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Have you seen the price of weddings?

Today was my first time in this neat little park. I can see it being fun for families, but I am not the target audience here. However, I had a lot of fun over the span of a few hours, for a great price as well! Some notes: Tornado and Teddy Bear are fun little coasters, with a few pops of air on both. What I really enjoyed was the buzz bars. I can't recall ever riding a ride with these as the restraint system, so that was neat. Are they the same style of buzz bars that used to be on The Beast? Electric Rainbow = never again. Those rides make me sick every time. Like I mentioned, it's hard to beat the prices here. $15 for a full afternoon of stuff to do is very nice, especially in this day in age. I smoked the mini golf course like a cheap cigar. If anybody wants to compare scores (especially Goble, who apparently was the champ last fall), I shot a 22 on the front 9 and a 34 on the back, for a total of 56. The hole with the cone for a cup got me, as I shot a 9 on that hole alone! I hadn't played Skee-Ball in what seemed like forever, so that was fun! Some photos: Thanks for reading! If you have any comments/questions feel free to comment below.

Too easy, I'd say. Which is a shame. That's a great name. Not a bad logo, either.

Oh the humanity

For some reason, this article convinces me that the next time I get married, I need to choose one of these rides to do it on!

And if that potential buyer wasn't able to ride much of anything because of all the Fast Lane people, s/he may pass on a pass, and perhaps ANY Kings Island trip, next year and for years to come. People standing endlessly in lines watching other people walking on to the rides is not a recipe for Best Day Ever.

