"We're goin' in a whole new direction!"

From the Winter SOAR event at the Golf Center in Mason. That's what it says.

Winter SOAR Saturday at Kings Island

Heads up coaster and park lovers! Southern Ohio's annual winter meeting, Winter SOAR, will be held at Kings Island this Saturday, March 3!
Things get started at 5 PM with a construction tour of Firehawk, the new (from Geauga Lake) Vekoma Flying Dutchman coaster next to Flight of Fear. Then, around 6PM, activities move up into the International Restaurant for pizza and soda, followed by presentations by members, as well as by parks in and around the region.
This event is open to American Coaster Enthusiasts members and their guests - registration is $8 at the gate, including the food!

NOTE: Remember to bring an extra pair of shoes for the construction tour, no mud in the restaurant!

Flyer: http://aceonline.org/flyers/WinterSOAR2007.pdf
NOTE: The park is no longer known as Paramount's Kings Island, so don't complain if I look at you funny if you say "PKI."

Reporting back from Chicago and more... finally.

I'm back from
- the Chicago Trip
- a CTA Train Tour
- the old Carson Pirie Scott store
- John Hancock Center Signature Lounge
- the original Pizzeria Uno
- More Train Tour
- UIC
- More Carson's
- Macy's formerly Marshall Field's
- Cheezborger cheezborger cheezborger
- IIT and Crown Hall
- Train and Bus tour
- United Center: Blackhawks vs. Predators
- Organ Tour with Frank Pellico
- Steppin' Out Friday Night with yet another Train Tour
- Checking out the Wrigleyville
- Train Tour back to the Hotel
- Go to the ACE No Coaster Con, and drive there...
- But only after, you guessed it. Train tour.
- Arrive at the Con. A/V Problems, what did you expect.
- John Robinson threw stuff at us again
- Maureen Kaiser freed from the Paramount shackles.
- Pizza fun at Giordano's
- Some drinks with coaster friends at the hotel
- Breakfast then, heading back home?
- Naw, ANOTHER TRAIN TOUR!!
- This time, Sears Tower!
- Low visibility, but gets better.
- Train tour back to the car
- Leave Chicago, but only before a snowstorm in northern Indiana
- Back home, tired as hell
- CACE February dinner at O'Charley's (already?!)
- Jason Aldean at Whiskey Dick's. Finally a reason to leave Chicago.

Coaster track spotted at Kings Island!

Bad news for Michigan's Adventure fans...


http://photos.pkicentral.com/thumbnails.php?album=180

Post-Hiatus, yet again.

Sorry for the disappearance again, but I am here, alive and well.

First big announcement, I will be traveling to Chicago on Thursday, to see the sights, take a train tour, visit some architecture schools, see some great hockey, and, of course, hear people talk for hours about roller coasters and amusement parks. I'll be back Sunday evening, with a full report later on.

Also, I can say that I am a happy football fan. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship at RCA Dome on Sunday, and are off to Super Bowl XLI in Miami to face... the Chicago Bears. Peyton Manning gets his big chance, but big Brian Urlacher wants to make it hard... WOW!

Catching up.

I've been gone from the blog for a few days, so here's some updates:

- Louisville defeated Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl 24-13. At center is future All-American, and good friend of the website, Eric Wood.

- It has also proven to be Coach Bobby Petrino's last game with the Cardinals. Petrino will replace Jim L. Mora (the son of Jim "PLAYOFFS!!!" Mora) as head coach of the NFL Atlanta Falcons. This will also prove that the confusion at the U of L Athletic department switchboard regaring coaches' last names (Petrino, Pitino, Petrino, Pitino, let's call the whole thing off!).

- The UC Bearcats won the inaugural International Bowl in Toronto on Saturday, as they defeated Western Michigan, 27-24. The Broncos forgot (Bill) Poland.

- The NFL Wild Card: In the AFC, the Colts defense gets it done when it counts against the Chiefs, while the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick gets back at his old assistant Eric Mangini and that oach's NY Jets. The NFC matchups were more surprising: the Cowboys and Tony Romo fall in a hard-fought battle in Seattle, followed by another exciting game between Jeff Garcia and the Eagles, who got past the NY Giants, whose running back, Tiki Barber, has played his last game. It surely won't be the last time you see Tiki on Tivi. (TV)

- Apple is set to announce BIG THINGS on Tuesday for MacWorld Expo 2007 in San Francisco on Tuesday. When Steve Jobs says "One More Thing..." you'd better stick around this time.

- Oh, and Kings Island has announced that a major announcement is coming soon. Like you didn't know that.

