Kings Island Ohio - Italian Job THE RIDE Sigh

[Cooper76]

So tell them to get on this site and drop us some info! We are really revved up to know!

[adame]

Hey guys - sorry for the lack of participation on this thread - I just found it. I have another thread somewhere else over here with some info and links, but since this has a sticky and has the cool title, I'll bring you up to speed.

I was going along with Romhog's original idea and waiting for info about this ride. Then someone in our club happened to get in touch with someone at PKI who said they were responsible for a Grand Opening party. Apparently this person is someone different than Romhog's contact (and may explain why there has been no further contact.).

I've started a thread on NAM with some details.

Here's what I know so far:

For sure:
June 18th

Talked about:
Catered food
Special parking
Riding priveleges
MINI caravan to the park from Oxford, OH - as a nod to Oxford, UK

We were supposed to get info last Friday about the events the park had planned, but we haven't seen that yet.

I'll be updating the NAM thread with info as I get it. I'll also come back here and update this tthread as well.

We talked about the conflicting date with F1 and MINIs on Top, but the park still chose to use the 18th. Sorry..

Adam

[ncdave]

Thanks Adam! Unfortunately, the USGP conflict means I'll have to check out the ride on the way back on Tuesday or so.

[dansmini]

Good info, glad to see this is still happening!

[MHALEY57]

This is what I recieved from PKI just last week, April 4, 2005:

We are hosting an event on June 18th... we are almost ready to announce the info... I will add you to our e-mail list. We do anticipate having 100's of fellow MINI owners.. and tons-of-fun on June 18th.

They should be announcing details very soon.

[Cooper76]

Quote: Originally Posted by MHALEY57

This is what I recieved from PKI just last week, April 4, 2005:

We are hosting an event on June 18th... we are almost ready to announce the info... I will add you to our e-mail list. We do anticipate having 100's of fellow MINI owners.. and tons-of-fun on June 18th.

They should be announcing details very soon.

Excellent news!

Too bad it just has to correspond with the Indy GP and MoT. There would be soooo many more of us there. Drats!

[VegasD]

Keep in mind, the speculative June 18th date may not be the first day this ride is open.
It may be titled the "official" day but reports across the web speculate PKI to hit their May 19th IJthe Ride opening date.

So this can be good news for those who cannot make the June 18th date.

Quote:

It's now confirmed that the trains for Kings Island's new ride, Italian Job Stunt Track, were involved in the fire at Spectrum Manufacturing in Utah last week. It has not been said just how badly the cars were damaged, with rumors ranging from repairable damage to complete destruction. The Cincinatti Enquirer released a brief statement from PKI on Tuesday, stating that the setback will not delay the opening of the ride, which is scheduled for May 19th. PKI's opening day is April 9th, and they had stated at a construction tour that there would be soft openings to guests on a couple days in April. I would be very surprised if those happen now. It's also hard to imagine this not at least having an effect on the opening. These trains weren't just ordinary coaster trains, they had a lot of extra bells and whistles. I'm hoping that I am wrong here, but I speculate that it may take a small miracle for the ride to open exactly as it was intended to by May 19th. If anyone can do it though, Kings Island can.

Quote:

A fire at a Utah storage warehouse last week destroyed or damaged parts of Paramount's Kings Island's newest attraction, The Italian Job: Stunt Track. But park officials say the setback won't delay the opening of the interactive coaster, a ride based on a chase scene from the 2003 movie. Kings Island will open April 9, but the ride wasn't supposed to be finished until later. It wasn't clear Monday how much damage was done to the Mini Cooper S coaster cars when the warehouse burned in Byrum, Utah. But "all the plans in place are still a go," park spokesman Jeffrey Siebert said Monday. The Italian Job coaster is being built by Maryland-based Premier Rides, which did not return phone calls.

Quote:

Recently Paramount's Kings Island graciously hosted a construction tour for their new 2005 addition, the Italian Job Stunt Track. The tour brought out quite a few local fans, but because it was on a Friday, there weren't too many people there and the tour wasn't overcrowded.

