Fourth of July Weekend Plans

Good evening readers!!!


Just wanted to give all you lovelies a bit of good news in this pretty boring and lackluster summer.

The ISI crew is going to King's Island this holiday weekend for Passholder Preview!!!  So expect our review of King's Island and how they handle the new guidelines and, of course, our review of Orion!!!

And don't worry because we will, for sure, be riding all our favorites!!
(Banshee, The Beast, Diamondback, Mystic Timbers....SERIOUSLY I can't choose)

We can't wait to share this weekend with everyone!!

ISI crew - Carrie, Alex, and Michael

 

Kings Island- Orion, New coaster for 2020.

Kings Island building a new giga coaster, Orion for 2020. 

In August, Kings Island shocked the coaster world with the announcement they would be building a new giga-coaster for the 2020 season.



 The first giga to be built in five years, this comes as big news as the park hasn't built a new coaster since Mystic Timbers in 2017. Cedar Fair parks often run in cycles, each park gets new attractions or additions each year but coasters tend to only come on the building block every 3-5. It's impressive Kings Island is getting something new so quickly over their sister park, Cedar Point, who has been added a new coaster every two years lately.

Let's get into the real details of this new beautiful creature coming to Kings Island.

Manufacturer: Bollinger and Mabillard
Type: Steal, Giga Coaster
Ride Time: 3 minutes.
Trains: 2 trains of 8 car each, 4 riders in a single row for 32 riders per train.
Track Length: 5,321 feet
First Drop Height: 300 feet
Length of First Drop: 447 feet
Top Speed: 91 MPH
Total Hills: 8


Set to open in Spring of 2020, Orion boasts some impressive stats. It's 70 feet taller than Diamond Back, the current tallest coaster in the park. Built by the same coaster company, Kings Island boasts a collection of the finest things B&M has to offer.

Orion is themed to a new area of the park, Area 72. Themed around a group of scientists in a race to develop travel though a coming meteor storm and investigating a new planet in the Orion constellation. Naturally, we riders will be the 'volunteers' to help with testing out this transport system.

The new themed area will be going into the park which currently houses Flight of Fear, beyond the Racer. Ground clearing for this new coaster has been in progress since 2018 when Firehawk was demolished. During this time when additional land clearing began, fans began to get suspicious- why would they need that much land cleared out suddenly?

A coaster, was the obvious answer and Orion doesn't disappoint.

Orion is taking over a portion of the space Firehawk once occupied and a good bit more, stretching itself into the back part of the park towards the wooden area Beast plays in and that once housed the 'Dinosaurs Alive' attraction.

 In September, Kings Island showed us this lovely gem. The beginnings of the lift hill base and starting on vertical progress.

More recently, Wild Gravity Travels showed us this amazing little gem from earlier in November. The lift hill has been completed and downward progress is nearly to the bottom of the first drop.  While it's difficult to tell, we can guess that outward progress from the lift hill has begun in the form of supports and footers. Although how the cold weather will slow construction is difficult to say.

If we get the chance, we'll have to get out to Winterfest and take a look for ourselves.

Image from Attractions Magazine 

New today we have these lovely, sweet looking new trains which where just released at the IAAPA expo in Orlando, Florida.  B&M displayed the lead car for the new coaster at the expo, giving fans a another hint of what to expect in the spring of next year.

Easy to say, we're excited. We look forward to watching the progress of this coaster more so than we already are.  So stay tuned, space travelers? Space Travelers, we're going with it.. we'll have more to come soon!

Kings Island- Project X for 2020.

 Kings Island- Project X for 2020. 

 We reported on this last week but more information has become available and we've got more conformation that we're going to get a giga-coaster!

Kings Island- The 2020 Project

 Kings Island Building in 2020.. and it's BIG. 

While no real details are known yet, we do suspect that Kings Island has something big in the works for the 2020 season.



While we all know and love Banshee, this coaster doesn't take up nearly half of the footprint that was left when Son of Beast was demolished in 2009. Nor has the park filled up the space which was once the 'Dinosaurs Alive!' walk-thru attraction or the location where Firehawk once stood. Which has left a massive question, what are they going to do with the rest of that land?

Image from Wild Gravity Travels

The short and simple answer is 'We don't know, but we've got some guesses' and I suspect, your going to like them.

If you look at Cedar Fair and how they round-robin coaster building, 2020 is the year when Kings Island is cleared in the budget to build something expensive. Carowind's and Canada's Wonderland got the 2019 slots. So now, it's time for Kings Island to have a run at the budget and keep in the coaster war.


 Expensive, in amusement park terms, generally means 'Roller Coaster' and this is good! The park hasn't built a new coaster since Banshee opened in 2014.

