KIfan1980

Red Racer was open today and the ride ops were doing their best to send out races. The big difference from last year is that the trim on the Red turnaround grabbed for a long time leading to a Blue wins.

I have never seen more buses at the park than I did today - as I left at 10:30 following my Diamondback ERT laps and short wait Firehawk rides. Returned about 7pm with my 6 year old and was able to catch 6 coaster rides before closing. Not bad all-in-all. And Robbie - I was told by a walk attendee that you were doing a great job loading the wheel this morning.

I'll get back to you on this in 1 month.

SheiKra is in every row, it is either the 3rd or 4th seat in from each edge (there are nice signs pointing it out). You are coming off as overly rude, and I think you have ignored the problem that people are talking about to try and cause controversy. From what I understand (I'll find out personally in June), many people who do not have problems on any other coasters, and would not be considered obese medically, have issues on TTD and MF. To me this is a ride design issue, not a personal health problem. And the fact that the size seems to get smaller and smaller (from what has been stated) is again not a personal health problem.

Now that is a statement that I absolutely can agree with! And I'm glad to hear so much support for Montu here on KIC - the ride (especially in the front in my opinon) is awesome and I really, really like the color scheme - which I believe can do a lot for a coaster.

That must have been the ongoing Kings Island rumor before Vortex is sinking. I remember being told the same thing - and having the same fear! ok - that video helps bring back some awesome memories of a time gone by at KI, although it left me with a question I've wondered about for a while. Early in the video (0:15), it shows a Racer Red train on the current "Blue Side", later (2:25) it shows a Racer Red train on the current "Red Side". So what is the history of Racer colors? Current: Two Red Trains on Right Side (Former Backwards Side), Two Blue Trains on Left Side During Backwards Operation: I recall there being one Red and one Blue on each side. Is my memory correct? Prior to Backward Operation: What is Red and Blue sides back then? Same as today?

FYI for those DVR'ing this. The last time TVLand showed this (as part of a Brady Bunch marathon) it ended up starting about 15 minutes before the scheduled time. I'll be recording from 11:30am - 1pm this time so I can see the full show (hopefully!).

Corrected - even if I wanted to, I can't make heads or tails of his ranting half the time. Makes you wonder if he believes what he is actually saying or if he believes that the unit price will rise (Q. What reasons could he have for this belief) and is just using a generic statement to support.

You forgot to mention that you and Ryan spent many minutes on the trip North updating your Facebook Status. I can't tell you how many times there were back to back updates: - Dustin is eating at Skyline in Lima - Ryan in Lima eating Skyline Glad you had a good trip. I especially like the night Dragster picture.

I love coaster structure pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the trip report. I can't wait to experience CP again this year after ~9 years. I still rank Raptor high on my top coaster list, although it was replaced by Montu as my favorite invert earlier this year.

I agree - this is why they normally close the single rider line when this happens. You've got to remember that getting in the SRL is not a guarantee that you get on faster than the main line - you take your chances. And while this situation (see many empty rows) would be very frustrating, I've waited in the SRL many times and don't see it very often at all so it sounds like you unfortunately got the exception (or some new ride-op learning the ropes).

I think this is a fine idea.

Is there a reason you recommend the Gatlinburg location versus the Pigeon Forge location? Either way (having eaten at both), I'll second Terpy's recommendation here.

Ditto what others have said, with a couple of quick adds: Don't try and rush you daughter right onto a ride when you get there. Take a walk around Planet Snoopy and let her take it all in first - this will also help you figure out what she wants to rides. Get her measured when you get to the park (they'll put on a wristband with her height - in shoes). This will help you know what she can ride My 3 year old was scared at the beginning of last year (that is long gone now). Linus' Beetle Bugs is a good ride to up the thrill level a little and The Great Pumpkin Coaster is another that you can ride with her. You might also want to consider a trip up the Eiffel Tower. Fear of heights and fear of rides do not always go together. Have fun!

