XGatorHead 8904

OK, here are the Official Plans for The Unofficial KIC Road Trip and KI Meet: KI on Friday, May 1st: Gator, Violakat, Beast Man, Kawana, Kittenpooh (and possibly Indyguy4KI) After discussing it with kat, we figured it would be best to meet somewhere away from the front gate because that area can get a little busy (unless we see each other outside the metal detectors anyway). DB ERT starts at 9:30, and I liked kat's suggestion of meeting on the porch of the Diamondback Gift Shop. So let's meet there at 9:30. There probably won't be too many people standing on that porch so we should be easy to spot. If you don't know any of the other people going, just look for me. In honor of it being Math & Science Day, I'll be wearing my Anti-Line Jumping shirt. So just look for this on the front: and this on the back: If you're on the list above and you don't already have my cell #, I'll be PM'ing it to you to use if you're not able to meet up until later, that way we can let you know where in the park we are when you get there. Holiday World on Saturday, May 2nd: Gator, Violakat, Beast Man, clbehymer (and possibly specialk141) Anyone in the northern Cincinnati area or north of there, please meet in the TriCounty Mall parking lot, closest to Krazy City. That part of the mall has a big sign for BJ's restaurant on it, and it's the part closest to the intersection of Kemper and 747. I've met there for road trips to CP before, it's a good location because it's so close to I-75, which we'll be going south on. Since it will be early morning, there should hardly be anyone else in the mall's parking lot. I drive a navy blue Chevy Impala, so look for that. Anyone who wants to ride with me is more than welcome... I love driving... just ask Mrs. Gator, who hasn't driven on one of our vacations or road trips since about 1997. And since it takes 3 hours to get to HW, I'd like to leave TriCounty at 7:15. Beast Man, I see in your profile that you're from Northern Kentucky. Instead of having you drive all that way north just to go south again, we could meet you somewhere along the way, like right off of an exit of 71/75. Just let me know what would be convenient for you, we should be passing through Northern Kentucky at about 7:30 - 7:45. clbehymer and I have already worked out where we'll meet up with her since she's in Indiana already. We'll be meeting her off of an exit in Louisville. And then we should be at HW close to opening time! Remember, the best discount they have for admission right now is to bring a Pepsi can to their front gate. I'm really looking forward to these two days of fun, kind of a prequel to Ride Warriors Weekend! Thanks to all of those who have responded, and if you haven't yet but are interested, there's still time! Just let us know below...

^Here's my TR from HW last year: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?...c=14688&hl= And believe me, I completely plan on posting one for this trip too.

^Hopefully we're lucky Saturday, while you're on your "break"!

And I'll be 6 when it turns 100. 6 feet under, that is... unless I'm fortunate enough to live to see the ripe old age of 99!

You're right... I wasn't thinking clearly when I said I'd been on rides that are easier in the body. DB shouldn't have been included with Beast and FOF in that statement. But then, I think I need more proof... I'm 31 DB rides behind you. I'll gather more data on how DB effects the body on Friday!

^I think I figured out why I'm able to do this and you're not. So far this season, you've probably been riding things like DB, Beast, FOF, etc. Well, with the exception of my first couple of hours on opening day, I've been marking time on rides like Viking Fury, FOC, and Phantom Flyers... rides that are much easier on the body. But then you have someone like violakat, who just totally disproves that theory... And looking at the RWW schedule, when am I going to get some sleep in? I'm glad I live so close...

Wow, it is less than a week away! The forecast for Friday isn't looking the greatest so far (high of 74, 50% chance of rain), but you know what that means... hopefully smaller crowds for us! But it's still a little too early yet to fully believe the forecast. It was beautiful weather yesterday and there was hardly anyone at the park. Saturday is looking like high 60's, 20% chance of rain for Santa Claus. Sounds good to me! Indyguy, so far it doesn't look like anyone's coming from Indy on Friday... StalkerChick, sorry to hear you can't make it! rcfreak, I think I would be stooping to a new low to want to visit SFKK again. (Gator, who just HAD to...) rotag, I can certainly understand, I hate when that happens! Beatle, hopefully we'll see you there! From what I understand about your boys, I want my daughter to be like them when it comes to the park (and I think I'm doing a pretty good job so far... just look at the last paragraph in my latest update. ) Beast Man and Kawana, great to have you along, and you too angrybeaver if you can make it! Thanks for all the responses, our list keeps growing! I'll have things finalized in the next day or two. I'll post here and most likely PM too. KI on Friday, May 1st Me violakat Justin_M17 Beast Man Kawana giga (maybe...I don't know, her signature lists her next time at the park as 5/9, but she has been known to just show up at the park unannounced! ) Indyguy4KI (maybe... anybody coming from the Indy area???) angrybeaver (maybe) Holiday World on Saturday, May 2nd Me violakat Beast Man specialk141 (maybe)

