What do you think?  I would personally prefer a new Roller Coaster.

 

New Kings Island ride to put guests in 'Italian Job'

By Erica Solvig Enquirer staff writer

 

Paramount's Kings Island is playing off one of its parent company's latest blockbuster films next year when it has guests push the pedal to the metal on a stunt track.  Park officials announced the new attraction, The Italian Job: Stunt Track, today in front of a 200-plus person crowd at the park's Paramount Theatre. The ride will open in next spring in Coney Mall area of the park.

 

Guests ride Mini Cooper S coaster cars and re-enact the chase scene by dodging police cars, driving down stairs and avoiding gunfire from a helicopter. Specifics details on the ride's height and speed have not been announced.  The ride will take the place of the antique car ride. That ride will close Sunday so construction for the stunt track can begin Monday, according to park spokesman Jeffrey Siebert.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.enquirer.com/midday/08/08132004_News_mday_PKI13.html

This has to be a record year for Kings Island. Everytime I drive past it the parking lot is FULL.

*yawn*

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want ROLLERCOASTERS!!!!

I think this IS a roller coaster dudes. Just a real fancy one. But I do have to say, since buying K.I., paramount thinks it needs to be another Universal Studios. Hasn't Cedar Point proven that big non-tech hilly rides still work??

 

But, look at the rendering again...looks pretty cool to me!

 

Roller Coaster? That looks a little cheesy. I read that it will be a "family" ride so I am already disappointed.

sorry, i had to do some editing there...on a side note, the Spongebob Squarepants 3D Theater is a family ride and I enjoyed that! LOL

Even the Beast is touted as a "family ride," thus I put little faith in the term to begin with.

 

Ronnie, you precisely answered your own question in why Kings Island is doing the Universal Studios' route. Because of Cedar Point. Why compete with Cedar Point when you can be different? And it's paying off (according to Paramount's quarterly earnings). Trust me, KI knows what it is doing and they are extremely smart. Paramount gets nothing but love from me.

Hey if there are pictures of Charlize on the ride, then I will be a fan.

There probably will be ;).

seems like they could just paint the track on adventure express yellow, set up some pyrotechnics and save the good ole antique cars...how else will those kids up in kings learn how to drive?

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. I saw a rendering of it on TV this morning and it looked like it was as thrilling as Adventure Express.

 

It is going in the Coney Island section, isn't that where Adventure Express is located?

more or less, but opposite ends

i wanna ride the king cobra again...

and if the beast is considered a family ride, then a family ride is my favorite

^ Agreed. On both counts!

FYI, the King Cobra is gone...

^Right. That's what we were both lamenting. :sad:

When I went to K.I. last weekend, I thought the first thing that sucked was the fact the King Cobra was gone. But I have to say that Delirium doesn't make a bad replacement. Is it a coaster? Nope. Could they have left KC there and built Delirium somewhere else? Yes, but at least they put a worthy ride in it's place.

 

K.C. was the first stand up coaster in the country. That's what made it worth keeping for us. but from KI's standpoint, no one really rode it anymore. Bummer that everyone misses it AFTER it's gone. Maybe it wouldn't have been ripped down.

This must have been really bad. I worked at PKI for four years and nothing of this magnitude ever occurred, and most accidents that do occur, however large, are kept under tight control. I hope that everyone is going to be ok after what may or may not have happened on the ride.

 

NOTE: Original article replaced with updated article

 

PKI riders sent to hospital

BY EILEEN KELLEY AND DAN KLEPAL | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS

MASON[ – An apparent malfunction at Kings Island’s Son of Beast sent droves of thrill seekers to area hospitals late Sunday afternoon....

 

 

This was the major structural malfunction of SOB that cause the loop to be removed. Just an article reporting on it.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow I didn't know "feeling of discomfort" equated to "broken chest bone". That ride has always been really rough. Every time I ride it, it bangs the hell out of my knees.

I usually like roller coasters, but I did not like riding Son of Beast.  I only went on it once and did not feel safe at all.  Plus, I vaguely remember there were a couple of lawsuits.  All of this gave me a bad feeling.

 

David, I agree that "feeling of discomfort" seems like an understatement, especially with a broken chest bone, difficulty breathing, and bleeding!

Well, the major media outlets are saying that one or more of the timbers cracked on the ride, which bodes really bad for the ride. All structures, including wooden roller coasters, are designed with a certain factor of safety in mind. To exceed this factor of safety would mean that something major must have occurred. This ride will be down for a long time, possibly forever, as they try to figure out what caused the timbers to fracture, and what they need to do to ensure that this failure or other failures do not happen again.

Well, if this leads to "Son of Beast" coming down, I hope Cedar Fair builds something similar and also builds a new steel coaster, my preference being one similar to Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point.

