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Flat Freak

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Everything posted by Flat Freak

  1. The Beast IS rough. So? It's a feature, in my opinion. A coaster, racing through the woods, in pursuit of (or being chased by) a mythical, bear/wolf/monster, untamed creature. Very well designed, so well designed, in fact, that it appears to follow the terrain yet still have the hills and turns necessary for an exciting ride. Great tunnels. This is one ride that almost themes itself. Just remember that the ride used to be faster and rougher, and the park has done an excellent job of maintaining it, so that well into its third decade, it is still going strong. They put a lot of offseason effort into replacing track and maintaining trains so that most of the roughness we feel is a result of the design, not deteriorating trains and support structures. The cars used to not have seat dividers, so you'd not only get slammed by the seat, but slammed into your ride partner, as well. The mag brakes in the shed bleed off a lot of the speed. I can't imagine taking the three right-hand turns leading into the second lift hill at the old full speed, and I can't believe I did it as a kid.
  2. I'd be fine with a price increase. $70 for a Gold Pass (bought during October sale last year) is too cheap. $52 at the gate or $52 online for a 2 day pass is too cheap. I'd pay $125 for Gold and $200 for Platinum happily. I'd pay $200 for my Gold Pass, but I'd kvetch about it. Just as an example: 150 guests x $33 = ~ $5000 100 guests x $50 = $5000. With 50% less crowd, 50% less complaining, fewer staff, fewer parking spaces to maintain, less trash to clean up, a generally higher quality of guest that yells less, offends people less, creates less trash to clean up, cuts in line less, shorter lines, better guest experiences. The trick is to find the right point on the supply/demand curve where revenue, and profits, are maximized. This is basic capitalism 101, and Cedar Fair is a business, plain and simple. Things like the Fast Pass experiment are testing that curve, that's all. I applaud them this decision, and I hope they learn something that makes the park experience better in the long run, whether that means enhancing the Fast Pass program, tweaking it, or scrapping it.
  3. "Hang" is probably most appropriate. Diamondback, if the line is down the steps, up the steps, past the vending machines, around (but not in) the speed rails, and out to the entrance, is 20 minutes or less. Full speed rails (which are extremely unlikely on a non-holiday Monday) mean about 50 minutes. Out to the Rivertown Hog Trough Buffet means about 65 minutes. The best seats on Diamondback are front or back. If the wait for row one is long, try to get row two. The view is equivalent and the airtime (including some nice ejector) is great. The back few rows give you some nice floater air throughout the ride and the fun sensation of going fast uphill. If you get the last two rows, try to look backwards during the splashdown for a unique experience. Beast on weekday afternoons can be a near walkon at times. In the evening the lines get longer. Row 1-1 is great for the view. My favorite row is 1-2 or 2-2 for the best combination of view, reduced wait time, and ease of ride.
  4. We were there today and NEVER would have noticed Fast Pass had it not been for the signage. Granted, it was a Tuesday, and I'm sure it will be more significant on a Saturday. No comment (for now) on the appropriateness of offering such a perk.
  5. We were there Tuesday for ERT and left about 1230 pm. We went back at 6pm until close. Crowds were light, but busier in the evening when the oppressive heat backed off a little. No special events.
  6. I'm sure many said the same about Vertigo at Walibi Belgium too.
  7. Maybe it's me but the park seems more crowded this year than it was last year on the same days of the week. We went regularly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays last year, and most Tuesdays so far since school's been out this year. This year seems slightly, but not significantly, busier. In general, that means 15-20 minutes for Beast, Diamondback, BLSC, and WindSeeker, 0-2 train waits for most other rides except FOF (longer wait because of throughput and air conditioning in the station), Firehawk (ridiculously low capacity).
  8. No doubt. We had ridden WindSeeker and were standing at the Coney/Rivertown border near the three-pointer game waiting for the security guy (who was incapable of telling time) to let us through to Diamondback when it broke. It sounded like a gunshot to us, although we were right next to Vortex. I'm quite certain that it could have been heard at the other end of the Mall, if not the park.
  9. I assure you that this problem is not exclusive to the largest riders. You have 2 inches and 100+ pounds on me (Sir ), and I always reach down and pull the seat belt up before sitting. It helps a lot. I've read some people say they can fit on Diamondback but not on WindSeeker, and vice versa. I wonder which is which for different body types. It would seem that larger thighs would be more of a problem on Diamondback, while more hips/waist/backside would be the problem on WindSeeker.
