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There’s a website called web archive that saves full websites periodically... Kings Island’s website has been saved 2,234 2,234 different times since 2007... you can even go visit the old paramount site pki.com

From what I could see in the picture and the video, I have a few comments: 1. I would guess that topping is going to be Tuesday. I don't believe it will be tomorrow because the first two pieces of the drop still in their staging locations, as well as the end of the maintenance stairs that goes with the top piece. It is nice to see that they have the last 2 lift pieces prepared though. I think we may see the next drop piece (no additions necessary) lifted tomorrow, but that would be it. 2. We finally have confirmation that the drop pullout has been completed! 3. Does anyone remember that small grassy hill to the right after passing underneath Racer (across from FoF exit)? It looks like it's been at least de-grassed if not flattened out. Area 72 restrooms?

BoddaH1994 edit: link removed

RMC Raptors are too low capacity.

Looking at the video, it looks like the trees next to Chaos building are gone. Its all cleared out. Someone had pointed out the markers there a couple weeks ago.

With Tower of Terror II closed, Orion will now open as the tenth tallest coaster in the world.

Phyton is removing from the park as of Nov 1st and relocating somewhere else. I hope this coaster would stay in Cincy Area.

^^ I'm of the opinion that flume rides shouldn't get you drenched. A scenic ride along the course, a thrilling drop, and an appropriate splash made KCKC the park favorite it was. If I wanted to get buckets of water dumped on me, WWC was (and is) the destination. For an example of a really horrible water ride experience, with apologies to @Shawn Meyer, look at what Cedar Point did in 2010.

Drove by KI this afternoon. Orion's drop is legit. Compared to Diamondback it is especially impressive... Lining them up in view from Soak City's parking lot was a great way to see the difference (specifically the drop angle). It is one thing to look at the numbers on paper but in person it was wild. This thing is going to be special. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I actually think The Vortex station, with the open sides closed in and the dividing wall between the main part and the storage shed removed, could make a good park museum. Put the doors where the exit is, and keep the entrance stairs area as an overlook. They could keep a piece of the storage track siding right there where it's next to a Bat footer.

Not necessarily, Jersey Devil with long trains & 4 trains might have decent capacity. If it also has a moving loading station it may even be quicker.

I wouldn't mind seeing the batwing element just left in place where it is and freshly painted. Right on the midway, they could even put up an info board/sign about Vortex where the photo spot sign is now. I mean, what else would fit in that little area for it to be in the way of future development?

I concur with malem on the opinion about flumes. They're meant to be more good natured fun, not really all thrilling (at least not on par with a coaster), but they really aren't meant to be. And they aren't really supposed to get you all that wet on them either, that's what water rides like White Water Canyon and Congo Falls are for.

^ I said this on page 7, but nobody saw it or skipped over me. I'd be all in for having a topper track model like Outlaw run in the former spot of Vortex. Either way, I want to see RMC pull off an actual loop and have them go back to back to pay tribute to Vortex.

The blueprints did note that the food stand would be removed, but nothing about what would replace it.

I gotta say, that video was worth not having webcams for two weeks.

While this is true... 4 trains with 12 riders could potentially be the equivalent of Flight of Fear’s capacity with two 24 passenger trains which is not very good capacity. Also, it would be easier to stack four trains, so it could be even less than Flight of Fear’s capacity.

Been watching the RMC Raptors and they look pretty cool, but they seem kinda cute. They seem a little short and they don't look as amazing as the other RMCs to me, but surely there is some potential. Kings Island might want to wait until some of that potential is realized. I think they are doing that with Orion as B & M has likely learned on every Giga they make. They would do that on a regular RMC too by waiting until now or soonish. The RMS Raptor, though, to me looks like something that isn't visually breathtaking, like the thing I'd put where Vortex is. Raptors do, however, look really cool and hip and modern. Seems a Raptor should go near Banshee and ideally would take Invertigo and or some of the surrounding area. Vortex's spot needs a big piece of framework and to look imposing and cool. Wood or RMC works best there as I have said too much now. I love a dive or Raptor, but not at the expense of a RMC ground up. Put the RMC Raptor at front when Invetigo goes. It's the perfect spot. Or in that area, along with a Dive coaster. Of course, that's asking a lot, when they are installing a giga as I speak. And I am super hyped on it. But something needs to replace Vortex.