We finally managed to make it out to Six Flags Magic Mountain for a half day after all those years of seeing it on Roller Coaster Tycoon 2 and reading comparisons of MM to Cedar Point.Needless to say, i was very excited! To start off, I have to comment on the incredible heat. It was 108 degrees with a heat index of about 115. I've never been so hot at an amusement park in my life! The park has a very impressive skyline that you can see from several miles away. When we first got to the park, we went straight to Tatsu. The only B&M flyer that i had ridden previously to Tatsu was Superman Ultimate Flight, which was a huge disappointment and really lacked any intensity, so my hopes weren't too high for Tatsu. Boy, was I wrong! Tatsu was a great ride! It's pretty fast and smooth with lots of twists and turns, and the pretzel loop is just MASSIVE! Its probably the most intense part of the ride. I love how the ride uses both stations to wipe out stacking, meaning you don't have to sit at the break run for 3 mins while your manliness is the only think supporting the weight of your body. Rating: 8.5/10 Next was X2, which was probably the most anticipated ride at the park for me. I heard from many that it was the best ride in the park, and one of the best in the world. After waiting about 45 mins, we sat in the front of the train and prepared for what i would say is the most unique ride experience that i have had. The first drop was incredible! The seats rotate as you crest the lift hill and leave you facing straight down as you soar down the first drop. From there, i had no idea which way was up, which way was down, which way was left, or which way was right. I looked over periodically to make sure my girlfriend was still in her seat (she did not fall out). Overall X2 was a great ride, although when the seats rotate it tends to be pretty rocky, making it slightly uncomfortable. None of the music or special effects on the ride were functioning at the time. Rating: 7.5/10 Next, we went right next door to Viper. We didn't really plan on riding Viper, but it was a walk-on and it was right next door so what the heck. The first drop is among the best on Arrow Loopers that i have been on. The rest of the ride is similar to Vortex in terms of pain, so ill leave it there. Rating: 5/10 After Viper, we walked up the hill to Superman Escape From Krypton, which was another ride that i had high hopes for. The line was a very slow moving 45 mins, which was to be expected due to one train operation once you choose a side. It was nice and cool inside the building, but unlike other ride, there was no music, TVs, or anything in line. Just the smell of musty park goers. We boarded the train in the back row, and next thing we knew, we were off. 0-100mph in 7 seconds is not as intense as it sounds. We floated up the tower and floated back down without experiencing the weightlessness that the ride advertises. I didn't even feel like we went up that high. Overall this ride was probably the biggest "let down" ride i have ever ridden. Rating: 4/10 We walked back down the hill to Apocalypse, which i was very excited about. I mean who does love a GCI woodie?! My girlfriend was very skeptical about this ride and all other woodies after riding The Boss at Six Flags St. Louis days earlier, but i ensured her that GCI woodies are fairly smooth. The ride was a walk-on, so we sat in the front. Apocalypse delivered everything you'd expect from a GCI coaster. Twist, turns, airtime, speed, and great positive and lateral Gs. In my opinion, it's the most underrated coaster in the park. Rating: 8/10 Moving along, we were running out of time so we decided to only ride a few more rides. Scream! was next. I was aware that Scream! was just a mirror image of Bizarro at Six Flags Great Adventure, so i knew what to expect. I love floorless coasters. I think they produce a great sensation. Lots of loops, twists and turns, and plenty of speed! Rating: 7.5/10 P.s. This ride has an unbelievable "parking lot" theme to it that you wouldn't want to miss!!! Goliath was right down the path, so we decided to hop on it. I had heard mixed reviews about it, so i wasn't quite sure what to think other than i would probably black out and have my picture taken at the same time. After waiting almost an hour, we boarded in the middle of the train since the line for it was the shortest. The first drop is just, meh..... It's not super good because it takes the same angle (which isn't that steep) all the way until you reach the tunnel. The REAL fun doesn't start until after the MCBR. Speaking of which, the MCBR is the biggest "gut check" on any roller coaster. You come to a complete stop from a very high speed. The end of the ride has some incredibly high sustained positive Gs, but nowhere close to Intimidator 305. Overall, Goliath was a solid right. Nothing to write home about (isn't that what I'm doing now though?), but solid. Rating: 7/10 P.S. Goliath wins the award for most intimidating entrance in the Six Flags chain. Our final ride of the day was Full Throttle, another ride that i had high hopes for. Approaching the ride, you get a sense for how massive the signature loop is. We waited in line for a little over an hour which was the longest line of the day. The launch is very smooth, but not intense, but hanging at the top of the worlds tallest loop was pretty cool. The rest of the ride was just....... ok. Yes, including the over hyped backwards launch. Another "gut check" on this ride. Who ever though it was a good idea to put breaks on a vertical descent is just....... anyway. This ride was another let dow ride. The ride is not much more outside of the vertical loop. It is also a very short ride. Rating: 6.5/10 After riding Full Throttle, we concluded our day at Magic Mountain. I wish i could review some of the flag rides at the park...... Oh wait...... there are no flat rides....... The lack of flat rides at the park is very disappointing. Actually, outside of the roller coasters, the park as a whole is very disappointing. There is very little to nothing for a family with young kids to do, or even if you're not a fan of the high thrill coaster. Most of the rides are in dire need of a paint job, and a lot of TLC, as is the rest of the park. Walking through the park, i felt as if Six Flags intentionally neglects everything in the park. If Magic Mountain is supposed to be a flagship park for the Six Flags chain, it does a horrible job of park upkeep. Kings Island and Cedar Point far surpass this park in nearly every aspect. I don't even think this park is the best in the Six Flags chain. I'd choose Great Adventure over Magic Mountain any day. Overall Rating: 6/10 Quick side note: If you plan on buying anything in the park, be prepared to spend a little extra money than you normally spend at other parks.

No need to get hyper about it.

I just finished paying of my family's platinums from last year. One if the best "investments" of the year!

^ If she said no, that could certainly be an awkward 5 minutes.

Thats alot to do in less than 30 seconds

Don't you mean bee careful? I'm having way too much fun with this.

Be careful. You may get stung!

Which was the intent. "There are no accidents." S. Freud

Intentional or not and accurate or not, it's creating buzz about the announcement.

It kinda favors a blue Marvin the Martian.

...or divorces? Terp, running for the door!

What do Reds players Jack Hannahan, Kristopher Negron, and J.J. Hoover like to do on off days? Visit Kings Island of course! They did a Q&A today at the Festhaus. ^^ Credit to the Cincinnati Reds on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reds/status/498868692785311746 Mr. Redlegs and Rosie Red make new friends. ^^ Credit to Kings Island on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kingsislandpr/status/498877504233291776 Infielder Kristopher Negron enjoys KI's famous blue ice cream. ^^ Credit to Kings Island on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kingsislandpr/status/498883336149147648

I proposed to my beautiful fiance when I was down at Disney World last May. I didn`t pop the question at the park, but rather when we were back at our hotel going for a nice romantic walk. I think it would be a little odd and not very romantic to pop the question on an actual ride.

