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Kwindshawne – while we do appreciate your opinions and insight, I think we would rather you keep your opinions and unique insight to a very low roar or a more positive posts while you are on vacation (in God’s country). There is plenty of time to say what you really think when you come home. Hope all is well.

KIBeast sounds like you and the wife had a very relaxing time, something I wish I did more of when I vacation I usually come home to rest. My brother lives in the area just west of Daytona and loves the laid back atmosphere down there. If you ever get go back consider charting a sailboat and captain for a day and go down the intercoastal waterway and out Port Orange into the Atlantic that is a very interesting and neat way to see the nature side of Daytona. Anyway welcome back and thanks for the report and pictures.

Yes it can as stated on earlier on Saturday the 5th the crew tried to explain what was happening but some rebel rousers were trying to incite the crowd and many thought it was funny and joined in. The Beast crew eventually called in security to detour the unruly guests. In the picture below you can see an employee going up to the crowd to try to explain the situation; also you can see the ride operator and the ride sup keeping an eye on the crowd. The supervisor keep putting headphones on and trying to tell everyone what was going on, but the same trouble makers would start to yell as the rest of us would ask “what did he say?” Although I think if they moved the launch site elsewhere, it would not make for nice viewing from International Street for the fireworks.

I know a lot of Disney World plans for new structures and attractions are found out through the local planning office by interested fans.

Thanks standbyme – I figured with the delays it would seem a bit disorganized but still I would have like to seen the high wire act. As far as seeing it from BB it was ok but like I said no one else cared because it was distant, the best air show of the day for us was Miss Rae at the Launch Pad

It depends on what is included for the $300.00 per person per month, Utilities transportation and maybe other services we don’t know about. Just saying I don’t know and so far the I-Team or Kings Island has told us what the $300 includes.

Thanks Ryan, your comments make me feel better already and if KI does indeed have more planned it will equally be as great as the past two so far. Thanks for the sky jumper photos fan of beast – I notice the big new Kings Island sky jumper flag, I wonder if they be more regular now. Is it always like that, I know last night was exceptionally long but are they really like that every night? I would not have guessed Knievel or Wallenda so like I said I just sit back and be surprised. BTW I agree Brady Bunch would be a nice touch. Or anger. I was waiting in line for The Beast last night on the 5th of July. I thought a riot was going to start! Bless those kids and the security guard working, because they had to put up with some angry people. I can not believe we where in The Beast station at the same time, it would have been nice to meet you. You are right about the crowd there they where very unruly; in fact such behavior could scare the pee out of young girls waiting in linr that long.

Since Kings Island opened In 1972 I have had the great fortune to been able to come most every year and with the last 5 years realizing my love for amusement/theme parks has grown to be approaching hobby level. I have always loved the coasters but have grown to appreciate the entertainment and atmosphere equally as I do for the coasters, since realizing this my amusement/theme park experiences have been greater experiences. During the last three years my new found hobby has become a more interactive experience to include forum memberships, meet-ups, enthusiast friendships and increased park trips, this I feel has put me into the amusement/theme park fanboy status. Let’s fast forward to summer of 2008, location; Kings Island amusement park. The park is going through some realignment from the Cedar Fair purchase of the park and has put a lot of effort to bring the park back to its glorious energetic atmosphere, by employee’s attitudes, cleanliness, landscaping, shows and by providing top notch world class entertainment. This is huge for long time park patrons who know this much entertainment in one year is very rare and lets some of us fanboys enjoying the ride more as we are not in control or know what is coming just around the next turn, it’s like riding a thrill coaster for the first time. Over Memorial Day weekend Kings Island hosted Robbie Knievel with other fun and rare activities, I attended this event and for days and weeks later find myself thinking about that fun filled day and could not wait till the 4th of July to see what the park had in store for us. When it was announced that Rick Wallenda and Bonnie B would be part of the July 4th festivities I wanted to share this experience with my daughter as I knew this would be something she had not seen before. As July 4th approached the weather forecasters kept predicting rain and thunderstorms for most the day, we decided that we would arrive late that day as we could only come one day out of the weekend partly because of work and a two hour drive. As the day went on the weather forecasters increased the rain likely hood to go later in the day, I kept thinking there is no way Rick will attempt to walk a cable in the rain or even with the chance of thunderstorms. So we thought they would delay activities to the next day as they did with the air show and because we could only go one day we decided it was best to wait till the 5th to go. Well Rick Wallenda is a true dare devil and walked in the rain with an hour break between walks, my heart sank but I thought at least well get a full day in and to be able to see a great air show. We arrived at Kings Island and entered the water park first, I asked security what time the air show will be today, he did not know, so to Boomerang Bay guest relations both same question and answer. So being a fanboy I needed to know what was going on so went to the Main gate guests relations, same question but the young lady did not know but after asking two other guests relations employees one offered that a daily activity sheet should tell us what we wanted we where informed it would be at 2 PM. I noticed as I entered back into the park, the park had the feel of just another average Saturday. We kept busy until 2 PM then waited and waited and waited but no air show so we went back to Boomerang Bay and at 3 Pm here comes the air show, it was good but from a distance it had less excitement to it plus nobody around us seemed to care. We went on about our day and had a great time. Fanboy Advice; When we went on the 5th instead of the 4th it felt like we got to the party late and the main event had taken place and the rest of the festivities where just formalities. I had a sour pit in my stomach much of the day on both the 4th and the 5th as I had this feeling like I was suppose to be somewhere and all the other fanboys were there, so that where I was suppose to be too. As I seen the picture and videos roll in I knew I made a mistake, I should have been there and I had no one to blame but myself. At this point I now know my love for Kings Island is one that I should always make room on my calendar when such events are scheduled because you can’t turn back time. As great of a memory of the Knievel jump day was this weekend has left me feeling empty inside. So here it is, if you feel you’re a fanboy/girl most important don’t miss those historic days at Kings Island and don’t be late, also go to the meet-ups the friendships you’ll make makes going to the park more pleasurable. I hope another historic fanboy day at Kings Island comes this year as I need to get this past weekend behind me.