  10. I haven't seen SSD yet this year as it appears to be dark on Tuesdays. How does it compare to last year's? New selections? Did they get rid of The Motown Song as the theme song, because, despite its name, it is not a Motown song? I saw this 10+ times last year and enjoyed every one.
  11. I would pay an extra dollar at the gate to attend on a "No Basketballs" day.
  12. I've said before and I'll say again. The 16-year olds are not the problem. They are the symptom. All too often, especially this year, it is progressing beyond "quickly stepping out of the way" or "saying enjoy your day." The photographers are clearly under tremendous pressure from their management to increase the number of snaps. They are being trained to be unpleasant.
  13. Then their policy is WRONG and not guest-friendly. The purpose of this thread is to gather ammo to complain to KI management and get the policy changed. I don't HAVE to do anything of the sort, and I strongly resent any such policy of some third party company that puts me in that situation. I didn't buy a season pass to Kaman Art Studios. I even more strongly resent the second party - Cedar Fair - that allows that to happen.
  14. 50 replies in one day; this seems to have struck a nerve. Obviously most of the people here are more in tune with the day-to-day operation of the parks than the average bear, and if we're annoyed by this, the average park visitor (once a year) is probably annoyed by it too. The difference with them is that they're willing to tolerate it as accepting it and moving on takes away less of their precious leisure time than stopping, arguing, and complaining about it in person, in writing, or on an internet forum. I still can't help but feel that the average park visitor feels they are being gouged from start to finish. It's one thing to separate the park visitors from as much of their money as possible; it's another thing to make them feel like they are being put through a wringer. I like when park visitors spend lots of money; it helps pay for B&M hypers and subsidizes my $140 Platinum Pass that I will use 20 times this year. I just can't help but think that there's a better way. Strong arming people into posing for a mediocre photo framed by turnstiles isn't the way. Put photographers in visually interesting spots around the park - the fountains, the floral clock, the carousel, next to Snoopy, on Coney Mall framed by WindSeeker, the dinosaurs, the Diamondback station, a Ride Warriors sign, the lazy river - and make them WANT to pose for you. Be bright, cheerful, and accommodating, rather than confrontational, intimidating, and aggressive. Offer a hook - a free wallet, a $2 4x6 glossy - that is likely to get them to stop at the keyhole booth later in the day, and offer them reasonable upsells on frames and keychains and mugs. Allow them to collect a dozen shots throughout the park and turn them into a calendar. Wouldn't you love to have your business' name plastered all over a calendar hanging in someone's kitchen that they look at 365 days a year? And they paid you for the privilege? The aggressive photographers aren't the problem. They're the symptom.
  15. I used to feel that way, but they've pushed me (and clearly others) to the point where a friendly offer has become an uncomfortable situation. When they deliberately step in front of me, they've crossed the line. When they whine after I say "no thanks," they've crossed the line. In fact, if I have to change my direction, they've crossed the line.
  16. Ditto. I had to do a Barry Sanders-like dodge to avoid the one in my path. At the very least, they need to move them away from the Gold Pass gate and avoid the people fast-walking that way. Those people are extremely unlikely to purchase a print anyway. This behavior leads me to believe the photographers are on a quota for total photos rather than an incentive basis. If they are commissioned, the low conversion rate would make them avoid the sprinters.
  17. Years of business experience has taught me that simple complaining is pointless unless you're seeking pity, so I have a proposed solution. I've often wondered why they don't change it to "Free Souvenir Photo." They could offer a free wallet-sized photo to everyone. 1) The incremental cost would be tiny. Digital photography costs virtually zero after equipment and personnel. 12 wallet prints to a sheet (I think). When 12 people redeem their ticket, print the page. Most of the time, people should only wait a few minutes for their free print. 2) The opportunities to upsell when people come by later to pick up their free print would be amazing. Larger prints, digital rights, frames, keychains, flash drives, tshirts, mugs, refrigerator magnets. This would be at least as profitable as the current unpleasant setup is. 3) People would be lining up to get their group photo taken professionally, framed by the fountains and the Eiffel Tower, or the dinosaur, or Snoopy and Charlie Brown. 4) Conversion rates would be much higher, as the people that make the effort to have a photo taken are more likely to buy later. 5) People have a tangible advertisement in their hands for future visits to the park - every time they look at that photo, and it brings back good memories, they see the "Kings Island" sign in front of the fountains or the dinosaur or Snoopy. 6) People have a tangible advertisement in their hands for future photo purchases - the back says "if you would like additional copies of this memory, mugs, tshirts, keychains, and prints, go to "kingsislandfunphoto.com" and enter the photo number found on the front." On the front, it would say "kingsislandfunphoto.com/09276914287" at the bottom of the photo. That gives you an opportunity to get more nickles even after they've left the park, when maybe they couldn't afford the souvenir at the time of the visit. 7) It creates incredible perceived value.
