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The Hidden Easter Eggs of Orion
Orion opened recently to much fanfare from the enthusiast community, and I know that when Nick rode it for the First Rider Auction, he had nothing but good things to say about his experience on the ride.
In looking through his photos on our Facebook page, I was excited to learn that Kings Island and Cedar Fair went “all out” on the queue details, as has been the norm for multiple coasters in the chain – Mystic Timbers, Twisted Timbers, and Copperhead Strike among them – over the past several seasons. In the below video from WGN Reporter Marcus Leshock, you’ll notice two unique “areas” of the queue that aren’t just general (and socially distanced!) switchbacks. In the first building, you’re greeted with screens and thermal cameras, before entering a research laboratory/office setting. After passing through the office, you’re nearly at the station.
However, both inside and out, there are some fantastic Easter Eggs to be on the lookout for as you wind your way through the Orion queue.
One of the queue buildings is labeled outpost 87. This is likely a subtle nod to the recently departed Vortex, which opened in 1987.
Photo: C101 Reader Megan B.
Thanks to C101 Reader Megan B, who sent us a photo of Outpost 07, a nod to the opening year of Firehawk, which Orion replaced.
According to C101 Reader KIFAN: “The outpost numbers specifically reference Vortex and Firehawk because both of these rides were previous tests leading up to the Orion Sequence.”
There are multiple concrete pylons with 72 emblazoned on the side, with an element underneath. These concrete pylons are actually “upcycled” from the former International Street fountain before its January 2019 renovation. 72 is in reference to the newly renamed Area 72, which itself is a reference to Kings Island’s opening year of 1972. However, the elements have significance as well.
This one is a little tougher to tell in this photo, but the clipboard in this locker features what looks like a layout of one of Cedar Fair’s Morgan Hypercoasters, like Mamba at Worlds of Fun, Wild Thing at ValleyFair!, or Steel Force at Dorney Park. Without being there in person, tough to tell if there are any details present that would allow you to identify it as one of the three.
The memo on this clipboard references a time of 10pm, and might have actually been part of the press announcement for Orion. (I remember the announcement took place at 10pm).
Here you see the alien spacecraft inside the Flight of Fear queue.
There are multiple references on these bulletin boards, including the former PTC wooden coaster Shooting Star at nearby Coney Island, Kings Island’s former Rotor attraction, which opened in 1972, and Bayern Kurve, which opened in 1973. There are also some blueprints and photos from these attractions.
Hidden in the top right corner is a reference to the Hanover Hill Orchard, the fictional setting for Twisted Timbers. (Below photo from Carowinds)
On the second bulletin board, you also see references to the Zodiac double Ferris Wheel (opened 1975), Skylab, a Huss Enterprise opened in 1986 that closed in 1997, and multiple nods to Vortex, including a track layout, loop renderings, and the station. On the third board, there are also references to Flight of Fear and Invertigo, as well as Firehawk, which Orion replaced.
In the foreground of the above photo, you see a nod to B&M on the Orion-20 poster, the ride’s manufacturer, as well as duplicates of Flight of Fear and Bavarian Beetle.
The Orion Sequence blueprint features some train details, as well as #300 Test-20, a subtle nod to Orion’s 300′ drop.
Speaking of references to Firehawk, here’s another – for Firehawk Hydro Fuel.
Another photo with multiple references – including an overhead blueprint of Kings Island, a reference for the Bureau of Paranormal Activity – the fictional organization from Flight of Fear. There are also references to multiple Kings Island Roller Coasters. (From the top, and then clockwise)
The Beast (Pawprint & Sycamore Mine 79) – 79 in reference to The Beast’s Opening Year
Mystic Timbers (Miami River Lumber Company 17 – A nod to Mystic Timbers’ opening year, 2017)
Banshee (0014, another opening year – 2014)
Adventure Express (0092, Outpost 2 92)
Though the photo is cut off, The Beast and Mystic Timbers appear to triangulate at Racer, symbolizing Kings Island’s claim of the Wooden Coaster capital of the United States. According to C101 Reader KIFan,
“Those rides don’t triangulate at Racer, they triangulate BEHIND The Racer, more specifically at Hanger 18, since that’s where the Bureau is operating and monitoring out of!”
