HandsUp

I've been really digging DB and the fact that if you float with it just right-you're butt can leave the seat on the way up a hill and not touch the seat again until you bottom out. It is like nothing else I've ridden. I then noticed (as sort of an algebra/calc dork), the the 2nd and 3rd hills are shaped like parabola (x=-y squared), where the steepness increases (and decreases) at an accelerating rate, emanating from the origin (very top of the hill). Going into the hill, it begins very steep and fast. But as you shoot up the hill, you flatten out at an accelerating (exponential) rate, blasting you out of the seat. Once you pass the very top, the track gets exponentially steeper as you descend-keeping you in the air until you reach the bottom of the hill. I've felt negative Gs before, but it was always a 'bump' that was centered around the very crest. The shape of DB's track creates negative Gs for the duration of the hill. The direction of the train is always changing at an increasing rate. Sorry for posting if this is common knowledge, but it just occurred to me that those things look like they're straight out of a math textbook.

I was mainly referring to the new lap pads as opposed to the over-the-shoulders. I feel like I can really enjoy the ride and flow with it much better than before since there's more range of motion and visibility. While the MCBR is a bit of a drag, it is no longer a head-banger with low visibility. JMO of course.

I've noticed it mainly on the covered bridge before the 2nd tunnel as well as going down the 2nd big hill. It is a little tamer, but as mentioned, it's in the best interest of the structure itself. It gives me goosebumps reading the ACE plaque out in front, and just walking through the line brings back a million great memories. The Beast is historic, and there is really none other like it..I'd like to keep it around. That being said, I think it still packs a pretty good wallop. On Monday I heard some kids deciding what to ride, and one said 'The hill on The Beast isn't that tall-is it?'...'Oh no, it's not that tall'...as if a smaller drop makes it any easier to handle. A few weeks ago, I was going solo and rode the front seat with a kid who was about 14...going up the hill, he told me he'd never riddin' it. Let's just say he didn't know what he was getting into, and was very impressed. Plus, if you want speed and roughness, go to SoB...it has gobs of rough wooden intensity.

I'm not as seasoned as some of these folks...but if you want to do Xtreme Skyflyer or Slingshot-buy your ticket early for a lower price early and then you can ride them whenever. IMO, the DB's line is never that long of a wait (it moves very fast), and I love doing that 1st just because I haven't been tainted by any motion yet. If Drop Tower does not have the queues open yet-ride it a couple of times, you may only have to wait one cycle to get back on (none if you're lucky). Flight of Fear is way better now I like to hit up rides until early afternoon, then to the waterpark for the hottest part of the day-then back to the rides around 5 or 6. The proper way to experience Diamondback is leaning forward with hands and feet in the air at all times

Today was a little frustrating, as the main line was relatively full, but the SRL was often closed. Every time I'd be in the main line, the SRL would open, but I'd stay in the main queue...I'd ride-then find the SRL closed because it had built up past the bottom of the stairs. One time, I was able to get in the SRL as soon as it opened, and was on a train in about a minute. But more often, I waited it out in the main queue (~30 min). It was really just bad timing. While it seems OK to get in the SRL even if you're in a group (and don't mind not sitting together)-today may have made me reconsider. Basicly, the fact that many groups were filling up the SRL caused it to be full very often, and caused single riders (myself) to have to wait out the main queue. I coul have waited until the SRL opened again, but that would be a gamble. It just seems like a guessing game, and in my case, my timing kept me from being able to really use the SRL. At least I got 2 front seat rides though!

I think it works great...in the SLR you're giving up the ability to ride with your friends and any possible requests of where to sit. I love the front and back, but the idea of the SLR is efficiency-and it makes for full trains.

