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I had a heck of a couple of days last weekend. I had a friend in from Orlando who's a big park go-er so we took to a couple of parks in two days. Now, I'm just now getting into "theme park shape" (no jokes about that, please!) in which I can walk around for 5-12 hours and not feel awful the next day. I wasn't quite there yet last weekend so this trip took a lot out of me. Day 1 was Kings Island. I'm not going to bore you with a full TR on this, but I will say that my friend is very particular about rides and attractions. He's unfairly harsh on Kings Island particularly, so I was a little worried about what he'd think of the new stuff. Fortunately, he was really impressed with the general park improvements and LOVED Banshee. Day 2: Dollywood This was my first trip to Dollywood. We met up around 6am in Florence, KY to head down there. This was a larger group than I typically with. It was me, Todd (Orlando friend), James, Bonnie (former Kings Island fudge maker), Erin (who I call "Colors" since she recently graduated college and is now a preschool teacher... so I assume that she majored in colors), and her friend Paige. None of these photos are mine. It's easier to tell the story this way. We arrived and parked in their parking lot. Their parking lot is the strangest thing in the history of parking lots it's only about a dozen cars wide, but it's literally miles long. I imagine that if you walked the entire length of their parking lot you'd be somewhere near Cedar Point. Kidding. Our first ride was Firechaser Express Photo credit: Coaster Crazy Firechaser Express is an interesting ride. It's about on the thrill level of Adventure Express, but perhaps on a more mature scale since it goes backwards a few times. There's actually a few pops of air time, and a pretty neat show scene that involves live fire. Next, Wild Eagle Photo Credit: ACEonline.org I didn't particularly like Gatekeeper at Cedar Point, and I found this one to be slightly better. The neatest part is how the lift hill is built into the natural hill. I found the ride experience to be pleasant, just not extremely thrilling. Still, not unlike Gatekeeper, the visuals for this ride are amazing and the experience is smooth and fast. Next, Mystery Mine Photo credit: TPR I'm going to make this simple: Mystery Mine is one of the neatest rides I've been on in a very long time. I figured I'd like it, but wow... Not only are the "show" elements very unique, but the ride experience itself is nothing short of amazing. Both times that I rode, I literally held on in terror going down the drop after the second lift hill. I bet that never gets old. Next: Tennessee Tornado Photo credit:Coaster Critic Now, I don't have the affection for this ride that some of you seem to have, but I can say that it was very smooth for an Arrow coaster. Apparently only Tornado and X were not designed by Ron Toomer. The ride itself reminds me of a less intense version of The Vortex. I like how you travel through the tool shed to get to the lift hill. Kind of neat, huh? Next, Thunderhead Photo credit: coasterimage.com This bad boy won the Golden Ticket for best wooden coaster twice. Lots of air time lots of punch. You know what makes this ride great and other similar rides awful? Those Millennium Flyer trains. I'm not kidding. The air time is amazing, but let's not kid ourselves - you get slammed into your seat after that. If these were PTCs or G-Trains it would have been horrible. Fortunately you are slammed into the roller coaster equivalent of a bean bag chair so it makes for a wonderful riding experience. Next, Blazing Fury Photo credit TPR Why does everything at Dollywood have to do with natural disasters or fire? Anyway, I was told that this was a must-ride. I went through the ride experience thinking, "this is cheesy.. this is cheesy... this is cheesy" then WHAM! I entered a burning building and the roof collapsed! Such a cool effect! The last part of the ride doesn't make a ton of sense, but it's VERY well done and a lot of fun! I'm so glad I rode this. We ate at Aunt Granny's Buffet under the suggestion of about anyone who had ever been to Dollywood and it delivered as well. Good 'ol southern home cookin'. My only regret is that I didn't get to catch any shows. Not all is lost. This won't be my last visit, I'm sure. No Dolly, either. Maybe she was busy that day or was watching a Pawn Stars marathon or something. Now, this park got pelted with Golden Tickets last year and I think some were really obvious, some weren't. Best Food - The food I had there was excellent and any time the first recommendation a person makes when they find out you're visiting a park is to eat certain foods, you know you're doing something right. Was it the best I'd ever had? Possibly. Epcot's food is more diverse, but Disney doesn't always fit into the categories for the Golden Tickets. Friendliest Park - Yeah. Holiday World won this for 13 straight years and I never understood it. Maybe it's the free Pepsi, maybe it's the old lady who hangs out front saying hi to acers... I don't get it. Are they nice? Sure, but not like "stand out" nice. Dollywood, on the other hand, was. I don't want to take anything away from other parks, though. The employees are acting like southerners do. When you cross someone, you smile, say hi, shake hands, make conversation, and be pleasant. In the northeast, people act in a manner that we may consider rude, but it's just culturally different. Cincinnati is unique too. It's not north, it's not south. It's in the middle. Here, if you try to push your point across you are considered rude, but if you try to make conversation you come of as nosy. It seems like apathy with key elements of manners are what's expected here. Best New Ride (2013) - Wild Eagle. Sure. Why not? A coaster is going to get it every year. Cleanest Park (second place) - The park is extremely clean. It's noticeable. It makes a difference. It improves the experience. I'm so glad that KI really feels that way too, as they didn't necessarily put it as a top priority years ago. The GM/VP of Dollywood is former (Paramount's) Kings Island GM Craig Ross. I didn't see him down there, but I liked him at Kings Island. He's good people, and I'm glad that the park is in such good hands. That's my story.

