JZ's Ongoing Kings Island Update Thread!

[ginzo]

Vekoma: Painful, but their flyers are MUCH better than B&M's.

 

Vekoma flyers are more comfortable than B&Ms as far as climbing the lift hill and going back to the station goes. But Tatsu wipes Vekoma flyers off the map.

 

B&M: Inverts are their strongpoint from what I've gone on, though I havent ridden a hyper, dive machine, or Floorless yet. B&M's are reliable, but a bit rough and forceless for the most part, but their are exceptions.

 

There are rough B&Ms, but they are in the minority. You must have been on an unfortunate assortment of B&Ms. B&M's hypers are among the smoothest coasters you will ever experience. And they have incredibly comfortable seats.

 

Intamin: Unreliable, but FUN! Once their bugs are worked out, they tend to become key attractions.

 

I'd like an Intamin hyper also. But their history of throwing riders to their doom doesn't fare well for a conservative company like Cedar Fair. B&M hypers are nothing to sneeze at. Nitro and Goliath @ SFoG are both excellent rides, and in the top 10 of Mitch's poll. And B&M hypers with 3 trains have INSANE capacity, which is something Kings Island desperately needs.

 

Getting back on subject, I'm not saying that SoB counts as a Hyper. I'm saying that KI's 2 claims to fame are the world's longest, tallest, and fastest wooden coasters (SoB and Beast respectively). Making a next gen hyper that combines those aspects kind of belittles KI's legends and thus would kill off some publicity.

 

They could still make those same claims with the hyper installed. And the publicity comes from the awesome new ride they're trying to install, not from pimping out a 30-year-old coaster that's over trimmed and under maintained.

 

Thus, more of the same. I say we should get something "new" that we dont have anything of, like a Gestuler (can never spell that) or some speciallty coaster like a floorless or a verticle coaster.

 

I like Eurofighters, but the B&M would offer greater capacity. And a floorless is just a multi-looper with a modified train.

[BeemerBoy]

KI could build a 500ft. B&M hyper with mach 5 speed, flamethrowers, missile launchers, and penguins as ride ops........and the park would still manage to suck.

[arrowfanman]

^ You had me until the penguin ride ops.

 

 

 

 

-Jahan

[ginzo]

KI could build a 500ft. B&M hyper with mach 5 speed, flamethrowers, missile launchers, and penguins as ride ops........and the park would still manage to suck.

 

Yep, but "bad park with one good coaster" beats "bad park with bad coasters". I didn't renew my CF pass for 2008, but I certainly will for 2009 if they build this B&M. And, if they build this, I bet there's a KI turnstile click with your name on it on your next trip to CP.

[Meteornotes]

KI could build a 500ft. B&M hyper with mach 5 speed, flamethrowers, missile launchers, and penguins as ride ops........and the park would still manage to suck.

 

Post Of The Day.

 

dt

[sam06pr]

I dunno much from KI and this is a B&M lover speaking but here is what I think...

 

A B&M hyper sounds nice. Allthough KI may have a woodie that is more than 200ft, a B&M hyper will bring new experience not seen in the park that much. Maybe a B&M floorless dive machine will be a better addition. Something new to the area. But it will have to be improved a bit.

I do not know what other major ride could be added to the park to be considered different from the others in the park.

[PKI Jizzman]

Thanks to Screamscape, we have paint images based off the layout in First Drop Magazine!

Inspired from the First Drop Magazine and reports from my own sources about the new B&M Hypercoaster, I’ve drawn up two possible layouts for the coaster over an aerial image of the park. We’ve heard that the ride may be given some kind of monster / creature / dragon theme. I’ve also been told that the proposal for the three giant drops should be fairly interesting, starting off with a 210 foot drop, a 170 second drop and then using terrain the third drop may be as high as 240 feet.

 

I can't think of an elevation change to have an extra 70ft to a drop. Another creature/monster theme? We already have SOB, Beast, Firehawk, FOF, Reptar.