I only get to choose one? But I've got two kids - someone is going to think I'm playing favorites... July 18th, 2009 - Red Racer. My then 5 year old's first day with the 48" wristband. Sitting in the brake run tunnel at the end of the ride and he says that he loves riding roller coasters with me. Riding the bigger rides with him was awesome - but that put the night over the top.

The following is a response to a Facebook status that a friend of mine recently posted: - "Have a Great Trip!!!!!!! I Love Disney, especially Universal!!!!!! :-)" I don't know what else to say.

Good reasons to ride everything and see what you like: - I loved Thunderhead and Tennessee Tornado - I was not a big fan of Mystery Mine - Make sure you see a couple of shows In the surrounding area, for Go-Carts - hit The Track, the Aquarium is very good, and we enjoyed Ober Gatlinburg as well.

With the push for reinstatement of the cash distribution, it is my belief that Q is looking to build unit-holder support for it's objectives - one of which is fresh blood on the board, the remainder of which are still to be shared publicly.

Regarding nostalgia and Adventure Express - wow, thanks for making me feel even older. I reserve that status for Racer, Beast, and Woodstock Express at Kings Island. Sadly, many of the other rides are long gone. Flight Deck is hampered by it's location. While I will often take the hike back there with my six year old for a ride or two, it is located off the beaten path, in an area (Action Zone) that was/is not really geared for the younger/family crowd, and with a non-visible queue that leaves you guessing on the wait time (try taking a 6 year old into an hour long queue once or twice). Bottom line for me, I hope they keep them all (except Son of Beast in its current state) for many years.

You missed the Terpy point. This ride was Scooby. A new ride called Boo Blasters had a line. And a fairly long one Sunday afternoon as well.

I'm guessing Kinzel is more of a safety guy than an engineering guy so it's no surprise he's blaming the engineering . Seriously though, while I don't think this is worth getting all worked up over, at some point you've got to believe that this Intamin does not want to continue to build a reputation of a company unable to engineer correctly, deliver on time, etc...

And there is still the beginning of a walkway to where the Antique cars station was on the path between Diamondback and BLSC

Dave - as usual an interesting read, thanks for sharing - somehow whenever you post a PTR, I find myself adding another park to my "must visit one day" list!

So it wasn't as exciting as the day my older boy got his first 48" wristband, but it was still a quality Daddy and Son day at Kings Island that I will remember fondly. It all began with me realizing that both my Mom and Wife (along with our 6 year old) were going to be out of town on Mothers Day (at least until dinner time). So what better way to spend the day than at Kings Island with my 4 year old. As we entered the park, we got his height check and he was given the 44" wristband, which led to a quick memory check that he was now big enough for Surf Dog and Flying Ace in addition to Shake-Rattle-Roll which he didn't get to ride last year. I figured we'd work them in sometime during the day, but I made the mistake of mentioning that he'd get to ride some new rides today and was rewarded by being told he wanted to ride S-R-R first. Despite me explaining how far away that was, I relearned that he can be stubborn (like his Dad) and logical arguments don't work on a 4-year old. After a couple of re-rides (needing to try out all the colors), we headed off to Surf Dog, with a quick stop at the KI&MVRR on the way, before grabbing lunch - where I had to explain that I couldn't make them open up Flying Ace (which was down). After lunch, we hit the "also new" Snoopy v. Red Baron (kids actually get to control the planes going up and down this year), Woodstock Express (where my son declared he didn't need me to hold onto him anymore), and Boo Blasters (which he totallly enjoyed until the ride stopped in the middle of the skeleton scene - literally everything was turned off when it stopped, so it was pitch black). After this we ran into Giga and Tom#'s, who are apparently much scarier than Boocifer to a 4-year old , before heading off to the Eiffel Tower. We finished with another lap of the new rides ("no old rides, Daddy - only new ones, I'm 44 inches now") that also included two rides on Flying Ace (coaster count #6 for him) which had re-opened, before heading off to dinner. Summary: - Diamondback Rides: 0 - Beast and Every other Big Coaster Rides: 0 - Seeing his pride/excitement telling Mom/Big Brother about how tall he was and his new rides: Worth every Second