rollergirl

Where is the ferris wheel at Kings Island? I must be blind because I have always thought that a big ferris wheel is a key attraction missing from the park.

I was at the park on Thursday morning and the Action Zone was the InAction Zone without Drop Zone, SOB, or Delirium running. I hope that SOB will start opening in the mornings soon.

I like that idea - at least if the animal spit you wouldn't get drenched. I find it so ironic that this topic is here, given that I just had the wonderful surprise from the elephant on Thursday. I had not gone on the log flume in years - it wasn't even in the kiddie area the last time I was on. I enjoyed it and turned around to say "that wasn't bad" after I got sprinkled coming down the hill - and then WOW! I got literally drenched from head to toe. Only 2 of us were in the boat and I was in front and I couldn't believe how soaked I was. I love water rides and getting really wet, especially when I am hot, but I thought that the elephant drenching was extreme... made Congo Falls look like nothing! But, now I know - and now I will stay away! I must have been a funny sight to onlookers because I got visibly mad at how drenched I was!

I'm going to Boomerang Bay for the first time tomorrow when gold pass holders get in early. Does anyone have any advice such as where not to sit, how to get out of using their expensive lockers (what do you do with your keys and $$), and what rides are must-rides or skip-able? Thanks a lot!

I personally always thought SoB was a highlight - top 3 rides at the park and I can't wait for it to reopen. I just hope to not get knocked around quite as much!

I find it interesting that Great America and Carowinds have already re-opened their Drop Zones. From: ABC, WCPO Channel 9 Two Of Kings Island's Most Popular Rides Remain Closed People heading to Kings Island soon might be disappointed. Two of the most popular rides are still closed. In wake of the recent tragic accident in Louisville where a girl had her feet severed, Kings Island's version of that ride, the Drop Zone closed last week so it could be checked out. A Kings Island spokesman could not give an estimate on when the Drop Zone might reopen. A Kings Island spokesman also said park officials are still committed to re-opening the Son of Beast sometime this season. A loop on the ride is being removed after an accident injured several people a year ago.

Paramount also launched their fireworks from a location further away from The Beast or The Racer. From what location is KI launching their fireworks this year?

Thanks so much for the response. Good point about how threatening weather could potentially keep the crowds down - I think I will try it out today. After 4 rides each on Vortex and Beast this season, I still have to ride Firehawk!

I don't mind the games - when the park is crowded they definitely get played and take away some people from lines. They also add to the amusement park atmosphere. I have a season pass and chose to indulge in the games about 2x a year and always am very aware that I am throwing my money away and joke about paying $10 for a cheapo stuffed animal, but.. playing the games is still F U N!!!!!

I am thinking about going to KI today, Wednesday, but with spotty rain showers here and there I didn't know what stayed open and what closed... if anyone knows anything I would appreciate it. Thanks!

I've noticed that this year they do not let you go down International Street as far as years in the past.

I am very curious as to KI's rain policy. Do they shut down every ride in the park if there is thunder? Does anyone know how long it usually takes for rides to re-open after rain has moved through?

Adventure Express! Going up the hill with the tunnel at the end at then not getting to go down feels so anti-climatic and always disappoints me.. but I'll ride it because I love every ride at KI!

I just took the train a couple of weeks ago when I was there and although Whitewater Canyon was not running, the water was filled - not drained. Sorry I can't help with photos, but I do believe that it is only drained at the end of the season. It would be interesting to see pictures like you describe.

I am sure that you are right and it is shut down like all the intamin rides, I am just surprised that when I searched today's news, no local PA source reported on Kennywood shutting down that ride the way the other parks did.

Interestingly enough, it is an Intamin, but from searching today's news, it was not shut down (at least from the info I can find). Here are the stats on Pitt Fall (Kennywood's Drop Tower): PITT FALL CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION Manufacturer…………………..…......… Intamin Original Year Erected…………......…. 1997 Year Erected at Kennywood……......1997 Classification………………………........ Free Fall DIMENSIONAL STATISTICS Ride Height……………………….......….251 feet Maximum Drop………………….......…..229 feet Free Fall………………………….......…..150 feet Maximum Speed……………………......65mph (down) TRAIN INFORMATION Number of cars…………………....……4 Number of seats per car……….…...4 OPERATION INFORMATION Operating Status……………………..Operating

