rcs

The stereotypical Kentuckian is aggressive, unafraid to confront someone, die-hard republican, anti-equality, and probably very much in support of the Confederacy despite never having joined it. That, to me, does not create an audience with which I'd like to share an amusement park. I have lived in Kentucky my entire life, born and raised here, and am as different from your description as you can get. I am not an overly agressive person. I am a life-long Democrat, as is, believe it or not, most of the registered voters in my part of the state, which is the southeast part of Kentucky. I believe in equal rights for all, no matter what race, religion, or sexual orentation you identify yourself with. I do not fly the Confederate flag and would have enlisted with the Union if I had the misfortune to have been alive during that terrible part of our nation's history. I am not white trash and do not, nor have ever, wore a wifebeater. You are correct, there are plenty of rednecks and white trash types from Kentucky. There are also plenty of good, hardworking, honest folks from this state as well. I have travelled around quite a bit of our great country, and have seen rednecks, white trash types, thugs, and other assorted hooligans in ever state I have been in. Don't put down an entire state or group of people because some of them may not be the best type of person.

Well our second day at Kings Island started off on the wrong foot as we arrived at 10 and had to suffer through rain and storms for the next couple of hours. Very few rides were open, but we repeatedly rode some of what was: Boo Blasters, Dodgems, the carousel, Linus Launcher and a VERY wet ride on the Scrambler. I gave a glance and thought while passing The Crypt, but I've read so many negative reviews about the ride I just skipped it. Finally the rain let up after 12 and they started to get the other rides ready for operation. The crowds were low for the rest of the day and nearly everything was walkon or nearly so. What started out as a bad day turned out great as we had a blast riding so many different rides so many different times I couldn't keep count. It was a get off a ride and get right back on type of day. Our trip here last year was my family's first and the first for me in over 20 years. It also was packed and we got on very few rides. This year was alot of first rides for all of us and I'll try to give you my impressions of most of what we rode. First off, my wifes favortie ride was without a doubt Surf Dog. She would have rode this all day long without getting off it if they would have let her. She rode Diamondback once, but got a headache after the ride and declined to get back on it. My son, who will soon be 10, was willing to ride anything. He loved Drop Tower but hated Delirium. It absolutely terrified him and he panicked on the ride. That will be a definate no no ride for him in the future. My older daughter likes the smaller rides, there is just no getting her on anything bigger. We rode, in no particular order, Woodstock Express, Aerial Chase, Kite Eating Tree (dull), Shake Rattle and Roll, Racer (both sides were rough but fun), Backlot Stunt Coaster, Adventure Express, Congo Falls, Viking Fury, and the K.I. and Miami Train, plus all of the before mentioned rides. Woodstock Express had a problem with one of the lap bars on one of the cars and I got to see a mechanic fix it in quick fashion. Also, while we were in line for Adventure Express, it went down and we waited for a few minutes as a mechanic worked under a car in the station but finally left as it appeared he wouldn't have it fixed anytime soon. We had a fine lunch at the Rivertown Dining Hall and watched a little of some of the shows around the park. We will for sure be coming back, but it will more than likely be a couple of years. We all greatly enjoy the park, but my wife wants to go somewhere different next summer. Dollywood and Pigeon Forge is the front runner right now. I have a few pics below of our second day at the park. Kolby on the carousel. Kelsey also on the carousel. Me on Dodgems. Kolby and my cousin Billy are in the background in another car. The kids on Linus Launcher. Getting ready to ride Backlot Stunt Coaster. Me and Kolby at the end of the ride. Getting ready to go board Viking Fury. Kolby and Barb on Surf Dog. I am on the other side of Barb, out of the picture. Kolby and I on the Woodstock Express. The kids with Snoopy. A couple of farewell shots of Kings Island.

Here is a few photos of the first day of our trip to Kings Island. I will have a trip report and more photos from Monday's visit up soon. Me and my family arrive at the park after watching my beloved Reds beat the Blue Jays. A few pics from the top of the tower. My wife snapped this pick of the carousel in Planet Snoopy at the end of the night. I'll have more pics from out second day and a trip report up later.

My family and I made our annual trip to Cincy and KI today. Plenty of rain during the trip here, but it finally cleared just in time for the Reds-Blue Jays ballgame, which the Reds won 2-1. After that we headed to KI for about five hours of fun. The dark skies parted and the sun finally shined for the first time today. Here is our ride count for the evening: Diamondback Woodstock Express Aerial Chase x 2 Boo Blasters x 2 Surf Dog x 2 Bumper Cars Whitewater Canyon RFYLCB Went to the top of the tower. I will post more pics and have a more detailed report about tomorrows trip when I get home in a couple of days. Too darn tired tonight and I am going to hit the sack. Hope the weather is nice again tomorrow, plan to hit all the rides we possibly can as we have no other plans for the day.

