DavidB

I tore my ACL playing soccer and had surgery and reinjured it and had a second surgery and then subsequently reinjured it and never got it repaired again. Kept playing soccer, and do now 8 years after the initial injury. I have a pretty high tolerance for the related discomfort obviously, but I've had a pretty much trashed knee for a long time, and have never really had any issues with riding coasters at all. Even on inverted coasters it's not a problem. I could see it being uncomfortable shortly after surgery, when everything is tender and tentative, and I don't remember specifically when I went to parks over the course of the whole saga of my knee. But, I never felt like the actual riding of coasters caused any discomfort at all. In fact, it's an opportunity to sit down for a couple minutes. The bigger problem is walking around and standing all day long. Some trains can be problematic to maneuver into and out of, but once I got in and situated I've never had a issue. I know I've mistreated the hell out of my body and gotten quite used to my knee feeling worse than others might tolerate. Hope this is helpful and doesn't create any overconfidence on your part.

I know it happens at Cedar Point, but has anyone ever been at Kings Island and had them sell out of fastlane passes?

They sure are making quick work of the remaining lift hill structure on Steel Vengeance. Does anyone know how long it takes to install all the sensors and electronics on a ride? Or more specifically, how long it has taken for some of the other RMC conversions?

Good report! It looks like you guys enjoyed the park. I'm glad to have this as my home park; it's not over the top fancy or anything, but it's definitely enjoyable, and as a fan of good wooden coasters, I really like the collection and enjoy all 3 of them quite a bit. I had the displeasure of riding Mr. Freeze with the OTSRs and it was brutal even with the big cushy areas next to your head. The lap bars make a world of difference on this ride...

Boldikus - Don't go cloudying up this argument with facts! Seriously though...I'm sure the ride will be great. I too enjoy a long ride, but that doesn't really hurt my enjoyment of shorter rides.

Looks like it's coming along nicely! The station looks even better with the fresh paint on it. Thanks for the awesome pics!

I'll be at King's Island Saturday Oct. 21 unless I happen to make it by SFSTL before that.

Lmfao! You read my mind with the Magic Mountain comment. You guys better be careful...you're going to stir them up again!

We'd all be happy to vote. I'm sure some of us numerous times... There has to be a good polling site to keep the amount of work manageable.

^Thanks. I couldn't find anything either, but I remember it being mentioned before. I wouldn't imagine the discount would be too much if there is one, since the pass itself isn't all that costly, but figured it was worth asking. EDIT: I spoke too soon. Towards the bottom of this page ( https://www.cedarpoint.com/tickets-passes/season-passes ) it says there is a 10% discount on select room types. Also, I didn't realize you got a free upgrade from fast lane to fast lane plus.

Since there is already discussion started...I am going to King's Island for one Saturday in October and was considering just getting a platinum pass, and using the free day of admission for the day I am there. I am looking at potentially spending maybe July 4 - 6 or 7 at Cedar Point next summer. It is my understanding the benefits of the Platinum Pass are the same no matter which park you purchase it for, is this correct? The bigger question I have, because I remember it being at least mentioned here before, is do you get a discount at the hotels if you have a platinum pass from another Cedar Fair park? I would absolutely want to stay at Lighthouse Point, Sandcastle Suites, or Breakers. Any other advice or helpful info about doing something like this would be greatly appreciated, as I know many of you have much more experience with this than I do! Thanks!

^^I believe the gold upgrade includes free parking at all six flags parks, not just the home park.

I think it depends on the park. At SFSTL(home park) some of the stuff is just forced in and cluttered and cuts off paths so you have to take longer routes to get around. At CP the Halloween stuff isn't nearly as intrusive in that way. I enjoy the decorations and atmosphere and weather(and amount of time for night rides) better in October. I am not interested in waiting in line for the houses, but I do like the scare zones. In general I would say I prefer the Halloween events to the regular operating season.

^I like this line of thinking, but how will people be able to untie the shoes of guests standing on the platform and subsequently get their hands stomped on? This plan needs a little more thought...

Love Screamin Eagle, but that station is probably the worst one I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing...especially if you want to ride in front, or back, or anywhere. So damn small.