  18. I am planning to make a complaint to Guest Relations in writing. The photographers in the entrance plaza are worse this year than I've ever seen them, and it's a management issue, not an issue with the young adults taking the photos themselves. I used to just let them take my picture, thinking I'd help the kids out, but their aggression has turned me off completely. I don't blame the young adults personally, and I am never rude to them. They are doing what I see as a difficult job, and I'm not going to do anything to make their day worse. There's absolutely nothing wrong with asking me if I'd like my photo taken, but if I say "no, thanks," or change my direction of walking, that should be the end of it. Management (of the photography sub-contract company) has turned these young adults into paparazzi. KI management really needs to put a clamp on them before they start annoying too many guests. I assume two things 1) the photography is done by a contracted company, not KI personnel directly, and 2) the photographers have a quota or perhaps a commission or incentive program. I am walking in one direction...a camera steps my way...I change my path...they then MOVE to block my path. That is rude, aggressive, annoying, and unacceptable, and it needs to stop. My first change of direction clearly stated "no, thanks." I can see the shirt, and I can see the camera. I know what you're doing, friend, and my body language clearly answered you. It's not my fault that the management of your company pressures you endlessly to take x number of snaps every day. If I answer you with my body language (eye contact, change direction) that needs to be the end of it. If I say no thanks, that needs to be the end of it. Twice this season, it has progressed beyond that. I had one photographer move into my path TWICE in the same encounter and another give me a whiny "oh come on, you don't have to buy anything" after getting a "no, thanks." The photographers are forced by their arrangement to be this aggressive, and it's degrading the park experience. Therefore, KI/FUN management needs to step in.
  19. Very good ride, very family friendly, very fun. Not intense at all, and there is absolutely nothing to fear unless you're afraid of heights.
  20. In line for Drop Zone Tower today. Ride op talking to two kids about Cedar Point: "TTD is the second tallest coaster in the world, behind Kingda Ka, which is in China." New Jersey, China, what's the difference? And this was a Cedar Fair employee.
  21. I arrived in the parking lot about 850 am and was about ten deep at the metal detectors. I hoped to be on the first ride but had no intention of running. Quite a few of the younger set sprinted back ASAP, but I only did a fast walk. I had resigned myself to second ride. Got in the queue, and to my surprise, I was on the first ride of the day (open to non-VIPs anyway)! I was a single guest today. My usual park companion, my daughter, is at Dollywood today with her mom and relatives. Ride Thunderhead for me sweetheart! She was disappointed last night when I told her WindSeeker was opening today (and she would miss it), but thrilled for me when I texted "first ride!" to her later. I located another single rider and took the seat next to him. Thanks to you, stranger. You're a great ride partner. The first thing I noticed was that loose articles are placed on the ground inside the circle of the swings. The swings return to the same spot they start from, so loose articles should be reasonably secure. The second thing I noticed is that the seats are fairly roomy. I'm 5'11", 200#, and I had a little wiggle room. Only the largest riders should have a problem here (and no offense to our larger members). The seats form a complete shell around your hips and backside, so very few people should have problems with keys/wallets/phones in pockets. I know it goes against what others have said in the thread, but I feel tighter in the Diamondback seats than I did here. The control booth has a bright shiny "11" sticker on it signifying (assuming) WindSeeker's state certification. It looks exactly like the sticker you put on your license plate when you renew your registration. I sat down and strapped in. This consists of lowering the lap bar and attaching the seat belt (similar to restraints on Delirium but it's not an OTSR). After some photo ops and cheering, we started up. The carriage goes straight up for the first 100 feet or so, then begins to rotate. We climbed and swung out. The weather was beautiful at open, and visibility was very good. I enjoyed looking down at Racer, out to Beast, at the trees in the distance, and straight down at the queue and the people in the midway. I was slightly disappointed that the carriage does not ascend all the way to the top of the tower. Even if it's designed that way, it's visually disappointing to look up and see an extra 20 feet that we could have climbed. This is a VERY minor gripe. We spun for a minute at the (almost) top and the spinning slowed as we descended. When the spinning stopped, we lowered to the ground. "Welcome back WindSeeker riders, how was your ride?" "Pretty darned fun, thanks!" I was hoping for a t-shirt, free Dippin Dots, or a pat on the back from Don Helbig. I was disappointed to receive none of the above. I dodged the cameras, not wishing to be interviewed. (I know they had a couple shots of me in their raw footage, which I