standbyme

First time on Invertigo! (The ride messes with me so I don't ride it that often.) Thanks for taking the time to do this report.

Nice report...i'm glad you had fun.

^And I had RACER. (Tthe day before we marathoned it.)

I think it was Shaggy who said YEARS ago that after SOB was gone people would then start waxing nostalgically about how it was such a great ride and what a shame it was that it was gone...so these sob'n SOB threads are never ever truly going away.

EXCELLENT report! Thanks for taking the time to put it all together!

I have been way behind reading trip reports lately...and yours didn't help...this is one of the longest that I have read around here in a long time! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience...it was a lot of fun to read!

Thanks for all the comments. I do enjoy putting things like this together...but at the moment I am hurting for time so I am kind of rushing this report just to get it out there while it's still "current".

With lunch over it was back to The Racer! I was happy that I finally had the time to have a real conversation with Sam the Butcher. Fire-Beast-OF-FEAR & ohiocolts enjoy the front seat! It can’t be said enough how much the enthusiasm of The Racer crew helped make this event the great time that it was! Matt/m2raptor & Sean?, we spent most of the event checking and double-checking our ride numbers…Matt had his counter and I had my sharpie. Between the three of us I think we kept a pretty accurate count. I have no idea what these are or why one of The Racer crew members took a picture of them…not that I mind…anyone want to enlighten me? Brian?…he looked like he was having as much fun as we were. It was now 5 o’clock...actually a hair after…and the event was over… My goal before the event started was 100…I managed to get in 109 rides. I was on the first train out in the morning and never left it except for lunch! (Sean and I even snuck back from lunch a little early and got 2 extra rides in.) I am totally happy with my end count…and it made me appreciate Don’s 112? one day record even more…I don’t know how anyone could ever keep getting out and back in line and make it to 112! At 5:30 we were all invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of The Beast...something that I usually would like to do...but I had family waiting for me in the park so I decided to pass this time...so for me this event was officially over. I would like to thank Give Kids The World, the park & The Racer crew for a great time. It will always be one of my best memories doing these marathons.

One of the more amusing sites of the day…reading a book while riding a coaster! (Yes he DID do it…even down the hills.) I was sitting right behind him, he did a great job at holding the book steady.) It didn’t last TOO long though…once the ride ops noticed it they did ask him to stop. (Safety first!) Next to the guy holding the book is muppetfan1999…I didn’t find that out until after I got home and was reading this board…had I have known it was you I would have introduced myself. Have I mentioned that all of The Racer crew members were great?! It was interesting watching how they roated around during the day. It was now time for lunch…unlike last year it was mandatory. (Last year I was able to sneak in about 10 extra rides.) In this photo we are all wating around to walk as a group to The (former) International Restaurant. (Yay!) I always, always enjoy the view. Don congratulated and handed out prizes to the top three people who collected the most donations…and he handed out a special prize to jlopez for the money that she collected having a rummage sale for Give Kids The World. The Racer crew joined us for lunch! Now to honest I am not a fan of the Kings Island’s biggest fan campaign…maybe I am too sensitive but I feel as though many of us are being mocked. (Yes. me included.) With that said, I will say that “the fan” was very nice…almost shy…unless that is what he was “going for”. He went from table to table giving each of us a 40th Anniversary commemorative Racer coin. (A very nice touch!) I think these coins are great. I purchased 2 of them in The Emporium the night before! (Be sure and pick up one of the 40th anniversary park one’s also!) I love it when the park makes items that are unique to the park…it doesn’t thrill me as much when I know that the same item is being sold at all of the Cedar Fair parks. Fire-Beast-OF-FEAR meets “the fan”. The KIC group shot. Here is the same shot with the names of the members…anyone want to fill in the gaps?