More awesome Paint skills!

See all that space lined in orange? That's ALL open space now. Between three now-gone attractions the park has more expansion room than they've seen in years.  Large, open space to put something truly massive into.  The area on the bottom was once 'Dinosaurs Alive!' which is the clearing you see in the picture above.

Cleared land? That's suspicious!

While permits haven't been filed (that anyone has dug up, anyway) we've got the rumor floating in the wind, It's going to be a Giga coaster. Likely something big enough to surpass current rivals like Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Fury 365 at Carowinds and Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland.

Something truly massive is in the works.
Kings Island, we're watching you.
(Stalking, let's be honest. We're stalking them.)

We'll keep you posted as more information becomes available!

Kings Island- Firehawk Demolition

 Firehawk Demolition at Kings Island. 

Normally we're sad to see coaster demolished but sometimes, it's got to happen. More so when it's an old Vekoma that's painful to look at and more painful to ride. Which is the current situation with Firehawk at Kings Island.  While this makes us wonder what will soon be taking it's place, we've got some video that is both shockingly amusing (to those of us who've had the pain of riding Firehawk) and interesting to see the process used in coaster demolition.


These were found of YouTube which show the lift hill being brought down as well as someone having some fun, tipping over the loop.

For those who might miss Firehawk or never got the chance to ride it, we've also added in the POV down below for your viewing (or cringing) enjoyment!

Breaking - Kings Island Announces Mystic Timbers Coaster for 2017!

We've been teased for the past couple of weeks of the big announcement from Kings Island for their 2017 project, and at long last, we're finally here! So, just what is coming to the park? What could possibly be bigger than the Banshee announcement? Well, look no further...

The creation from GCI marks the park's newest and baddest coaster to be added to the family of already insane creations. So, let's get right to it and stop waxing poetic about the whole thing.

Mystic Timbers will be located in the Rivertown section of the park. Already home to The Beast and Diamondback, the newest creation from GCI looks to be one insane addition to the park. The lift hill will be 109ft and the first drop 97ft. Traveling at 53mph this one is going to one wild ride through the trees and cover 3m265ft of track as you fight against nature itself. The ride itself will feature 16 airtime hills and an extreme S-turn feature.

There's been talk about a shed, and this is sounding very much like what's going on with Verbolten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Is it a drop track, marking the first ever wooden coaster with such a feature? Something else all together twisted? They're not saying, but it definitely smells like something that's similar in nature.

Here's some of the official word from Kings Island on the parks 16th coaster!

"Themed to an area surrounding a lumber company becoming overrun by a mysterious medusa-like overgrowth of vines as nature reclaims its land, Mystic Timbers will be 3,265 feet in length, reach 109 feet in height and weave along steep cliffs, down ravines, cross over water and go through an extreme S-turn, among a forest of trees, at speeds up to 53 mph.

The ride will feature a total of 16 airtime hills, a mid-course tunnel and interact with parts of the Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad and White Water Canyon attractions."

Check out more details and the POV below!

Be a Kid Again at Kings Island - Kid's Prices for Everyone!

Kings Island announced on Facebook today that for one day only everyone gets to be a kid again. Well, at least as far as the price of tickets to the park goes that is.

That means that everyone can purchase a ticket for the low price of $36.99! However, there is a catch. The tickets have to be ordered online through the Kings Island website and they are only good for Monday, June 30th.

Either way, it's a helluva deal for such a great park and not to mention, getting a chance to ride the world record breaking inverted coaster, Banshee as well as the world's longest wooden coaster, Beast!

So, if you're looking to go and want in on the deal head on over to www.visitkingsisland.com and remember to use the code 1DAYSALE619 in the upper corner of the website. Act fast though, this is a one day sale that starts at Midnight tonight and ends at 11:59pm on Thursday the 19th (that's tomorrow btw).

Feel free to catch our review of the park from last year as well as our review of Banshee right here!

More Problems for Flight of Fear at Kings Island?

It's been reported that Kings Island once again had an issue with Flight of Fear this past weekend.

Saturday morning fire crews were called out to the park due to smoke seen coming from the ride. The smoke, according to Kings Island's statement, was from an electrical panel and was able to be dealt with quickly. Luckily, little damage was done and only the panel itself was effected.

Just a couple of weeks ago, on June 3rd, fire crews were called out to the ride due to heavy smoke as well. That incident resulted in the ride building being evacuated and 18 people suffering from heavy smoke inhalation. The cause was apparently due to a motor within the ride malfunctioning.

At this point one has to wonder if the days are numbered for Flight of Fear. Only time will tell if the ride has some major faults or if they can be corrected to keep it running smoothly in the future.