I guess it is confirmed that this new slide will replace the speed slides? If it was just the slide troughs/tubes in bad shape and the rest of the tower and water delivery system was fine, it seems like it would be fairly cost effective just to replace the actual troughs/tubes on the speed slides. Then again I know very little about slides and haven't been to HH since probably 2000. Just something I had thought of since the slide/water coaster discussion started a couple months ago. Either way this slide looks really cool and I'm sure it will be a big hit with the water park patrons. I may even have to try it out!

Does anyone who works at the park or through other methods know what the rider numbers are/were last year for the coasters at the park? I'm curious how they compare ridership wise. I'd think The Boss is still one of the more popular rides, as it's line doesn't seem to be out of sorts with the other coasters.

I may be in the minority, but I would not be happy if the park RMC'd any of the wooden coasters. I like them all and each provides a different experience. I know the park doesn't care what I like, but is interested in the bottom line. I think a mid sized coaster will come eventually, but who knows when. I agree with the hope that Ninja gets replaced if something goes. Maybe they would expand into the area on the east side of the park where the paintball field/hayride area is, but I don't see them doing that without moving/removing NInja, Tidal Wave, or Joker. Otherwise there would be significant work involved with creating some sort of path to the new ride. Just an observation...and probably not a particularly accurate one. Honestly, if they are making changes and additions on a yearly basis, I don't think that's too bad. Maybe they aren't installing the rides most of us desire, but at least they aren't just sitting idle.

I paid 60 for gold pass last year on this sale like aaronmb. I never saw a better deal unless you wanted the "Batman" edition pass(which the perks included ert events for Batman passholders) for like 65-70 if I remember correctly. I paid pretty close attention and this sale was cheapest for a gold pass.

I considered it, but my friend wanted the exit side so he could throw his glasses in the bin and I wasn't trying to climb through and make a thing of it in that cramped exit area, haha. Next time for sure. When are you going to KI? I'll be going Sat Oct 21, after the Foo Fighters concert on Friday. Might try and squeeze in SFGAm before the end of the season as well. If we cross paths maybe we can grab a beer.

^^I was at the park last night as well and was in the train behind you on Freeze; almost didn't recognize you without you pointing at something... My GP friend, who I've dragged to Cedar Point and WoF, commented how well Screamin Eagle was running last night as well, and I agree. It's always been a favorite of mine but it was really moving. We also got rides on American Thunder, Batman, and Excalibur. We were going to try and squeeze in Superman and The Boss, but got stuck on the final brake run on Eagle for like 15 minutes right up to closing. Still not bad for about an hour and a half in the park, and will be returning next Friday as we never waited more than one train for anything and the weather was perfect. EDIT: I also meant to comment on the lighting. There are parts of the park desperately in need of some path lighting. I don't mind if the coasters aren't lit up as they are more fun in the dark (Batman, Eagle, Boss), but there are a number of spots where you're literally walking along in complete darkness, as Zach mentioned. I'm not saying the whole place needs to be lit up like daytime, but some minimal path lighting would be welcome. And the queue for Eagle was disturbingly dark until you got up to the station. Not a huge complaint, but just an area for improvement.

Entertaining report! Maybe you should have untied the rope on Big Dipper for some trim-free fun...

Disclosure as well, I was in the totality at work. At home I would have been just outside of it. If I didn't have to work and wasn't already going to be in the totality, I would have driven the 15 minutes to be at least in the edge of it. I was nowhere near the center. Next time it happens, it would be worth it to me to take a day off work and drive to the totality, but only because it's within a couple hours again next time (which is awesome). Otherwise, there's no way I'd be driving 10 hours or something and staying overnight just to watch the eclipse. However, I would maybe do it in conjunction with going to a park or a concert. Some people like roller coasters and are willing to drive hours and spend hundreds or thousands to enjoy them. Same with science/astronomy. Like most other things nowadays though, it was pretty hyped to the max...

^Agreed. Even if it was smooth, Ninja has a pretty boring layout. I always thought it sucked with that small drop.

I saw the totality as well. At my work (in Chesterfield, MO) we had about 1:30 of totality, and it was very, very impressive. Watching as the eclipse approached the totality, even just immediately before, was nowhere near seeing it in total eclipse. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.