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It looks like three of the four webcams are back up (the WindSeeker cam is still out of commission). My only gripe is that the Diamondback cam no longer shows the Diamondback queue. The only reason I ever watched the webcams was specifically to see how busy the park was using the Diamondback queue as a gauge. I really hope that cam is moved back to its original view to include the queue again, as it made the decision as to whether to go to the park on short notice so much easier.

My first inclination when I saw the construction site photos was I really hope that Kings Island gets something that's high capacity. Getting another high capacity coaster to help ease the crowds on the X-Base coasters and Diamondback would be amazing. The last few major Cedar Fair coaster installs (since 2008) have clearly demonstrated that capacity is a big deal... Behemoth - well over 1,000 people per hour (pph) Diamondback - well over 1,000 pph Prowler - averages around 800 pph but it's at a smaller park Intimidator 305 - around 1,000 pph Intimidator at Carowinds - well over 1,000 pph Leviathan - well over 1,000 pph Gatekeeper - will average well over 1,000 pph I'm so thankful that Cedar Fair gets how important capacity is, unlike Six Flags who has completely jumped the shark in this regard. The fact that Cedar Fair continues to pour money into not only new high-quality rides but also the aesthetic side of the parks makes me realize that Cedar Fair is heading in the right direction. I can't remember the last time Cedar Fair announcing a major install that made me shake my head and or second-guess the decision. I hope that this ride - whatever it turns out to be - will continue the string.

Been to three Cedar Fair parks so far this season (Worlds of Fun, KD and Carowinds). The passes have worked at all three parks without any hitches or glitches. Hopefully your mileage won't vary.

The biggest issue that the Fast Lane system has is that most Fast Lane users tend to congregate at the newest and most popular rides. The fact that some Six Flags and Cedar Fair parks have decided to charge extra to cut the lines on some select rides is enough evidence that many people utilize the skip-the-line systems to maximize utility on a couple of popular rides and perhaps give a cursory ride to the other rides "just because". Six Flags frequently limits quick queueing new coasters in their debut year to Platinum Flash Pass holders only (Dare Devil Dive at SFOG, X-Flight at Great America and Goliath at SFNE) or by requiring an upgrade fee just for one ride (X2 and Lex Luthor: DOD at Magic Mountain). Kings Dominion had to limit Volcano Fast Lane access for much of the season last year. Millennium Force and Maverick Fast Lane queues frequently backed up last year. Cedar Fair simply took a page out of the Six Flags book by instituting a "Plus" version to help deal with that issue. If I remember correctly the limit of Fast Lane passes that could be sold on any given day is up to 20% of the forecasted attendance that day. Six Flags sells out of the Flash Pass much more frequently at their larger parks than Cedar Fair parks do with Fast Lane passes. Selling lots of Fast Lane passes is far less problematic IMO because the longer Fast Lane waits on busier days at the popular rides help self-regulate the amount of Fast Lane users running through lines assuming a proper balance is maintained. The overlooked thing with the number of Fast Lane passes sold isn't actually the number of passes sold but the proportion of Fast Lane users they let in a ride line at a time. If the park is keeping the 25% Fast Lane user/75% non-Fast Lane user mix most rides seem to be using then the park can sell as many Fast Lane bracelets as they want, but adjusting that mix towards the Fast Lane users when Fast Lane lines start to get long is a recipe for snails pace standby lines. I would argue that this is the largest determining factor as far as how quickly standby lines move. The park should always make sure that only a reasonable percentage of Fast Lane users are let in to a station at a time. I think the Fast Lane Plus option is one of the more balanced systems out there. I don't anticipate too much change in the pricing of Fast Lane but I wouldn't be surprised if additional tweaks are made to both the pricing and the rides on the Plus version, particularly at Cedar Point. When I saw that Canada's Wonderland would limit Fast Lane access on Behemoth and Leviathan to Fast Lane Plus only it actually made me more willing to spend the cash because I know that fewer people will be clogging the Fast Lane line for those coasters now, and the same will likely be happening at TTD and Gatekeeper at Cedar Point. It's a step in the right direction.

