DILinator

Some day, I'm going to write a Blog post titled: "How I learned to stop worrying about Michigan's Adventure, and enjoy the park for what it is." In it, I will expound with great detail, precisely what is going on with Cedar Fair and their treatment of MiA, and many, many, logical, and factual, points, to back up my assertions. And the conclusion of the matter, is that I've accepted that MiA is what it is, and I need to appreciate it for that, and not ever, and I mean EVER, expect anything significant to come to the park again, because it'll put me in a better mood regarding the park. Then I will link to that blog post, every time somebody online posts about MiA, and what they're going to get (or not get) in the future. Because it will address why you're only setting yourself up for disappointment. However, today, is not that day, so for now, you'll have to just trust me on this, and let go of any and all expectations of significant capital improvements at MiA, ever. Trust me, it's a happier place to live!

Wait... Are you saying The Beast is better than anything at Cedar Point? Or just better than their woodies? (I'd still disagree that it's better than Blue Streak, but to each their own.) I just want to make sure before I quote your post, in proving my point in the "Most Overrated Coasters" thread about The Beast... No, just their woodies. Badly worded, sorry. I'm not even a huge fan of The Beast, but it's the only one at KI that I think could fit in at CP. Last time I rode Blue Streak it was rough for me, although I was dumb and rode on a wheel seat. My last few rides on The Beast were very smooth and enjoyable. Thanks for the clarification, because I was like... "Wha???" regarding it being better than any coaster at CP! Not sure I'd ever classify The Beast as smooth, personally, and I find Blue Streak in the front row of a car to be really smooth and enjoyable (in the back rows, you're right - terrible!). The Beast is definitely better than Mean Streak though! Of course, I prefer Diamondback to Magnum, and Banshee to Raptor, so I'm more of a fan of KI than you are, apparently! I still agree CP is on a different level though! I think they're different parks in what their aim, and goal is, however, which is why they are able to co-exist in the same state, and park chain so well. KI is more for families, has a nicer waterpark that's included in the gate, and is a much prettier park, with all of the trees and moderate attempts at theming. CP is all about the glitz and glam of being a premier destination amusement park for roller coaster thrills, and it does that VERY well! With Cedar Fair running both parks, and running them both with a nice profit, I don't think we need to worry about either park, negatively affecting the other, in the long run!

^I've actually found the front rows to be better than the middle seat, personally, and have been riding it since the early 90's. But it definitely seems like a fickle beast, doling out varied rides for varied people...

Thank you! FWIW, regarding best place to ride, I think either very front row, or the first row of the last car, are the most comfortable. A nice mix of very good airtime, without it being a painful and upsetting experience. I don't ever wait for the front, so the first row of the last car is my typical riding spot, and I enjoy a spin on Magnum each visit usually. But it certainly is overrated in enthusiast circles, in my opinion!

My initial thought, was that the RMC Streak would debut in 2018, along with an entirely brand new midway connecting that area with the Gemini Midway. I still think, given what we've seen in recent years with the additions of GateKeeper, and Valravn, that this is likely going to happen. However, that is a project that is on a larger scale than just one offseason, so that's why I figured on 2018. Now, with reports of Mean Streak closing after July, it seems to be on schedule to debut in 2017. Maybe without the new midway, but maybe that's still doable. I do think there is some merit to discussing whether Cedar Fair would ostensibly "cannibalize" some of their profits by debuting two "new" coasters the same year at their two Ohio parks, but I'm not sure it's really a big issue... I would assume that the number of people in Ohio, who only will do one of the two parks in a given year, is relatively low, compared to the number of people in Ohio who either have Platinum Passes to do both, or are just going to go once to each park, regardless - especially if there is something new. Looking at past history, the parks did avoid dropping two large scale additions in the same year, with Diamondback and Banshee coming in "down" years for Cedar Point, and GateKeeper and Valravn coming in "down" years for KI. But I suspect that was more of a budget allocation issue, than a "these parks are too close, and will steal attendance from each other" issue. For example, look at 2007: Cedar Point debuted Maverick the same year that KI debuted the "new" and "only" Flying Coaster in Ohio, Firehawk. Yes, Firehawk was only a relocated coaster, but the point is, they billed it as a brand new coaster for KI, and most GP to this day, probably don't know any differently. As far as overall capital investments by the chain, however, Maverick and Firehawk were able to be done the same year, because of the cheaper cost of the relocation of X-Flight as opposed to a brand new coaster. So, as far as how that pertains to 2017 (ironically, 10 years later), we're looking at potentially a new coaster for Kings Island, and an RMC'd Mean Streak at CP. I can almost assure you, the total cost of both of those capital investments, is less than what they spent in 2007 on Maverick and Firehawk's relocation. So, I still see both parks getting a "new" coaster, and having it not phase Cedar Fair's bottom line, as far as expenditures, or revenues, at all!

