I hear it's Firehawk...

Why Firehawk, its still pretty new?

 

If I would get rid of one I would get rid of the Bat

I absolutely hate Firehawk, so I hope that’s it.

What is Firehawk?

One of the things that always frustrated me about KI, was that whenever they decided to add a new attraction it was always at the expense of another one.  I never understood that add and subtract policy; Seems like if you had more rides then the lines at each would be shorter and the park visitor could experience more attractions. In my mind that adds up to better customer satisfaction.  Besides which, doesn't KI have about a gazillion acres to expand into if they wanted to? 

When rides age, they get more expensive to maintain. Firehawk is norotiously unreliable, and it has very low capacity to boot. Although it’s only been at KI since like 2006, it was at Geauga Lake since 2001, which seems young but it’s probably the upper lifespan for this ride. Vekoma only ever built 3 of them before B&M (the company who built Banshee and Diamondback) designed their version of a flying coaster, which is much more reliable and holds more people. Supposedly whatever ends up getting removed will be replaced with a B&M giga Coaster (300+ feet) which is a win in my book.

I'm sure I've ridden FireHawk, but I can't remember it. Vortex is basically obsolete at this point, IMO. Replaced with something taller and smoother, I wouldn't miss Vortex. Speaking of smoother, I like the concept of Flight of Fear but I can barely handle riding it because it's headache-inducing. Replace it with a similar but significantly smoother ride and it'd be great.

 

Speaking of smoothness in coasters, though, I find the smoothness of Mystic Timbers and similar new woodies kind of unsettling. Part of the thrill of a wooden coaster like the Beast or the Racer is feeling like the damn thing is so rickety you just have to put faith in the designers and maintenance crew that you won't go flying off the track. When everything feels so controlled but the overall features aren't pushing the envelope it just feels like something is missing. Please, either frighten me or give me unique sensations.

 

Hoping the rumored giga coaster delivers.

With the basically confirmed B&M giga, if they DO replace Vortex (which I hope they don't...it's still the best Arrow multi-looper in America), it should be a Dive coaster to mimic it.  If the rumor about Firehawk is correct, I hope it's a better version of Fury 325 at Carowinds.  I don't want another Leviathan.

I'm sure I've ridden FireHawk, but I can't remember it. Vortex is basically obsolete at this point, IMO. Replaced with something taller and smoother, I wouldn't miss Vortex. Speaking of smoother, I like the concept of Flight of Fear but I can barely handle riding it because it's headache-inducing. Replace it with a similar but significantly smoother ride and it'd be great.

 

Speaking of smoothness in coasters, though, I find the smoothness of Mystic Timbers and similar new woodies kind of unsettling. Part of the thrill of a wooden coaster like the Beast or the Racer is feeling like the damn thing is so rickety you just have to put faith in the designers and maintenance crew that you won't go flying off the track. When everything feels so controlled but the overall features aren't pushing the envelope it just feels like something is missing. Please, either frighten me or give me unique sensations.

 

Hoping the rumored giga coaster delivers.

 

If you don't remember being strapped into heavy suffocating neoprene vests, tilted on your back, pulled head first up the loudest chain hill since Son of Beast, then flipped over so you are hanging stomach facing the ground 100' in the air with all your belongings falling out of your pockets while you are feeling both like you are falling/flying and kind of being subtly strangled then I don't think you ever rode Firehawk.

 

Also, we know we are getting a B&M, but we don't know it's a giga. I find dive coasters just OK, and would much rather get a giga, as dive coasters are one trick ponies and have much lower capacity.

With the basically confirmed B&M giga, if they DO replace Vortex (which I hope they don't...it's still the best Arrow multi-looper in America), it should be a Dive coaster to mimic it.  If the rumor about Firehawk is correct, I hope it's a better version of Fury 325 at Carowinds.  I don't want another Leviathan.

 

Carowinds: a lifesaver for when the kids started losing their minds with boredom during a 2-week vacation to P.T.L.

I hear it's Firehawk...

 

And I heard correctly.

 

Farewell, Firehawk: Kings Island announces roller coaster will come down

 

 

It was a nice ride, Firehawk.

 

Kings Island officials made a highly-anticipated announcement Thursday morning that the park would bid farewell to its "flying coaster." Final rides will begin this weekend; Firehawk's last flight will be Oct. 28.

 

"While still popular with many guests, park officials state the ride has simply reached the end of its service life," officials said in a statement.

