KIfan73

In these forums, I have found that we often go back and forth between two main perspectives. One is that of a park visitor. The other is more of an operational perspective. Often the latter is used to create a reality check for the former. I can understand the reasons why or why not Kings Island may or may not get a large coaster (or other attraction). However, that doesn't stop me from thinking that Kings Island needs something new and exciting sooner rather than later.

A diversion, to me, is when your attention is taken away from something. I wonder what we're supposed to not be noticing? And what are we instead looking at? Confusion.

I just have to say what an interesting story! Definitely didn't know that nugget of information.

I have visited the park regularly since 1992. I'm amazed at how much the park has changed in the last 20 years, as compared to the first 20 years. 1992 doesn't look a whole lot different than 1972.

The only time I have witnessed some fairly sketchy behavior was in SoB's queue. There always seemed to be something different about the line for that ride than others...

Preferred parking=Fast Lane?

I would have Diamondback go into a small turnaround before the lift hill, similar to The Beast.

I just couldn't help but notice how long the lines were last week, by 11AM on a weekday. The Racer's line was probably 40 people deep into the midway by noon. I know several of the rides were running less trains, etc.

I'm wondering if enough aren't sold, if ride operations can be/will be manipulated to the point where the demand for Fast Passes increases (in other words, ensuring there are long lines).

If there's a certain number they want to sell, and it's not happening, I wonder what the park will do then?

Here's a pic of the clock I took on Wednesday, June 6:

Thanks! All those lines gave me the opportunity to do probably my favorite thing there…just walk and take in the scenery.

I read in another post that only one side of Racer was running (and the line was well into the midway by 11), Flight Deck was running two trains, Invertigo was closed, Diamondback was closed, Adventure Express had maybe the longest line I've ever seen in that queue, and Vortex's line was like when I first rode it in '92-to the end of the cement planter. Add in the loss of shows as compared to last year, and the understaffing at some dining locations (not scientific at all, just compared to what I remember before), it came across to me as a major staffing belt-tightening by the park.

That does look fantastic…they should hire you to do the maps for the park, too!

Evidently, yesterday must have been a popular day to visit the park! I got in right at 9, so I took advantage of the ERT. Positives from this trip: It was great having The Beast for ERT for a whole hour. Pretty much all walk-ons. The park looked fantastic. I had a Cinabon, and it was awesome…the girl that waited on me was really nice. Waterpark addition looked really nice. The floral clock was starting to come together! Negatives: Long lines very early in the day, well before noon, for everything-would have been a great day for Fast Passes. Pizza went to $8.19 for one slice (with breadsticks), the two-piece deal for around $6 something was always my mainstay. Got in line at the former Hank's to get a salad..after 10 minutes of the same person being rung up and the line not moving, I decided it wasn't worth it and left. Seemed to be understaffed. No shows at Festhaus during the week at all (from what I gathered on their website, but not before my trip). This was a real bummer for me. I thought it was pretty nice to have a live show to watch while I ate lunch/dinner. With Diamondback and Invertigo down, no shows in the Festhaus, no show in the KI Theater, and no show in the Int'l showplace, the park just seemed a bit "off". I would really feel for the family who chose their lone day to visit the park as this day. Even if you're not into all of that stuff, I think it's nice have them going on while you're at the park, and would probably somewhat help with the lines on the rides. Some random pics of the park:

I usually visit during this week (at least for the last 5 or 6 years), and it's always been up and running. It may seem silly, but I'm really not going to be happy if, for some reason, it's traditional operation is not in Kings Island's future plans.

I really hated to hear that the Gold Pass lot was gone. I've had relatively uneventful parking experiences for the last several years.

I'm going this week, so this is FANTASTIC news!!!

I actually think there may be more of an impact if something similar to the sketch above was built over both ends of Kings Island drive.

Thanks for that very interesting anecdote! Wonder what could have been?

Probably depends on whose routine they're talking about. An appendectomy would be routine for a doctor, but not for the patient having it done!

Was SoB operating during Halloween Haunt 2007? I was trying to remember my last ride on SoB, and I believe it was in October of that year. Also, it was pretty far into the evening, not long before closing.

That is a fantastic story. Thanks for sharing that. It also makes me think about how much the world has changed since then.

I can think of some rides at Kings Island that had designers that must have been ahead of their time.

You might need to add some other options, as Paramount didn't operate the park very long (I'll let potential future contributors to this thread provide the details).