New Kings Island logo revealed

While browsing Kings Island's website today (still located at www.pki.com), I stumbled upon the Season Pass page. I looked at the art/designs for the season passes, and quickly noticed something different - and great...



This is no doubt a sign that my home park is losing its long-time yet not-so revered Paramount branding. It is similar in the style of Carowinds' new logo, and similar font as seen with Cedar Point. Stay tuned for even more, including a higher-resolution version of this logo, and more announcements regarding the 2007 season.

Carowinds' new logo?

It's been lurking around some forums, and some folks at PKICentral.com came across what may be the first non-Paramount logo for one of the "former" Paramount Parks:



The logo looks sort of funny (the ® is placed weird: "Car®owinds"), and the black looks kinda grainy, like it came from a fax. The park name is presented in the same font as Cedar Point's, including the flag in place of a dotted "i", but in a straight across design than the double-arched style of CP's. Also, since the parent company has sort of renamed itself, "Cedar Fair Family of Parks" sounds more appropriate than simply "A Cedar Fair, L.P. Park."

If this logo is going around, it might not be too long before Kings Island's new logo is revealed - will they go in the same style as Cedar Point and Carowinds, bring back the classic logo from 1972-92, or create something different?

A Christmas Kings Island Aerial Update

http://photos.pkicentral.com/thumbnails.php?album=lastup

Again, our friends from PKICentral flew over the park for us, with a new update on what's on the way for 2007. First, the first real glimpse at Son of Beast, sans-loop. Also, there has been more progress at Fort Cooper...

Of course, stay tuned for more. There could be an announcement or update even BIGGER coming very soon...

Cedar Fair announces $83 Million in Additions & Improvements for 2007; $10 M for Kings Island

Press Release

Today, amusement park superpower Cedar Fair announced a total of $83 million in capital expenditures, including new attractions and other improvements. Flagship park Cedar Point will receive the most with Maverick, a $21 million launch coaster, first officially announced in September. Second in line is Kings Dominon, one of five former Paramount parks acqured by the company in June, which is expanding its WaterWorks water park. The $11 million investment includes a second wave pool, along with two major slides.
Also very notable is Kings Island, which will receive $10 million, including a new thrill ride yet to be named. Knott's will get $8 million, including the rumored family spinning coaster.

A certain P-word was not mentioned in the release...

X-Flight coming down quickly...

Geauga Lake Today posted some new photos from Wednesday of the dismantling of X-Flight. Much more of the track is now gone, instead laying in the parking lot... as it did just six years ago when Six Flags was building it.

Kings Island hinting at 2007?

The latest e-mail sent out regarding 2007 season passes...

Kings Island soars into its 35th Anniversary with more than 85 world-class rides and attractions, including world-record holding roller coasters, an award-winning children's area, 15-acre water park, and outstanding family musical productions. Enjoy all this and much more with your 2007 Season Passes!

(emphasis added by editor)

Geauga Lake X-Flight dismantling begins

X-Flight, the flying coaster whose removal from Geauga Lake was announced last month, is now being dismantled, according to photos on Geauga Lake Today.

The arrow points towards the helix section, where track has been removed from the overhead supports.

It is still unknown officially which Cedar Fair park it's headed to, but it's likely that park could be Kings Island, according to aerial photos taken by PKI Central.

Stay tuned for more dismantling photos... as well as re-construction photos, wherever that may be!

The Dismantling Game continues...

As Kings Dominion is working to add to WaterWorks, one other attraction may be going away...

The park's 5-year old S&S launch coaster, Hypersonic XLC, is listed for sale. Whether there are any takers has yet to be seen. Sister park Cedar Point had been trying to seel Demon Drop since later 2005 season, but still had not found a buyer, even though it operated in 2006. Whether the same will be true for Hypersonic is unknown at this time.


As one Cedar Fair park is changing, another Six Flags park seems to be disappearing for good.

A thread on rec.roller-coaster shows Six Flags New Orleans' Batman the Ride, a B&M inverted coaster, being dismantled. This most likely confirms that the park, which has been closed since August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, will not re-open. This coaster was first installed elsewhere, so now, the first B&M to be relocated, has been relocated more than once...

Also from the Six Flags Blotter, Magic Mountain's once-innovative Superman: The Escape is also listed for sale.

Of course this comes all after it was announced that Kings Island is removing the vertical loop from Son of Beast as part of modification to resolve the problems that caused the July 9th incident when over two dozen riders were injured.... So stay tuned, this might be a winter full of action!

