Vortex at PKI - CoasterBuzz

I know a lot of people really like this ride and probally be mad for me even saying this but does anyone think PKI could or will remove Vortex. I personally think the ride is a waste of space. I mean it's really rough and just not fun. It's elevated so far off the ground also. It might be better if they used the terrain a little. They got rid of KK and I think that was a great move. Maybe no time soon but does anyone think Vortex could leave. So much more could go there.

Considering the PKI has hundreds of acres to work with, why would you want them to tear down anything?

Why is everybody ready to tear stuff down left and right all of the sudden?

-----------------
If the shoe fits, find another one.

What's KK? King Cobra?

I don't think Vortex is going anywhere anytime soon. It is still a VERY popular ride at PKI. Plus this year, it looks and runs like brand new. The paint job, smoothed out tracks, and brand new wheels on all trains made this ride much more enjoyable when I rode this past weekend.

Vortex is a "gawk" coaster. It is THE coaster at PKI which people hardly walk by without stopping to watch it. It definitely still has an "awe" factor.

Eventually all coasters will meet their maker. Steel coasters seem more prone to this. Vortex will no doubt dissapear one day, but I don't look for that day to come for a long time.

Finally, IMO Vortex is often a must do simply because, other than Drop Zone, it provides the most extreme, and intense air in the park. The first drop still tickles my tummy when I sit in the back. That "thrill" is hard for me to obtain anymore.

Shaggy

-----------------
Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.

*** This post was edited by Shaggy on 4/10/2002. ***

I don't get it either. No coasters should ever be torn down unless there is absolutely no other choice.

Not to mention, I love Vortex. So the transitions are a little... "unpolished"... who cares. Enjoy it. Savor its unique straight drop into another hill (not a loop) and its super-high corkscrew. Enjoy its underground boomerang and dizzying helix. Stand back and look at it and be awed.

Vortex is an amazing coaster and should by no means be removed.

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

Even though they have so much space they have closed the park in with coasters and most off the land is very hilly and would cost a lot to go back there. Shaggy, they smoothed out the tracks? I didn't know that. I was there last weekend and it seemed the same.

*** This post was edited by Beast_rocks on 4/10/2002. ***

PKI could and will move the Vortex, but not for a very long time. Maybe another 20 years or so. It's not my favorite coaster at PKI but it's a good ride (there are far rougher Arrow loopers out there for sure) and looks good (after the repaint). There is currently no reason to get rid of it and quite simply I don't see it going anywhere for quite a while.

Not going to happen. It's really a classic looper. The land was originally used for The Bat and I agree that a better layout could have gone in to use the terrain of the land, but there's no reason to tear it down. The only thing I don't like about the ride is when you leave the second loop, the brakes are really put on hard in the turnaround before the corkscrew.

Hilly is good. It actually saves money when it comes to coaster costs, not too mention provides an incredible uniqueness to a ride.

I love Vortex and don't wish its demise anytime soon. I would agree that it is almost more fun to watch than to ride.

Beast_Rocks:

Last season a major re-furbishment of Vortex began and was finished just prior to Christmas. The entire coaster was stripped of paint, sanded, primed and re-painted. The cost of the re-hab, rumor has it, was well into the 6-digit range.

When I say track was "smoothed" I do not mean that turns or twists were re-profiled. I simply mean that many bumps, dings and worns areas in the track were repaired as the coaster was refurbished.

Even so, the largest difference I noticed was with the brand new wheels. All upstops, running wheels and guide wheels were brand new.

Shaggy

-----------------
Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.

I rode Vortex opening day at pki.... Its still one of their signature rides, lets just leave it alone and let it be. I think all of this bad talk about it will hurt its feelings!! LOL J/P

-----------------
Sit up right, hold on tight!

Did Vortex at Kings Island ever get a new paint job?

-----------------
Valleyair Security 2002! 8Years Working at Valleyfair :)! GOPHERS Mens Hockey Champs NCCA 2002!!

Incidentalist, how can you say PKI "will" move Vortex? You have no idea!

Vortex isn't going anywhere. Drive past PKI on I-71 and tell me which coaster you're staring at.

-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

By the way Shag, is it still it's original orange and blue?

-----------------
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like bananas.

I'm still a little bitter about Kennywood getting rid of the Little Dipper for a ride that got me completely wet. However, this park must get rid of rides to put new ones in. Could PKI put something better in this space? I doubt it. Vortex is one of my favorite coasters. It has the best drop of any coaster that I have been on and the most "swooping" corkscrews. Currently, it is the only steel coaster there with inversions. Your point is taken with the fact that a new steel coaster there put on undeveloped land may require quite a walk. However, I would be disappointed if this coaster leaves during my lifetime.

"Currently, it is the only steel coaster there with inversions."

How quickly we forget....Face Off, FOF

Oh, and yes it is back in full glory with midnight blue with orange tracks. Looks terrific!

Shaggy

-----------------
Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.

*** This post was edited by Shaggy on 4/10/2002. ***

Sorry Shaggy, It's been a while.

Martling said:
Not going to happen. It's really a classic looper. The land was originally used for The Bat and I agree that a better layout could have gone in to use the terrain of the land, but there's no reason to tear it down. The only thing I don't like about the ride is when you leave the second loop, the brakes are really put on hard in the turnaround before the corkscrew.

Those brakes ae what makes it so awesome, if not for them yo would fly through the corkscrews, as it is now you get the greatest hangtime in the world on those corks slowed down like they are.

-----------------
Does CCI know how to make a bad coaster?

Shaggy is right; they've really done a nice job with the Vortex. Even better, they seem to have toned down on the brakes a little, so you don't get dumped out of the seat on the corkscrew, and it's running more smoothly through the boomerang.

Sorry, MagnumForce, I disagree. Coming to a near stop on the mid-course and then going so slowly through the last four inversions that there isn't enough down-force to keep you in your seat is a most unpleasant experience and is the part of that ride that I absolutely hate. But the good news is, the whole thing is running a little faster this year.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Me hates those brakes! I just dont get the fascination with "falling upside down" so many buzzers seem to have. I'd *much* rather take the corks at breakneck speed, plastered to the seat by the very hand of God.

At least I can still get that on Flight of Fear! (brakeless).
jeremy
-------------
Besides, if we were really shutting down people we disagreed with, would Jeremy (2Hostyl) still be around? :) I think not. - Jeff 1/24/02

Does anyone remember the poster of Vortex shot at night by time exposure, so that a passenger with a flash light (flare, candle, glow stick, radioactive squirrel) left a streak of light tracing the track? I had that poster on my wall from the year it opened until I graduated high school, many moons before I decided I was an enthusiass.

-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"