Eva’s heart was in the event big time! She did her best to get us all singing along…Ice Ice Baby… I am sorry that I can’t remember all of The Racer crew’s names…this is the operator who started us out for the morning…a real nice guy. (Next year I will have to bring a notepad!) As a side note…if you are wondering how I do know some names and not others…I cheat and zoom in on their name tags in my photos. I don’t know what this gentleman’s usual title is…but for today I think it was “babysitter”. At last year’s event we rode the Red Racer, this year it was the Blue…which means that we were the kings of losing…it was a little disheartening. Out of the 109 rides I took we only won maybe 5-6 times. We did not sing Queen’s “We Are The Champions” very much that day. (What’s even sadder is that John would cheat and send us a little early and we STILL couldn’t win.) If you think I have a lot of photos of this event…if you happen to be over Don’s house one evening and he says “Let me show you my photos & videos of Coasting For Kids”, you better run for the exit fast! He seemed to always be filming…and me attempting to duck. A nice shot of KingsIsland1972 This was one of the biggest shocks of the event for me…I had NO idea that ohiocolts was so young. I was riding with Jennifer (jlopez) and asked her if she had run into ohiocolts because he was supposed to be here…she pointed forward to him getting into the train and said “Oh yeah…there he is”. She was as surprised that he wasn’t an “adult” as I was. (ohiocolts…your posts make you appear much older than your age…yes that’s a compliment! ) Just like last year, The Racer crew could not have been nicer. Yes that is KIC's own jlopez in the second row...it was really nice to meet her at the event. The “break area”…something that I was determined not to use…no offense to those that did. Having The Racer crew take pictures for me was awesome...when I got home it was like digging in a box of cereal for the prize to see what it was! This picture was a nice surprise, an excellent picture of Gary (XGatorHead) & Brad (IndyGuy4KI). Cody seemed to really be enjoying entertaining us with trivia and "jokes".

Time to head into the park! I don’t think it’s possible for any Kings Island fanboy not to snap a photo of the tower & the fountain every time they are at the park. I do like this shot. Walking through the park empty is STILL something that I enjoy. (I’ll take “Things most park employees don’t say” for $500 Alex.) We arrive at our destination! Now, it was time for the official group photo. This year I must admit that I was/am disappointed in Don. SURELY by now he knows how I feel about having my picture taken…and that it ain’t gonna happen willingly…I asked him if we had to go through the charade of me getting in the photo even though I wouldn’t be seen…and he STILL told me to “get in there”! SO…instead of me being able to take some nice group shots also, here is the view I had while sitting down behind the crowd…not quite the Kodak moment I would have preffered: (I did cheer during the video sequence though.) Being in the back of the crowd DID have one advantage though…I was first into the station. I had my choice of seats…I chose the very back seat…something after 5 rides I began to regret. Everyone picks a seat for the first train out. The Racer’s crew seemed to be just as happy to be there as we were…so I’m guessing that they are all pretty good actors. I was glad to see that both Savannah & John were here again for the event. This year I got super lucky…and super smart! Last year, since I never got off the coaster I wasn’t able to get hardly any pictures of everyone else…this year I handed my camera to one of The Racer’s crew members and asked them if they would mind taking pictures. Throughout the day I noticed different crew members picking up my camera and taking pictures. SO, a really big thanks goes out to all of them for taking most of these photos…if it weren’t for them this trip report would not only be boring…but I personally would not have gotten so many great shots to remember this event…thank you, thank you, thank you… Jonathan, this is the downside of sitting with me when your picture is taken…since your photo came out so good I thought you deserved to see it…I just had to do a little “creative” editing. I suspect Cody took quite a few of the shots that you are seeing…but obviously not this one.

Where has the time gone…it doesn’t seem like it has been a year since I wrote my last Coasting For Kids trip report. (What a drag it is getting old…but I am fighting it!) I was thrilled when it was announced that Cedar Fair & Give Kids The World would be once again give me the chance to marathon The Racer AND help a VERY worthy cause. (And in my opinion those are getting harder and harder to find.) Just like last year I signed up during the first week that this event was announced to make sure I had my spot reserved…and just like last year I was/am amazed that it didn’t sell out. All that I can say that if you had the means & opportunity to attend this event (And the stamina.) you were a fool to have missed it! A better time at the park can not be had…it is as if all the planets align to let the real coaster enthusiast in you come out, all the while being surrounded by like-minded fanboys who not only do not ridicule your behavior, they join in! Be forewarned, not only am I going to be posting over 80 photos of the event..the quality is NOT great. I REALLY have to get a new new camera, I bought my most recent one last year and I STILL am not happy with it! ALSO, since I am the king of not wanting my picture taken/posted, if you see a picture of yourself that I have posted that you don't like just PM me and I will remove it! For posterity, here is a screen grab of the event: And just like last year KIC had an “official” team! I still do not all of who was who…but there’s always next year! For me, this year’s event began just like last year…me walking to the park from my room at the Kings Island Resort across the street. (I could have driven…but I love walking across the empty parking lot looking around.) It’s about 7 AM…here comes the sun. Quality over quantity, I love the simplicity of this sign. Mr. Don Helbig & his assistants wait to check the riders in. After signing in you receive a cool free t-shirt to wear during the event! The crowd is gathering. What is cool for me this year is that unlike last I hardly knew anyone…this year I recognize quite a few familiar faces. A couple of “fashionably late” arrivals…Indyguy4KI/Brad & Avatar/Jesse. The ultimate Fast Lanes. Don officially welcomes us, and thanks us all for our participation. “Let’s bump up the lights and see if anyone has any questions”…let’s see how many people get that reference!

