May 31, 2016: Seven Months in the Making

[VortexBFForever]

Part 1 of 2

 

 

The day is finally here! The new parking entrance looks FABULOUS...though a bit confusing with all these lanes! But it's definitely an improvement over the previous entrance.

 

 

Nearly seven months after the memorable night of November 1, 2015, this view now sat before me once again! ERT had just started by the time my dad and I arrived, so I had some time for a ride or two on Diamondback before the rest of the park opened.

 

 

 

No sooner did I pass through the Gold Pass entrance that I saw a few Canada geese playing in the fountains. As I went over to take the picture, a breeze blew the mist in my direction as I smelled (and heard) the rushing water once again.

 

I walked through Planet Snoopy before finally reaching Diamondback. On the way, I caught a glimpse of Woodstock Gliders mid-cycle, the site of the infamous "no snapping" policy change...

The back of Diamondback's line was under the track coming out of the station. For my first Kings Island ride of 2016, there was an approximately five minute wait as the line moved very quickly and before long I stood in line for Row 2 (the separator let us choose where to sit). A few moments later, the Brown train arrived to take me away on a mile and two feet of hilly red track.

 

 

 

Let me just say that the unparalleled 80 mph wind in your face is always a great way to start the season. Need I say any more?

 

 

 

Since I was planning to ride Race For Your Life Charlie Brown next, I decided to ride Diamondback again despite the fact that it was almost 10:00 (if you know me, I'm usually right at rope drop at 10:00). After another 5 minute wait, I picked Row 16 and ended up on the Red train. I had seriously forgotten how much I liked being in the back compared to the front! Sure, the front has a breeze and a nice view, but I absolutely LOVE being pulled over the hills (especially the first one), and the best place to experience that is in the back. This second ride literally put the "back" in Diamondback!

 

An even more surprising ride and a wet left arm (from the splashdown ) later, I was ready to go on to the next ride when I heard my name. Apparently one of my school bus friends, Taylor, was here with her parents! The funny thing was that we had talked about going to Kings Island together this summer, and now we were at the park at the same time without even planning it. Taylor and her dad had just entered the queue while I was walking out of the exit, so I got back in line and caught up with them. A few guests separated me from them, so I followed the rules and stayed where I was in line. We ended up riding the Brown train together. I rode in Row 4, and Taylor and her dad rode in row 6 for yet another fun ride!

 

Taylor and I ended up riding rides together for the rest of the trip. I still followed my plans to ride Race for Your Life Charlie Brown - but this time with a friend!

 

 

 

 

After waiting about five minutes, we ended up on Boat 17 - the same number as my age and also the bus we rode together in the past school year! We had a nice time floating through the woods - and getting splashed on the final drop. We didn't get too wet, but thanks to the Snoopy fountain both of us were speckled with drops of water.

 

By this time it was about 20 minutes after opening. We decided to head to Vortex, which is the favorite ride for both of us! We were very excited as we walked to Coney Mall.

 

 

 

Just like all the other trips, we were greeted by a Vortex train passing over our heads - its way of saying "hello".

As soon as the loops were in my full view, I was face-to-face with the train soaring through the first loop as it has always had for the last 29 years. What a "welcome back" that was!

 

 

I no longer had to wait to see this beautiful view. It had finally become reality!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vortex's line was still short enough where we only had to wait a few minutes for the next train to arrive. Thankfully it wasn't short enough for there to be consistently empty rows, or I would have to face the near torture of not being able to reride...

 

We stepped into 7-1 on Train #2 for my 301st ride on Vortex. Taylor has also ridden Vortex a lot since it is also her favorite ride, but she has since lost count.

 

The sound of the chain and anti-rollback and the smell of the grease never gets old! I'm so thankful that we have an older steel coaster with characteristics that the newer coasters (like Diamondback and Banshee) don't have (and yes, abrupt transitions are one of those characteristics, and it's part of what makes Vortex Vortex). And, of course, the ejector air on the first drop felt amazing as we once again zoomed into the same six inversions experienced many times before.

