Leaderboard

Ok, I'll try to list all the KICentral members I've met this year. (I'll probably miss a few) *KingsIslandPR *IndyGuy4KI *XGatorHead8904 (Or something like that) *jcgoble3 *Avatar *jlopez *Fire-Beast-Of-Fear *Joncars05 *Dudecoasterman *MDMC01 (I think) *Gabe *pkiboy *Original *malem *stashua123 *Beastie1980 *Gordan Bombay *DiamondAceExpress *Vortexfreak *Spongebob *TheCrypt *VortexBFForever And there's gotta be some people I missed. Otherwise, that's 22 people. Let me know if I missed you.

My best day at the park was on the 4th of July. Coasterfanatic2012 and I won the twitter contest for 4 VIP tickets. We used them on the 4th of July and brought our girlfriends. We just sat on the rides for as long as we wanted. Coasterfanatic and I sat on Diamondback for probably an hour straight at one point. Our tour guide, Amanda, was super nice and it was like having another friend in our group. She was awesome. After our session ended, we swam around in the lazy river and relaxed until the fireworks. The fireworks were great. The only complaints I had for that day was they never gave us our free drink wristbands and Drop Tower was closed the whole day. It was still the best day at Kings Island EVER!

Perhaps Cedar Fair's most beloved historic dinosaur will be memorialized in this latest addition. Terp, trying to be good...

Yes. People eating would give you a serious BM...

I did Coasting for Kids for the first time this year and that was great because it was my first time to meet members of KIC. I met up with Indyguy at the park one day and we had fun that day. I also went to Haunt for my first time and met members that day as well. Of all my visits though, I have to say my favorite trip of all was closing day, we had so much fun that day at the park. Especially the final ride of the season on The Beast, thanks again Crypt for riding with me, it was fun. I'm happy to say that I made friends this year with Indyguy, Malem, jcgoble, Ohiocolts and TheCrypt. I hope to see them all again next year.

I've had so many good days this year. Coasting For Kids, KIC Day in August, My first time at Haunt, and as TheCrypt stated above, closing day was great too. Can't really pick a favorite.

Do you realize how much land that is?

Disguised? Oh please. Construction started in October 2007 with some tree clearing. That offseason, Swan Lake was drained and more trees were cut. It was common knowledge a roller coaster was under construction by the time footings started to appear, whether an oversized plant was placed on them or not. Who said Son of Beast's replacement has to be a B&M roller coaster? Last I checked, there are several other available coaster companies. Yeah, those Timberliners on Voyage or China's High-Five roller coaster sure work great, right?

^It is hard to digest this topic any further.

I've met -ohiocolts -DiamondAceExpress -TombraiderTy -rccfreak339 -rsipus13 -Beastie1980 -Josh Moore -flying eagles -raptorguy -Gator -KingsIslandPR -malem -Charlie Gold And who can forget about jcgoble3? That's 14, unless I missed someone. Not too shabby for one meetup.

There are favorite things about every trip I've taken...I'll just list the highlights of each trip. May 16 -First trip of mine for the season -Ending up on my favorite train on Vortex (which is Train #2) for my first Vortex ride of the season -Walking on to Drop Tower right when the announcement was made that the park was closed for the evening. May 24 -First trip of the year with a friend (a non-KICer) -Getting off of WindSeeker less than a minute before closing (7:59) -Running like the wind (no pun intended) to Vortex during the 30 seconds left before the park closed at 8 -Caught the last train of the day just in time to be declared Last Vortex Rider of Thursday, May 24. -Coincidentally, Train #2 was the last train of the day in which I was last rider of the day on... July 10 -Vortex's Train #1's screeching (it. was. earsplitting!) -First night ride on WindSeeker! -First ride on Vortex that evening was on Train #2 (again!) -Fireworks while waiting in Vortex's station--Train #1 was in the station at the moment and it was held up a little during the show -When I board, the fireworks END, RIGHT WHEN THE RIDE STARTS! I still claim that I got a fireworks ride on Vortex, though. August 4 -Not knowing that it was a KIC day (I didn't join KIC until 11 days later!) -Another trip with friends (also non-KICers) -Going to Soak City for the very first time -Being the most hyper I've ever been while around Vortex (don't ask) -Fireworks ride on Adventure Express!! -Very bumpy (and really awesome!) night ride on Racer! August 13 -An entire abundance of mediocrity plagued my first ride of the day on Vortex (in other words, it got a little "boring.") -I figure out a solution while riding Vortex's neighbor, WindSeeker. -I try riding in the back on Vortex for the first time since fall 2011. It works! September 3 (Labor Day Monday) -Dollar Days! -Hot, fresh, and truly awesome LaRosa's Pizza! -It was drizzling -One of my rides on WindSeeker was during the drizzle-it felt SOOOO GOOD to have a 30 mph mist blowing in my face! -Vortex had a 20 minute long technical delay. -My 100th ride on Vortex! Train #1 had the special honor of taking me on that 100th ride. -Scored front seat on last train of the day! -Hugged Train #1 afterwards. I couldn't resist! <3 October 14 -Scored 18 (straight!) rides on Vortex that day--a new personal record! -Hot and fresh french fries and chicken nuggets with ketchup and honey mustard. -The food cost $9! (unreal!) -From the 6th Vortex ride of the day to the 16th ride, it rained (there was actually supposed to be a thunderstorm, but all the park got was a rain shower. Not even a flash of lightning nor a rumble of thunder could be heard that day!) October 21 -First ERT visit since October 2010 -Vortex opened 10 minutes late due to slight testing issues (NOT temperature) -First rider of the day! -First ever BLSC ride! October 28 -3rd Closing Day in a row that I've been to KI -Meeting five fellow KICers: malem, ohiocolts, Beastie1980, DiamondAceExpress and jcgoble3 -riding Sling Shot with ohiocolts (really fun!!) -Double ride on Adventure Express with Beastie1980 -Second ride of the double ride: there were only KICers on the AE train! (why was I the only one having my hands up throughout the entire ride??) -Double ride on Vortex, also with Beastie1980 (it was a triple for me; I could not resist riding another time in row 2-1. I mean, Train #2 (the train we rode on) was literally beckoning me as if she were saying, "Just one more ride; then you can go to Flight of Fear!") -Riding with Beastie1980 on Flight of Fear and Diamondback -Catching what was actually Vortex's 2nd to last train of the year (Train #3 was the last, and it was carrying only TWO passengers!) At least I was on Train #2's last trainload of passengers for the season! -Hugging Train #2 after the last ride <3 Uh, Beastie1980, I think you might have forgotten someone.

