John Peck

Of what I have been on: 1: Big Bad wolf 2. Top Gun/Flight Deck/Bat 3: Vortex 4: Ninja 5: XLR-8 6: Draggin' Iron

Not sure if now's the time to panic about the large S&S Swing rides. The swing at Knotts and Dorney, as said, were both smaller Pay-extra models. Cedar Fair has been removing a lot of pay-extra attractions in recent years... mostly go-carts.... and a few other things. But they have been adding Slingshots to some of their higher attendance parks.

Right... i believe the patterns is how the state economy is doing and how well tourism is going. Ohio's economy is doing pretty well right now, it wasn't between 2008 and 2011 as much.

I would be wary of any signs that say "Caution: You may get wet on this ride"

Last season, Millennium Forces yellow train was late to the game because they replaced some of the metal on it (on all 3 trains, actually) with fiberglass... and Intamin was late on the shipment.

I don't know if they can, but a Scrambler can, and Eli Bridge says no—they should not. I just don't know much about the Sizzler in question.

^ Exactly. So, going back to my first post, i wonder if the ride was running backwards and if so, did the restraint open by being opened or failing (if it did open). In this photo i took in 2014 of Poor Jack's Amusements Sizzler, you can see the safety bars are pretty big, and if the ride is moving in the forward position, I don't know how you would come out.

I know they have a little bit of more room now with the elimination of the second track. If you look at this old overhead, you can see the original layout of both sides. Not sure if you can fit much in the space flat-ride-wise, but you could intertwine another coaster pretty easily. from Google

Despite some accidents here and there, carnival rides are pretty safe. And as it was mentioned above, yes, portable rides are inspected more than fixed rides in some states. Some Sizzlers safety bars have an electronic release while others have a manual one, so there is that to think about if the bar failed or was opened, or not properly secured. Look, I'm not taking sides here, and I feel terrible for the loss of the girl, the other girl injured and their families, but I just can't see how you can come out of a Sizzler if you are riding in the proper upright seated position... the force keeps you in like a scrambler. I've ridden a dozen of them and even if the bar were to open, I'm not coming out ... unless ... it was running backwards.

Looks pretty good. Is this the location where the Wildcat coaster was?

http://amusementtoday.com/2016/04/mike-chance-loses-battle-with-depression/ Mike Chance loses battle with depression By AT Staff | April 20, 2016 Michael Chance_CRWICHITA, Kan. — In a prepared statement to the amusement industry, Chance Rides, Inc. has announced that company President Mike Chance lost his battle with depression on April 19 at the age of 42. “Yesterday our family and company suffered a tremendous loss. Our son and company president Mike Chance lost his long‐term and well‐fought battle with depression. Mike had suffered from this tough disease for years and had faithfully sought treatment and relief from its effects. Like any other disease that is not yet well understood, depression is often difficult to successfully treat.” said Dick Chance, CEO of Chance Rides and Mike’s father. “We are proud of Mike for bravely fighting this disease for years while living a full and rich life as a wonderful husband and father, son, grandson, brother, friend and a great company leader. He was a triathlete who competed alongside friends in Iron Man triathlons across the country. Mike valiantly fought this disease while focusing on doing great work together with our employees so the fact that he had this disease will come as a surprise to many who knew him. Just as with other diseases that take our loved ones too early, our family’s hope is that research into the treatment for depression will advance. And that those seeking relief from this disease will find a path to successful treatment.” Michael Chance joined the family business in 2000 with the purchase of D.H. Morgan Manufacturing, Inc. and became President of Chance Morgan, Inc., today known as Chance Rides, Inc. He was instrumental in expanding the company into roller coaster design and manufacturing and in the development of new products. He graduated from Kansas State University with a marketing degree. He and his wife Mindi have one son. Harold Chance formed the original Chance company in 1961. Dick Chance has been the Chance CEO since 1985. Company ownership remains within the Chance family. Service arrangements and memorials are pending. Chance Rides announced the news to employees this morning and is offering ongoing grief counseling for its 100 employees. AmusementToday.com will post service information once arrangements are finalized.

Well, I'm not trying to shoot down that idea, but there are stakes back by the train shed (not that it means its for this project) plus I doubt they spent quite a lot of money to build the new games and funnel cake stand to add to a 48-year old log ride. Knotts just heavily refurbished an existing structure. Oh, and for the record, count me in as one of the people who would prefer it stay... I love that ride.

Let's talk a little about log flumes, many of this is a matter of opinion and observation... In the 1960s and early 1970's.... - Many new parks were being built due to the success of disney and kings island and there were few options for high-capacity family rides - flumes were very unique rides, and not what you would find everywhere, and these were the "big" rides then - there were very few types of coasters... either wood or small steel (the mine train was being developed during the same time) so flumes filled the niche of a longer family ride that had the traquilness of a floating river and the excitement of a coaster drop - some parks had 2 of these built to help capacity (car rides as well) - Parks didn't have waterparks as we know them today... except maybe a pool and a slide or two, so there were very few "wet" rides Fast forward to the 80's.. - As parks built bigger coasters, the log flumes remained in the shadows, and operational costs would rise - Rapids rides came on the scene - Parks began building water parks, so there was more ways to keep guests cool - while still popular, the flumes rarely got noticeable upgrades Going towards 2000 and beyond - on top of operational costs, many flumes needed many large replacement parts... kings island replaced the trough on their flume in 2000 - the large spaces that these rides took were prime places for expansions of new park rides - with waterparks more popular, and new innovative rides and slides, the flume continued to take a back-seat - flumes operational costs vs capacity were making them harder to justify keeping, plus add to that a huge crew and labor costs rising In closing, I feel the real demise of the log flume has been the rise of the waterpark and lack of park space (to some... KI obviously has a lot of land, but its spread out way beyond the developed areas).