Well, this incident puts a new meaning in "Thrill Ride", doesn't it?

Son of Beast accident spurs lawsuit

By Amy Ehrnreiter

 

A Mainville couple has filed a lawsuit against Paramount’s Kings Island, alleging one of them suffered debilitating injuries after the Son of Beast rollercoaster malfunctioned as they rode it July 9.  Attorneys for Melissa and John Eberle filed the complaint Friday in Warren County Common Pleas Court, claiming the ride was improperly maintained, operated and/or inspected before it jolted riders.

 

A cracked timber was found on the track of the ride after the incident. Park and state safety officials are investigating.  Melissa Eberle was “the most injured person on the ride fiasco,” said her attorney, Alan Statman.  She suffered a fractured sternum and spent at least four days in Bethesda North Hospital, where she works as a nurse. She won’t be able to return to work for at least another eight weeks, Statman said.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.journal-news.com/hp/content/news/stories/2006/07/24/HJN072606PKISUIT.html

Ride must be rebuilt

No word on when roller coaster will be ready to scare

BY JESSICA BROWN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

Part of the Son of Beast roller coaster at Paramount's Kings Island must be taken apart and rebuilt under state supervision, a time-consuming process that raises questions about whether the ride will reopen this season.  "If they want to operate it again, that's what they have to do," said Melanie Wilt, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the state agency that regulates amusement park rides.

 

The Son of Beast has been closed since July 9, when 27 people were injured after a rough ride. Friday, Wilt said the problem has been narrowed to three possible structural issues: wood strength, maintenance or design.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060805/NEWS01/608050384/1056/rss02

Second 'Son of Beast' suit filed

Injuries claimed from July 9 accident at Kings Island

BY JESSICA BROWN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

A second lawsuit has been filed against Paramount's Kings Island and its parent company Cedar Fair for a July 9 accident on the Son of Beast roller coaster that sent 27 people to the hospital.  Four Circleville residents filed a common negligence lawsuit Monday in Warren County Common Pleas Court.

 

Crissie Lorick, 29, her daughter Natasha Burris, 13, and their friend Weldon Shaffer III, 34, are suing the park for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering after they were injured on the ride that day. The suit also names Shaffer's wife, Amy, though she was not on the ride.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/NEWS01/608170400/1056

Is it possible for Cedar Fair to sue CBS/Paramount for not maintaining this ride before they purchased the park?

Son of Beast out for rest of season

Ill-fated roller-coaster ride to remain closed

BY JESSICA BROWN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

The Son of Beast most likely won't be rolling again until next season - unless you happen to be a "water dummy."  Paramount's Kings Island closes for daily operations today. The park will reopen for the next two weekends, then close until Fear Fest in October.

 

During those last few days, the troubled Son of Beast will remain shut down, state officials predict.  "I don't anticipate it being operational before they close for the season," said LeeAnne Mizer, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which regulates amusement park rides.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/NEWS01/608230365

Son of Beast flaw cited

BY JESSICA BROWN | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

December 13, 2006

 

The July 9 roller coaster accident at Paramount’s Kings Island that sent 27 people to the hospital was caused by a deficiency in the structural design, according to a state report released today.  The design flaw in the Son of Beast allowed a vertical wooden support beam to crack. The failure of that support led to the failure of two other supports, causing a slight dip in the track, according to the state. “This led to a ‘pothole’ effect, injuring riders,” states the report from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061213/NEWS01/312130022

So the loop is gone.  Whoopdy do.  As long as the ride is more *gasps* RIDEABLE, then that's fine.

Anyone remember when two people died there in the same day in I think 1989?  Of course, every kid claimed he was at King's Island that day and saw the lady fall out of Flight Commander, and one even bragged to me that he saw the guy get electrocuted in the Oktoberfest pond, then turned around to see the lady fall out of Flight Commander a few minutes later.  The sad thing is, there are a lot of adults who are this full of it!

'Major new thrill ride' coming to Kings Island

Park mum on details; $10M earmarked for 2007 capital program

DENISE G. CALLAHAN | January 23, 2007

 

Kings Island is being a bit coy about its newest attraction slated to come on line this year.  The mega park's new owner, Sandusky-based Cedar Fair L.P., announced that about $10 million has been earmarked in the 2007 capital program that includes the arrival of a "major new thrill ride" at Kings Island.

 

Maureen Kaiser, manager of Marketing and Communications for the Mason amusement park, confirmed a new ride is coming, but was mum on other details.  The park has about 364 acres of developed property out of a total land mass of around 700 acres – so they have room to grow, Kaiser said.

