For What It's Worth

Mk

2009-12-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

I'm just going to come right out and say it this time. Big coasters aren't always better. Some of the best coasters I've ridden haven't been above tree level. Shocker, isn't it?

Adventure Express at Kings Island is the perfect example of a coaster that is relatively small, but gives one of the best rides at Kings Island. Not only does this coaster utilize terrain, its surroundings, and unique layout to give a good ride experience, but it is the best themed ride at Kings Island. Hands down. Why is it so under-appreciated though? Because its top speed is only 35 miles per hour, it doesn't break any world records, and it doesn't give the 'thrill' that say Diamondback or The Beast do.*

Let's look at another under-appreciated ride; Raven at Holiday World. This ride reminds me of The Beast actually; It uses the terrain throughout much of the ride and it uses the surrounding woods to give a heightened sense of speed. Sadly, I've heard people call it a 'side-dish' to the other two wooden coasters at Holiday World. The Raven is easily in my top ten wooden roller coasters, and I will never call it a 'side-dish.' I'd put it right up there with The Voyage and Legend.*

Now lets look at an over-appreciated ride; Firehawk at Kings Island. It's downtime is very disappointing and there is no theme at all (unless, of course, you think 'flying' over dirt and dead grass is themeing, but that's a rant for another time), the lines are insanely long because of rider capacity being low. Yet, people love this ride. Why? Because 'it gives a unique ride experience.' How unique is a coaster that has a copy of itself (literally, Batwing at Six Flags America has the exact same layout). I just don't see why people find this ride so fun and unique when other 'flying' coasters I would believe offer much more of a 'flying' feeling than Firehawk (see Air at Alton Towers and Manta at Sea World Orlando).

Point-in-case is, bigger rides aren't always better people.

Just sayin'

Aaron "ahank" Hanke

*Nowhere in this post did I say that I didn't enjoy Diamondback and the Beast more than Adventure Express (which, for the record, I do) or did I say that I didn't enjoy The Voyage or Legend better than Raven (which, for the record, I enjoyed Raven much better than Legend, but I enjoyed Voyage more than Raven.)

TH13TEEN

2009-12-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

I would like to forewarn anyone reading this post that I just came off of a pretty bad weekend in Illinois, so don't expect this review to be a very pretty one.

Now you are probably wondering, "Why the heck would someone write a review on a roller coaster that isn't even built yet?" My answer to that question is this; I'm writing a review because of this Screamscape article on the ride.

Who reading this blog has ever heard the quote "Don't judge a book by its cover?" I'm sure that we have all used this quote at least once in our lifetimes; including the writer for Screamscape.

So tell me, if you aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover, why do it to a roller coaster? Prove me wrong, but I don't think the writer for Screamscape has any grounds to diss the fore-coming attraction's name or hype. I believe that every modern coaster has some sort of corny hype built up. So then why tear down a coaster that hasn't even been built yet? My point here is, don't judge a book (or roller coaster in this case) by its cover (or its name or built up hype in this case.

Just sayin'
Until next time,
Aaron "ahank" Hanke

Cedar Fair to be SOLD.

2009-12-16T19:09:00.000-08:00

You heard right. Cedar Fair is being sold to Apollo Management LP. This seems pretty unimportant to the modern day coaster enthusiast though. What we're all truly asking is this; What is this going to do to our beloved Kings Island? Will this add more themeing, improving ride experience? Will it stay the same as it is now; A park with the themeing stripped away from some of the park's premier rides (See The Crypt, for example)? Or, what we're all fearing; Will this put the park in even worse position than it already is?

Before I go into detail, I would like to remind everyone that this is all my personal opinion.

For all of those worrying, I wouldn't. From here, I can only see things getting better in the park. It may not be much better, but even a little improvement is still improvement, right? Cedar Fair was heading further and further into debt, with what seemed like no possible plan to get out of debt. The chain was seemingly going to start a ride-swap system. Hmm, this certainly reminds me of a theme park chain that was doing the exact same thing a few years back.

