[RCT2] Kings Lake - No CS, No cheats, No expansion packs!

[Tchu]

The challenge…

 

I sat down to do a challenging park (in part for the fun of the challenge, in part due to circumstances such as building the park on a computer not my own) and thus far, it’s proven to be every bit as difficult as I expected.

 

For starters, this is my first attempt at a replicating a realistic park. In the past, I’d simply built parks to the extent necessary to complete a scenario. This meant no scenery and unnecessary landscaping. No station buildings. No enclosures for food/drink stalls. Single-wide paths that didn’t waste money and wouldn’t get guests lost/stuck/confused etc. This is my first attempt at anything resembling an actual amusement park.

 

Secondly, the limitations in place have been highly challenging. This is a no CS, no cheats, no hacks, no expansion packs park. This is just RCT2 as it was meant to be played straight out of the box.

 

This means no custom supports (they look amazing… but unless they are the couple supports offered in-game… not using them), no custom scenery, no merged tracks courtesy of trainers or hacks. If it’s a coaster, flat, or piece of scenery that didn’t come until WW or TT… it won’t be included here.

 

With that said… here’s the story:

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Kings Lake opened in 1978. The land (including said lake) was owned by the family of Gertrude King. Ms King and her family operated a small mill that became obsolete in the mide 70s. With a modest fortune at her disposal, Ms. King decided to use the family’s land to indulge a life-long passion of hers… roller coasters.

 

In 1978, Kings Lake opened as a small pay-per-ride park that included a Ferris Wheel and their wooden classic “King Coaster”, built especially for the park.

 

For several years, the park operated as such. Then, in the mid 1980s, in an effort to expand, King’s Lake added a scrambler ride, as well as their first steel coaster. The custom Arrow Looper, featuring five inversions and built on the lake side, was dubbed “The Hurricane”.

 

The debut of the new steelie brough renewed interest to the park, and Kings Lake thrived as a small amusement, experiencing success through the 80s and into the early 1990s. By the mid-90s, however, unable to finance new and thrilling attractions, the park began to fall off many amusement park enthusiasts radar.

 

It was during this time that Ms. King’s health took a turn for the worse. In her 70s, and unable to perform her necessary duties, Ms. King handed over the reigns to her son, George, who would oversee day-to-day operations.

 

By the late 90s, Kings Lake was a shadow of its former self. In an effort to fulfill Ms. King’s dream of seeing the family-owned land turned into a thriving amusement park, and with his mother’s blessing, George King sold the park and all rights to the land to Cedar Fair.

 

Talk of the change in ownership began in 2000, and the sale was finalized during the 2001 season. In 2002, Kings Lake was closed to the public, while renovations began on the existing rides. At the same time, the first ideas of expansion were tossed around by the park’s new owners.

 

Finally, a plan was laid out. In 2003, Kings Lake would re-open, new and improved. The four existing rides would remain as part of a ‘classic midway’ themed area dubbed ‘Americana’. Meanwhile, work would begin on two new sections of the park, one making use of the heavily wooded hills, the second a kid’s area, meant to please the young ones and allow for the entire family to enjoy a day in the park.

 

These new areas would tentatively open in 2005, tripling the parks size.

 

Cedar Fair is (not surprisingly) moving away from pay-per-ride to an entrance fee for the park. Here is the ticket booth, complete with a place for processing season passes (which will debut upon the completion of the park's two new areas for the 05 season).

 

The entrance gates, as well as a shot of Key Hole Photos, an info kiosk, and storage lockers immediately to the left of the entrance.

 

The main entrance plaza or "Main Street". A beautiful fountain, surrounded by landscaping and numerous building. Here is a shot of the Regal Diner (just a food court) and a gift shop.

 

The other side of Main Street. A building for unknown purposes, and a restaurant known as 'The Fountain'.

 

The garden clock and the entrance to the park's tribute to good ol' fashion midways... Americana.

 

The entrance to the park's first coaster, a woodie by the name of King Coaster. Also pictured: Subway... Eat Fresh!

 

The entrance to Kings Lake very own Arrow looping/corkscrewing (is that a word?) coaster... The Hurricane!

 

When ya gotta go... ya gotta go.

 

Cedar Fair moved the park's ferris wheel, to give it a great location at the water's edge.

 

An overview of the Americana section of the park as it exists now.

[Chris Benvenuto]

Not too shabby.....I like what I see, and I think you actually have something going here.

 

Keep up the good work!