 

And I was happy to see it was not stacking! Good job, Vortex crew!

 

However, the atmosphere in the station still has some room for improvement. The same lack of enthusiasm that was present on most of my trips last year was here again. Sure, it was nice hearing "Enjoy your ride on the 29-year old Vortex," though it was said every single time and I didn't even hear the "go upside down six times, three different ways" spiel that I heard on almost every visit last year, but it was even to the point where we weren't even asked "How was your ride?"

To put that into perspective, it was the only coaster we rode where we were not asked that. On Diamondback, Racer, Adventure Express and Banshee (plus most of the flat rides we rode), we were asked every time, but not on Vortex! Is it because almost every time they ask they receive little to no response?

Either way, I enjoyed my ride, but I don't want to feel sad at the end of it...I don't know what is going on, but I hope we see more enthusiasm!

 

The mellow station atmosphere never had a chance at stopping us from riding again. This time, for Vortex Ride #302, we were on Train #2 again but in 2-1. Watching the track in front, especially during the inversions (namely the loops), really adds to the fun!

 

 

Of course we could not resist a flight on WindSeeker, especially with its short line, so we headed there next. We were assigned to seats 17 and 18. This marked the second time today that I rode a ride in a seat/vehicle marked "17", the same number as my age and the bus we rode together!

 

 

The song we got for our cycle was "Ride of the Valkyries," a song I had not heard on any of my WindSeeker rides in quite a while. It was a welcome change! I remembered to pretend to be Peter Pan (from my post on here where I mentioned that idea) and think "Just think lovely, wonderful thoughts, and..." as the ride lifted, "...up you go!" Taylor's mom took a picture while we were at the top. I'm still trying to find us in the picture...

 

Needless to say, that exhilarating flight was also long overdue. WindSeeker may not be as "thrilling" as some might expect, but it sure gives you a feeling of freedom. Or if you're afraid of heights, a chance to face those fears by flying high in the sky as the world passes by...(rhyme intended)!

 

 

As you can see by this three-rides-in-one shot, Taylor and I headed to Shake, Rattle & Roll after WindSeeker landed us back on solid ground safely.

 

That person is so lucky!! Who else gets to mow the lawn with a coaster right next to you??!??!?!?

 

Since the cycle had just finished, we walked right on and into Car 20. The attendant who let us in was also named Taylor!

We had a good, fun ride on the shiny red and white LED-laden machine. I can't wait to see it at night again!

 

Afterward, we decided to make our way down Coney Mall toward Action Zone, riding the rides we saw on the way.

 

End of Part 1

[Infinity]

Great trip report!

[VortexBFForever]

Part 2

 

 

At this point, we were fine with riding any ride we saw, since I did not have a craving for a particular ride. Zephyr was the first ride we came to so we rode that. Like with Shake, Rattle & Roll, Zephyr was finishing its cycle, so it wasn't long before we walked on and sat in a blue seat each. Even though we didn't play any games during the ride, it was still very nice and everyone was happy!

 

Walking past X-Base, I knew from seeing it while on WindSeeker that the lines for both Firehawk and Flight of Fear would be too long, so we bypassed them.

 

 

Dodgem came next. We waited one cycle before boarding our own cars and of course having a field day bumping into fellow guests.

 

 

Now, it came time to ride Scrambler with its new paint, light scheme, and even a new logo on the back of each car. I absolutely cannot wait to see it lit up at night! We waited a cycle and a half for this one.

 

 

 

It was Taylor's first time riding Scrambler (and my 17th for that matter) and she loved it! Having taken Physics at school this past year, I couldn't help but think of centrifugal force and how it makes a ride like this so fun as we and the other riders got whipped around (while enjoying it of course).

 

 

 

[

 

Even though Monster's line looked a bit long, we decided to go for it anyway. Good thing we did, because the ride was just finishing its cycle, and we were the last people to make it on to the next cycle. We didn't wait long! I then saw Hannah, an employee I've seen working at Vortex, and she and I said hello.

