King Cobra's End at PKI Confirmed
This is from "Eric" at URC, so give him the credit for this particular post:"I had my games training class today and our trainer told us about the new sling shot ride the games department is getting. When I asked where is was going he told me they are taking down an old rollercoaster, I said the King Cobra and he just smiled and again said that Kings Island is removing an old rollercoaster and a sling shot ride will be installed in its place. So let the rumors end the King Cobra will not be operating or even standing this season, instead another pay to play ride will be installed in it's place. RIP King Cobra 1984-2001"
Just to be safe, I'll say Semi-Confirmed. ;)
On the thread he posted there, many people gave pretty constructive thoughts on how upcharge rides going into parks seem to be out of control. I believe PKI in particular added two upcharge attractions in 2001, and there will be two new this year(the slingshot and the Ham on Rye VR simulator). But of course, they're also getting TR:TR which was from the loss of KCKC and they're getting Meteor Attack by the loss of Smash Factory.
So, any thoughts on this and could we be receiving even more this year? Or is something else big planned for next year???
Remember that PKI still has Waterworks included in their admission, which several parks, particularly Cedar Fair don't where they can make extra money back. So, this has its positives and negatives. I will still miss KC greatly as it was my favorite stand-up and a special coaster to a lot of people and the industry. But I guess PKI wants to move on and have their coaster collection as best as possible. I don't think there's any coaster there left to complain about besides SOB. Is that a good thing?? And at least KC will still be operating somewhere... You might just have to go overseas to get to it though.
*** This post was edited by Koaster King on 3/4/2002. ***
Don't believe everything you read. I've worked at PKI and the only information they give employees is very vague.
They are removing a old coaster and putting in a slingshot. Now that dose not necessaraly mean that the slingshot is going where the coaster was.
KC is still standing INTACT and the slingshot has arrived and much of it has been taken back (To wherever they are building it).
I must say that in those classes at PKIU they basically give you the facts to some of the most popular rides so you will be able to answer some of the most common questions. They also have fun quizes to the new employees on a question and answer basis. How tall is the Eifel Tower? What year was The Beast built?
Then they go into a basic guest realations training on how to help sombody or how to get them the help they need.
See a kid drop a Ice Cream? Go get them another :)!
Now when I worked there in 96, The gave us the basics of OLFOF, That the ride cost 12mil and had 2 mill in themeing alone. That it launches from 0 to 54mph in 4 seconds and was the biggest investment PKI had ever taken. The ride is so advanced that they have military branches interested in the design. The ride has already one two awards in the amusement industry and it isn't even open yet :)
That kind of thing.
I seriously don't think KC is going to open this year but I really don't think that the Slingshot is going in it's place.
I pretty much been told by sources that KC is not on the staffing roster so thats basically what they did to KMLF before putting the wall in front of it.
Chuck, who's been wrong before but thinks the Sling Shot is going elsewhere.
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Charles Nungester
167 coasters and hopes to be over 200 by the end of 2002 :)
Rumor...
Nothing more, nothing less.
I'll wait until the park makes an official announcement.
Shaggy
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Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.
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Live on the edge and remember the Twist of Fate.
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Does CCI know how to make a bad coaster?
john peck said:
"I wonder if this Eric guy sells "Lemon Chill""
He clearly says he's on staff for "games" and that was where the slingshot came into play. So, we know(unless everything goes wrong):
1)King Cobra will be taken down
2)A slingshot is going to be constructed at PKI
3)Evidently, according to Shaggy, if King Cobra is taken down and a slingshot goes somewhere into PKI both clearly visible to the public, if there isn't an "official announcement", its still a rumor. I guess FOF never received lap bars then...
Danny,
I can see where Shaggy is coming from. There have been a lot of rumors about the removal of King Cobra this season. A few people have actually mentioned to me that parts of the ride have been take down already (trust me, it's still standing, I saw it last week). I am sure he also realizes that just because something 'may' be on the list for removal, it can change in a second. Actually, I know for a fact he realizes this. =:^)
Yes, I could easily see a Slingshot being installed in the park, but not at the location of King Cobra. That area could very well be used for another 'upcoming attraction'. My guess is that we might not be able to ride King Cobra at that park again, it may be standing for a while until the park is ready to remove it. Until then, I fully understand that the park can change their mind at the drop of a hat and keep the coaster forever if they wanted to.
