VortexBFF's Very First Opening Day - April 27, 2013

[VortexBFForever]

***YouTube video is now live!!!***

Disclaimer: I did not bump into or talk to any KICer, primarily because I decided not to text malem (sorry). But I still had a good time riding solo.

 

The Beach is looking nice!

 

My mom and I arrived at Kings Island at roughly 7 p.m., when a lot of people were starting to leave.

Our first stop was the Season Pass Processing Center, because we had upgraded from Gold to Platinum so we wouldn't have to pay for tickets on our annual visits to Cedar Point. We were greeted with a good-looking line; the employee at the line's entrance nicely said that the wait would be no more than 15 minutes. He sure was right - the line moved really quickly! - so about 15 minutes later we were escorted to Station #9, where our pictures were taken and the passes were issued. After exiting the Processing Center we proceeded to the Front Gate, where our brand new Platinum Passes were used for the very first time.

 

 

 

 

I was half expecting to hear "Secrets" by One Republic playing as we entered, like on May 16, 2012, but we didn't - although during the course of the trip I heard five familiar songs: "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz, "Hey Soul Sister" by Train, "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat, "First Cut is The Deepest" by Sheryl Crow, and "Wake Me Up Inside" by Evanescence.

 

 

As we started up on the left side of the Royal Fountains, I saw a pair of Canada geese with two cute goslings. Not long after that, I noticed that Vortex was down and had gone down not very long ago. As I walked under the Eiffel Tower I noticed that the train stopped on the lift hill had passengers on board. I also noticed a couple employees walking up and down the lift, probably informing said passengers of what was happening. I was just about to enter the Eiffel Tower's queue, but I was informed that it was down, too! Hopefully not because of the light rain (I doubt it). Then I just decided to head into Coney Mall.

 

 

 

 

Just before I passed the Juke Box Diner, though, Vortex started testing. The 20-something riders on board seemed very happy that the ride was going again, but a couple test cycles afterward, the ride was down once more. It would be that way for just over 20 minutes. I waited in the line outside for about 7 minutes from 7:35 to 7:42, then at 7:42 I decided to bail out, since Shake, Rattle & Roll and its 2-3 cycle wait line seemed to be calling my name. So I walked around and joined the line for SR&R, which was just inside the entrance and in no switchbacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guess what: what was happening now would be the exact opposite less than 15 minutes later.

Yup! 10 minutes into the wait, when I was supposed to be on the next cycle, SR&R went down but Vortex had opened back up. I told you, it was TOTALLY THE OPPOSITE!!! I waited for 5 more minutes, then forfeited my spot in line because now this Arrow mega-looper next door was calling my name even more than SR&R had done!

 

 

At this point it was almost 8; I had been in the park for an hour and had ridden NOTHING. I joined Vortex's line and used my 25 minutes of waiting to snap pictures until I was next in line for row 4-2.

 

 

 

 

Photo Restoration Edit: This PTR has been divided into two parts as of May 14, 2016, as this originally was posted before the 50-photo limit was implemented on the forum. Part 2 will be in a new post!

Edited May 15, 2016 by VortexBFForever

[malem]

Great report, thanks for sharing!

The group I ended the day with spent the last hour of operation - and then some - in The Beast queue. You probably rode more in those 3 hours than most of us did in 13.

[Fire-Beast-OF FEAR]

I feel kind of bad because of the time I took to argue against Firehawk we could have been in line before the fireworks cutoff.

[malem]

I feel kind of bad because of the time I took to argue against Firehawk we could have been in line before the fireworks cutoff.

No worries. Had you been successful in that argument, we would have had plenty of time after waiting 25 minutes for The Racer instead of 85 for Firehawk.

Everyone spent the day at Kings Island and had a good time. Do ride counts matter?

[coasterfanatic83]

I think I saw you on AE around 930- I some chick with a penguin!

[spitfire]

Nice TR! You've made me determined to take a night ride on AE this year; haven't done that in ages.

[The Interpreter]

Your intense love of Vortex, your rich details, your trip reports always make me happy!

[TheCrypt]

I really need an Adventure Express night ride, and your trip report makes me excited! Thank you for the incredible details and for taking the time to write up the report.

[Original]

I feel kind of bad because of the time I took to argue against Firehawk we could have been in line before the fireworks cutoff.

Muppetfan1999 and I really liked Firehawk. I'm glad we did it. Beastie1980.... Not so much lol Even though we didn't get to ride that much it was probably my favorite ki trip ever. I loved seeing all of you guys.

Nice report. You have incredible observing skills lol.

ALSO shoutout to Terpy! I was really happy that to see you. Not as much as Beastie1980 though, haha. She was so excited I thought she was going to dive into the fountains. Haha

[VortexBFForever]

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

 

Pictures are now up, along with three new additions to the notes list!