Skywheel control panel. © 2014 John Peck

4: The fence and sign is between the Flume ride and the train station. If the Flume ride goes, that opens up a huge entrance plaza for a massive coaster 5: If you are familiar with the park, the new parking entrance has you turn where the North exit used to be (near Great Wolf). If you're coming from the south, there is no other south entrance, that has been removed, so you have to drive past the park slightly. Once you do turn in, you follow the old exit road (which has been widened, and you pass the cemetery and then you reach the toll plaza.

Part two..... new concrete and funnel cakes! Rapids ride path entrance there will be a train crossing when done new soccer game new basketball game (this puts all the games together in the area) a wider look of the new games Scramblers new look and led lights looks nice. Goodbye!

John Peck™ Presents: "What's New at Kings Island®" ©2016 We got to the park today at about 9am and left around 6:30. Ride lines were long, but manageable... and a little slower, understandably. As mentioned above. Food service was very bad. Many glitches with the systems and some employees in training. For example, at the Festhaus, it took me 30 minutes to get my pizza... one girl would pull the pizza, cut it, plate it and serve it.. the other girl, next to her, who was managing the fries and chicken tenders... would just stand and watch whilst she had little to no customers. Does she not know teamwork... or is it a requirement that she stay in her exact station? I just found it odd. I was able to talk to some "higher ups" walking around the park and many of these opening day glitches are being addressed. Eiffel Tower was closed due to maintenance, so no pics from up above and no pics of tropical falls except in one of the parking lot photos. Now onto the photos. the new entrance a closer look the parking toll after the toll it takes you past the tall KI sign near the road, then you loop around. you can see Tropical falls here This may look much different next year This game was converted into an oasis Will this be here next year? End of the line for you, Charlie.... B&M Giga! Centurion! The infamous fence The only photo that you'll see of this on the internet The bridge is gone New concrete exit path for the traib... wider, too the new Rapids ride path, that will open memorial day weekend more for the future path behind the fence... i see markings dirt and markings another look where the basketball game was.

Some of the systems were down for the drink refills bar codes, so it made for huge lines at panda express. The wife left the line after a half hour. Trip report coming soon.

Being an avid "flyer' enthusiast, I felt that Kings Dominions were absolutely perfect when i went in October. I was able to snap that thing every time... coming down and going up. Not sure if there was a no snapping rule, I didn't see one and nobody said anything to me besides compliments.

..and there's a lot of trees in the area, too. Wood coasters come from felled trees as well... though I still think a Giga is the parks next ride.

I wonder if it's because you get a 52" height restriction vs a 54" with the old ones... more younger riders can enjoy it.

After reading peoples track lists (and not seeing it-or missing it), I can't believe nobody mentioned "Freebird"

New "Coaster" for Indiana Beach! http://amusementtoday.com/2016/04/indiana-beach-boardwalk-resort-announces-new-looping-coaster/ Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort Announces New Looping Coaster By AT Staff | April 13, 2016 Monticello, IN – April 12, 2016 Indiana Beach, Indiana’s Favorite Boardwalk Resort, will kick off its upcoming 90th Anniversary season with the addition of a looping-reversing coaster called Zero G. Manufactured by Texas-based Larson International, the single loop coaster stands 5 stories high and can accommodate 20 riders at one time. Zero G will be placed on Indiana Beach’s classic Boardwalk Funway. “Indiana Beach is excited to have this new ride added to our line-up of six rollercoasters and other thrill attractions”, said John Collins Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resorts General Manager. “With all the park improvements and upgrades being completed in preparation for Indiana Beach’s 90th anniversary season, adding a ride as thrilling as Zero G is icing on the cake” Collins stated. Zero_G_at_Indiana_Beach_Ride_photo The “Larson Loop” coaster builds riders’ anticipation as it rocks back and forth before looping 360 degrees, pausing briefly to suspend riders upside down. The ride is scheduled to be open at the start of the 2016 season. About Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort Indiana Beach is located in Monticello, Indiana on Lake Shafer. The resort was founded in 1926 and purchased by Apex Parks Group in September 2015. The resort features a Boardwalk Funway, seven roller coasters, 45 rides, the Shafer Queen Paddlewheel boat, two campgrounds, rental accommodations, and an on-property hotel. Ideal Beach, the water park, includes the original swimming pool with sand beach, water slides, an action river, and kid’s spray area. About Apex Parks Group Apex is a privately held company based in Aliso Viejo, California with 13 Family Entertainment Centers, 2 Water Parks, and 1 Amusement Park Resort in California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and Indiana. Apex Parks Group is currently one of the largest owners of Family Entertainment Centers in the United States. Apex Parks was founded in 2014 to acquire and operate best-in-class out-of-home entertainment assets and is committed to excellence, to the communities they serve, and to delivering value that exceeds expectation.

I really don't think there is much of a difference where you buy it. I think some of the smaller Cedar Fair parks have the Platinum a bit cheaper just because they are so far from any other cedar fair property... but I would have to look at each park separately. I do know is it's cheaper to buy at the end of the season rather than the beginning. Oh, and coming from Cali, prepare to have your mind blown on how much cheaper things are in Ohio.

^ Just no way to get the ROI. Unless you remarket the attraction. If they do a floorless or sitdown conversion to Vortex, then perhaps a roof will be in the budget as well. Speaking of Vortex, is it even possible to go the floorless route with Six Flags being so close... I don't know if there is a no-compete rule with similar rides.