Kelli, Glad to hear you made it to Alaska safe and on time. The pictures so far look great, I can't wait to see more when you have time.

First off sensationalism sells and you don’t haft to go far from this board to see that first hand, an example of this; in the trip reports section if a member writes a story and titles it negatively they tend to get a lot of hits and often times turns into a flame thread with a variety of personal attacks such as this Trip repot called “worst trip to the park I ever had…” with close to 95,000 views. While other more positive and well thought-out reports get few hits and discussions and luckily this forum has many of those. As far as Don Helbig goes I think he did his job well and answered the he was suppose to and did not answer questions that he had no answer too or authority to do. It is the I-Teams job to try to throw off the parties they are investigating and they know how to make them look bad with camera angels and questions they know can not be answered. So as for Don please look at the whole picture and tenure and not just one event. If Kings Island is in deed correct in upholding their part of the deal and think this story may harm them in the publics eye, then they should possibly hire an outside public relations firm to get their side of the story out by doing some of the following. Take out a large Ad or airtime to but up facts of the situation and to show the discrepancies the I-team left out. Announce they have hired a third party liaison to communicate with the foreign workers and the park so both parties can come to a better understanding in working together. Basically get the word out to the public on Kings Islands approach to the situation. Many times one person can fire a group up and get others to follow their lead (as I witnessed while standing in The Beast line last night after the fireworks) right or wrong which spoils the fun for others. They may have a point but choose confutation ways of doing it, If that is the case then that person/persons should be evaluated if they are a distraction for the over all good. If so then appropriate measures should be taken what ever that may be. Otherwise others may use similar tactics to get their point/way across.

True too, but you don’t usually lose your hat on a coaster in winter either.

Sounds like they need some bigger signs with stronger wording there too.

Thanks for the updates as we discussed here that if all the activities went on the 4th then we would most likely come over on Sunday. Now we are definitely coming tomorrow on the 5th. I am sorry for those who planned there trips for today and can not come back tomorrow and will miss some activates and understand they may be upset. I was really bummed that I was missing a lot today but just could not take the chance with the family and would not be able to come back if they did change events. So I am happy I will at least get to see something exciting tomorrow. I wish they would have scheduled activities for the whole weekend instead of a one day hit or miss, seeing how they the 4th feel on a Friday this year.

KIfan73 –it’s so true that touring a different way every now and then helps us see the park in a different way and usually an enjoyable one. Thanks for bring this to our attention. I also agree when mixing in all the entertainment, rides and water park it helps us not to focus on one thing such as just rides and how they perform. Although a few years back (like 20) I would have just disagreed with myself. Well thanks for the photos and report.

I just have on side of the story here so I think it’s imposable for me to make a intelligent assessment of the story, but think that Kings Island can make this into a positive public relations story. As far as Don response; he did try to answer the question albeit very vague but I do not think deciding on employees employment is in his job description or for him to decide. Basically he is the Spokesperson for the park and not the Human relations department, he makes statements and puts out information that Kings Island needs to be put out and when they want him to do so. Anything above that would be improper, I think he did his job here.

