jamesdillaman

I never made an excuse, only trying figure out why... A well-run park would take care of these things, but again, you expect possibly more out of KI than any locals do. The fact that Diamondback was running on opening day is amazing for KI. Everything the ride is supposed to do it does (like the splashdown). This may not seem like a big deal, but ask anyone what the Italian job (Backlot) Stunt Coaster was supposed to do... Heck, even the Crypt opened with the season. KI exceeded my expectations. As for the crowds, KI is notorious for bad crowds, and they are never handled well. Those of us who live nearby just deal with it. As for the "my friends and I have been in the the themepark business, etc." That's well and good, but I've been on the Beast crew, and I know what usually casuses stacking trains (guests not putting on their seatbelt before they sit down) and how difficult it is to not stack trains once they start. Trains can't clear the lift until the other train has cleared the second lift. This was a change when they got rid of the skid brakes, as trains can no longer be stopped in the brake shed as there is only a magnetic trim there to slow the train down. Because of this, 3-train operation is bunched up around the station, as it makes the whole back side of the ride one giant block... Again, not making excuses, as a great crew can get it back going, but it is extremely difficult, especially with large crowds! And as for the handicapped person, if it was Robbie, he was waiting for the front seat, so he's used to waiting a couple trains... if it wasn't robbie, I don't know, but from your description, it definitely sounds like him. -James Dillaman

Disney parks are not seasonal.... completely different when you're only training one new person on an experienced crew as opposed to one experienced person on a completely new crew. Trust me. It is especially a problem with the 16-17 year old crew members on the rides. Plus Disney tends to hold workers for longer times than KI can. I remember people working for a total of only a couple months on the Beast crew when I worked there. If you expect Disney caliber from KI, then that's a failure of your expectations more than the park. I wouldn't ask for a NY Strip steak from McDonalds.... Also, once the Beast IS stacking all trains, it's very tough to unstack them, especially the way the newer blocking system is set up. You don't want trains stacking on the lift.... -James Dillaman

Maybe it's nitpicky, and I apologize if I'm wrong, but any photo taking while on-board a ride, even on the brake run (at least when I was on the Beast crew) is a violation of park policy. Just FYI... Also, many of the crew are new and have never worked on their rides with people before, so you can't expect operations to be decent.... Turnover in the rides department is pretty high, and jumping from no crowd to huge crowds can be quite daunting to a new employee. As for the stacking.... Never happened before seatbelts. the GP apparently have never seen seatbelts outside of the themepark, as nobody ever could get the concept of buckling them before pulling down on their lapbars. All it takes is one "larger" person and some seatbelt troubles to stack three trains on the Beast. I've seen it many times, even with good crews... Don't take this wrong, I hate KI as much as the next Mason/Kings local who lives within biking distance of the park, but I think it's unfair to judge a park on opening day, that's all. I'm sure they'll dissapoint people later in their own right -James Dillaman

^ Well, I love looking at coasters and passing judgement as much as the next person, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you and go with the people who have actually been on Diamondback. The reviews have all been very positive as far as I'm concerned. I wasn't looking for a new number one coaster, but wouldn't it be great to have a Nitro ripoff at every park? Think about it! -James Dillaman

How many different videos and pictures of the line are going to be posted... I don't see why people are shocked that the line for a giant new coaster, probably the best new ride to open in the area for over a decade, is long on opening day (which happens to be one of the nicest days we've had all year on top of all this) One word sums it up: DUH! I'll ride it in a few weeks, but glad to hear it's a decent ride. -James Dillaman

Anybody who's staying at a hotel this weekend (out of towners coming to ride Diamondback)... Papa John's has an extra large extra cheese pizza on special for only $11.99, and they're open until 1:30 am on Saturday. If you want to save some money, eat sparingly at the park and get pizza delivered to your hotel. I'm just trying to help out as many people don't know about the deal. On another note, I can't wait to get on Diamondback myself. I'm debating on whether I need a season pass or not... -James Dillaman

Would be awesome if it had sound....

^ He just doesn't want everybody to know it's a dildo. "No, mom, it's a chair! I told you to knock!!!" -James Dillaman

Really? I never did ride it with the old skid brakes, but from what I've heard, the skids trimmed it just as much, if not more, than the magnetic trims do now. Have I been lied to?!? Well, I rode it with the skid brakes.... If there was a full train, it didn't trim very much... especially on a hot, humid, day.... or if it had been raining and the skid brakes were wet... Oh how I miss the old Beast! -James Dillaman

Well, last season I hit #200 : Steel Hawg @ Indiana Beach. I'll probably never reach 300, though, as now life is a lot more expensive and time consuming than when I could just travel around and ride some coasters... -James Dillaman

That is seriously cool. Wish my department had been that creative when I worked at KI.... -James Dillaman

^ Hopefully Crypt will be open. That ride has more downtime than an all year christmas shop.... which is next door to KI if anyone actually wants to go there... -James Dillaman

Chuck: Julia and I looooooooooooove Shockwave. Don't say anything bad about it. You don't know what you have until it's gone (sob, King Cobra, sob) -James Dillaman

Pibb Xtra is almost exactly like Dr. Pepper in my experience. Much closer than say Coke Zero tasting like Coke.... -James Dillaman

My vote is for Beeja -James Dillaman

Is it a device to pick up dog droppings?

^ Toxic Hell is also one I've heard...

^^ In regards to the "Chuck Wood" question: Why don't you ask him yourself: http://www.lpod.org/cwm/Chuckstuff/chuck.htm

I used to go to Kings Island on Easter all the time, before they changed the season. The crowds were never bad: I even remember riding Delerium 3 times in a row without getting off. -James Dillaman

I've been on the one at King's Island, but usually there's so much line for it it isn't worth it to me.... -James Dillaman

^ the same things were said when MF was built, and again with Maverick... but it's still pretty peaceful back there... Music and lighting, if done well, will only add to the atmosphere. Of course, Cedar Fair COULD very well go overboard and screw this up, but only time will tell. -James Dillaman

It's nice to see Cedar Fair adding some atmosphere to it's flagship park... If this is done well it will be a great addition, and really make that whole side of the park nicer. -James Dillaman

"Ahhhhh!" Look out, it's Wheelie!!!

^ Only if you give it directly... for example... an employee could PM me with a review or at least some thoughts.... and I could post some thoughts I HEARD from an anonymous person. hint hint -James Dillaman

Seriously no employees attended and rode who are members here to give us a synopsis of the ride? Sad.... -James Dillaman