I'm still hoping KI decides to call up Gravity Group and that Gravity Group will answer the call. With the changes they are making to Hades and the handle they seem to have on the Timberliner's I think GG could come up with a very good use for this much land.

Not specifically at Kings Island, but because of Kings Island... Ever since the Paramount Rides were given their new names (i.e.- Drop Tower, Backlot, Flight Deck) I have an extremely difficult time calling The Italian Job (movie) by its real name. 9 times out of 10 I end up saying, 'I really want to watch Backlot, I love that movie.'

I sit on the handrails sometimes.

Honestly, I'm happy with the rides that we have now, and I'm okay with KI not getting any new rides for 2013. We have 14 great coasters, many family rides, awesome thrill rides, a dino attraction, and an awesome water park. That's enough for me!

Oh - I forgot - in addition to this one extra dino, there will be a concession stand installed along the path 'cos you gotta eat!

^ On the contrary--wouldn't the Kinzelsaurus be the tallest and fastest dinosaur in the country? I'd guess we'll see the Flame-osaurus Rex from 2011 finally appear in the trail, along with some modifications of the existing animatronics to keep it fresh. If they do any additions, it'll probably be in the trees circled by the current path.

Keep it a theory because I don't see it happening. Honestly, this update to Dinosaurs Alive could be nothing more than a few more animatronics.

Uh, Beastie1980, I think you might have forgotten someone. Oops, sorry!! I just met so many people that day I was confused. I had a great time riding with you, wish you could have been there sooner.

Ended up changing the one picture. Can easily put the original back if I want, but for now, I think I'll keep the one with the loop. Sorry I can't give credit for the original image, I'm not sure where I initially found it, it just happened to be in my image folder.

Or something bright, like flourescent yellow. Then it would be REALLY easy to notice one another! As for my Sling Shot video, it is in the process of being uploaded. As I know you are kidding, florescent yellow isn't a good idea. Some people may bee (haha) sesitive to what color they wear. I for one wouldn't really wan't to wear that haha. Dark grey is a neatral color, we can't please everybody, but dark grey is a color that most people that should be pleased with.

Or something bright, like flourescent yellow. Then it would be REALLY easy to notice one another! As for my Sling Shot video, it is finally up. But I can't figure out how to embed it... Edit: I just posted a direct link to the video. If you click it, the video will come up in Windows Media Player. http://img211.images...ahbhjizwmih.mp4

At least this topic isn't called "You Do The Darndest Things"

if your a camping type of person, check out lincoln state park. if you round up enough for one of there cabins its fairly cheap per person. but just a precaution (as i learned my lesson on this) make sure your fellow camp buddies are campers or have been camping before; cause if you dont, you aint getting any sleep that night from there shinanagins...

^ If Vortex commented, he would have sunk to a new low.

What was your best trip to Kings Island for the 2012 season? What made your day at Kings Island good? Share your best day at Kings Island for 2012!!!

It is sad to think that Son of Beast is almost completely gone. It was not long ago that I saw this ride featured on Travel Channel as one of the Mega structures in the world. There were some design flaws but the first big hill, the view, the drop, and thr loop will not be forgotten. With floorless and invert coasters being yesterday's designs, I would guess B&M giga twister is in the works? If not, a winged coaster may take SoB's place although winged coasters have been rather forceless.