Kings Island- Flight of Fear Malfunction

Image from WCPO

 Kings Island's "Flight of Fear" Malfunctions, Causes Smoky Problem.


 Today around 2:45pm the roller coaster "Flight of Fear" at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio malfunctioned. The indoor roller coaster had fire crews responding to reports of a possible fire and smoke.

 While no fire was found the moter which powers the roller coasters famous launch was found to be smoking, causing a complete evacuation of the ride and 18 people to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Image from WCPO

 During the evacuation and inspection by fire crews, the roller coaster 'Firehawk' was also closed down to allow the crews to move through that area safely.  'Firehawk' reopened around 4pm today.

The cause of the engines malfunction is not yet known, the ride will likely be closed for several days to clean and repair everything, as well as find out why the problem happened to begin with.

Cedar Fair Parks- Seat Belts Added to Rides.

Seat Belts on Diamondback from CoasterForce

 Cedar Fair is Adding Seat Belts to Rides.

 This is surprising, rides which have operated for years without 'seat belts' are now getting them. Rides which where never built or designed to have them, now have them. Likely cutting down on loading time and the riders 'air time' feelings.

 No one is entirely sure why Cedar Fair is going around it's parks and adding unneeded seat belts, but it's happening and fans aren't very pleased about it. Rides which have operated perfectly fine under manufacturer specification are now subject to added seat belts which where never required or needed in the past. The list of coaster effected is fairly wide and spread out all over the various parks which Cedar Fair owns.

Kings Island- Diamondback
Carowinds- Intimidator
Canada's Wonderland- Behemoth (Unconfirmed)

 Each of these coasters are considered 'sisters' meaning they have many of the same elements and much of the same set-up. Diamondback and Behemoth both have coaster trains with the 'stadium seating' (I can't speak for Carowinds as I haven't gotten there yet).  There is no word yet what other coasters may have been infected with Cedar Fairs newest madness but it's a likely bet that Canada's Wonderland's 'Leviathan' may also have been effected in this not-bright move.

 It seems silly. As I've learned about B&M coasters I've also learned it takes power to unlock their ride restraints. Without that power, they simply can't unlock as it isn't possible. If they can't get power to the ride (in event of a ride stop or power outage) they pretty much have to take the seat apart around you to remove you from the ride. Unlike others, there isn't a button or lever you can activate to simply unlock the seat, it has to have power plus those other items. You can't "fly out" of these things even if you wanted too. They cannot 'unlock' on their own. Once your in that seat- your in it. 

 That's why, to me, this seems a highly silly move.
 Plus if your dumb enough to TRY and get out of you seat while on a roller coaster..You deserve exactly what's coming to you.

The Bat Flies Again at Kings Island

 The Bat Flies Again at Kings Island.

 Okay so perhaps it's not the insanity of the original "Bat" which barely flew for two years. However, using the lore of that ride they've managed to breath some new life into an old park favorite.

 When Kings Island decided to re-theme the old suspended coaster "Flight Deck" we were all happy, this classic style coaster needed some love to boost it back into popularity with riders. Now it fits in well with it's brand new neighbor "Banshee" which just opened to the public on Friday. 

 Perhaps it isn't a new ride but it's classic and people often forget that classics need love also. With a new coat of paint and a spooky new theme, Bat will hopefully fly into your hearts again.

 It may not be as thrilling as it's new neighbor but there is something special about this ride none-the-less. Give it a go, give it ten goes. Trust me, this hidden gem is worth your time. Much like it's name-sake it's a hidden gem, seek it out and your in for a treat.

Banshee Media Day- Photo Post

Banshee Media Day- Photo Post

 Hey Folks,
This is the Photo Post for all the dozens of photo's we took during Media Day for Banshee at Kings Island. Naturally they all didn't make it into the review post but their all so great, we felt the need to share more of them!

You can find the other news here:
Banshee Media Day Ride Review
Banshee Media Day POV Footage

WARNING: Very Photo Heavy Below Cut!

We hope you enjoy the photos and the new ride, it really is amazing!

Banshee Media Preview and Ride Review

King's Island- Banshee Media Day Ride Review.

When we were invited to join the press for King's Island's newest roller coaster, Banshee, it was easy to say our excitement level went into orbit. We've been following this newest addition closely from it's announcement, through construction and initial testing. Our expectations were high and our hopes were higher yet for this new ride.


What we found lurking upon the grave of "The Son of Beast" was an amazing piece of steel and engineering. Imagine the perfect coaster storm, everything you could wish for on a ride and then have those dreams manifest in front of you. That is what we found...

Final Banshee Update: 4/8

 

Hello peoples!!!

