PKI 2009

What interested me was the claim by the park in the Enquirer article that says "it will be the most exciting attraction in the 36-year history of the park." I say that because this means the new ride will be "more exciting" than the opening of the Beast, which was a pretty huge event. Could be the fella was a little overzealous with his hype, but if not, KI should be getting a whopper of a ride, whatever it is.

"Most exciting" is a subjective thing, it's not a measurable, quantifiable thing like "tallest, longest, fastest" etc. It's called marketing.

I thought the same thing, Metallik.

Yes matt., it IS called marketing. Good job. Sometimes you are TOO smart! lol ;)

Hype can go too far, imho. They run the risk of disappointing the guests who are really looking forward to the new ride.

You know, like Spider-Man 3.

I AM looking forward to the ride though. Hopefully, it'll be my first time covering a new amusement attraction as Press!

I rode the train yesterday at KI. Whatever is going in, it has a very deep ravine to play in and I cannot wait.
EDIT: Well, maybe I can wait, but I won't like it. Don Helbig said to me that even the log ride has some footers... *** Edited 6/29/2008 2:30:32 AM UTC by a_hoffman50***

This may have been already discussed somewhere back there, so if it has, please excuse me.

But since the B&M track is fabricated in Cincinnati you would think that there would be someone, somewhere out there that would already know the type and gauge of track. Unless of course these things are so heavily guarded that even the steel workers have been especially warned!

My guess from observation of the site and construction so far is that it's a hyper coaster, similar to CW's Behemoth but with a larger layout, using the same size track and oddly configured train, with the unique feature of a splashdown. That would explain the small size of the trough.

Years ago an old KI guy told me that the company had made a promise to itself to never, ever disturb Swan Lake. They had considered putting the Flying Scooters over there, near or on the water, when Coney Mall was remodeled. They had considered putting the splash/falls ride there. But each time they stopped short, remembering their promise and realizing the value in keeping part of the natural beauty of the park.

So now I look at the site and see the worlds largest baby pool, and it's obvious that the water when replaced will reach no higher than that. Now don't get me wrong, I can't wait for an exciting new ride. And I know I'm heading recklessly into a potential discussion about Charmland. But still it makes me kinda sad.

^I agree, as this was a very picturesque part of the park.

I might be able to accept the loss, however, depending on the new ride. ;)

I agree too, RCMAC. I think that some parks benefit from having a nice quiet area to contrast the loud and exciting areas. I remember a few years back seeing some people relaxing in the grass near the lake. I found it to be "charming" (Are we still allowed to use that word here on CoasterBuzz?).

The ravine makes me even more excited.

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RCMAC said:But since the B&M track is fabricated in Cincinnati you would think that there would be someone, somewhere out there that would already know the type and gauge of track.

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There are quite a few pics going around the internets showing new red Dive Machine track at that steel fab plant in Cinci(Batavia) which is confusing given that most have ruled out DM for KI. Also someone is rumored to have seen some orange hyper track out there but of course no pics no cred. From what I hear there is quite a bit of storage at that plant indoor and outdoor where KI's track could be hiding.
As for the DM track that is there and photographed I guess there are rumors of 3 DMs going in at various Six Flags parks.

Personally I think Nitro looks like the closest fit. Although I'm thinking something shorter in length and original not a clone because of the ravine and splashdown.
http://www.rcdb.com/ig1106.htm?picture=12 *** Edited 6/30/2008 2:34:10 AM UTC by realmadrid311***

They may even enhance that area with *gasp* more landscaping. It is a possibility. I mean after all, we have seen a few flower pots show up this year.

That's very true. Knowing CF's propensity toward beautiful landscaping, it's a possibility.

My guess is that the entrance for the ride will be in Rivertown across from the depot, between the basketball and another game. There is a large, tall gate there now, and a smoking area. The queue could hug that side of the bank, in the area behind Wings. It looks like the station will be on that side, so that makes sense. That would leave the other side of the "lake" open for an observation area, with unobstructed views of the splashdown.

They could make it real purty, too.

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RCMAC said:
That's very true. Knowing CF's propensity toward beautiful landscaping, it's a possibility.

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I can't tell if you were being sarcastic, but I was actually impressed with how nice the landscaping was for Thunderhawk. I know people were whining when we found out it wouldn't be over water anymore, But, I think it looks much better than it ever did at Geauga Lake. And the same goes for X-Flight/Firehawk. I think it fits into the area of the park very nicely at Kings Island. To me, it was always an eyesore at Geauga Lake. The capacity seems about the same, but at least their still using both stations. The thing I hated most about X-Flight was sitting out in the brake run for 5 minutes baking in the sun.
*** Edited 6/30/2008 11:30:44 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

At Knotts the area landscaping surrounding Pony Express and Grizzly Rapids improved with the addition of the coaster. Same with Sierra Sidewinder.

^^You neglected to mention that those five minutes are spent on your back, with your head slightly lower than your stomach. Not a good situation for someone like me with reflux.

I've done a lot of protesting about the closing of Geauga Lake, but one thing I never complained about was removing X-Flight. All flyers can rot, as far as I'm concerned.

^Yeah, that too. I'm not much of a fan of the Vekoma or the Zamperla Volare flyers. I just don't find them comfortable. But after having ERT on Superman at Six Flags Over Georgia 2 weeks ago during ACE Convention, I found that I am quite comfortable on the B&M's as long as I staple myself in them. When I'm not stapled, the "bad man pain" occurs because of the way the seat is designed. I rode Superman 8 times in a row with no ill effects. However, it is no where near first ride I would go to.
*** Edited 7/1/2008 2:17:11 AM UTC by Jason Hammond***

No, Jason Hammond, I was not being sarcastic. (for a change). CF is known nationally for their landscaping, and anything they can do to KI, and especially MA will be an improvement.

I agree totally about Firehawk. The setting is much nicer and somehow the overall ride experience is improved. When at Geauga I didn't care, after that first time, if I ever rode it again. It was uncomfortable and scary. (Not in a good way) I've been on it several times at KI now, and for some reason I like it a lot better. Maybe it's the feeling that if my big ass does fall outta there at least I won't land on somebody's car in the parking lot!

So anyway, there's a lot of potential around that spectator area for some really boss landscaping and scenery. The station will be quite visible there, and hopefully they will tie it in so it all looks nice.

Rumor has it that the station will utilize the old antique photo/country store building near the bathrooms in Nickelodeon Universe. *** Edited 7/3/2008 12:58:48 PM UTC by CoasterKrazy***

You mean the queue, perhaps?

Wow! CF being praised for landscaping? A new day has dawned.

This could be the greatest coaster additon since the Beast.

Firehawk looks way better at KI than it ever did at GL. Personally, I very much enjoy Firehawk. I've not been on a B&M flyer, so I have nothing to compare it to.

I feel like Im one of the few enthusiasts who love flying coasters, minus Zamperla, but Im sure many can agree that Tatsu is different from another flyers out there, and pretty much the first one to use the flying capability the best.

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Bster said:
Wow! CF being praised for landscaping? A new day has dawned.

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I take it you have never been to Worlds of Fun.

Ever since Bender was the park pres and now as the regional mgr, the parks under his care have really gone into overdrive making sure that the parks' landscaping is superb. That was not the case before he came to the helm.