Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[prozach626]

^^^ It wasn't worth being preserved. It's been repeatedly explained from a common sense financial point of view that parks keep attractions based on ridership and cost. King's Island is a business, not a museum. At this point, I can't tell if you're trolling.

 

American Airlines retired one of their airplane models from their fleet just prior to Vortex closing. We saw banners and tributes in DFW when we were coming home from a trip. A week later, I saw a long segment on a news network about it. The planes were outdated and they didn't deliver as much rider comfort and efficiency as other modern aircraft. However, there were a ton of pilots, crew members, and maintenance techs who were pretty sad about the aircraft being retired. For quite a while, the airplanes were an icon for American Airlines. Despite some actual tears, not one person interviewed made mention of the possibility of preserving the airplanes.

 

Related: According to every other coaster enthusiast Facebook user, Vortex was their #1 coaster on its final day of operation. It's going to land a solid #7 on the list.

[BDD27]

^^^ It wasn't worth being preserved. It's been repeatedly explained from a common sense financial point of view that parks keep attractions based on ridership and cost. King's Island is a business, not a museum. At this point, I can't tell if you're trolling.

 

American Airlines retired one of their airplane models from their fleet just prior to Vortex closing. We saw banners and tributes in DFW when we were coming home from a trip. A week later, I saw a long segment on a news network about it. The planes were outdated and they didn't deliver as much rider comfort and efficiency as other modern aircraft. However, there were a ton of pilots, crew members, and maintenance techs who were pretty sad about the aircraft being retired. For quite a while, the airplanes were an icon for American Airlines. Despite some actual tears, not one person interviewed made mention of the possibility of preserving the airplanes.

 

Related: According to every other coaster enthusiast Facebook user, Vortex was their #1 coaster on its final day of operation. It's going to land a solid #7 on the list.

 

It would be nice though to see a park retrack an old arrow, or put enough money into one to have it see the future. I understand from a financial standpoint, but having a park with a great blend of Modern and classic rides provides a very well rounded experience. I'd love to see arrow loopers revived with modern technology. Seeing where they were headed towards the end with rides like Tennessee Tornado makes me wonder what they could do now. It's a pipe dream, but one can only wish

[southpuddle]

^Matterhorn says “hallå!”

[pǝʇɹǝʌuı]

It would be nice though to see a park retrack an old arrow, or put enough money into one to have it see the future. I understand from a financial standpoint, but having a park with a great blend of Modern and classic rides provides a very well rounded experience. I'd love to see arrow loopers revived with modern technology. Seeing where they were headed towards the end with rides like Tennessee Tornado makes me wonder what they could do now. It's a pipe dream, but one can only wish

 

Didn't Shilke Design TT? By that logic, it could be said that RMC's are the "modern Arrow loopers" . If you want some company continuity, S&S Sansei just built Steel Curtain, which definitely falls in the category of "mega-looper." The same people stayed in the industry for the most part. Had Arrow not gone bankrupt I don't think we'd be seeing anything too different than what we're seeing today. Design can always be improved upon, and for the most part it has been. Look at Vekoma and what they're doing these days!

 

I was personally a fan of Vortex, but you can't deny that it had it's awkward moments, like the rapid track banking before the loops that punched you in the face, or the hairpin turn brilliantly placed before the MCBR. It was the quirkiness that made it what it was, and that can't be replicated because it's simply not practical; even the GP would think it's dumb. If you want intentional quirkiness, look at RMC. It's very different from what you see on old Arrow coasters, but it's so much more comfortable.

 

It's sad to see a legendary coaster like Vortex go, but we can't sit here forever and mourn it's loss. We have the technology now to make rides that are so much better! I have no doubt that the park will put something in that will more than make up for the loss. For now, let's look forward to our giga!

[joelwee]

Speaking of Vortex, has demolition started yet? Word on the street is the park wants it gone by the beginning of Winterfest, but there was a similar rumor floating around about Firehawk last year, so who knows?

[tndank]

Orion's lift was topped off this morning.

[jarmor]

Okay... Can someone explain to me how this is not a “true giga?”

 

Not trying to be an ass here. I feel like I’ve missed something.... I’ve seen “fake giga,” or “not a real giga” a couple of times, and I’m confused!

 

Its a running joke since its not 300 feet tall. Its like 286 but with a 300 foot drop

Not a Giga . . .

[Pedrinho]

Can anyone explain to me what's inside an enthusiasts head?

Would a 300 ft lift hill with a 286 ft drop be a giga? And why? It's 14 ft. less of a drop than Orion. What about 325 ft lift with a 250 ft. drop? Is that a giga? What about a 350 ft lift with a drop of 60 ft, a little hill of 10 ft, another drop of 60 ft and so on? What if it's built on a cliff, has no lift, but a 350 ft drop?

Seriously people. It's a giga.

[coasterbill]

People make up their own rules and in the end none of it matters anyway because all that matters is that the ride will be awesome.

[Canobie Coaster]

Here we go again.

 

I don't care what the ride is classified as provided it's awesome. And it probably will going by Leviathan and Fury 325.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

With the TPR poll coming back to life, I'd love to know where everyone had Vortex at on their list and where they are rating it this year.

 

Vortex was in the bottom quarter of 300 something coasters among Cannonball at Lake Winnie, Iron Dragon, the Gerstlauer spinners.

Well the TPR poll doesn't include defunct coasters, but if it did I honestly would rank Vortex a little higher than I did last year. News of its closing got me on it again and I got some better rides on it as a result, but it still wouldn't top my best 100 or even 150.