I would imagine they chose The Beast over Diamondback for Fast Lane Plus due to the end of night flocking that comes with getting Beast night rides. Diamondback can also handle more people per hour than The Beast so the effects for non-users aren't magnified quite as much. Diamondback is the only newer (starting with Behemoth in 2008) mega in the Cedar Fair chain that is not on the Fast Lane Plus system (both Intimidators, Behemoth and Leviathan are all on Fast Lane Plus only). Will there be an upgrade option for people who initially buy standard Fast Lane and then choose the Plus?

It looks like the Fast Lane details for 2013 have been released. It looks like the only noteworthy change is that there is now a Fast Lane Plus option. Fast Lane Plus allows you to quick queue for The Beast and Firehawk where the standard Fast Lane does not. http://www.visitkingsisland.com/things-to-do/fast-lane# It looks like most Cedar Fair parks are adopting an only allowing quick queue access to two popular rides at each park with Fast Lane Plus access. It's about a $10 per-person add-on at each park for Fast Lane Plus ($15 at Cedar Point). I think this is a win for both quick queuers and non-users. I do wonder if the additional charge to upgrade Fast Lane and Fast Lane Plus might increase at some parks through the year given the very high profile coasters using Fast Lane Plus at some parks (Gatekeeper and TTD at Cedar Point, I305 and Volcano at Kings Dominion, Behemoth and Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland to name a few). Thoughts?

As it pertains to the early ride time...it is a little disappointing that it's being cut back to a half hour. On the other hand, that's still an awfully nice benefit! The only other Cedar Fair park I'm aware of that actually opens rides early all year (before the general public is allowed in) is Cedar Point, and even then you need a Platinum pass to partake. In many instances enjoying the early ride time at Cedar Point is the difference between having a good day and a mediocre day. I don't know that the same can be said for KI. By way of comparison: Most Cedar Fair parks - parks open for everyone at once either for much or all of the year, with some exceptions - the ERT offered during Summer hours at Canada's Wonderland or getting in a few minutes early at Worlds of Fun or Carowinds (no rides open until stated open time) Six Flags parks - just starting to offer early entrance for some (Gold) passholders this year. Magic Mountain lets you in 10 minutes before the general public with a Gold pass. It'll be interesting to see if other SF parks follow suit Dollywood - offers ERT on Saturdays only; one ride only and for one hour Busch - outside of the Verbolten ERT offered on weekends this past June I'm not aware of any early ride times for passholders I still think that Platinum passholders should be getting more in the way of benefits at many Cedar Fair parks, including KI. Cedar Point has Platinum pass ride nights, early entry, parking included and discounts on games, food, etc. that regular passholders don't get. If Kings Island simply offered Platinum passholders four or five one-hour evening ERT sessions on Diamondback and/or The Beast and a 15-20% discount across the board on anything not admissions related I'd be thrilled.

How much of an impact has Diamondback had on overall park attendance?

Just wanted to comment on some of the food options in Richmond if you're interested... Helen's - I've eaten here on two separate occasions and it has been fabulous each time. Their menu changes seasonally. They use locally sourced ingredients where possible so that's an added bonus. If you are heading down before May 1 there's a Groupon available also. See the link below: http://www.groupon.com/deals/helen-s-restaurant?pt=aUOxjqTAAAACdPS83hEipleNJu-CfQ6D4 Deluca Gelato - Every time I'm in Richmond I bring a cooler with dry ice so I can bring some back to Cincinnati. I'm a big gelato fan and the stuff here is absolutely fabulous; some of the best in the country. http://www.delucagelato.com Montana Gold Bread Co. - Some of the best cinnamon rolls anywhere. I'm not a big breakfast fan but I always manage to make my way here during trips. http://www.montanagoldbread.com

Has Diamondback affected the parks attendance like they originally thought it would?

Looks like we have a winner! See the below for additional info: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/hours-directions/kings-island

I ended up getting on four of the new coasters: Wild Eagle, Verbolten, Skyrush & X-Flight. Skyrush was definitely the best of the bunch and if they get the restraint issues sorted out it likely will be in my top 5. The wing coasters were fun (I preferred Wild Eagle to X-Flight). Verbolten was just a more elaborate Backlot Stunt Coaster. It's a coaster Busch needed and was well-received by the GP but was by far the weakest of the new for 2012 crop IMO. I did have a chance to ride Green Lantern at SFMM but skipped it due to the long line. New Texas Giant will be on the agenda next year in conjunction with the opening of Iron Rattler at Fiesta Texas. Wooden Warrior...well, we'll get there eventually! I did fall just short of the beat 3 Point Challenge goal (8 of 17 parks). My friend did manage to get a few of those runs on video though so that was cool (thanks Dave!).