 

More below:

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/farewell-firehawk-kings-island-announces-roller-coaster-will-come-down

I hate see anything get demolished (buildings or coasters) but I'm very happy it wasn't Vortex as many were saying. Sure opens up a ton of contiguous land from the old Son of Beast land, through Firehawk's land to the former Dinosaur's land. I'm now more confident that the new B&M will be a giga and not a dive or wing coaster. Can't wait to see what's coming in 2020.

The only major concern I have is the precedent Diamondback set with land clearing. A B&M giga that utilizes the terrain would be incredible, BUT if they're just going to clear out every tree within 50' of the ride, what's even the point?

 

I know the construction of something the scale of a hyper or giga coaster requires significantly more land clearing than, say, something like The Beast or Mystic Timbers, but it needs to be done in a manner in which it's able to actually grow back. And unfortunately Diamondback wasn't done with that in mind and will forever be a coaster that is located on great terrain and essentially operates in a giant clear strip. A giga would likely do the exact same and likely to an even greater extent unless it focuses on hugging the ground, something B&M has never really shown interest in doing.

 

But not to be all negative, I think a giga coaster is exactly what Kings Island needs in its lineup. It's sad to see a coaster that I rode its opening year at Geauga Lake go, but it isn't surprising. The Vekoma flyers just aren't all that fun, especially compared to coaster styles that have come out in the nearly 2 decades since. And B&M coasters are incredibly reliable and a sure fire popular investment among the general public. I'm excited to hear what they have in store whenever they announce it next year.

Vortex is getting old enough that it's almost a "vintage" ride.  KI made a big mistake by taking out the antique cars, the smurf ride, etc.  If the Smurf Ride was still intact, it would be INCREDIBLE.  People keep going back to Disneyland and Disneyworld in part because some of the original rides are still there, mostly untouched. 

 

People always want to destroy things that are 10-25 years old

 

"Let's get rid of this. It's DATED."

I do hate how many trees were cut down for Diamondback, especially when you see how Mystic Timbers was able to keep so many. I'm assuming a new giga would hug the ground more than diamondback, just like Fury 325 hugs the ground more than Intimidator at Carowinds. That being said I agree that they should keep as many trees as they can, but honestly between Firehawks land and the old SoB rosebowl many of the trees in that area are already gone.

 

What I think is exciting is that between Firehawk's location and the old SoB turnaround is +/- 60 foot deep valley that could make even a 300' hill the biggest drop (on non-launched coaster) in the world. If this uses the terrain properly, and uses the low to the ground turns and forces of Fury, it could be one of the best roller coasters in the world.

I do hate how many trees were cut down for Diamondback, especially when you see how Mystic Timbers was able to keep so many. I'm assuming a new giga would hug the ground more than diamondback, just like Fury 325 hugs the ground more than Intimidator at Carowinds. That being said I agree that they should keep as many trees as they can, but honestly between Firehawks land and the old SoB rosebowl many of the trees in that area are already gone.

 

My understanding is that this has to do with the foundations/footers for steel vs wooden coasters. Steel coasters... Well modern steel coasters use fewer support columns and have deep and large poured footers, while wooden coasters use hundreds of smaller shallow footers. On wooden coasters it's less likely that vegetation or tree roots growing into or shifting a footer here or there will cause any impact on the complex structure thats designed to settle shift tension points, while a tree root growing into and shifting or cracking one of the few footers on a steel coaster could be disastrous or at least very very expensive to fix. Basically its risk mitigation. I really wish steel coasters could be built to have experiences like the beast does through dense wooded areas but I don't see it happening, nature is a powerful force.

Yep, and B&M in recent years has moved to less and less supports by greatly enlarging the spine of their track to allow it to span further distances. If you compare their first hypercoasters with something like Fury325 you can see the difference in how they design their structures. While cool, it requires enormous foundations as you mention and therefore foliage can only get so close.

 

I know it's sacrilege, but I'd love an RMC Beast. Not major ride altering changes, but all the track replaced with topper track, all four sets of trims removed for good, and the hills reprofiled in a manner that actually produces forces. I love the vibe of Beast and it's location and think the ride, at certain times, really does feel out of control, but the fact that it isn't allowed to get up to speed without hitting a magnetic trim brake soon after is frustrating and feels like so much lost potential.