Although it's been so long, I remember liking KCKC more than RFYLCB. Plus, I hate that we lost a genuine river ride in Rivertown.

I'm all aboard the RMC train for sure. If they put it where Vortex is, it'd look great too. Something like Twisted Timbers would put KI over the Top.

I'd make a good wager we see on of the loops or corkscrews show up somewhere in a midway.

And rumor has it, SFGam may not be looking to add another woodie, but might RMC American Eagle. If that happens, bye-bye 9300 feet of wooden track (since RMC Eagle would be Steel I-Box) and suddenly Kings Island is way out in front in terms of total wooden coaster track.

Orion's Drop > Leviathan Drop

I will always have the view Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If only..... However, I would like to see the station re-used. Its victorian facade is perfection. Unfortunately, as Shaggy said, there is the issue of wheelchair access. But that isn't to say they couldn't redesign it. I was also thinking maybe one of the cars could be displayed somewhere in the park.

The one thing I got out of that was exactly how the construction site looked, and also when the ride may be topped off (Which I'm thinking tomorrow morning) I saw the piece ready to go at the bottom of the brake run with Great White ready to hoist it up.

Doesn't look like much is happening today.

My list- KCKC, Tomb Raider with the original ride program, Phantom Theater, Skylab, recaR, the animatronics on KIMVRR, Sunshine Turnpike, the original Tiques and Flying Eagles.

Congratulations TOPGUN1993, a very cool picture! I think this contest was proof positive of just how picturesque Vortex is/was that it could inspire the incredible variety of shots that everyone came up with. I enjoyed seeing all of them and thank everyone for sharing them.

But are we really in any danger of losing that distinction anytime soon? If ever? Unlikely, I would say. With so few new wooden coasters being built in general relative to steel, I'd say the track record is safe as ever, unless HW goes with another wooden coaster, which I don't see hapening considering how full they've got their hands right now with keeping their current woodies in acceptable condition. And even then it would have to be a monster 5800 ft wooden coaster to surpass KI Herhseypark at this point is more likely to RMC an existing woodie (Wildcat), than add another. And like HW, they're not really that close to KI's track record either. Six Flags Great America is the only park with a truly plausible chance to (re)capture the record with another woodie, but I just don't see it happening. For reference this is the tale of the tape currently for the leading wooden coaster parks by track length (topper track included for convenience. I know, I know I dont think theyre truly wooden coasters either but what the parks say goes I guess...) Kings Island - 18,804 SFGAm - 16,558 Hersheypark - 13,329 Holiday World - 13,284 As much I like wooden coasters, particularly the ones we already have, I would have to agree with the sentiment that receiving another one, whether it be from GCI, RMC, or otherwise would be redundant and unnecessary.

I would love that but feel like another wooden coaster would be just to much. A ground up RMC is one thing and completely different. That is the only way I would say yes if it’s going to be a “wooden” coaster.

More themeing than on other rides in the park would make this cool.

If I was a betting man I'd say you won't see any part of the track come down until after Winterfest, kind of like how Firehawk went.

Here are some pics I took today, will have more later!

I just drove past on Kings Island Dr. , for those of you saying this won't look much bigger than DB .. It already does. Add in three more massive hills and this thing will dominate the skyline.

While dive coasters might be a "one trick pony" that one trick is amazing... (And I'm assuming you've never ridden Yukon striker which I'd argue had more tricks with the dive under water and inversion). By comparison, Copperhead strike, in my opinion, is a zero trick pony. It's fine, but it really doesn't give you a unique thrill. The stall in the inversion is different... But isn't thrilling. That said, I think it would be awhile before they put another B&M in at KI... and a dive coaster that isn't a B&M is lack luster (i'm looking at you hangtime) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They do have the former Action Theater they could use for something in the future.

With shaggys rep around here and seeing what he posts I trust his info

O'Rourke is not constructing Orion, though. SkyHigh Coasters is doing that. It's very apparent from their website that SkyHigh only does new construction, so they are probably not demolishing Vortex. I'll eat my words if it turns out SkyHigh is doing the demolition, but given Kings Island's history with working with O'Rourke for demolition and the fact there is no reliable source behind the claim, I find it highly unlikely.

