gigacoaster2k

That speaks volumes to me right there, and tells me it may not be entirely the fault of the recession.

TWO HOURS for Mantis??!!! I'd hate to see what the other lines were like.. I went to CP last year on a sunny Saturday when a coaster event was going on. Maverick's line was wrapped around the queue and backed up to Chick Fil A, TTD's line was out by the grandstand, Millie's line was filling the switchbacks and almost to the lockers, Raptor's queue was completely full. Corkscrew and Blue Streak were at an hour, and there were long lines for food stands, bathrooms, and even ATM machines. It was a headache, but I still managed to get some rides in and have a great time.

You might be a KI addict if you: brave the freezing cold and wind while dripping wet from rain and snow and sloshing through mud puddles just to get photos of Diamondback, wiping water off your new camera the whole time.. then wake up the next morning with a throat so sore you can't swallow, and think to yourself "It was totally worth it."

I gave SOB 2 chances, and it's not getting a third one. It does not matter to me how you ride it, which seat you sit in, with the loop, post loop, old trains or new trains. To me, it hurts. Beast is good enough, it didn't need a sequel. The first drop was indeed amazing, but there are drops similar to that on many more (and more enjoyable) coasters. I'll go far enough to say that Mean Streak at CP didn't beat me up nearly as much as SOB did. In fact, CP's classic Blue Streak didn't even beat me up as much as SOB did.. and Old Blue has been operating since 1964.

3 hours for Millennium Force on my first trip to CP. I was stoked until we were leaving the station. It hit me how high we were really going (I was still afraid of heights at the time) and I had a panic attack on the lift hill.. funny how I can't stay off it now.

On the 7 trips to CP last year, I only recall seeing one county sheriff on Route 6 and he was going west. I blew past him at 80 mph and he kept on going his own way. That road is pretty much deserted.. I think it's safe to say you can put the pedal to the metal. But I highly suggest stopping in Findlay to use the restroom and get food if you need it, no matter if you need to or not. The next station, save for lonely and somewhat shady truck stops, is about 30 miles west of Sandusky. I made the mistake of not stopping in Findlay to use the restroom.. miles and miles later on Route 6 I was dancing in my seat, highly considering just jumping out and using the ditch.

I just take 75 up to Route 6 east (exit 179) and follow Route 6 all the way to the CP causeway. Google Maps says it's a 4 hour drive.. I make it in 3.. one day I even made it in 2.5. /lead foot

I'm guessing I won't be seeing any of you at CoasterMania! or Holiwood Nights then. Angie, who recently joined ACE only for the coaster events (and the purty calendar up on her wall which I got for Christmas after I "accidentally" left the order form on the dining room table .. this month's rollie is the almighty Goliath!).

IMO I could care less how far away I live. If the park is worth it to me, I will make the trip (if it's feasible). 74Gibson, for some reason my friend likes to jump off 75 in Findlay and take 224 off to several obscure little state routes to go to CP.. what's your shortcut? I find it so easy to take 75 to exit 179 outside of Bowling Green, and pretty much follow Route 6 all the way to the CP causeway.

I have an old photo from 2000 of me on Vortex.. as I always do on coasters, I have a huge smile on my face and my hands in the air. Reading all of this is making me miss KI even more. This will mark year number 14 that I have been visiting the park, and I have so many memories there with friends and family.

Same here, 13 visits last year.. I also went to CP 7 times. I went to KI opening day and CP closing day (I went to closing day after about 8 of my friends from up north insisted I go so we could ride together one last time before the season ended). It's hard telling how many times I will go this year. I have a few other parks I want to visit too.

I just reread my post, and I need to clarify something: I certainly do not mean for it to look like I'm giving myself a pat on the back. I am hoping that some who cannot afford to bid so high for a seat may do the same. Just because many of us may not get one of those first rides doesn't mean we can't shell out some money for the organization to help these kids.

I think I'm just going to retract my bid altogether and donate a lower amount of money to the organization itself. These numbers are going too high for me. I'd feel bad if I pulled out of the auction without donating any money to such a great cause.

I forgot about that.. thanks! Cedar Point has 1 hour ERT every day of the operating season, including Halloweekends, and a list on their website of which rides will open. My friend Melissa and I went to Kings Island last year, hoping to enter the park half an hour early with our passes, but they informed us that it was only the water park and "certain attractions on certain days." We didn't want to go to the water park so we stood around for half an hour with nothing to do. I never found any clear information last year about early entry, so I gave up and went when it opened to the general public. I'm stoked to finally see real ERT at Kings Island, and glad to see that they are getting with the program.

Zach, here's a quick rundown for you on the season pass information other than the early ride times Ryan gave you. Maybe this will help you decide which pass is best for you. Gold gets you free parking, and benefits at Kings Island. Gold passes are good only at Kings Island. This kind of pass is good for people who go to Kings Island a lot. The regular season pass doesn't include park benefits or free parking, IMO Gold is a much better deal. Platinum gets you free parking at any Cedar Fair park, and benefits at any Cedar Fair park. Last year I made 13 trips to Kings Island and 7 trips to Cedar Point, so that pass makes more sense for me. If you're only going to go to Kings Island this year, it makes no sense to go Platinum.

I liked it way better as Days of Thunder than SpongeBob. The James Bond version was pretty cool too. But Days of Thunder was the best. I totally agree. I can't count how many times I saw Days of Thunder and James Bond. I only saw Spongebob once though.

I know someone is a good photographer when they take photos of coasters, and the photos make my stomach twist a little. Awesome PTR.. your description of Goliath has me wiping drool off my chin. Me want ride NOW!

Maybe and maybe not. On my first trip to Cedar Point 3 years ago, the first coaster I jumped on was Millennium Force simply because I saw it and was instantly drooling. I ended up scaring the living garbage out of myself (MF's first hill is a staggering 310 feet!). But - I ran back and rode it again. MF destroyed my fear of heights and rendered me fearless. I would suggest, as some others have, that you ride a few other coasters first before jumping on the park's tallest coaster.

That's what I did. I had four separate bids on the board and felt bad for taking up so many spots.

I am glad we share that perspective. I think the issue here is that KI's gift shop apparel is mostly aimed at the general public, with little thought for coaster enthusiasts. With Diamondback now here, I think it's time that a change is made.. there are people driving from far and wide to Kings Island this year, and I'm sure many of them will want to see some coaster apparel in their size.

LOL why are there so many people hanging out there watching it test? If only I could be so lucky.

Standbyme, you're all right, I was sure you meant no offense.. I'm just one who always feels the need to state my opinion. Clarification on the topic: By coaster apparel meant for girls, I meant something I can proudly wear that screams Kings Island. I would just like to see something in my size that simply shows I am a KI enthusiast, and a fan of the rides and coasters, but not too girly. I have three shirts from Cedar Point that are a great example of this.

That is so awesome that you had a chance to go down there. I would have never left the beach.. I could sit on the sand all day long and just listen to the seagulls' plaintive cries, and the waves washing against the shore. I've never heard anything more calming than that.

You left out one of the things that you told me was one of the highlights of your trip.. the It'Sugar candy shop!

I liked this, as well as the fact that CP had an entire room of the Pagoda Gift Shop devoted to coaster apparel for people of my size.. and one night when the fitting rooms were full, the employee working let me use the storage closet and guarded it while I tried my shirts on.