Vortex is getting old enough that it's almost a "vintage" ride.  KI made a big mistake by taking out the antique cars, the smurf ride, etc.  If the Smurf Ride was still intact, it would be INCREDIBLE.  People keep going back to Disneyland and Disneyworld in part because some of the original rides are still there, mostly untouched. 

 

It's really fascinating as a 30 year old to look back at the history of Kings Island and how when it was developed they put so much effort into the different themed area, many of which connected with our local history, and to see how over time the themed areas were kept in name only. (As a kid I remember the fact that there were different themed areas but I didn't really get why.) As new rides were added, they were placed wherever there was room, even if it had no connection to the theme. I do think the park would be experiencing a different type of success now if the old themed areas were developed in a smarter way and more historic rides were kept. Especially now that stuff from the 80s and 90s is becoming "nostalgic" already.

KI's sister park Kings Dominion has generally done a better job at keeping its themed areas intact over the years. There's still a few non-sequiturs (their Backlot Stunt Coaster and Flight of Fear are in Safari Village next to the park's giant fake volcano), but they recently went so far as to bring back the Candy Apple Grove area a few years back for the park's 40th anniversary, goofy 70s animatronics and all. Why this happened at KD and not KI, seeing as they've always been owned by the same company since Taft built them, is beyond me.

^Regarding the trees...I first went to King's Island when it was only about 10 years old.  The place seemed pretty "mature", I suppose, because there were big trees all over the place.

 

I never rode the monorail ride but if they had kept that going it would have been retro cool too.  Maybe not with the original monorail trains, but it would be better than them rotting out in the Jungle Jim's parking lot. 

 

Also, I always kind of liked how The Racer formed the outside wall of that side of the park.  Putting a coaster outside The Racer kind of screws with that.  Actually I remember well when Top Gun opened...that was a total half-ass project and it looked bad because it was in an area with no trees.  Take it out and put in some foam dancing. 

 

Vortex is getting old enough that it's almost a "vintage" ride.  KI made a big mistake by taking out the antique cars, the smurf ride, etc.  If the Smurf Ride was still intact, it would be INCREDIBLE.  People keep going back to Disneyland and Disneyworld in part because some of the original rides are still there, mostly untouched. 

 

It's really fascinating as a 30 year old to look back at the history of Kings Island and how when it was developed they put so much effort into the different themed area, many of which connected with our local history, and to see how over time the themed areas were kept in name only. (As a kid I remember the fact that there were different themed areas but I didn't really get why.) As new rides were added, they were placed wherever there was room, even if it had no connection to the theme. I do think the park would be experiencing a different type of success now if the old themed areas were developed in a smarter way and more historic rides were kept. Especially now that stuff from the 80s and 90s is becoming "nostalgic" already.

 

I think it's a shame that Oktoberfest has basically been consumed by Action Zone. Nothing about it feels Oktoberfest-y any more. On the other hand, I think Coney Mall could be returned to glory with just a few adjustments. I'm very happy with Rivertown still. Mystic Timbers was an appropriate addition and Diamondback is a juxtaposition, but a neat one.

Oktoberfest should just be considered a part of International Street at this point, instead of its own "land". The pirate ship makes a little bit of sense if you stretch it, but Adventure Express doesn't really fit in Germany as it is.

The vast majority of amusement parks don't have as many trees as Kings Island.  Most are in the middle of nowhere with little to no vegetation, especially around the rides.  I love how the beast tracks run through the woods but it's not realistic to expect that from new roller coasters. 

I know it's sacrilege, but I'd love an RMC Beast. Not major ride altering changes, but all the track replaced with topper track, all four sets of trims removed for good, and the hills reprofiled in a manner that actually produces forces. I love the vibe of Beast and it's location and think the ride, at certain times, really does feel out of control, but the fact that it isn't allowed to get up to speed without hitting a magnetic trim brake soon after is frustrating and feels like so much lost potential.

 

The Beast AND The Racer should have topper-track.

Do today's kids even care about Snoopy at all?

^They should replace Planet Snoopy with Emoji Land.

Do today's kids even care about Snoopy at all?

 

Do they still have the blue ice cream? 

I hear it's Firehawk...

 

And I heard correctly.

 

Farewell, Firehawk: Kings Island announces roller coaster will come down

 

 

It was a nice ride, Firehawk.

 

Kings Island officials made a highly-anticipated announcement Thursday morning that the park would bid farewell to its "flying coaster." Final rides will begin this weekend; Firehawk's last flight will be Oct. 28.

 

"While still popular with many guests, park officials state the ride has simply reached the end of its service life," officials said in a statement.

