Tom76257

To answer your guys' questions about when the gate opens, I called the park and they said that the entrance to the parking lot opens at 8:30 am. I do forget, however, what the associate said about when the gate to the actual park opens. Just call (800) 288-0808 to speak with someone at the park with questions.

Mine is Son of Beast. That is until April 18th of course!

Can't wait to get mine! Anybody have a pic of the one for Firehawk? I really wasn't a coaster enthusiast back then and I've only been on Firehawk twice (both times in 2008).

This will help you. http://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/events.cfm

Here are what I think my plans for Opening Day are: I'm going to be there early (don't know just when yet) with my brother. I'll be riding Diamondback with him. However, I'm going to have a either a gray or white shirt made that will have these words (most likely in black letters) as follows on both sides: KICentral TOM76257 I'm 6'3" tall and VERY lanky. If anyone sees me, I'd love to meet you and shake your hand! Anyways, after that I'll try to at least catch rides on The Beast, Son of Beast, The Racer and Firehawk (not necessarily in that order) before I have to leave at 5:00 PM.

I'm going to be there earlier than 8:00, but with my brother. I'll be riding Diamondback with him. However, I'm going to have a either a gray or white shirt made that will have these words (most likely in black letters) as follows on both sides: KICentral TOM76257 I'm 6'3" tall and VERY lanky. If anyone sees me, I'd love to shake your hand!

http://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/events.cfm It's the first event at the top of the page.

I'm anticipating a commercial for Diamondback some time between now and just before KI Opening Day and I'm also wondering exactly what it's going to be like. I like what CW did with Behemoth and also what CP did with Maverick (a prospector and a cavalry officer), but I'd also like to see something original. I hope that it's good and I know it'll promote Diamondback well - it'll probably have something in it about being the park's tallest, fastest, and meanest coaster. What are your thoughts and ideas both now and when the commercial airs on TV?

My top 3 are as follows: 1. The Beast - I think this is the ultimate night ride at KI 2. Firehawk 3. The Racer I haven't been on Son of Beast at night yet, but I REALLY want to this season.

Add me to that list too.

Good point, Terpy. I didn't think about the change in ownership to Cedar Fair. Anyways, back to the subject at hand... anybody ever have a night ride to remember on a coaster or any other ride at KI or another amusement park that they'd like to share?

I hope it's not true. I haven't ridden Flight Deck in a while, but after reading some things on RCDB I'm a little worried. Out of the 5 coasters that are now defunct, 4 of them shared their last season with a coaster that was new that season - Bavarian Beetle's last season and The Beast's first season was 1979, (Screamin') Demon's last season and The Vortex's first season was 1987, King Cobra's last season and Rugrats Runaway Reptar's first season was in 2001, and Scooby's Ghoster Coaster's last season and Italian Job's/Backlot Stunt Coaster's first season was in 2005. Am I being paranoid or is there a noticeable trend going on here?

Does anybody else think The Racer is pretty cool at night? In my opinion the ride looks better and a little more ominous when it's dark out.

For me, it's The Beast. You can't see the tunnels and it's a great ride on top of that. This is followed closely by Firehawk. Maybe it's because I wasn't in the front car, but I really couldn't see the track ahead of me. Tell me what you guys think!

On almost all rides at KI, I have my hands down. There are two exceptions - The Racer and Firehawk. I hadn't ridden the forward Racer until last season and decided to throw my hands up on it and had one of the best ride experiences of my life. Firehawk is a MUST for putting my hands up. There's just no other way for me to get that incomprehensible feeling of human flight. I might just have to go hands up on all rides this year and see if I like it.

Back when I didn't like roller coasters in 1998, I was SCARED TO DEATH to ride The Beast. That was probably the worst roller coaster ride I've ever been on. Ironically, it's been my favorite ride at KI for about a decade. I've also been apprehensive and didn't like the ride experiences on Drop Zone/Tower and Delirium.