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Wow, that Flight of Fear picture brings back a lot of memories. It was a very warm and sunny June Monday. I just graduated from Princeton HS and was working in an office in St. Bernard. They didn't want me taking a lot of time off since I was only going to be there for a little more than two months, but they graciously allowed me to take a half day which meant I could leave at 11. I snuck out a little early, stopped back home, picked up my friend Mike in my freshly washed '84 Accord and headed to the park. We got to the park a little before noon and headed back to the ride. I believe the official opening of the ride was supposed to happen at noon. We got to the ride only to discover that there were a few people in front of us. They were holding the line outside of the building, but I remember the line stretching under The Racer (as shown in the picture). We followed the line which then wrapped around to the right, past the swings, past the arcade, past the speed pitch and ended right around the old Flight Commander spot where we found a spot at the end of the line. I believe the line backed up to at least Vortex by the time we started moving after the ride officially opened. There's nothing quite like the energy that flows from the crowd during a big ride opening. I flashed back to the Cincinnati Enquirer article about the new ride, the specs, seeing the track layout for the first time and realizing that we were finally going to turn all of the anticipation into realization. I think that one brief moment is the reason why I love ride openings so much. It's not just the fact that you're going to get to ride but more that your frame of reference is going to shift. Your life, albeit it in a very small way, will be forever changed simply by being in that moment. It's a collection of things that will form an experience you'll remember for years to come. Your senses are heightened. The ride will be there for a long time but the experience of that day is singular. I remember waiting outside in line for an hour and being happy we finally got to the part of the queues in the shade. I remember the anticipation of going down the ramp and seeing the inside of the building for the first time. I remember seeing the mirrors along the wall and mistakenly thinking we were only seeing half of the queue line. I remember the what seemed like hundreds of times we saw the pre-show video while in line. I remember the couple of breakdowns where the line wouldn't move for 20 minutes at a time. I remember finally making in into the spaceship. I remember hearing the launch for the first time and subsequent screams, oohs and aahs. I remember seeing the launch for the first time... Zero to sixty in four seconds sounds impressive on paper, but I doubt that anyone who was there that first day will ever forget what it was like to see that train launch for the first time. Perhaps it was the fact that you could only see the top of the train being propelled into the tunnel only to disappear quickly into the abyss. I remember turning to my friend Mike with what I imagine was an open mouth and him turning to face me with exactly the same look. You then looked around to see the same look on so many other faces. I think that one moment instantly made the wait worthwhile. Five hours in line later we boarded in the second row. It's interesting because I only remember 3 things about the actual first ride: the launch, seeing that first part of the cobra roll out in the distance, and that low to the ground and corkscrew finale being taken at what seemed like a ridiculous speed. And then it was over. "That was fun", we heard the riders in the front row exclaim. Mike and I both nodded our heads in agreement. A great end to what was a cool experience. I probably had more fun at the openings of Son of Beast and Diamondback but the opening of Flight of Fear was definitely more memorable. That ride started what was the best summer of my life up to that point. Each time a major ride is announced at KI I realize that it's more than the ride that I look forward to. Those opening day moments at that ride are forever entwined with the ride itself. It's vivid memories of the park being etched in your mind that serve as reminders for how the park, you and others who shared in those moments with you continue to evolve. There's really nothing quite like those big ride opening days.

It's fine to have the opinion that you want to show your children the value of a dollar, or to say that you wish everyone could stand in the same line. The issue is when you associate Fast Lane with a certain morality; that using it is "wrong" across the board. By extension, you're saying that those who can afford it and choose to use it are immoral, or doing something that is wrong and that they should be ashamed of. Of the millions and millions of people in the nation who can't afford to go to Kings Island... Would you want any of them saying your decision to go with the money you earned is morally wrong? But people don't think that way. They don't assume you're a bad person because you have enough expendable income to go to Kings Island at all, even though it's a premium over what they can afford. And the folks who buy one day tickets don't think Gold Pass holders are doing something morally wrong by entering the park an hour early - it's a perk they paid for, and one that gives them a significant leg up on getting on rides with minimal wait. I go to Universal Studios in Orlando once every three years, and each time I purchase their Universal Express Plus pass, which affords me priority access on the rides. I can afford it. I worked hard for my money. And you accuse me of being driven by greed? I have a short time, and the passes allow me to have a premium experience. It seems silly and bullheaded that you might "drive entire days to parks out of state only to ride a few rides because of the lines," but it's certainly your choice to do so just as its mine to use the money I earned to buy a service that escorts me on ahead. When Hugh Laurie from TV's house visits Kings Island, should he have to wait in line? After all, what's the difference between you and him except money? He's got it, and by God he has the right to spend it! Am I greedy or immoral because this year I decided to trade in a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass for a Disneyland Resort Deluxe Pass? Am I a bad person because I decided to "upgrade" to a "better" park? If you don't want to participate in the Fast Lane system, that's fine. But assigning it a value of morality is absolutely uncalled for. And teaching your children the equality of life? Noble, but a losing battle. Life isn't fair. People don't go to the same schools, buy the same cars, live in the same neighborhoods, get the same treatment when walking down the street with Skittles, or stand in the same lines.

