CoastersNSich

I just had to shoot out snot as I read that story while riding the bus across campus yesterday... And I thought that park fans held the P-word dear. Then again at least WE know the P-word is gone.

That can be a pain, especially since most consumer digital cameras no longer come with an optical viewfinder. Yes, the bigger digital LCD screens are attractive, but it's nice to have an optical backup, plus it can help save on batteries.

Is the Holy Father making a special appearance at KI in '09? On the (a little more) serious side, I'd like to see people doing the "Great Taste vs. Less Filling" battle on Viking Fury again. Now, maybe we shouldn't have the ride ops get the folks to do that, but it'd be cool if people could do it on their own. That or a battle of "Dental Plan!" "Lisa Needs Braces!" from the Simpsons. *emphasis added by CoastersNSich

SF Ohio? Were you asleep for the past five to eight years?!

I admit that I don't fully get that one. And I currently go there. - CNS, who loves to say that he uses The Google on The Internets.

I really like Adventure Express because it's got excitement without the lines and relatively low capacity of other KI steel coasters (Vortex is my current favorite, which can do a great job with capacity as well). Of course, KI is getting a people-eating steel coaster for 2009...

Good luck on your thesis! Also, there's one municipally owned water park, Splash! Moraine near Dayton, that is open to the general public, not just Moraine residents, though residents and business employees get discounts. It's got a wave pool, lazy river, two water slides, and a kids area. There's also a traditional natatorium (swimming pool with diving boards and lap lanes). Of course, I'm wondering how the GM plant closing nearby will affect Splash! - although the pain of the tax income loss could be lessened with the park being open to non-residents. I also have to think how economic conditions have caused families to seek closer alternatives - likely helping Splash! Moraine. On the lighter side, not bad how locker rentals are only 25¢, and wave pool tube rentals are only $1.50 (tubes for the slide and lazy river are free). Parking is free, and you can get there on an RTA bus. Day admission also $6-$9 isn't bad, either, though the attractions are less than let's say The Beach or Boomerang Bay.

I forgot to add...Why was this done? When? Forward (now Blue) in 1996, and Backward (now Red) in 1997. Why? Maybe due to wear and tear, especially on the brakes, but how necessary was it?

I wonder if they're going to have a HH-wrapped Metro bus this year, like in years past when it was FearFest. Fitting for a bus model named the Gillig PHANTOM, I guess...

I'm not a big Cowboys fan but I sure do enjoy seeing Romo throwing a pass to Witten.... Jerry Jones must be the George Steinbrenner of football... is it a coincence that both the 'Boys and the Yanks are opening new stadia?

Nice how they're offering a free ticket for the day you purchase your '09 pass. And I sorta have disagree with you, gigacoaster2k... Coasters that make me shout expletives aren't going on my list of favorites, such as Mean Streak, as well as a few at Beech Bend Park.

I, for one, would love to visit, or even open, an Amuse-meat park. Would there be a Veganland? Never say never, ne dis jamais jamais.* *Styx reference

It makes me laugh just thinking about it. I needed to reach for my water after reading that Klocke actually rode the same train as the stuffed monkey. I laughed so hard I hiccuped!

Are you serious? I do know a certain group of people that usually end up getting kicked out for doing some serious snaps on the scooters, but never for hands up on the Tornado. Hmmmm..... Hell, people film and take photos on the coasters, and don't get even a mention about it.

The Season Pass program is worth debating. Prior to Cedar Fair, you got the remainder of the current season free - and four other parks. Now, few season pass holders visited the other parks, so offering a KI-only pass makes sense... I can understand the diminished value of the passes nowadays. Bring a Friend Free Days? Who did they really benefit, when the park was packed, with few paying to get in? Cheaper food prices? Maybe, but was the quality any better? Racer backwards? More of a subjective thing. Though I prefer a racing twin coaster, and two forward facing trains make the concept better. Boomerang Bay hours? The current hour structure goes back ten years. Personally, I'd like to see more 10am opens and 8pm closes. 7 pm in the heart of the season seems weak. I know that comparing BB with the Beach waterpark may not be totally fair, but having at least 8 pm closes would be more attractive, especially for the locals and having the SP entrance. And how do you not take notice of all the special events?

I'll be honest... I was at my nearby Wendy's, and one time I was in such a hurry that right after they gave me my drink at the drive-thru.... that I didn't bother waiting for my food, even if it was for several seconds more. Not their fault at all, as this location is just about always fast... lapse in memory? Has that ever happened to YOU?!

With the Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal in this, this is from 1973 at earliest.

Careful... you may eventually see Diamondhawk and Flightback, as well as Skyback, Diamondfront and so on...

Well said... it's not like employees and families can't make it to Kings Island ever again. Surely it's a symbolic loss, but there's a reason why Toyota is doing this. They've seen the mistakes that the American-owned companies have made, and are not in the position to do the same. I'm not necessarily calling buying out an amusement park for employees a mistake, but the Big Three has been burned due to legacy costs overall.

Having seen Bee Movie, it was an exciting and funny film, so I definitely recommend seeing it. Originally Jerry Seinfeld wanted to do it as a live action film where he dressed up in a bee suit, but the final product wasn't too bad. Hopefully they're not doing the money dump in the bottom end of the wave pool. I last did the Dive-in Movies a few years ago, when The Incredibles was showing. The after-5 special was a great deal... the crowds were thinning out which allowed me to do pretty much everything. Don't forget to rent an innertube for the movie.

If you haven't seen it yet, here's the official site: http://www.kiDiamondback.com/ The renderings are stunning! If you haven't been to Kings Island in years, Diamondback next year will change that!

Right now it's at 00:00:00:00.000. Is it one of those boxes from TPIR game "1/2" with no money in it?!

Does WLWT understand that just because it looks like a loop in plan, doesn't necessarily mean that it's a loop in elevation? (That's the architecture student and coaster enthusiast in me speaking up)

I am so looking forward to checking out the greatest Walmart ever built, when it opens next year,

Don't know about here, but I know of some sites where "versus" threads, ESPECIALLY regarding coasters and parks, get shut down quickly. That aside, I'd look at the pros, cons KI Pros Many coasters, rides, attractions, live shows, and water park to warrant a whole day's stay, or even into two days Operation of multiple trains on coasters all the time Great kids area Being in the Cincinnati area, makes for lots of other things to do in the area - very accessible Season passes and ticket deals can make KI reasonably affordable KI Cons Parking, soft drinks, other costs can add up No "signature steel coaster"... in 2008. A more subjective statement... HW Pros Excellent woodies and great water park. They don't go for the wallet as often as most parks do - free parking, free soda, even free sunscreen Food is reasonably priced, good pizza Family owned, they take pride and ownership in the operation, like sweeping and running rides. HW Cons Fairly secluded, not much else to do in the area Only steel coaster is a kiddie coaster Based on location, variety, and infrastructure, Kings Island wins. But a definite nod to HW for value and hospitality.