Kings Island 2020

I know this isn't exactly what we do around here, but this hit the interwebs yesterday, so here you go:

(click for full size)

Well, it certainly smells like a 300-footer by the layout. I'm surprised they didn't try to integrate it into the park more, as that seems to be the trend lately.

I dont know who is more upset, the GOT fans or the "enthusiasts" of Kings Island right now. Seems like a lot of them are pissed because its short and doesnt appear to break any records. ITS A NEW COASTER, BE HAPPY YOU'RE GETTING ONE!!

Jeff; But isn't part of the beauty of the land Kings Island owns being able to ship a coaster out into the woods? I hear what you're saying, but what has always been a great aspect of The Beast is that you feel like you're "going somewhere"; meaning, you don't see the park at all on your journey.

Unlike Cedar Point, Kings Island isn't running out of room...;)

EDIT: Just noticed all the "Top" and "Bottom" notes on the prints which essentially shows us the amount of hills. I clearly have not spent a lot of time looking at coaster blue-prints. Which seems about right.

I’m in a bit of a personal turmoil here.

On one hand I’d like to say “Hey, now- let’s not be naysayers and judge a ride based on blueprints and drawings. Besides, what could possibly be wrong with a new thriller for us already spoiled Ohioans to enjoy?” On the other hand I’d like to say “AW, C’MON!!!”

As much as I hate to sound like a whiny fanboy, I have to admit I’m a little shocked by these plans. I actually agree with both Jeff and Ohio Stater’s opposing observations at the same time. The park seems to have missed a couple of great opportunities. They might’ve built a trendy, visual stunner- one with a prominent feature or two that interacts with guest areas. Instead I see a ride that climbs high and away from the midway and hides itself behind Racer with literally no opportunity for observation. They also might have built a kick-ass terrain coaster that completely disappears after the lift, much like The Beast. The park has literally acres and acres of land all around there, but will it ever be put to use? The station and shared entrance plaza to the ride literally block any further expansion on that side of the park.

As far as record setting goes, I agree that it’s not always necessary. But when I think back to what the park did with rides like Diamondback and Banshee, I’m puzzled by this choice. I mean, if you’re going to waste real estate with a 305 foot lift, why not go for the extra 21 feet needed to surpass Fury’s height? This drawing represents a spectacular first drop that no one can see, and one speed hill before the turn around. I can only reckon that speed will be a main feature and that will be about it. I can’t detect anything else that will be truly noteworthy.

Maybe I’m wrong to criticize, especially this early, but I’m having a hard time hiding my disappointment with what we know so far. Sorry.

Here's some more to chew on (click for full size...again):

Best... Dragon Wagon... Ever!!!

For one, I'm really excited about this new B&M Giga. Kind of obvious for years that KI would eventually get the hyper/giga duo, so it is exciting to see it finally take shape.

But I will admit... When I thought of Kings Island getting a B&M Giga, I imagined something a bit, different. No, it doesn't necessarily have to be "Fury" in length or anything, but a ride that is flying through the woods, low the ground. Perhaps at least some use of the terrain. After the first drop, keep the thing just around tree level until the turnaround, before dropping back into more directional changes, low air time hills, etc... Relentless speed. The polar opposite of Diamondback, basically.

The one thing I don't like most is the ending sequence. Using up the track length for low-to-the-ground airtime hills (like Mako, pre MCBR for example) and more directional changes would have been a bit more exciting than another helix finale (hey, Diamondback!).

Any other park and I'd be more excited... But as of now, I can't help but be a tad bit disappointed in what B&M and CF have come up with for this park. Again, I know it will be an awesome ride, there is no question at all. But I will always have a "what if..." thought about this one.

If it were any longer we would be complaining about how dead the ride is after the mid-course block.

I really don't get the "it'll be awesome but it won't" sentiment. It makes no sense.

If it shares any attributes of Fury (and I don't know, because I haven't been on it), it could be another top 10. In what universe is this not a total win?

It seems odd all this whining about a 300' coaster. When I started riding we didn't even have 200' feet coasters. I remember seeing Magnum for the first time and think OMG, it's so high. Now I look at the skyline of SFGAM and think 200' is no big deal.

Maybe everyone’s seen this, but this clever fellow with time on his hands studied the layout and came up with his version of the ride.

https://youtu.be/rxg6F1U8PdQ

I could be onboard with those sideways airtime hills... I’m not complaining but it seems like it suffers from Hersheyparkitis; really fun coaster but could benefit huge from another 800-1000 feet of track.

Jeff said:I really don't get the "it'll be awesome but it won't" sentiment. It makes no sense.If it shares any attributes of Fury (and I don't know, because I haven't been on it), it could be another top 10. In what universe is this not a total win?

I'm not saying it won't be awesome. No doubt it will be. But it's kind of like going to a concert of your favorite band, enjoying the show, but thinking it may have been better with a different song set, perhaps the venue to be somewhere else in your city, etc... You still enjoy it, they are still your favorite band, but it's not exactly the best it could have been for your particular tastes.It’s not complaining, just sharing opinion.

PointMan said:

It seems odd all this whining about a 300' coaster. When I started riding we didn't even have 200' feet coasters. I remember seeing Magnum for the first time and think OMG, it's so high. Now I look at the skyline of SFGAM and think 200' is no big deal.

People put way too much emphasis on ride height… Just because a ride is over 200’ or 300’ and will cost an epic amount of money doesn’t mean anything. A huge drop is awesome, yes, but it’s one part of the entire experience. When looking at the layout of this thing, the drop is the last thing I am focusing on personally. I also care about what is happening afterward.

In other words, it's not the size that matters; it's what you do with it.

;)

That's what she said.

RCMAC said:

I mean, if you’re going to waste real estate with a 305 foot lift, why not go for the extra 21 feet needed to surpass Fury’s height?

The number of people that would be aware of it not surpassing Fury's height is microscopically small and the number of people that care is even smaller.

It's also with noting that a 45° lift only needs 300-ish feet of horizontal space to go 300 feet high.

Sucks.

I hang my head in shame. No,... really.

It will be interesting to see how the park will market this ride. “Kings Island’s First Ever Giga Coaster!” will be sufficient, I guess. At 305 we shouldn’t even expect speed to give it the oft-desired “-est” quality. After all, Leviathan rings in at 306, right?

Like I said, I don’t care about records. Cedar Fair has done a great job with rides like Mystic Timbers, Copperhead Strike, and Gold Striker. Small-ish rides, no record-setting achievements, but each awesome in their own right. On the other hand, it’s hard (for us) to not look over at Canada’s Wonderland and Cedar Point without a slight tear in our eye for Kings Island.

The blame for any anticipointment lands squarely on us- we did this to ourselves. For so long rumors and predictions have swirled about KI’s long awaited and deserved giga coaster until it was finally hard to believe that the park wasn’t ready and able to out do them all.

This will be a fine coaster, it will make a big splash, and (lord willing) I’ll be there at the earliest opportunity for my first ride. I like B&M hypers and gigas so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it immensely. And if I absolutely need a ride on the tallest and fastest whatever, I’ll know where to go instead, right?