The Racer was the original "big" ride at Kings Island. I doubt we will ever see it going away. If I'm not mistaken, isn't it the only ride featured on the Brady Bunch episode that is still there?

Well, the Weather Channel has already changed the forcast for next week. Now they are giving just partly cloudy skies for both days with only a 20% chance of rain on Sunday and 0% for Monday. It is supposed to be scorching hot, way up in the 90's, but hopefully this will be how it plays out, no rain.

Come rain or shine, we will be there either way. Hopefully the weather will be nice most of both days. The trip to Cincy is our summer vacation plus my birthday/father's day presents all rolled into one. I can't think of anywhere I would rather go than a Reds game followed by a good time at Kings Island.

Me and my family will be coming to KI this coming Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th. We will be going to the park Sunday evening after attending the Reds game and plan to stay all day Monday. How do some of you regulars think the crowds will be? I know they are having a Gold Pass special on Sunday, will that cause a much bigger crowd than usual? I have also seen that there is a 60% chance of scattered t-storms for Sunday and a 60% chance of scattered showers on Monday. I really don't want our vacation to be a washout as it is a 6 hour drive for us, but I also know that the threat of rain can keep the crowds down. Last year we made the mistake of coming on a Math & Science Day and the waits for all the rides was terrible. Just wanted to know how you folks feel things will be next week at the park.

Kings Island has a video up on Youtube and linked on their Facebook page of a test run for WindSeeker from yesterday.

My first trip to KI was in 1980 and the age of 4. Family vacation, still have some vague memories and plenty of photos of that trip. My family returned about 7 or 8 years later. Last year I decided to take my family to KI, my first trip in over 20 years. We had a blast and also enjoyed a Reds game. We will be coming back this summer, this time for two days. We will be going to the Reds game against the Blue Jays on Sunday the 19th, going to KI that evening after the game and then spending all of the next day at KI. My kids are counting down the days and for that matter so am I. Can't wait!

Going by what I've seen on the webcams today, KI has been dead as a door nail. Just a few folks milling around by the looks of it.

I would have rather saw the other 3D Dino movie brought in, but I will reserve my final judgement until I actually get to see it.

Great pics. Can't wait to get up there in June.

You can tell that the current ownership really cares about the upkeep and improving of the park. Every year they either add a new attraction or make improvements. Year before it was the new mini golf course, last year the Rockin Tug ride and it appears that this year they have concentrated on making alot of improvements to some of the older rides. I have to ask, do they still have the Ferris Wheel? I was told that last year was going to be the last for it and that they were going to remove it over the offseason.

Hope to make it up there later this year. A fun little park, a good way to spend an afternoon.

Great, well shot video. That was pretty neat seeing the bird catch its dinner at the end!

Oh yeah, no disrespect to the Carousel. But I consider that more of a reststop that gives the kids something to do when I need a break!

The Monster is an underappreciated classic. While the "big" rides get most of the attention, the good ol' flats keep doing their job year after year with little fanfare. So I salute you Monster, Scrambler, Viking Fury, ShakeRattle & Roll, Zephyr and the Dodgem's. Keep up the good work of putting a smile on the face of each and everyone of your riders!

How horrible. I feel so sorry for that poor child's family. What a terrible loss this must be. Here is a video of the ride in question, The Python Pit.

Camden's Haunted House has long been the subject of much debate as to whether or not it should be considered a coaster. Personally, I believe it is. As for Surf Dog, no, I see it more as a flat ride.

Here is the link to video of HB Land, circa 1998, with special focus being on Ghoster Coaster. I never got the chance the experience this ride, and considering how slow and dull it looked, I didn't miss much.

What a great stroll down memory lane! What I wouldn't give for a time machine, so I could go back and experience the Kings Island of those days all over again.

Hope to ride it this year when my family makes its now yearly trek to KI. Darn thing was down all day when we were there last year. And that ride actually looks pretty intense to be in the kids part of the park.

I would say that this new dino walk-through means that they will indeed change the movie at the Action Theater to the Dino themed film. Perfect tie in, kids love dinosaurs, thrill seekers will be happy with WindSeeker, something new for everyone this year.

No matter what this addition to the park may be, it gives my family something else to look forward to when we make our yearly trip to Cincy and Kings Island come June. I learned my lesson last year, when we went in May. And that lesson is - DO NOT GO TO Kings Island ON MATH AND SCIENCE DAY!!!!!!!!