Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[texcoasterBonafide Donkey Expert]

^^ I agree too. Racer forwards was one of the roughest coasters I've ever been on. It'd be a toss up between it and SOB as to which one was worse. I rode in the back with Nathan and both of us were wincing and yelling in pain the entire circuit. Backwards was fine though. So if forwards is the only option, I'll probobly never ride it again.

Dude, seriously. Did it ever ONCE occur to you that perhaps the two tracks were the cause of the roughness and not the direction the train faced? Yes, the frontward side was rougher than the backward side last year, but it had very little to do with the train direction and everything to do with the condition of the track itself.

A couple years after they turned one side around backward, it was exactly the opposite of last year. The front side was smooth and the backward side beat you to a pulp.

[ginzoWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

It's seen as a safety issue today as the coasters weren't designed with backwards riding in mind - not that they'd be structurally any different if they were - it's just something that insurance people don't like. A shame, but not the end of the world by any means. I sometimes wonder whether coaster enthusiasts actually live in the real world...

I don't see how with decades of operation and tens of millions of riders how all of a sudden backwards riding is unsafe. It's so obviously NOT unsafe. Though I can understand the legal implications of going against PTC's recommendations for their trains.

If they're actually interested in safety, how about making the frontwards Racer not give you those Mike Tyson kidney punches it's so famous for.

[downunderWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

I thought backwards was heaps less punishing than forwards, so now it's double the pain.

Look on the bright side the backwards one in forwards mode should constitute a new credit under the Jeff Johnson system.

[Musical PeteHoly crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

I don't see how with decades of operation and tens of millions of riders how all of a sudden backwards riding is unsafe. It's so obviously NOT unsafe. Though I can understand the legal implications of going against PTC's recommendations for their trains.

If they're actually interested in safety, how about making the frontwards Racer not give you those Mike Tyson kidney punches it's so famous for.

I know it doesn't quite add up, but it's just the way the world is these days. Safety authorities and insurers make some strange demands today. Sadly it's the way our cultures have become.

As for the kidney punches, I agree. It's a facet of wood coasters today that I really don't like, but I accept that it's the way things are. Things are done with structural design that are a bad move to me, the increased number of ledgers placed beneath the track lead to a rough ride. It's done to require less track maintenance as the laminate isn't allowed to flex so much. However, you then feel every vibration through the rigid track, and any tiny error in the height of the added ledgers causes a nasty jolt. At high speed under increased centripetal load, it doesn't half hurt... welcome to Meanstreak...

[DBruI will provide you with maximum pleasure.]

I personally didn't like the backwards side (and preferred forwards...) Slamming backwards against the hard seat-backs at the bottom of each drop was just painful. But it was better last year than it had been.

[JamesMCDonkeys are my way of life!]

I'm not a huge fan of the "backwards" side of any coaster. Other than the lift hill where I like the scenic perspective, I don't think that backwards really enhances any ride I've ever been on. My .02

[palmerleeberryDonkeys are my way of life!]

I guess Cedar Fair's position on making all double tracks, out and back coasters (in Kings Dominion, Carowinds, and Kings Island) run forward so they could bring back the dueling element which is becoming the next new thing in coasters. I remember how fun it was when you had two coasters running side by side and cheering when it was your side that beat the other train. I wonder if they are planning to add an extra element such as flashing lights and a voice from the loudspeaker that shouts "And the winner is . . . Right side (or Left side)!" They do that part at Hersheypark on a dueling coaster called Lighting Racer.

In the mid 90's, one side ran backwards to give a different riding experience from those that rode the forward side. Now, in season 2008, Cedar Fair is bring the dueling, racing element back.

Which side are you going to ride?

[carolinacaniac"Excuse me, miss, may I pound my large rooster into your donkey?"]

^As much as I would like to see that happen, I have to agree with what was said before that this is more than likely a way to cut costs so that they can run one side as opposed to both at the same time if it is slow. That and as said before, Rebel Yell's two lifts don't match in speed going up, so unless it was timed just right, it would never be close.

[FeelTheFORCEWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Wow I'm really glad I rode backwards last year for my first and last time. I really enjoyed it more than forwards! I am definitely going to miss it when I go to KI this year and there are two forwards running.

[jamesdillamanFlight of James: Ride of Steel the Revenge]

Just heard on the local news here that the Racer is changing direction for next year. I had heard this would happen from a worker I know at the park, but was waiting to poast until I had confirmation. I'll post a link as soon as i can find the online article for it.

Here's the link: http://www.wlwt.com/entertainment/15788326/detail.html

-James Dillaman