^ How do the Browns do every year? Colonel who knows no winners come from Cleveland, ask LeBron. WHO-DEY

Photo #105

At the speed you're going on FD(max speed 51 mph), while on that real sharp turn, while your car is swaying on the track, and your peripheral vision is somewhat blocked by the over-the-shoulder restraints, I can't really believe that you saw supports on the SoB track.

This summer meet me at Kings Island, I'll take you to flight deck, then we leave that ride, i will have you look at SoB's supports on the track. Wow man, your quite annoying.

I am the type to visit a park on a cool cloudy day when there's a chance of rain, it's like having a fast pass to the whole park. I know that if I ever God forbid end up at a CF park on a busy Saturday or holiday weekend, and I'm not really riding with anyone, my butt is heading to the Fast Lane booth. I don't do well in large crowds anyway; I'm claustrophobic. Given all of that, I doubt I'm going to need a reason to buy a Fast Lane pass. However I do think it's great in the way that a lot of summer travelers come to CF parks. They may only have limited time on the last day of their vacation before they have to pack up and be back at the airport; maybe they want to squeeze in as many rides as possible before they fly back home from their only visit to the park this season. Tom and I went to Six Flags Great America a couple years ago on a Labor Day Weekend Sunday and Monday. We were told it wasn't going to be busy.. boy were we ever misinformed. The place was a madhouse and it took us 2 days to get our credits. We hadn't brought extra money for Flash Passes but we would have bought them in a heartbeat had we known how packed it was going to be. A lot of other parks such as Dollywood, Busch Gardens, Six Flags, and Disney have quick queues. I really don't see it as line cutting. It's a special perk that I will most certainly take advantage of if I arrive at a new park and see lines out the wazoo. There may be some kinks in the system but we have to be patient and have faith that it will get worked out as long as we politely communicate with the parks on how it may or may not be working. If you have a reasonable complaint on why it is not working, such as ride lines becoming longer or not having a separate lane for Fast Lane guests, politely email the park with your concerns. Nobody responds well to cussing and name calling.. I am seeing a LOT of that on the CF park Facebook pages. It's unnecessary. We need to help them out as guests and provide feedback so that they can assess what needs to be done.

My family is going to Kings Island and Cedar Point this June, first time in a decade. I bought a two Fast Lane passes at both parks, one for myself and one for my eldest son. We're going to the parks on days I doubt we'll need passes, but we're also driving 1500 miles, so I think of it as insurance. For me and in my view, its not a matter of who can afford what or any silly morality issue. Its being smart. Sure, I'm pretty sure the parks won't be busy the days we are there, and I may have ended up wasting $180. But I'd rather be out $180 than drive 1500 miles and find out every church group in the area decided to visit the park the same day as us.

Let's take my situation: I receive Social Security disability payments that are just barely over the federal poverty guidelines. Yet, by careful saving and budgeting and paying close attention to my spending, I can afford a Platinum Pass, the occasional weekend trip (e.g. HoliWood Nights), even a full vacation if I plan and begin saving far enough in advance—and for the most part, without debt. Part of my April budget includes money for a possible Fast Lane pass for opening day. I set aside $50 last August to try out Fast Lane then. Am I greedy? I prefer the term "thrifty"; considering that I get less than $1,000 a month, it takes careful attention to my finances to have as much disposable income as I do, and I still have to sacrifice and choose between this or that, because I can't afford everything I want. And if I do create disposable income in my budget, why should I not be rewarded by being allowed to spend it however I choose to? Twelve days from now, I may choose to spend some of that money on a Fast Lane pass if the crowds are large. That's not greed; it's simply a reward for good budgeting and thrifty spending.

You can see it all while enjoying FD.

This one is going to hurt a little, because I really, really love AE; except for that awesome build-up to the...station!

Spaceship Earth is awesome. But then again, I am a sucker for anything with audio animatronics (I love Carousel of Progress, a ride I'm surprised no one on here has mentioned). As far as dumbest rides, I can't think of anything. Maybe SOB, because when I got off of it, I told my wife it was so painful to never let me ride it again. Weird because I love wood coasters. Funny thing is, if it opened tomorrow, I'd probably ride it!

Ok, let's move on and get back to the topic at hand.

Quite amazing how your the only person to come on here and say you saw SOB collapse. I believe IF Sonny were collapsing KI would do something about it.

Right. It's like saying you refuse to go to the park at all because some people can't. Or you refuse to go to college because some people can't. Or you refuse to buy a Gold Pass because some people can't. Or you refuse to buy front-of-the-line passes because some people can't. Etc. etc. While in the park, some buy enormous, expensive meals for their entire family to better their experience and create better memories. Should they not do so because some visitors at the park can't afford it?

Not really, you pay for the Gold Pass to get Parking, and ERT's and other benefits, you don't wait in like with the other guests then do you? No you go in to the park and enjoy the ERT on the rides. You PAY for that benefit, just like those pay for Fast Lane. (The way I see it, and In my opinion makes sense) EDIT: oh you were talking to terpy? Oh well, my point still stands.

Ride On!