Come on. I would totally propose in the front seat of Top Thrill Dragster. Propose on the launch, getting her shocked face in the first photo (after all, you may have discussed marriage, but she won't expect you to propose there of all places), then if all goes well get the "yes" on the way up the hill, put the ring (tied to a belt loop, of course, so it can't fly away) on at the top, and kiss for the second photo. Then buy the photo.

Most of us on here are not the target audience for Stricker's Grove, but it's still a fun park for a price that's hard to beat. Glad you had fun! After adjusting that hole for the five-stroke maximum (which we enforced during our little competition) listed on the back of the scorecard, you would have a 52, which would have beaten me by one stroke. I had a 53 that day. Despite this, I will continue to keep the gold banner in my signature until October, because yours is a practice round and practice rounds don't count. Come October, BRING IT!

Mitch Hedberg: "The Guinness Book of World Records is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the book with the most world records."

The riders were safely removed from the ride. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done about the fact that they were still at Six Flags America.

The site is just a teaser. But I really wish the days separating us from the announcement would fly by a little faster... Mer, having fun as well.

It's like... It's like some kind of circus. Is this an empowered teenage intern given the park's social media passwords? Or is there actually a professional, college-degree PR representative in an office who's cooking up these wonderfully "candid" messages? Sorry Commonwealth of Kentucky taxpayers. "Internal miscommunication and confusion" among management. You know how it is! Does a heartfelt apology help?

Which would be appropriate, since Marvin is wearing a headdress that resembles Roman garb. In other words, I'd say Marvin looks like a Roman, not the other way around.

One thing that gives away that it's a diversion, to me is that the countdown, which is appropriately labeled with Roman numerals. VIII.XXI.MMXIV (8.21.2014) would be the day of announcement. Problem is that, in theory, 8.21.2014 is the day that the name / site will be released. So this supposedly accidentally-released web-page is counting down to its own release. You see what I mean? It will reach 0 right as its first seen by the public. That's nonsensical. Meh.

Also, typically the best price on a season pass is in the Fall, so if you're going to buy it's the time to do it.

Given our own experience with the somewhat false Bat logo/webpage before the Banshee announcement last year this could be a red herring...but... https://www.carowinds.com/Centurion as of this posting this is an active link.

Decided, hey, I should go to KI now, the storms never came! Now, here I am, sitting in the parking lot, underneath a pretty heavy rainstorm. Best day ever!

What kind of omen is it when you hear "NOW YOU WILL PAY" after your proposal?

Potter has a chance (strong) to be in the frontal lobes of many many many people for a long time. A few reasons for this: The book series is immensely popular. It is written in a way that a young reader can grow up reading the books. As they age, the books age as well. Parents who read the books as youths are now old enough to have children and to pass the books down to their children. Still to this day, if you order the books online from a library, they are on a hold. May not be a long hold, but they are still in demand. The movie series is similar to the books that they become darker/age as the intended audience does. Harry Potter movies are this generation's Star Wars movies. An epic journey that does not treat the audience as stupid. Avatar on the other hand is not as strong (read not at all) when it comes to loyal audiences. However, it presents a very unique tail (pun intended?) that fits into what Disney wants from their Animal Park. A pro-conservation + magical creature + unlimited universe spectrum.

Guests who spend more of their time in lines also have less incentive to visit as often, both this season and in years to come: "Myrtle, let's not get Kings Island passes this year--remember all the lines! Wanna go to Universal instead? Myrtle: "Yes, please." Signs of this would include lower attendance, lower overall per caps and not making EBITDA targets.

And watching people pull out their phones on the rides and videotape the whole thing without an employee saying a single word... a different place indeed!

I had not been there before until today. It is a nice little park. It's kind of "weird" seeing ride ops smoking cigarettes or eating while operating rides.

I'm looking at my niece and youngest nephew's gold pass (JR, not adult and bought/processed this spring) and it doesn't mention Having to get a new pass. I bought theirs online and don't remember seeing anything about needing to pay the upcharge for adult pass when they hit 48" in the middle of the season. I couldn't find this fine print on their website until I went through the portal to buy a regular pass. My concern is the lack of consistency and good customer service. Depending on who swipes our passes for our next visit, I'll have to pay an additional fee for only one more trip to the park. I fully understand the need to prevent people from skirting the system. That makes good business sense. However, that's not happening. As others have said, in terms of good customer service and showing they understand that children grow - measure them on the first swipe of their pass for the season. Then they keep that card for the season. That is logical and will give a sense of good will to the customer. If we go to the flip side, I seriously doubt that the park would issue a partial refund for someone who has a birthday and now qualifies for a senior pass. Their pass doesn't change for the season...but the children does? No thank you.