 

People make up their own rules and in the end none of it matters anyway because all that matters is that the ride will be awesome.

[youtu_be]

[/youtu_be]

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

Sorry for the double post. Here's a picture of the aforementioned topped-off Orion taken by Josh from FYE Coasters.

Photo credit: FYE Coasters

Whoever said that Orion wouldn't look too much taller than Diamondback, sorry but it looks like you're wrong. Diamondback is technically closer to the main gate (at least I think so? I'm bad at orienteering and spatial reasoning) but it doesn't tower over the skyline in this same way. It seriously looks like Orion is just a little past the entrance even though it's way further back. Super cool! I can't wait to see it in person at Winter Fest! Edited November 6, 2019 by RAWKIN_coaster38

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

Okay I take it back, Diamondback and Orion look the same.

[pǝʇɹǝʌuı]

Yeah I was looking at the weatherbug cam earlier and I was disappointed to find that, from Kings Island Drive, they look almost identical. I'm sure that as you get closer to each ride, the height difference will be clear. But from the road? Diamondback and Blue Diamondback. Doesn't help that the drops are oriented the same way.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Well, I for one applaud Kings Island for their valiant effort. It takes a lot to piss off enthusiasts with a giga coaster, but they have gone to extreme lengths to ensure an enthusiast-free experience on Orion. Hats off to them!

[Pedrinho]

Well, I for one applaud Kings Island for their valiant effort. It takes a lot to piss off enthusiasts with a giga coaster, but they have gone to extreme lengths to ensure an enthusiast-free experience on Orion. Hats off to them!

[prozach626]

A couple more:

 

 

 

Photo credit: Amusement Insiders Facebook Page

[pǝʇɹǝʌuı]

Well, I for one applaud Kings Island for their valiant effort. It takes a lot to piss off enthusiasts with a giga coaster, but they have gone to extreme lengths to ensure an enthusiast-free experience on Orion. Hats off to them!

 

Ok wow I feel attacked. I'm not dissing on Orion, just making an lighthearted observation. Y'know, tryin' to keep keep it loose. Look at the pictures and you'll see what I mean.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

Well, I for one applaud Kings Island for their valiant effort. It takes a lot to piss off enthusiasts with a giga coaster, but they have gone to extreme lengths to ensure an enthusiast-free experience on Orion. Hats off to them!

There are so many potential puns here, it isn't even funny.

 

Well one thing's for sure: Orion looks a hell of a lot better than Firehawk ever did. And while Orion kinda matches Diamondback from a distance (at least in the video), it does not match Diamondback at all in person. Seriously, those track pieces are pretty darn massive and it was a little surreal seeing them while in line for Field of Screams.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Puns that aren't funny are my speciality!

[Nrthwnd]

^ He Posts The Truth.

[DILinator]

Orion looks great topped off! And there is zero doubt in my mind Orion will be an awesome coaster to ride! I also wouldn't be surprised if it's my favorite coaster at KI!

 

But anybody trying to say it and Diamondback don't look almost identical from a distance, are either being disingenuous, or lying to themselves. I'm sure the coasters will ride somewhat differently, and a GIga (or GINO, depending on your perspective) is always going to be a fantastic addition to a park, KI included.

 

I do have to say though, it seems like there's this mentality that either you worship at the alter of KIGA, and CF, and pretend that this is the greatest coaster ever installed simply because it's large, and cost a lot of money, or you're an entitled enthusiast who's out of touch with reality, and deserves derision. Talk about a take completely bereft of nuance, and objective reasoning! It's 100% possible to both LOVE this coaster, and be super excited about KI getting it, and being able to ride it starting next year, and also feel like it was a strange addition given its similarity to Diamondback, or its barely qualifying as a 300 foot coaster, or any of the other reasonable (emphasis on that word, because admittedly, not all things being said about it are reasonable) questions some enthusiasts have about it. I don't get why some feel it needs to be one or the other, and can't just admit both perspectives are valid.

 

But again, Orion looks fantastic, and I simply cannot wait until I get my first view of it towering over the West side of the park, providing a lovely twin coaster hill skyline for the park!

[PKI Jizzman]

I can't wait to see that wave turn start to rise! Let's see it B&M!

 

S H O W M E W H A T Y O U G O T !

[KIJester]

This has probably been mentioned before but I find it interesting that both CF Ohio parks now have gigas with grey supports and blue track.

[prozach626]

^Cedar Fair ran out of dark orange paint.

 

But anybody trying to say it and Diamondback don't look almost identical from a distance, are either being disingenuous, or lying to themselves.

 

Even I chuckled at the video from outside of the park where Diamondback looks bigger than Orion. The lifts oriented in the same direction don't help. This may be the most 'basic bitch' of the 'basic bitch' B&M gigas. I still hold that if it comes even close to the lesser B&M giga, being Leviathan, it will still kick ass.

 

The whole thing is hilarious and I love it. Watching all of the anger, frustration, crying, bitching, and waves of all other E-drama unfold has been a troll's dream. Yet, at the same time I'm watching Orion go up and I can't help but to think that strictly from a visual standpoint this thing is starting to actually 'look' like Diamondback 2.0, as others have complained about. Especially for those who don't know what they're looking at.

 

I'm certain I'll enjoy the hell out of this thing. Bring on the runway size brake run! I hope the calculations are wrong and the drop ends up being 298 feet.

 

#notmygiga

#imwithfury