If the FoF closing rumors are true, then 40% of my top 10 will be defunct coasters. FoF, SROS, Railblazer and Flight Deck!
Flight of Fear
- Thread starter Ludwig II
- Start date
Anaconda bonked heads, surprised they risked it as long as they did. I liked it and miss the short lines. Of course also hear people going "ouch" on FoF but I don't get it. Anyway park has best lineup ever now (finally) except April 2018. Ought to see what it can do for them.
Those couple months of having Volcano, I305 and Twisted Timbers was something I wish I could experience again. That said, I do agree how stacked KD's line up is. In my personal opinion, there isn't really a bad roller coaster in the park.
This is exactly why I prefer kd to Carowinds. Kd practically has ZERO bad coasters while Carowinds has multiple.
Been a while sense I posted. I really enjoy what KD is doing with the Jungle X-pedition theme. However, Flight of Fear seems to still lack alien theme. Only part of this ride I really enjoy is waiting in line with my buddy. The old scare maze wall is still there and should be taken down to make space for immersive line queue theme. I know it's an old ride, but there is so much line queue space that is just dormant. The loading station is a bit more fun with the spiel that plays from the alien narrator. However, the actual ride experience still has no aliens and is just a ride that launches riders into the dark.
Not sure what Cedar Fair plans to do with Anaconda's spot. There was a person in line at BGW's Pantheon that told me he was a KD employee and that the park plans to create a boat rental thing. I just about laughed when I heard that, but I don't know how true it is. Do you think Stunt Coaster's land and Anaconda's land combined would create a thrilling experience for a half indoor/outdoor alien themed attraction? I'd love to see what magic Premier Rides or Intamin could create.
Not sure what Cedar Fair plans to do with Anaconda's spot. There was a person in line at BGW's Pantheon that told me he was a KD employee and that the park plans to create a boat rental thing. I just about laughed when I heard that, but I don't know how true it is. Do you think Stunt Coaster's land and Anaconda's land combined would create a thrilling experience for a half indoor/outdoor alien themed attraction? I'd love to see what magic Premier Rides or Intamin could create.
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I’m not sure how much longer FoF has to be honest, so it might not be worth adding extra theming anyway at this point.
Also using Anaconda and Backlot’s land for an indoor/outdoor coaster would ruin the vista of Lake Charles. Putting some sort of rental/paddle boat attraction on the lake would actually be a much nicer move IMO instead of another coaster. The lake actually looks better without Anaconda hovering over it, and a gentle boat ride would be a nice and relaxing thing for families and non-thrill riders to do. Not that it’s totally happening, though.
And why would they need to remove Backlot? Aside from the SFX it’s still a reliable coaster, in contrast to FoF’s problems over the years, and seems decently popular even if capacity is low. It could be rethemed to a jungle jeep adventure if they’re willing to keep it. If Backlot were to go, it would most certainly be after FoF goes.
This honestly feels a lot more likely to me than a new coaster going in that plot. The way they completely cleared anacondas plot makes me think they’re planning on keeping it a lake for the foreseeable future, so adding a boat ride there would make a ton of sense. It’d also serve as an attraction for people of all ages and add another non-coaster to Jungle X, both things that section could use.
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If FoF were to be removed, I would love to see something like Nightflight going into that plot. I think a water ride would be an amazing addition to Jungle-X and would add a much needed water element and non-coaster to that part of the park. Additionally I would prefer to see a flat package go into Anaconda's spot as KD BADLY needs balance to the park.
This would be a great addition, especially if they did it as a tribute to the Haunted River.
Not sure if I agree with a water ride because they close during the fall season. As for the other question about Backlot being removed; it would make a great loading station area for whatever ride would fill Anaconda's spot. I'd love to have something that starts outdoor, launches inside and then finishes inside before returning to the loading station. Come to think of it, you could probably create something better than Alphen Fury.
As for Flight of Fear, I still think it could be great ride; given the fact that it's running since 1996. With the closing of SFA nearing, it would be cool to Cedar Fair keep the long standing Premier launch coaster that is the older sister to it's infamous Joker's Jinx. I don't think it would be too high of a budget to totally immerse riders in an alien/Jungle-X theme.
As for Flight of Fear, I still think it could be great ride; given the fact that it's running since 1996. With the closing of SFA nearing, it would be cool to Cedar Fair keep the long standing Premier launch coaster that is the older sister to it's infamous Joker's Jinx. I don't think it would be too high of a budget to totally immerse riders in an alien/Jungle-X theme.
Well based on what I've read from certain posts here, Flight of Fear may be on borrowed time (even if they could use parts from Joker's Jinx that's not what will happen apparently). The ride's had a problematic history, which in fact was covered in a long video by El Toro Ryan, and I think someone here brought up that it was between this and Anaconda for the next coaster to be removed.
Again, Lake Charles is such a picturesque area that's part of the park's history - why replace it with yet another big boxy show building for a coaster? As for a potential water ride, why would you have to close a slow-moving boat ride that doesn't get you wet during the fall? Not like they're having Winterfest this year either.
Besides, Jungle-X is too coaster heavy at this point. It needs more non-coaster rides.
Flight of Fear is not going anywhere. Please stop restating your bogus claim; no matter how many times you repeat it, it won't make it more true. You read one post in this thread from months ago that was not backed by evidence (just "I've heard rumblings" or some nonsense like that) and have just been amplifying that claim, still with zero evidence. You are not productively contributing to conversation.
