dr_humor

Mean Streak...where to begin? First, I rode it back when it opened after a 3 hour wait in 1991. CP built this for one reason: to have the tallest, fastest wooden coaster on the planet. It was an intense fun ride that never let up. That experience lasted a couple seasons, when the maintenence costs skyrocketed as it was literally tearing itself apart. CP's answer? Trimming the first drop. To death. Yes...as you fall down the first hill, your journey is immediately halted (literally) by a powerful trim that slows the entire train to a crawl down the first drop. The result is that the train is slowed so much, it has just enough momentum to get you over the first banked turn, but it's going so slow it jackhammers and also loses any hope of giving you any airtime. I would not say it's as painful as it is boring, but it is certainly uncomfortable. The retracking has actually done nothing for the ride (I gave it a couple whirls as late as 2 weeks ago just to see). Honestly, Mean Streak just stands a symbol of failure, much like SOB did for me at KI. It's a neutered version of itself with the trim on the drop, and belongs to a family of coasters that were all doomed; the Dinns. If I were you, go ahead and ride it just so you don't leave not knowing. As much as I complain about it, I still ride it once a year "just to see", but then go home saying "ok, never again". The bottom line? Just not a good ride whose time is limited at the point. And no, I don't dislike it because I think it's the "thing to do"; I wish it was a worthwhile ride, but it's simply not....in my opinion. Great trivia. A must ride.

I would have to agree...the view of the lake is simply breath-taking. By the way, from the top of Magnum on a clear day, you really can see Canada from across the water. Knowing you're a KI regular, here's another suggestion (nudge nudge). You've ridden Flight Deck, no doubt...so Iron Dragon may seem really "meh" to you...but only if you ride it during the day. If Iron Dragon is on your list (and why not...it's not terrible...it's just no Flight Deck), save this for a Front Row at night. It doesn't totally redeem the ride, but it easily boosts this ride from a 4-5 star ride to a 6-7. Are you writing all this down? Make sure they find the Family Care Center in Planet Snoopy. We also have a 1 and 5 year old, and it's a wonderfuk place with AC...and a room designed specifically for mothers to breast-feed, diaper-change, chill out (they play Charlie Brown cartoons all day inside for the kids). We spend a considerable amount of time there with out little ones.

Yep, 1-3 is the fabled "ejector seat" of Maggie. Just don't be frightened when you look at the loading platform and see chaos when bording Magnum. The vast majority is waiting for the front seat (for good reason), but 1-3 usually has a rather small line as people are scared off by the mob up there. Another "favorite seat" at the park of mine is the very, very back of Wicked Twister. The line is usually short as people mob the front, but you get the most "twisty time" in the back, and you also technically get launched "higher" than any other car on the train. My wife introduced me to this one, and I've haven't strayed since. And Terp is so right about Maverick. It's a wild, fun ride anywhere, but for me the wait for the front on this one is well worth it (the same is now true for Gatekeeper for me as well). I hope it goes smoothly and it's up and running for ERT for you...it should be at least one of the days. With two days, I would take a deep breath and count on getting on most everything you want to. Very unfortunately, SkyHawk has been down since opening day, waiting on a part, so it is very likely you may not get a ride on this. There is no word on when it is going to open. Very happy for you! There is something magical about being with someone who has never observed the skyline of CP in person for the first time...so I can't wait to hear about your experience. I think your Thursday will be a great day at the Point. Crowds are still not at peak, and Thursday is generally a very good day in the park. A little hidden gem for you; take a spin on Cedar Downs Raceway (it's a "fast" merry go round)...it's a little known flat, and I've honestly never seen one outside Cedar Point. Of course save this for day 2 when you're satisfied with getting all your rides in. And if I absolutely had to force you to do one thing before you leave on Thursday night? Millennium Force at night, in the dark. It's a religous experience...trust me. Get in line as the park is closing. Have fun!

Hank, if memory serves me correctly, somwhere in the neighborhood of 20 - 25 million was reserved for Gatekeeper. It's actually a very good question and a baramoter for what one can expect. I have not heard any details about the specific budgets for 2014.

Well hey....belated Happy Birthday, and yours truly will be at the park off and on for a week in July. I'm presenting at a conference in Williamsburg (The International Humor Conference...and no, that's no joke!) and I'm taking the family along for the ride. My wife and I actually spent part of our honeymoon at Busch Gardens 9 years ago. Mind if I pick your brain for some advice?

From the trusted reviews I've read, the coaster is fun, but the trims are a huge letdown. Speed becomes relative, and everyone I know personally who has ridden has said that the first shot is like speed heaven, but that the trims feel very, very harsh. Not sudden, mind you, but that once you've been shot out going 150, even travelling just over 100 starts to feel "meh". In brief, the launch is amazing, but the letdown from the trims in like a huge buzzkill, which dampers the remainder of the ride, which doesn't exactly have a jaw-dropping layout to speak of. I've quite enjoyed this thread myself. Does it meander off-topic? I suppose, but what high-quality thread doesn't? It's like we're all just keeping each other company with good coaster talk while we wait for the ball to drop.

What that did show was just how much Cedar Point was paying attention to what people were saying in the enthusiast world. I'm sure 99% of the folks who read that while walking by Disaster Transport had no clue what the inside joke to Banshee was, but a couple weeks prior to those signs, many, many people at Pointbuzz (and of course Screamscape picked up on it) were claiming Banshee was the name simply due to the logo...and voila, a nice little "tip o' the hat" to fans discussing it. I have little doubt Don was simply baiting everyone here with the "dive" comment...and it's perfect, because it makes you think: 1) OK, it's certainly NOT a dive coaster because Don would not say that... or... 2) Well Don would know I would think it's not a dive coaster so by making it obvious he's secretly telling people what it is... So clearly I should not drink your glass, because you would know that I would think that if you placed it in front of me that I would assume you placed the poison in mine, only to switch it to make me think it's in yours. Inconcieveable!!

