auge.dog

I resemble that remark Aug E.

I got to ride Firehawk for the first time about a month ago. It was my first ride on a flyer. I did not know what to expect, and wasn't expecting much. However, the ride greatly exceeded my expectations. It offered a unique ride experience with excellent G's, surprise and variety. It was also a decent length. I compare this ride to FOF, which I also rode for the first time on the same day. Whereas Firehawk exceeded my expectations, FOF did not meet my expectations.

I have never been to an Amusment Park that I did not thoroughly enjoy. Not that I have been to many mind you, but now that I have kids that seem to love to go, I'm sure the list will expand. I think if you go with the right attititude, you will likely not be disappointed. Parks I've been to within the past few years - Disney World (Majic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom); KI; BGE and Disneyland (both sides). I went to Cepar Point about 16 years ago and it was great then, but I know it has changed a lot since then. Once my son passes 54", I'll take the family and go back. Perhaps next year - more likely 2010.

We went to Busch Gardens Europe in June 08. My son was 4 and not quite 48" yet. My daughter was just over 52", but at the time, she was not ready for a loop. She did go on Appollo's Chariot with me, but the height really scared her. My wife and I took turns riding a few of the other coasters, but basically as far as rollercoasters went that day, it was a whole lot of BBW. At one point, I went on 5 or 6 rides in a row with my kids. Now, I would rank BBW last of the Big 5 rollercoasters at BGE, but I would rank it well ahead of Flight Deck. Flying out over the water is a great element. Now my daughter is over 54" and my son well over 48", and should be over 52" by next summer. However, whenever we decide to go back, it will be sad not seeing that ride there - as going on it with my kids several times is truly a great memory.

1a) The Beast 1b) Alpengeist 1c) Diamondback These 2 are my top, and could be interchanged at any given moment. 4) Apoolo's Chariot 5) Expedition Everest SOB and Firehawk are close behind

KIfan, I misspoke earlier, and now recall that my son did ride The Beast one time last year. He had just turned 5 a month ago and was barely 48". It shook him up a bit. This year he is able to handle it much better. I was also surprised this year when we went the first time, and he did not hesitate about going on Vortex. Now, he wants to ride Diamondback badly. Unforunately, he is at least one season away, and probably 2.

Very cool story. My son went over 48" at the end of last year. We visited KI 2x with the purcahse one - go any 2 days deal. He was also 5 at the time, and his favorite was Flight Deck. He rode all the coasters he was tall enough for except for Beast, Vortex and SOB. This year my daughter went over 54", and since my son is now well over 48", we got season passes. My son has expanded the rides he now goes on to include Vortex and The Beast - and these are now his 2 favorites. With my daughter going over 54", I have been able to ride Diamondback as well as Firehawk and FOF for the first times. You have much to look forward to, but enjoy each moment as they happen.

1. The Beast (Sentimental reasons play a part in this ranking.) 2. Diamondbac, (Closing fast on #1. Hope to get a night ride on it soon.) 3. Firehawk (First ride on 30 Jun. Far exceeded my expectations. Add some big trees and a pond, and this ride could rise higher) 4. SOB (Have only ridden once. Loved the speed, and did not mind the roughness. However, my daughter was in tears, and that took away from the experience.) 5. Racer (love all the hills - also my first rollercoaster) 6. BLSC (enjoy the turns and heading into the tunnel) 7. Vortex (If only it wasn't so jerky) 8. Flight of Fear (first ride also on 30 Jun. Did not meet my expectations. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to this ride - as if it could not make up its mind what it wanted to do. 9. Flight Deck (Fun, but too short.) 10. Adventure Express (This ride is growing on me.) 11. FOC 12. Runaway Reptar - not much thrill for the wait. Have yet to ride Invertigo.

Just goes to show you, that people's opinions of rides differ greatly, so enthusiasts should really try all the rides, and not just those people recommend. We went to BGE last year, and I thought Alpengeist was the best ride there by far. I thought it was very intense and really enjoyed it. Of course, I have not been on Raptor. After Alpengeist, I liked Appolo's Chariot, which for me, at the time was my first B&M hyper. I thougth Griffon and LNM were about equal. Griffon had that great first drop where you were suspended, but after that, it just went by too quickly for me. LNM had some good twists and hills in addition to the loops. While BBW was my least favorite coaster there, I still thought it was a very good ride. Much better than Flight Deck. I agree with your comments on Dark Castle. They also had some decent water rides.