There's a guy that does a couple of the rides over at Coney Mall that my 4 year old daughter likes because he always makes this popping noise with his mouth when doing the "All Clear". He seems to usually be on the Monster ride. And side note: This is my first post, but have been going to Kings Island regularly since I was around 6 years old, was glad to find this forum, Kings Island is one of my favorite places in the world.

Thought i would share this picture taken from the Kings Island webcam this morning. Would've been awesome if the lights were on!

A new sign next to The Beast's entrance.

Check out this video that was slipped to me the other day. It's of a very loyal former Tomb Raider operator doing commentary to the old Tomb Raider music from the ride. Watch it until the end, it's pretty darn funny.

much Kings Island. Very discussion. so 2014. wow

Looks like Holiday World will be getting a Google Street View in a few months...from their Facebook page:

I actually enjoyed Liberty Launch more than the (much, much larger) Power Tower.

I don't care for Power Tower's drop side. I find KI's Drop Tower to be much more fun. The pure freefall gets me in ways that being artificially shot downward never will.

On Tuesday, the on-ride photo monitors were turned on and were displaying pictures of empty boats on the drop. CP's water rides don't open until late May.

I rode Banshee 22 times in a row today.

I had ride ops call The Bat anything but The Bat. First time he called it Top Gun, second time they called it The Orange. Last time me and my wife was the only one on it and the ride op asked my name and said. "Enjoy your ride on The Shawn, your very own coaster"

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/500x/49882115.jpg Fixed it for you, as the Doge much approves.

Did have a Tornado last night, Weather Dog currently on neighbors roof, awaiting evac. Saw the stuff for the first time with my own eyes, quite incredible. The house I saw hit has literally nothing left.

So, it's been raining, cats and dogs? Terp, literally running...for the Metro, sans hand sanitizer.

Micechat has a great podcast this week left over from this year's IAAPA interviewing president of Premier Rides, Jim Seay. Mr. Seay has fantastic recollections on his time working for Six Flags, then Premier, and has plenty to say about the development of The Outer Limits: Flight of Fear. He also mentions visits by Disney executives who rode the ride and were blown away and complimentary of the theme. His comments on Flight of Fear, Al Weber, and Paramount's Kings Island begins at 23:00. http://micechat.com/65640-season-pass-podcast-jim-seay/

You may have noticed a new tasty treat around Kings Island this year. The "Fudge Push Pop" was invented in-house by a long-time employee who created many of the flavors of fudge sold in Kings Island's Fudge Shop to this day. Don't be fooled - these aren't frozen. They're actually made of the same fudge that's found in the shop. The container allowed for more creativity with the presentation and flavors as well as the ability to more easily take it home to share with friends and family. You'll notice some differences between this and the fudge. Mainly it's the varieties available. If you look at the photo above, the simple "fudge" flavor is sprinkled with M&M's and there's even a Ice Cream Sundae flavor! Oh, and the cherry on top of the Ice Cream Sundae flavor? Cherry-flavored fudge! This is definitely something you'll want to check out on your next visit to Kings Island. They are available in limited locations immediately but should be available at almost all merchandise stores at the park within the next week. Enjoy!

