Leaderboard

I'm looking forward to seeing DB from the back deck!

Wonderful article. Don't miss the delightful comment: http://nyulocal.com/city/2013/03/28/science-rides-and-kevin-why-six-flags-great-adventure-is-a-great-adventure/

Kat and I are no longer working for the park, but perhaps we can meet you there at some point.

My $.02: Firehawk was added because it's a low capacity ride. Beast was added for sheer demand. It has a decent capacity, but it's one of the most popular rides in the park. Combine the two and charge extra, and you've found a way to make more money and keep people from complaining about how Fast Laners are slowing the lines down. I'm not a big fan of Fast Lane, but if you're going to offer front-of-the-line passes in this format, Fast Lane Plus is, objectively, a really clever business idea. It seems like the park is trying to sap more money from the patrons--and really, the profit opportunity is part of it--but FLP is actually doing the naysayers a favor. And yes, I have used Fast Lane before. I only had a handful of hours on a Haunt Saturday last year to hit all the coasters with friends who hadn't been to KI since the 80's/90's. It worked, and we had a great time, although we got many stank eyes along the way. I just don't like the idea of being able to jump in front of other people. That, and I think I'm the only person in the world that finds anticipating a ride while waiting in line to be part of the experience at a park. (Then again, I've been known to ride rides I'm not in love with just to see how people react to the ride, so...)

I had a dream I was on Tennessee Tornado this afternoon .... oh wait, no I actually was.

^Me too! I just checked; of course, they're still down. Maybe they're hiding something?

Obviously it makes enough sense for management to add a tiered option.

I'd like to see this one. It has a small footprint, looks cool, and is SBNO. I actualy photoshopped it onto the landscape and it would fit behind Delirium and barely takes more space than Thunder Alley did. edit link

I'll be on the 'Tornado in approximately 4 days

No one has mentioned that the Disney one isn't "free" either. It's built into the cost of your ticket, whether you use it or not.

If I live lived locally and have a season pass to Kings Island, I have the whole season to ride all of the rides at the park and no need to buy something like Fast Lane to go to the head of the line. Now if I am making my plans to vacation at Kings Island for the one or two day stay, then I might just buy the Fast Lane pass option if my budget allows it, especially it the park happens to be crowded on the day(s) that my family is there.

^ I agree, I don't mind waiting in line for rides. Half the fun is just waiting and watching youtube videos on your smart phone.

I will just stick to good ol fashioned waiting in line with my cellphone locked away in my car. I go to parks to escape from everything, not to rush even more. But to each their own.

Clearly any thread that brings Raptorguy out is a hot topic. Frankly I don't care who pays more money to get in line in front of me. I just want KI to open the park so I can get in any coaster line! It's less than a month everyone, try to hang on and not verbally destroy each other.

I would say that guest said one of the darnest things at KI..

Don @KingsIslandPR posted a photo the walls will feature a timeline of Reds events.

I'm also looking at an outside shot at making it to Dollywood this year, so keep the tips coming.

Terpy - They no longer do staggered opening, as of 2012. All coasters open at the same time now. I suggest hitting TN Tornado or Mystery Mine first, as they will be deserted. Everyone goes to either Thunderhead or Eagle. Also, the last hour of the day everything clears out. While Mystery Mine *seems* like it has the slowest line, it actually isn't that far off from the rest. On an average day of single-mode dispatch, we'd put through about 700 an hour, dual dispatch would bump us to 800. Eagle puts through an average of 800, Tornado about 900, and Thunderhead about 800. So, in dual mode it's exactly on-par with the rest of the coasters, and it will be run in dual mode whenever the wait exceeds 30 minutes.

If you are going to be there two days or more, buy a season pass. It's cheaper than 2 days worth of tickets. You can save on parking by turning down Teaster Ln and parking at Patriot Park for free, then riding one of the Pigeon Forge trolleys in. It costs 50 cents per person each way, so if it's a really big group of you it won't be worth it, but 4 people or less would be cheaper. DO NOT miss a ride on the train. It's one of few remaining coal-fired steam engines in operation at an amusement park. It will take you on a 5-mile round trip up into the mountains and back, where you also get some nice views of the coasters. Dollywood is very proud of their train engine Cinderella (and their second engine Klondike Katie) and love to show her off. You can hear her steam whistle echo throughout downtown Pigeon Forge. The food is amazing. There is no bad, or even mediocre place to eat. However there are some shining stars. Ms. Lillian's Chicken House is an all-you-can-eat buffet with fried chicken as the centerpiece, but plenty of other great home-cooked options. You also get to experience the entertainment that is Ms. Lillian, the chicken lady, a fantastic character that roams the dining room singing songs and generally finding every way she can to torture unsuspecting victims in the funniest way possible. I've seen her dress DaveStroem up as a chicken to dance with her, ask to borrow someone's cell phone mid-conversation and then sing a chicken song to the person on the other end, stalk people to the fountain drink machine, and everyone's favorite, provide chicken blessings to those in need! If you like to have a good laugh, this is not something you want to miss. Another good place is Aunt Granny's, a full-service buffet full of home-cooked favorites such as turkey, fried chicken, pulled ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. Hickory House is a "quick service" establishment that serves BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and turkey legs. Lumber Jack's Pizza is the home of the 12-lb pizza, which they serve in 1-lb slices. They are also the home of the best chicken tenders in the park. Other great places include Backstage Restaurant, Market Square, Red's Diner, Dogs n Taters, Victoria's Pizza ... the list just goes on! Definitely plan to eat in the park. It's not as expensive as KI, but is a bit higher than you'd find in the 'outside world.' If you enjoy shows, Dollywood produces some amazing ones. These aren't the type of shows you will see in a chain park. They won the "best shows" Golden Ticket for a reason - beating out even Disney for the honor. I recommend Dreamland Drive-In and Wings of America. The Christmas shows I think are phenomenal, so if you get a chance to go back during Christmas you could spend an entire day just watching shows. Oh, and of course, I recommend riding every coaster. Don't skip over Blazing Fury - just remember to appreciate it for it's 1970's cheesiness. And come say hi to me at Wild Eagle!

While it's not in the US, I'd move Sky Rider from Canada's Wonderland to Kings Island. I would love to be able to ride a King Cobra, almost clone