Reon

Definately. Not sure if I'm imagining it right, but it seems like you'd get flung around that last helix pretty fast aster a sloped turn into a steepish drop (maybe some airtime in the drop?) Looks like lots of fun for a "simple" design. Also, AJ. Your first post mentioned something about flat rides? I haven't stalked the Disney thread so I dont know quite what you were referencing....Old models? New concepts?... I'd love to see what you had in mind.

Thats what I thought. Been too busy working the rides to check out any of the new for 2011 Haunts/trails so far, but I'm gonna try to go through the park next Friday or Saturday when I'm off.... -Everyone's favorite Monster/Scrambler/Dodgems guy

^This Always awesome to see someone like you come along and actually post some legitamate work. I can't stresss how many times I've shot myself down for not going into engineering and pursuing this kind of stuff because I'm horrible with comlicate math and physics. Still, awesome slide, although this version seems alot different than the first with a much bigger drop. Also, what happened to the transparentish panels for the curves? I thought that was your origional concept for the ride....

That log flume/mine train in the middle pic=some of THE best RCT2 work I've seen in ages! COMPLETE THS PARK NOW

Legoland looks like its done a great job refurbing Cypress Gardens! I'll have to check it out sometime...Actually, to those who have been there or to any Legoland park, how are operations? I'm talking terms of ride operators, speiling, efficency..all that kind of stuff. I need to finda more full time theme park job, and this might be a good place to try.

The only things that close early for Haunt are the Viking Ship and Planet SNoopy. Not entrely sure on Dinosaurs Alive though. I think its open as a children's haunt.

Knotts would be my thought to stay with Cedar Fair (a major company I'm already inolved with-leading to better chances for promotion and hopefully a full time job down the line.) Really anywhere that I can more or less be a full time ride op is ideal, but like I said before, I am a speil master so CF is awesome for that....

^Defiantetly. My Ride Op experience has let me intereact with 2 trips so far, but I only met with people when they came through Coney Island a few years back (yay for small laid pack park where I can guest relate to the extreme for no reason!). Also I was part of BIg Mike's Ohio/Indiana leg, but that doesnt really count... I REALLY want to do LeviaTHON/New Hotness next year, since it basically bundles up all my reasonable plans for next year, adds in some revisits to my favorite parks, and more...all with the epic TPR trip experience.

And the first person to post the KI leg of the trip....Couple things to say: First of all, love that you got pictures of my rides (monster/scrambler/dodgems) I was in the park all day, but unfortunately was never Driving while TPR members walked by, so I couldn't microphone anyone over... Secondly, I actually remember seeing that picnic sign. I remembered it was also the day of the employee picnic, but by the time I went on break, you guys had already finished Finally, I agree with you on alot of points about Vortex/Flght Deck/Beast etc. Good job on that or something. Still can't believe you guys got Diamondback ERT at 8am! I remember walking into work just before 9 and seing full trains running cycles. You guys looked like you had an awesome day, and I'm just sad that I was an all day so I didn't have any time to meet members and hang out.... -Jared

Coming from the midwest, I have a question to all you KBF locals. How is operations up there? I'm a ride operator down at Kings Island and love nothing less than to speil to hype up guests and care for any ride I have ever touched. My years down at Coney Island/KI can attest to that and I've been lookng for a place where I can further use my skils more or less yearround. I feel that sticking with Cedar Fair may be my best shot, and KBF is the only place I can think of that is open a good majority of the year. So I was wondering how things were up there, and if it was worth it to move to California.....I'm well aware that its expensive in that area, but honestly I live and breath amusement parks, so I'd live off of bare neccessities anyways. Thanks for any help or advice, Jared (aka that cool dude stuck on flat rides that gets to work Racer/Invertigo sometimes)

A very sad day indeed. Rest In Peace, old friend. I dont care what people say about modern scream machines, KI Vortex will always be one of my favorites....

I know the targeted audience for the Fast Pass. It stinks for everyone who doesn't get Fast Pass because it just makes the lines longer; that's why I don't like them. The issue with fastpass is that were comparing it to systems we know like Q-Bot. Sure the alternative is cheaper, but for less service. While a Q-bot can manage and shorten your waits for most attractions, the Fast Lane is basically a wristband that lets you right on. Theres no waiting, no getting a specific time to ride. You just show up, show the operator your wristband, and just hop on in the next available cycle. Its a low blow to people waiting in line, but once again, this is an exclusive rite to have paid an additional $50 on top of admission. I'd say its well worth it, especially now that were getting into Haunt season and all the major rides/Haunts will be CROWDED!!!!! Speaking of which: fright pass=best idea ever! I know when I was checking out Haunt for the first time last year that it took me a good 3 visits to see everything. Now you can go through each area once and still have ride time for a reasonable extra fee. Might have to invest in one on my day off.... -that one cool guy who's usually stuck on Monster/Scrambler/Dodgems but sometimes gets to work coasters