Dude... You must spend a TON on shoes before each visit. Or do you just stock up on the cheap Walmart flip flops when they go on clearance each year?

Absolutely nobody will be there on June 31st

That is what I mean.

I stayed there last year for opening day. I personally found my bed to be extremely uncomfortable, hence why I spent extra points to stay at the Microtel Inn instead this year.

As it was in the beginning Is now and... A diversion? Terp, lover of Sweet Home Alabama... just sayin', not necessarily on a rampage.

Sorry I haven't posted my Tuesday trip yet, as posted elsewhere, it's a crazy busy schedule for me as of late. We did Chicken Shack Tuesday for lunch, was very pleased this time around. Media Day was mass quantities of good free food, I can't complain. Was quality off there a tad that day, yeah, but was it decent, oh of course. This time though, everything was much better. The breading was slapped on a bit more and had a bit of seasoning this time, not just a bread taste. The chicken was not gushing with grease, which made me very happy. Last time it was so greasy the chicken would seep when bitten into. Chicken this time around was good. Def. seals the deal on me getting the dining plan to continue eating here and a few other places the rest of the year. Fries changed a bit. it's almost potato works quality..almost. Nice soft, salty, tasty fries. Didn't need any ketchup or anything, good just the way it was. Which is how fries should be. Bread did change, it's a bigger now, which I'm not complaining, it was my favorite part of the meal. The bread this time was a bit drier this time, not the soft buttery goodness of media day, but was still quite enjoyable. Sauces: I got the chipotle ranch/mayo deal they offer, which is a good sauce. My only gripe was the small cup they give you is half full if that. I went back and spent a buck on a second cup that was at least a little better. For a 4 strip combo deal they offer, one small cup is not going to go that far IMO. I think they need to be like McD's and offer more sauces for more. Think if youy get a 10 piece, you get 2 BBQ's, 20pc you get 4 or something like that. Or at least fill the cups full of the sauces, don't be greedy it's a sauce for chicken, lather it up haha. Speaking of sauces. The table now has squirt bottles of BBQ, Medium & Hot sauce. The BBQ is Montgomery Inn as we all know. The Medium/Mild is almost like a Charleys Subs Buffalo sauce you get on a Buffalo Chicken there. The Hot does have a bit of bite to it. You only need a dab of this stuff but it's a good hot sauce flavor. That stuff was great on the fries as I tried all the sauces avail. to get a feel for what I like come future visits. Overall, good food, good price, and very enjoyable. The 4 strip combo is hefty though, my eyes were bigger than my gut I can say that. That's honestly a meal to split. Three is nice to get that extra bit of chicken, but I think future I'll go for two strip combos. They did finally offer the wraps & sandwich, but it's basically strips in a wrap or strips on a bun (which to me is pathetic..and pretty cheap, gimmie a breaded chicken breast or something man). I may try em in the future but I think I'll stick to two strips, fries, sauce, and a Shock Top.

When the ride comes to a complete stop, plead unbuckle your seat belt, push down and pull up on your restraint, and exit toward the sleeping Drop Tower. Thank you for riding maXair and enjoy the rest of your day here at kings dominion

I wish I could have gone for this weeks events & stuff to see some of you. I won't be there until the end of the month by the looks of it. Lots of stuff going on. Car parts, car maint., ordering car stuff, Indy race next week, PT, just..busy busy busy. And to think I just got back from leave

Firehawk, Flight of Fear, and Backlot Stunt Coaster are all slow lines. If you want to ride them, I'd hit them as early as possible. What appear to be long lines on Banshee, Diamondback and Vortex, should not be feared, those lines move pretty quick.

