coasterbill

I don't know if I have the energy to be quite this nerdy today so I'm just here to say that inclined loops are stupid and they're not inversions.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

^^ Not at all...

Diamondback is the only B&M where I've ever noticed the "rattle" I hear so much complaining about on basically every B&M in existence. We noticed that it was rattly in the back of the train and smoother up front but we also noticed that it offers more airtime than any B&M hyper I've ridden aside from Fury and maybe Apollo in the last row when you ride near the back of the train. We found the rattle to be such a non issue that we gladly kept hopping in the last few rows because of the great floater air down the first drop. We noticed the rattle but I'd still refer to it as a very smooth ride and one of our favorite B&M hypers. It's really a non issue. A rattly B&M is still smoother than the vast majority of coasters in existence.

Diamondback's rattle is part of the theming.

I stand by my comments. There's no such thing as a bad flume. There are tons of good flumes on flat ground, especially if they go back into the woods. Those are the best.

I must be riding a different Alpengeist than everyone else. So smooth... so awesome... so forceful.

Raptor's trims kick on constantly but in high winds or on cold days it's a slow point and they won't come on due to low speed. The lead into the MCBR is the reason the ride closes so frequently for high winds.

Every log flume keeps a line, but you're right. It's a great family attraction which is really the point. It has mass appeal. So they couldn't even fill the boats on a 78 degree day while the flume's line was spilling all the way over the bridge. Like I said... nobody would miss it. Might as well re-name it Felicia the ride and tell it goodbye if you want to cut costs.

You're right on many counts but there are a few key things you're forgetting... Log Flumes are one of the only ride types that have proven to maintain their overwhelming popularity over time. As far as I know there isn't a single log flume in existence that isn't a highly popular attraction. I know many people will bring up capacity but the fact is some flumes with turntables have very respectable capacity and I promise you that unless it's really cold out they'll have long lines. People love them and they vote with their feet. I think the problem is that nobody goes to the park for the log flume so parks don't think they justify their cost, but once people get to the park they seek them out. Look at Great Adventure, they have a huge safari ride, the world's tallest coaster, the world's best wood coaster, a B&M hyper, an amazing invert, the world's tallest drop ride and I could go on and on... but when that flume is open get ready to wait an hour despite them grouping logs with usually 5 per log and a turntable. The only ride type that can maintain it's popularity like a water ride is a transportation ride (Sky Ride, Train) because these 2 ride types are not only enjoyable and appeal to everyone from thrill seekers to families but they serve a purpose. The log flume is the most popular type of water ride because nobody wants to ride the other ones in the spring and fall because they soak you. If you go to a water park you'll get absolutely soaked. Just like with rapids rides (not always but you're taking on the risk) or splash boat rides (which generally aren't all that popular). Sometimes people don't want to get soaked but they want to cool off a little. The Log Flume is usually the only opportunity to do this and that's part of why they're so popular. How many times have you gone to a park in the Spring or Fall and seen lines for the Log Flume but no line for the rapids or splash boats? I've lost count... it's pretty much all the time. I understand why parks remove these rides (money) but I hate to see it. They're popular now and if given the chance they'll be popular forever because they're timeless rides. You're right about rising costs but many flumes easily pull 20, 30, 40, 50, 60+ minute waits. They're worth those rising costs and modifications can be made to help alleviate those costs. Here's a great read if you have some time. This is a park that "gets it". I'm sure someone will show up and bring up the giga rumor and ask if I'd rather have a giga or a log flume but that's not the issue and it's not the point. If they remove the flume it's not because it's in the way and unavoidable... this park has a ton of room. If they wanted to keep it and add a new coaster they could do that (and hopefully that IS what they're doing).

^^Just look at the picture from the last page... line up and over the bridge yesterday and it wasn't even that hot. I'm sure there were like 2 people riding the other water rides (assuming they were even open). People love Log Flumes. Some parks (BGW) are smart enough to realize that but way too often lately parks just see it as a way to cut cost. Want to cut costs? Remove Congo Falls and replace it with absolutely nothing. A grand total of 3 people might care.

This park has an ungoldy amount of room for expansion. I seriously hope the flume stays where it is. For a park that gets as hot as Kings Island does it's really not too much to ask to have a water ride that gets you wet without trying to drown you (they have 2 which do the latter) especially when it's a ridiculously popular ride like the log flume.

Went to the park yesterday and had a great time! Not too many noteworthy things but here are a few things that come to mind. - Superman / Bizarro is exactly the same ride experience obviously. A few theming elements here and there but nothing that really matters. The trains are still crap but the ride is still great! - Rockin Rodeo is more fun than it looks and they really did make it fit the theme nicely. It's still not something we'll ride very much though. - Tomahawk was running the best cycle I've ever seen it run. Normally it spins at low speed for most of the ride, then reverses and briefly spins faster the other direction.Yesterday it's doing the opposite, spinning at high speed for almost the whole ride. - Fireball really fits into that area nicely. They did a great job with the theming. I'm impressed. - Wicked Cyclone, Thunderbolt and Batman are amazing Ride Count: Superman - 1x Wicked Cyclone - 2x Batman 2 x Tomahawk 1x Rockin Rodeo 1x Splashwater Falls 1x... still a stupid ride Buzzsaw 1x Thunderbolt 1x Flashback 1x A few random shots... It's a bird, it's Superman Ride of Steel, it's Bizarro, No... it's Superman the Ride (I think). right? Yeah... Superman the Ride! Seriously running the best cycle I've ever seen it run. Tomahawk is easily the best flat in the park. Fireball was testing, looking all bright and shiny. We finally found someone who let us wait for row 1! We were shocked until they told us they were a Great Adventure op going back in a few weeks. No wonder they actually care about guest service. They had a cool BMX show going on in front of Splashwater falls. All about the pain train! Awesome ride! Sky Screamer is great too but we didn't get a chance to take a ride.

Right, and since Knoebels is pay per ride it's also in their best interests to send trains as quickly as possible. The faster they are, the faster you use your tickets and the more money they make.

Sometimes I like it better when they run 1 train so I can admire their dispatch times. When they run 2 they have to stand around once the train is ready because if they dispatch it too early it'll block stop on top of the lift. It's opening weekend though so they might be a little slow. I could see dispatch times as long as maybe 30 or 40 seconds on the coasters. Lol

It's opening day. The crew sucked last year but give them a chance. No crew is going to be overly fast on opening day.

I will lose my sh*t I will lose my sh*t in a good way

We'll be there today for our first visit of the season.

Looks good! From the Great Adventure Connoisseurs Facebook page.

Wow that's ugly... maybe it looks better in person though. I have faith in Cedar Point.

I believe you're correct.

Lots of activity today. Corkscrew is testing, Dragster train being assembled and Gatekeeper testing on the webcams. Nice to see the park coming back to life.

Probably but it's Kingda Ka. Keep an eye on it from the parking lot. If you don't see it test then don't go there first.