Kings Island: King Cobra Adventure Express The Beastie The Beast Vortex Racer Flight Deck Son of Beast Diamondback BLSC Firehawk Flight of Fear Invertigo Cedar Point: Maverick Top Thrill Dragster Millennium Force Magnum XL200 Raptor Mantis Mine Ride Mean Streak Gemini Corkscrew Wicked Twister Disaster Transport Wildcat Iron Dragon Magic Mountain: Viper Batman The Ride Riddler's Revenge Ninja Revolution Superman: The Escape Gold Rusher Colossus Vegas: Manhatten Express Speed Americana: Screachin' Eagle Wildcat

'The Shape I'm In' by The Band-very surprised and impressed by that..The Band always reminds me of Rivertown. 'Blinded By the Light' is a classic as well, and 'The Seeker ' by The Who in The Beast line. All great to hear

And I'm pretty sure the map still calls the place 'Bubba Gump's'

I'm sure this was a key element of the design, but the rides over the weekend made me wonder if it is in ANY way possible that someone could slip out of their seat even with the clamshell in place. I love the feeling of weightlessness, and the times that I left some airspace between my lap and the pad were some amazing rides. One time, the attendant pushed the pad down another notch, but other times, they just pulled up to make sure it was locked. It seems like it would be very difficult (even with an ample gap), to squirm out of that seat-even if you were trying..at the same time, I don't want to be unsafe.

While it may not be floorless, having your legs free is very unique. IMO, this is the way to really enjoy this ride. Leaving a generous gap between your lap and the restraint-and hands and feet forward is just an amazing feeling. It allows your whole body to float and fall as if your leaping giant bounds and walking on air. I don't foresee myself getting tired of this any time soon.

Picnic table to the right of The Beast's 2nd lift hill. Silhouettes of the 'lady' and 'gent' who used to point the way to each rivertown restroom. Different music in different parts of the park/lines...really liked hearing The Band an Credence in rivertown-very fitting.

I don't see how people can drink anything but water on a hot day-but that's just me. I personally can't bring myself to pay such high prices for known brands (subway, etc.) when I know I can have the same thing right down the road. IMO, the food should be unique to the park-something like chocolate covered fried twinkies, or other special snacks. You can't get a smurf cone anywhere.

Yesterday (5/15) I was there by myself and the SRL was not open when I got in line. Then they opened it up, so I hopped over there (since I was a legit SR)...only to have the main line pass me by since they were assigning SRs very sporadically. Luckily, by the time I did get up there, the op was nice enough to let me wait for the front seat. But the SRL was much slower-and no sure if it saved any time. Later (right around dark) the SRL was open and it was a 15 min wait....about 25 min. in the main line after they closed the SRL. The best would be to have stricter screening at the beginning of the line..but it begs the question-how many times do you have to ride it before you become a 'group' with the other singles doing the same thing?!?

That looks pretty awesome! I'd rather have a top spin like this outside than what the Crypt is now... it'd be sweet to put this over in Coney Mall where the open area is. /quote] And use the old queue line for a bobsled coaster in the woods between DB and The Beast

I hadn't ridden this in a few years, and I rode in the front seat today and really enjoyed it. The last few times on The Beast convinced me that I really do like woodies, but I need to preferably be in the front seat, bracing and shifting my weight as necessary (that's why it's nice to see the track). Hands in the air for the 1st drop only-any more will just beat you up. Granted-I prefer the floating speed of DB-but it's a totally different feel.

A very tall water ride-like Pilgrim's Plunge.....or a Skyhawk

This is the same for my wife and I-and I do think that CF realizes that singles or anyone without kids indeed does have a decent amount of discretionary that they would not mind getting ahold of. This is especially true with the Platinum Pass option-IMO, it really caters to regional ride enthusiasts willing to travel...If we had a handful of kids, fat chance of dragging them hours away so that mom and dad can rage hardcore rides. I really feel that recently CF has done a lot to cater to people like me (and you). Bigger, better rides, multi-park passes, and more beer...they realize that we are the ones who could be doing a LOT of other things besides going to parks. Still, families are a huge base-and for them, going to a park is more of an annual (or semi-annual) 'event'. If the park visit is part of vacation, mom or dad may be a bit more loose with the purse strings, and buy that extra souvenir-because the day has such sentimental value. This is not even considering the familes who have passes. When I was younger, KI was where we'd hang instead of the mall, my brother and I spent tons of allowance money on Icee's in The Beast line, baseball cards, smurf cones, and potato works. We wouldn't have been a possibility if our family hadn't gotten us passes and given us rides up there. So it's not that single folks aren't a source of revenue, but any family that has culture of going to KI (regularly or not) is a multi-headed cash cow.

