KIfan73

Looks like its a Lexus event: http://www.tasteoflexus.com/eventlocations.asp

Does any one know why they don't build any rides over water any more? Is it just a cost thing, kind of like how they don't build as elaborate queues, either?

I bought a piece of cake at the Festhaus last year at FF that you literally couldn't stick a fork into. It wasn't frozen, but had dried out to the consistency of a piece of wood. I traded it in for something else, but, sheesh. But I, like everybody else, go back every time and eat, anyway. Thats why I think they're in no rush to change the food selections. If I could get almost 4 bucks for a piece of crap, I probably wouldn't be in a big rush, either.

Does anyone remember the inline skate shop on International Street? This would have been in the early '90's. I rememeber I bought a T-shirt there. It was in a shop on the right hand side of I-Street, past LaRosa's.

Who says "welcome back riders" at the end of TG? Actually, I think they did away with that this year, if I remember right...

Wow, I would LOVE if KI had regular operating days open at that time. ^

I think a much scaled down Winterfest could fly. I've often thought that, over the winter, if they just had some shops set up, a couple places to eat, and some Christmas lights strung up, it would be worth it for me to take a trip there. It seems like such a loooong winter, that I would just like to see the park once in the off-season.

I've also noticed with the rides built, say pre-Vortex, (although AE is like this) that the ride itself is not visible from the queue. I think that with the older rides they were much better at building in some "suspense" before the ride, and I think it makes a difference (yes, The Racers are visible from the park, but think about when you're getting ready to get on; you really can't see the circuit). I thought about it this summer in the burning heat while I stood in line for Firehawk. There is no real suspense. I honestly don't think The Beast would be what it is without that element of suspense. I also think people's opinion of SOB would be completely different if it had it.

I always think its a little sad when you look at the pains they went to on the older rides. All-wood, covered queues. Lots of little ornamentation. Heck, even on Congo Falls they went to the trouble of making a design out of the wood that holds up the wooden hand railing. The new rides are awesome, but then they're just thrown down with some pavement and an aluminum handrail.

True, but think about how unique an amusement park is. You can go to Kings Island and still experience things built in '72 (and all the years in between). You can't go to a Chevy dealership and test drive a '75 Chevy. When I go to Kings Island, as you walk around different parts of the park, its like walking through a different era as you look at different things. Its neat to ride the new stuff like Firehawk. I also think its kind of fascinating to think about The Racers or Viking Fury and how they were the 'hot thing' when they were built (Sorry, I had to throw VF in there. For some reason, even though there's not much left, I'm a little partial to Oktoberfest).

I had some rough rides a few times this season, so I'm not sure... I read on here after the accident happened about the wild rumors about SOB. Well, a friend and I went to HH with a group of kids in their teens. I was stunned when they started talking about the people that had been killed on The Son of Beast!! Wow, do rumors go crazy. Took me awhile to explain to them, but I'm still not sure if they believed me.

Do Cedar Fair's other parks' signs have any "standardized" look to them?

I rode it several times with the loop, and twice (once in spring, once during HH) post-loop, and I see no difference. I plan on avoiding it from now on. It wasn't a ride, it was a beating.

Thanks. The long lines are OK. I just would like to lock into that price, and get the free parking. I'm not really even worried about the jacket (of course I'll be glad to get it, if it works out!). Thanks again.

Actually, I just was talking about a pass for KI. If I purchase a KI pass online now, I was trying to figure out if I needed to make a trip to the park to have it processed, or if I could just have it processed on my first visit to the park next spring.

If I purchase a pass online, do I need to a make a trip to the park to have it processed before next spring?

Don't forget, the people that are in line for the ride you don't like won't be in front of you in line for the ride you do like!

Sounds like a good match to me! http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071103/lf_af...re_071103181816

^ I second that!!

At least we have a rumor going!! Its about time. Let the offseason begin!!

I've waited 45 minutes for TG twice this season: Once on July 2, and once last Saturday night. However, I was a little concerned last Saturday night about TG's future when I saw that much of its queue was taken by Club Blood.

