glucky11801

Great TR! I enjoyed your photos as well. And don't stress about the filter. I had the same problem on my iPhone when I took my Christmas photos- they were all blue too! You only make that mistake once lol!

Go Debbie!!! I agree- Thunderbolt looks really great! Far better than I thought it would. Seems to have some unique elements as well. I'll be riding it soon!

My first coaster with inversions was Lightnin' Loops at Six Flags Great Adventure, in 1978. What a strange creation those Arrow shuttle loops were. And all those stairs to walk up each time, lol!

Andy, these photos are the BEST of Banshee that I have seen! Thanks for the great TR- I can't wait to ride this beauty!!!

Having ridden the Megalite at Happy Valley near Shanghai,this looks like it does come close to those thrills. I can only hope that we see one of these at a U.S Park, preferably near ME! Oh to be able to just drive to ride one of these...

I'll never forget seeing the original at the NY Worlds Fair in 1964. I was in 3rd grade and it was all very exciting for me!

Yes this Mega Lite has been there since August 2009. I rode it in Spring 2010- it remains in my Top 5...

Lets see... Beast- Kings Island SOB- Kings Island Vortex- Kings Island Adventure Express- Kings Island Rattler SFFT Texas Giant- SFOT New Texas Giant- SFOT Hercules- Dorney Steel Force- Dorney Mean Streak- CP Gemini- CP Magnum- CP Iron Dragon- CP Raptor- CP Millennium Force- CP Wicked Twister- CP Maverick- CP Laser Loop- Kennywood Big Thunder Mountain- WDW Big Thunder Mountain- Tokyo Disneyland Anaconda- KD Intimidator 305- KD Volcano- KD Raging Bull- SFGAM Vertical Velocity- SFGAM American Eagle- SFGAM Batman the Ride- SFGAM Mighty Canadian Minebuster- CW Dragon Fyre (Fire)- CW Skyrider- CW Vortex- CW Bat- CW Dragon Mountain- Marineland Big Bad Wolf- Busch Gardens W Griffon- Busch Gardens W Verbolten- Busch Gardens W Voyage- Holiday World Superman/Bizarro- SFNE Cyclone- Riverside Park/SFNE Wild One- Wild World/SFA Stealth- CGA Superman Ultimate flight SFOG Boulderdash- Lake Compounce Wildcat (Rebuilt)- Lake Compounce Skyrush- Hersheypark

As far as strobe lights go, the only ones that I really remember were on Raptor at Cedar Point. As the train entered the Cobra Roll, the flood lights would go off and the strobe lights would go on as the train went through the element. Very cool! This was in the first year of its operation. They are not in use any more...

I was one of those "lucky few" who got to ride the Beast in 1979, in October. Waited 3 hours in line! Obviously the coaster was WELL broken in by then. It was much faster than that Pre-Opening Video. We easily made WELL past the stairs on the second lift. The drop into the double helix was amazing. I can remember feeling like I was going to be pushed out of my seat; the forces were that strong! Keep in mind that in later years the Double helix was modified, with more banking to keep the trains tracking and from tearing up the track, so some of the forces have been neutered. (You can see that difference in the videos!) One of the most vivid memories about that first year was the sheer "Hysteria" in the station after it got dark. I have never experienced that much excitement waiting to board any coaster since then!

Sorry about that. I was SO excited that I goofed.

Looking forward to riding I-305 again in a few weeks!

When I was 23 months old my Dad took me on my first coaster. It was an NAD Junior Woodie at a now defunct Park in Queens, NY. I was hooked immediately!

I am glad to see some information on this "Coaster". On my one trip to the Blue Mountains in 2002 I saw the track, and was keenly interested as to whether it was running. No one could give me a straight answer. Thanks for the update! Warren

I'm so glad there is this new Webcam! You can really get an idea just how massive Banshee really is, seeing the track next to the two smaller cranes and Clifford Jr. Thank you Kings Island- I can't wait until April!!!

GREAT job on the video, Robb. The new format is perfect- it hold your interest from beginning to end!

Last time I was at Cedar Point, I discovered Famous Dave's Barbeque, outside the gate at the Marina. The food was AMAZING, and there were great Marqaritas too!

Thanks for the great Trip report, David! I was there 3 years ago for an Atlantis cruise, and enjoyed every minute. As a New Yorker, I am bowled over at the Shanghai skyline, especially the state of the art lighting!

I was fortunate to be at the Press Day for Hercules. It was a big deal, since it had the biggest drop on a wood coaster. It was really hauling a** that day, and it was quite smooth, before the PTC's tore it up. The first drop/turn was FAST and had lots of laterals, before any of the modifications. I do remember saying that Charlie and Curtis tried to get too much height out of that triple up, and that the subsequent drops weren't really deep enough to give it enough speed (and of course the layout after the first drop was basically boring)...

I was 23 months old (Yes, that's right!) The year was 1956, and I took my first coaster ride with my Dad. It was at a now defunct park in Queens, NY called Kiddie City. The coaster was Comet Jr. an NAD Junior Woodie. I guess you could ride on someone's lap in those days! I was hooked immediately!

Woo Hoo!!! Having ridden the Bobsled at Coney Island as a kid, this definitely compares VERY favorably. Although the speed in the beginning is a little slow, after the 2nd chain lift, it just FLIES down the course! I am SO there as soon as it opens!!!

My first Arrow Dynamics coaster was Lightnin' Loops at Six Flags Great Adventure, in 1978. What a strange creation those Arrow shuttle loops were. And all those stairs to walk up each time, lol!

I am fortunate to have ridden all 7 B&M Stand Up Coasters, and also the Shockwave/Batman precursor. I must say that Riddler was my favorite of all. I loved the sweeping layout, and was very lucky to get a ride with the MCB completely OFF after a breakdown. That was the best ride ever. I'm sorry to hear that it has gotten so painfully rough. I did feel that Green Lantern's first Summer at Great Adventure was much smoother than I expected, but now has deteriorated as well. Georgia Scorcher is probably my number 2, and is quite re-rideable.

I'm so excited for this weekend's events! When will we be getting the E-Mail with all of the details?