tntornadox

Yeah! The three hours of thunderstorms on the way up there didn't help the drive either! We were standing at the gate for the Beast for the next train when it went down the first time, near 7PM. We left, it apparently reopened then closed again and must have reopened and closed again later! We never waited more than one train for Diamondback and Flight Deck was a walk on... all I could think was... poor SoB. But we had a terrific time and hope to return next year!

I had an absolutely amazing time! Of course, being there with someone extra special to me made it that much more... well, special!

Hey everyone! I visited Kings Island for their Pride Night last Friday night and posted a PTR on the main forum... just an FYI. It provides details on the event, if you're interested for net year!

Let me begin by stating this is my first ever photo trip report, and I honestly didn't take very many pictures. Unfortunately, some didn't turn out as well as I had hoped since it was so dark as the event wore on... please be gentle! I first learned of this event over at KICentral, basically, it's Kings Island's version of a 'gay day' but instead is held at night from 6PM-Midnight, it is held every year with proceeds benefiting the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Greater Cincinnati . This is a private event, so everyone has to buy tickets to get in... pricing this year was $40 online in advance or $45 at the gate with free parking. I began planning to go with a good friend of mine and we left Knoxville on Friday just before noon. We arrived a few minutes late, thanks to Cincinnati rush hour which pushed us almost an hour behind- made a beeline through the entrance and onto International Street. The first thing I noticed was they were piping in modern and techno music through the park's sound system- this made for a very fun atmosphere throughout the park! This was my first visit to Kings Island and I honestly had absolutely no trouble navigating the park, it is pretty well laid out, even in the dark! We were able to hit all the major coasters save for Beast and Firehawk... I was really bummed about the Beast- it went down three different times during the evening before they threw in the towel on it. As for Firehawk, I wasn't waiting 90 minutes to ride it with one train operation. Bear in mind, this was the ONLY coaster running just one train in the park that night, what gives? Overall, there was only about 4000 people in the park which meant very short ride lines for the most part! In conclusion, it was a fantastic night and I got to experience a new park! We both absolutely loved Diamondback and Flight Deck was a pleasant surprise as well. It was a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere and the park employees seemed to be having a blast as well. On that point, this was my first visit to a Cedar Fair park and may I say I was quite impressed... the landscaping was nice, operations were fast and amazing and I guess I was kinda surprised at the overall quality of Kings Island as a whole. This is coming from a former Dollywood host, so this is a real compliment! Onto the pictures, once again, didn't take very many and a couple of the night shots left something to be desired, but overall I thought the point-and-shoot did a nice job. Invertigo from the parking lot. Just inside the main entrance. A band was playing... quite classy! NO DIAMONDBACK! This is Eiffel Tower's picture! YOU WAIT YOUR TURN... What's a trip report to a CF park without a trash can shot? I think it's a law. -Dick Kinzel nods in agreement- Once more, I thought the landscaping was quite nice. Italian J... I mean Backlot Stunt Coaster! I see you Diamondback! (Such a show-off) Drop Tower at dusk. Invertigo at night. Unfortunately, this was as close as I got to Beast all night. Diamondback and Rivertown from atop the Eiffel Tower. See! We are happy! Promise! (This is the picture that turned out so badly, it had to be the one I liked most, didn't it?) Goodbye Kings Island! I will return for my ride on the Beast in the future! P.S. we stayed at the Hyatt Place Deerfield-Mason (aka Cincinnati Northeast) and I must say, this is hands-down the best mid-scale hotel brand I have ever stayed at! The rooms are huge, sport a new hotel room layout and each room features a 40" flat screen television along with the Hyatt Grand Bed. For the same price as the Holiday Inn Express next door, this was a no-brainer! Check them out!

Breaking News from CNN: A federal court in Riverside, California, rules the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy is unconstitutional. More to come.

Latest Cruise Line Expansion News: - Princess has ordered two new, large ships of a new class and design. The newly named Royal Princess and Regal Princess will be the line's largest ships yet at over 140,000 tons, despite their 25,000 ton difference, the new ships will only carry a few hundred more passengers than the line's Caribbean/Gem variants of the Grand-class ships, which should result in a very high Passenger/Space Ratio. - Royal Caribbean has no new ships beyond Allure of the Seas on order, instead they plan on investing in their current fleet (and no doubt pay down some of the 'Genesis' debt they have accumulated). RCI does have an option for a fourth Freedom class vessel, but nothing new to report there. - Celebrity has named Solstice 4 Celebrity Silhouette. Solstice 5 will begin construction soon, rumors abound that X will accept the option for two more Solstice class ships, which would bring the total to 7. - Carnival has announced it's newest ship Carnival Magic will begin her life in the Med briefly before crossing the pond and taking up shop at her new home port of Galveston, TX. They have also announced the name for the third Dream class ship: Carnival Breeze. - Rumors are circulating around the industry that Norwegian Cruise Line is set to sign a letter of intent with Germany's Meyer-Werft for the construction of two new sister ships of a new lineage for the line with an option for a third vessel should it be exercised. These vessels will NOT be clones of Norwegian Epic, but more of an expanded variation of their Jewel Class ships with Epic touches.