IMO, I can't see it being built with that turn around over the midway.

[Reon]

Awww, that rendering REALLY killed my Diamondback theory. I immmagined the ride taking place over swan lake and the woods.

 

Oh well, ride looks like it could be fun, but I still stand by my statement that this is more of the same. Give it a verticle first drop or floorless trains or something, and I'll be happy.

 

Edit: Just had a stupid thought that would make me happy, and would actually be smart. Rip out SoB to help fund this thing, and name it Revenge of the Beast, or something like that.

[speedracer]

Edit: Just had a stupid thought that would make me happy, and would actually be smart. Rip out SoB to help fund this thing, and name it Revenge of the Beast, or something like that.

 

No, CF needs to keep dumping millions more into SOB for the next 10yrs to teach then a lesson. After the accident, they should have just ripped it down like I and many other suggested, no one would have blamed them or missed it.

 

Paramount spent millions over the years trying to fix it, and it still sucked. It was a stupid decision to build in the first place, anyone with half a brain would have eventually woken up and just cut their losses. But nooooo, what does CF do? They spend millions removing the loop, reprofiling track and buying replacement trains, and surprise, it still sucks. All those millions flushed down the crapper for nothing, serves CF right to have to keep dumping millions more to keep the POS running for their knuckleheaded decision.

[jamesdillaman]

PKI Man, Having walked the Beast woods many times when I was on Beast crew, I can tell you there is quite a drop from the station/lift hill area to the back part of the ride (after the second/third underground tunnel approaching quick dip, the area before the second lift, and the lowest part of the ride. It is of no surprise to me they would use that elevation change, the same way it was used on Beast and Top Gun.

 

-James Dillaman

[PKI Jizzman]

James, don't get me wrong I know they would use the available terrain...they would be stupid not to. And I know there are elevation changes that the Beast rides along...but I didn't think 70ft would be the differance. But now that I think about it, it might be able to get that far if they place the hills correctly. I think a swift drop out of the helix into one of the valleys would be really cool.

[coaster05]

I would love to be excited about this, I really would, but this is KI being ran by CF. The thing will either be braked to death, or really tame, or something. I just don't hold any faith in what CF is doing right now. Like someone said they spend millions on SoB, but can't figure out how to make something of GL.

[Hilltopper39]

I have just a few thoughts Kings Island's rumored/semi-confirmed 2009 hyper project from my little completly un-qualified mind.

 

1st I've been vistiting Kings Island regularly ever since I can remember and I think this is a great addition, kinda what Kings Island has needed for quite a while. The Beast is still wild and out of control fun, and completly uniquie in the coaster world 28 years later. The Racer is what it is, a classic woodie kinda strugglin a lil but still a lot of fun especially when raced (still better then several woodies half it's age). Son of Beast, well thats a whole other story haha, but I do hear it's gettin better!!! so give it a break. As far as steel coaster at the park go, all their rides either old, or prototype/concept style rides, or clones. The Vortex is still kinda fun, great air on the first drop although a lil rough, but for a 20 years old Arrow she still gives a decent ride. Outer Limits is a GREAT ride, the best steel in the park in my opinion. But other than that I mean top gun, adventure express, face off, Italian Job, Reptar are all really fun rides but thers's no 'big time' top 10 caliber coasters like Millennium Force/Goliath (SFOG)/Tatsu/Storm Runner/Sheikra/Superman kind of rides. Nothing in their steel collection really stands out, although I didn't make it there this year to try Firehawk. What I'm trying to say is in my opinion Kings Island has always (atleast since mid 90's) kinda lacked that major signiture steel coaster to go along with the beast. Here lately with rides like Voyage/El Toro/Hades/Balder/everything GCI makes emerging and being really good the Beast's prestige among the coaster world has kinda been fading quite a bit, so Kings Island needs something big and bad now even more than ever. Kings Islands coaster collection IMO is kinda like havin a southern rock fest without Lynard Skynard; I mean Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels, marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, and Black Crowes are all there givin bringin the redneck rock n roll thunder but without a lil free bird in the mix it just doesn't seem complete.