Ill judge that for myself tomorrow. Im looking forward to it.

Kings Island's water park has a lot to offer but man... it's way too big. I went there for its last day as "Boomerang Bay" a few years ago. It was my first visit to the water park in several years. I just remember my feet being pretty torn up after an hour or so. I'm not sure what their policy is on wearing flip flops or aqua shoes or whatever on the rides themselves, but I think if I could do that it would greatly improve my experience. I made a "new season resolution" to spend more time in the water park. We'll see if that lasts. lol With that being said, the water park is an EXTREMELY popular attraction at the park. Especially on really hot days, the dry park may seem dead but there are upwards of 10,000 people in the water park. Like I said, I'm not big water park guy but I still think it's pretty awesome that I have that option with my season pass.

That was me I'm also "the Rat Lady" from Slaughterhouse and Madams Dinner Party Oh, and the snake handler of Jambayla the Albino Burmese that was in Wall of Monsters 2013 and entry of Backwoods Bayou. Glad to see y'all enjoyed it, can't wait for 2014!!

Just quoting part of the reverse POV here, censored the quote since it did use some adult language. I couldn't help but smile at that reverse POV when they said, "We ******* Did it". Just the look of success of their face to having achieved a coaster they had been working so long on getting. I hope to get the 'chance' to ride it, it looks like a great coaster. I have to issue with the restraints, can't judge by looks alone but I think they look very comfortable. I don't care about swinging my legs around, just as long as I can put my hands up I am happy!

From those Ive been with, row 4 is your Friend.

How was your ride? Bat-tastic? razmataz, who just had to

Looks like original was made private, but here is it form Chance. Edit: Sorry for the double post. Apparently I forgot that I had just posted in this thread....

Im not sure where you got that photo from but... Is that a doggy door I see next to the window? We had a dog would bust out of windows and screens to sit on the roof of our porch...

http://addofio.wordpress.com/2007/01/20/the-prettiest-dog-as-ever-was/ Poor weather dog...

Here is a photo of the Blue Ice Cream flavor pops courtesy of KICentral's Facebook:

Weather dog had same forecast as this morning. I am beginning to think she won't fly away due to wind, but be swept away by a flood. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Last year, the Reds Grille was doing the same on the first Friday in May. The bartender told me that there were no alcohol sales allowed until after 5pm because of the education days and all of the kids in the park. It would therefore seem reasonable to assume that when education days end, so will the no alcohol before 5pm rule. (Though when you ass-u-me, you make an... )

There was no lines for any of the rides. I rode 37 rides total.

Money isn't everything trust me.. One of my Ex's thought I was going to commit suicide because I ordered a Pepperoni/Mushroom pizza and she thought they were poisonous.. I was happy that relationship ended.

^^Scott it's good to see you back on here btw

Man I hope those aren't your nails in the photo.

What kind of wizardry is this? I may just have to try one of these. Now if only they could make Larosa's pizza into a push up form.

Considering what happened when I neglected my blue cone for a couple minutes trying to juggle it and my phone to take a pic of the noodle (the ice cream started melting everywhere, luckily my tank top was the same color as the ice cream) I think maybe I will have to try out the fudge version.

I have seen at least one report that even fanny packs were not allowed on Banshee; however, I cannot confirm whether or not that is true. Cargo shorts/pants are the best option. If it can not fit securely in a pocket, it can not go in line with you. Bags of ANY kind may not be worn on the ride. NOTHING but flip flops can be left in the station, and they take them from you so you do not have to cross the trains. CAPACITY. Plain and simple.

Oooohhhh that's nice! [emoji12]Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a dog.

Salty and spicy need not be the same thing.

Welcome to KIC thedaveyboyshow and thank you for a positive post for your first post.

Yesterday on the brake run of Flight Deck: "Thank you for riding Top Gun, sponsored by Gillette Mach 3".