 

Read full article here:

http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/01/23/pjm012307pkiweb.html

The new coaster is one of the worst kept secrets in the amusement park industry this year.

Yes, and I'm sure Geauga Lake is glad they got rid of it.

 

Great job Cedar Fair for screwing "da Island" again with a BORG...

The new coaster is one of the worst kept secrets in the amusement park industry this year.

 

do you know what it is then? spill it

It is Geauga Lake's X-Flight, the flying rollercoaster that was originally supposed to come to Paramount's Kings Island but after seeing the issues Stealth had nixed its agreement with Vekoma to manufacturer the ride at PKI. Funny how it is now coming to the Island under its new owners.

its like there are secret posts in here that i cant see.  where is all of this information coming from?

No missing posts, but here is some proof that X-Flight is indeed being moved to Kings Island:

 

Photos of X-Flight Arriving at PKI

Photo of Clearing for X-Flight at PKI

 

Indirectly Confirmed from the Horse's Mouth (very respected individual in the enthusiast community, he knows what he is talking about.)

Yeah, Shaggy is definately "in the know."

 

Good ole' URC...

I guess the local media finally went to a good source for information (blogosphere) and finally reported news thats been known for months.

 

New ride at Kings Island?

BY JESSICA BROWN | January 25, 2007

 

So what are those neon-green pieces of metal in the parking lot of Paramount's Kings Island?  Could they be chunks of the park's newest roller coaster? The rumor mill says yes, and to many, the hunks of metal look familiar.  Park officials have confirmed that a new $10 million thrill ride will be coming this summer but won't give out details until Feb. 5.

 

However, fan Web sites are abuzz with speculation, saying it's the former Geauga Lake coaster called X-Flight.  "If that is what it is, that'd be a nice addition," said Don Helbig, a former Fairfield resident and member of American Coaster Enthusiasts. "They've (Kings Island) got some great wooden coasters, but they needed something new in the steel family."

 

Read full article here:

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS01/701250344/1077/COL02

"If that is what it is, that'd be a nice addition," said Don Helbig, a former Fairfield resident and member of American Coaster Enthusiasts. "They've (Kings Island) got some great wooden coasters, but they needed something new in the steel family."

 

So a horrific prototypic flying coaster (who's brother was shelved from Santa Clara and sent to Charlotte) is the way to go?  If we are going to be stealing rides from Geauga Lake, atLEAST steal the "Dominator" (Batman Knight Flight) and Villain.

 

If it is the X-Flight, it would be the park's first major steel coaster since the Vortex opened in 1987.

 

So Flight of Fear isn't "major?"  Top Gun?  I wouldn't call Face/Off major, but...

Ah, you got to love the media. They try very hard not to do any research. I would agree, I would love to see Dominator over X-Flight. I just hope CF doesn't start dumping leftovers on KI. KI attendance is right in line with CP (income is different) so KI should be getting NEW attractions not MOVED attractions. Maybe this was just a quick bandaid until they have more time to plan budgets for 2008.

i wanna ride the king cobra again...

 

I do too.  I boycotted KI after the removal of the flying eagles and King Cobra. I have very fond memories of the Smurfs enchanted Voyage  and puking on the viking Fury! I think I lived all my summers at KI growing up.

 

Wanna ride the king cobra again?

 

http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/Hakaida/?action=view&current=MVI_0192.flv

 

Note to King's Island employees:  prepare for a LOT of angry guests.

 

X-Flight is a great ride - when it's working.  It breaks down at least twice a day, leaving a lot of people very upset and yelling.  One time last year it was closed for three days in a row.

 

It should help boost attendance there though, but I bet attendance at Geauga Lake goes down.  It looks like Cedar Fair is just trading off attendance at different locations.

^From what I have heard...it sounds like CF is just picking off the successful pieces at Geauga Lake and moving them to other parks...heading down a course to shut down Geauga Lake.

It would be really sad to see that.  Geauga Lake was always very successful before Six Flags took it over.  If a shutdown is coming, it's strange that they're expanding the water park every year.

 

Sorry to get off topic.

 

This is good news for King's Island, but for Cedar Fair overall, I don't think it'll have too much of an impact.

From what I understand, they want to downsize Geauga Lake to make it more "family friendly" (aka no competition with Cedar Point).

^yep...thats more what I meant.  I was trying to remember what I was told awhile back.

Ah, the perks of a monopoly. Ohio amusement park fans are going to feel some of the negatives involved with one company running a monopoly in the state. Maybe the Columbus Zoo will break things up a little in the future with their plans.

Agreed.  That's why I've been against Cedar Fair and Kings Island since...well...time.  Competition breeds innovation and "new rides."

 

Alas.  GO COLUMBUS ZOO!!!  Bring us some B&M!!!