cjeagle35

Wow, are they really allowed to do that? How is that not some form of discrimination? I can't believe they haven't been sued for only allowing workers in that area to be black. That seems like segragation to me.

^I thought Maureen Kaiser said at Eastcoaster or something, that they would be modifying the new trains to fit SoB's guage, not retracking the entire ride to fit the new trains. Seems like that would be the cheaper way too go, but who knows, plans may have changed.

Villain has two Gerstlauer trains and Raging Wolf Bobs has two (one being a former Villain train, the other being the former Legend train). I'm pretty sure they're not going to Geauga Lake, they have enough of those darn trains there. My mistake, I thought Raging Wolf Bobs was currently running 2 trains, one of the orginal PTCs and one Gerstlaurer from Legend. But did Intamin really want to build KI's concept as is? Do we now if there was a block with CP? Was Intamin capable of building a woodie like SoB at the time? I guess we'll never know. But I wouldn't say KI's concept was all that different than CP's, each wanted the biggest and tallest coaster, and there was a bit more competion between those two parks back then. Of course I know that, but it doesn't change the fact they didn't exist yet. Who knows, maybe GG could have tried something like SoB with enough money. They 2 installations seem to be a much higher level than the old CCIs. Hell, then maybe the ride could actually be good. I think we are all in agreement here. This was obviously the stupidest Paramount installation of all time. I can only imagine how much better the park would be without SoB.

Except Intamin had never built a wooden with its prefabricated wood system before 2000 when SoB was built. Colossus was their first and it was built in 2001. Plus I don't think Intamin could build a coaster at Kings Island that year, considering Cedar Point was opening Intamin's Millennium Force that year. CCI and GCI were totally against building a 200ft woodie, and S&S and GG had not gotten into building woodies yet. So to install the concept of the worlds tallest, fastest, and only looping wooden coaster, Kings Island was forced into a second rate manufactorer. I agree with everyone else on here, if Kings Island doesn't seriously modify these trains, Son of Beast of 2007 will not be an improvement. As previously stated, Gerstlaurer trains are known for their uncomfortable design. Although there are some G-trains that seem to run well, Legend (when it had them) and Raging Wolf Bobs. I wonder how the retracking on Villain will help that ride. I kind of wonder why these trains were selected for Son of Beast. Does anyone know of any G-trains that go above 80mph? I just wonder my KI went with trains that had never experienced anything like what they will run like on SoB rather than go with a custom job from better quality manufacturer. Obviously these trains will have to undergo some kind of reprofiling to fit SoB's track guage. One thing is for certain, if they don't change more than that, SoB certainly won't become a more comfortable ride. I also wonder about the capacity issue. 2 24rider trains is quite drop for the 3 30(before 36) trains that it used to run with. This really makes me wonder, because with 7,000+ feet of track, and seat belts, capacity on SoB will probably be in the 600 people per hour range. That just seems a little strange to me. Some people at the kicentral forums have posted the idea that these trains could possibly only been sent to Kings Island on route to another park, specifically Geauga Lake. Raging Wolf Bobs and Villain both only run 1 Gerstlaurer train so its possible they could be sent there to give these coasters 2 trains or used for parts. Or they could be used for parts on KI's coasters. Some of this all seems to be wishful thinking to me, but I'll admit I do have some doubts as to 2 used Gerstlaurers being the next trains of Son of Beast.

Its nice to see all the new work on the station. They updated the CP blog with picture of the station too. Things are looking good, I just interested in what the station will look like when finished.

Yeah, right now I'm in the process of planning a trip to Florida for the beginning of April. I'd really love to hit all those parks, but I'm afraid cost is just too big of an issue. I've done Disney before, loved it, and I know its worth it. Its just that Universal's 7 day, 2 park offer for $85, is just too good of a deal to pass up. Plus I'm kind of learly of the crowds for that weekend. I plan on hitting Busch Gardens Africa for a day too. What kind of tickets did you get? Just a one day or something else? Do you think it all can be done in one day? I also was thinking of their 2 day pass to BGA and Seaworld Orlando. What are the crowds like at BGA? Thanks.

I must join the others in replying, Congratulations!

Some great pics dude. I love seeing all those little "details" that Disney puts into their themeing. It really makes the parks very interesting. I hope to make a Florida trip soon, damn that Ohio weather. Oh and by the way, Go Flyers!!

