PKI Jizzman

From the park today.. "Careful! Infrared detectors in use!" "Extreme danger!" "Easily angered!" DO NOT DISTURB!

Just posted on KI's site. Check it out. THE STORY BEHIND THE BEAST The idea for building arguably the greatest roller coaster of all-time at Kings Island actually began as a dream of re-creating one of the Midwest’s most popular old coasters. When Kings Island construction and engineering personnel began planning to build a new coaster for 1979, their aim was to reconstruct the old Shooting Star, an immensely popular ride at Cincinnati’s Coney Island before the park closed in 1971. Charles Dinn, director of construction, maintenance and engineering at Kings Island at the time, had surveyed the Shooting Star before it was torn down and had recorded each measurement of the ride. Dinn and his crew had even chosen a site, right next to Kings Island’s Racer coaster. But Kings Island officials decided the rebuilding an old coaster was not the answer. While agreeing that a new Shooting Star would be great for nostalgia buffs, they reasoned that a newer, better coaster would be even more popular, and have more of a universal appeal. But where would it be built, and what would it be like? That’s when Kings Island’s management explored many options, and realized that a wooded area at the southeast corner of the park had terrain that could accommodate a very special roller coaster. A monster roller coaster! Bingo! Everything began to fall into place. With 35 acres to work with, there were virtually no limitations on space or length of the ride. And with the use of natural rugged terrain through trees and skirting ravines, the coaster would be able to provide thrills and surprises unlike any coaster ever built. On a rainy afternoon, on April 4, 1979, with a spring chill drifting up from the Little Miami River, six engineers, 17 technicians, 53 construction workers, four managers, one general manager and 33 assorted involved people, watched as The Beast roller coaster’s gleaming red 2,700-pound train was placed carefully on the untested tracks. The first test of The Beast was beginning. About to be judged were three and one-half years of planning, 30 months of studying the world’s greatest roller coasters, several life-times of experience, 4,300 hours of precise design work to limit all tolerances down to less than 1/16 of an inch, 87,000 hours of construction work, a computerized safety system, the investment of $3.8 million and the anticipated thrills of nearly three million plus thrill seekers that summer. The Beast had already been called the world’s ultimate coaster by authorities, buffs and fans. But, despite all the engineering and planning and design, its great hills (the two longest vertical drops in the world at the time), its banked turns (eight in all, including a 540 degree helix), its awesome length (still world record 7,400 feet), its yawning tunnels and its rugged terrain, everyone was anxiously waiting for that gleaming red train to return. They were delighted when the train roared back into the station, witnessing the start of something special. The Beast was “unchained” in a special preview for members of the national, local and regional press on April 13, 1979. The ride opened to the public the following day to rave reviews and continues to thrill park guests nearly 30 years later, annually ranked as one of the top wooden roller coasters in the world by Amusement Today readers.

And the ride is a shadow of its former self. It used to have a much more forcefull loop and air time. That was before Disney trimmed the ride. I know they have the MCBR's, and they do have one of those magnetic LIM-esque things before each, but the MCBR's were off the whole time, and I didn't feel like we were being slowed down before either! The loop was forcefull, and the airtime hills threw me out of my seat every time! But that first hill in the front seat is where it's at

Oh yes, here's that picture I was looking for from a regular Saturday last year. I got on TTD, MF, Gemini, and Maverick in 4 hours. I considered myself lucky. Sea of cars and 2 hour + lines

Hey guys! I'm sad to report I've returned from Disney. What an incredible experiance. By far my best vacation and three days spent away from home. The charm, thrills, accomodations, food, service, everything was perfect. Unfortunately, I was not able to get over to Knott's. When I called Knott's, they said the only means of transportation for me to get from Grand Cali to Knott's, was a cab. I didn't really want to make it a hassle to get from here to there by a certain time. Things were going on and dates were already made! And besides, I'm 10 minutes from Tower of Terror, Indy and Cali Screamin'...why the heck would I leave?! Wow, where do I start?! I took hundreds of photos, over 50 minutes of video...and all these rides, hotels, pools, attractions, and stories to report! I'm suffering a bit from jet lag at the moment, so I'll give a brief preview. -Indiana Jones: Eye of Forbidden Temple absolutely blew me away. Holy crap. What an amazing ride! The amount of detail put into every square inch of the ride left me breathless! Best non coaster ride anywhere! -California Screamin': I totally understand how this is similar to Maverick. Wow, what a nice coaster. A powerfull launch, insane airtime! a forcefull loop, music, and everything you would want all packed into one coaster. One of my favorite coasters now. -Tower of Terror: Why are people saying WDW's is the 'good tower'? Or am I getting this mixed up?! This ride is freaking AWESOME! Forget Drop Tower, Giant Drop, or Demon Drop....ToT has surprise drops, S&S space shot moments, and .......JUST A SEATBELT! Best drop ride of all time!!! Oh...and Dolewhip rocks Matterhorn...one of the most beautifully landscaped rides I've seen. Ah, Disneyland... The best rapids ride of all time. Rapidsnerd, this is the holy grail. Mmm...Screamin'! That's all for now, folks -JZ

