John Peck

Son of Crane.

I like these trains as well, but there poses a problem: The clearance is of issue as peoples legs will hang lower, then there is the huge price tag of redesigning the station to fit it, and the trains would have to be shorter by about 4-6 seats because these trains have more space between each set of seats, so capacity would drop. That's what it looks like from what I've gathered.

We too battled the crowds yesterday at the park. I like to experience the Haunt attractions, and since I live in Columbus, it's impossible for me to get there on Fridays due to our work schedule, so we got there for the early opening and were able to get most of the rides in early. To note though... something is happening around Top Gun. There is concrete being demolished under the station and the effects below the station have been removed. There is some equipment and a dumpster below the ride as well. I haven't had time to read other threads if this has been discussed. We did 4 Haunts: Delta Delta Die, which was "okay", Board to Death which really missed some great opportunities, and my two old Favorites, Club Blood and Wolf Pack. Attached are a few photos. Enjoy. Charm Banshee™ from the Coney Mall midway Windseeker and moon New for 2014... Banshee You'll never miss what's missing! So open! You can see some Son of Beast track there still closeup of Son of Beast track Great Views of Top Gun Son of Beast footer? Hi Top Gun! Gods majesty backdrop. Twisty! My favorite haunt Banshee and moon More Charm Atmosphere My Favorite coaster Nobody has ever taken this shot.

You could say that Windseeker at Knotts could be one (though not a coaster, and being moved), or Tomb Raider (again, not a coaster) or Windjammer... even Steel Phantom. Some in the industry say that a ride holds most of its value for 13 years, and after that, if ridership has declined enough, or maintenance headaches have caused a strain on the park, early removal/replacement is necessary. Gwazi is a 1999, so it would be a bit past that. I would say that Hypersonic and Son of Beast have been the biggest flops, though, at least stateside.

Remember folks, Ed got control of the park a little later than expected. There may have not been enough time to get an order placed to B&M (even though he wants one). You're seeing that with the fact that T2 won't be reopening until 2015, he couldn't get his train order in before the deadline. Let's just be grateful that he's getting all of this open for next year.

I've mentioned it before on here based on what I have seen in previous plans, so we'll see if it comes true. But I am thinking the three new theme park rides will be: 1. Steel Coaster (duh) 2. Flying Scooters 3. Star Flyer

Ed Hart showing off progress at Kentucky Kingdom http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/2013/09/take-a-look-behind-the-gates-of.html "Sep 26, 2013, 3:05pm EDT Updated: Sep 26, 2013, 4:09pm EDT Take a look behind the gates of Kentucky Kingdom John Karman III | Business First The target reopening date for the long-shuttered Kentucky Kingdom amusement park is still eight months away, but that didn’t stop park operator Ed Hart and his investment partners from showing off the progress they’ve made in restoring the venue to media members and other guests on Thursday. Hart proved quite the tour guide as he took reporters and members of the Kentucky State Fair Board through the 60-acre park. The fair board manages the state-owned Kentucky Exposition Center, where Kentucky Kingdom is located. Hart reaffirmed his promise that Kentucky Kingdom will reopen May 24, 2014, with new and refurbished rides and attractions. He also said that information about pricing and new rides and features will be announced in November. Hart said he and his investment partners have invested about $10 million to date on improvements at the amusement park. Workers were on hand today, painting, doing landscaping work and making other repairs. Kentucky Kingdom closed in 2009 and never reopened after former operator Six Flags Inc. walked away from its lease. Hart and his partners finally reached a deal with the fair board earlier this year to manage the venue after several previous bids failed. The owners of the Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari amusement park in Santa Claus, Ind., also made a run at reopening Kentucky Kingdom as an attraction called Bluegrass Boardwalk but later backed out of the project. Hart’s partners in Kentucky Kingdom LLLP are Bruce Lunsford, his partner in Hart-Lunsford Pictures LLC; Ed Glasscock, chairman emeritus of Frost Brown Todd LLC law firm; and the Al J. Schneider Co., led by president Mary Moseley. All of the partners were present for today’s tour. Hart has said he and his partners intend to spend $43.5 million to reopen Kentucky Kingdom. About 60 employees currently are on the amusement park’s payroll, according to Hart. And several contractors are on site daily doing repair work and upgrades. “We’re fully mobilized,” Hart said. “There’s a lot to be done. But we’ve accomplished a lot already. It’s starting to have the feel of a theme park, but we are just beginning.”