Wow, that looks cool. I like how it goes from a sit-down coaster to a inverted/suspended coaster and then back again while still doing inversions. Clearly this is still very early in development (I expect final models will seat more than 4 people) but it already looks interesting.

Go get that Tilt a Whirl KI.

Seems pretty clear to me that CF strategy is to bring a big new ride every 2-4 years so long as the economy is good. I don't care how much of a people-eater Vortex is, there's typically a short line if one at all...until the announcement they were closing it down. Giga going in for 2020 to bring folks into the park; might as well save on Vortex maintenance costs for a couple years then build the next big hyped thing in its place---whatever it will be.

I actually really like Rougarou. The thing is that if you keep your head forward, you get less head banging. I've ridden two floorless coasters (Rougarou and Scream at SFMM) and both I kept my head forward and enjoyed both. With that being said, if KI were to get a ground up floorless, I believe it would have vest restraints.

After reading through all this, there's one thing that stuck in my head was losing a 48" looping coaster. One that many ppl experienced as the first coaster they rode that went upside down. Without KI building another that meets those 2 things it leaves Banshee unfortunately 4" away before the fun of going upside down for the first time. As much as I want to see a dive coaster or some such type, it feels off to not put in a "gateway?" coaster for some shorties.

Orion is going to be an amazing coaster but you cant lie, its a little short.... I know its a huge investment but if Kings Island wanted to go bigger they could of, but i think they knew Vortex was on its last years and once they tear it down they are gonna have to replace it with something huge, i think thats why they didnt go all out with the giga

I want a coaster to match, if not exceed, Vortex's inversion count. CF wouldn't give KI a six-inversion B&M dive coaster

Plus with a dive we'd get a max of 4 inversions. Floorlesses generally have 7. To answer your question @Kingshaven, there was always talk on here a replacing Vortex with a floorless years ago. That idea kind of got put on the back burner because everybody was talking about a giga. Now that we have a giga that talk has sprung back up. In all honesty a floorless would be an appropriate replacement for Vortex just because they basically are smoother versions of arrow loopers with better transitions. We could opt for a sit-down B&M like Kumba, Wildfire, Etc but I think the talk of a floorless is always on the table because it's just one little extra gimmick that the GP would love. Now that Cedar Fair hasacquired some different types of rides like Raptors, Infinity coasters, and multi launches I think everybody is just rushing to the conclusion that those will be the most likely coasters. A lot of people forget that Kings Island doesn't really follow the trend of coasters around the chain- they always do something new and unique. I think adding a floorless coaster would bring back that uniqueness since Cedar Fair hasn't done a ground up floorless in over a decade. I'll finish off with this- when we heard about Orion everybody immediately started to compare it to Leviathan and Fury saying it was inferior instead of looking at for what it was- a giga. If we get a floorless coaster you can only really compare it to the older models around the chain and across the industry which allows us to differentiate our selves.

I hope Kings Island would get some Coney Rides next year? Despite they have no plans get Coney rides as of right now . I see in the future Python would become Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Chaser in Planet Snoopy area at KI next year CoasterRz. Here the list they would get: Python turn into Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Chaser or New Bavarian Beetle Rock O Plane at Coney Mall section to keep legacy alive for Coney and LeSourdesville Lake in Cincinnati area River Runner turn into Viking Ship 2 or Camp Snoopy Boat Ship Wipe Out can be on former Cyrpt building or in Action Zone section Tempest to keep legacy alive for Coney and LeSourdesville Lake in Cincinnati area Tilt-A-Whirl Round Up at Area 51 near Coney Mall Top Spin can be on former Cyrpt building as well or some where in Kings Island section Flying Bobs That's list for now

Sounds like vertical construction is going to be fast and furious (not the movie)

I would assume quite a bit, considering they wont run it without water in the splashdown. Which is probably another reason Diamondback doesnt run in the winter. Back to Orion. I've got a joke. :-) What do you call the seatbelts on Orion? Haha. Haha haha haha. Funny joke right?