My money is also on Opryland... they haven't added anything in going on 13 years now!

I am the Electronics Specialist at my Target...

^^ About time. I actually hope this does go to the Supreme Court so it can be settled once and for all.

Having worked on the Tennessee Tornado at Dollywood (I know its the last standard train they built, but I doubt it differs much)- yes there are manual footpedals on one side or the other of the train that will allow the operators to manually raise the restraints, the issue with the 'someone hit the pedal' theory is you have to hold the pedal down to raise the restraints all the way up, if you just tapped it and someone was pushing up and you let go quickly, it would only raise a bit, not completely. And they are not that easy to release either, I usually had to stomp the pedal to get them to release on TT... It sounds to me like something occurred with the ratchet in the back of the seat, either it stripped out or something, allowing the full range of motion of the restraints mid-ride. As scary as this sounds, it's an easy fix to make, which is how the ride reopened the next day.

It's odd, Carnival Paradise has not received any of the upgrades her Fantasy-class sisters have... no WaterWorks, no balconies... but she does have the Serenity area? Did they cut the budget or something? Is this a sign the Paradise may leave Carnival's fleet soon? Comparison: Carnival Paradise Carnival Sensation (sister ship)

I mean, I like the way the landscaping and everything is done around it, when you first said it didn't 'fit', I was like... what? LOL

I didn't think it too odd for a large vertical loop considering they use large loops for the Pretzel, I just don't think they have tried it yet.

I sorta took liberty with the vertical loop, the Vekomas have them, it doesn't seem far-fetched that B&M could too.

I am confused, how does the layout seem unrealistic? And why is it out of place?

I would agree that Six Flags dominates the RCT park arena, but I think what I am doing is pretty unique in that this is NOT a Six Flags park, it is merely being managed by them... there won't be a 'Six Flags Opryland' or anything like that and the quality of the park will not change at all, basically, this just gives me a little more creative flexibility with new rides and areas that I wouldn't have had before. It also allows me to use some Six Flags elements that enrich the park such as Fright Fest, Looney Tunes, Hurricane Harbor, etc. The following are as big of changes as you will see in Phase I concerning Six Flags, very minor details: Park Information Boards at the Transportation Plaza have been updated. Flash Pass billboard has been erected at the Rentals Center. The Season Pass Center will begin operations in the next week or so for Pre-Season purchases, the information boards have been placed. I felt this was an original idea, something I hadn't seen before- a melding of two park entities. Just stay tuned as it plays out!

Management Contract for Opryland inked NASHVILLE, TENN. Today, Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) announced a management contract has been signed for its new Opryland USA Theme Park, located at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. Gaylord has signed the agreement with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX) to manage the park's daily operations, while retaining ownership of the park and ultimately has complete control of the park's expansion plans. "The current management staff at Gaylord have absolutely no experience running a theme park, we thought it wise to partner with someone who does in order to really bring back Opryland the right way." said Gaylord CEO Colin Reed. As part of the management contract, Opryland USA will also earn the rights to use the Looney Tunes and DC Comics characters for in-park entertainment and attractions. "This is a real win for everyone involved, we are honored here at Six Flags to have been chosen to operate what will ultimately be a world-class attraction" commented interim Six Flags CEO Al Weber, a veteran of the amusement industry. "While daily operations and management will be ran by Six Flags, this does not mean we will be a silent partner in the park, we fully intend to help the park grow in a way consistent with the high levels of hospitality and quality our guests expect from Gaylord Entertainment and Gaylord Hotels" commented Reed. The park is expected to soft open in the coming months with Phase I of its master plan ready for operations at that time, including the Opry Plaza, Delta and Do-Wah-Diddy City areas opening in the beginning, followed by Phase II construction set to begin just after the opening. The company released new images of the progress at Opryland USA: The Flume-Zoom, a log flume attraction is unique in that its course meanders through the river bed below the Screamin' Demon flying coaster, providing amazing views of the landscaping as well as the coaster above. A view of the train station at the end of Opry Plaza. It will eventually be the base station of the Opryland Railway, which will not be operational until construction of Phase III of the park is complete. The company will have one of the authentic steam engines on display for guests at this station until the Railway becomes fully-operational next year. View from the flagpole just inside the park's main entrance. These track pieces arrived just this morning at the Transportation Plaza staging area, I wonder what they are for? More to come soon!

Another update! Completed Opry Plaza during the day. Same image at night. Inside the Emporium Buffet at the end of the street. And introducing.... Screamin' Demon: The signature ride of The Delta area of the new Opryland USA! This B&M Flying coaster is over 3,500 feet long and features a first drop of over 150' and features a large vertical loop and large pretzel element with underground tunnel... this is a ride sure to thrill! Overview, day. Overview, night. More to come soon!