 

I am currently working on my Opening Day video collaboration in Windows Live Movie Maker and I plan to upload it to YouTube and post it here by the end of today!

 

Update: Video is still in the process of being uploaded to YouTube. Expect it to be up by the end of tomorrow, or Tuesday at the absolute latest. As for now, I'm going to bed. I have school tomorrow! *starts snoring* ZZzzzzzZZzzz

Update May 15, 2016: After FINALLY getting around to successfully saving the video in the correct format and uploading it to YouTube, my Opening Day 2013 video is now live, three years later!!

Edited May 15, 2016 by VortexBFForever

[jcgoble3]

Great photos!

[TheCrypt]

Now that you mention it, I feel like Zephyr got brand new lights last season. Can anyone affirm my claims?

[VortexBFForever]

New Part 2 as of May 14, 2016 when I edited this PTR to restore the photos.

 

And the train that took me on my first Vortex ride of the year was........Train #3! I liked my 4-2 ride more than expected that time because I hadn't been in all the other rows in nearly 6 months. A fun ride it was, especially during a light sprinkle of rain. When I exited, I noticed poor WindSeeker sitting there, closed. Worse, it was the ONLY ride in the park that was not going to open today. I felt pretty sorry for it, to be honest!

 

 

I went back to Shake, Rattle & Roll, since its 30-minute long technical delay had ended while my Vortex ride was finishing. I only had to wait one cycle-length this time, since the line was much shorter. I rode in Yellow Car #2, mostly because Vortex's Train #2 was traveling the ride's course at the time... I liked it; one of my favorite parts is at the beginning when the cars are rotating but have not yet lifted off. The whole ride in general is pretty fun.

 

 

Afterward, I strolled further down the Mall, away from Vortex, (I promised myself I'd come back to it before close) and came across the Goblet Toss game. I had wanted to play it last year, but I didn't. Now was my chance. I first paid $5 for the 6 balls, but the first efforts were fruitless. Then I paid another $2 for 2 more balls. The last ball rolled onto a green goblet, which won me a medium prize. The two game attendants pointed out the choices, and I chose one of the black penguins as my prize.

 

 

 

 

I clutched my new penguin in my hands as I headed toward my next ride, Zephyr, and its very short line. I only had to wait 1 minute since the cycle was just finishing. When I entered the ride area, I chose an outside yellow seat and settled into it once I had put my penguin and drawstring backpack to the side.

 

The Zephyr op had some fun with us. A minute into the cycle, he said, "Do you want to go faster?"

Of course all of us cheered, "Yes!"

Then the op said, "Here's what you need to do to make the ride go faster: Stick your arms straight out to each side, and make airplane noises! But EVERYONE has to do it in order to make the ride go faster!"

So we all stuck out our arms (well, 99% of us did) and made airplane noises. I couldn't stop laughing; this had to be my most fun Zephyr ride yet! But the op then said, "Unfortunately, the ride cannot go faster because a couple of people didn't stick their arms out. But seriously, the ride can't really go faster at all anyways!! *chuckles* "

Even if it can't go faster no matter what, Zephyr is still quite fun, and [this cycle in particular] was memorable, too!

 

I went on to Racer, which had only a station wait. On the way up the queue I saw Adventure Express, then automatically considered it would be my next ride after Racer.

 

I got in line for row 5-2 on the Red side, which had only a one train wait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-5 minutes later, I was seated on Train #2, ready to embark on my second wooden coaster of the year (Thunderhead at Dollywood was the first). Going up the lift hill, I noticed that Red (the side I was riding) was a bit ahead of Blue. When we crested, I said, "Sayonara!" as Red zipped away from Blue in a daring head-start. I don't know what happened, but by the time we were coming back, Blue had gone ahead! In my mind I thought, "Is this rigged? How in the world did Blue get ahead?" But although Blue arrived at the brakes first, Red was the first into the station. I gotta admit, I was pretty baffled about who truly won. But that didn't mean the ride wasn't fun! (yes, I know, it rhymes!).

I briefly headed out of Coney Mall into Oktoberfest, where I noticed Adventure Express's newly painted sign.

 

 

In the queue it smelled like skunk, which I didn't mind (well, skunks ARE nocturnal animals; it's around 9:25 p.m. at this point). I noticed a green light illuminating the first part of AE's circuit.

 

 

 

Like Racer, Express also had a station wait, except it was a little shorter than Racer's. I got in line for good ole' row 1-3 (it always seems to have a 1 train wait).

 

 

A few minutes later, my penguin and my backpack were in the storage bin, and I was comfortably seated on Train #3. "All clear!" and I was off on my second-ever night ride on Adventure Express. I noticed the colored lights in the tunnels; they were a nice touch. And like always, I loved the last tunnel just because of the theming!