 

It was Taylor's first ride on Monster, and she enjoyed all the spinning and the sudden ups and downs. My favorite part of the ride is when you're on the outside as the arm descends, causing your car to suddenly drop down. I LOVE it! It was another great ride.

 

Racer was coming up, and we wanted to ride it. Its line was also fairly long, but since both sides had opened, it moved very quickly. Taylor's dad rode with us. He sat in 5-1 while Taylor and I sat in my favorite row, 5-2, on Red Train #2. It was an amazing ride over those hills, and yes, Red won.

 

 

 

 

I wanted to ride Adventure Express next. While it isn't a ride Taylor rides as often (and yes, the ride's jerkiness has to do with it), she enjoyed it this time. It was probably the wildest ride I've had all day. Those sudden turns, tunnels, and lateral G's never fail to impress, especially for one who enjoys being thrown around! Happy 25th anniversary, Adventure Express!

 

 

 

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, a ride we had been eagerly waiting to ride all day: Banshee. We couldn't wait to fly down those drops and through those twists again!

 

 

 

I'll say it before, but I'll say it again: I LOVE looking at that enormous loop from this angle!!

 

You're welcome, Terp.

 

 

 

I think it looks cool through the shade cover, especially with the sun!

 

And of course, when framed by shade covers.

 

 

 

 

You know something's big when you can't capture everything in one shot.

 

 

 

 

Taylor's dad rode with us again. The three of us waited about 20 minutes (our longest wait of the day) before boarding the Aqua Green Train in Row 2. And of course, Banshee delivered the experience we had eagerly awaited. It was a fun way to end the trip, as it was 1:00 and my dad and I agreed to leave at that time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently Spotlight Souvenirs is now Kids Corner...

 

 

 

 

 

From the fun had today (including riding 12 different rides in three and a half hours), even with its few shortcomings, this was worth waiting seven months for, especially since I enjoyed it with a buddy without even planning to! Even if the park may suddenly change a policy (*cough*re-rides*cough*) it will in no way stop me (and hopefully you too) from enjoying what my home amusement park has to offer!

 

+Diamondback: 3

Total: 86 - looks like I have another ride milestone coming up!

 

+Race For Your Life Charlie Brown: 1

Total: 7

 

+Vortex: 2

Total: 302

 

+WindSeeker: 1

Total: 72

 

+Shake, Rattle & Roll: 1

Total: 17

 

+Zephyr: 1

Total: 20

 

+Dodgem: 1

Total: 6

 

+Scrambler: 1

Total: 17

 

+Monster: 1

Total: 11

 

+Red Racer: 1

Total: 15

 

+Adventure Express: 1

Total: 43

 

+Banshee: 1

Total: 15

 

Notes:

-The number 17 showed up a lot today!

-Diamondback's line actually got shorter right after the park opened, maybe due to a lot of people heading elsewhere in the park after rope drop

-The orange on Vortex's trains is SO BOLD! It makes the running rails look almost yellow.

-It was crowded, but not too crowded for 12 different rides (two of which ridden more than once) done in three and a half hours!

-Like I said before, I'm hoping for some more improvement in Vortex's station atmosphere...

-I did not hear the music playing on Adventure Express' second lift...though it was cool seeing the lava lighting up!

-I didn't hear that song that normally plays on Banshee's lift hill

-On most of the rides, the attendants often told us "Enjoy your ride" as they checked restraints. I enjoy that!

-If I'm not mistaken, Arrow Dynamics designer Ron Toomer's birthday was today (May 31). In that case, I rode two of his rides (Vortex and Adventure Express) on his birthday!!

 

Thanks for reading! I hope this helps you get stoked for your next trip to Kings Island!

[stashua123]

GREAT trip report, very glad to see you finally make it back to the Island after so long, looking forward to more Trip Reports!

[Pagoda Gift Shop]

Very nice trip report.  Thanks for sharing.

[VortexBFForever]

Here's my video compilation of the trip!

 

[freaks76]

Good Report, great pictures.