apatos99

They look very comfortable!

While extremely hopeful,this looks too small to be the station or transfer track section. This may not be a roller-coaster at all, but some kind of stage...

I would think financially, if it was reprofiled, it would be a huge draw, even more so than the Gatekeeper. But that first year, before they put the trim brakes, and the track was still smooth, it delived a great ride. Loved it. It still wouldn't compare to any GCI, or the Voyage, but it was fun. Now, I only admire its beauty, because the ride is so rough.

I had the pleasure of riding it four times the year it debuted, and twice the next year. It was the absolute best suspended coaster ever. You swung 90 degrees vertical on those turns, especially the helixes after the second lift hill. Imagine either Flight Deck or the Big Wolf with twice the intensity. Of course, that's what led to its demise. The suspended coaster proved to be a flawed concept, because the swinging part that makes it unique, has to be supresses with low speeds and banked curves to keep the coaster from tearing itself apart. Even though it only stayed a few short years, it as a legend and if it was still here, I don't think it would have ever lost its star power.

I'm really hoping for that to! That's my favorite part of the park to sit down and just enjoy the view. The Mean Streak is an awesome looking coaster with that massive wooden structure and the train gate running by.

It was an amazing coaster back in the day, but now its simply old, and while historic, its not a classic. I'm only in favor of its removal, if they replace it with another coaster, and oh yes I want an BM invert. Paint it black and orange and call it the Bat! Of course I'm also hoping they replace SOB with either a Maverick type coaster or something from Rocky Mountain. I'm still drooling over the Iron Rattler!

My thoughts and prayers go out to both the zoo and the mother who lost her child. This is one of those rare tragedys, we all react to in horror, trying to reason it out and place blame. I don't that anyone needs to that here, it's just an unfortunate accident. I'm sure the mother can be blamed for her neglient behavior, and I would agree it was serious let down in what I'm sure is usually impeccable judgement. as a parent, I'm not going to critize her, she's in a world of hurt, and I can only hope she has a support group helping her through this terrible time. I don't think the zoo is to blame, though I'm sure they need to rexamine this enclosure. It sounds like something that should never have happened, just an unlucky bounce. The usual tendancy is to overreact in extreme cases like this, demanding for blame to placed, and extreme corrective action, but I hop that doesn't happen here. Both the mother and zoo has been punished enough. I only hope that when people catch their breath, they realize that and let things go. This is a freak car accident, and sometimes there is no understanding it, or preventing it from happening again. And I hope the painted dogs are not put death over this. It is in theire nature, to be wild, just like a lion, tiger, or killerwhale.

If anyone is going to a park's Halloween event early--like a first or second weekend, has a Phone capable of taking video, and wants to have some fun, message me. No, I'm not asking for a meet, nor is this anything dirty...just something fun.

In fairness, the inversion was the least of the problems with SOB. And I think RMC already has a much better reputation than RCCA ever did. Yes, it wasn't the loop or even the 200 foot drop, but everything else. And the way I understand, it wasn't just RCCA's bad design, but the decision of KI to deliberately buy cheap pine and actually take over the supervision of building the thing. The last members of the 'super wooden coaster team' that designed and built the Beast and Grizzly, retired shortly after KI completed it. The Rose Bowl was absolute torture.

That's funny, I thought the same thing. It is a fun ride though and Gatekeeper looks quite a bit better to me. I have to agree with SharkTums in hoping B&M move on to something else pretty quick. The wingriders are better than the stand-ups but not nearly as good as the inverts. I remeber the first time I rode Raptor and thinking, thats freaking awesome, I want to feel that way about B&M again. I love the dive Machines and the hypers and the inverts are just awesome. I haven't rode one yet, so the Gate keeper will be my first. But after looking at all the pictures, and reading the reports, my intial impression is that BM needs to design elements specifically for this type coaster, and not just keep laying out the tried and true for their other coasters.

LOL...I'm thinking if it's as dull as people say, it'll be a nice crowd absorber, allowing the rest of us to enjoy the big 3, Millie, Mav and TTD. I did buy the Fast Passes this year for my son and I's annual trip. Will never go again without purchasing them. We got in 5 rides on Mav, Millie, TTD, and seven on Raptor. We could have easily doubled that, but he can't handle riding those more just yet. But it was so nice not to have to rush around the park.

And for those who don't fast passes, they won't have to run to the back of the park to ride Maverick and TTD. The GB will be going either left of right once inside the gate.

I really miss the double loop and the out of control ride on Big Dipper. And I really miss Seaworld. I didn't mind the Six Flags conversion, but it was such a gem of a little park before.

