Kings Island new Coaster 2014

^^California Adventure is Cedar Fair? Huh. Who knew?

The reason I ignored California's Great America in the comparisons was because that park appeared as if it was being stripped for sale over that time period. Does that mean it wasn't as healthy as the other Paramount parks? I'm not sure; I'm not familiar with the park. But the sale fell through, and the park is getting major investment again. Is CGA similar in the same way that KI/KD/CW are?

Whether Leviathan was intended for a different park or not, I don't know, but I will say that if there's any park that can benefit from two massive, high-capacity B&M hypers, it's Canada's Wonderland. That place is bizz-ay.

HeyIsntThatRob? said:
And Gonch, I'm going to continue to ignore your assessment of I305 until you ride it in its current form.

I rode it in its current form and agree with his assessment. It goes back and fourth a lot and I struggled to ride it. I think it could have been great if the transitions were just a little more friendly. It's just so violent that it made it not fun for me.

I am curious to know what turns are considered violent. The turn at the end of the drop on Hurler at KD was violent to me. The last sudden whip on Gemini was violent. Maverick? Fun. Skyrush's first turn after the drop? I liked it a LOT, but I know many people hated it. I guess it is all subjective, as is any rider experience, but could I-305 be compared to any of the above for violence?

The only things I found somewhat violent were the first turn, as you're pretty much guaranteed to grey out unless you perform Air Force fighter pilot defensive tactics, and a couple quick transitions from a heavily banked turn in one direction into a heavily banked turn to the other. The original restraints were not ideal as most people would bonk their head into them during those transitions (I did, but only once and it wasn't that bad). The new restraints eliminate headbanging entirely.

Jackie, think of slightly less abrupt Mavericky turns at what feels like twice the speed. They were intense, but not painful to me.

I rode I-305 in its best form (soft straps, no trim), and I thought it was a great ride overall. While I would have liked some more hills, I liked that it was a new coaster experience...nothing quite like it.

The main thing that hurt I-305 for me was the boring plot of land it was on and its lack of tunnels. I think it'd be awesome if that ride dove into long tunnels right after some of its snappy turns. Think of the final Beast helix without its tunnel...it just wouldn't be half as fun.

I don't think Leviathan not going to Knotts was because it 'didn't work out'. I don't have any true insider info, but the stronger rumors I'd heard were more that with the regime change, the decision was to give it to the park that needed it more.

Vater said:
The only things I found somewhat violent were the first turn, as you're pretty much guaranteed to grey out unless you perform Air Force fighter pilot defensive tactics, and a couple quick transitions from a heavily banked turn in one direction into a heavily banked turn to the other. The original restraints were not ideal as most people would bonk their head into them during those transitions (I did, but only once and it wasn't that bad). The new restraints eliminate headbanging entirely.

That's pretty much the whole ride though. With the old restraints I would imagine it was much worse, but even with the cloth things it still sucked.

Yeah. I only rode with the improved restraints and only liked it, didn't love it.

The face-melting intensity and speed were nice, but there's other stuff I look for in the best coasters.

Thank you for the input! I like to have a little knowledge of what to expect on a ride.

The soft collar restraints on I-305 look very nice. I am surprised more coasters from Intamin have not utilized these.

Wonder if CF would consider doing another wing rider and calling it Keymaster. Heh...

Vater said:

The only things I found somewhat violent were the first turn, as you're pretty much guaranteed to grey out unless you perform Air Force fighter pilot defensive tactics...

Again, not even close to the ride I was on...and it still had the ground-hugger turn. Maybe that drop trim bit really hard when they first installed it?

Everyone that I've talked to that rode all three incarnations said that the ride now is the best version. Again, I think it's a good ride, and I like laterals, but it's, to me, a bit above average. And if Outlaw Run & Iron Rattler are as good as I hope they are, based off of Texas Giant, then it's going to slide down my personal list even more.

Either that, Gonch, or you're more tolerant of severe positive Gs than most? I dunno. I (fortunately) rode it only before and after the trim. I agree with Tek that's it's best in its current form. I really don't think the modified turn makes too much of a difference, although if I recall, my vision didn't tunnel quite as badly as when I rode it opening day.

Vater said:

Either that, Gonch, or you're more tolerant of severe positive Gs than most?

Just one of my many superhuman abilities.

I bet it's the goggles.

I've only ever ridden it in its latest incarnation, as well, so perhaps I'm just lucky. I thought it was intense, but fun. I really didn't find it jarring or painful. I was able to ride with my hands up the entire time and didn't feel like I needed to ride defensively. The first turn is the most intense, however, and I did grey out each time I rode.

Sucks.

Disagree.

Call me crazy, but the grey out is my favorite part about the ride. Then the hill wakes you up, after that the rest of the ride putting your butt tightly in that seat snapping you side to side.

I loved it the first time I rode it and the wife is hooked as well. The ride actually had me appreciate Maverick a lot less because of the soft restraints and the fact that Maverick's forces are just awkward.

~Rob

Maybe if I greyed out like everyone else, I'd be disoriented enough to think it was a good ride?