Jasper

So I have a question about this, do you just present your Pass to the cashier whenever you are checking out at a food stand or merchandise store and then they scan it?

Just signed up cannot wait to see how this works, I am a tad bit confused on what all it works on in the park and how to use it but I am sure there will be more and more signs around the park as the system goes into effect better.

Edit-Sorry

Outer Hanks is also not named as such anymore, it is now known simply as Hank's Burrito Shack.

Awesome report, and The Beast was giving great rides last night, all the lights were out in the second tunnel and it was roaring through the woods like no other.

Also in The Beast's station is appears that they powerwashed the queue line floor as you are waiting behind the loading gates, it looks pretty nice.

So did you pick any up?! No but I about caught some in the mouth and to the face, so I did almost find out if they indeed do taste like blue ice cream. I did not get a chance to ride FoF during haunt last year so I assume these are the same lights you are talking about. They also seemed to have cleaned up in the hangar and fixed some of the lights on the saucer and on the scaffolding to make it look a lot better inside.

I noticed the Gold Pass lot was gone as well, kind of bummed out about that, I cannot enjoy my exclusive parking anymore. Also at least they did not just put some crappy concrete pad down or something where the metal detectors are, instead the put a row of pavers which looks really nice.

Also WindSeeker was down all day. No idea what is going on there, the jig lift type thing is back beside the tower inside the fence.

I really want the old movie posters in the window, they have a BTTF, Breakfast Club and Footloose one I would love to get my hands on, not to mention the outtatime license plate from BTTF. Some of the shirts I looked at and liked were a little overpriced at about 22 bucks a shirt.

I actually never saw a ride go down today for something besides weather, all rides seemed to be running smoothly.

I noticed a bobcat in there doing some work. I had heard that it was where the old Coke Oasis was but I didn't see anything that looked like it could be coming there. I was really bummed, ever since I saw video at IAPPA of them I want to try one out.

I noticed the red and yellow sign myself, kind of sticks out, so does the new Fast Lane system that goes directly through the boomerang and into the station. As for the Crypt, doors are closed to the ride, blanket type cover thrown over the ride logo, ride sign torn down, a couple of trees in pots and a photo booth out in front and not any trace of what is coming up for Haunt.

Left the house here in Richmond with fighting31irish at about 5:30-6 got to the park about 7:40. First train on Diamondback and got a couple rides in on Invertigo, other than the rest it was a normal day, got rides in on everything but Firehawk. Here is a couple things I noticed. Racer fence half removed in the station. Vortex has new Fast Lane entrance that RCT styles over the first drop out of the station. Crypt is blocked by a photo booth and two planters. Invertigo paint chips everywhere. Flight of Fear had some new theming added to it it seemed, or maybe it just had a revamp. New merchandise in the shops, all of which did not look bad at all. I would love to see more things geared toward The Vortex as well as it turns 25. Some of the Fast Lane entrances were kind of skewing the queue lines making it more confusing. There was a goose taking refuge in Coney Mall. Most coasters were down a train in operation after the rain that went through. Last of all, does anyone have any idea when the Freestyle Coke Machines will be in the park, I did not find any today anywhere and was kind of bummed.

Looks like you can renew your pass online now, just go to normally pay for your pass and it will give you the option to enter your 20 digit pass number and your phone number and you are good to go.

I am going to enjoy the day no matter what happens, last I saw was about a 30% chance of showers, cloudy and a high of about 56 degrees. That night however, it is going to get cold.

Accuweather app is forecasting lower to mid 50's with a low of 33 that night. Periods of rain in the morning.

I have learned in my young 20 years, to just go to the park, don't break your neck to try and get all the rides in, leave that to the enthusiasts tee hee. Enjoy the time you have with the family and most of all, have a good time, that is what Kings Island is all about. If you seriously want tips though about the park I will be more than happy to share the ones that have helped me out over the years.

The Beast is perfectly fine where he sits right now.

I believe they took the loop out because of the new trains, hopefully someone else can come in here to back me up on that or correct me. As for the loop being rough, the loop was by far the smoothest part of the ride, it was also one of the best loops I have ever been through, at the peak of it I could have sworn time stood still and you got some serious hang time.

Inside the park-Outer Hanks is slowly growing up my list of places to eat, but my favorites are still Panda Express and those Rivertown Fries! Outside the park-This is where I usually eat when I go to KI, and it is always, and I do mean ALWAYS Skyline Chili.

If you never got to ride SoB then you really did miss out, and I say this because even if it re-opens and you ride it, you still did not get to ride Son of Beast. Son of Beast was at it's finest in my opinion when the loop was present and the old trains were used on it. Sometimes they were uncomfortable but overall I felt that the ride experience was much better with the old trains and the loop. Do not get me wrong, it is still an alright coaster, and if it does re-open I will be glad to ride it, but to me Son of Beast died out when they refurbished it.

I would love to see a revamp of Action Zone, but if you look in the past couple of years you have had Flight Deck receive a new paint job and then this year Invertigo has received a fresh coat. I would love to see SoB open in 2013, that would be revamp enough for me.

Interesting picture Paul, I believe that is the first overhead view of Coney Mall I have seen that includes Flight Commander.

Coming from a smoker, who now only smokes about one to two cigarettes a week because I am trying to quit, I have found that not even the smoking areas always smell like smoke. Tower Gardens is usually one of those ares that do not smell like smoke because of the large area it covers, however, if you go over by Diamondback's gift shop and go in that little secluded corner then that can sometime start to build up an smell like smoke. I feel that all the smoking areas at Kings Island are fairly placed and tend to offer those who do not want the smoke smell relief and a way around the area to avoid it. Coming from a quitting smoke however I will say this, it is opening day and I know at one point or another I am going to indulge in myself a calming cigarette in one of the designated smoking areas.