"Kings Dominion" to expand WaterWorks, lower prices

As you may have seen earlier on, it was reported through a Career Day brochure on PKD's website that WaterWorks would be expanded. Today, the park confirmed it, not only with a press release, but also through an e-mail that I received.

The park’s waterpark, WaterWorks, is receiving its first major expansion since 1999. Located inside the theme park, WaterWorks is adding three major new attractions that offer something for everyone.

“New water attractions, new price, new year,” said Richard Zimmerman, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. “We know our guests are looking for ways to stretch their entertainment dollar and next year, Kings Dominion will be an even better value. With our expanded waterpark, and our unparalleled collection of roller coasters, rides and attractions, no other park in the Mid-Atlantic can offer so much fun and excitement.”

Beginning with Tidal Wave Bay, Kings Dominion is adding a second wave pool to the waterpark. Filled with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, Tidal Wave Bay will offer hours of swimming adventure.

The new Tornado attraction combines high thrills with spinning and churning wet spills. Extending 65 feet into the air, the Tornado provides riders with a unique water experience that everyone will want to ride again and again. Finally, the addition of the Zoom Flume, will give families the opportunity to enjoy a rafting adventure together. Four riders at a time can climb aboard the raft and “zoom” down the curving and tilting raging water path.

Also, Kings Dominion is lowering the prices of daily general admission. Adults get in for $5 less than 2006, at $44.95. Junior/Senior pricing (also a Cedar Fair thing) is $24.95, and admission after 4 PM will now be $29.95 - it is the first time pricing at KD has been lowered since the park opened in 1975.

If you notice that in the typed portion of the press release, "Paramount" is not mentioned even once...

Report: Canada's Wonderland De-Paramountized?

http://www.pkicentral.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=8698&view=findpost&p=140581

A visitor to Canada's Wonderland, who was there for a job interview, noticed some changes underway.

He claims that the "Paramount Canada's Wonderland" signs have been removed, and replaced with those saying "Cedar Fair presents Canada's Wonderland." Also, there is some renovation work going on throughout the park, inside and out, and that some ride names have been changed. Lastly, while Nickelodeon characters will remain as expected, apparently the Hanna-Barbera characters and areas are being removed and changed, to replaced with the Peanuts.

Because there isn't photographic evidence, nor multiple sources, this information can't be confirmed. But, knowing that Cedar Fair is in charge, expect changes to take place. The changes that this visitor listed, to me, are a bit believable.

State releases Son of Beast report; Loop GONE

From the desk of Maureen Kaiser:

Son of Beast Statement
12.13.06

The State of Ohio’s Department of Agriculture released today its final report detailing the outcome of the extensive Son of Beast inspection. The report reaffirms initial indications that the incident was an unforeseen single event failure.

We will now focus our energies on the appropriate and necessary changes needed to reopen the ride in 2007. In addition to reinforcing the physical structure of the ride, we plan to remove the loop. Taking this extra step enables us to use lighter trains, which will reduce the load and lead to a more comfortable ride experience.

We are making good progress on Son of Beast and are fully committed to reopening the ride in 2007.

You can read the Department of Agriculture's final report here.
(WCPO: Son Of Beast Accident Blamed On Design Flaw)

While I'll miss the signature, unique loop, hopefully the new trains will give a much better overall ride experience. (image courtesy CYoung2003) "BEER!"

Something Going On at Kings Island...

My friends at PKICentral have posted some aerial pictures of Kings Island recently taken, that show a great deal of land clearing behind Flight of Fear. The site seems to have a rectangular shape, similar to that of the X-Flight coaster that will be removed from Geauga Lake.

One of the five pictures also shows Son of Beast, which is undergoing some winter work, near the end of the ride's circuit - and the coaster's vertical loop also standing.

However, please note that the pictures were taken on December 3, more than a week ago. This is because the PKICentral staff waited until they got approval from Kings Island to post the pictures. This could also mean that the Son of Beast's loop may be gone after all...

(UPDATE) KI has confirmed that the SOB loop has been removed!

Geauga Lake to get smaller.

Ever since Kings Island closed for the season in late October, there was some speculation that Cedar Fair's "new" Ohio park would be getting a "new" coaster.

At the same time, it was noted that the faltering Geauga Lake, also a property of Cedar Fair located in Ohio, would be undergoing some restructuring. The park's PR representative, Lexi Robinson had been let go, with folks from Cedar Point assuming her duties. Attendance has been stagnant compared to 2005, even with expansion of Wildwater Kingdom. In addition, the Hurricane Hannah's park lay abandoned, the Belaire Express monorail was shut down, and Steel Venom had a serious mechanical issue later on in the season that shut it down earlier.

