khaoskat

First off, I want to say, what I thought was going to be a horrible experience today went great. We mostly went down for the purpose of replacing our stolen passes from someone breaking into our car. The lady at the toll booth was great, making sure we got our receipt for parking and telling us it could be reimbursed and that we can get the passes reissued at Will Call. Then, when we went to park, we noticed again (last week was the same thing) that there was no one at the Gold Pass parking entrance, so everyone and their brother was going in and out looking for spots. We did manage to find a few open ones and parked, unloaded the three kids and headed on in, police report in tow. We stopped at Will Call, the guy could only find my Platinum Pass in the computer quickly, and the line was growing long behind us, because he was the only one open, so he sent us to guest relations. We got everyone through security with no issues (they didn't even stop us for the two speedway cups sitting in the cupholders of the stroller. We then went into Guest Relations. And boy were they busy. We waited a few minutes and were helped. The poor girl behind the desk was wonderful and cheerful and extremely helpful (if you are on KIC Emily, Thanks a lot from our family you have helped make this whole theft from a car a bit easier/better). She was able to find all but my husband's pass. We know he is in the system, because we had been there last week and his pass came through with his pic on the screen or he wouldn't have been let in. No matter how she looked, she wasn't able to find him. She called her Supervisor (I think it was Melissa), and Melissa just reissued his pass. Had I know that they could have possibly found him using his Season Pass for last year, I would have pulled it out of the glove box (for some reason my two boys like to play with them as "credit cards", so I always keep the old passes and gift cards for their play) and brought it in. Emily remained cheerful, even though the line was growing huge behind us, and never seemed like she was rushing to get us out the door. Same with her supervisor. As Emily was finding us in the system, she was printing off the passes. They gave DH a paper ticket and told us to go process his pass (if we were going into the park) before we left, as the line would be almost non-existent. Then they let us through the little gate in guest relations into the park, instead of sending us back out and through the turn styles. We then made our way over to the kids area, after a quick stop at the Baby Care place to take the kids on potty break and nurse the baby. On the way there we stopped through a few shops to replace our stolen pass holder that we had purchased a few years ago. Oh and a stop on the way to the kids area to be measured and wrist banded for ride height on the kids. First the boys rode Little Bills, there was about a 5-10 minute wait. Next we went to the Airbender's Helicopter, and there was no line. Then we rode Plankton Plunge. Then my eldest wanted to ride for the first time the Runaway Reptar, and he loved it. My youngest and I patiently waited at the exit, since we didn't think my husband would fit, but wanted to try it. He didn't fit, so I had to ride with him, and he just loved it to death. I think there was maybe a 15 minute wait. After that it was Swipers Sweepers, La Azur, and Diego x 3. Then we headed back to the front. On the way out we rode Atom Smasher (middle child 1 x; eldest child x2) then they rode the Backyardagins swings (middle child 1 x; eldest child x2). Then a quick stop for some ice cream since the kids behaved. Then a quick trip through pass processing, where we fixed the misspelling of one of our kids last name and made sure that everyone's information on all 4 passes (except names and pics) is the to make them easier to find in case or problems again. All in all a great day. Next visit - an attempt at the water park for the first time with three kids and two adults.

Ditto, I have not even put up our kids pool at home yet, because it is has been too cold for the water to get warm and stay warm. my kids would want to be in it every day, and then come out with blue lips.

I can almost say for a certain that the water IS NOT heated, except by nature. I used to lifeguard at Oceans of Fun, and hated the first few weeks of the season because the water was SO SO COLD. You froze your backside off and certain body parts stood at attention, gender dependent on what body parts I am talking about....

As far as I know the only "family" restroom in King's Island is in the actual baby care building. There are two bathrooms inside the build in the waiting area - no gender to the room. There is also a place where you can change a baby, nurse or feed.

I thought Cedar Fair had a policy about where Alcohol could and could not be located at? I thought it was against policy for people to be drinking beer in the lines waiting for rides, but I saw about 2-3 people carrying plastic glasses of beer in the line for Beast today, not to mention about another dozen or so carrying Bud bottles and drinking them there as well. So, it is not just the smoking.

We cannot really afford the rates for the Cedar Fair properties. (Almost $500+ for a two night stay is out of budget.) We are looking for like a suite type place, where you have a bedroom and living area. We don't really need a full doorway, but do need a bit of separation so that we can get the kids to sleep and still allow us to have some down time away from the kids before crashing. Any recommendations?

I asked this past weekend. You can still get a free ticket and give it to someone else to use (we were wondering so we could figure cost for a trip with my parents).