No, I am not saying that Cedar Fair was the equivalent to the Six Flags a few years back. Instead I'm saying that Cedar Fair is worse than Six Flags of years back. In very simple terms, Six Flags got a new management system and now has a plan to get out of debt, as long as it goes through that is (you can read more about that here). Cedar Fair, as it seems, has done no such thing.

Supposedly, Apollo Management is known for getting companies out of debt. Let's hope this is the same for Cedar Fair.

To end, I find something very ironic. I was planning on writing a review comparing and contrasting Six Flags and Cedar Fair.

Please remember that these are all personal opinions and are not to be taken offense to anyone.

Signed,
Aaron "ahank" Hanke

Son of Beast

2009-12-15T16:22:00.000-08:00

I'm still pondered by why some people give Son of Beast such crap. Yes, before the incident, the pain was crazy and intolerable. Now when I ride it (which, of course, you can't because of a lawsuit, which you can read here) I get that complete rampant feeling that a good wood coaster is supposed to have, not the steel-coaster-smooth "airtime" feeling that so many seem to crave these days.

It's sad that Son of Beast gets such a bad rep. The reason it gets a bad rep, however, is a disappointing one; every coaster enthusiast you meet will tell you it's insanely rough and out-of-control.

Let's think back for a minute to 2000; the year when the classic game Roller Coaster Tycoon first appeared on shelves. The game (almost) every coaster enthusiast has played at least once in his/her life. Do you remember the description for the 'Wooden Roller Coaster?' "...giving a rough and out-of-control feeling..." Chris Sawyer hit it right on the head. A wooden roller coaster is supposed to be 'rough' and 'out-of-control.'

So, what is the reason that coaster enthusiasts everywhere give Son of Beast so much crap? It's not Voyage or El Toro. It doesn't give that smooth ride filled with airtime. News flash; it's not supposed to. The name is Son of Beast, correct? Isn't The Beast one of the most revered, respected coasters of all time because of its sense of its unsuspecting, raging ride?

I've seen a lot of posts on local forums saying that Son of Beast needs to be completely re-done with airtime hills and crystal smooth track. I personally think that this will make the ride worse. This ride was meant to be an intense ride experience meant for speed and intense forces. This ride was not meant to be a flowing ride filled with airtime hills for the modern day enthusiast.

But, of course, this is all just an opinion that none of you will probably read. Oh well, I feel like I should post it anyways.

Neanderthal

2009-11-29T05:21:00.000-08:00

The title really has nothing to do with the picture, I just like the word.

A View on KI Fansites

2009-11-28T09:38:00.000-08:00

God. I'm afraid to ask what has happened to the main Kings Island fansites. I've been on a two month hiatus from both. Here is what I see on both fansites two months later --

KIExtreme -
Front Page - As most of you who read this blog know, I'm usually an avid KIE supporter. However, I am not going to be one today. After I come back from a two month hiatus I see that the main article on KIE still says "Halloween Haunt 2009 Now Unleashed at Kings Island!" News flash, Halloween Haunt just ended a little less than a month ago.

Photo Gallery - The photo gallery hasn't been updated since ASA, a motocross event that took place in May. When I went back to see how the site was doing, I really wanted to see some new pictures from Halloween Haunt, especially some photos of the new haunts Slaughter House and Cut Throat Cove. I must say, I'm pretty disappointed here. This needs to be updated a.s.a.p.

Message Boards - The KIExtreme message boards have been active, which is good for a consistent member of the community. The boards aren't filled with spam, useless members, and board/virtual games. I give kudos to the KIE staff for being able to maintain their boards in such a way.

KICentral -
Front Page - The first thing you see when you go to KIC's homepage is a scrolling picture box, the first picture being of the Haunt "mascot", the Halloween Haunt logo, and the Halloween Haunt opening date. If you scroll down however, the "Front Page" news seems to be updated whenever new Kings Island news comes up, which I appreciate.

Photo Gallery - I was actually surprised when I first saw that KIC had updated they're photo gallery with Haunt '09 pictures, as KIE usually updates (picture wise) much more often. One thing I noticed, however, is that Don Helbig (Public Relations Manager for Kings Island) took many of the pictures, which leads me to believe that he simply sent pictures to KIC so they could put them on the site. Still, the photo gallery is at least somewhat updated.