We began the tour in the parking lot, where they had recently tested special effects. Some of the track and other assorted pieces had arrived. There were quite a few highly banked pieces in the group, and contrary to the concept video, the track is painted dark gray...not yellow. They decided that bright yellow track stood out a little too much, and could take away from the other elements.

We then made our way to the entrance gate, where the marketing staff gave us a little thank you speech. They thanked us for helping them become the number one seasonal park last year. They then told us about a couple of the small improvements that were being made for next year. First, the Eiffel Tower, which had noticeably been sandblasted, will be getting a much needed coat of paint. They also told of plans to spruce up the parking lot by adding trees, landscaping, and such to the giant bland slab of concrete that is currently there. Their words...a more "Disneyesque" parking lot.

It was a little depressing walking back to the construction site. The giant fountain and pool was drained and everything was empty. It looked like a ghost town, and the fact that it was gray and 25 degrees outside didn't help matters at all. I wasn't expecting to see much done, as the whole state of Ohio has been hit with snow and very heavy rain since before Christmas. I'm sure that they were probably behind schedule a bit due to the flooding and melting snow. The site was a mudpit, but footers were being poured and they were working on the parking garage section of the ride. Other than that, it was pretty much a large pile of dirt I noticed on the walk back that the Preston Tucker's burger joint was missing a lot of pieces This leads me to believe that it may possibly be rethemed for next year. Also, the last Paramount Park guest survey featured commercials, one of which advertises a "Magic of the Movies" show.

Some details that were shared about the ride itself. There will be a section of the coaster that simulates driving down stairs, and the cars will "skid out of control" around the corners in various parts. The cars will come equipped with audio effects, complete with subs under the seat to simulate revving engines, bumps, etc. There will be three fire effects, some explosions, and a helicopter that will shoot at you. A little water will be involved, and there will be a couple of launch points on the track. They didn't really elaborate on the actual launch speed, but said that it will be family friendly. This is clearly PKI's most ambitious themed project to date.

Walking back towards the gate, I got a tidbit of information from the marketing staff that underlines PKI's agenda with themed/family entertainment. Their three most popular rides in 2004 were

The Racers- A classic wooden coaster
Scooby Doo's Haunted Castle- family dark ride
Adventure Express- A well-themed Arrow Mine Train(which was built over 10 years ago). I was initially very surprised when I heard this one because of it's age, but when I thought about it, if more families are coming, than it makes sense that this family coaster would see a resurgence in popularity. What's funny is that in the 11 years it's been open, I had never really seen a big line for it until the last couple years. To me, that information highly reinforces PKI's new found status as a family theme park.

The grand opening of the Italian Job Stunt Track is set for May 19th, but there will be testing and rehersal throughout the month of April. They will open the ride to the public for a few select days before it's grand opening and survey riders for possible improvements/adjustments of the effects and such. All signs point to a great ride for PKI in 2005.

Quote:

THE ITALIAN JOB



If you've always had the desire to travel in a convertible Mini Cooper through all types of rugged terrain but just never had the cash (or legal clearance) for it, you now can with The Italian Job: Stunt Track ride.

Themed around the climactic chase sequence in the 2003 hit film The Italian Job, the ride is a roller coaster that promises to take patrons on a wild ride, to say the least. Fitting four people to a car with three cars in each of the ride's three trains, the ride will hit speeds up to 40 mph while twisting through a simulated parking garage, an aqueduct and through a billboard, PKI area manager Maureen Kaiser says.

The Italian Job: Stunt Track replaces the antique cars track as well as the old Flying Eagles ride, which was sent to Paramount's Carowinds park in Charlotte, N.C. The coaster will be the only one of its type in the United States; Paramount's Canada Wonderland is the only other park getting the ride.

Kaiser says anyone who was a fan of the movie will really be in for a treat when the ride opens Friday, May 20.

"The cars are actually BMW Mini Coopers that you're getting into," she says. "They actually have working doors, working headlights and taillights, and each car has an audio system inside, so you will hear yourself peel out and feel yourself fishtail as you go around the curves, so (the ride) really feels like what it's like to be a stunt car driver."