Question for a friend - Has anyone seen a commercial offering $20 in savings form Dukin for King's Island? If so, what is the offer they are talking about? Thanks. Melissa S.

Actually, they are liquidating anything and everything that says "Paramount" on it. I think it is 70% off, or rather that is what we got when we made a few minor purchases on Sunday. I don't think it has anything to do with specific rides, just the old Paramount King's Island merchandise that wasn't sold out in previous years. Also, I think I saw Winterfest merchandise at 75% off.

Like I have said in a previous post. Goto the KI 2008 Season pass page. It clearly states that your pass MUST be processed at King's Island, if you purchase it at King's Island.

Per KI's 2008 Season Pass sales page: Picture of a Platinum Pass with Kings Island writton on it, along with Platinum Pass. Below the language reads: Platinum Season Pass Valid at all Cedar Fair Amusement and Water Parks during the '08 season. Includes FREE PARKING at Kings Island and all other Cedar Fair parks! Plus, enoy all the Gold Pass perks at Kings Island!

Forgot to ask - Where on CP's web page can you see what their Plat Perks are going to be?

I was doing the math earlier today, to figure out the price difference for us as well. Family of 4 here (2 adults 2 kids, - ok, actually 5, but the 5th will be free next year). My calc for KI Gold was $310 (free parking because of renewing) - 2@90; 2@65 My calc for Plat Pass was $460 (free parking included regardless of renewal) - 2 @140; 2@$90 Yours would probably be (if all under 48 inches tall): KI Gold $285 (free parking if renew by 11/10) 1@90; 3@65 KI Plat $410 (free parking) 1 @140; 3@90. I think we would like to do a trip to CP next year, so, if I figure in all the stuff for that...2@70 for adults; 2@25 for kids; 2@10 for parking, we come out ahead of the deal purchasing Plat, but not by much.

I remember when Fear Fest was a paid attraction....You could purchase your fear fest tickets starting around 6 p.m. Fear Fest started at 7. The park remained open until like 7 or 8. When you entered the park you were given a wrist band to put on. Once Fear Fest opened, to get into the attractions (haunted houses, etc,) you had to show your wrist band. I think they sort of soft closed rides and let guests ride till 8, and FF guests start riding at 7. But once the park officially closed to the "public" (ie non FF purchased tickets), if you didn't have a wrist band you couldn't ride, unless you were already in the que and just waiting your turn. I know CP includes their hallow weekends in their ticket prices, and season passes (I believe this also includes the haunted events, not just the stuff by day).

Also, are we sure that the Parking pass going with those who are renewing from this season to next for Gold only passes will be valid at all other parks, or just KI. The parking pass that they are selling at KI is valid for KI only. I am still debating, weather to go Gold or Platinum. We are a family of 4 needing passes this coming year, plus 1 free child. The price difference is $150, but 1 two (2) day trip to CP would cost us at least $75 more. I don't know if you would get any sort of discount at the hotels if you have a Platinum pass or not, but if anyone knows this answer it would be appreciated.

Tigillinus - I just read through the pass information on KI's web page, after I was able to access...based upon what their web page says...I would answer your questions as follows. 1. So if I renew my season pass to Platinum before Nov 11th, can I get my pass processed at ANY park or does it have to be KI?? A: No - the KI Web page specifically states on the Platinum Pass "Photo ID card must be processed at Kings Island." 2. Can I get my Platinum Pass processed at ANY park, and is it confirmed that I will get be getting the KI Gold/Platinum Perks even if my Platinum Pass is NOT processed at KI? A: See answer to #1 on having it processed at ANY Park.....As to KI Gold Benefits available to Platinum Card Holders --- "Plus, enjoy all the Gold Pass perks at King's Island". Not sure regarding it being processed and/or purchased at another Park, but if it is purchased at KI, you must process it at KI. 3. So now, I've been under the impression that my 2007 Maxx Pass is valid through March 31, 2008, however, if I have a processed 2008 Platinum Pass, will I be able to use that for free parking to Knott's Berry Farm on New Year's Day? A: Sorry no help here, but to re-iterate that according to KI's web page, if you purchase your pass at KI, it must be processed at KI.

Hubby and I got to the park around 7:30-7:45 p.m. on July 3 (10 p.m. close time), and they were still taking parking passes and expecting guests to pay for parking at that time.

