Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[Koasterking48]

The first picture they put out made me think Triotech dark ride, but the second leaves me a little confused... Maybe a full retrack of the Racer and returning to the original paint scheme?

[John Peck]

I hope it's a refurbishment of Coney Mall with a couple new flat rides and a refurbishment of the Racer

[CDawg]

I'm thinking a list of things...

 

1.) One train backwards.

2.) RMC? (Maybe it's too short for an RMC)

3.) FOF, FH plaza expansion for new dark ride and a few flats or a coaster.

4.) Dark ride in action theater.

5.) General refurb to The Racer.

[PKI Jizzman]

I believe Cedar Fair turned all backwards rides forwards when they acquired Paramount due to insurance or ride manufacture reasons. Maybe an Ohio thing? Did Ohio ban parks from running rides against their factory suggested settings? I remember conversations about that when Backwards Racer was turned around. Doubtful on backwards.

[CDawg]

I believe Cedar Fair turned all backwards rides forwards when they acquired Paramount due to insurance or ride manufacture reasons. Maybe an Ohio thing? Did Ohio ban parks from running rides against their factory suggested settings? I remember conversations about that when Backwards Racer was turned around. Doubtful on backwards.

 

Haven't read into it at all but that sounds very likely. Considering like you said, if it's not following manufacturers settings it could break the axels and crack the wheels...

[robbalvey]

Also it's an ACE landmark so I doubt it will be leaving.

It amuses me that someone would think that because ACE plopped down a plaque in front of a ride that means it's sacred or something! lol

[redfoot12]

Also it's an ACE landmark so I doubt it will be leaving.

It amuses me that someone would think that because ACE plopped down a plaque in front of a ride that means it's sacred or something! lol

 

Yeah, it's not as if their plaques qualify the rides to be put on the national register of historic places.

[BabyDinosaur]

Brand new woodie?

[TyRush]

Should be very interesting to see what we have in store with such short notice. Is that building in the turnaround of the racer used for anything? Not too familiar with that.

[coasterbill]

Yeah I highly doubt this has anything to do with Racer.

[JonnyRCT3]

Racer is an icon for the park, and can be enjoyed by everyone. I can't see a i-box transformation, but a topper-track refurbishment seems possible. That would allow the coaster to remain the same (layout wise/family friendly) and cut down maintenance costs. This would also allow for the ride to be super-smooth, and would carry more speed throughout the ride (better airtime, etc.). It could possibly get a repaint too. Honestly, we might see a complete Coney Island overhaul, similar to the Gemini midway at Cedar Point last year.

[mpmbee]

Pretty sure I remember seeing some construction workers working at the front of that building by Racers turnaround last week.

[thewesker]

Should be very interesting to see what we have in store with such short notice. Is that building in the turnaround of the racer used for anything? Not too familiar with that.

It hasn't been used in years.

[John Peck]

The old action theater had the Dinosaurs Alive movie in it about 3 years ago, but all it is used for now is Urgent Scare during the Haunt.

[Geauga Dog]

Hmm, like the idea of a Coney Mall refurb. Racer repainted back to its original red, white, and blue paint scheme plus CF went looking for classic flats in Europe so maybe a couple will return next year as well.

[drummermattk]

I'm still betting on the info I heard in July , which was a water park expansion. OR, maybe they're bringing back the blue side racer facing forwards and the red side facing backwards. I don't see anything going into the action theater because they have had all the urgent scare props and stuff In the same spot all year. But maybe a new flat coming to Flight Commanders spot.

[blakelemay23]

I believe Cedar Fair turned all backwards rides forwards when they acquired Paramount due to insurance or ride manufacture reasons. Maybe an Ohio thing? Did Ohio ban parks from running rides against their factory suggested settings? I remember conversations about that when Backwards Racer was turned around. Doubtful on backwards.

The trains were turned forwards to run the ride like it did when it first opened. Correct me if im wrong.

[KI Kidd]

The park has publicly stated nostalgia as being the reason for the switch. However, there is now an Ohio law that requires parks to follow all manufacturer's recommendations for ride operations. PTC does not recommend that their trains run backwards.

[Coasterschool]

Don (Kings Island PR) would never let the Racer be torn down. He holds the ride record for it. From the hints from KI CENTRAL today, looks like trains from Thunder Road will be moved to the Racer and it will run backwards. The Thunder Road trains are in much better condition than the current racer train.

[coasterkid124]

The park has publicly stated nostalgia as being the reason for the switch. However, there is now an Ohio law that requires parks to follow all manufacturer's recommendations for ride operations. PTC does not recommend that their trains run backwards.

 

Is this something relatively new? I remember Comet at Crystal Beach (now at Great Escape) used to run half the train backwards, half forwards and it was a PTC.

 

I guess what I'm really asking is that did PTC ever directly come out and say this, or were there any service bulletins?

Edited August 19, 2015 by coasterkid124

[Intimidator305]

Don (Kings Island PR) would never let the Racer be torn down. He holds the ride record for it.

 

I'm confident that both Racer and Rebel Yell are safe for many years to come, but please don't believe the park's PR manager has much of a say when it comes to removing rides - That's made at the executive level of the chain with the park's VP/GM.

[drummermattk]

I find it a little bit funny how the Kings Island Twitter, and instagram pages used Racer in their pctures, while Don Helbigs Tweet used Firehawk........... Maybe they're renaming Coney Mall and X-Base and making them one? After all they did take down the Coney Mall Sign.

[Coasterschool]

KI CENTRAL tweeted that two things original to the park were going to be removed. I think it's the Racer trains. They also posted a picture of the Racer running backwards. Not sure about the Fire hawk pic.

[drummermattk]

In other words we know the blackout building has been completely painted. And oh my.

[KI Kidd]

The park has publicly stated nostalgia as being the reason for the switch. However, there is now an Ohio law that requires parks to follow all manufacturer's recommendations for ride operations. PTC does not recommend that their trains run backwards.

 

Is this something relatively new? I remember Comet at Crystal Beach (now at Great Escape) used to run half the train backwards, half forwards and it was a PTC.

 

I guess what I'm really asking is that did PTC ever directly come out and say this, or were there any service bulletins?

 

 

I'm not sure that I have ever seen the actual sheet of recommendations from PTC to be honest. My understanding is that the recommendation not to run them backwards was made in 2006-2007-ish, whenever it was that recaR was turned forwards.