malem

Since there's a lot of time between now and the event, this is probably a good place to mention that you can re-print tickets from Kings Island's website if you misplace or destroy them. Just open the ticket store & use the menu at the top to find Order Lookup.

^ When you save a webpage to a file, a matching folder is created for that page's resources. This includes images, style configuration files (css), JavaScript, and more. This way, if you open the saved HTML file, those other parts of the page still show up. Saving your order configuration in this way isn't the best idea, as the dynamic order information might not load properly. I suggest printing - either to paper or to a PDF file.

^^ I can't decide which job is the more perfect fit - you on Vortex's crew or Beastie1980 at Great Wolf Lodge. Congrats!

It hasn't been as extravagant after 2014. Lunch is more like burgers and chicken than prime rib and shrimp. It's still a great event, though, especially (since 2016) with limited attendance keeping ERT lines short.

From a quick look, it seems you have a lot of great photos there already! If there's ever anything you want to contribute to KIC directly, send me a PM. We'll soon be launching a reworked KIC website, and community-generated content will be most welcome (and will be credited appropriately).

To Cedar Point's credit, it's a well-run event. Most of the reported problems were in 2015, when too many people showed up. I managed to avoid 2-hour check-in lines & depleted meal/tour tickets by arriving at 5:30am (for 8am ERT). Last year was a lot more manageable, with it being a ticketed event for the first time. With so few people at night ERT, everything (trimless Magnum, Maverick, TTD, Valravn) was practically a walk-on from 10:30pm-12:30am. I have yet to go to HoliWood Nights, but I've heard nothing but good things about the event. It's going to be a tough decision. Just a word of warning: I broke my personal steps record at CoasterMania in 2016. (~40 miles from 7:30am-1:00am.)

Going by the number of people who couldn't attend last year because it sold out, I'd expect tickets to go much quicker this year. I'd recommend buying as soon as they go on sale, if possible. Case in point - Winter Chill Out, which has long been a hard ticket event, seems to sell out more quickly each year.

Just a heads up on two major coaster enthusiast events, again falling on the same weekend this year - CoasterMania (Cedar Point) on Friday, June 2 and HoliWood Nights (Holiday World) Friday-Saturday, June 2-3. I'll be at one of them, but I still have no idea which. Registration for HoliWood Nights is open now; CoasterMania tickets will go on sale at a to-be-announced time & will sell out very quickly. Hotel availability around both parks is already scarce that weekend, so it's wise to plan early. It's worth noting that Holiday World requires attendees to be a member of a recognized coaster club at a level of $20/year or higher. Cedar Point has reduced the number of clubs they accept for CoasterMania in recent years, so you'll want to make sure you're in a recognized club if planning to go.

Not sure about you, but my regret in that case would be not going more often. Assuming you visited at least twice, your pass probably paid for itself between parking and admission tickets.

Lifeguard positions aren't as easy to staff these days. Weekdays in early June usually aren't too crowded, so that extra hour at Soak City probably wasn't a top priority. KI isn't alone in this regard; Great Wolf Lodge shortened waterpark operation by an hour on Fridays & Saturdays (9pm close instead of 10pm close) as of last year.

^ You did it correctly. Multiple tickets can be purchased in one order (step 1), but step 2 needs to be completed for each person individually. If you purchased more than one ticket from the online store, you would use that same confirmation number when signing up each person in step 2. The park uses this information to match up orders with people, to ensure everyone has a ticket.

If 500 attendees all show up at once, the line will be long no matter what. Two hours for check-in will hopefully stagger arrivals a bit. Those who prefer to arrive at a more reasonable time will have a shorter wait, as the early birds will have already checked in. Many enthusiasts like to arrive well in advance of gate opening, so it's nice of the park to be ready for check-in so early. Some of us were in line as soon as parking tolls opened at 4:20am. I was indeed cold standing in that 36° line for hours, but I wasn't about to take a coat for my first-ever ride on Banshee. I'm weird like that.

Dinner in 2015 featured chicken & ribs as the main courses. Most of those who chose the ribs went back up & got the chicken. The ribs were a good idea, but they were very tough. I piled a plate full & managed to find one rib that I could chew. It's been a bit of a running joke ever since.

Past Coasterstock menus have included staples like barbeque chicken quarters, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, corn on the cob, baked beans, blue ice cream, etc. I could rib the park about one thing they served in 2015, but I won't go there.

^ Tickets are indeed limited, but they haven't sold out the past two years. You should be fine purchasing next weekend, but (with a new coaster) I certainly wouldn't procrastinate until the last minute. Some Beast tour times are likely to fill up before the event does.

(In his defense, he's a fairly recent transplant to Ohio.) As for me, a total of 16 seasons, though I don't remember several of them from when I was very young.

^ GOCC is a great club. Their leadership is responsive to members, both by e-mail and at events. It's also a great value, as they keep their costs low and operate as a non-profit social organization. Unlike with most other clubs, event fees aren't increased beyond what the host park charges. GOCC's events unfortunately don't usually work out with my schedule & other plans, so whether I renew this year will depend on their event calendar. I'd highly recommend the club, though. I also have active memberships with ACE and Coaster Crew, both of which I'd also recommend.

Very sad, indeed. Truly the end of an era.

I purchased my Coasterstock ticket and registered for the event. 2pm Beast tour.

^ Shhh.. don't tell ohiocolts.

^ The expanded waterpark & entrance plaza is taking over Challenge Park's footprint, so RipCord had to be moved somewhere (or removed). Improving views of the park from the ride is a great marketing phrase.

I got motion sick easily as a kid, so coaster riding was naturally limited. I rode my first inverting coaster in 2002. As for Son of Beast, I only visited KI once while it was in operation, and I didn't ride it on that visit.

In previous years, the park has asked each coaster club to check the attendance list prior to the event. They also require a valid membership card at check-in. To make sure you get into the event, you should be a member of your selected club when (or soon after) you sign up. This membership will need to be valid through the dates of the event, and you'll need your unexpired membership card in-hand. If anyone has questions about registering or renewing with a club, I'd recommend contacting that club directly.

^ Knoebels (owned by the Knoebel family) is known for holding on to a lot of its historical memorabilia. Knott's is getting ready to do the opposite; hopefully items go to collectors or parks who will take care of them.

Not riding King Cobra or Son of Beast.