Wait... Are you saying The Beast is better than anything at Cedar Point? Or just better than their woodies? (I'd still disagree that it's better than Blue Streak, but to each their own.) I just want to make sure before I quote your post, in proving my point in the "Most Overrated Coasters" thread about The Beast...

Granted, I'm not a local, and yes, as a person who feels the nearest CF park to him is constantly getting the shaft (but legitimately, at least), I get it... Still, I'm always surprised in this thread at the attitudes of some KD fans who feel their park is neglected! I have very positive memories of KD from the only time I visited it, way back in 2002, and to my eyes, it only seems to have been improved by leaps and bounds since then! So I'm unsure as to why so many KD fans think CF doesn't care about KD, when clearly, it's a very nice Amusement Park!

Given the fact that KI has already shown a propensity to dip into their (or Cedar Fair's) past for naming (or re-naming) of rides, I think serious consideration would have to be given to Beastie! They already removed it from a smaller wooden kiddie coaster, to fit it into the Peanuts theme, but it's still an iconic KI name. I think it would be a perfect name for a smaller wooden coaster that zips through the woods, not far from The Beast! With The Bat returning, and Banshee being resurrected, it seems KI is a place where older traditions, and sentimentalities are valued, which makes this at least a pretty reasonable guess at the name.

I know it's not a popular opinion, but I am really with you here, regarding The Beast in the daytime. It's definitely nowhere near a top wooden coaster, let alone a top coaster overall! Now The Beast at night, on the other hand... You definitely need to make sure to get a ride on it then at some point! I don't think Beast during the day has any amount of hype at all, that's a pretty popular opinion. I don't know if I'll end up riding Beast during the day at all on my KI trip. I guess what I'm getting at is the fact I see many people still rank it highly overall, or among woodies, and that is likely on the basis of its night rides. However, I think if a ride has to be ridden at night to be deserving of a high ranking, it's not deserving of a high ranking. I love The Beast at night, and if I was ranking favorite coasters to ride specifically at night, it'd be in the Top 5 for sure! But to me at least, it seems as if people overrate its overall value, based on night rides alone, which is what I was referring to...

I know it's not a popular opinion, but I am really with you here, regarding The Beast in the daytime. It's definitely nowhere near a top wooden coaster, let alone a top coaster overall! Now The Beast at night, on the other hand... You definitely need to make sure to get a ride on it then at some point!

Well, it would appear I was right in my suspicion that KI 2017 would be a wooden coaster. Having said that, I must confess that I'm a little disappointed in the blueprint, and the fact that it's likely a GCI and not custom RMC. Still, regarding the latter, GCI does make great coasters (no pun intended), and I'm not proficient at reading blueprints, so maybe it's a lot better looking than I realize! Regardless, a new coaster is always great, and I think another wooden coaster hidden in the woods will be awesome at KI! I will definitely be back to KI next year, assuming that I don't make it back for Haunt this year, and more delicious night riding!

Dwight would like a word with you... That is all... With all due respect, MF is the third-best ride in the park IMO (#1 is Maverick, and #2 is Raptor). That being said, it's a close third. Well, it's all a matter of personal opinion, as I don't have Raptor in my top 5 at Cedar Point! In fact, you just gave me another answer for another frequently overrated coaster!

^ Precisely what I wanted to do, but I've already had to replace my phone once due to that, so I went with a little more chill response!

I am completely with you in response to what you're responding to in this thread! (Oh, and if you're at all referencing my comment in the Adventureland thread, it was most definitely a joke, though I'm beginning to think without a winky or something next to it, it might have been taken seriously! ) No I'm not referencing you. I think we're on the same page here. Cool! And yeah, sometimes reading things on here I'm like... And I just walk away...

I am completely with you in response to what you're responding to in this thread! (Oh, and if you're at all referencing my comment in the Adventureland thread, it was most definitely a joke, though I'm beginning to think without a winky or something next to it, it might have been taken seriously! )

Does anybody remember how many projects RMC can take on in one year? It's four, isn't it? At any rate, it doesn't seem like a simple GCI refurbish would solve all of the issues with Hurler... I mean, I could be wrong, not having ridden the new Ghostrider or Legend, but at least those coasters were better in the beginning than Hurler ever was. As such, an RMC treatment of Hurler DOES kind of make sense... Add to that the possibility of a custom wooden coaster at KI, and it's possible, at least, that three of RMC's projects for 2017 could be in the Cedar Fair chain! Even if it's a mix of GCI and RMC, at least Cedar Fair is starting to take improving their lackluster wooden coaster lineup a little more seriously, as that's long been one weak spot at their parks!

I definitely agree! On our last trip to Central Florida as a family, we did Magic Kingdom, Legoland, and Fun Spot, and Fun Spot was the favorite stop for those of us who went there! (Legoland was also more fun than Magic Kingdom, FWIW!)