When I was at Cedar Point, someone kept changing the Disaster Transport sign to read a wait time of 2 hours, and I reset it to something reasonable every time I walked by. Unlike almost every other queue in the park, this one had an unstaffed entrance, so anyone could walk by and adjust it. The line was barely reaching the stairs, probably because so many people were turned off by that sign! This was after the "leak" that DT was being demolished, but before the official announcement, so I didn't want some selfish person's mini-marathon denying others their last rides. DT's final queue configuration had a wait time of about 30 minutes from the building entrance with good operation, so anything much longer than that without a line extending outside was nonsensical. Have you been scolded by a ride op? ("You, in the <color> shirt!")

Probably closing day (sorry, rsipus!) because I got to meet so many more new people from here, plus the park was dead. The Beast tour didn't hurt either.

Honestly, I'm hoping for a new ride, butI'm not expecting to much by 2014. Let's just embrace the empty sky of what use to be the world's TALLEST and FASTEST wooden roller coaster and imagine a new skyline of what we think will take its place. Whether it be a flat, a floorless coaster, or a whole new section of Kings Island. The possibilities are endless!

Looks like we have a winner! See the below for additional info: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/hours-directions/kings-island

Strange how history repeats itself if you look back in the not so distant past. Although I wasn't alive at the time, this event reminds me of another well loved coaster here in Cincinnati and the sadness it caused when it was dismantled after Coney Island closed in 1971. My father loved the Shooting Star and was excited to see the pictures I acquired when I started collecting Coney photography 13 years ago! And so, history repeats itself in a similar way...

Nice video ohiocolts, what a cool ending to the 2012 season. Sorry I was not able to hang out with everyone after the picture!

So which ride would YOU elect as President of Kings Island? The Beast and Diamondback are obviously the major party candidates, but there's a host of third-party options and even a place for write-in votes. Cast your ballot!

England, France, etc. Isn't that Busch Gardens, Virginia? Edit. Thanks, TheCrypt.

I'm swinging towards the Suspended party. They've had a rough history, but I feel they're a third party that will lift us up longer than they'll let us down. They won't fatigue us by bending the words of the other parties like back in the 80's, and I think Flight Deck has got a chance to crack through the opponents' leads by just a hairline. The Arrow's pointing to the Suspended party, folks. They won't leave your feet dangling! Plus, I heard the Wood party's got a candidate with an illegitimate child whose poor reputation they're trying desperately to hide from the public eye. What's up with that, anyway?

Adventure Express is kind of an Independent: leans a little Wood, leans a little Steel. AE is also admired for having a unique perspective on coasterdom; what with its lift hills in the middle and at the end of its track, always providing an uplifting future to its riders.

Monster, Scrambler (Family Party). I expect them to "Dodge" all the hard questions, it will "Bump" them up in the polls.

Flying Eagles for the Defunct Party.

Thanks, jcgoble3! This is a great, fun way to get through another off-season day!

You know, come to think of it, Drop Tower does look kind of bigger than most other Drop Towers.... Flight of Fear might be on to something here...

Hello im Flight of Fear running in the Launched Party! I choose BLSC as my V.P just 3 months ago! Im currently caimpainging in the Action Zone area. An area hard hit by corruption and the resignation of Son of Beast. I promise i will lower taxes and bring parties together! Im also working with Senator White Water Canyon and Congresswoman Congo Falls to help. White water canyon is investigating reports of Diamondbacks Tax fraud! Congo Falls is investigating Drop Towers Steriod abuse. We must not elect these people. Me and BLSC will work together and lower taxes on Kings Island and stop being dependant on Cedar Point! Im Flight of Fear and I approve This Message!

Both parties are campaigning at Viking Fury and Delirium, each trying to get swing votes.

Political spins make me sick..... Thus- I will not vote for the Teacup party.

The Vortex campaign has accused Diamondback of "eating Rivertown," and using it's vaunted splashdown for political expedience. His closest ally, Senator Shake Rattle 'n Roll, was too busy raising three issues at a time, only to spin them and bring them back down to earth, which helps the Steels somewhat, but leaves the Woods seeking support from other areas of the park.

The Racer kicks puppies, does not keep itself presentable, only half shows up to work most days, and The Beast is going to raise taxes, and shoot Grandma. I'm Diamondback, and I approve this message.

The Wood party suffered a dip in the polls when Son of Beast crossed over into the Rubble party. I'd say moderates who sit on the Wood/Steel fence (Adventure Express) can bring unity to the coaster race this time around.

As much as I love the Monster and Scarmbler I gotta go with the wood party. The Beast and Racer are my two favorite roller coaster at Kings Island. Gotta love the classics.

In Ohio? Uh, no.

I'm betting on April 27, as much as I hope it's earlier. I graduate college on that day, and I'm trying to think of some way to balance maximizing my day at KI with my excitement to graduate. (At the moment, I'm trying to convince my family that, upon receiving my diploma, I should be allowed to do a quadruple back flip onto a motorcycle and speed off into the distance to KI, but they don't seem to like that idea yet. I'm hoping they'll warm up to it eventually.)