 

2nd I've always thought it would be REALLY REALLY AWESOME if Kings Island had the longest wood coaster (Beast) AND the longest steel coaster (2009 hyper) in the same park!!! The predicted layout concepts for the 2009 ride look REALLY long, so maybe thats a possibility. I mean the longest steel coaster running along side the longest wood could be cool and a great advertisement thingy or whatever for the park. 2 Record Breaking coasters 1 park, or whatever, could really draw some attention in the amusement park world and maybe rid Kings Island of that not as distinguished as it once was image it currently has. Myself being a long time kings island fan really love the park and would love to see it brought back to being a coaster destination thast folks actually WANT to visit instead of a park thats gettin the same ride that the park in california/virginia/carolina/canada got last year. Ya know, somewhere you really want to go instead of somewhere you go just cause your friends need the credits or Robb's takin you on a trip there (probably still for the cedits). Kings Island has a fever, and the only perscription is a gigantic custom B&M terrain speed coaster that pisses excellence and puts it's pants on like every other coaster in the world, only when it's pants are on, it wins Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards!!! haha

 

3rd, It's a B&M so no matter what it can't totally suck! Seriously the way their speed coasters have turned out lately (Goliath, Hollywood Dream, Nitro, Sheikra/Griffon (kind of)) it's destined to be the best steel coaster at the park and dare I even say the entire region (CP,KW) ? Get ready Cedar point fanboys, but if this thing turns out like I hope Give me a ground huggin B&M terrain hyper filled with hot nasty speed and floater air through the wooded Ohio back country over Millennium Force and Dragster anyday!!!! (although I do freakin love Maverick). Oh and just imagine the night rides! Love or hate the beast you can't argue the fact that it's night rides are among the best on a coaster anywhere! This thing's night rides would be something like The beast's, all crazy fast and out of control in the total darkness, except on smooth as glass B&M steel. Need I say more? Looks like a great ride, way to go Kings Island

 

Really lookin forward to some more annoucements on this thing. Bring on 2009!

(that turned out longer than I expected, didn't mean to rant, but oh well)

[PKI Jizzman]

Okay, lol...I think comparing -anything- at KI to MF, TTD, Montu, Kumba, and 'big time' attractions is pretty unfair...is unfair, because yeah; we DON'T have anything close to a 'world' class coaster. Maybe Beast would because it's relatively famous. But this is the main thing that KI is in need of. The park isn't much different to CW getting Behemoth. Hopefully when CF sees the success up there, it will garuntee this project in 2009.

[ginzo]

Okay, lol...I think comparing -anything- at KI to MF, TTD, Montu, Kumba, and 'big time' attractions is pretty unfair...is unfair, because yeah; we DON'T have anything close to a 'world' class coaster. Maybe Beast would because it's relatively famous. But this is the main thing that KI is in need of. The park isn't much different to CW getting Behemoth. Hopefully when CF sees the success up there, it will garuntee this project in 2009.

 

The real shame is that the park doesn't already have a world class coaster. Kings Island pulls in a very healthy amount of guests each year.

 

I'm pretty hopeful about this project. I think it could be really good. I just hope it's more Nitro than Raging Bull.

[PKI Jizzman]

^With all the "renderings" on this coaster, and claiming to 'use the terrain' I don't see how the coaster could turn out to be a Raging Bull. Especially with all the negative comments about the RB after the trimming. But I agree, I'd rather have a spread out B&M instead of a more compact coaster. As someone stated above, how about a night ride on it! Wouldn't that be awesome?! My request is a tunnel. I want a tunnel.

[alpengeist04]

I have to admit Kings Island is nowhere near being on my radar for parks to visit in the next couple of years, but if this terrain B&M hyper rumor is true, then it'll suddenly become a probable park to visit in 09 when I hit Holiday World, Beech Bend, Dollywood, and a couple of others.

