PKI Antique Cars

I was reading a post "First Time at PKI" and Shaggy hinted that the antique cars might be removed. For those not familar with PKI and the antique cars, Paramount Kings Island has two sets of antique cars. However the antique cars across from the lake by rivertown has not operated the last few years (it is there but not operational). The other side by coney mall still operates and is still relatively popular among the guests. I was wondering if Shaggy or anyone with more insight on this matter could elaborate on whether both sides of the antique cars or only the non operational side would be removed. This is of course if the antique cars are removed in the next few years and this rumor is true.

I was also wondering what people thought would go in place of the antique cars if they are removed. The path along the lake and next to the dormit antique car side is very dead and very few people travel along that path even when the park is busy. Adding a major attraction would make sense, because it would draw people to that area of the park and help spread the crowd out.

If I where to make a logical guess of what they would add, based on the availbable space and the necessity to draw people to that area of the park: I think they would add either a major coaster, elaborate themed water ride, or possibly a big thrill ride such as another Huss Giant Ride.

The most logical ride would be a coaster. The parks last major coaster was the Son of Beast in 2000. The park has added major atractions since then, but they have been non coaster additions such as Tomb Raider the Ride and Delerium.

The coaster that I think they would add would be a second generation Boliger and Mabilard vertical drop coaster. Busch Garden's Tampa is rumored to receive this attraction in 2005, and is rumored to feature much more than just a vertical drop. It is rumored to have inversions and possibly some type of a launch.

Also is you remember back to the survey PKI did a while ago about possible future attractions, one of the attractions was the Addam's Family ride. This ride was described as having a vertical drop, numerous turns and twist all while being themed to the Addam's Family. This type of ride (it does not have to be the same theme) could be a possibility for Paramount Kings Island to add in the near future.

Something interesting about PKI's coasters is that you can't really walk around or through any of them. The tunnel under the Racer and the path near Top Gun are the closest you get to that, but all the coasters are on the perimeter.

I'd love to see a coaster in that position... one that you could walk around and under, like Raptor or most of Hersheypark's coasters.

Whoa....

Just got a good reminder of why I have taken a back seat to the rumor mongering over the past year or so. Folks take things as gospel too easily.

Remember, anything is complete speculation until PKI announces something official. They have not announced anything as of yet, so what happens.... if anything... to the area remains to be seen. I do not have any sort of details or information to share about future attractions at PKI... I do, like everyone else, like to speculate though.

The area of the park in question has essentially lied dormant/untouched for several seasons now. And past history shows us that park may soon develop or revamp the area.

My advice to anyone is that if they are a fan of any older attraction at a park such as PKI that has seen it's better day... ride it and take pictures of the attraction for posterity. I do, because you never know what the future may hold.

Shaggy

Ok about the question which side will be removed. It doesn't matter, they entangle with eachother and both go pretty much to the opposite station. So I think if it is removed, which could be not true, that it'll just be retracked around the coaster.

Den,

What about Reptar?

You can walk basically around and through that whole coaster. Face/Off is kind of the same way although normally you aren't allowed to walk under the two lifts.

-Sean

While I agree that that area of Rivertown needs some serious attention for the reasons Beast Fan mentioned, it could be anywhere.

From what I remember hearing, correct me if I'm wrong, PKI has several hundred more acres of land they haven't even begun to touch.

I do have to say though, that area around the old antique cars would be a pretty awesome location. Especially if they included the pond, and even the area where the Seal/Sea Lion show used to be.

Kings Island may have a lot of land but remember, it has to be practical to use that plot of land in terms of guest flow. If a guest has to make a long trek along a path just to get into the queue for the ride, then you are not helping things.

The Antique Car plot of land and adjacent waterside property would be an interesting spot for a new ride of some sort, a roller coaster perhaps.

If one thing is for certain though, the Action Zone seems to be maxed out. They do need to start to pull crowds away from that area.

I am so pleased with the park as of now that anything they build in the future is a bonus. I would LOVE to see another Huss Giant, especially Jump 2.

I could see a station for a Gigacoaster going in the area we are talking about. I really don't want to see anything to high going directly behind the tower though. It might ruin the views of, and from, the tower. I think that is why all of the parks coasters are situated where they are; so that when you are up in the tower you can get a really good view of the coasters, and so that when you are looking at the tower from anywhere in the park your view isn't obstructed by a coaster.

Whatever they do will be great, methinks.

Well, for someone who goes to a park primarily for the coasters, then rides everything else once he gets there, I LIKE the PKI antique cars. I've suggested several times that they need to relay the roadbed and use the whole area. if they aren't going to use the other station, then take it out and just give everyone a longer ride. But I'd hate to see them take out the antique cars, because I think they're one of the better rides of that type anywhere. Certainly every time we go there's a good line, and the ride ops are loading and unloading people pretty quickly. Much as I love coasters, there have to be some rides for Grandma, Auntie and the kids.

My theory about this area has always been to utilize the second antique car area to make a high quality go-kart track with coaster-themed karts, something the park can be proud of. Days of Thunder with its simple oval track and impersonal karts is almost a joke sitting at the base of a 215 wooden monster. With DOT moved and completely revamped (I do like that name though) that area in the Action Zone would be free for whatever... like maybe that last mouse coaster Paramount needs to complete its set.

That being said, that lake/path would create an awesome environment for a coaster too...