Citing a clickbaity YouTuber's video which even states that the original problems have been resolved (and resolved for a long time time now) does not help your case.
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I feel like this confidence is not justified.
There are A LOT of factors that make FoF the obvious next, major removal for KD. I don't have immediate reason to believe its death is imminent, but it is almost certainly in the twilight of its life. Especially at a time when the chain is really struggling and Kings Dominion is very much not their priority, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see FoF dead before 2030.
One small, potentially positive bit of news for FOF is that I noticed they recently replaced the old chain link fence around the outdoor queue with a wood fence in the style of some of the other fencing in Jungle X. This definitely wasn’t here earlier in the season, so they were investing in this space through the summer.
On the other hand, I’m still a little bummed they painted back over that green test paint they had put on the FOF launch tunnel by the Rapterra station. I guess nothing came of that after all. I wonder if they decided it wasn’t worth the money or if they just didn’t like the look of the green.
On the other hand, I’m still a little bummed they painted back over that green test paint they had put on the FOF launch tunnel by the Rapterra station. I guess nothing came of that after all. I wonder if they decided it wasn’t worth the money or if they just didn’t like the look of the green.
I do wonder what the condition of track is. Even though it’s 30 years old, it’s been indoors the entire time. FOF has also never operated in the winter, and it’s had several prolonged SBNO periods throughout its history. Compared to some other rides at KD, FOF’s track has seemingly had a somewhat pampered existence.
I ask this because I wonder where most of the expense and downtime from operating FOF is coming from. My guess would be it’s 1) the launch, and 2) the trains.
If that’s the case, and the track itself isn’t the main issue, would it be out of the question to commission Premier to build a modern launch system and new trains? Heck, make it a swing launch with a small backwards extension to make it a new ride experience. Couple that with a substantial theming overhaul with cool effects inside the show building, and they have a marketable new attraction.
I know CF was burned by modifying an existing coaster with TT2, but SF has a seemingly strong relationship with Premier, and surely FOF is easier to modify than one of the world’s most infamously ambitious and problematic coasters.
Just spitballing. I think it would be cool. FOF seems generally well liked by guests, so why throw out the baby with the bath water if they don’t have to?
I ask this because I wonder where most of the expense and downtime from operating FOF is coming from. My guess would be it’s 1) the launch, and 2) the trains.
If that’s the case, and the track itself isn’t the main issue, would it be out of the question to commission Premier to build a modern launch system and new trains? Heck, make it a swing launch with a small backwards extension to make it a new ride experience. Couple that with a substantial theming overhaul with cool effects inside the show building, and they have a marketable new attraction.
I know CF was burned by modifying an existing coaster with TT2, but SF has a seemingly strong relationship with Premier, and surely FOF is easier to modify than one of the world’s most infamously ambitious and problematic coasters.
Just spitballing. I think it would be cool. FOF seems generally well liked by guests, so why throw out the baby with the bath water if they don’t have to?
So, it's gonna stick around until the end of time even when humans have gone extinct. Got it.
Oh, the irony of this post. Going off at someone for a "bogus claim" and even describing a well-respected YouTuber as "clickbaity" doesn't productively contribute to the conversation either.
If there's anything I've learned from the months leading up to D23 2024 - just because people deny rumors, or what was rumored to happen didn't, doesn't mean the rumor is false. Certain things could've very well been considered behind the scenes and plans just changed. You don't have to believe the rumor, but at least think about it some, so you don't become shocked should it actually come true.
Even if I worded my statement better, it's not like I personally believe FoF will go away by the end of this year - or even next. Within the following few years? Maybe.
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I'd just want to point out that while FOF does have its share of maintenance related downtime, FOF (as well as WWC) are usually the first rides to close for staffing issues. Both require a large crew to run and are "out of sight" enough that the average guest may not even notice that they are closed.
I very clearly did not mean that the ride would be around until the heat death of the universe. Just that it wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, which you were implying with your discussion about potential replacements. Twisted Timbers will eventually be removed, but I don't see anyone talking about what to do with that plot. Please don't be pedantic.
There is more evidence for Flight of Fear staying than there is it being removed in the near future - the repainting of the building and construction of new fence. Compared with the absolute ZERO hard evidence indicating its removal in the near future, that is a mountain of proof. I won't be shocked if the ride is removed - I understand that parks make decisions to remove rides all the time. I wasn't shocked when Ka was removed, or Anaconda, or Lantern, or Shockwave (take your pick which one I'm referring to). I just don't think its productive to be discussing a ride's replacement when there is literally zero indication that it's going to be leaving soon. If you don't think the ride is leaving soon, why are you talking like it is?
Also, please try to clear your head of this "every coaster has a service life" or "every coaster will eventually wear out" nonsense that parks have put in your heads - there are both steel and wooden coasters that have been operating for a hundred years, and plenty of steel coasters that have been operating for 50+ years. If parks choose to remove rides, its because they don't see the continued value of maintaining it - they are almost never forced to remove a ride by factors outside of their control.
Might I be wrong, and they'll announce the ride's closure tomorrow? Sure....but I don't think it helps anyone to talk about a ride as if its near-term death is certain like people were. All that results in is a cycle of misinformation when other people cite "sources saying the ride's closure is imminent" when its just people speculating here in a forum.
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