 

More below:

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/farewell-firehawk-kings-island-announces-roller-coaster-will-come-down

 

So are you willing to share your inside source, or ESP?

I never reveal sources.

 

And yes Jake, they still have the beloved blue ice cream.

Do today's kids even care about Snoopy at all?

 

My niece and nephew's only experience with Snoopy is Snoopy Land, but they LOVE it. I think adorable dog and cartoon kids work well with any generation. Though I do miss Hanna Barbera Land.

I know it's sacrilege, but I'd love an RMC Beast. Not major ride altering changes, but all the track replaced with topper track, all four sets of trims removed for good, and the hills reprofiled in a manner that actually produces forces. I love the vibe of Beast and it's location and think the ride, at certain times, really does feel out of control, but the fact that it isn't allowed to get up to speed without hitting a magnetic trim brake soon after is frustrating and feels like so much lost potential.

 

The Beast AND The Racer should have topper-track.

 

I'd love Racer to get the full RMC redo. Go all Twisted Collosus on it, make the rides swap sides at some point during their dueling and make it where you go around both sides. It would be a major hit.

 

I really just want to experience Beast without trims. The entire ride could be as out of control feeling as the double helix. But as it stands a lot of the layout is just meandering through the woods between intense moments. I still love the ride, but there's SO much it could do better.

As long as Don Helbig is associated with Kings Island, I don't see them touching Racer. Hell they won't even run Racer backwards anymore.

That has nothing to do with them though, right? Someone correct me if my memory is failing (my roller coaster enthusiast card might as well be revoked at this point I stay so out of the loop these days) but wasn't that a result of Philadelphia Toboggan Company stating their trains shouldn't be run backwards and as a result of the specifics of Ohio amusement park regulations, that became a requirement? Or something along those lines. I don't think it was an internal decision.

 

But you're right they'll never touch it while he's there. He has stated as such. Which is a shame because, let's face it, it's not a very good ride. Yes, it's important to the resurgence of roller coasters in the 70s, but still. It doesn't do much, half of its layout doesn't really allow you to race in any meaningful way, and it's not maintained well. And it could be a great ride if RMC got their hands on it.

Kings Island Racer coaster getting new track, smoother ride

 

If you ride the coasters at Kings Island, you may have heard complaints the past few years about The Racer, the iconic wooden coaster that has been a fixture at the park since 1972.

 

Many riders have found the ride has become bumpy in its middle age, to the point where it often has some of the shortest lines in the park due to that shakiness, especially on the back turns and final drops.

 

But that's all about to change, and the classic ride should be much smoother when the park opens for the 2019 season.

 

Kings Island tells WCPO that over the past month, workers from Great Coasters International have been retracking the back turns, including the approach and exit hills, with new track and supports.

 

More below:

https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/kings-island-racer-coaster-getting-new-track-smoother-ride

 

That's good news and should also keep the RMC fanboys at bay for a few more years.

Kings Island undergoes major makeover

By Erin Caproni  – Digital Producer, Cincinnati Business Courier

 

Kings Island is making changes to its International Street for the first time since the park opened in 1972.

Crews have begun work on the renovation, which will include installation of more than 130,000 new pavers, improvements to building facades and enhancements to landscaping. The refresh is expected to mirror what the main street looked like when the park opened.

 

MORE

Kings Island adds housing to recruit out-of-town employees

 

 

Kings Island’s latest construction project doesn’t involve a roller coaster or another new ride. 

 

The 364-acre Mason theme park is constructing a new housing facility on the northwest edge of its campus near Great Wolf Lodge. The 37,000-square-foot complex will provide an affordable living option for workers who are at least 18 years old and live more than 25 miles from the site.

 

“Having affordable housing options for seasonal associates allows us to recruit workers that live further away from the park,” Kings Island director of communications Chad Showalter told me.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/02/25/kings-island-adds-housing-to-recruit-out-of-town.html

Kings Island adds new restaurant for 2019

 

One of Cincinnati's largest attractions is getting a new restaurant for the 2019 season.

 

Kings Island announced Thursday that it will open the 2019 season on April 20 with the introduction of a new restaurant, the Miami River Brewhouse. The restaurant builds on the Rivertown area of the park, which includes its newest roller coaster Mystic Timbers, a logging-themed ride.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/03/14/kings-island-adds-new-restaurant-for-2019.html

 

Not AT Kings Island, but...