Thanks for the pictures they bring back lots of memories. A beautiful little park killed by greed. Sigh...

It joins the Bat in 'Great Idea but horribly executed' hall of fame.

LOL, I wonder just how expensive that is vs using the catapult?

That's exactly my point! Nobody states "Kings Island doesn't need a B&M invert! Cedar Point has Raptor!" However it is a crime for Giga's, Winseekers and HUSS Giant Frisbees! If Kings Island builds a B&M wing coaster I believe some enthusiast would react the same way! General public would state "Cedar Point has a coaster like this named THE GatekeeperS only their's is 500 feet tall, 267 mph, and has more Loop de Loops!" I'm sure whatever's added won't be an actual clone of something at Cedar Point and will probably be unique to Kings Island! Keep in mind that SOB was a terrain woodie so their's a lot of potential for something epic in the area! It's just a manner of management capitalizing on the area! A new coaster should be a capacity monster however as Kings Island is one of the busiest parks in the nation, slightly more than Cedar Point! I think everyone wondered at some point how a HUGE park like Kings Island got so huge without any Intamins or B&M's till Diamondback! I know the GP doesn't actually know the difference, But the drawing potential from a ride by either manufacturer I believe is huge! I would much rather have a record breaking Invert than a Wing rider. Especially if they could take Raptors first drop and make it twist over completely upside down and then go down into a large loop.

Not in the same state and the same goes with a clone of TTD. Someone called me a fanboy earlier for my vision of reality for KI, but my fantasy would be a combination of TTD and maverick in one coaster to replace SOB. I like this idea as well. BUT, capacity and maintenance/downtime is why this MAY not be a good idea! No doubt...LOL. But I was hoping that the kinks have been worked out by now. I have never went to CP and seen TTD down for more than an hour! I kind've wondered if the catapult couldn't be replaced by LSM's.

Not in the same state and the same goes with a clone of TTD. Someone called me a fanboy earlier for my vision of reality for KI, but my fantasy would be a combination of TTD and maverick in one coaster to replace SOB.

Cedar Fair however can't. They are never going to put in the money to bring KI up to Cedar Point in terms of thrills with coasters, not with Cedar Point relatively close to KI. They also have over 10 parks to manage and consider when adding rides, more if you want to count the waterparks they manage as well. KI doesn't have to compete, just get back in the game. I can't see a Millineum or TTD, but an invert and Maverick clone would be great. I don't think CF sees KI as a competitor, but a money making park that draws a market from ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. They will add rides to help increase attendance. And I could see KI getting a RMC coaster before CP. A agree that KI should put a coaster in SOB's spot but why a clone??! Build something unique! Maybe similar to Maverick, or hydraulic like TTD or Stormrunner/Xcererator. If it has to be a clone then my personal pick would be a Ferrari Rossa clone. The problems here are maintenance and capacity issues. Kings Island actually gets slightly more visitors then Cedar Point so whatever they add should be a capacity MONSTER! I vote Intamin mega/giga OR B&M Giga with its own unique layout. Also an Intamin woodie would fit as well. I've never seen a GCI that was a real people eater yet so that gets voted out. (Although GCI MAY try something new, large, with a possible MCBR to add capacity to their coasters.) Gravity Group may happen considering their proximity to KI but not likely and I hope it's doesn't happen considering Cedar Fair's reputation for inability to properly take care of extreme woodies. I don't know enough about Rocky Mountain to comment on them. I also see a B&M invert in the area or secondly a B&M wing due to them being the hot thing. Also B&M inverts are known capacity monsters. People say that they shouldn't build a B&M wing coaster due to Cedar Point building one for next season (and complain over Windseeker and Delirium/MaxAir) but CP having Raptor doesn't stop them from saying that KI needs an invert. So I say either or. apatos99 Also mentioned TAER down Firehawk for a B&M Flyer! I don't see this happening at all. B&M Flyers are better capacity wise but not by any means great. They are better maintenance wise and have less downtime but I still don't see this as a reasonable investment. Also I personally prefer Vekoma Flying Dutchman over SUF. (Haven't yet ridden any other B&M flyers.) I haven't tried a wing-rider yet and will have to wait until next year--at Cedar Point. But everything I have read makes them seem more like a cool gimmicky one trick pony. I still think nothing delivers like an intense Bm inverted or Maverick. It doesn't have to be a clone of M, because I'm wondering if you could build one 200 foot tall without the ejector time being too extreme. I just personally love the launches mixed with a tight layout with extreme twist and that 100 degree plus angle on the hill. I can't see CF allowing a bigger and better version to be built, that's why I said clone. I like GCI's and love Thunderhead in Dollyworld, but honestly, a GCI would be sort of tame compared to the Beast and the deceased SOB (It wasn't a great ride--I'm saying it was extreme for being the first hyper woodie and having a loop originally). I like the new innovatons coming from RMC and think a better Outlaw would fit better at KI. (I have the right to change my opinion after riding CP's new wing rider next year...LOL (I have promised my 11yr old son, annual visits to CP and KI, until I'm deemed no longer cool enough to go with!))