That drive will be at least an hour. Haha, I just realized that post. And we sat for an hour One thing I need help on is transportation from Grand Californian to Knott's! Does anyone know of a shuttle or an Anaheim bus service that would stop by both, or in the vicinity of both? Thanks so much for the help, guys. I shall reward with great pictures! Oh...and video! -J "6AM...getting stuff and heading out..." Z

Unfortunately, my encounters with GCI were when: a- I hadn't found my knack for photography yet! (Dollywood, '05) b- Beech Bend didn't open up for Holiday Fest until it got dark! Dude, Rumbler was wicked. -J 'Number one wood...' Z

Here's a few things I'm thinking about. Maverick: Some things were misleading. -After the teasers today, what the heck does "ride sally ride" have to do with anything hinted before? I'm thinking it's a snake. -"The park STRIKES back." Doesn't a snake strike when provoked? -And how about the water splash? Doesn't a snake glide on water sometimes? I think some do... King Cobra returns? -JZ

Man, really wish SFoG kept this monster for one more year. I really want to ride one of these! I'll just have to settle for Invertigo for now..-sigh- -JZ

Love 'em! I've been to: -Boomerang Bay:KI -The Beach Waterpark -Wet 'n Wild, AU -Carowinds Waterpark My favorite by far is Wet 'n Wild, AU. Not only do they have an Intamin HalfPipe/water coaster...they have insane body slides, tube rides, raft rides, and they are right next door to Movie World! They must have 20-40 slides there, it's paradise!

Some KIC pics! It's really not that great! I mean, sub par! It's a piece! I'm going to SoB... Need to make some more room. Cut down those trees. Seems like a dead end, Bill. Mmm....Drop Zower....what? Zour? No, I meant Tower! Mm....zours.. Back inside the viewing area... The grand picture So many trims. And they hurt. It's like being in the passenger seat and someone hits the breaks because they just realized they can't make the yellow light after flooring it, trying to make it. Yup, three times. Pain....boring...straight track...what's so special? Yeah, let's...like put some stuff back there. But not fireworks... Yeah....hawk....moving on.. Brown and a dark, blood red Red, yellow, brown? It's for KI..

In my opinion, I think it will have something to do with a serpent. It looks like a snake to me, and they can live in the desert or woods. Something to do with maybe a mythical serpent or something in that area sounds like it to me. -JZ

Agreed. Mustang...or Fugative? Doesn't seem like the direction this is going... I spy...

Hahahahahaha that's my supervisor, Sean! LOL! I was there when it happened! Nice KI report, glad you liked the rides, food, and operations! Yeah, Drop Tower is great -J 'Too bad my Beast ride SUCKED!' Z

I'm ready to take on any 'rough' wooden coaster, man I just had a freaking HORRIBLE ride in the front car of the Beast last night. I'm leaving tomorrow! Can't wait! -JZ

Wow, this is by far my favorite speculation of a TPR trip! I really can't wait to get on one of these! Can't wait for more! -JZ

ADMIN EDIT, please do not backseat moderate. Thanks.

Wait, if that's already built...then what's the B&M red track over here going to be used for?

Just got the schedule! My flight leaves out of Cinci at 8:55AM...so we should arrive in LAX around 10:30AM. Then a 30 minute drive to DL. So around 12PM we should be in DL/DCA. Wednesday: Check in and enjoy the parks! Thursday: 8AM-6PM: Free time at DL and DCA 6PM: Dinner at Festival Arena 8:45PM: Private viewing of the fireworks 9PM-12AM: Enjoy Disneyland!!!! Friday: 6-9AM: Breakfast at the Grand Californian Hotel Whatever: Free park time until 12AM 6:45-9PM: Golden Vine Winery at DCA Saturday: I'm not sure what time we leave.

Update

I just got some more news that there will be a big dinner at the Golden Vine Winery @ California Adventure Theme Park. It's supposedly has a great view of the parade!

Exactly, the place where they shoot fireworks...they can't have anyone or anything...but fireworks back there.

Um...no there isn't....

They are just getting everything there to set it up. Some parts may arrive earlier or later than other ones. It's like spreading out all the tools to build this thing.