With all the rain and chance of thunderstorms in the Cincinnati area http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findwe...;weekday=Friday We decided last night to wait to come to Kings Island to arrive about 1-2 PM but now they are forecasting definite rain showers/thunderstorms till late in the day with the same likely (80%) into the evening hours. I asked my family for a vote to drive two hours to take a chance and sit in the rain and hopefully see the special activities today/tonight or wait till tomorrow and have a full day of nicer weather with the chance of the special activities rescheduled for Saturday. Everyone agreed that we should hold off till tomorrow, but we where really looking forward to the events but not worth the two hour drive just to be rained out. So if they go on I hope it is a success but if not we will be there tomorrow for sure. What is everybody else doing or think about the weather and how are you adjusting? (just curious)

Thanks for the follow-up report. I look forward to more from you especially if it comes with a unique picture like the on in you follow-up post.

I could not agree more, I really like entertainment and special events which is why I have always enjoyed going to Disney. I got my season pass last fall but held off getting the three additional that I normal get because last year we only went 3 times but equally I have been more and more discouraged from the Gold Pass Perks. So this year I’m still a little discouraged about the Perks but I have been extremely pleased with the special events at the park. If Kings Island continues to hold these types of events I will be happy to purchase our season pass’s omatter what the perks.

Three questions 1. With 70% chance of thunder showers; if weather prevents some or all activities will they be scheduled for Saturday instead? 2. Will the characters at the breakfast rome from table to table to give all children equal and quality time for a special meet & greet, or will they stand over to the side with a line forming to see them? 3. Will they take down the support/steady lines for the tight rope walk before the fireworks at 10 PM, because I think it will be hard to see the special largest firework display in KI history if they are still there? Last question is actually just a funny observation after seeing Ronny’s photos, not a serious question as the first two are.

I vowed to never go to an amusement park on the 4th of July anywhere. Well several years back my mother offered to watch our daughter and my wife said she wanted to go to Kings Island and gave reason why, so I reluctantly agreed and made the stand that if the lines where long that we would just do the shows and special events. The lines where indeed long so we just took our time and watched the shows and special events, we snacked here and there; people watched and had an absolute great time. Even though the park was crowded it seemed as if we were on a different touring plan than everyone else, and to us it was not bad. On the way home I made a new vowel; to always go to Kings Island on the 4th of July and we have done so since, except last year when they held the celebrations on the 3rd of July (a work day ). I have since followed this plan when the park is very busy or is holding special activities. If you are looking to ride rides get there early or come another day. If you’re looking for some family fun with limited ride experiences while taking in the special activities that you do not get on regular operating days; you can’t go wrong going on the 4th of July as you will see some unique fun entertainment that you all can enjoy together verses being in front/behind each other on a ride.. When the park is busy that is when we take in the face painting and game playing basically doing what the minority of the guests are doing. Pretend the crowd is not there, it is very easy to get caught up in what some guest are doing or acting like on these days but don’t go there. Have lots of fun, act a bit goofy in front of the kids and keep smiling, they'll love you for it!

Andrew good to hear your getting a lot out of your Gold Pass, other than going several times have you used any of the other perks? I enjoyed your report and glad you shared with us, no need to apologize for the length you had a lot to share and I like to hear about member’s experiences. Besides you took a lot more time to put your report together and if it's worth that effort then I always figure there is enthusiasm in it. Since you are golden I look forward to future reports from you.

Cortney – I have been looking forward to reading about how your trip went, you enthusiasm in anticipation of your visit has been fun to read. Sorry to hear that some lines where rather long for you, but if you go back please PM-mail me and I will give you some tips on how to avoid a lot of the lines in either dry/water side of the park. One of the things to do is be there at rope drop but in your first post you said The Water Park opens one hour later than the dry side, but in your second post you said Now I’m confused. Well nice report and ride descriptions of your visit, did you see any shows or had funny/memorable moments with your family or friend.

So many over 3 decades it would be like picking a favorite player from a sports team and asking who was best. As far as doing various meet-up and PKICentral /KICentral activities since I missed last years KICentral Day, this year’s is my favorite. Oh wait if one was to happen this year that is.

Universal Studious Orlando just started a new web site that lets you Script Your Trip. Script Your Trip Then after watching it, it lets you and either download it or e-mail it. It puts your name and state info in and adds attractions you like, then plays it like a coming attraction, pretty cool in my opinion. I really did not learn much but enjoyed putting in info then watching the video, I think Universal gets some marketing information out of it which is a win for them

We have been honored recently to have some photo trip reports from some long time members and it is great seeing the park through their eyes. I enjoyed your report and your selections of photos. Thanks for taking the time to share your day with us.