[the ghost]

That looks really good so far. The buildings are a little to blocky but they are pretty reaslistic. I would really like to see an overhead of Kings coaster.

[DBru]

This is great. Just great.

 

Some people may not agree with those statements...but what I meant was, the whole idea is great. The lack of CS, the original storyline, the nice looking plazas...you've really got what you wanted; a nice park that will challenge you to the end!

 

This is something I would look into in the near future...challenges can be really fun!

 

Keep building, you have a nice start!

[Thelegendarymatthew]

This feels like the KI recreation that was made a while ago. Good work so far.

-Matthew.K

[rckrazy06]

This looks really good for not having any CS. Can't wait to see more.

[triggernel]

I was just wondering if you are going to continue on this awesome looking challenge.

[Thelegendarymatthew]

^When people rush we end up with stuff thats suppose to go in the toilet, give the guy some time. Plus, it will probably look nicer too.

-Matthew.K

[Tchu]

Thanks everybody. I greatly appreciate the kind words. This is turning out to be even more challenging than I thought without CS and expansion packs. Options are pretty darn limited.

 

As it stands now, I've got two new sections to the park finished (those updates will follow over the next couple weeks) and have started further expanding Americana.

 

Anywho... to kill some time till the unveiling of the new sections/rides...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

December 1st, 2004

 

Hey guys,

 

Been giving Kings Lake a lotta love in the local paper I write for, and as a result I scored some great photos from Don Cunningham, head of Public relations from the park. He was kind enough to send me pictures of King Coaster testing back in 2002... before any expansion on the park had begun!

 

He also sent me a sneak peek of what to expect when Kings Lake debuts it's new sections of the park next year! Below is the letter Don sent me.

 

Matt,

 

Thanks for all the kind words and great publicity you've been giving us! As a way of saying 'thank you', I've included some exclusive pictures for you. Hopefully this working relationship can continue in the future. We're expecting people to be quite 'hyper' when we open the gates for the 2005 season!

 

Sincerely,

Don Cunningham

 

Hopefully, in the coming days, I can get some great shots of The Hurricane. It's one of my favs.

 

Anyways... on to the pictures!

 

Here's the first drop on King Coaster, complete with the classic "Do Not Stand" sign!

 

Some air-time hills down the back-stretch. You can see how these hills were built onto the existing hillside.

 

An overview of King Coaster. When it was built back in the 70s, it was one of the largest woodies in the world.

 

Coaster track on-site! I've been told vertical construction is underway on what will be one of the biggest projects for Cedar Fair to date!

[DBru]

I'm "hyper" to see what the new coaster will be!

[thrillrideseeker]

WOW! The park looks great so far!! Im thinking the next coaster will be a dive machine, or floorless coaster!

~Matthew

[Tchu]

Small teaser of things to come!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

2005 to be “Mammoth” year for Kings Lake

 

October 14th, 2004

 

When Cedar Fair purchased Kings Lake amusement park in 2001, it set the wheels in motion for a plan that would triple the park’s size for the 2005 operating season. Nearly four years later, with the kick-off to the 05 season just months away, Kings Lake has officially announced its marquee attraction of the new expansion.

 

Mammoth, a B&M hyper coaster, will anchor the parks new woodland section.

 

The coaster, set to debut on opening day in April of 05, will rise over 230 feet in the air and give riders a thrilling three-minute experience filled with massive drops, loads of air-time, and numerous twists and turns that hug the densely forested hills along the parks northern boarder.

 

“It will be truly magnificent.” Don Cunningham, head of PR stated. “And bolstering a dozen drops, including one of over 230 feet, with speeds exceeding 80mph… this coaster will certainly live up to its billing.”

 

Bolliger & Mabillard, better known as B&M, are a world’s leader in coaster design. Staking claim to having built numerous Top 20 coasters across the world, the company was Cedar Fair’s first choice to help launch the new Kings Lake.

 

“There are numerous companies we could have gone with, all of them bringing something unique to the table, but we felt no one offered the combination of quality thrills, timeliness, and safety that B&M has always stood for.”

 

At over 6000 feet in length, Mammoth will be B&M’s largest mega coaster to date.

 

“We can’t wait to debut this monster to the public.” Cunningham said with a grin. “It’s sure to be a smash hit with coaster lovers everywhere!”

 

Stay tuned for construction updates, as well as more information on what else the 2005 expansion of Kings Lake has in store!

 

The main logo for the B&M hyper set to debut in April 2005!

