KIfan73

What an ironic thread title!

Ironically, I don't ride Vortex much because it beats me up. However, I still enjoy The Beast. I think it's a shame to label The Beast just a roller coaster-it's an experience. It is just so unique, IMO.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/20/ferrari-world-abu-dhabi-renders-its-attractions/#continued

I usually go up in the tower later in the day, but on my last trip I went up in the morning. Really beautiful views that time of day.

Personally, I like rides (Beast, Racer, TR:TR) that are more or less hidden from view while in the queue.

They installed several of those here where I live a couple years ago...and removed them all last fall.

Thanks for this TR. I'm about an hour from the Columbus Zoo. However, the only time I've ever been to the zoo is on a field trip with hundreds of kids. The opinions I've heard about ZB haven't been the greatest, but I think I need to go check it all out for myself!

Thanks for taking the time for reporting LIVE from KI! Great idea!

Actually, one of my favorite things about Flight Deck is it's location. I like how it's in the woods and you have to walk a bit to get to it, kind of like The Beast. I'm not a big fan of how newer rides are all about concrete, aluminum, and direct sunlight.

What do you think of KD overall? What's a good hotel to stay at there?

I like to chime in whenever the topic of food prices at KI comes up. Eating out almost anywhere is expensive. I maintain that eating out at Kings Island isn't that much more expensive. McDonald's has value meals over $6.00 now. Any sit down restaurant's drinks are in the $2-$3 range. None of those places has hundreds of millions of dollars worth of rides and attractions - not to mention all of the other things that Kings Island has to offer.

There was quite a line for FD on Wednesday, June 30.

I'm always amazed there's such a tangle of track inside the FoF building.

I'd have to say start on AE. No lift hill to look at, doesn't really seem like you're on a coaster, I think. This was my first roller coaster ever.

Getting a ride in on The Beast at that time of the night is absolutely amazing. You can't describe it until you actually do it. Walking through an empty park to the entrance is equally neat, too, in my opinion.

I have to agree. I also think that the setting of it is maybe the best in the park.

Thanks for the comments! I hope this is the first trip of several this season. I know that for many people, (me included, many times) their experience at KI (or any amusement park) is repeatedly waiting hours in a hot queue line next to a cursing, sometimes chain-smoking teenager while standing on cement for one of the "big" rides. I think it's easy to develop not-so-good feelings about the place when you do that. It's great to wander off the beaten path and just check out the views, and think about it as a park mainly, with the rides just being a bonus.

Took my first trip to the park last Wednesday, June 30. Awesome day. Highs in the 70's. I really think the park looked better than I've ever seen it. I was so impressed with how great the park looked, so most of these pics show off (what I though was) Kings Island's great job with the landscaping. To get things rolling for 2010, I began with Adventure Express. I also rode Racer, Viking Fury, Beast, Tower, KI&MV RR, and Flight Deck. Flight Deck had a solid 20-30 minute wait. I also heard a few interesting things during the pre-take-off announcements: "This ride will take your breath away", and "will take you close to the danger zone". These statements could prove to be paramount to improving a rider's experience. Overall, this may have been one of my best trips ever to the park. Just had a really great time. I need to come back soon to see the light show. This trip I left by 3 pm. I also ate lunch while watching part of "Way Too Much TV". I thought this was a great show. With this trip, I just really spent most of my time sightseeing because it had been over 9 months since my last trip. In my opinion, I feel like the beauty of Kings Island is often overlooked, which is a shame. Enjoy!

Final Day of Coney Island Operation?!! Nice! Very Nice! (Especially if you're a CI/KI history nerd!)

I fully expect said drinking fountain to be observed, analyzed, photographed and discussed in some future trip reports.

I notice some other unique things in those pics - trees. Another unique - and getting more unique every year - ride "element" that Flight Deck and its queue possess.

I tried the basketball shoot in Coney Mall once about 5 years ago. I made the first and only shot, and got a Cleveland Cavaliers ball (but I didn't bounce it!). My favorite game is the bowling ball roll.

What about Top Fuel dragsters that go 0-300 in 4 seconds, or jet aircraft?

Wow, thanks for the photos! On a side note, my parents talk about going to football games in high school (in the '60's) dressed up-guys in ties, etc.

Sometimes I don't think its a coincidence that Flight Deck has been "let go" (cosmetically). Given Son of Beast's issues over the last few years and its proximity to Flight Deck, that entire area could be redone with a new attraction(s).