blk_mamba

After not visiting the park for a few years my family decided to visit Kirkmen Island for this summer because they have been heavily advertising their park expansion, Frontier Village. We hardly recognized the place because of all the major upgrades! Last time we were here the park only had a very sparse entrance now they have this grand entrance plaza. It shows the park is serious about becoming a major regional player. The entrance was a great place to take our family vacation group photo! The Boardwalk was the only part of the park that felt familiar b/c much has not changed since our first visit besides the new signs where the guest use to enter the park. White Lightning was just as twisty as I remember it, I got this cool post card from the gift shop. Frontier Village is literally at the far end of the park but it was worth the walk. I love the mine train theme. The roller coaster is action packed from start to finish. That last helix really glues you to your seat! We made it to the Midway later in the day and it was really a great time. KAOS really made my stomach hurt, too much spinning, great to look at though. Other Side of the Moon was easier on my stomach but just as scary! When the robot looking monster tries to warn us of "evil up ahead" he meant it. Stallion was my favorite ride of the day, I loved the crazy airtime. I felt like I was out of my seat the entire time!

I am having a similar issue with Cedar Point. I called and left a voice mail. I'll do it again today but so far no response.

I am looking forward to the video, great concept of having the lift hill drop you into a raptor pit where it looks like things get crazy! lol

What a smart marketing plan! Those are some great colors.

WHOA that was fast, guess Dorney Park isn't getting a new racing woodie coaster!

Yeah I thought I read somewhere I-305 was designed to take the best parks of MF and Mav and put them into one coaster. I agree CP has more to ride. If I were playing by the rules this would be tough b/c both MF and Mav are such different experiences. I feel like I'll give it to MF b/c I knew the ride would be epic based on all the ratings and it lived up to those ratings which is hard b/c most of the time when something is as celebrated and hyped as MF it is easy to leave disappointed. However Mav is a close second b/c it is the type of coaster that leaves you disoriented, confused and wanting more. It doesn't look as good as it is but once I rode it once I was hooked.

Maybe its too soon but Shockwave- Kings Dominion Thunder Road- Carowinds

I hope it's a bug also but really we know so much about the ride already do we really need an announcement? lol

you painted it yourself or does that come with the kit?

Great park everything looks so complete and well put together. It shows alot of thought was put into the creation of each section. You should fix that one pic where the volume button is one, it hurt your cred b/c that is the first pic. Will you be expanding the park? Makes sense to add another water ride or 2 given the name. Good work so far, hope you keep it up.

ejot great photo trip report! Never really got into the animals when I went, looks like I've made a mistake, lol. I kinda agree that Storm runner is quite an amazing ride I think it loses points b/c it is so short. I also feel similarly about skyrush however my friend HATE b/c it has so much ejector airtime.

Isn't Intimidator 305 Maverick PLUS Millennium Force. Why pick Kings Dominion gives you both in one ride!

I feel you pain when I went earlier in the season and talked about how it was not a good experience I was told it was b/c it was too early in the season. Looks like your experience mimics mines. I guess b/c it is late in the season.... One day they will get it together but it sounds like the park is doing well.

This is a pretty awesome park, feels very real. I've never heard of this park but it reminds me of a Cedar Point b/c it is long and narrow. Some of the CS you used is on the coaster is also very nice!

The Kirkmen family is very excited to finally cut the ribbon on Frontier Village after months of waiting since the initial announcement of the major expansion. Hundreds of anxious park goers lined up over the newly installed bridge waiting for the next section of the park to be opened and after the official ceremony they all rushed Frontier Village! The star of the day was clearly the Indian Trails Mine Train! The ride had long lines all day! Indian Trails Mine Train waste no time dropping thrill seekers immediately into a series of tight curves and turns before the lift hill. The folks at Arrow Dynamics are very proud of this custom design created just for the Kirkmen Island. Another interesting fact the longest drop in the ride is not the first drop but the last daring drop under the entrance of Frontier Village. Thrill seekers are already raving about near miss element as the train dives into an underground tunnel.

All the pictures are blk

Next up, CS on the iphone, lol

I don't remember the flies being an issue at Cedar Point when i went last summer around July. Is it a particular time when it is really bad?

I agree I am pretty convinced that everything that has been released has been true which as far as Cedar Point goes seems pretty sloppy. From the start the cat has been out of bag on this coaster. I actually have only rode Griffon and it was a great ride so I am not disappointed that Cedar Point is building the ride, more so disappointed that the story broke SO early, lol

I am inclined to agree just as a gut reaction however I'll wait to see the final renderings of what they want to build. **Pure speculation** What if they are building one of those fancy Master Blaster water coasters. I'd be ok with them getting rid of a coaster to build a ride like that in its place. Carowinds is tight on space regardless and that turn around for Thunder Road takes up alot of space that could be used for a waterpark expansion especially b/c the coaster is not that popular anymore.

I have never been on Drachen Fire however I'd venture to say anything else arrow did is better than Anaconda!

Kirkmen Island is celebrating another great season! After a two year expansion The Midway is complete and it has been a great addition to the park. Attendance has significantly increased as a result and the park is growing into a place that is drawing guest from all across the state. Frontier Village should increase the park’s profile, adding the parks 3rd roller coaster, Indian Trail Mine Train. After the big announcement the park has wasted no time to get the Frontier Village ready for its opening on Memorial Day 1970. Since the announcement trucks have been dropping off track pieces and construction materials for the expansion project. The bridge to connect Frontier Village to rest of the park is almost complete and ahead of schedule. The final plans calls for the bridge to connect Frontier Village to the rest of the park by going under the Shute the Breeze ride and through the Under the Boardwalk food court Construction crews are also working on the tunnel that the Indian Trail Mine Train will use to go under the entrance. It requires digging and fortifying the tunnel. The ride is coming together well and the tallest part of the ride is topped off and the station is almost complete. Thought this has been the third year in a row the park has made a big investment it is a gamble the park is willing to take!

You know I always thought that the parks were on in the same. Were there separate gates? How will you monetize the zoo part now? Either way as a customer I am sure they are happy.

I think the problem most people have with Gatekeeper isn't the first drop or even up until the first keyhole, it's just that once it goes over the entrance to the park, the ride might as well be over. I can't think of many more coasters that have such a decent beginning into one of the most boring and useless 2nd halves of a layout ever. And the first drop is very good. I'm not sure I would call it "super intense" but it is very good. I felt the same way after the second run around over the park entrance I felt like "ok the point of the rest of the ride is to get back to the station/get the record for the longest winged coaster, lol.

that sounds like the Midway created at at my park, Kirkmen, Island. lol. My guess is a water attraction