What? Yeah, Paramount really left thrill seekers out in the cold with Top Gun, EXtreme Skyflyer, Flight of Fear, Wipeout Beach, Drop Zone, Face/Off, Son of Beast, TR:TR, Delirium, Slingshot, Tasmanian Typhoon, Coolangata Racers, and Italian Job. Good point-but really, Top Gun was only marginally intense, ES and SS you have to pay extra. Face Off has never done anything for me.TR and IJ are fun, but long on glitz, while short on thrills. SoB and FoF are solid, as are the waterpark rides. But they certainly didn't put in anything like DB...it always seemed as if they were doing just enough to provide new thrills. I also must admit that the TVs in all the queue lines REALLY bothered me. At an amusement park, I want the experience of being at the park to be the main focus-not movies! I can watch TV at home..but when I'm at the park, I like to soak up the experince with my family and friends. In '97, I went to CP for the 1st time, and I was struck at how much fun it was to have so many bada$$ coasters that none of the lines were that long...and so many different kinds! I also loved the lack of TVs and the presence of enjoyable music. So I guess the Paramount aesthetic was as much of a turnoff as the lack of big coasters. Sorry to rant...but needless to say, I'm confident the park is now in good hands.

I can appreciate the fact that families are a huge market for any park-and likely, on average, spend more per capita inside the park than couples, teens, or singles. I'd bet though, that families will visit the park less often. So in terms of volume, who knows? To optimize revenue, you need to appeal to many demos. In the PKI days, I felt that the park had sold its' soul in the name of 'family-friendliness'...leaving thrill-seekers out in the cold. Now there is much more balance. Plenty of family attractions, yet enough thrill rides to keep you busy for the bulk of the day. Given the two major thrill additions (FH and DB), it makes sense that we wouldn't get anything too extreme for a while to come. They could always draw families, but Cedar Fair has won me back..and I will spend a good portion of the summer up there-buying a beer here and a smurf cone there over several visits-even if I'm not feeding a family of four, or blowing money on games.

The Flying Dutchman..you sat in 'wooden shoes' and spun around. It was in the Octoberfest area which used to be much bigger. This is a great footage..The Bat looks pretty sweet..I imagine it was quite the thing in its day

Another anecdote-but I had more or less boycotted PKI because it wasn't the park where I grew up. With CF in charge, the ensuing awesome rides, and more of a sense of frugality this past Christmas-my parents got my wife and I platinum passes, as well as gold passes for my brothers' whole family. While these weren't cheap-it was still a better value than several smaller gifts that could be enjoyed by one of us or the other-not so much both of us. We are coaster freaks with no kids, and will go to KI a bunch, as well as CP and Carowinds...where we will no doubt spend at least some money on food. I have to think that there are more people like us out there. With the PPs, they really are catering to the ride enthusiast-and IMO, it's about time (I hope it pays off for them). I really doubt if we'd have gotten passes if not for DB.

When I was really young, we'd only go to KI once a year at best. Just to see the bigger coasters (then just The Beast and The Racer) scared the snot out of me. I didn't want to even get close to them because I thought that I'd end up in the line by mistake and not be able to get out. I rode The Beastie, but the drop on that was even a bit much. Then we went a few years without going, and then finally went when I was in 6th or 7th grade. I knew that I would be really lame if I couldn't ride them at such an old age-and I didn't want to waste the opportunity. That day I rode The Racer, The Beast, Vortex, and Cobra, and was totally hooked on coasters. Since then, I haven't found one that I won't ride.

The wife and I will be taking advantage of our Platinum passes and going to Carowinds next month. Looks like they have a flying coaster that's a bit bigger than Firehawk-as well as a few other good ones. Any special recommendations on other good rides they have there? Any general things to know about that place? Any advice will help!

One little thing that goes a long way in my book is the music throughout the park. I love to always have music in the background, and the current selections are very nice. It was one of the things that I really loved about CP-as opposed to the Paramount brainwash/mind torture/media overload of TVs with commercials everywhere you'd look. Everything is better with music!