 

An artist rendering of a helix located along the terrain-hugging 'home stretch' of the ride!

[thrillrideseeker]

Well son of a _____ I was hoping it was going to be a dive machine, but the coasater looks good! I cant wait to see more!!

~Matthew

[Thelegendarymatthew]

Wow a Hyper. The name is so original! I think they could of used that for Behemonth instead.

-Matthew.K

[DBru]

I really like the looks of the new hyper; nice addition!

[Tchu]

Finally... April has rolled around! And that means one thing...

 

Time to experience MAMMOTH, the new B&M mega coaster opening as the centerpiece of the massive Kings Lake expansion!

 

I made a trip to the park for opening day and it was worth the price of admission! Mammoth was incredible, the Smokehouse restaurant is worth the higher prices, and Hurricane and King Coaster were running great for older coasters!

 

The all-new kids area is slightly behind schedule, but should be ready for June when the park opens for seven days a week.

 

Here's a ton of pictures from the park!

 

-Matt

 

 

Entrance to ‘The Woodlands’, the brand new area of King’s Lake

 

 

The entrance to the new river rapids ride. The loading platform sits atop a small hill.

 

 

The Kings Rapids layout.

 

 

The Smokehouse. A nice dine-in restaurant that specializes in BBQ. Their pulled-pork sandwiches are fantastic!

 

 

The star attraction of the Kings Lake expansion… a B&M mega-coaster!

 

 

The massive entrance to Mammoth. The large stone wall with the towering letters is truly impressive.

 

 

The Station building for the new B&M. The stone is to fit the prehistoric reference of the coaster’s namesake.

 

 

The quick turn to the right pulls some intense lateral Gs at the base of the third drop.

 

 

After the fourth drop, it’s a ‘hammerhead’ turn-around.

 

 

Diving under… then rocketing up from beneath what’s left of the old mill. An awesome, and unique, feature of this coaster!

 

 

Nice airtime coming out of the 450 degree helix… plus the chain-lift for the ‘mammoth’ 230ft first drop!

 

 

The airtime filled, terrain-hugging finale.

 

 

And though it has nothing to do with the amazing new coaster… probably my favorite shot of the day. Hurricane… gotta love the classics!

[89James89]

Looks really nice. i like the buildings but will say that the new steakhouse looks a little bit blocky. I would add a bit off the side of it to break up the shape a bit if I was you.

 

The coasters look great but as I assume your trying to make it as reaslitc as possible then I would add transfer tracks to them.

 

Cheers

 

89James89

[DBru]

Really cool update! The new section, especially Mammoth, looks GREAT!

 

Your skills are getting much better, and it's evident with your new building style. Keep up the good work.

[Eric_Smith]

Thanks for the update! I have been following this park ever since you started and I have to say, GREAT PARK!

 

The new ride Mammoth looks to be the best ride in the park and Hurricane just looks like it hurts!

[cinciDAWGS12]

Mammoth looks amazing! I love the entrance to the queue, that was very creative. I wish i would of thought of that!

[Tchu]

Took a trip to the park today, and the new kid's are, Funland, was finally up and running. Nice little area that features a total of four rides and a funhouse.

 

While at the park, I ran into Head of Public Relations, Don Cunningham, who was all smiles about the debut of Funland.

 

"Better late than never!" Don said with a grin. "We ran into a handful of snags along the way, and felt that it was crucial for Mammoth to open on time. As a result, Funland wasn't able to open at the start of the season, but the new section is now open to the public, and this will really improve the park's atmosphere and appeal to the American family.

 

Indeed, the park offers several rides for the youngsters, including a junior suspended coaster, funhouse, carousel, and silly slide... all sure to be a hit with the kids... something the park had sorely been missing.

 

"Adding this section was key for us." Don stated. "It's still not finished in its entirety. We'll be doing some landscaping work and adding more rides in the future, but Funland has been a huge step towards offering up something for the whole family to do."

 

 

 

When you enter the new section of the park, you'll find a slide to the left, and Flying Crocodiles to the right. FC is a junior suspended coaster that travels around a grassy plain, and swoops back and forth across the main path in Funland several times

 

 

Here is Fruity's Freezies, which sells ice cream, Popsicles, and the like. Also, the station to The Jr. King, a 'trainer' coaster for those young ones who aren't quite ready for big rides.

 

 

The layout for The Jr. King. Rumor has it that this coaster was to be called Fairly Odd Coaster (hence the colors), but due to trouble with licensing the park went with the tribute to King Coaster instead.