I would love to see a suitable replacement for Vortex. In the coaster department there are really only two things that I believe KI could use; a B&M invert (as mentioned above) and/or a GCI wood, both of which would fit very nicely within the space in which Vortex currently resides. The only issue I'd have with the GCI is capacity, but putting it in the very back of the park might alleviate some of those concerns.

This is a park I've always wanted to check out, mainly for the setting but for Wicked as well. The only thing is it's a long way from a large metropolis (and other amusement parks) other than Salt Lake City, so this may have to wait until a visit to Yellowstone. Thanks for the report!

IMO, they still need restrooms somewhere in or near the X-Base area. If they did nothing else but this in the offseason I'd be happy.

If you're coming from inside the 275 loop or even just outside I'd wholeheartedly agree with this. It's a little longer from a miles perspective but you deal with way fewer lights, have fewer potential traffic issues (and law enforcement!) and is more consistent in the time it takes to navigate there.

I'd rank the parks I've visited as follows: Cedar Point: They have the best collection of coasters in the chain and the nicest setting. Seeing Gatekeeper and the transformation of the old Disaster Transport area should only make the park better. Canada's Wonderland: The best atmosphere of all the parks. I love their kids area, which is probably better than KI's IMO. They also sell poutine. My only knock on this park is that they only have four coasters worth riding IMO (Vortex, Thunder Run, Behemoth & Leviathan). Their flats collection is great. I like this park more and more every time I visit. Kings Island: The best games and best prizes. KI needs one more high-quality, high-capacity attraction. I'm very curious to see if the issue afflicting Diamondback's trains gets fixed in the offseason, because if it does it moves right back into my top 5. Kings Dominion: The best overall collection of rides IMO. I love that they've kept many of the trees that Kings Island lacks. Carowinds: One of the best one-two B&M punches anywhere with Intimidator & Afterburn. The flyers are awesome. Unfortunately, those are by far the three best rides in the park and it quickly drops off from there. Worlds of Fun: The employees here are the friendliest in the chain IMO. Prowler is awesome. I just wish the park had a little more to do, but I always enjoy my visits here. Dorney Park: They have a decent collection of rides. Talon is really growing on me. It just lacks the atmosphere and the cohesiveness that some of the other parks have. Knotts: I love Silver Bullet. Xcelerator's launch is great. Ghostrider and Montezooma's Revenge are decent but everything else does nothing for me, including the chicken restaurant. I probably won't visit this park again until they get a big coaster. This park may suffer by comparison because of its proximity to Magic Mountain, Disneyland & Universal Studios Hollywood. Michigan's Adventure: It's a cute park, but with only one standout attraction (albeit it a very good one in Shivering Timbers) it's tough to put it higher. Valleyfair: See the Dorney Park analysis but lacks the good collection of rides. Renegade is really good but everything else there is very lackluster. I lack any desire to head back there anytime soon.

The Best: Bizarro (SFNE) Voyage The Rest: El Toro Diamondback Goliath (SFOG) Millennium Force Behemoth Shivering Timbers Superman - Ride of Steel (Six Flags America) Skyrush

This is the time of year I usually take my annual pilgrimage to Six Flags Great Adventure and New England. I remember pulling into the Great Adventure parking lot last year on the Sunday before Columbus Day and being greeted by an entirely full main and overflow lot. They were parking people in the Hurricane Harbor lot when I arrived and that even that lot was half full. The lines for the shuttle to run you back to that lot at the end of the evening were long so I decided to walk back. Twenty minutes and two burning calves later I finally got back to my car (I still beat everyone waiting in the shuttle lines though!). Columbus Day weekend, particularly Saturday, seems to be a bad time to go to any big theme park. I'll second everything said here already, avoid Saturday at all costs. You've been warned!

