Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[oriolat]

^And most importantly, Orion's brake run must be as tall as Racer's lift hill structure.

[The Great Zo]

The lift piece of Orion's track is visible from I-71. From that angle, it's right next to Racer's lift hill, and it's already almost as tall. The skyline is changing.

[prozach626]

I feel rides like Vortex should be recognized and renovated to keep them around as long as possible, tearing them down literally is removing history of the park, and the history of coasters. Why Cedar Fair is not doing everything they can to keep the ride around, it really is a shame.

 

This sentiment is getting really annoying to me. How much of an important piece of history is Vortex in the grand scheme of pieces of history? Can't everything be classified as a piece of history? I flushed my toilet this morning after doing my business instead of keeping it around, despite it technically being an enjoyable piece of history... (special thanks to coffee)

 

I buy fun cars and every vehicle I've owned has given me great pleasure to drive. They have all been very important in keeping up with the day to day routine in my life. In the Midwest, they've been vital to my employment, getting necessities to live, and recreation. Every vehicle I've owned has been somewhat of a significant piece of my own history and I can separate segments of my life's timeline and memories by which vehicle I had. Almost all of them have been my own personal record breakers for speed, handling, fun, and amenities compared to my previous cars.

 

Many of my previous vehicles have life altering importance, such as my first ever vehicle which gave me freedom of transportation and knowledge of how to drive a manual transmission. It made it possible for me to get my first job bagging groceries. I even had one very important piece of shit Hyundai Elantra that I traded in a very nice car for, in order to pave the way to pay off all of my financial debts. I remember the first car my wife and I purchased as a unit, when we were engaged. It was her primary car and that Honda Fit 1.6 liter engine took her to work, took us to get groceries for our first apartment, hauled boxes to our first house, took wedding presents home from the reception, and transported us across the country in the dawn of our traveling hobby. Both of the aforementioned made vehicles were emotional to get rid of. Some of my vehicles even represent financial milestones, such as the first new car I ever purchased by myself, the first one I ever paid off, or the first one I ever purchased in full straight from the showroom floor. There were feelings of sadness with every vehicle I got rid of. (except for the 350z) Even the car I have now will likely take our first child from the hospital to its first home.

 

My point is, although being somewhat of a car guy and making so many memories traveling in our vehicles, despite their sentimental value and historical significance our lives, my wife and I didn't keep any of them around. Sometimes you just have to get rid of one of your favorite toys and move on, when it makes the most sense to do so.

[coasterbill]

I feel rides like Vortex should be recognized and renovated to keep them around as long as possible, tearing them down literally is removing history of the park, and the history of coasters. Why Cedar Fair is not doing everything they can to keep the ride around, it really is a shame.

 

They're not a museum. If you want to gift them a not-even-remotely-tax-deductible 10 million dollar donation to keep it running for a few more years then they might reconsider.

 

If the ride is costing them more money to maintain and operate than they believe that it's making them (which is obviously hard to quantify) then they're not going to keep it. Why would they do that?

 

It sucks that they're removing it but they're a business and unfortunately that's how it is. Oh, and by "it sucks that they're removing it" I mean that it would suck if the ride was good but I actually don't care at all because we're talking about Vortex at Kings Island which is an awful ride.

Edited October 14, 2019 by coasterbill

[mark549]

I feel rides like Vortex should be recognized and renovated to keep them around as long as possible, tearing them down literally is removing history of the park, and the history of coasters. Why Cedar Fair is not doing everything they can to keep the ride around, it really is a shame.

 

They're not a museum. If you want to gift them a not-even-remotely-tax-deductible 10 million dollar donation to keep it running for a few more years then they might reconsider.

 

If the ride is costing them more money to maintain and operate than they believe that it's making them (which is obviously hard to quantify) then they're not going to keep it. Why would they do that?

 

It sucks that they're removing it but they're a business and unfortunately that's how it is. Oh, and by "it sucks that they're removing it" I mean that it would suck if the ride was good but I actually don't care at all because we're talking about Vortex at Kings Island which is an awful ride.

 

 

My guess is if a new ride replaces that coathanger coaster the park will keep the station (historical continuity and cost reduction). Wasn't the station originally built for the original "Bat" (great idea that didn't quite work).

 

Last time I went to Kings Island I made a side trip to this historical site, close enough to KI it might be visible from the Orion lift hill.

 

https://fortancient.org

Fort Ancient State Park

 

now that's historical ...

[tndank]

Did the Skycoaster at Kings Island this weekend. It was $5. With pass discount, less than $5 after tax. First time. Loved it.

 

Park was busy Saturday. We had great visit. Got another couple hours in Sunday before hitting Stricker's. Enjoyed the Halloween atmosphere and the mazes. For awhile the lines everywhere were sizable. FLs were great on this day.

[coasterbill]

Do they still set stupid cheap prices for the Skycoaster in the morning and then raise them throughout the day? I feel like we rode a few years ago for like 5 bucks early in the morning and then walked by later to see that they had bumped the price way up.

[Canobie Coaster]

They do the same thing for the Slingshot there too since neither ride is probably going to be anyone's first stop.