April 26th Two weekends into the season, two visits under my belt, and I've hit double digits on a ride already this year. And that ride is... wait for it... VIKING FURY!!! With 4 rides on it last weekend and 7 this time, that brings the total to 11. But I'm getting ahead of myself. This trip was all about spending time with GatorGirl before she and Mrs. Gator go to Florida tomorrow. Mrs. Gator worked Sunday so that she could take Monday off to pack, so GatorGirl and I headed to the park. After getting the car washed and brunch at Waffle House, we got to the park at about noon. I was wearing my KICentral shirt, which I had just personalized the night before with my username on the back (thanks for the tip on the iron-on letters, StalkerChick! It turned out great...even if my handiwork is very slightly crooked on the shirt). Sure enough, it paid off. We had just entered the park and gad198 came up and introduced himself. Unfortunately we didn't get to talk too long... GatorGirl was anxious to get to ridin', and I think gad198 could tell that! But it was very nice meeting you, gad! GatorGirl got to set the agenda for the whole day. Our first stop was her new "favorite ride in the 'tire world" as she calls it... Viking Fury. We rode Wild Thornberry's River Adventure twice, which GatorGirl loved. She was very glad that the elephant was turned off... as Terpy would have been too! And this was the first visit I can remember in the last few years that we actually didn't ride SD&THC at all! We saw Marty's Party again (at GatorGirl's request). Maybe this show is growing on me a little... but I did see looks on other parents' faces that indicated that they didn't appreciate the (quite literal) toilet humor, which goes something like this if you haven't seen the show yet: FIONA enters, dressed in a pink biohazard-type suit, with safety goggles on her head and holding a completely accessorized toilet plunger. FIONA: (excitedly) Marty! I need your help! My aunt came over for brunch, and she left a very unpleasant surprise for me in the bathroom. I need to borrow your Super Dooper Toilet Unclogger! This, along with the belch, does not need to be in a kids show, and it's sad that they've stooped to this level in an attempt to get a laugh, which in the two shows I've seen has not gotten one. I can maybe let the 20 second belch slide, but the toilet line... GOTTA GO! (pun fully intended). Mrs. Gator met us at the park at about 6:20, after leaving work, and we all enjoyed the rest of the evening together riding until park close. I noticed they were still playing the classic rock all over the park. I was very pleasantly surprised when we were getting on Nick-O-Round and "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" started playing, which is Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, which nobody plays (but I enjoy immensely). Even though I like the music, I still say Nick U should have more "pop" stuff instead. Maybe next time... EDIT: I forgot to mention that lines were pretty non-existent all day. Our longest wait was maybe 20 minutes for the 1st time on WTRA, and 10-15 minutes for the 1st Scrambler ride. Everything else was, or could have been if we didn't have to wait for row 1 or 14 of VF at GatorGirl's request, a walk-on. Such a beautiful day weather-wise, and very few people in the park. Even the DB line was pretty short all day. It was tempting... while we were in line for WTRA, GatorGirl even asked me "When are you going to the new roller coaster?" I told her I couldn't since I was with her. She said "Yes you can!" I asked her what would I do with her then, and she replied "I'll wait for you. You can just leave me in the stroller and I can wait." I just love that little girl... thinking of her daddy's need for speed and thrills! That's alright, I plan on getting plenty of DB rides in over the next two weeks!

Dumb rv business? At least that business has been a success and allowed him to develop a lot of that land into something useful and nice along that route. I'm sorry, but it's not Couch and his rv business you have to blame....it's the people who, like at Geauga Lake, didn't come. But what about the people who did go, and had the worst time they've ever had at a park and left sorely disappointed and angry? Who's fault would that be, the company that was picked to operate the place, or Couch for hiring them? Word of mouth is a powerful thing, and may have contributed to LL's downfall. Gator, who wishes he had never gone to Lesourdsville Lake...

^I missed it too. I saw Firehawkboy's posts in this topic and another, and I was about to ask what's gotten into him today. Now it makes sense!

I like this idea. I'm glad I helped spark it in giga's mind! Almost every time I go it's with GatorGirl and Mrs. Gator, so unless you want to stay in Nick U and ride the few rides elsewhere in the park that a 40" kid can ride, it's hard for me to meet up those times. But there are a few times that I'm going solo, and it'd be great for those occasions. I think I might color code the dates in my signature as to when I'm going with the family or alone...

StalkerChick, it would be fun to have you along! Just don't spend too much money before/after Avenue Q! (I know, easier said than done). Just $32.95 to get in, "free" drinks while there, and the food is cheaper and better quality than KI... that's about all I can think of expense-wise. What else do I have to say to tempt you more? Unrealsk8er, where do you work? I'll be right there... I can be intimidating... er, I mean convincing, when I need to be! Some people have gotten in trouble at my work for calling in sick on a day that they've already requested off, so I can't condone such an action (but I definitely wouldn't comdemn it either if you just happened to find yourself in Santa Claus, Indiana next Saturday!). Sweet, another person for Friday! Thanks Justin!