This is not a recreation, it's a rebuilding on some other land Gaylord owns in Nashville. The park will open with Opry Plaza, The Delta and Do-Wah-Diddy City. Phase II features The Wild West and Grizzly River Country. Phase III entails State Fair, Lakeside and Opry Shores waterpark. As for rides, they will be quite random... however my creative juices work with me that day. There will be some original Opryland ride inspirations, for sure, though.

Another update! Nearly complete Entry Plaza showing the new facade of the Season Pass Center (right) and the new Rentals Center (left). The beginnings of Opry Plaza, showing Town Square with completed buildings to the right: a Starbucks outlet, Gift Shop and Theater. The back side of the buildings shows the service roads used to service the area. The interior of the Gift Shop. Theater exterior and the end of the current progress of Opry Plaza. And last, but certainly not least- the drop-off circle at the Transportation Center has been blocked off to traffic for weeks now... traffic cones are everywhere... barriers are up... Security is everywhere... but why? Maybe this: More to come, soon!

Our first update begins with the construction of the Entry Plaza as well as the transportation facilities to service Opryland USA. Main Gate with admission booths Season Pass Center Transportation Center- Drop-off circle and bus transit services. Overview: Transportation Center below, Entry Plaza at center and tram stop at the main parking lot at the top. Walkway to Parking Lot runs parallel to the tram route for flexibility. Expect another update soon!

Opryland to make its return NASHVILLE, TENN. Today, at a press conference held at its Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) formally announced its next large project at its Nashville flagship property- the construction of a new theme park. The new Opryland USA will open in phases, beginning with Opry Plaza, Do-Wah-Diddy City and The Delta. Phase II will include the Wild West and Grizzly River Country and Phase III will include Lakeside, State Fair and the Opry Shore water park, which will be included with the price of admission to Opryland USA and will also house a second gate for the exclusive use of Gaylord Opryland guests. The company will announce specific rides as construction begins. More details as well as the first construction updates will be made in the near future. Included images: Opryland USA logo Opryland phase map

The great irony in all of this is Six Flags actually offers it's OWN BRANDED CREDIT CARD through Chase... it's a MasterCard. You earn 6 points per dollar spent at Six Flags and 1 everywhere else. Apparently they FORGOT about this when signing this 'alliance'.

Well, your parks actually gave me inspiration to do this project. I will be using the same CS sets you have, so it will probably look very familiar in areas, LOL! Now, bear in mind that I am NOT doing a recreation, I am loosely following the original park layout, but the rides and building placements will be all new, so if you have any ideas or suggestions for the new Opryland, then let me know!

Gaylord Entertainment plans expansion; announcement expected soon NASHVILLE, TENN. Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a global hospitality company headquartered in Nashville, TN, is planning an expansion at its Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, say sources familiar with the situation. The source, who wishes to not be named publicly, has revealed that the company has been in the planning stages of a new theme park at its Opryland complex for the past several years. The company sought guidance from several outside firms to complete the basic plan for the park as well as hired several employees formerly with Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Creative for the company's own internal design department. This occurs at the same complex that formerly housed the Opryland USA theme park from 1972 until its closure in 1997 due to a decline in attendance and in-park revenues. Gaylord Entertainment and the Mills Corporation partnered to build Opry Mills, a 'shopper-tainment' shopping mall on the site of the former theme park, that opened in 2000. Gaylord's current CEO, Colin Reed, has went on the record in recent years commenting on the past management's decision to close Opryland. "It's clear to me that the former administration had no vision or plans for the theme park, which is what led to the declines prior to its closure" said Reed in 2004, not long after taking over Gaylord Entertainment. This is not the first time rumors have circulated as to Gaylord's intentions with a new entertainment enterprise at Gaylord Opryland- as recently as 2007 the company filed for permits on vacant land adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center for the addition of an 'entertainment complex', the extent to which was not further alluded at the time. Reed has also went on the record stating it is the company's intentions to build an attraction of some sort to compliment the company's flagship hotel during the slower months of the year for Conventions, a market segment which is now the main focus of Gaylord Hotels. The source admitted details are sketchy at this point at best and alluded to the fact that the company has not yet even decided whether or not to go with the Opryland name for the new park. Research by The Tennessean, however, has found that Gaylord Entertainment renewed the trademarks on the name 'Opryland USA' and 'Opryland' as recently as this past year. As renovations continue at Gaylord Opryland Resort, which suffered fifteen foot flood waters during the May 15 weekend floods that devastated parts of the mid-state region, many residents and local leaders feel now is as good a time as ever to push forward with the project. A spokesperson for Gaylord Entertainment said the company does not wish to comment on the matter at this time, but an announcement is expected within the next couple of weeks.