Quote:

A nearly identical coaster is also opening at Paramount's Canada's Wonderland in 2005.***

Quote:

Paramount Canada's Wonderland and Paramount Kings Dominion have both announced they are to build launched coasters, possibly manufactured by either Premier Rides or Intamin. Called Italian Job Stunt Coasters, they are launched coasters themed after the various car chases seen in Paramount films. The cars will apparently be themed as Mini Coopers, as seen in the Italian Job films.

A lot of info to read there.... But I would assume from initial contact with PKI PR to varied reports on the web... including ones that would cause a delay, that the ride is being tested now, and will open on the expected May 19 date.

Also, each train is a 12 (3 four seat minis) seater, so lines are expected to be long.
I wouldn't worry about a discount, admission is very affordable.

I'm sure someone will post any updates.

I hope they open it on May 19th... It would fit perfectly in the Challenge weekend so I'd be heading there afterwards, before heading back to Vegas

[adame]

Here's what I have so far - not official by any means, but it's something....

Quote:

The event price is going to be $50. This will include admission to the
regular park and the water park, parking, and catered breakfast and
dinner. We will have the ride to ourselves for the first hour of the day.
Opening is at 10:00am. There is also a tour drive complete with rally
flags that will start at 7:30am in Oxford OH and end at the park around
8:30am where a breakfast will be available. There will be a BQ for dinner
somewhere in the park. They are working on a car show and some other
stuff. Tickets will be purchased online but that is still in the works.
I am expecting a follow up from the organizer in the next week with the
details.

I'll have more as it comes along.

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by adame

Here's what I have so far - not official by any means, but it's something....



I'll have more as it comes along.

OK - just want to make sure I have this right - they are going to pay us each $50 to show up with our beautiful MINIs and show them off and propmote their park and new ride. I am not sure that is enough - we should hold out for more.

(For anyone that does not get it - I am obviously kidding).

[VegasD]

So, you are paying $25 on top of a $25 ticket(annual pass price as opposed to a $35 day pass), to ride a ride and eat bagles and BBQ?

Sounds like a bargain for PKI.

[gone_motoring]

Quote: Originally Posted by VegasD

So, you are paying $25 on top of a $25 ticket(annual pass price as opposed to a $35 day pass), to ride a ride and eat bagles and BBQ?

Sounds like a bargain for PKI.

I just notice something the other day while in Blockbuster renting DVDs. Looks like there may be sometype of deal with Blockbuster and PKI re the opening of "the Italian Job" ride for just $20.99. Forgot to check for the details before leaving, will re-check tomorrow when I drop the DVD's by.

[mukimmy99]

this sounds fantastic....and I'm miami alumni so starting in oxford will make it the best day ever!

[Romhog]

I really hope something gets put in place here soon, Or I'm going to wish this whole idea didn't get taken away from me..

JK - much love
I just want to see it go down. This gathering has been 5 months in the making!!

[EricBSnow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Romhog

I really hope something gets put in place here soon, Or I'm going to wish this whole idea didn't get taken away from me..

JK - much love
I just want to see it go down. This gathering has been 5 months in the making!!

Romhog,

I have a friend in the Communications Department of PKI. He assures me that plans are in the making and details will be released soon. No worries!

Eric B. Snow

[VegasD]

Quote: Originally Posted by VegasD

So, you are paying $25 on top of a $25 ticket(annual pass price as opposed to a $35 day pass), to ride a ride and eat bagles and BBQ?

Sounds like a bargain for PKI.

Did this slip again?

And, May19th still seems to be the projected opening date for the ride itself, no one has confirmed or denied.
Your meeting is nearly a month after...allegedly. Now would be the time to have it in stone, dont you think?

Cutting it a little close there for those who may want to plan their trips to it.

A month later $50 to participate, it seems like a good way to bring a little extra income into the park, I applaude them. You would think... at least I would... they would waive entry for all the MINI owner's or at least those with a MINI Key... it's free advertising for them to bring you all in, to have your mini's on lot, all of you wearing, predictably wearing, your MINI Swag... Disneyland offers Free admission to certain organizations, charity events, openings, etc, depending on the venue at play. Wake up PKI... this is more YOUR opportunity than a group of MINI Owner's opportunity.

Just my opinion and view of this whole deal.

Seems like a lot of unanswered questions and no confirmations from anywhere...
No Whens Wheres Whos or How Much.