KIfan73

Made it to the park for the first time this season last Tuesday the 12th. Got to the park at opening, and got a great parking spot in the Gold Pass lot. I love walking up to the entrance. Just a beautiful sight. Everything looked really clean. One of the first things I noticed was the change in "soundtrack". I miss the movie themes, but the music that was played all day really gave an upbeat atmosphere. In fact, if I had to describe the change in the park that I noticed in a word, it would be "upbeat". I could feel that a new time had come at Kings Island. Once in, a few employees told me where to go to get my permanant pass. Once processed, I asked if the free parking was added to my pass. "Oh, that had free parking?" This scared me a little bit, but got it straightened out, and I was on my way. I really liked the new feel of the shops. Lots of neat new merchandise, and everything just looked "tight". It seems like a lot of work has went into organizing and generally making shopping a better experience. Once the rope dropped, it was to The Beast (awesome as usual, and no wait), TR:TR (a total waste of time with no soundtrack), Italian Job (fun and no wait), and The Vortex (as well, no wait). Decided that I really wanted to ride Firehawk. Well, 2 hot hours later, and I was on my way. I have to admit I was really nervous, but it was a blast to ride. Can't wait to get on it again. It was almost 1 by this time, and I really wanted to see the ice show (and find a good way to cool down), so I made it to the Paramount Theater just in time. In all of these years I had never been in there, and was extremely impressed by the show and the Theater itself. The following photos need no explanation. Really, I think, some of the most gorgeous views there are. The park was just really gorgeous. At this point, I decided to head for Boomerang Bay. Hadn't been to it for a couple years, and I always have a blast there. However, it left me with a hankering for the rides I didn't get on, especially with the short lines, so I am planning on returning very soon. Got to the water park, and rode several waterslides and spent a little time in the wave pool. The water park is a blast, and I would like to devote a day to it before the summer is over. I got a little beat up on the Awesome Aussie Twister (busted elbow), so I decided at this point I would head back over to the main park. I rode the train back to Rivertown (gotta love the train ride!!). By this time it was getting late in the afternoon, so bought a few souvenirs I wanted to get and got some pizza at LaRosa's on IS. The newly remodeled interior was nice, and you couldn't have asked for nicer employees. I love to go up the Tower, and always get some good shots up there. And, of course, before I leave I always like to get a shot of this: As much as I love all the new stuff, its the traditional things that really make the visit worthwhile for me. Overall, I had a great day, and can't wait to go back. I really wasn't sure, with as many times as I've been to KI, if I would find enough to do, but I think I could have spend a week there this time. As the years go on, I just appreciate it more and more I think. The park looked spectacular, and I was really impressed with what CF had done to the park for this year.

I went this past Tuesday, and what a great day it was. Short lines everywhere. I did wait 2 hours for Firehawk, however.

Tomb Raider has been one of my favorite rides, but, man, was it horrible on Tuesday with no audio. I heard people riding it at the same time talking about "wow, I didn't know it was this kind of ride". I thought, too bad no soundtrack...it really isn't the same ride without the music. I don't see myself getting on it again, to be honest...

Thank You...I think I was waiting for the rope to drop and noticed it. I bet it (at one time) gave a neat view while eating.

I think that is a great thing that there is a group that does things like that. I hope they have an awesome visit!!!!

Thanks to this website, my trips to KI, are no longer just trips, I'm always looking around for interesting things I haven't noticed before...lol When I was there on Tuesday, I noticed for the first time a second-floor balcony/patio with stairs leading up to it over top of the candy shop. Was this used for guests in past years?

Waited 2 hours yesterday......Mostly was a one-train operation.

I made it to the 1:00 show. I was really impressed. I had also never been in the Paramount Theater...I was also really impressed with it. Much nicer than I could have imagined.

I went today, also, and want to share my pics (will be tomorrow, been a long day!). Had a great day. Wow, Tomb Raider without the music...almost no point. That was really lame....

I've never been to anything in the Paramount Theater. Do you just walk in?

I have a suggestion for an added feature to this great site. I am always reading about people talking about different types of coasters (ex: floorless, different brands of coasters, etc.), and I never know what they're talking about. I thought maybe a guide to the different types of coasters would be neat, to help some of us to be able to read the forums a little more intelligently.

AE has had such staying power, its amazing. What just a little theming can do. (Cough, SOB, Cough).

Are the lockers right where you can get them while you're in line, or do you have to go up to the lockers first, then get in line?

I agree...its worth a trip just for that. Everyone needs to experience The Beast at night.

I usually like to watch what I eat, so a day at an amusement park is usually a great way for me to get through the day without eating much. I live 90 minutes from KI and once I went the entire day on a bowl of oatmeal that I ate at home. I never felt like waiting in the lines, so by about 7 pm I finally bought a sandwich from the place in BB....lol.

Lots of greasy food + amusement park rides never mixed for me anyway. At most, a slice of cheese LaRosa's, and I'm good for the whole day.

In no particular order: Racer Eifel Tower Beast Viking Fury For me, no trip is complete without rides on these. A few of the things that make KI the park that it is. The newer rides are of course fun, but I LOVE the vibe I get with the older stuff in the park.

Awesome update. Can't believe this thing is almost ready to ride!! Seems like I was just reading about pieces of coaster lying in the parking lot....lol

I was off yesterday, and thought about making the trip, but it didn't happen. Sounds like it was a great day. I am shooting for a couple days the first week of June. For a long time, I've wanted to dedicate the better part of a day to Boomerang Bay. These TR's are making me antsy!!

I am so unbelievably impressed with the images I am seeing. I can't wait to get there. I love the signs they have in Coney Mall pointing to FoF and Firehawk. One of the best things about this whole setup, I think, is all the extra attention it will bring to the FoF area. I've always thought that FoF has always been downplayed somewhat, especially with its location. The addition of Firehawk and the extra theming just seems to really accentuate FoF's concept.

My eyes are not believing Firehawk. Its one thing to read, read, read about something, but that looks completely amazing. Isn't that photo booth the most elborate one in the park? Those pictures are really impressive.

1972 film reel of Partridge Family at KI Maybe convert it to a file so everybody can see it??!!

It is kind of sad the condition that TG is in these days. I rode it a couple months after it opened. It was a really neat experience. Everybody in flight suits, all the effects that made the (2-story) queue look like a bomber, and, if I remember right, even fog??

I break into a cold sweat if I walk by Slingshot or Skyflier. I've been on Drop Zone twice and Delerium once. I was scared to death. Give me a roller coaster any day.

Even though I'm not going to make it to KI this weekend, I am really glad they had such good weather to get their season going. Can't wait to get there soon!!