I am here to present all you coaster crazies with our final update on Banshee.  Next week the ISI team will be in King's Island for Media Day!!! (I am like 90% sure that KI will not post anything new in a week but I will keep an eye just in case).  

So read on my friends because I've found some neatness for everyone to enjoy:

Click to read more:

Kings Island- New 2014 Map Preview

Kings Island Releases New 2014 Map Preview.

 Ooo! Kings Island has just released a shiny new version of their map, just in time for the 2014 season and they've leaked it on Twitter!

 Yes, it may look the same but new is always been considering that it's got the parks newest roller coaster!

  Banshee is on the map as well as another goodie, The Bat. The new re-theme of "Flight Desk" has been given it's new colors on this seasons map. Overall, it's exciting simply because opening day is sneaking up quickly. Only have to make it till April 18th Everyone!

Banshee Watch- First Successful Test

Banshee Watch- 2/18
First Successful Test Run

Image from Kings Island's Facebook Page

 Good News for Coaster Fans,
Kings Island's newest, record breaking roller coaster, Banshee, has had it's first full and successful test run.

 However, the park still isn't releasing many details about the rides testing at the moment. Simply this image and that it has successfully tested. The way it was written perhaps they had some trouble in the beginning getting things online and working properly but we can't confirm this at all.

Either way, it's excellent to see the ride in motion and getting ready for it's big premiere to the public on April 18th.  Remember, we will be present for the media event for Banshee on April 17th. So we'll have all the information, goodies, video and photos to appease you until you get the chance to ride this amazing looking coaster.

Kings Island- New Show for 2014

Kings Island adds a New Show for 2014.

 Coming to Kings Island in 2014 is a new "Cirque" style show. Opening on May 24th at the Kings Island Theater, the new show called "Cirque Imagine" will show off impressive acrobatics.

 Not much is known about what acts are included in the new show but from the teaser video we've seen balance, acrobatics, human hoop and rollerblade bits included. The new show is fully included in your park admission and is set to last 30 minutes.

 Check out the teaser video below!

Post by Kings Island.

Kings Island- Banshee Media Day Announcement

Banshee Media Day Update

 With the big media day blitz surrounding King's Islands newest roller coaster, Banshee, fast approaching many have inquired if *InSanity lurks Inside* will be reporting live.

 Folks, Fans and Friends,

The team from ISI very pleased to announce that we will be reporting live and reviewing Banshee during the media day event on April 17th. The post will likely be up that same night along with many photos, video will follow shortly afterwards.

Remember, you can always check out our "Where to Follow" page to see what we're up to on any given day and where we're planning to visit next. There you can find our Twitter Feeds, Google+ information, Tumblr Page and our Facebook Page.

 We're looking forward to the event and to be able to bring you some of the best live coverage and first reviews of this new, record breaking roller coaster.

King's Island: The Bat - The Car

 

King's Island: The Bat

Hello All!!!

I'm so sorry that I'm a little behind in this update but life happens especially with ISI leaving our home turf tomorrow and heading out to SoCal for the week!!

So I have found a photo of what the cars will look when the park opens for business in April.

And....

3....

2....

1.....

BOOM BABY!

I like the orange myself.  I bet it'll reflect nicely with the sunlight and everything is going to look gorgeous!!!

And just for fun and games (and I can't remember if I posted it before, haha) here is the original commercial for The Bat from 1981.  This is a just a bit of fun plus it's interesting to note that the original ride opened on April 26 and the new ride will open on April 18.  They are SO close to the same opening date. 

Now I don't want everyone to worry that any new information will be forgotten while the crew is in CA.  We will be keeping up with all of our in progress stories.

So as always: any comments made are to be polite and without malice.  If you're nice to us then we'll be nice to you.

You can find us on Google+, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook.

*Picture was found on KI's Facebook page and the video was on YouTube

King's Island: The Bat - Repainting

 

Hello all!!!

King's Island is super busy with construction on Banshee and redoing The Bat all in time for opening day this year.  We have found some updated pictures for everyone to enjoy.

For everyone who may have forgotten: The Bat is being recreated out of Flight Deck and so far it looks really neat.  

Here is a photo of Flight Deck cars being repainted.  I'm going to guess that they're going with the orange and gray color scheme like the track photos, but I haven't seen any finished pictures yet.

 

Here are two photos of the track being repainted.  I am really happy to see that King's Island is revitalizing Flight Deck rather then knock it down to build something else. I can't wait to see this finalized in April and hope to see more pictures soon.

As always: any comments made are to be polite and without malice.  If you're nice to us then we'll be nice to you.

You can find us on Google+, Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook.

*Pictures were found on KI's Facebook page.