This photo contains my probably my favorite Easter Egg I’ve ever seen, because the level of detail is so important. We’ve numbered the tapes, and tried to figure out what each of the 20 tapes represents/references. (If you’ve got an idea, or think we missed one, let us know!)
Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling at Cedar Point
The ET Adventure at Universal Studios Florida
Boo Blasters – opened in 2010
Atlas – Fictional Organization
Unsure, but according to reader Barry H, TPF could be a reference to The Perfect Flood. “I’m no Coney expert, but if TPF stands for The Perfect Flood, the park did actually flood in 1966. But it was the 1964 major flood that triggered the thought for moving the park, resulting in KI. So maybe this is way off.”
Another theory from reader Tyler M: “TPF – Esp 66″ – The Partridge Family, Episode 66 is the one shot at Kings Island”
Captain Nemo, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea – Science Fiction
Magnum XL-200 (Sequence 89, for Magnums Opening Year)
Bavarian Beetle
Distaster Transport – Cedar Point
7th Portal – a former Action Theater attraction
A reference to Club Studio Fifty-Gore from the first Halloween Haunt, or Taylor Bybee from Coaster Studios has officially made it big time.
Unsure According to C101 Reader OLFOF, BOPA is a reference to the Bureau of Paranormal Activity.
Adventure Express
Banshee
Mystic Timbers
Beast
Son of Beast
Adventure Express (Referring to Adventure Express in Outpost 2 in the overhead map)
Unsure, but leaning towards Backlot Stunt Coaster, Peanuts 500, or Joe Cool’s Driving School
Unsure, thinking Shooting Star at Coney Island, but not sure what AJ refers to. According to C101 Reader OLFOF: This is a reference to the Flight of Fear Pre-Show. From the FOF preshow. Dr. Charles Grunske requests Patchbay pull up the video, which is a helicopter shot of the crop circles at Kings Dominion.
Hopefully, I can get up to Kings Island myself soon and check out some of these Easter Eggs first hand, and maybe discover some that I didn’t get earlier!
Did you notice something we missed? Are we way off on what we think these Easter Eggs represent? Let us know in the comments below, or Facebook/Tweet/DM us at @coaster101 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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I love how Cedar Fair always goes the extra mile for enthusiasts to hide all these awesome details in line for enthusiast. This is especially awesome during long lines, as it burns time hunting for the easter eggs. Thanks for covering all the ones that have been uncovered so far!
The large concrete cylinders in the area are actually the old fountain bases from International Street.
#12 VHS Tape – BOPA stands for Bureau of Paranormal Activity
#20 AJ37 File – From the FOF preshow. Dr. Charles Grunske requests Patchbay pull up the video, which is a helicopter shot of the crop circles at Kings Dominion.
A couple things to add:
The outpost numbers specifically reference Vortex and Firehawk because both of these rides were previous tests leading up to the Orion Sequence.
The display in Flight of Fear’s photo booth is supposed to suggest that the Bureau of Paranormal Activity has been monitoring other attractions at the park. There is “security footage” as part of that display! The bulletin board closest to the Area 72 entrance actually has a clipboard with a paper describing what exactly the bureau is surveilling. Those rides don’t triangulate at Racer, they triangulate BEHIND The Racer, more specifically at Hanger 18, since that’s where the Bureau is operating and monitoring out of!
19 could also refer to the original Les Taxis, Ohio Autoland Livery, or the original Turnpike in Hanna-Barbera Land if they’re hinting at past attractions. Nice job on this-great nuggets for us KI history buffs :).
I too enjoy that Cedar Fair ties their parks and rides together through these Easter eggs. Very fun for amusement park enthusiasts and history buffs.
BB 106 – Brady Bunch episode 106, “The Cincinnati Kids” when the Brady Bunch visited Kings Island.