I was there, yesterday with a group of 8. It was more crowded than I have seen in awhile, but I did not think it was overly packed. We got there early, and got to ride many attractions with very little wait time. About 1230, it all of sudden seemed pretty crowded. We left at 6. Wait times after 1230 White Water canyon - 20 minutes Beast - 30 minutues D'back - 40 minutes Delirium - 35 minutes Drop Tower - 35 minutes Racer - 10 minutes Congo Falls - 10 minutes Wild Thornbury's - 20 minutes. Adventure Express - 20 minutes. So while everything had a wait, none of waits were too onerous. Actually, we had a great time.

I believe some of these complaints to be justifiable and others to be kind of picky, but that is just me. Anyway, one picky gripe of mine is that I think it would have been cool if they could have incorporated some sort of splash zone where people could at least get a bit wet from Diamondback's splashdown.

I was hoping someone would add a thread like this one. With all the negativity, a thread about what is right with KI is needed - if for no other reason than for me to justify purchasing 4 season passes for the family. So, I'll weigh in. 1. Rides - and lots of them. Some are flat out awesome, others very good, and others, just good. However, I can honestly say every ride I have gone on, I have at least enjoyed it to some extent. Even my least favorite coasters - Reptar and Adventure Express are still fun. 2. Appearance of Rivertown. The upgrades to this area are noticeable, and I think it looks super. 3. A waterpark. It may not be the best, but it's nice to know that if my kids want to go, we can, and we will have a great time, AND it will not cost me one cent extra. 4. $1.99 refills for souvenir cups. A few of these each trip is all my family needs. 5. Ice water. I have not had any workers complain when we ask for some ice waters. This aspect combined with #4 keeps us hydrated, and the cost is very reasonable. $4-$6/visit. 6. No hassles at the entrance for bringing in bottled water. I often have several bottles in my backpack when entering, and I have yet to have security say a word. 7. Food choices. I, for one, like LaRosa's, Skyline, Chick-fil-a, and Subway. The family of 4 deal at LaRosa's for Gold Pass holders is also not too shabby. 8. Employees. For the most part, they have been helpful and have had good attitudes. Some more than others, sure, but mostly positive - and that is a good thing. 9. Gold pass holders do not pay for parking - that's nice. 10. Don Helbig. He used to work for my dad, and I used to talk to him about The Racer and all his rides on it. It's great to see someone have a successful career in an industry for which he has a passion. 11. Fireworks. I love fireworks, and KI has nice displays. 12. Characters. I like seeimg them out and about. 13. Street musicians. The last time we were there, we saw a group of bucket percussionists. 14. Events. My kids got autographs and had the opportunity to watch some extreme sports in person. 15. ERT. It may only be 1/2 hour, but it enabled my first ride on Diamondback to be only a 15 minute wait. I remember as a kid my waits for my first rides on The Beast and Screamin Demon were at least an hour, as there was no ERT back then. That's it for now.

1. The Beast's double helix 2. The second hill on Diamondback 3. The second largest hill on The Racer 4. The second launch into the tunnel on BLSC. 5. The loop on Screamin' Demon! Have yet to ride Firehawk, FOF or Invertigo. Perhaps this upcoming Monday, 29 Jun. Edited to add #5.

Kiddie coaster "junior coaster" Wood and Steel Wood - Scooby Doo Steel - Barnstormer Major Wood and Steel non looping Wood - Racer (first year it opened) Steel - Space Mountain Looping Steel and Wood sorry I had to do it. Steel - Vortex Wood - None Suspended - The Bat Inverted - Alpengheist Launched looped and Non looped Launched looped - California Screamin" Non-looped - BLSC Stand up - King Cobra Water Ride - Kings Mills Log Flume

The only loops I have experienced are Vortex's, King Cobras's - 1x and I do not remember it well, and the Screamon Demon's. I voted for the Demon's because 1) it was my first, and 2) My memory of it is of a massive loop that was really intense.