I don't have a problem with most of the selections personally. There were four things that caught my attention this year: (1) El Toro overtaking Voyage for best wood. I would agree that El Toro is giving better rides than The Voyage this year. I think the top 10 wood rankings (outside of The Beast selection at 7) are all fair. (2) I'm a little surprised about the best new ride category. I thought Wild Eagle would finish second or third but it won. I thought Skyrush hardly registering on the best new ride radar was a bit surprising as the layout is awesome. Perhaps the restraints and capacity issues weighed more heavily than I thought they might. (3) Every North American B&M hyper placed in the top 25. Outside of the Raging Bull selection at 19 I'd agree that they are all top 25 rides (though in full disclosure I haven't ridden Goliath at La Ronde). I still think the best of the bunch is Goliath at SFOG, however. (4) Intimidator 305 is one of the few really big coasters that opinions tend to sway all over the place. It's a coaster you either really like or isn't really your cup of tea with very little middle ground. I've had the pleasure of riding with three close friends of mine since it opened and they've all said it's good but not great and didn't have any real interest in immediately re-riding. Some people have it as their #1. Some people don't have it in their top 25. I agree with the ranking at 12 but realize that everyones opinion will vary here.

I'll throw in a few while we're here: Peach Basket - throw the ball underhanded really high (as high as you're comfortable throwing it and still maintaining control) with a little backspin. We've seen people that can win better than 75% of the time on average at this game using this technique. You can also use this same technique for the Milk Can game. Ring Toss - throw the ring as flat as you can at the first row of bottles. You still need to get lucky in order to keep the ring on the bottle but you give yourself the best chance of success that way. Bank-a-Ball - the key to this is to make sure the ball is traveling UP as it hits the upper third of the board. My brother said he saw a gentleman who threw the ball really high with backspin so that it would contact the very bottom of the board and go in, so it's possible to do various ways.

I like that statement. I'd also add "or Skyrush" to the "anything like Bizarro" portion of that comment. The only thing that Skyrush didn't get right (from a ride perspective, ignoring the hideously designed station) are the restraints. Had they nailed those it would probably be my #1 coaster, but as is it's still a top 5 ride. Intamin also stepped away from the snappy transitions and focused more grace and speed. I find it interesting that the rides that most people like a lot across the board (Bizarro, El Toro, Skyrush, Millennium Force) are the ones that minimize the use of those fast, snappy transitions. The ones that do have them (I305, Maverick) are much more polarizing and are usually "really love it" or "really hate it" kinds of coasters. As far as Kings Island goes I think they would be better served by a B&M giga than an Intamin. I like the stronger range of forces on the Intamin megas/gigas but as far as the park itself is concerned, B&Ms offer three key advantages: higher throughput, less downtime, and infinitely more comfortable restraints. Having said all that, I'd still rather have either El Toro or Voyage than just about every other steel coaster out there.

To your point, I'm at 33 visits and still at Level 1. My spending is all in the games area and therefore isn't counted toward the program. YMMV.

Nice report, and congratulations on 300! I always thought Silver Bullet was a vastly underrated inverted coaster. The only part of the coaster I thought wasn't as good as some of the other inverts was the zero-g roll, but I probably like it more than every other invert other than Montu and Afterburn. Really a shame about Ghostrider though. I thought the first half was pretty good but them bringing the train to a grinding halt at the MCBR made the second half completely unmemorable. It might crack my top 20 wood in its current condition but would vault way up if it ran like the potential suggests.

Barbecue is VERY subjective. Cincinnati only has a couple of BBQ restaurants I'd shell out full price for - Pit to Plate and Just Q'in in Newtown. Most of the BBQ places in town have some items on their menu I like (Eli's pulled pork, SmoQ's wings and pulled pork to name but a few) but the overall quality and consistency of most places in town is very hit or miss. I didn't appreciate what I liked in BBQ until I started cooking on my own. You start noticing a lot of subtleties in flavors that go beyond descriptions of "this is good". You start to know why it's good. You appreciate good brisket because you realize that it's really difficult to cook properly and have it taste good too. I'm firmly of the belief that most BBQ restaurants can't compete with a good backyard cook simply due to the fact that food hot from the smoker is generally much better than food that's been sitting in a warmer for hours. That's also the reason why I'll tend to go to BBQ places when it's likely to be really busy so that you're getting the freshest stuff.