This plus a RMC treatment to Mean Streak, ought to solidify their claim to being Roller Coaster Capital of the world. Nice color choice too.

Cedar Fair however can't. They are never going to put in the money to bring KI up to Cedar Point in terms of thrills with coasters, not with Cedar Point relatively close to KI. They also have over 10 parks to manage and consider when adding rides, more if you want to count the waterparks they manage as well. KI doesn't have to compete, just get back in the game. I can't see a Millineum or TTD, but an invert and Maverick clone would be great. I don't think CF sees KI as a competitor, but a money making park that draws a market from ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. They will add rides to help increase attendance. And I could see KI getting a RMC coaster before CP.

I'm one who misses the days when it seemed like KI and CP were friendly rivals, often one-upping each other. Case in point 1987 KI added Vortex and CP added Iron Dragon - KI wins. Then in 1991 KI adds Adventure Express and CP adds Mean Streak - CP wins. Now with Ohio being a CF monopoly KI has somewhat lost what made it special. In reference to fanboy dreams, and KI is my favorite Ohio park, I would like to see them add more to their flat ride count over adding another major coaster for the time bieng. Windseeker was a step in the right direction. I have always felt that Coney Mall needed a few more filler rides. Even if it's a basic Musik Express, a swing bob, a suspended Top Spin like Firefall at Kings Dominion (as a replacement for Crypt), and/or bring a Larson Flying Scooters in, and as unmarketable as they may be, they sure would help with adding rides the family could ride together. Skylab's old location next to Racer and the former Flight Commander site would be ideal for new flats. I miss those days too. I'm not pushing Ki to challenge Cedar Point as RC capital of the world, but I still think they need at least two just to get back in the game. The park could easily add two, and still maintain and improve on the family experience. I agree Coney Island needs a major face lift. A Music Express would look great in a redisgned game area. And oh yeah--bring back the flying eagles. Low capacity, but what a great ride. I'm all for more flats and I often wonder how much life the Monster has left.

The magnetic breaks grab more than the skid breaks. You don't get thrown into the side of the car as much, and you don't shoot up the 2nd lift hill as far. It does depend on when you ride it. In the afternoon, when the grease gets hot, it really delivers.

Before Paramount got a hold of it and almost destroyed it, KI had a reputation for bringing the latest thrill innovations to the park, and they were a major player in the first round of The Coaster Wars. The Racers started the second golden age of wooden coasters. They built the Beast in 1978, The Screamin Demon (Arrow shuttler coaster), The Bat (first suspended coaster) in 1981, The King Cobra (first stand-up coaster), and the Vortex (At the time, set a record for most inversions). And even though it is in Ohio, KI is at the bottom of the state and has it's own market. I would love to see it return to being a major player in the current coaster wars, while retaining it's reputation as a family park and restoring the theming to the theme park it was meant to be. KI had two log flumes shortly after it opened in 1972 and with all the new technology, I'm sure they could come up with a world class flume to replace the one the lost to the crypt. I have never made it outside the USA, but I have tried quite a few coaster types, and I believe that the Inverted BM and the Maverick type (mega-lite with LSM's and more than 90 degree drop) are the best coasters out there to ride. They don't have to be record breaking, but both with greatly add to what is a rather sad line-up of coasters. I'll take those two over anything else including a I-305 clone. And with the failure of the 200 ft SOB, Kings Island desperately needs to reclaim it's proud tradition in wooden roller coaster innovation. Something like the Outlaw Run, but set in the woods like the Beast, would be a great way to get that back. I don't know if they intend to re-theme Action Zone, but the RMC doesn't fit the theming. I'm not saying you have to replace Flight Deck, but I would. The concept was flawed and then made extinct by the Inverted coaster. If you have to walk back that far to ride a coaster, then it ought to be one of the park's top coasters. The Firehawk is maintenance nightmare and all you have to do is ride a BM flier, to see what a piece of crap it is. So no...I'm not a fanboy, but a rollercoaster enthusiast who would love to see his favorite park restored and become a major player in the coaster wars again. Ohio can handle having two players.