I know I certainly appreciate their hard work!
    1 point
  46. Wow. This is quite the thread bump! Nearly fifteen years since the last post, lol. That would be nice to have two sets of flyers. I don`t think that will happen though. It would be nice to get some classic flat rides added in Coney Mall though.
    1 point
  47. I mean, KI pretends to have themed lines, but if the recent rework to the FoF queue is any indication.... Can we just borrow from Busch Gardens? I'm thinking my recent Tampa trip and how cool the lines for Montu and Cobra's Curse were....
    1 point
  48. Yep, I sure did. And immediately felt like a buffoon. It's particularly idiotic because I very rarely put my hands up on any rides.
    1 point
  49. As you discovered, there IS a reason for the recorded announcement on the second lifthill.
    1 point
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