What...no spoiler alert?!

Very cool Jonathan, i'm happy for you. (And even happier that I chose the very back.)

Brad, Thanks for taking the time to put together the video! It was a lot of fun seeing you on Sunday...see ya next year, J.D.

ohiocolts, A VERY nice trip report! I am sorry that I never got to say hi to you...but I did see you...Jennifer pointed you out to me. When you got into the front seat I asked one of The Racer crew to get a picture of you. (I am still digging through my pictures, but I will post it.)

Keith, Thank you SO much for taking the time to take all of those pictures. As you mentioned it was not possible for us riders to do this so these are great to have. You even managed to get a shot of me that I DO like! See ya, J.D.

If anyone did all I can say is they shouldn't be at an amusement park in the first place.

It will take me a few days to wade through my photos and put together a trip report but I just wanted to say that I also had a great time! Thanks to Kings Island & Give Kids The World!

I was glad to see the park announce a magic show this year. (As I have mentioned in the past, I avoid the music shows at the park religiously.) I must admit that I probably wouldn't have rushed to see this show if it hadn't have been for SoakCity's review...I just had to see if it was nearly as lame as he was claiming. After watching it not once but twice on Saturday I must say that (IMHO) his review is totally unfair. I was entertained both times. Sure an adult can figure out SOME of the tricks...so what? The tricks are only part of the show...I found Ed a very personable and funny guy. (And I am way too old to have ever watched Saved by The Bell...so I am not biased.) He is quick-witted, at both of the shows I saw he adlibbed some very funny lines based on what his volunteer assistant said or did...or didn't do. With the exception that the dancers seemed a bit out of place..not really raunchy, just out of place, I thought the show was great...and judging by the laughter I was not alone. I would also like to say that after each show you can meet Ed & have a picture taken. (No charge.) While waiting my turn I was impressed just how nice he was...he took time with each person and made them feel special. It struck me that here was someone who truly enjoys their "work". (Or he is a VERY good actor! ) I was last in line...and when it was finally my turn, I told him that I thought he did a great job and that I just wanted to check out the show for myself after the review on Kings Island Central he said to me something to the effect of "Oh, what did it say?" (So much for how important some of us think this site is!)

Everyone seems to hook up eventually. Moderator Jesse/Avatar will be there, he is very friendly and will help point out other members. (He has his photo as his avatar so you should be able to recognize him.)

I wouldn't allow yourself to force yourself into anything...you need to learn to stand up for yourself. See ya Sunday!

^You will probably receive an e-mail with instructions a day or so before the event with the day's itinerary...but basically you do just show up between 7-8 to sign in.

Just bumping this 1 more time...by this time next week the marathoning will all be done. If you haven't already signed up there are still 29 slots available! I know times are tough right now...but the $100.00 that each participant must raise/donate is a bargain for the great time that this event is. Some of the reasons you don't want to miss this chance: You will be supporting a great cause it is a win-win situation! (Plus it is tax-deductible.) You get the chance to meet fellow KIC members...which does make this board more interesting to read when you can put a face/personality to a name. The Racer employees are a lot of fun cheering everyone on and trying to keep everyone entertained. Free water. A nice free t-shirt. A free lunch in The (former) International Restaurant...always a good time. The park goes above and beyond making everyone feel special for participating in this event. A behind the scenes Beast tour after the marathoning. Admission to the park. Sing-a-longs on The Racer as you re-enter the station...and maybe even the hokey pokey. And of course, rides on The Racer over and over and over and over...without ever having to get out of the train. (Unless you want to.) I can't wait to see everyone again this year! www.firstgiving.com/gktw/KingsIsland

You kids...why when I was a kid...