It's not the kids who decide whether to buy passes...

Did they break into song and dance of some Backstreet Boys or *NSync? Just wondering with them being positioned in front of the banner for "The Boyz are Back".

Yes but what if Kennywood didnt open till 4 pm. Not a bad idea, however, if thats the truth, then that puts KK in a very bad deal.

I don't understand why Racer is on this list, they never really gave a good reason why. I think Adventure Express would be a good one though, I mean that last lift hill is kinda like engagement & marriage: the build up to the marriage makes it seem totally awesome and the beginning of the ride of your life only to be let down in the end.

If I had to guess, I'd say "thousands upon thousands" is a gross overstatement of how much revenue this policy generates for the park, and whatever the number actually is appears to have been surpassed by the negative publicity.Not a gross overstatement in the least bit. If anything, thousands upon thousands underestimates the true impact of under 48" pass vs. over 48". We constantly discuss upset parents because their child cannot get onto a ride due to height. This falls into the same exact catagory.Just in the restauraunt business alone, families will make children "younger" to either get a free meal or a discounted meal. The true gross overstatement would be to believe this will have such a negative impact because people refuse to not only ignore the details but refuse to accept them even after becoming aware of them. If the park gave in to everything because a select few insisted on ignoring the details, the park would lose so much $$ it would cease to exist as we know it. How many kids with season passes do you think cross the 48 inch threshold during the season? Methinks your guess is way on the high side. Either that or you don't understand the price difference between Junior and Regular. Because I'd put it in the very low thousands at most. No one is saying the park should give in on everything. But there's a fine line between standing your ground and bringing negative publicity to the park, and this issue quite obviously crossed over that line. For MAYBE a couple thousand bucks.

Except many passes are now renewed online with no processing. For those (and all), check height at first entry each season.

Here's how I would adjust the policy: When you come to the park to get your season pass processed, anyone that will be using the Junior pass will be measured. If, at that point, the person is under 48 inches, that is what you are for the season. No measuring would be required at the gates for pass holders. I believe this would be the best method to solve this situation. Figuring out prorated amounts sounds like a waste of everyone's time.

You mean the ones who failed in their fiduciary duty to keep the park adequately insured, and, arguably, to invest in fire suppression?

Not necessarily. Long Fast Lane waits simply mean that many customers are willing to pay for access to special queues. The parks would be looking for the pricing sweet spot to maximize revenue while also keeping the impact on regular guests from becoming intolerable. I do wonder how Fast Lane is affecting average customer satisfaction as currently implemented. Regardless, guests spending more of their day in lines have less time to spend money.

Without knowing whether these people were actually in their car, or having a picnic in the asphalt or whatever, I can't pretend that Kings Island is evil, but if they actually are going around telling people that eating inside their vehicle is forbidden, then they really need to offer some legitimate food. // Note to Kings Island- Thank you for the fruit being sold between The Racer and Adventure Express. It was much appreciated when I needed something to eat at the park.

With what money? I'm sorry, I like their ideas, but I just don't see it working. They plan to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but given how much they owe in taxes, I suspect (without knowing how much they have in assets) that creditors will move to force it into Chapter 7. (IANAL, of course.) I will be thoroughly surprised if this park ever operates again under the same owners after this season.

Sam posted on the Cirque Imagine Facebook page earlier tonight, and it drew my attention back to their photos. I got to one from early June and thought, "wait a second who is that?" The guy on the left next to Trevor. Presumably he is the one who was doing trampoline when Jonathan Julian (current silver and black performer on the trampoline and in Hand2Hand) was playing Nico. Then I got looking closer at his face. Isn't it the most recent replacement clown, new long-haired clown? I can't decide for sure through the makeup, but I'm almost positive. It makes sense. Another couple images with him:

Yes, there is. Each will leave there. It's August 10. I have a gold pass. I live 17 miles away. I've yet to get there this season. I may. I may not.

You be stuck sideways for 4+ hours, then we will see if you still say that. This IS news. To say it is not is silly.