I don't think that you will be disappointed. I haven't thought that the rides have gone downhill at all this year. I've been a KI fan since I was a kid in the late 70's and still love it. The Action FX theater has an entertaining and fun 3D Sponge Bob Square Pants ride and often has little to no line. The classic rides like The Vortex, Beast, and Racer have been as good as always. I would recommend getting there and parked and in position to get on rides right at 10am if possible. You might want to try and get on the popular rides right away like Delirium. I notice that Delirium's line builds up quickly. I've gone on weekdays this season and the crowds seem to intensify after about 11 or Noon. The food and game prices seem ridiculously high, but consistent with prices of theme parks and sporting events everywhere. Games are about $3 a piece. Drinks are around $4 depending on what you get. A popular way to save money is to get your hand stamped and go out to your car in the parking lot for an afternoon picnic, or drive a mile down the road to McDonalds, Skyline Chili, or Taco Bell, to get some food at a fraction of the price. If you stay at the park from 10am to 10pm, a one hour trip to sit in air conditioning at a fast food restaurant isn't that bad of a break! Have a great trip! My personal must rides: Beast, Vortex, Flight of Fear My personal first to skip if line is long: Adventure Express, Italian Job Stunt Track

I don't know if we need to bother calling the parks (on what I am sure are busy PR days) with our speculative questions. I thought that was the purpose of discussion forums. More information is coming out by the hour. CNN Headline News just reported on the accident and interviewed a ride safety expert. An article was just posted 20 minutes ago on WCPO, channel 9 Cincinnati with the following info: The company that made Tower of Power also manufactured the "Drop Zone," a similar ride at Kings Island. "A Kings Island spokesman says the Swiss manufacturer asked Kings Island to shut down Drop Zone during the investigation into the Kentucky incident. Other drop-rides around the country are also on hold today. King's Island's Drop Zone was shut down like this once before back in 1999. That's when a boy died on the ride at an amusement ride in California. State inspectors say once they learn more about the accident in Kentucky, they'll determine if any rides in Ohio need to be inspected again. " We also know from current articles that 9 rides total are shut down including 5 CF rides: "The five Cedar Fair rides that will be shut down are at Kings Island near Cincinnati; Canada's Wonderland, in Toronto; Kings Dominion in Doswell, Va.; Carowinds, in Charlotte, N.C.; and Great America in Santa Clara, Calif." I want to be able to post questions and speculate with other KI fans, and not have to call the parks and go through who knows what kind of red tape to ask questions - isn't that is why a KI discussion forum exists?

I actually just rode Drop Zone yesterday morning for the first time this season. I apologize if this is graphic, but I honestly cannot think of how an accident involving my feet or ankles could have occurred on DZ. My fear is always the restraints suddenly malfunctioning or the entire unit dropping at an uncontrollably fast speed and not lifting up. They held the ride at the top for what seemed like forever yesterday and the anticipation was so scary....

Can you see people on the ride from that webcam shot? I can't see enough detail to see riders, but I would guess from the news articles I've read that they are running multiple test runs and inspecting drop zone all day long. There is enough news out there on this tragic accident and subsequent shut down of many rides, that I would expect news sources to report when the first type of drop ride is back up and running. Maybe I am wrong though!

What rides are open on Friday mornings in the Coney Mall area? Thanks.

I hope that you do try The Vortex again because I have always found it to be a fairly smooth ride. It's one of my favorite rides in the park! It's amazing how the feel of the rides can vary from day to day or operator to operator.

That does surprise me that such a valuable deal is being offered. I noticed at the Cincinnati area Wendy's you can get a $10 off admission coupon. I think that we don't know the details of past contracts that have to be honored. Kroger may have had a deal with Kings Island when it was under Paramount and they could be paying to offset the price for their name to get tied to KI and get more brand recognition. My guess is that deals this good will go away next year as the park becomes completely Cedar Fair-ish! The other business reason they could offer that is that it is "but by June 1, good all season" This way they get revenue early in the year that they can count on their books and my guess is that the know X%, probably at least 10%, of all people who buy the discounted tickets, will not even use them, so that is free money for KI.

Thank you for the explanation. I have never been to Cedar Point, so no wonder I had no clue! I have been to KI hundreds of times since I was a child given that I live about 10 minutes from the park and I love it, but I hear that Cedar Point blows it away. It's just so hard for me to justify driving up there, getting a hotel, and having to spend all that money for a day. I am so spoiled by the KI gold pass and I am used to going for about 2 hours each time I go to the park, spending no money on food or drinks, riding about 3 to 5 rides, never standing it line and then going home.... Such a fun way to enjoy Kings Island! Please tell me... I love roller coasters, is Cedar Point worth the hassle?

Excuse my ignorance, but what ride is TTD? I have run through the whole park in my brain and can't figure out which ride TTD is!