NegativeGs

I was at Alton Towers in the UK last week. They have a similar à la carte menu, where visitors pay per attraction using a mobile device app. Cost per Fastrack Pass was about $15.

As a structural engineer, I'd say this is a significant concern. The top of the support appears to have completely fractured – likely due to fatigue at the weld joint between the adjoining circular sections. The concern is this connection detail is likely used by B&M in many of their modern coasters. The question is whether Fury 325, Orion, or other modern B&M coasters have similar connections that should be inspected and monitored.

During my last CP visit (late May), I was reassured that all KI P+ benefits were valid at CP. I used both the Preferred Parking and FOTL multiple times. I did not venture to the CP VIP Lounge - I never do anyway at KI.

I saw today that single use FL were for sale. Today was a busy Saturday and Orion cost $15 and Flight of Fear cost a whopping $20. I also saw people queuing to buy the single use FL. In comparison all day FL was $135.

So far during 2022 and 2023, I rode Orion 29 times and Diamondback 20 times. This year, I've preferred Diamondback over Orion - its back-row airtime ride is hard to beat. If you enjoy Diamondback, but haven't yet ventured to that back seat, you really should. Added bonus, to experience Diamondback's hidden water-ride element, be sure to stick your arm out sideways during the splash down.

If FL on a Saturday currently costs $135 and there are (in my opinion) ten coasters and two flat rides an infrequent visitor to KI would want to ride and be willing to pay an upcharge for - if this visitor rides each of those rides and perhaps 50% on them again, that puts a price on each ride of $7.50. However, as this new product is à la carte, perhaps a single FL should cost twice that and be $15? As a Season Pass FL(+) holder, I wouldn’t feel CF selling single-use FL at $15 would dilute the value of my purchase.

Our KI P+ passes worked this weekend at CP for both access to preferred parking and single use FL+. I asked if this was a mistake but was assured that KI P+ benefits were also valid at CP.

I wonder what happens if… A parent (chaperoning his children, while the children explore the park without direct supervision) rides The Beast and is stuck on the final-brake-run for a while as maintenance addresses issues. If security detains the parent’s preteenager children, security would not be able to contact the parent (mobile device use on rides is not permitted) until the train returns to the station and the parent can exit the ride. Maintenance issues on The Beast can take a while to resolve. KI policy says the chaperone must ‘be available by phone throughout their stay’ and ‘Guests ages 15 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection’. Seems to me that parents and children should share their location by mobile device. If detained children cannot immediately contact a parent by telephone, then at least they can demonstrate to security that a parent is in the park. Or the parent avoids rides and just walks about the park, while preserving the battery of their mobile device.

I could be wrong, but on Saturday I though I saw at the toll that Preferred Parking was $30. That suggests to me that Preferred Parking was for sale at the toll. But maybe I'm mistaken and that was a flashback from previous years. I came and went from Preferred Parking twice. Both times, the lot was not full and a parking spot could easily be found. Driving through, the main parking lot appeared fairly full. Which makes sense, because the park was busy with long queues. As always, a good time was enjoyed by all.

The French Corner today hit the spot. The Italian Croissant with Potato Salad was very enjoyable and a significant improvement over my earlier Clucks and Barrels at the Miami River Brewhouse.

The only Prestige benefit today for me compared to Platinum last year was the Preferred Parking. I had to drive around the 'Do Not Enter' sign, because there was no attendant. Still, Preferred Parking had plenty of spaces.

I am excited to ride the red train of Racer tomorrow. As AE is currently closed, Racer will be my first (maybe second) ride of the season.

As prestige is the new favorite word, I predict, 'Fast Lane Prestige Plus'.

Did the new VIP area move here? Wait my bad, it's still behind Miami River Brewhouse overlooking Diamondback.

You can tell the International Street camera is not AI, because you can currently see bugs randomly flying around it,