redfoot12

I keep waiting for them to dump the ride and build a GCI in its place.

It was said in the video that the goggles are the same type that are used for skydiving. They should be fairly durable. So at 6791 feet it'll be one of the longest steel coasters in the world as well.

John--You just made me think of a new topic (or one that's already been done and I should do a search on) Top 10 classic coasters that are a must-ride...

^I think they had to do away with that because there were references to the Outer Limits. The parks may have gotten rid of that when the licensing expired.

The only thing I noticed about Nitro the day I tode it was that it definitely got better in the afternoon and evening than when I rode it late AM/early afternoon. I hope Intimidator figures itself out by the time I ride it in September.

Chuck--please pick me up on the way to ride I-232! I'll be quiet and sit in the trunk and you can throw me ketchup packets or something.

^I'm still fearful that I305 will get "modified" at some point.

Since they don't have a full-circuit inverted, I'd like to see an updated take on Volcano at KI (or any other park, for that matter!). While I agree that they definitely need a REAL invert, I don't know if Intamin would be the way to go. B&M's track record is certainly a lot better than Intamin's in the invert department (both quality and quantity), so if KI did decide to go the invert route, I would hope it to be a B&M. Volcano, as good as it is, has also obviously had its mechanical issues, so I'm not sure KI would want to replace one lemon coaster with another. Just my opinion. In my defense, I did say "updated take". To me that would mean a more reliable launch (LSM instead of LIM?) and an enhanced layout with more elements. To me Volcano would be a top 5 coaster if they had extended the length by 800 feet and added few different types of elements or inversions. In Volcano's defense, I wouldn't go so far as to call the coaster a "lemon". I think it's a fun coaster with reliability issues.

Since they don't have a full-circuit inverted, I'd like to see an updated take on Volcano at KI (or any other park, for that matter!).

So my plan to go to Kings Island will have to wait until next year. Still looking forward to trying out Diamondback and that much ballyhooed night ride on Beast. I'll even ride SoB if it exists in any form. Mainly I want to ride Top Gun/Flight Deck before someone decides that all Arrow Suspends need to depart this earth. --Rob "I liked Gwazi AND Judge Roy Scream--just try and stop me!" Jowaisas

So, I want a 100-word essay on "which B&M hyper you like more and why...Apollo's Chariot or Intimidator". This will be followed up with a "which Intimidator do you like more and why..."

Well, like I said. The other option is simply not doing it at all. When I look like websites like Best Buy and see that most Blu-Ray discs still retail between $22 - $34 I think our price point is just right. I'm just not about to do something which is going to create MORE work for us and TPR and sell it at or below our cost. That just doesn't make any sense. I think those Blu-Ray's you're seeing for $10 - $15 are what stores call "Loss Leaders." We just don't have that luxury to be able to sell them at such a low price. And at my local stores, when I see Blu-Ray's for $10 - $15, it's this kind of god awful CRAP: Should I feel embarrassed that I like at least 2 of those movies pictured?

*cough* TPR Trip in 2012 *cough* Time to start saving...

I'm planning a Western PA trip at some point and this park was going to be included. Notice I said "was". I'm jk-ing. I really like this idea if it prolongs the lifespan of the ride.

Meaning it took one year off your life?

Rox! I'll drive you to Busch Gardens! You can even sleep on my couch (although I wouldn't recommend this)! I have a Busch Platinum Pass so we could get Preferred Parking as well.

I think at this point you cut your losses. This was no $30 million investment, just a good-old fashioned money pit. Son of Beast brings little to no value to the park in its current state. How much is the park going to end up spending to get a ride that was never good to begin with? If people want to ride something tall and fast (and smooth) in the park they've got Diamondback. I think Ginzo's sunk cost fallacy quote sums this scenario up best. While Texas Giant was pretty rough, it definitely wasn't causing the same issues and posing the same liability for SFoT that SoB did. Texas Giant's first 10 years were the complete opposite of SoB's in terms of how the people look at the ride. With SoB, there really is no former glory to restore (from what I gather on here).

^The main reason it took so long to dismantle Drachen Fire was that Busch was trying to sell the coaster for a few years before they decided to scrap it. Doubt SoB will be put up for sale.

So hopefully the final result won't be boring. But, I wish they'd explain in detail what the issues are. It's only 25mph, it's not going to pull a Whistler. Maybe the only reason the originals were thrilling was because of the lack of safety standards.

I have a question for the people who rode SOB in its first year of operation. Was it always a terrible ride? Did you get off the ride the first time and immediately come to that conclusion or was it kind of average and deteriorate over time? Just curious.

I'd be down and would purchase just as soon as it was available.

I've wanted to make a trip here but it's a 6-hour trip from Richmond. I'll have to include it on a bigger trip with other parks like Beech Bend, Kings Island, and Holiday World!

I went to college in St. Augustine and always wondered what the Ripley museum was like. Now I know!

I liked the TR and I gave you a 5 because it looks better than anything I would have posted and I'm three times your age!

In honor of this latest photo update I'll buy two Slurpees. One for me and one I'll pour out in Gary's memory.