 

50-acre resort planned near Kings Island

 

A new, 334-site outdoor resort is planned for 52.7 acres near Kings Island and Interstate 71, the Hamilton Journal-News reports.

 

Plans for the land include 182 campsites for recreational vehicles, 114 one- and two-bedroom cabins and 38 two-bedroom yurts. 

 

The proposal was submitted by developer Richard Haglage, who has completed several other projects in the region including the Ambleside Meadows residential community.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2019/03/18/50-acre-resort-planned-near-kings-island.html

 

OU Yurt Meet? 

For anyone interested, there are plans floating around (some from the permit office that show concrete work only, and some that are supposedly "leaked" that show a potential layout) showing Kings Island's new giga coaster on Reddit and KICentral.com. In summary, it looks like we are actually getting a 300'+ coaster and it looks very similar to Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, which is unfortunately a very short ride in duration. Naturally KI fanboys are having a meltdown... some positive, mostly negative.

2 hours ago, ucgrady said:

For anyone interested, there are plans floating around (some from the permit office that show concrete work only, and some that are supposedly "leaked" that show a potential layout) showing Kings Island's new giga coaster on Reddit and KICentral.com. In summary, it looks like we are actually getting a 300'+ coaster and it looks very similar to Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, which is unfortunately a very short ride in duration. Naturally KI fanboys are having a meltdown... some positive, mostly negative.

If they are going to imitate a Wonderland Coaster, it should be the new Yukon Striker-but taller of course. ?

2 hours ago, ucgrady said:

For anyone interested, there are plans floating around (some from the permit office that show concrete work only, and some that are supposedly "leaked" that show a potential layout) showing Kings Island's new giga coaster on Reddit and KICentral.com. In summary, it looks like we are actually getting a 300'+ coaster and it looks very similar to Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, which is unfortunately a very short ride in duration. Naturally KI fanboys are having a meltdown... some positive, mostly negative.

 

You can find it here: 

And the folks at KICentral have pretty intense discussion going on here (but it is fascinating to see all the theories, work, and ideas being put forth): https://kicentral.com/forums/index.php?/topic/34621-decoding-2020/page/81/&tab=comments#comment-819892

I really hope it's not small/short in comparison to similar models at other parks. If this is going to be a marquee coaster, I hope they pull out all the stops. 

12 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

If they are going to imitate a Wonderland Coaster, it should be the new Yukon Striker-but taller of course. ?

I don’t know, Dive Coasters are cool and a giga-diver would be something, but I want the KI giga to have more elements like ejector airtime hills, intense/banked turns. More like Fury at Carowinds? But at this point I guess the design is already going ahead!

It's hard to tell from just a line on a map, but I think what sets Kings Island apart is its topography. I don't want anything else out of this project except that it feels fast and uses the topography to its advantage. I would love to see a coaster dip down into the Miami valley the way the Beast does, but that would cost a ton and probably be the longest coaster in the world. 

Edited May 9, 20196 yr by ucgrady

If this is more Leviathan than Fury 325, I am not going to be pleased.  Agreed on the use of topography.  At least get a first-drop tunnel out of this.

6 hours ago, ucgrady said:

It's hard to tell from just a line on a map, but I think what sets Kings Island apart is its topography. I don't want anything else out of this project except that it feels fast and uses the topography to its advantage. I would love to see a coaster dip down into the Miami valley the way the Beast does, but that would cost a ton and probably be the longest coaster in the world. 

The good thing is that this is about 99% confirmed to be B&M and their other interventions at the park both use the terrain to their advantage. Both Diamondback and Banshee don't hit their top speeds until after the first drop by way of using the terrain.

In fact, Banshee is halfway through its ride before it hits its top speed. They purposefully laid it out so that all the elements were scaled as if they were the first element after the first drop. It's a super unique situation in that there really aren't any small elements other than the final helix. Very atypical, especially for B&M which has gotten a lot safer with their designs over the years.

2018 Stats are out.  Kings Island is the USA's 2nd most attended seasonal park behind Cedar Point (Canada's Wonderland is the most attended in the western hemisphere).

 

https://www.aecom.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Theme-Index-Museum-Index-2018-2.pdf 

I haven't been to Kings Island in decades, but this Summer I want to take the little WhipperSnapper to some places outside of Metro Cleveland that I've visited when I was his age.  I mapping out some places to visit and not sure if I should take him to both Cedar Point and Kings Island.

 

Thoughts on Kings Island??