[BeemerBoy]

And, if they build this, I bet there's a KI turnstile click with your name on it on your next trip to CP.

I'm not ruling that out, but it'd have to be one very special and unique ride. If this turns out to be a shelf model with a couple modifications that provides an uninspired trek through a raped landscape (remember, we're talking about CF here), then it'll be tough to get too excited about it. And it's still tough to get excited about anything proposed for '09 until something official is presented.

 

On a side note, am I the only one out there that wishes a park with this kind of operating budget, and such a great parcel of land would finally give us a Nemesis: US edition?

[ginzo]

And, if they build this, I bet there's a KI turnstile click with your name on it on your next trip to CP.

I'm not ruling that out, but it'd have to be one very special and unique ride. If this turns out to be a shelf model with a couple modifications that provides an uninspired trek through a raped landscape (remember, we're talking about CF here), then it'll be tough to get too excited about it. And it's still tough to get excited about anything proposed for '09 until something official is presented.

 

On a side note, am I the only one out there that wishes a park with this kind of operating budget, and such a great parcel of land would finally give us a Nemesis: US edition?

 

The proposed layout is more interesting to me than any of the 4 US B&M hypers. And, in fairness, they're going to have to blast out a lot of trees. It's not like the coaster is smart enough to e-stop if a tree were to fall onto the track. Though I'm sure some other operators would do a more elegant job of this than CF would.

 

I've heard this rumor from more than the Interweb and the ECC magazine. It's going around the park workers as well. I'm just hoping for a few seasons of untrimmed goodness.

 

With all the grumbling about Black Mamba's reported lack of forces, I don't think there is going to be another Nemesis anywhere. Besides, then you're really straining the creative capacity of an inherently uncreative firm (CF).

 

Of course, I'm not saying you'd make a special Kings Island trip, Scott. I just doubt you'd drive right on past a new B&M hyper credit on your next Cedar Point excursion.

[LcHg5265]

You wouldn't really have to clear that many trees. Look at Boulder Dash for example. The only trees that needed to come down were the ones directly where the track is.

 

 

[Reon]

Wait a second...I just remembered I HAVE been on Raging Bull. Scratch all my anti-BM hyper posts from pages back. If this is anything like Bull I'll be happy, though I'd prefer a twister to an out-and-back.

[PKI Jizzman]

Wait...how can you forget you've been on a B&M hyper? Not being mean or anything...but lol.

 

I mean, I forgot I've been on Kombo in that Indianapolis Zoo....

[ginzo]

You wouldn't really have to clear that many trees. Look at Boulder Dash for example. The only trees that needed to come down were the ones directly where the track is.

 

Show me a corporate park with trees that close to the track. Granted they could just shut the ride down during high wind conditions.

 

Wait a second...I just remembered I HAVE been on Raging Bull. Scratch all my anti-BM hyper posts from pages back. If this is anything like Bull I'll be happy, though I'd prefer a twister to an out-and-back.

 

And Bull is widely considered the weakest of the B&M hypers because of the trims. Great first drop though.

[BeemerBoy]

Of course, I'm not saying you'd make a special Kings Island trip, Scott. I just doubt you'd drive right on past a new B&M hyper credit on your next Cedar Point excursion.

Nah, I hear what you're saying. The terrain does make this sound a bit more interesting than usual, but we'll see.

 

Show me a corporate park with trees that close to the track.

 

http://rcdb.com/ig17.htm?picture=8

[Carnage]

Show me a corporate park with trees that close to the track.

 

http://rcdb.com/ig17.htm?picture=8

 

Yeah, but Dragin Iron is doing what... 20 mph through those trees?

 

And Bull is widely considered the weakest of the B&M hypers because of the trims. Great first drop though.

 

Bull is an odd one to me. I really like it, and think it's a great ride. However ... that uphill trim really leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Every time I ride it all you can hear is "Awww. " from the people around you. It's just a huge blemish on what should be a great ride.