don't mind.) EDIT Ha- I'm on TV! 0:33 in this video the goofy looking guy in the light blue t-shirt. I was excited to hear the music at the top of the tower, based on the reviews I've seen here. I noticed the music clearly on my first ride, but it's not consistent in volume around the whole tower. I wonder if it's possible to add a speaker or two to the circumference of the tower. On my second trip, I did not hear music at all and reported it to the supervisor in the control booth. I went back a little later in the morning for a second ride. I enjoyed it that much that I was willing to accept the wait that I knew would happen because of the interest in the new ride. When I returned, the line was out the queue by about 20 people (they had some temporary extra rails in and the line was just inside those). That turned out to be about a 35 minute wait (sorry I didn't think to time it). The ride cycle from the departure of one group until the departure of the next group was eight minutes (I did time that). That seems slow for a three-minute ride cycle, but perfectly understandable on opening day. I hope it's closer to five minutes in practice. Ride spoilers in white (click and highlight to read): As far the ride itself: this is the epitome of smooth. Absolutely no jerking of the carriage at any time including when the lift begins, upon commencing rotation, or at the bottom. There was absolutely zero lateral movement of the swing on the ride, except what happened naturally due to centrifugal force. There was very little front-to-back swinging during the ride, but a little on the way down as the carriage was slowing. At no point did I fear touching the swing in front, nor do I think I could have reached them with my foot (which is forbidden anyway). Although I've never been in fear of riding WindSeeker, there are four items that I thought could be intimidating about this ride for some people. 1) The angle. From the ground and from videos, it appears that the riders are leaning inward at a significant angle. I'll say that it doesn't feel that way when you're up there. The lean is not significant enough to be uncomfortable , but it's certainly noticed. I was concerned (but not afraid) that it would feel like you were about to fall out the left side. In reality, there is no concern about this at all. 2) The spin. I don't like to spin. Rides like Shake, Rattle & Roll will rarely get my custom. The 30mph rotation speed of the ride is intimidating on paper, but in reality, the circumference of the carriage is large enough that I don't consider this a spinning ride. It's like Delirium...it rotates slowly enough that it's visually interesting without dizziness or constant extreme lateral forces. At no point did I feel any uncomfortable lateral acceleration (again, only enough to swing the seats out). 3) The restraints. A lap bar and a seat belt 300' in the air? Really? Well, never mind, because the deep seats, with the little between-legs bump in the middle, combined with the lap bar and seat belt, mean that your lower torso feels very secure in this ride, while your arms, shoulders, and vision are completely unhindered. 4) The height. I was never concerned about this, but heights don't bother me much as long as I feel secure. I guess people that are afraid of heights will have a hard time. The people are pretty small down there. Bottom Line: From the ground, the ride is somewhat intimidating. The height, the speed, the legs swinging out into the open air, the small restraints...all conspire to make WindSeeker look like a thrill ride. In reality, once you're up there, it's not, but what it is...is lots of FUN. All in all, this ride is not much of a thrill only in the sense of not causing fear. The thing is that there's absolutely NOTHING to be afraid of (unless you're afraid of heights). However, that does NOT mean that the ride is not tons of FUN. It is absolutely capital F- Fun, and I am thrilled to ride it again. It is so smooth that great-grandma can ride it and you don't have to worry about it hurting her. It is so tame that any kid that is tall enough (48") should be able to ride it if they can handle the heights. The ride is actually quite family-friendly. I think of it as a Ferris wheel, except it turns in a different direction. Plus, there's no stopping and rocking while other cars are loaded up. If the lighting and music package are right and consistent (not saying they're not, just saying "if they are,") this will be a fantastic fun addition to the park. I am looking forward to my first night ride on a future visit. For now, I'm glad it's included in ERT, because I'll most likely want to do this early in the day and not want the long lines when the general public gets in. I'm happy to have this on ERT while general interest remains high in this ride. Next year, I hope it changes, but for now,it will do nicely. This ride is fun enough that I believe I will do it twice every visit. Once upon arrival, and once at night. We'll see if that feeling continues after several more visits. I'd say stock up for WindSeeker, though.
  22. I'll be there. As far as the Facebook commenters go, next time Kings Island opens a new ride, I suggest they use random Facebook comments to pick the "dummies" to test ride.
  23. Even if it is motion-activated, it could have been activated by someone from Security.
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