-Sean
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Excalibur Crew for 2002!
Koaster King said:
"3)Evidently, according to Shaggy, if King Cobra is taken down and a slingshot goes somewhere into PKI both clearly visible to the public, if there isn't an "official announcement", its still a rumor. I guess FOF never received lap bars then... "
First, you are mixing two posts on two different boards. One posted on URC and another posted here. Still, that does not matter, my point remains the same.
In neither post did I use the word "announcement" in terms of expecting to hear one from PKI about it. It would be silly for me to think that PKI, or any park would hold a press conference or media campain about any change that, quite frankly, the GP doesn't give a crap about. What I was saying was that I do not put any more faith into what a games person says than I do a post on a rumor board. I wait until either a) I see it for myself or b) I am told by an official rep of the park.
Now, I am not insiting this rumor cannot perhaps come true, but if you re-read my posts here or on URC you will see that all I have said is that at this point it IS still just a rumor.
I will add that upcharge attractions fall under the "games and merchandise" division within Paramount Parks" so it stands to reason that personel within those divisions may know *some* of the information.
I don't proclaim to know all about PKI, actually just the opposite. But one thing I have learned for sure is not to put all my faith into rumors about it.
Finally, it is important to point out a few other things that have been circulating about PKI within the past week....
- King Cobra remains standing.
- Part to what *appears* to be a Sling Shot arrived at the park and are stored in the parking lot.
- King Cobra was listed as an operating ride for the local Math and Science days for 2002.
The park opens in exactly one month. Can a park remove an entire coaster, level the land, assemble a new attraction in it's place and finish off whatever construction necessary for it's addition within that time fame? We'll see I guess.
But rewind back to 1994, when the season began the Safari Monerail HAD been removed. In mid season assembly began on the skyflyer.
I would judge things by that installation.
Shaggy
*** This post was edited by Shaggy on 3/4/2002. ***
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Rob
I HATE SNOW!!! I am boycotting snow, I refuse to have fun in it.
That is a great question ALF!
I think it hinges on lots of things. If PKI does not run KC this season it could be for several reasons.
- They no longer wish to spend revenue to maintain a ride that 's maintenance has proven costly.
- Removal could be starting soon, an preperations for that could be taking place although not visible to the naked eye.
- If the park is looking to expand or add something in it's place, the closure allows those necessary unlimited access to it's land plot to survey etc. **Side note.... I know of nothing, have heard of nothing**
- They need the ride ops elsewhere.
etc etc etc.
Sean, thanks for your insight. You are absolutely right about how well I know things can change at PKI. That is exactly what I am trying to convey. To be honest, I am befuddled about the KC situation. So I have decided to just wait and see... and be suprised!
Shaggy
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Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.
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What goes up Must Come Down, Lets hope it comes down really fast!
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"Yeah, they did it in Superman 3"
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I've traded in my 2000 Giovanola for a 2002 Arrow X4D :)
My other car is now an Arrow X4D!
Valleyfair Fan said:
Just to correct a point Charles Nungester made, not all Cedar Fair parks charge two seperate admissions for their water park, Valeyfair's is included with admission to the park.-----------------
Excalibur Crew for 2002!
I did say CP right? Thats good news though as I am comming to Valleyfair this year! Can I wear my speedo's on the coasters :)
Chuck
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Charles Nungester
167 coasters and hopes to be over 200 by the end of 2002 :)
John,
Yea, the Safari Monorail had been removed, and it's too bad because I would have LOVED to have seen " Movie Rail!" =:^)
-Sean ("wait..........there is no wooded area there") F.
The most logical upcharge attraction placements in that park at the moment are the trampoline thingy and the lazer tag arena, and the climbing wall, as they're all grouped there on the games midway. But it's getting out of hand in that park. The placement of Top Gun and Son of Beast is starting to look silly, considering that they could have used all that space in the PAZ (AdVil) for high-ticket upcharge attractions!
Let me see...Do the upcharge attractions outnumber the coasters yet?
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
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