Another great fundraiser. Freshman year (1991) I had a conversation with a guy who lived down the hall from me in the dorm about Maggie. He was trying to convince me how great it was, and I wouldn't hear it. I even said "What's the point of a steel coaster without loops?" After all, the steel coasters I was used to were Screamin Demon, Vortex and King Cobra (The Bat, AdvExp and Bavarian Beetle don't count...those are suspended or smaller). A few years later, I finally made it to CP, rode it, and learned what the point of a big steel coaster without loops is. -Gator, who now knows better, and is glad to now have a big steel coaster without loops so close to home...

I 100% expect Nick to be gone from the park next year. There are four things I noticed on opening day that make me suspect this, I listed them in my TR and in the "What did you notice?" topic. What might be in it's place, I have no idea, but I suspect HB due to the fact that they were there for Halloween last year, and that Scooby is shown on the Breakfast With the Characters banner outside the front gate (and as far as I know, Scooby isn't at the breakfast, just Nick characters. That reminds me, we should probably do a character breakfast this year before that's changed from Nick..). They could reuse that banner next year if that's the case. As far as bulldozing Nick...NNNOOOOO!!!!!! Like coaster_junky pointed out, it's the perfect training ground for the thrill seekers of the future. It's where I had my thrill seeking training back in the 70's, and it's where I'm currently training my own little thrill seeker. In fact, we have another training session scheduled there this Sunday. And bulldozing BB? Again...NNNOOOOO!!!!! Thrill seeking training occurs there too, as well as much needed rest. It's thrilling to barrel down a slide with nothing but you and the water (and possibly a tube or mat), as my little one in training is learning. There is much to parks besides coasters.

BUMP... Just a little over a week to go until the Unofficial KIC Road Trip to Holiday World on May 2nd. I have to admit, the response is less than what I had hoped for, but I'm happy with who's expressed interest so far. It's not too late... plans have not been finalized yet, but will be soon (like this time next week). My plan is to drive there that morning and come back that night. HW is open 9:30 to 5:30 central (that's 10:30 to 6:30 "Ohio time"), so we shouldn't be getting back to late. As always, just let me know if you're interested. So far, we've got... KI on Friday, May 1st Me violakat Giga (maybe) rotag1299 (maybe) HW on Saturday, May 2nd Me violakat specialk141 (maybe)

I plan on being back at Haunt too. I had a great time last year working Club Blood.

step one: go to Wal-Mart step 2: go to the crafty aisles by the fabric step 3: find a pack of iron on letters... and i think you can figure out the rest lol! Thanks. I'm not the craftiest person, so hopefully I can get the letters straight. If not, it'll just give the shirt some character. And thanks for giving me credit for being smart enough to figure out the rest!

This is always a prerequisite for me when I buy new swim trunks... no metal! Sometime's they're hard to find, but I manage.

Sinking boats? I'll stay away! I love the Xcelrator dryers. They have those at Regal Cinemas in Mason. The first time I saw the Dysons in person were at the park on Saturday, but I had seen them in a Dyson commercial on tv before. Mrs. Gator reported that in the women's restrooms, some people were looking for hand dryers or towels because they thought the Dyson dryers were seats to put your babies in! I saw some things that make me suspect that Nick will be gone next year... I also saw some automated ticket kiosks at the old season pass gate: As far as the new Ecology uniforms, they reminded me of the leiderhosen I had to wear while working at Bier Gardens years ago, only yellow instead of green.

There are new automated ticket kiosks at the old season pass gate. When I took a close look at them Saturday night as I was leaving, they had two buttons on the screen. One for the "Pay Once Visit Twice" ticket and one for the "Twillight Ticket", so based on this I would say they do have an after 5:00 rate.

Well then I must be thinking of someone else. I saw a girl. mabye 12, wearing a Cedar Fair VIP jacket while walking with her mom and dad along Coney. That wouldn't have been us then. GatorGirl's only 4, but she's got my thrill-seeking gene, as evidenced by her wanting to ride Viking Fury four times and FOC twice on opening day, the two biggest rides she can do. We'll see how many of those we get in this Sunday. I couldn't be prouder!

From opening day, while stuck on the final lift hill of Adventure Express for 10 minutes: The girl in front of me says “I would so die if we started going backwards right now.” I felt like telling her about the anti-rollback but didn’t feel like trying to explain that to her. A few minutes later the girl behind me says, “If we started going backwards , there a curve in the tunnel behind us and we wouldn’t turn, we’d go straight through the wall”…sigh.

^Nope. My jacket would be WAYYYYYYY to big for her!

This sounds like fun. If only I was artistically inclined. I got a KIC shirt from cafepress, and the day after I got it is when all the talk about personalized shirts started. I'd like to get my username on the one I just got, but not sure how. I'll have to try to figure that out...

I'll be there Sunday with GatorGirl, since Mrs. Gator will be at work. Get some quality daddy/daughter time in before they head off to Florida two days later without me.