Below is a Trip Report from my trip to KI this past Saturday, October 20th. I went with a lady I work with, her daughters, and their friends. We're teachers, so this group almost felt like a field trip...lol. Most of my friends have quit going to KI, unless they take their kids (I'm 34). This group is always up for a trip at least once a year. We decided to go early and enjoy the day, plus stay through Halloween Haunt. Ahhh...what a great sight! Exiting off of I-71, and the Tower and Drop Zone are in view! What a beautiful day. Is this really October 20th?? The lines weren't bad at all. We're walking in at about 2:30. We also got a great parking spot in the Gold Lot. We got lucky, as two people were leaving their parking spot. Already lots of decorations can be seen. I loved the old Trams with the skeletons in them. What a cruel joke it would be when we would be heading to our car later at 12:45 am!! What great theming as you come into the park. It really sets the mood. We were all deciding what to do at this point. I suggested Firehawk, but when we arrived everyone thought the line was too long, and didn't want to stay. I would have estimated it at an hour. However, a few hours later, the gentleman working the entry gate said 2.5-3 hours, as they were only running one train. Unfortunately, my friends didn't get to experience Firehawk this trip. Too bad! At this point, I suggested the Zephyr. We actually all got on it, and it was actually pretty fun. After that, we hit recaR, Top Gun (45 minute wait), and Shake, Rattle 'n Roll (always a blast). At this point, we split up a bit, and some of us went to The Beast. After countless rides, The Beast never disappoints. There is nothing like it. These are just some random pics I took. The park was really nice to look at today, especially with the fall foliage. We enjoyed a beautful afternoon, but before you knew it, the fog machines were doing their thing! Got lunch at Festhaus, and got the big bonus of getting to see the last 10 minutes of the Buckeyes beating Michigan State. What a great day! You gotta love the feeling when the fog is flowing, and the music starts playing. By this time, it is dark, and I'm amazed at how warm it still is. The "big tall monster" is pretty cool to see in person. I imagine that if I was a kid, I would have been scared to death. However, I caught "it" posing for pics with kids all evening. Cool. I had decided before I went into the park that I wanted a new sweatshirt, so as the evening cooled off, I made my way into a few shops until I found a black "Halloween Haunt" hoodie in the store that is directly to your right as you enter the park. We started off HH with CornStalkers. I've never been really big on the haunted attractions, so I thought this was the line to it!! LOL. It was fun, and I always jump when somebody surprises me. We followed this up with Tombstone Terror-Tory. At this point the crowds are becoming massive, and the line for this was back to LaRosa's in RT. Strange as it sounds, I enjoy the crowds. I just think it adds to the atmosphere. Lots of action going on. I wouldn't think this during it, but I ended up really enjoying Tombstone Terror-Tory. I was just giggling about how the train stops, and how you have to walk through the woods. Great visuals. It was like being IN a horror movie. The fog so thick that you can't see where you're going, and the little girl: "Thats my daddy hanging over there". LOL...gotta love it. Once again, they made me jump a lot! We followed this with "The WorkSite". I thought this was clever, too, and the "cop" at the beginning cracked me up. The girl at the end (with the big sledehammer thing) followed one of our party clear until the Tower: "you think its over? Its not over!!". I told her "great job!!"...LOL We were all thirsty and found a cart with Lemonade on it. We all donated $3.75 apiece, and headed to the Paramount Theatre. We watched all but about 5 minutes of the "Great Baldini". I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The guy cracked me up, but, in a way, I almost felt sorry for him. Great Theming!! We all attempted to get into the line for Club Blood, but we decided not to wait, as the line seemed to go on forever. The rest of my group headed for "Death Row", but I decided to go ahead and wait inline for SOB. After about 50 minutes of waiting (at 11:40) I got into my seat. It was neat heading out in the pitch dark. The climb at night was awesome, and I love the drop. This is where things got BAD. I rode this ride several times with the loop, and pretty much swore it off. I rode it once this summer (post-loop), and the "jack-hammering" effect only got me in a couple sections. However, I don't know if it was because of the cold, or what, but halfway through the ride, I wanted off. I took a beating that was way past enjoyable. The Beast's beating is still "fun" for me. This was absolutely miserable. I was transferring as much weight to my feet as possible, but I still took a pounding. I may try it again this spring, but at this point I'm not sure. By 12:45 we headed out the gates to begin our 75 minute drive home. Overall, I had a blast. There really wasn't much to complain about for me. I can't wait to go back in the spring, and I'll just have to see what the charge for HH is next year. I decided against buying a 2008 pass (I've had one the last two seasons). I have found that having a pass is almost like "pressure" of having to go. Its not that I haven't enjoyed my visits. I'd just prefer to buy tickets for the times when some friends are already going, or something like that. I wish I lived closer; I would go all the time. Anyway, the rest of my group had fun, as well. My friend that I worked with said something interesting to me. I read these forums a lot, but its interesting to hear sometimes what the "general public" thinks. She said that this wasn't nearly as good as FearFest used to be. Now, I don't believe for a second that this year's HH could have been "worse" than FearFests of past years. The only thing I thought of is that I hope people aren't tiring of it. From the crowds I saw, I don't think its the case, and I hope its not. I do think it will be interesting next year to see what they charge for it.

I'm going today too! Planning on getting there at about 3. Haven't been to KI since July. I'm really looking forward to it!

Same here. Do these have to be purchased at the park?

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'd love to see them open earlier in the morning (24 hour days would take care of that!). Morning is my favorite @ KI. Get a Starbucks and ride The Beast by 8 am would be an incredible day!!