At this time, it was about 9:35. I headed straight back to Coney Mall. On the way back to Vortex, I tried the Ring Toss game, paying $2 for 10 rings. From experience, I can tell you that it is much harder than it looks! My efforts were fruitless, but at least I already had the penguin from Goblet Toss.

 

On to Vortex!

 

It was just after 9:40 when I entered the queue, to find that the line had shortened so drastically that it was a walk-on in some rows! Perfect for a marathon! I got into the empty queue for row 2-1.

Train #1 apparently got the honor of taking me on my first 2013 Vortex marathon, so when I was in 2-1 I was literally just two rows (or one car, in these terms) behind the exact same seat that I was in during my 100th Vortex ride! My first night ride of the year on Vortex was great, just as I liked it.

After that cycle I went back to row 7-1 for a daring and intense ride. On the way up the lift, I noticed that one of The Beast's trains was stopped near the top of the lift, most likely in preparation for the fireworks since it was already 9:55. Like always, the sudden airtime on Vortex's first drop caught me off guard, and it was amazing as well as being pulled through the inversions.

Back at the station, I moved up one row, to 6-2. Another great ride. While sitting on the final brake run, I overheard a person speaking on the park's PA system from in front of the Royal Fountains, where he was with two girls who had the honor of launching the fireworks spectacular. By the time the countdown was starting, Train #1 was back inside the station.

I stayed in row 6-2 for my 140th Vortex ride ever. We stayed in the station for a little longer than usual, since this would be one of the last trains of the night. Some people were still getting on - I understood that the attendants wanted to get as much passengers as possible on the train before dispatch. Meanwhile a young(er) girl couldn't find an empty row to sit in so I said she could sit with me. So she did. We talked a little bit; she said that Vortex was her second favorite ride here at Kings Island, with The Beast being the first. I told her that this was my 140th ride, and she immediately replied saying that this same cycle was her 10th. During the conversation, we all started hearing loud BOOM after BOOM after BOOM - an audible reminder that the fireworks had started. Train #1 was finally dispatched, and I already knew this was going to be unforgettable. I was finally getting a true fireworks ride on Vortex! I'm sure it was memorable for my ride partner as well. We, along with the other passengers, looked back and watched the fireworks as Train #1 ascended, while the booming and popping of the fireworks mixed with the clinking and clanking of the Arrow anti-rollback. We crested, and we were off. As we sailed down the first drop, the fireworks show ended - but the fun kept on going. We were all laughing and screaming through the inversions! Before we knew it, we had already gone up the helix and had flown into the brakes.

 

What a great way to end my first Opening Day - a quadruple ride on Vortex with the last one done during the fireworks! It was truly unforgettable. In addition, my ride partner and I were both at a milestone number of rides! (it was her 10th, and it was my 140th)

 

 

I had apparently tilted the camera a little while taking this photo; that's why the train looks weird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I purchased a ride photo from the last ride. Apparently the guy who was sitting in front of me had his phone out and appeared to be taking a picture or video during the ride.....

 

This one I didn't take until Sunday: my ride photo, Platinum Pass and my now void Gold Pass which had faithfully served as my ticket into the park for three seasons (2010, 2011, 2012)

 

Good night, WindSeeker. Hope to ride you soon!

 

 

Despite the problems with Vortex, Eiffel Tower and Shake, Rattle & Roll at the beginning of the trip, I had a great Opening Day!

 

Vortex: 5

total: 140

SR&R: 1

total: 11

Zephyr:1

total: 10

Racer (Red): 1

total: 5

Adventure Express: 1

total: 17

 

Notes:

-the separator in Vortex's line was assigning rows (that's how I ended up in row 4-2)

-half of each side of switchbacks in Vortex's loading station were removed. I was glad, since in the days before they were removed the area by the air gates would get really congested at times

-a few new wooden floorboards in Vortex's station floor

-another set of storage bins were in the back half of Vortex's station - they were numberless

-on Vortex, when the train was/is locked, the clicks didn't/don't sound as "sharp" as in the past (in past seasons they sounded exactly like Tennessee Tornado's harnesses when they were locked). I know there's nothing wrong with that; I just noticed it.

-Firehawk was operational as early as when I was in line for Racer (or even earlier, I didn't notice until I was at Racer)

-More lights (particularly the colored ones) in Adventure Express's tunnels, plus a blinking "lantern" light at the entrance of the first tunnel

-Vortex's chaser lights weren't on until during/after my ride on Adventure Express

-Fireworks spectacular was a little shorter than I expected; then again, it's just my opinion.

-One of the evergreen trees by Vortex's train shed/station building was cut down

-Zephyr's light sequence seemed different from how I remembered it in the past...

-Racer was noticeably smoother. To be honest, I was (positively) expecting to get thrown around as much as I did last year when I rode in the back (which was quite fun), but it's good to see that Racer has gotten an improvement on overall ride experience.