I don't think you can blame the average person for thinking that the park could be closing soon. They don't see the business side of the issue. They don't realize how much Steel Venom and X-Flight cost to operate. They don't see this will help the park's profits so much by not having these large coasters to run. All they see is that coasters are leaving, and nothing is going in to replace them. So they just think that logically, the park will be gone soon. I think this is a smart move for Cedar Fair, it will obviously help the park's profits. But they had to see the bad publicity they were going to recieve. They couldn't have expected to get rid of the park's 2 biggest rides without making people think they were "liquidating" the park. I just hope CF's next investment into the park is something that will help the park return to its "local family park" roots. Guess we will have to just wait and see.

Where did you here this rumor at? Where is your proof? Not doubting you, it just sparks my interest. Rumors have been that Cedar Point is looking into a new water ride to replace White Water Landing. Maybe this could be that new ride. I just wonder what the water ride could be. A new concept perhaps?

^^I never said Cedar Fair didn't influence their decisions. They obvisously did in this instance. However, Cedar Fair only recommended the name change. If you don't like the name change, don't blame Cedar Fair. The board of directors made the decision, its their park and they decide what is best for it. Who would better know the park than the BOD? In this case, they felt that CF's suggestion would be best for the park and decided to go along with it.

First of all, there are quite a few flaws in your arguement. You seem to think that Michael Bonfante and the rest of the orginal staff has little to do with the park now. That is quite mistaken. Cedar Fair only runs the day to day operations at the park, like staffing and maintence. Things like capital projects, what type of food is served, choosing advertising companies, and name changing is all on the park's board of directors. You also seem to think this name change is just Cedar Fair's doing, that is totally incorrect. It was only CF's recommendation. The park's board of directors, made up of Bofante and the same people that have been running the park since it opened in 2001, had the choice to either accept or decline the name change. They felt this would be the best for the park, and why would you question them? They have been running the park for its entire existance, they know what would help the park better than anybody. If the board of directors felt that either Paramount or Cedar Fair wasn't doing a good job in their management of the park, they could always terminate their contract. If you disagree with the changes that are occuring, the only person to blame is Bofante. Its his park, he writes the checks, and he makes the decisions. If you have a problem with the park, its Bofante's fault. I say if he wants to change the name of the park, install new rides, or do anything else, he has the right as the park's founder to do so.

^Wish I could make tell what they are actually doing. Honestly if you told me these workers were working on a new coaster, I wouldn't believe you. This is why I really wished Kings Island would give us some pictures and videos of what the ride and area will actually look like when finish. Following construction when you don't know what the end product will look like may be fun, but personally I'd like to see where they are going with all this work that is being done.

On the contrary, after doing some research, I believe this may be a smart move for the park. First of all, the park only opened in 2001, so its not as the park has a huge history, and that a name change would damage all of that. The name change will increase local interest in the park, and nonlocal visitors will identify the park with its area. The change shows the park's interest in representing the area, and its uniqueness. For example, the new onion character is in response of the area being a large producer of garlic, and is know for that, like with its annual "Gilroy Garlic Festival." This name change indentifies visitors with the town of Gilroy, helping the park and the city, as more people are attracted to the area. As blaming Cedar Fair for this name change would be unfair. Cedar Fair only operates the park. It was under Cedar Fair and their advertising firm's recommendation, that the Park's Board of Directors approved the name change. These Directors have been running the park since its beginning, they know as much as anybody what will help the park, and they agree with it. Just look what park founder Michael Bonfante said about the name change..... I'd say the park's management is quite happy with the change. None of them, including Bonfante himself, seem upset with taking his name off the park. With the park's new changes and attractions, I'm sure interest in this park will increase. Thats great news for the park, but more specifically, the trees and beautiful gardens, as the park is non-profit, and all money goes into maintaining this beautiful landscape.

Living in Ohio, I can tell you that cornhole is a pretty big game here. I honestly didn't think that Ohio was unique in playing this game and that many have never heard of it before. Its the perfect game for your outdoor festivities, like tailgating for sports events or having some other kind of outdoor party in the warmer months. As for it succeeding at Geauga Lake, it just might, because it is a fun and enjoyable time. If prices are understandable, I think Geauga Lake could have some success with this game.

I have a question for those who have ridden rides with Intamin OTSRs (Kingda Ka, Storm Runner, ect.) Do these restraints allow for good moments of airtime? It seems to me that Maverick looks to have lots of spots where a great amount of airtime will be felt. I'd hate to ruin a great ride with bad restraints that just staple you in so you can't feel any airtime. I really feel Maverick will be one of the world's best coasters if the restraints don't take away from the experience. Its a shame this ride couldn't have lapbars, but I guess it will cause less problems. Anybody have any thoughts?