This has led to rumors that X-Flight, the park's newest coaster, installed in 2001, would be dismantled and sent to another park. It looked more likely as some electrical fixtures were being removed, especially lighting on the lift hill. It also looked suspicious that a surveying company - from Milford, OH, not far from KI - was spotted in X-Flight's perimeter. At the same time, the surveyors could have been there just for utility work going on along Aurora Rd - and that the electrical work was just upgrades, including installing an on-ride photo system. But ORP work in November?

Today, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and park spokesman Bryan Edwards, confirmed half of the rumors. X-Flight will no longer be operating at Geauga Lake, and will be dismantled and relocated to another park. But which park?

Which park will be getting a used Vekoma flying coaster?
Many rumors have stated that it's headed south for Kings Island, probably next to Flight of Fear. But would they really send a used coaster to a park that is one of Cedar Fair's biggest and highest attended parks? Have they even broken ground yet?
Other possibilities include Michigan's Adventure, which is growing and has not seen a new coaster since around 1999 - a Vekoma flyer might be the type of coaster its patrons have been wanting.
There's even the crazy rumor that it's headed for Great America, which built the world's first flying coaster - but later sent it across the country to Carowinds in 2004. It was removed from GA to make way for Boomerang Bay, which better suited the park's family audience, not to mention the lack of room to grow the park out in Silicon Valley. Now, the 49ers want to build a football stadium next door!

Also, the monorail will be removed over the winter from Geauga Lake. I hate to see any monorail go, but that's what they're doing. Hopefully Jungle Jim's will finally get theirs up - a handover from another park now owned by Cedar Fair.

Stay tuned!

One Month Left...

... or less than, that is. That's how much time left to visit amusement parks in the greater tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and some beyond. The water parks, as well as some amusement parks have closed, but here's what's left.

Going to a seasonal park in its last month has is pros and cons. Cons, in that less attractions may be operating, especially water rides and water parks - but knowing what the temperatures normally are in October, maybe that's not too much of a con.
However, the pros are in greater number, it seems. Crowds are generally lower than in summer months - some might give up on parks after Labor Day, but the weather is still decent enough to stop by. Some also have great Halloween festivals - with light-hearted family friendly attractions suitable for the little ones, to full-blown blood and gore that makes even the toughest coaster lover, like me, feel uneasy.
On top of that, you may get a good deal on getting in, whether it's discounted admission, or season passes. Not only are passes sometimes cheaper in the fall - they are valid for next year! Some parks allow instant entry for October 2006 with their passes, others don't.


Holiday World
Usually paired up with Splashin' Safari, this Santa Claus, IN theme park is just about all dry. Don't worry, three great wood coasters, including The Voyage, are reason enough for dropping by! But do so soon, they close for the season this Sunday, October 8! 2007 Season Passes are available.


Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom
This Louisville park is still open weekends through October 29, and is offering Fright Fest, with fun and frightening attractions alongside the great coasters SFKK is known for. They are now selling 2007 passes, which include park admission right away, for only $49.99!


Kings Island
FearFest is back, and some say it is the best in years, if not ever! Six haunted attractions, three frightening zones, live entertainment, and the favorite coasters, on Friday and Saturday nights! Families and children won't be left out on fall fun, since Nick or Treat is available Saturdays and Sundays! Discounted admission can be found on the park's website: $19.99 for Friday nights, and all day Saturday, $29.99. Kings Island is now selling 2007 season passes for $74.99 for adults, and are valid for the rest of 2006 at KI as well. Now a member of Cedar Fair L.P., you can also upgrade to the Maxx Pass for only $50 more, to get access to eleven great parks, including Cedar Point and Geauga Lake in Ohio. $149.99 gets you Maxx Plus, which includes separately gated park as well - but these passes will not be valid outside of Kings Island until 2007.
Open Fridays 7 pm-12 midnight, Saturdays 11 am- midnight, and Sundays 11 am- 7 pm.


Stricker's Grove
This small picnic grove park located in the northwest corner of Hamilton County, near Ross, OH, will have its third and final public operating day of the 2006 season on October 15. Stricker's is normally reserved for private outings for companies, large groups, reunions, unions, and the like, but the friendly folks like to let the rest of us in on something many still don't know too much about! On this Customer Appreciation Day, admission is only $9, and includes all rides. Parking and soft drinks are free! If you've never been, it'll be a fun time, with several flat rides, and two fun wooden roller coasters.