 

 

The Carousel. The park put a lot of time into the scenery of this ride, feeling a Merry-Go-Round is a vital part to any park.

 

 

 

And... Cedar Fair has already announced that 2006 will see small additions to the American section of the park, including a classic Arcade, and a nice sit-down restaurant located on the lake.

 

But the big news... well, rumor... is that Kings Lake will likely be seeing a new coaster in the 2007 season.

 

"There's a possibility of a new type of coaster heading our way in 2007" Don teased ".but right now... it's a lot of talk amongst the suits-and-ties, with nothing official on paper. You'll just have to keep coming to the park and watching for clues."

[Stoksy]

Looking good, I haven't commented much on this park as the progress was quite slow after Mammoth was built, but I'm regretting that as the park looks great considering there is no CS.

 

The kiddy coasters are very well done I especially loved the Flying Crocodiles suspended swinging coaster, looks brilliant with the small lake and scenery around the station.

 

Hope to see more updates soon.

[Tchu]

Jumping forward to the 2006 season...

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

The 2006 season has been rolling along in busy fashion. The park has been packed as Mammoth continues to be a smash hit, Funland has brought more families to the park grounds on a daily basis, and Hurricane and King Coaster are still providing thrills to all.

 

The new Italian restaurant and the brand new arcade in American have both been big hits, but some feel that the arcade doesn't fit with the 'vintage' feel of Americana. Times change, though, and people seem pleased with the small additions for the 2006 season.

 

The new 'Rcade'

 

Anthony's has been a favorite with the crowds. Great four cheese pizza and awesome Chicken Parm...

 

...plus a great view of the lake for anyone patient enough to wait for a table on the patio.

 

But the biggest buzz at the park today was for the official announcement of Kings Lake's 6th coaster, set to debut in April of 2007!

 

...

 

...

 

Kings Lake announces Mega Flare

 

August 1st, 2006

 

For the 2007 season, Kings Lake will debut the park's 6th roller coaster, Mega Flare, an intriguing, perhaps deceptive, ride that is sure to pack tons of thrills.

 

"Mega Flare is impressive." Don Cunningham said at the media event. "This coaster, while smaller in stature, will pack the same punch of 2005's Mammoth."

 

Mega Flare is a new type of coaster being built by Intamin AG, maker of world famous rides, including Cedar point favorites such as Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force. This coaster, referred to as a 'mega-lite' is a small version of the popular hyper coasters.

 

Standing just 110 feet in height, Mega Flare won't be nearly as intimidating to the average park guest, but those who ride will be in for a treat.

 

"Tons of fun. Lots of fast turns, and fantastic air-time. You don't need monstrous height and speed to thrill riders from start to finish." Don said with a grin. "This ride will prove that."

 

Mega Flare is set to debut when the park opens for operation in April of 2007.

 

Red track has already been spotted on site.

 

The Logo

[Thelegendarymatthew]

Ok tip time!

-You need to brush up on some of the coaster tracks(look at where the turns end)

-Add more trees

-Try to make colors the are appropriate ( the woodie colors don't look good)

-Try to make more buildings like how the one is by the lake

-More foliage and trees (different types)

-Try to not space out everything. Theres some areas where its too compact like the kids area.

-Make pathways wider(yes I know that this is a peep park)

-Loose the mini and trade it for a mini cooper.

 

-Matthew.K

[Tchu]

Two updates in one week? The earth may have stopped spinning

 

After a fairly uneventful update earlier this week, time to unveil the goods.

 

I'm nearing completion on the next major coaster, which should be showing up in the coming weeks. It's located on some very hilly, heavily wooded terrain, so its been a tricky project.

 

But on to the Intamin goodness! Feedback welcome and appreciated.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

The 2007 season has rolled around and that means one thing... Mega Flare! Made a trip to the park today with camera in hand.

 

The entrance area was pretty cool looking, and the line was looong all day. Not surprising for a great new coaster. Also, as an unannounced perk... the park added classic bumper cars!

 

 

The first drop and a fast-paced turnaround at the base of the first hill.

 

 

This ride was LOADED with air-time! Had some great twisting, turning drops as well.

 

 

The overall layout. A lot of air, dives, turns and thrills in a compact space. Kings Lake did a good job of preserving the trees in the area as well.

 

Overall, it was a great day at the park, and Mega Flare seems to be a huge hit! This new 'mega-lite' classification seems to be a winner! Great job on the teamwork by Kings Lake and Intamin.