Not too big of a year since I sold my soul to Kings Island, but so far: Kings Island xWhenever I have a day off/feel like it Holiday World x1 Six Flags Great America x1 Mt. Olympus x1 Timber Falls x1 Columbus Zoo x1 Cedar Point x5 (4 days for Coastermania + Another trip) I plan on makinga trip up to Cedar Point for Haunt before the season ends, and I DO have the weekend of PPP off. Not sure if I'm going to attentd though, since I might just save for TPR trips instead. Really, the only thing to disapoint me this season is lack of annual trip to Stricker's Grove and Indiana Beach.

Not 100% sure on this, but I think those were decorations last year as well. Last year was my first year goign to Haunt so I didnt focus on every little detail... As far as running it, I've heard rumors on every single angle, but I have to agree that the flaw is in the track's structure, not just some sort of retracking issue... [insert rant on how I work for CF and can't say anything else here]

Thats pretty unfortunate that they dont duel anymore. Back in the day when I went to IOA, it was one of my favorite rides, and is still pretty unmique. As for what hit the victims, as a ride operator for the past six years I'm wondering what the loose item policy is. The timing BEGS for some scandal or wallet to fly out and hit the other person as the trains fling by each other....

^I think their mentioning trick track? Maybe something like Shivering Timbers has... Idealealy though, I'd like to see the covered bridge with some new fangled technology like the drop track on Th13teeen. Either way, cant wait for Verbolten. I've yet to go to BGW, but this might be the year (esspecially if I can save up for that TPR trip)

October 15? Pee-shaw, Phall Phunfest is where it's at! I'm going to be riding Phoenix in a tuxedo! So will they have everything ready for PPP? I already requested the weekend off from KI, but since I'm saving for a certain TPR trip next year I'm debating if it would be worth it or if I should just do another park that weekend.... Either way, I'll say it before and I'll say it again. Knoebels is AMAZING in all sencecs of the word. Great food, awesome old school rides, (one of) the best wooden coasters in the world, and even if they get hit by a flood that bad they can get everything cleaned up and bounce back in a week! How is NOT the best park ever?

In all honesTy,

Everybody have fun at KI today. As a shameless plug, dont forget to say hi...I'll try to get sent to a coaster crew, but knowing my luck I'll be stuck at Monster/Scrambler/Dodgems as always....Hope to see you guys there. Its been years since you rolled through on your last Midwest tour! -Jared

Since no one has posted it yet, Vortex has been back up since Friday night! Its slowly getting back into shape since it hasn't run in nearly a month, but so far I've seen it run most of the time over the last few days. (there was a bit of down time on Friday/Saturday for the trains to match up with the breaks) I'm going to test it out tomorow after my swing shift ends around 7/8ish.

As someone who was born and raised at KI (and now works there), I'm a bit mixed on having some form of Lo-Q there. From my experience, the only ride that will really benefit from that system is Firehawk. Aside from busier days for events or weekends, you can typically get on almost any ride (bar X Base) in half an hour or less. Its a nice money making opportunity, and I can see how other CF parks would benefit, but KI doesn't seem to be one of those... Can't wait to see what they plan on doing to SoB!

I actually Skyrush. Sounds pretty cool for a tall and/or fast coaster, which I'm assuming is what this will end up being. Either way, schedualling my return to HP for next year. Havn't been to the place since 2005!

Being someone who enjoys small parks, I LOVED Waldameer. 2 interesting haunted houses, one of my favorite flumes in the area, and ofcourse RF2, along with various other fun rides and an overall afordable park make it worth a few hours in the park to play. Its up to you, but I'd say its certainly worth a little side trip.

I dont know about Bay Beach because it seems like its out of the way. Atleast Little Amerika is in the same general direction.... 1. Thursday it is then. Any plan of attack for the park? I've been once so I'm only missing a few credits, but my friend never has gone. 2. Those were the parks I was looking at so far...any other suggestions? 3. Cant wait to ride their Mouse. I've been wanting to check it out for years now

This week, I'm going to be visiting my friend up in Milwaukee who's interning at Harley Davidson this summer, and we figured we'd hit some parks. I have gone to the Dells a few times with my cousins, but we usually just hit Mt. Olympus, so I still need some help. So, here be some wonderful questions: *For Six Flags Great America (not Dells, but we're hitting that another day), how much of a difference does it make between a Thursday and a Friday this time of the year? *For the Dells, whats a good general plan of attack, both cash and fun wise? *Is it possible and/or advised to hit Little Amerika on the way to or from the Dells? Thanks for any help as usual... -Jared