gigacoaster2k

YES. Also: * Speed lanes available to gold and platinum passholders on every ride, every day the park is open.. but only offered to the first 500 passholders in the gate, for two rides of their choice. * Bring back the backward Racer. * Expected ride wait time boards at the entrance to every ride, like they have at Cedar Point. * Do something to improve Vortex. That coaster is getting more and more painful every year.

In my book, AE is fun if you're looking for that break from the big rides. It's just not thrilling enough for me, I crave adrenaline when it comes to my rides and coasters. No offense to anyone who does like it, but it just isn't my speed (no pun intended ). At KI, I can really only be found around Drop Tower, FOF, Delirium, Beast, Invertigo, and BLSC (I like BLSC because it has a lot of elements packed into one ride). And Firehawk when you don't have to wait years, which is rare.

I used to enjoy The Vortex, but it has gotten rougher over the years, and the batwing really hurts. Every Arrow coaster I've ridden is like that. They may as well be built out of coat hangers. Thanks for the Antique Cars gravestone photo. I really miss those. My dad and I would always ride those when we went to KI before I turned 16, "because it was a good way to prepare me for driving school." I was horrible at it, but those were good times. My dad is such a joker. I really liked Flight Deck when it had the Top Gun theming. It added anticipation to the ride, that and it has always been one of my favorite movies. I still have photos of the theming somewhere, I'll have to look for them later. I've ridden it since they changed it to Flight Deck, and for me, it just isn't the same. It is good to see that KI is starting to post expected wait times, hopefully that's a hint that they will have the full setup next year. CP has one by the entrance to every single coaster and thrill ride, even the Giant Wheel.

I have to work 3-11 tomorrow. I will be there next Saturday for sure.

I actually like BLSC, it's fun. Lots of elements packed into one ride. At KI, Drop Tower is my favorite among Beast, Flight of Fear, Invertigo, and Delirium.

I haven't been to KI since August 9. I'd go, but I work tonight and tomorrow night until 11 pm. I am having really bad Drop Tower withdrawals. Thankfully, my addiction will be fed once again September 27. That drop is a candy coated adrenaline rush that I can't wait to taste again.

WOW. I went from an average park guest (visiting KI maybe 3 times a year if I was lucky) to a coaster enthusiast after my first trip to Cedar Point last year. I was completely blown away by this huge park with monstrous coasters reaching speeds that made my eyes water. I had to know everything about the park so I could tell everyone about my experience, and that's pretty much where it started.

Same here. I cherish my CF platinum pass. I remember several years ago when a friend came to visit from out of state. I took her down to KI, and we bought tickets at the entrance. I had no idea at the time about things such as park perks, ride stats, or even a season pass. We pretty much pointed at something and asked the other one if they wanted to ride it.

Once again, Now to get back on topic, I agree with tigellinus. I have met so many people who aren't even aware of what they are riding. "How high is this?" "How fast does it go?" "What's the name of this one again?" Cracks me up every time, especially on rides like Drop Tower when you tell them how fast and high it really is. The look on first-timers' faces is priceless.

I wish. It's just the basic coaster stats, like the fact that it is termed a gigacoaster and that loose articles are not permitted on this ride.

I copied and pasted this from my FunTimes email newsletter: How cool is that?

I joined August 8, 2008, at 02:21 AM. I finally signed up for the text alerts last night.

I used to scream on Drop Tower, but now i just yell WOO HOOOOOOOOO on the way down with my hands in the air!

I gasp or scream if something startles me, but it's a good startle, like the drop on Invertigo or the turbo drop on Power Tower. I can never tell when those two will release me. Other than that, I laugh and woohooo on rides and coasters. I used to hate it when people would scream on non-scary rides, but my friend that works at CP screams like he's terrified on his favorite rides, and it kills me. I told him we should be stupid and scream our heads off on Iron Dragon when I go up there. I'm one of those people on Delirium or MaxAir yelling crazy stuff like I WANT MY MOMMY!! or CRANK THIS UP TO MACH 3!! I LOVE the slow claps and ear-shattering cheering in the MF station on the last train of the night. That ride is so amazing, and the excitement people add to it just makes it even better.

I was going to go, but I have to work 3-11 both days.

That is way too funny, I almost spat out what I was drinking when I read that. I had to quote you on it.

No joke. IMO a great coaster doesn't need a sugarcoating of theming to make it a great coaster. Slight theming is OK, but when you see it everywhere you turn in the queue, you have to wonder if they are trying to make up for something the coaster might be missing.

Feeling like a n00b. I have only ridden 25 coasters. 27 if you count both sides of Racer and Gemini.

My palms still sweat at the top of Drop Tower. But the adrenaline rush is well worth it. TTD still kind of gives me butterflies in my stomach while waiting for the launch, but holy Toledo, best 20 seconds of my life.

First time on Drop Tower: In tears at the top, took the drop with my eyes slammed shut, gritted teeth and white knuckles. First time on Millennium Force: Had a panic attack in the loading station when it hit me like a ton of bricks how steep and high we were about to go. I love them both dearly now, and cannot get enough.

Really? I don't have kids, so I wasn't aware of that. I spend most of my time in Action Zone, Coney Mall and International St., so I haven't seen the way the employees act in the kids' area. If I were you, I'd say something next time. I've ran into a few rude amusement park employees, and I've called them on it (used their name too). Seems to shake them up a little bit, because when you use someone's name, it implies that you are remembering them for a possible talk with management later.

I say, go Cedar Fair. The ride name changes were for a reason, and the rides I like haven't changed, so that doesn't bother me. The park is a little more flashy than it used to be in a Cedar Point-esque kind of way. I like the tall KI flags in the midway by the games (similar to the flags seen at CP), and they play much more upbeat music than they used to, plus the ride ops seem a lot more "into" their jobs. I like to be excited about going to an amusement park, and KI has certainly embraced that concept for their guests since CF took over. It seems that when Paramount owned KI, the park just kind of sat back and let people come to it. Now, Kings Island is one of those places that many more people are starting to see on the map.

Agreed on both counts. Nick, you really are a good photographer. I work 40 hours a week and am taking 9 credit hours at college, so my amusement park visits this fall will be limited.

I'm going October 11 and 12! I finally get to ride my precious Millennium Force again!! I miss my Milly. *sobs*

I never have understood what EHCRWA means on that tower on Route 6 either. I had forgotten about the names of defunct rides and coasters on the graves. That is creative. I don't like Pain Streak's brake run either.. or the rest of the coaster, for that matter. It gave me owies. I gasped and got a smile on my face when I got to the Millennium Force photos. That is my number one favorite, if you can't tell. Milly is so huge. It never fails to intimidate me, but at the same time, it excites me. I will never get tired of riding it or looking at it. Nice TR, and very nice photos! I managed to make it up to CP 5 times this year for a total of 7 days in the park. I am planning a 2 day Halloweekends trip too. I love Cedar Point, and I can not wait to go again.