I recently rode Freedom Flyer, a Vekoma jr invert, just like Flying Ace. I was curicurious if Flying Ace could be renovated to include second generation trains along with VR option. 

 

2nd Generation Trains...sure I could see it happening, and I'd welcome that. 

VR....hard no. Hard pass.

VR would cause a longer longer.  Not enough capacity 

Vr for The Bat, not for a kiddie coaster

However, one can do it for the last three rows. They do that at Fun Spot and still get trains dispatched at a rate equivalent to Flying Ace. The slower the ride, the better the VR effects are.

Seeing as Flying Ace is primarily a ride for kids (though a family ride)...I don't think it'd work. Maybe if the ride were elsewhere in the park. 

Even then... no VR period in the park.

I’d be happy with just a second train....


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Flying ACE already has long enough of a wait time due to only running one train, adding VR would just increase that even more. It also tends to always have a pretty long line so I don't think it's popularity is fading at all. I do agree that adding VR to The Bat might be a good idea just because the ride never has a line and it may get some more traffic with it added, but I don't really think it's the layout of that ride that causes it's low ridership, it's the location.

No VR at KI or on The Bat please. The Bat also has good ridership. Just because you don't see a 45 min queue does not mean it has low ridership. It still has an hourly capacity.

That’s agreed I love riding Bat. The trains seem to be all full or almost every time. The line doesn’t seem to fill up though


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Yes, The Bat is so fun! My 8 year old and I will ride it several times in a row in the very front car, which is so underrated. There's such a strange feeling to be the first car dangling when the ride comes out of the lift. 

I go to the parks to get away from all the screen time and just to enjoy the outdoors.  Keep VR away from KI!  

If Kings Island would do it,I’d ride a whole lot

42 minutes ago, OTTER9919 said:

If Kings Island would do it,I’d ride a whole lot

I guess it works for some.

It seems like a big expense and the payoff I don't see being there. I do like how CP only does it a few hrs at a time on Iron Dragon.

15 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

I do like how CP only does it a few hrs at a time on Iron Dragon.

I fear that VR will replace theming in the coming years. I wish that more theming was added to existing rides instead of slapping a headset on someone. 

IMO Flying Ace has the worst wait time than any ride in the park (based on how long any given line takes, that is).  No VR or updates on it, except for a 2nd car. 

I second what @KImom said.  Bat front row might be one of the most under rated thing in the park...so good!

4 hours ago, shark6495 said:

That’s agreed I love riding Bat. The trains seem to be all full or almost every time. The line doesn’t seem to fill up though


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The line is a people eater. LOL. I remember waiting over an hour for it when it first opened up, and I'm positive that the line got even longer than that.

I do not know of any reasons why Flying Ace could not have the trains replaced.  I am pretty sure the track gauge is identical between the generations.  It is also possible it is the same as The Bat due to the partnership between Vekoma and Arrow.

I wrote a huge complaint about VR on coasters.  But I decided not to post it, in short just say no to VR on coasters, it’s just a gimmick which makes the overall experience worse.

One thing which I know is possible is to replace the trains on The Bat with the Vekoma suspended versions, Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures uses them.  While I have never been been on the coaster I have only heard good things about the trains.  Would require changes to the station but open trains without all the fiberglass would be amazing and totally change the feel of the ride.

I like the trains for The Bat... it's something different than what we got for Banshee & Flying ACE (yes, I just put those two coasters in the same category) with your feet hanging. Variety is the spice of life

I agree leave The Bat trains alone!

With the new paint job, The Bat looks awesome. New trains would probably not change ridership much and those things are not cheap.