It's all horrible. The restaurant has been on fire for days and there is still an hour long line for food. VR is blinding people and the roller coaster is literally snapping their necks it's so rough. Over at JL, thanks to bad ops, someone flipped a safety toggle and Cyborg's laser started going off, randomly vaporizing guests (although this did reduce queue time somewhat). The HITP preview got mixed up with the Fright Fest preview and now Krampus is making every child in the park cry uncontrollably. Some trickster - I suspect Wily E. Coyote - installed vibration motors in all the Boss's trains so it's rougher than ever. Worse still I had to drive a full 30 minutes to get to the park but my built in seat massagers were broken so I got drop toes. This all could have been avoided. If only we had gotten Goliath instead of Georgia. Thanks Six Flags. You had me there until Cyborg's laser! (And, I knew nobody was literally getting blinded or having their necks snapped, of course...)

It's interesting to note that since Matt Ouimet took over Cedar Fair, not factoring in the first year and a half (which I imagine he wasn't involved in the planning of much), Cedar fair has added GateKeeper, Pipe Scream (I know it's not really a coaster - at least the way we think of one), modified Mantis into Rougarou, and added Valravn. With him really focusing on trying to give each park its own identity, it would seem that he's decided Cedar Point's identity is indeed, the Roller Coaster Capital of the World, and high thrills. As such, it wouldn't seem too unreasonable to have another consecutive year of capital investments into the coaster lineup, albeit, another modification, most likely. It's almost like he's saying "This is what Cedar Point is known for, so by golly, we're going to make sure we're known as the biggest and best in the world!" (or at least America - I rather doubt he's too worried about Europa Park siphoning off business just because of the Golden Ticket Awards!) Now, this doesn't mean he isn't focused on making the park more family friendly, or well rounded. Heck, both GateKeeper, and Valravn drastically improved entire sections of the park, and I suspect that any modification of Mean Streak will include the same for that area! It does seem, however, that he isn't simply content with quantity of coasters, but also is interested in them being high quality. That's why, to my mind at least, it only makes sense that he would finally get involved with the hottest, and most consistently rated high quality coaster manufacturer in the industry today, and bring RMC to CP. I could be completely missing the mark here in trying to grasp the mindset of Ouimet, but I don't think so... I definitely think he is a friend to coaster lovers everywhere - at least as it pertains to Cedar Point! Now, the fans of Kings Dominion, Knott's, Valleyfair, Worlds of Fun, Dorney Park and Michigan's Adventure may disagree that he's their friend, but you can't please everybody!

Here's the thing: different strokes, for different folks... In my Top 10, I only have 3 wooden coasters, and in my Top 20, I only have 4. And that doesn't make me wrong, it just makes me different. Besides, I never worry about where a ride ranks when I'm riding it... As you suggested, I just enjoy it! Coaster forums, on the other hand, are where you can reflect, dissect, and rank your experiences. Hence, our reasonable discussion here!

Something to consider regarding your comparison of B&M to RMC... Parks build their coasters with GP in mind, not coaster enthusiasts, or intensity snobs (hey, a new term!). As much as I personally love a coaster like Storm Chaser, or The Voyage (not an RMC, but a very intense coaster), a ride of that intensity is not going to be as popular, particularly for repeated riding, as a smooth, if unimaginative B&M. Heck, one of my recent trips to Cedar Point with some co-workers, they ended up bailing on me in line for Maverick, for multiple reasons, but one of which was its intensity being more than they were willing to take at that point in the day (it was towards the end of the day.) For a thrill park like Six Flags, or even hopefully Cedar Point, an RMC is a nice addition to their lineup of coaster experiences! For a park like Sea World, however, where the coasters are secondary to the main attraction of the animals, reliability, smoothness, and an easy to digest re-ride for the GP is what they're going to go for, and their repeated choice to go with B&M is evidence of that!

I mostly read and almost exclusively post, using a desktop/laptop situation. Occasionally, if I'm at a park and want to check on something, or am bored in line, I'll use mobile, but not very often, and I'll rarely post then. For watching your videos, I'd say it's a 60-40 split in favor of watching them through streaming to my TV, versus watching them on desktop. I'll almost never watch them via. mobile.

^There is NEVER anything wrong with making a special trip to ride White Lightning! That ride is SO amazing!

Profoundly disagree! I am a bigger fan of the Vekoma Flying Coaster than most, but my #1 complaint about them is the terrible (in my opinion) ride position (nothing is worse than being forced to stare up at the sky at the blinding sun, or close your eyes) on the lift hill, and overall comfort of the ride. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I certainly don't dislike the ride. But thinking it's more comfortable than a B&M Flying Coaster is really, really mind-boggling to me! Glad you enjoyed yourself though! KI is definitely a nice park!