Well Top Spin is an interesting thought, not exactly my choice of a flat ride to put inside and give the whole light/fog/music show to, but still an interesting ride.
It would fill a void in PKI's lineup, meaning that outside of Drop Zone, PKI's flat rides all harken back to at least the early 80's in terms of vintage. (Maybe not their actually installations but I mean vintage of the ride types) Top Spin could fill the void by giving the park a modern era flat ride. (Yes, I know they tried with Flight Commander).
As it is now, the flat rides at PKI are:
+ Swinging Pirate Ship
+ Monster
+ Scrambler
+ Dodgems
+ Wave Swinger
+ Troika
+ Flying Skooters
+ Antique Cars
+ Carousel
The rest of the rides are coasters, simulators, water rides, and the occasional tower ride.
Classics yes, and they leave little wonder as to why at a NAPHA function last fall, they were quoted as saying PKI is the themer that has the best 'old time park feel', but the riding public needs to see something new and different in the flat ride department as well.
Cincinnatians see these rides at their local carnivals and wonder why "that big name park' can't get one.
PKI needs more flat rides, maybe not as headliner attractions, but they do need to stongly consider sliding some in. (But keep yer hands away from the Flying Skooters)
To answer the question about intensity of a Top Spin.
Top Spin is a ride that is widely adjustable so it resembles anything between an odd looking Ferris Wheel, to "They aren't really putting people on that thing". So to answer your question they can set it to suit whatever audience they hope to reach with it.
Regarding the idea of revitalizing Rivertown with the 2002 expansion. I would think Rivertown is the area to start sending your crowds. For a long time Rivertown was 'untouchable' because of the Beast and 'water ride row' already saturating that part of the park. Now that KCKC is gone, and the Log Flume is now a resident of Nick, and Beast just doesn't seem to be as popular as it once was, its time to start reminding people that Rivertown is still there. However about looping a midway going from 7th Portal to the Beast, have you per chance seen the topography of that area? Verry rough rugged terrain they would have to overcome, though I do like extending the midway back towards Beast along the new access road, and maybe taking voer the former site of the Nature Trail. They could even reroute Beast exit so that it follows the original exit path and dumps people out into this new area.
Just some ideas, I do see some master planning going on, think about it:
1) PKI has revitalized Adventure Village into Action Zone. Pre-Action Zone, this was a sleepy 'dead' section of the park.
2) PKI has revitalized Kiddie Land (it may have taken several phases to get what they wanted, but ya have to admit, that PKI'd childrens areas should be the envy of most any other park)
3) PKI has revitalized Water Works, sure that wave pool may be a dud, but the Water park has greatly expanded.
4) PKI is now presumably working on renewing Rivertown.
This leaves Coney, Oktoberfest, and International Street to be re-done. Oktoberfest needs attnetion most the next, it is merely that land that folks have to walk through to get from Action Zone to Coney. Yes, Adventure Express is an awesome asset to Oktoberfest (or is it officially an Action Zone ride?????). But the Festhaus has been ruined, and the area just seems dead, before Festhaus used to be a focal point of the park, when it featured live entertainment.
Dave "Still pushing for that new themed area back behind Racer" Bowers