Which is what caused all the problems. They both appeared on Maury Pauvich, and had a DNA reveal. The Beast was relieved, but SOB turned to drugs, lost its loop, and started getting all violent and acting out. The writing was on the wall.

Holy jumping to conclusions, Batman.

The only absolute confirmation for 2014 in North America that I know of is Disney's new Mine Train coaster....which is 100% not B & M.

The over-thinking it is the fun part. And while what you said is true, let's not forget, plans change (i.e., Leviathan, Gatekeeper)...it's completely possible that what is coming to KI was not completely planned in the typical 3 - 5 year working plan that parks of this size typically function within. Daydreaming is also a virtue.

Why my gut leans toward a Giga is because I'm always asking what KI needs, but this perception of need is only my opinion of course, and compared to some of you it's an outsider's gut speaking. That is, little truth here, while CP is my home park and I've been there countless times, I've only been to KI about 6 times (gasp, I know), I just kinda sorta fell in love with the place. Here's where my mind wanders. First, if there is a ride that is the statement ride at KI, I would argue that it is still The Beast. Diamondback is glorious in its own right, but I would argue that Kings Island has been riding the coat-tails of The Beast for three decades. Granted, they have not been trying to be a coaster-centric park like Cedar Point, but in terms of coaster line-up there is a bit to be desired in my opinion (and I say that with all due respect to the history and lineup it does have). Let me be clear; I'm not knocking the current line-up...it's good, but even with Diamondback, something feels missing. The Beast was a home run, Diamondback was a home run...but where's the Grand Slam? Of course, they tried to fill this gap with Son of Beast. Indeed, they groomed this ride to be the next "it" in the coaster world, but we all know that story. . From where I sit, Kings Island is in prime position to grab the coaster world by the throat and not let go. It has the land...it has the opportunity...a new CEO that loves the park...well, you get the idea. To replace the world's biggest bomb, you need to go big. Now personally, I think a Maverick-esque or inverted coaster would be wonderful, but I think something "grander" is in store. When I was growing up, Kings Island was truly the King in the coaster world. The Beast...Vortex...King Cobra...and Cedar Point was always in the rear-view mirror...until Magnum happened. I'm not saying KI is set to start dueling with CP, which makes no sense in today's world, but they have a golden opportunity to reposition themselves as a coaster-destination. So that's why I'm thinking Giga.

And the only cure...is more cowbell!

Only amongst the 83 people currently talking about it.

Just wanted to say have a great time! I love being with people when it's their first time at a park, especially one as grand as Kings Island.

It's always possible, but Hershey and CW are pretty close proximity wise...Hershey is a tad farther (40 - 50 miles or so). Mose ACErs I know make things up just as much as anyone else. (btw, I'm not trying to give you a hard time)

I somehow doubt that KICentral members' predictions are tied in some way to the construction schedule.

Ever heard of a ride called Alpengeist? (WIlliamsburg) Great Bear? (Hershey) Unless of course your reliable source considers those too far away. B & M is not in the business of doing favors to parks because said parks "feel bad" or "left out".

And technically Stratasoar was "used", it just never saw the light of day. Silly Lake Erie winds and all that.

That's precisely why I think the trademark-flub tale is more plausible. Like Terp said, the "PC" story makes for a wonderful PR move. From the public, there was no outcry. Whatever happened all happened at 1 Cedar Point Drive.

There was no fuss. The notion that there was has been grossly exaggerated. As far as I know, there is currently no fuss. EDIT: I also don't want to come off as pretending that I know exactly what happened; as mentioned above, even those in CP's inner circle were in the dark to a certain degree...so whether it was a PC move, or a trademark fumble (which actually seems more plausible)...who knows for sure. What I can tell you, though, was that there was no "public outcry" or backlash from the name at all.

I personally like being on the outside of knowing. It's fun to hear everyone's ideas, and who doesn't like a bit of mystery and detective work? I'm especially intrigued to hear tonight (Travel Channel) what the supposed "biggest announcement in coaster history" could be. Could Kings Island be the focus? Fun to daydream about it being a possibility.

I've heard that story as well from a former board member, but from how he put it, even they felt like they were in the dark as to what exactly was going on. What a wonderful work environment. My favorite tale of all-time is the Dispatch Master Transport disaster, but that's another thread for another day. Terp, you're so dead-on about the simple word "savor". This type of excitement only comes around now and then. It's fun when one of your home parks becomes the center of the coaster universe.

There was not any real "backlash" about the name Banshee. In fact, unless you worked at Cedar Point or read the Sandusky Register, you would have no idea it was even suggested at the time. You have to remember the context as well. In the mid-90's, our society was engulfed in "political correctness" (have we made our way out?). Cedar Point was, literally, at its peak in attendance. Maggie, Mean Streak, and finally Raptor had spiked attendance at where it pretty much stands today; the plateau. No one wanted to do anything to screw up the trend, especially with Millennium Force already in the works. No one knew they were at peak attendance. It was out of political correctness...fear, essentially, that Banshee was ultimately dropped. The way people talk about it today, you would think people were picketing and banging down the doors of Cedar Fair demanding a change. Not so much. It was basically a non-story, made into a story simply because it makes for an interesting bit of trivia. And yes, Banshee will be the name of some attraction in a Cedar Fair park next year. Is that what Kings Island needs?

Here's some speculation, which may or may not be a red fish. Gatekeeper was never intended for Cedar Point. What does KI need?