PKI invites enthusiasts for farewell last rides on flyers

Part of me knew this day would come, but NO part of me thought it would hapen for these reasons. I just cannot believe that Paramount would do this, especially when they've been adding the new Larsons to parks wthout Flyers. Why pay to remove one completely when it is more sensible to keep it in the park? What could possibly be unappealing about the Flight Commander platform?

The arrival of a new attraction is not a valid excuse to get rid of an already popular flat ride. Especially one that isn't a mechanical nightmare. Capacity or not (They really need to look at other parks and their braking methods.......WAY too long to stop), this ride means more to PKI goers than they realize.

I am very happy to see so many heartfelt responses above. Flyers are more than just a hunk of metal, and I've never seen such a love for them like I do here. It's good to know that Knoebels understands the importance of their ride (the PPP hats were my way of honoring them for not only having the right model, but keeping it for so long). I certainly don't want to drive 6 hours every time I want a Flyers ride, but we all know that Fun Spot isn't quite as "flyer-friendly" (even though theirs are very snappable).

If they really want to upset me, they'll top it off by installing a Larson set a couple years down the road to "make up" for the loss..... One can only hope that this is another "Whizzer" situation. Just in case it isn't, I'll be there Sunday. >: (

Brad, I know you feel as strongly (or more so) about this as I do. Write the park- either e-mail or snail mail. Call them. Let them know how you feel.

I understand that things change and sometimes rides have to go but this is a poor excuse. There's pleanty of room to keep the ride. I seriously doubt that budget is a concern, either.

I doubt it has anything to do with PKI and everything to do with giving a "new" ride to Carowinds.

I wasn't going to post anything about this. But hey, it's late and I have been thinking about this all night and I can't sleep. This is by far the biggest news to me personally, since I became an enthusiast back as a child.

While I may just spit out the same love everyone has already spit out, I feel I have to do it. I grew up about 20 minutes from the park. The flyers has always been my most loved ride at PKI. When you have as many memories of something like this as I do, it really, truly feels like a part of me has just died. I would spend hours a day just riding and watching. What other ride can a small kid, a teen, and an adult enjoy together? No other ride in the world has as much character and atmosphere as the Flying Eagles. It won't be the same at PCar. I don't care if I get a coaster out of this, I don't care if I was guarenteed my dream coaster out of this, I would turn it down because the Flying Eagles are my dream ride. How would a Cubs fan feel if they tore down Wrigley Field?

PKI has just lost its charm, heart, backbone, and soul. See you all this weekend.

I was kinda guaranteed that they'd never be removed.

Now I feel slighted.

Hey I found this article this morning on Cincinnati.com from the Enquirer about the Eagles leaving the park.http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/10/12/loc_flyingeagles12.html

If anyone would also like to call or write Paramount Parks' Corporate office I found their address and phone number off the web.

Paramount Parks
8720 Red Oak Blvd Ste 315
Charlotte NC
28217-3916
704-525-5250
*** This post was edited by PKI_flyer 10/12/2004 9:22:19 AM ***

I just sent in my comments as well. Hopefully they will follow up on the Save the Flyer Campaing :)

Glad to see the Enquirer article. Maybe it'll bring this to the attention of more local park-goers.

It's not just enthusiasts that love the ride.

Don't forget to call the park. Ask for guest relations then ask them where you can direct your comment. They'll make sure the right people hear it at the right time. I wouldn't skip right to calling corporate until after calling the park.

Carowinds desperately needs flat rides. But so does Kings Island.

For every ride added at Kings Island, at least one or 2 rides disappear. Capacity is not much better than it was 10 years ago. The park stays the same size, and the lines are longer with the increased crowds. This park is very unpleasant on crowded days already with the lack of ride count.

The antique cars was a total family ride. The flying eagles was a gentle ride that adults and kids could ride together as long as they were good with heights and spinning. Less family rides at a park "claiming" to be a family park.

But the upcharge attractions still occupy space in the park. They seem to keep adding them while removing actual rides that are included in admission.

I'd have to disagree with that last statement. PKI has actually removed upcharge attractions over the past few years, namely the EuroBungee that sat on the Flight Commander pad and the VR Simulator (or whatever that thing was called) that sat between the Zephyr (Wave Swinger) and Racer. Now, I could be missing newer ones elsewhere in the park, but I don't believe more were added after these two.

We could all chip in and buy a lot of Mega Million lottery tickets, and if we won (only one in a couple million chances), pay Paramount to leave our Flying Eagles at PKI. And if we have enough left over, we will go ahead and buy PCar some brand new Larsons. Think it could work? Me neither :(

I found out a couple of mintues before PKI said anything and I have to say Iam sad and very mad at PKI for doing this the flyers need to stay in OHIO..Carowinds doesnt need em as much as Kings Island does the flyers have a fan base and PKI is going down the wrong path way I know the media department at PKI is getting hit hard with complaints so if you want the Flyers to stay write the park or contact paramount Parks hq in North Carolina every letter helps.

*** This post was edited by MysteryIncs1#Fan 10/12/2004 5:01:52 PM ****** This post was edited by MysteryIncs1#Fan 10/12/2004 5:02:30 PM ***

the Enquirer today, there is a photo in the print paper that i provided them with, that was printed with the article.

OK, here's the thing...

Don't call or write the park anymore. I talked to Jeff Siebert today and they can't respond to everyone and still conduct their own daily business. The ride is going away, and that's that. No amount of complaining or petitioning is going to change that. Stop calling, stop writing.

Furthermore, I consider it a bit of a kick in the stuff to the park to accept their invitation to the farewell celebration and at the same time call newspapers and make a big stink about it. It's not a very good way to say "thank you" to a park that has bent over backward to give us some of the greatest perks ever. They didn't have to do this for us. It's a nice gesture, let's enjoy it.

I know you might be upset about the loss of the ride, but don't endanger the enthusiast community's relationship with the park over this. Show up Sunday and enjoy yourself.