Hoeter

May 9, 2014: Post Workweek Stress Relief and Banshee/Bat Night ERT Arrived after work around 6:45pm to find a park that was almost dead. My kind of visit! I met up with my friend that I went to high school with and caught some rides with her for a little bit. Banshee in Row 8 was the first ride, 20 minute wait. Headed over to Diamondback and waited 15 minutes for a ride in Row 2. After this, me and her headed towards The Beast for her first ride in quite some time- 10 minute wait for first row. Vortex in 7-1 was up next, 5 minute wait for this one. Before she left, we got a ride in on Flight of Fear. My first ride on it this season, and very close to being a walk of shame. 30 minutes for the first row on this one. She had to leave, so I headed to Racer and got a front row ride on Red. 10 minute wait. I met up with Zach, Lora, Melissa, and company over by Vortex and we got in a ride on Flight of Fear, my second of the evening and my second close shave with a walk of shame. 20 minute wait for round 2. Next up was The Bat-10 minute wait for this ride. After this, it was all Banshee for the rest of the evening. Got in 4 more rides during the ERT with waits less than 20 minutes down to 5 minutes, hell even a walk on there towards the end. The evening was capped off with a ride in Row 8, which also was the last train of the night. $1 ice cream and $1 20oz drinks for the ERT event wasn't bad either. I hope Kings Island puts on more of these ERT events throughout the rest of the season! Updated ride totals for the season, as always, in the signature below. TODAY'S RIDE TOTALS: Banshee (5), Bat (1), Beast (1), Diamondback (1), Flight of Fear (2), Red Racer (1), Vortex (1) Additionally, tonight I took my 50th all time ride on The Beast, my 110th all time ride on Diamondback, and my 15th all time ride on Banshee

There's no contest here for me. Banshee, all the way. I had the opportunity to ride Son of Beast in it's final season. It was a great concept but one that I feel was poorly executed- blame previous park ownership for that. I loved the speed, not the roughness. And I never had the opportunity to ride it with the loop. All rides were in it's last season.

It's been getting great press. At Media Day, Don was interviewed by WGN out of Chicago. They had a live crew there and all. Chicago is 200+ miles away and they drove to Cincinnati just for Banshee.

Is he planning on driving or flying to Orlando? If he's driving, will he be leaving from this area?

I have heard that the current Mark VII trains are still the old Mark V trains, just redone from their mid-1980s design. Same frame and all of that. I've heard rumors for years that Disney was going to expand their monorail system in Florida. Apparently it was in their plans to have a line ready for MGM when it opened in 1989. From what I've heard it costs north of $1 million per mile to expand it. With the bus system that they have between Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios I've heard it's highly unlikely they'll ever expand it. One can hope.

I'm kind of on the fence about Friday. My buddy has a pass this year and he hasn't been since 2009-he loved Diamondback so I want him to ride Eve.

Wouldn't be hard. I have a super clean version of the old spiel from way back on my computer. All we need are some speakers and something capable of playing a CD or with line in

I never should have worn that shirt...haha

Don't know if I brought this up but I rode The Beast right before close on Sunday night with either Malem or thoe124. I was sitting in the first row of car 2 and going up both lift hills the two girls in the front row had their phones out taking selfies. Was wanting to see them stop us on the lifts and call them out but that did not happen. Security was also in the station upon our return and from what I saw nothing happened there either. Of course, being the ass that I am, yelled out "WAIT! Let me take a selfie!" while they were doing that. Don't think they liked it...

I wouldn't mind having the original bubble top Mark I or II monorails. They ran from 1959-1969 at Disneyland. Then again if I had that Mark IV and kept it at my buddy's house, he'd want to slap a motor on it and take it back in the woods and have fun. Gotta love growing up and staying true to your roots in the country!

I remember hearing about this being sold to a guy down South somewhere several years back. Hell I wouldn't mind having this if I had the extra money laying around. That entire monorail system has always fascinated me. Never had the chance to ride in a Mark IV but have ridden in the Mark VI more times than I can count. Just think, all monorails were upgraded from their 1989 drive system in the last 5 years and now use touchscreen controls. They can practically be controlled from the TTC.

Zach, Thank you very much for sharing and I'm glad to be part of your experience! I've had a blast hanging out with you so far this season at Media Day and on Sunday and look forward to many more rides with you this season. You got my number, text me when you'll be there and I'll try to make it out there. I've met many people on these forums and I've never had a bad experience. Devan, Ryan, Zach, Brian, Terpy, Lora, Dee, Jesse, the list goes on... Those who haven't met me, don't be shy. I'm always up to meeting new faces and riding some with you! I don't bite. Or do I? Hmmm...

Keep in mind also The Coaster Crew is having an event on my birthday, July 7th and KIC members are welcome to attend!

And I'll be heading up after work during the week. I get off work at 6 so 8pm closes aren't worth it for me after work. 10pm closes...whole different ballgame

It's like this every year. Pretty soon, kids will be off school for the summer, allowing more people to come to the park. Right now (and the first few weeks of every season), it's not feasible for them to be open during the week

Yea Devan I totally forgot to mention that. I brought it up in the group message. Hopefully that's corrected soon.

Yea I probably over exaggerated our experience at the Reds Grille a little bit. That'll happen when you are running on fumes from a lack of sleep the entire weekend. With the size of our group (16), probably should have expected it to take that long. The server really busted her behind but like Malem said she had other tables as well...

Fines are enough as it is already, getting one that's doubled is even worse. This is done for worker safety of course. Kind of surprised I've never seen the signs like they have in Tennessee for their work areas. "Slow down! My daddy works here!"

May 4, 2014: May the Fourth Be With You (and may it be spent at Kings Island!) I arrived at the park around 11:45am to find a decent sized parking lot. There were a lot of groups here today, and a lot of schools here for their after prom. Headed over to Action Zone and met up with NoChickens, Mrs. NoChickens, LoraX, The Devarious Effect, and countless others. For the first time, I forget exactly what order things were done so I'll have a ride total at the end of the report! I met new faces today, which is good! We will definitely have to do this again! Ate at the Reds Hall of Fame Grille. Food, of course, was delicious but the service left a lot to be desired. We had a party of 16 and it took us a little over an hour from when we were seated to when we were paying. This was absolutely unacceptable. Unnecessary time was taken from riding waiting on our food and them to figure out the check situation. Rarely ever do I complain on the forums but this really got under my skin. Today's Ride Totals: Adventure Express (1), Banshee (1), Bat (2), Beast (1), Blue Racer (1), Vortex (2). Updated season totals in my signature.

Yea this is the first that I've noticed. Makes sense though with more people in the park, capitalize on it.

Well I noticed opening day that regular parking was $15. Not sure what preferred parking was. Last Friday I went up and regular parking was down to $12. Thinking it may be increased for special days and such. Anyone else notice this?

Preferred parking, I don't think, is included with platinum passes either.

Private event for a company that bought out the park for the day. Sent from my Note II using Tapatalk

We've got plenty of time for the ride crews to get things down pat...I expect it to get better as the season progresses. 4 days down, many many more to go...

For the Season Long Dining Plan, I checked the website and couldn't find it there. Guessing you have to buy in person at the park. Sent from my Note II using Tapatalk