Well, I know for a fact that they haven't been training that long. I skate locally to KI, and remember an add being posted at the local skating rinks for the local clubs (Queen City, FSCS, South Dayton, Miami University --- sorry if I forgot any others) looking for local skaters who had certain set of skills. Generally they were looking for skaters 18+ years of age who could do double jumps and the more advances spins and footwork (I would say if you are knowledgeable about figure skating those at around an Intermediate to Junior level in Free Style). They were also looking for similiar level in Dance. These skaters are not "professional" skaters as you think of them. Most of them are not interested in competition and coach locally (I know one of the Skaters was on Miami University Junior Synchro Team while in College or the Collegete team which competed at Junior level; currently coaches for the Learn to Skate and FS Club in Dayton; I think also coaches or assistant coaches one of the Miami Kids Synchro teams; and also does private lessons). I know the add for the Auditions was in March. I also don't believe that they put in as much "training" as a previous poster mentioned, because I know one of them is teaching lessons several days a week, and that much training is more along the lines of what a Senior level skater going to the Olympics Route does. They probably practice every day for 1-2 run throughs of the show; prior to the opening of the show and after school let out, they probably practice around 4 hours a day to learn the routine and their parts. I also wouldn't be surprised if there are at least 1-2 alternates in case of injury or illness that would require the skater to be off the ice.

I have been 3 times this year, we own Gold Passes, but due to a few things beyond our control, haven't been able to go as often as normal. I have been kind of neutral on the changes and park since CF took over. We mainly visit the kids area... 1) I really like the fact that a few rides that used to have height restrictions on them, now allow all children (except lap held infants) on them with an adult (for instance last year you had to be 40 inches tall to ride the log ride, this year, just need parent). 2) I really like the fact that a lot of the kids rides now have safety belts on them that used to never have them. 3) I love the fact that they have the child height measurement station at the front of the park right next to the return visit booth/Gold Pass Booth. 4) I like the fact they brought back the Gold Passes this year. 5) It doesn't seem as crowded in the park this year. Every time we have gone, even the Gold Pass parking is 1/2 empty and ride lines in the kids area are not as long as they normally are. 6) Customer service is much better. I had a few complaints with KI in the past, and they never seemed to get resolved or even acknowledged by the Park; I have even left customer feedback for an employee that I thought did a really good job in a very tough situation and never even received a thank you for your compliment. With CF this year, I at least heard back that they were addressing the issues (we went opening weekend and the arcade/kiddie games were eating my son's tokens, they were so crowded in the ticket redemption areas that you couldn't get an employee to help you. I left a customer complaint and actually heard back in about 4 weeks. 7) They need more life jackets for children in the water park area. Last year we had no problems on the lazy river or water slide rides with finding one for your child. This year, You couldn't see a single one, and a few of the rides require our son to have one and we didn't bring one because in the past they have always had them at the rides. 8) I like the fact that on the lazy river ride in the water park that they now have double tubes. It works great for me taking my 4 year old on it. Not quite old enough/tall enough to go on his own tube, but too big to sit on my stomach and share a single tube. 9) If you have a child who is not old enough to require a ticket, they still let you do the Gold Pass privs on the rides with that child (log ride and scooby). I really think only time will tell right now with regards to the changes. I don't think we have seen the whole effect yet. I am still waiting for them to put up their 4th of July stuff (ie like last year they had the Gold Pass special viewing area, picnic, etc). I also agree that prices are a bit high this year for everything, but I do know that security is great if you are coming in with kids, especially if you go through a line that has a "grandpa" in it. They let you bring in a few snacks in your diaper bag for the kids w/o giving you grief -- and give you a few pointers on how to get "food" in. My son (2 yo) was finishing up his McDonalds as we were walking in, and the security guy let us even though he was finishing his hamburger through security checkpoint.

SOB is still closed from the issues from last year. They are in the process of removing the loop, and potentially a lawsuit against the designer and manufacturer. This takes time, as they waited until they had a known cause for the massive failure last year that caused a couple full cars of riders to be injured. This was an issue with Paramount, not with CF. Paramount used a ton of non union companies to provide labor to put up this ride. DZ is down because it was manufactured by the same company who manufactured the ride at Six Flags that cut of a girls legs. For safety of Park Guests they have taken the ride off line at all Paramount Parks (as they were all done by the same manufacturer) as well as all Six Flags. I think a total of 12 of the DZ type rides were shut down after the accident. Again, this is an issue with Paramount, as Paramount hired the original manufacturer of the ride, not CF - as a matter of fact, non of the CF properties (other than those purchased through Paramount transaction) have been shut down. I have no clue why the other rides are down, but I do remember last year, the new coaster was always down, and it took us almost all year to be able to even use our speed lane passes to ride it. Again, if there are ride safety issues, they are due to Paramount, because all those rides were manufactured and put into place under them, not CF.