I thought someone said long ago that the Mega Lites were around $14 Million... or maybe I read it somewhere. (which of course wouldn't match up with the $7 Million proposed price)

Some announcements: http://www.holidayworld.com/news/holiday-world-sets-sail-8-million-expansion

Great video, Marcus!

This may come off as blasphemy: With newer engineering programs creating more aggressive and incredible rides, wood just has its limits. The longest lasting wood coasters were simple out and backs, with minimal curves, except for a handful. Everybody wants to go back and ride the Crystal Beach Cyclone, but I'm sure after 3 weeks of operating, it was as rough as all hell. I really think wood coaster companies should stick with more flowing and graceful designs (Shivering Timbers, Silver Comet, Lightning Racer) than super-aggressive circuits like The Boss, Medusa and others in that category, because they may be great the first year or two, but you can't keep re-tracking them every year. Hopefully train design will continue to evolve into better tracking, more cushioned seating, but that is to be seen. Long gone are the days of NAD trains with big cushey seats that soak up the brunt of the roughness.

The refurb work is done from what I've gathered, I wouldn't be surprised if this opens Labor Day weekend if they can get the state to sign off on it.

Love it! Hope they add in those little headstones throughout the course. And that teaser... badass!

I am also a graphic artist and I really like the Bat logo. It's simplistic, effective and fun. I don't think it's by all means finished, but I like the concept. Are we really down to critiquing art now?

If it is a fake, "The Bat" could have always been a working name and logo they decided against. It does look like it's in the final stages of design.

Kinda screwed up my post there... that's what I get for posting at 6:33am... It seems as though "most" of the Cedar Fair B&M's at the 2 Million+ Guest parks have gotten rides with 3 trains. And since this likely won't move as fast as say, Leviathan, I'm pretty sure there will be a mid-course in there someplace. Was that better?

This is Cedar Fair, there has got to be a mid-course brake in there somewhere to run 3 trains.

No, it's not Led Zep. The footers don't match

Some new pictures from today Overview Wondering if they will reuse the King Cobra Footers. Doubtful, but time will tell. More sewer/rainwater drainage? Remember, by donating $5 for a snoopy to fight Breast Cancer, you're in the drawing to win this beautiful 2013 Accord Sedan (a $21,000 value!)

More in-park shots have been included on the parks facebook page: See their photo below:

Thank you for driving by, sfkk. Things have seemed to quiet down on their Facebook. They must be really busy.

These ones are round: http://rcdb.com/9675.htm?p=37745

The Camden park Facebook page mentions the park will be closed today due to a fire caused by a lightning strike. Bumper Cars were effected. http://www.wowktv.com/story/22893877/crews-on-the-scene-of-a-structure-fire-at-camden-park "Crews on the scene of a structure fire at Camden Park Posted: Jul 21, 2013 3:33 AM EDT Updated: Jul 21, 2013 7:28 AM EDT By Jeffrey Spradlin, Overnight Producer - email Credit: Natasha Johnson Credit: Natasha Johnson UPDATE: A structure fire was reported at the Camden Amusement Park just before 2:30 am Sunday. When fire fighters arrived they found one building on fire with exposures to a rest room, a maintenance building, and The Dodgem' car ride. The cause of the fire is not yet known. The Ceredo Fire Department is investigating. " Facebook Post: Camden Park will be closed today (7/21/13) for a quick cleanup following an electrical fire at one of our rides during last night's storms. Camden Park will be open Tuesday July 23rd at 11am as regularly scheduled! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Camden-Park/105124439518991?hc_location=stream

I'm hoping for an inverted, Kings Island is the really the only "large" park in the US to not feature a full-circuit Inverted coaster, and if we are talking about similar rides only 3.5 hours away, Raptor is going to be 20 years old next summer, that's plenty of time to come up with a new one downstate. The next question, is will this new one be announced before or after Kentucky Kingdoms new coaster?

Working on the Himalaya: www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=608375845863258&set=a.599973010036875.1073741827.150584424975738&type=1&theater