^I'm pretty sure Cedar Fair expected this. There is no way they wouldn't have know that they would look bad in the eyes of the GP by removing quite a few of the park's rides. There is really no way to get rid of a huge neon green coaster and a two huge red towers without anyone noticing. We will just have to see how Cedar Fair plans to get people back to this park. A smaller family park with a great waterpark is fine, but I'd like to see how they are going to achieve this by just removing things. At some point, they are going to have to build something to attract people to this park.

Because Dorney just recieved a new powerline to the park, the same thing that was done at Cedar Point when they installed Wicked Twister. I'm not saying that this is definate proof, the park may just need more power, but it is quite a coincidence. Plus on that site there is no mention of a rumor that Steel Venom will be sent to MiA. Secondly and most importantly, Dorney would be able to support the installation of this ride, unlike MiA. Dorney pulls in about $60 million in revenue, while Michigan's Adventure on brings in about $19 million. Steel Venom would cost much more than a new Gerstlaurer Euro-Fighter. Moving X-Flight to Kings Island cost $7.5 million, will new Euro-Fighters only cost about $3 million. I'm guessing Steel Venom could be installed for about $5 million, seeing as its smaller than X-Flight, but that still makes it far more expensive then a Euro-Fighter. Plus with all the power that Steel Venom needs, it is quite a costly ride to operate, something that MiA, that only brings in $19 million a year, couldn't afford to run. I just don't see SV at MiA, it is just too much for that park to handle. I'd expect another woodie, spinner, or a Euro-Fighter to be MiA's next coaster.

Sorry Milkchan, but thats just not going to happen. I highly doubt this ride will go to MiA. Carowinds is a possiblitity, but I'd put my money on Dorney.

^And what do you base this on?

Cedar Fair is far from turning into Six Flags. First of all, they will not just blindly throw a bunch of coasters into their parks and neglect every other aspect of the park. The slow growth occuring at Worlds of Fun, Michigan's Adventure, and Valleyfair, show just how differently this company operates. They concentrate on park operations, and infastructure, then add rides as they see fit to help the park grow. Michigan's Adventure experience an 18% attendence jump in 2005, and its attendence is also improving in 2006. Cedar Fair added two rides in that time (Grand Rapids and Funnel of Fear), neither are coasters, but the park continues to grow. As shown by their additions to Paramount Parks in 2007 (new shows, coasters resteraunt, waterpark expansions), Cedar Fair will not go the Six Flags route and add as many coasters as possible until they bury themselves in debt.

What's also interesting is that it shows how much they desperatly wanted that ride out of Geauga Lake. Its day to day operations was costing CF so much, they were willing to spend 7.5mil just to get the ride out of there. Quite interesting, but I guess they feel it will give Kings Island enough of a boost to be profitable.

Actually James I just saw at another website that Maureen Kaiser(PKIMaureen), Kings Island's Marketing Communication's Spokesman confirmed that X-Flight cost much more than that $750,000 figure. And I quote "The previous poster is accurate. The new ride will take the majority of the $10 million dollar investment. Have a great day!" http://www.pkicentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9058&st=0 My guess is that the newspaper mixed up their amount of zeros and that Firehawk will cost $7.5 million. So I'm pretty sure that the move of Steel Vemon would cost quite a bit more than MiA could handle. I really doubt that MiA's could afford Steel Venom with the amount it currently takes in. Steel Venom, even moved, would probably cost more than their most expensive investment in the parks history of $5 mil, Grand Rapids. So I think we could pretty much rule out Michigan's Adventure as the future home of Steel Venom.

I have a question with for those who have ridden Silver Bullet, as I haven't been to Knotts since they built that. What is the problem with it? I haven't really heard any good reviews of it, but I've heard lots of complaints about how "forceless" it is. I was just wondering because it seems like it has a pretty good layout and I'm hearing lots of good reviews about Patriot and how thats very intense. Can anybody give me their view on Silver Bullet?

Glad to see Magic Mountain heading in the right direction. My trip there a few years back wasn't very great, but if the park keeps improving like this, I might make a return trip. I know its all small stuff now, but seeing a clean, freshly painted park, with almost all attractions open is much different than the Magic Mountain I experienced a few years ago. Maybe Six Flag's new management does know something about running an amusement park.