Vortex at PKI - CoasterBuzz

I really like Vortex. It's is right behind Beast for me. Unless it's really costing a park money, is dangerous, breaks down too often P'ing off customers, or space is a concern, I dont think any ride should be torn down. So it costs a little money to keep it up. Look at the cost to tear down and build a new one. I'll miss KC. They better have really good plans for that space. RIP Drachen Fire. What a shame.

Anyone got pics of the newly painted Vortex? When was it last painted before this? I wasn't hip on it's colors before (hopefully) now.

*** This post was edited by Raptor Pilot on 4/11/2002. ***

Den, personally when i'm driving down I-71 i'm lookin at SOB or Drop Zone. Not to change the subject but will PKI ever get a B&M. Personally those are my favorites and a good size one could fit where Vortex is.

Vortex is one of my favorite coasters, period! I doubt it will be removed, as it is often lauded as Arrow's finest mega-looping achievement. C'mon, the transitions aren't THAT bad, at least compared to other Arrow megaloopers. The turn into the midcourse is extremely tight and intense without really causing pain (some may argue with me here) and is probably my favorite part of the ride. The slow corks and boomerang are an awesome experience (some already have disagreed with me here) that you don't get on other coasters. Combine this with the aforementioned "awe" factor and recent paint job, and this is probably the pinnacle of old-school looping coasters and doubtfully will be removed any time soon.

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I get the feeling there's a conspiracy over at King's Island to remove anything that has "K" or "C" in its initials.

I also think Vortex will be around for a long time. I find it a blast to ride and never have I had problem riding it.

Do I like the slow corkscrews? You bet!

Do I like the first drop? One of the best IMO.

I do understand that the coaster may not be for everyone, but then again, it is a very popular ride still to this day.

-Sean

I was thinkin, would it be possible to add lap bars. One of the main reasons I don't like this ride is because of the headbangin. Just do like they did on FOF

Lap bars? On those corkscrews? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Now there's a thrill!

J/K :-)

Shaggy

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Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.

Shaggy, FOF has that corkscrew, and has lap bars. Now that I think about it it would be really cool to go through the Vortex corkscrews with lapbars

Well, FOF's is taken at a greater speed I believe. Also, FOF's is a single corkscrew and flips riders to the left. Vortex is a double and flips to the right at a slower speed just after block brakes ;-)

Shaggy

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Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.

I'm going to join the ranks here as I truly enjoy rides on Vortex as well. I completely agree with the awe factor Shaggy talked about in an earlier post. I can't walk by Vortex without stopping to take a scare. It was because of that that it took me years (literally) to ride it. I rode The Beast way before I rode Vortex simply because I was tricked as a child- "Oh, The Beast isn't long or scary. Its like The Beastie only a little larger." That's child abuse right there! j/k LOL. Once I finally conquered Vortex, I felt like a coaster champion. I'm sure it'll be at PKI for many years to come.

*Next Trip- PKI (4-13-02). Who can wait until 4-20-02? I can't so I'm going after work this Saturday.

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OHIcOaster
"Back seat, no hands."

Jeff said:

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.
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What is an enthusiass? I think there are a lot of coaster enthusiass's.

At the end of last season, I got some very rough rides on Vortex. I had almost put it on my pass list because the daym thing nearly knocked my teeth out.

Opening day is the first day I can honestly say I rode it more than once! I rode Vortex 4 times it was running so good!

Whatever they did, The new wheels or whatever has made the ride fun and barable again!

Chuck who loves Vortex but don't like his jaw bashed on the OTSR's.

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Charles Nungester

Americana is opening in 2002 and needs your support as many company picnics are already schedualed for someplace else, Indivdual visits are very improtant to the parks survival.

Jeff,
The poster you described is in my family room! It is framed, and hangs next to posters of The Beast; (obligatory shot from 1st lift) and a poster of Racer. The Racer poster was taken from the ground at the split, and still features the original red, white and blue color scheme. The Vortex poster is my favorite, because of the lighting effect you described.

James Moreland

Another thing that would make Vortex better would be some nice big trees

Why change it when its such a good ride? Why do you want to tear it down? Just because of a little headbanging. FoF was worse. Son of Beast was worse. The Beast slams you around. Hell why don't we replace every ride with a B&M! Actually lets not. No one wants a B&M in the place of Vortex. Well no one with common sence. Put it in the place of something that has no relevence the coaster experience at Kings Island. Like the space behind FoF. There is plenty of room there for a good Beemer or Inti.

When I look at Vortex I think of history. Although yes it isn't the best coaster it is one of my favorites and will be for all time. The station being the one used for The Bat and other small things here and there remind of something I never got to and most likely never will get to experience. But I'd never take the Vortex for granted.

How many other coasters do you get airtime on a corkscrew?

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It's his turn to feast, when you ride the Son of Beast.

I think Vortex will never be torn down (at least not now) because it is such a great coaster. It may be a little headbanging, but it still packs a great punch with its speed, inversions, and G forces. If PKI were to tear down Vortex, I think any park in the world would purchase it in a heartbeat. Vortex is one of the great Arrow mega-loopers that will be around for a very long time.

Thank you for all your support! Those of you who know me, know that this is my favorite steelie around. It is so good to see the new paint. It's 1987 all over again! I too have been in need of that poster ever since I saw it at a friends recently.....if anyone can direct me to one, I am willing to pay billions! Then again, why pay billions, when I could pay millions! :) You get the point......I want it!
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Brad Sherman
Don't.....look.....back! The Headless Horseman awaits you in 2002!
Model coasters and rides

Vortex is certainly on my pass list. Rough transitions to say the least and those horse collars...Oh are the uncomfortable to me. Should it be torn down? No way, the ride is still way too popular. Would I like something different in it's place...Sure would.

Each coaster rider has their own preferences. This ride doesn't happen to be one of mine. I think I liked the Bat better. For all of you who like it, I hope you get all of the rides you can handle this season.

I still love MY Vortex. But with 12" wheels, I believe she would perform better.

I can understand PKI replacing Vortex with a hyper-looper,but anything short of that is doubtful at best.