Message Boards - This is where KIC falls short. When I look at the front page one of the things I see is "Latest Posts." The topics I first look at are these; Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rock t, Guess the Coaster, What 3D Movie Should Replace Spongebob?, Merry black friday, and Generically Themed Railroad?. When I look at these topics, the only one that strikes me that it relates to the amusement industry are the Spongebob and HRRR topics. When I go more in-depth into the boards, I see that it is mixed with old, wise members, and plenty of new, spammy members. Now, I know every board has this problem, but this was the way KIC was when I started the hiatus 2 months ago. I would've hoped that someone would've done something about it! Also, when I was still posting two months ago, I noticed that KIC was almost separated into "cliques"; A group that you can only be in if you go to the park and meet up with some of them, and a group who feels like they should mimic the [famed] member "The Interpreter." I, for one, was in neither of these groups, but noticed this sort of thing happening a lot around the site.

This is just my view on things, it isn't meant to be taken personal or too offend anyone.
Mk,
Aaron "ahank" Hanke

Racer Pictures

2009-09-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Just some Racer Pics for ya.

8/31

2009-08-31T16:01:00.001-07:00

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2009-08-31-disney-buys-marvel_N.htm

This is quite a shocker to me, with one of WDW's biggest rivals, Universal Orlando (literally right down the street from each other), also claiming Marvel as their own.

8/30

2009-08-30T10:10:00.001-07:00

8/26

2009-08-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

So Carowinds announced their big coaster and what-not today. I personally think it looks very good, and am thinking about rescheduling my KD trip for a Carowinds trip instead. Hmm...

2009-06-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Change of plans. No Kings Dominion anymore, as the bank asked my parents for a boatload of money in a short amount of time. Instead we're going to be heading to Holiday World, and I'll get my first trip on The Voyage!

Aaron "ahank" Hanke

6/25

2009-06-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Kings Dominion is in two weeks! I'm pumped. But first --

I will not be here next week, as I have Christ in Youth. I'll be in Holland, Michigan, and will not have my phone with me, so this means no twitter or blog updates.

I'll be leaving July 4th for my 5 day trip to Virginia, where I will be going to Kings Dominion. I plan on getting many pictures and having a great time!

Until we meet again,

Aaron "ahank" Hanke

6/19

2009-06-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

I didn't even know I had this picture, though if I had known, I wouldv'e shared it a lot sooner!

6/17

2009-06-17T09:47:00.001-07:00

A pleasant shot of a Diamondback construction sign and Eiffel Tower.

6/16

2009-06-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start posting a random KI Pic every day. This is a shot of Eiffel Tower that many people miss, but it is still a great shot!

6/15

2009-06-15T09:18:00.001-07:00

Update time!

I plan on making it down to the park within the next two - three weeks. Mom and sis made it down yesterday for a mission trip, lucky ducks.

5 days until my birthday! w00t.

Aaron "ahank" Hanke

5/30

2009-05-30T16:48:00.001-07:00

Hey all. Just wanted to let ya know what was going on.

The new website design is going well. It is going on schedule, which is great.

I'm planning another trip to Kings Island sometime soon. Then on Fall Break I'll be going someplace new. Probably either SFOG, SFGAdv, or CP. I can't decide which!

So yeah, that's what's going on.

Aaron "SHOX" Hanke

5/23

2009-05-23T14:07:00.001-07:00

Soon, my friends, very soon.

Aaron "SHOX" Hanke

5/18

2009-05-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I have something huge planned for the blog. Actually, huge is a huge understatement. I never thought I'd see this day come, but it's actually happening.

July 4, 2009 is the date. You just wait

Aaron "SHOX" Hanke

5/17

2009-05-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, just a quick update for ya.

This is the new blog. I had to replace the other one because it crashed after I tried to install a new theme. No frets though, because I have this one!

Next order of business, the new videos section is up. No videos yet, but I plan on making a few soon!

Final thing, instead of making another trip to KI this year, I'll be making my way up to Cedar Point! Woo hoo!

That's all!

Aaron "SHOX" Hanke