Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[Ejectorbater]

^Maybe since Cedar Fair doesn't meet your expectations, they should pay Six Flags to put in onboard audio and some lame fire effects. And then give it an original name such as Batman or Superman. I dont know. Just an idea

[Vffreak07]

^Maybe since Cedar Fair doesn't meet your expectations, they should pay Six Flags to put in onboard audio and some lame fire effects. And then give it an original name such as Batman or Superman. I dont know. Just an idea

 

Now we're talkin'!

[B&MIntaminGCI]

It could have been worse, they could have placed it near Drop Zone/Tower whatever it's called. They would have been like fraternal twins.

[John Peck]

No Son of Beast on this years Park Map, now in its Cedar Fair stylin'

Screen Shot of the Park Map (Found in the Math and Science Days brochure download)

[jedimaster1227]

http://twitpic.com/4gzexr

 

PHOTO: New ride enhancements have been added for 2011 to the Crypt.

[Buckeye_Ben]

^Now hopefully they can get it running on a consistent basis again...good to see that they're giving it some TLC. Crypt has been going downhill fast the last few years.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

It actually looks shorter to me that I though it would look like...

 

Me would like one shipped to KD asap!

 

I second that!!

 

Was riding flying ace yesterday & that thing gives me vertigo & it's only 85 ft tall so imagine that same basic experience from the height of DT or I305....I'll bet alot of folks are gonna come of shaking after the ride worse than I did on skycoaster.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Ive never been on the ride, what exactly are we looking at here?

[KI Kidd]

It is the entrance to The Crypt (HUSS Giant Top Spin) ride chamber. When it opened as Tomb Raider: The Ride there was a door that closed off the ride chamber from the rest of the que so that those waiting could not see the ride before boarding. When CF took over and had to 'de-theme' the ride the door was removed so that those waiting to board could see the ride in action. This picture shows the new door installed this off season.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Got it, thank you for that explanation.

[chickenbowl]

I rode the Crypt last year, and I thought the theming was good (that demon thing), but the ride cycle itself was super short and only flipped like once, which I thought was really lame for the largest Top Spin in the world. It has a lot of potential.

[Geauga Dog]

The winged demon animatronic was pretty cool but the ride experience is laughable now. I miss the Tomb Raider ride cycle.

[KI Kidd]

The ride has had its share of problems pretty much since opening. There is a reason that HUSS only built one giant top spin. It is widely suspected that the orignal ride program and water effects took a toll on the ride. It suffered from extensive downtime basically until the current two flip cycle was introduced. The theming and ride cycle when it opened as Tomb Raider were incredible, literally (IMO) on par with many Disney or Universal experiences. Obviously the liscense for Tomb Raider left when CF took over and CF attempted to make up for the 'de-theme' of the ride by introducing a more intense nine flip cycle. However this just caused greater amounts of downtime and the two flip cycle was introduced.

[jedimaster1227]

http://twitpic.com/4hb1tu

 

Here's another look at some of the new ride enhancements for the Crypt.

[B.A.B]

This years map is lame,I loved it when Paramount owned the park because they put plants and trees on the map,I remeber when they put alot of detail in there maps.

[Millenniumfan94]

This years map is lame,I loved it when Paramount owned the park because they put plants and trees on the map,I remeber when they put alot of detail in there maps.

 

Honestly now, does the map really matter that much...?

[B.A.B]

I don't know,but I just like the older maps though becuase they had more detail.

[Skramp]

The work is progressing on Windseeker. From a picture on their webcam, you can see the swing support structure being completed.

Windseeker at PKI

[traincrossin]

Anyone know when testing may start?

[coastermaniac]

I only got to ride the Crypt in its currents state (the two spin cycle). Was it really that much better when it was Tomb Raider themed?

[Buckeye_Ben]

^ I definitely think so. When it was themed as TR:TR, the theming was probably as good as you'll see outside the Disney/Universal/Busch parks. Where the bat-thing currently stands, there was a preshow giving some backstory, and the door toward the ride was closed, so you didn't know what type of ride you were in for. Now the door is open (at least it was the last time I rode), ruining the surprise.

 

During the ride itself, there was a massive carving of a goddess on the wall, and you were thrown into a battle between fire and ice. There was a soundtrack that fit really well with the ride cycle, along with a sequence where you got lowered toward the lava upside down. The cycle was a little more intense, with 4 or 5 flips (I can't remember exactly how many) instead of the 2 they have now.

 

Now the ride just feels like a Top Spin in a box, whereas before it was about as well-themed and immersive as it could possibly be. The theming gradually wore away when Cedar Fair took over...they ran an "insane" program a couple years ago with 9 or 10 flips that almost compensated for the lack of theming. Now the ride is a shell of its former self.

 

It's still an "ok" ride, but not something I'd wait more than 5 minutes for now. Hopefully the new theming means KI is trying to restore some of the ride's former glory.

[Geauga Dog]

The parts I remember from Tomb Raider were:

 

1. At the start you were slowly lifted to come face to face with the large goddess on the wall. In her hands were a red crystal for fire and and blue crystal for ice. The face would then turn angry and the ride would then give a freefall-type effect.

 

2. Another part would be the carriage would then be lifted until you are looking straight up at the stalagtites/stalagmites on the ceiling with skelton remains mixed in. Sometimes you can feel drops of water in certain seats. I believe the first upside down flip was right afterwards.

 

3. As mentioned you would eventually be held face down as the lava pit came to life. This would be just water with fiery colored lights. There would be small geysers that would shoot up towards the ride vehicle and I believe there was one seat where a rider would actually get hit by the water.

 

I did the Discovery Channel shoot for the ride in 2002 and it was a blast, getting about six or seven rides during the shoot. The ride experience, from the theming to the storyline to the music all worked really well for this attraction. It's a shame it can't be like it used to be.

[KI Kidd]

The new park map is up.

 

Park Map Link

[CoasterGuy06]

I hate those new style maps Cedar Fair is using. Last year's just looked better (i.e. had trees)

[Intimidator305]

Since when did Invertigo have its loop removed? HAHA!

 

But anyways, I actually like KD's Cedar Fair map (besides the lifthill on Avalanche being on the wrong side), but KI's Cedar Fair map is so "plain" and it just looks like its missing something...