 

Do they also lower the price in the evening as well or is it just cheap in the morning?

[WolfBobs]

I feel rides like Vortex should be recognized and renovated to keep them around as long as possible, tearing them down literally is removing history of the park, and the history of coasters. Why Cedar Fair is not doing everything they can to keep the ride around, it really is a shame.

 

They're not a museum. If you want to gift them a not-even-remotely-tax-deductible 10 million dollar donation to keep it running for a few more years then they might reconsider.

 

 

This, yes it "sucks" when "classic" rides are removed. But amusement parks need to constantly evolve to grow as a business. People need to stop thinking with a narrow mind and realize that parks are only on this earth to make money for the company and or shareholders. If the land a ride sits on becomes more valuable then the ride itself it's time to remove that ride and use that land for something else. Be it a new coaster, restroom, food stand or bench. Sometimes that is better for the park financially then a ride that is old and unpopular among a large portion of the parks guests.

 

Eventually, maybe even 30 years from now rides like Banshee, Diamondback and Orion will be on the chopping block. It's just a matter of time. Nothing will last forever.

[tndank]

RE: Slingshot and Skycoaster - They do adjust pricing. It was $10 Sat morning, $5 Sun morning. Slingshot $15, $10. Seems like later in the day they removed the special pricing. Not sure if they lower it again late night.

 

KI is the only park I've noticed this summer that does this regularly.

[Canobie Coaster]

I've seen some of the northeast parks lower the price of sky coasters on bitter cold days. I couldn't pass up riding the one at Great Adventure with temperatures in the teens when it was only $5.

[coasterbill]

I’m always tempted by that but I’m always at the park with a bunch of complete whimps. Honestly this year I’ll ride the damn thing solo if I have to.

[Canobie Coaster]

Don't the people you're with ride Nitro? That is 10X worse than the sky coaster in the cold.

[coasterbill]

It’s not a “cold” problem, it’s a “divebombing 150 feet on a tiny cable” problem.

[tndank]

I never thought I'd do it. But what the heck. Pulling the cord and that free fall until the slack is gone is pretty darn cool.

[Haymaker]

My kids and wife have done it, I refuse. Free falling face first isnt my idea of fun (from 180 ft at SFDL)

[WolfBobs]

It’s not a “cold” problem, it’s a “divebombing 150 feet on a tiny cable” problem.

 

I was trained on the Skycoaster at GL (cool fact when you're certified as a site controller you can ride any skycoaster in the world for free!) and those tiny cables are very very strong. You can essentially put a car in a harness and swing in that and you'd be fine! If I remember correctly each cable is rated for 2000lbs. Of course, this was almost 18 years ago when I was trained so some things could have changed. lol

[coasterbill]

Brit picks and chooses when she wants to be afraid of things. I think the Kissimmee one scarred her for life.

 

Boldy, listen to this man. Let's do it.

[Haymaker]

It’s not a “cold” problem, it’s a “divebombing 150 feet on a tiny cable” problem.

 

I was trained on the Skycoaster at GL (cool fact when you're certified as a site controller you can ride any skycoaster in the world for free!) and those tiny cables are very very strong. You can essentially put a car in a harness and swing in that and you'd be fine! If I remember correctly each cable is rated for 2000lbs. Of course, this was almost 18 years ago when I was trained so some things could have changed. lol

 

The ops at DL said its the safest ride in the park

[coasterbill]

I think it's understood that the ride is safe. It's still terrifying to the vast majority of the population.

 

PS: Ask your Darien Lake friend to explain in detail how Moose on the Loose is objectively more of a deathtrap than the Sky Coaster.

[Coastard69]

Saturday had insane crowds. Still managed to get on Timbers twice, Banshee twice, Beast, Votex, Racer (both sides), Adventure Express, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Bat, Diamondback and Invertigo. Hadn't been to Kings Island in 10 years, Beast and Votex still suck. Banshee was alright, Diamondback was pretty good and Timbers was awesome. Couldn't believe it when I saw the line for the beast was 105 minutes. However the last hour of operation (12-1am) was light crowds and a great time to get some night rides. Went back the next morning and got on Timbers, Diamondback and Flight of Fear. WTH have they done or not done for FoF to become so damn rough?

[Canobie Coaster]

^ I'm just thankful I never rode Flight of Fear with the OSTRs. Yes it shakes you around a bit, but I don't find it uncomfortable.

[coasterbill]

I feel like the Kings Island Flight of Fear has always been rougher than the Kings Dominion one and I have no clue why. I'd imagine that Kings Dominion's formula for success is just making sure that the ride is down mechanical 99% of the time so the trains stay in pristine, "like-new" condition as they never actually move or do anything.

[Canobie Coaster]

Kings Island's was down almost all day when I went last year, so that one seems to have its fair share of closures too.

[prozach626]

I was just about to start bitching (jokingly) about how I thought more work on the lift and drop would have been happening at this point. Then, I saw the big crane on scene. Shit's about to get real.

 

 

WTH have they done or not done for FoF to become so damn rough?

Usually by the time I get to FoF my liver takes all of the pain.