lebeau

We noticed Kings Island has been cracking down on the height thing for some reason this season. The first time we ran into it was with my oldest daughter. We've had Gold Passes since she was 4. I just renew them every year. This year, she is 9 which means she should have an adult pass. So one day they asked us to reprocess her pass as an adult. It was a minor inconvenience, but it didn't cost anything. Even if it had, I would have understood. A few weeks later, we came back and my youngest is in her stroller. She's 5 and she's short for her age. She's nowhere near the height requirement. But they made her get out of her stroller so they could see her standing up. Again, it wasn't even close. Mildly annoyed by that one. But having been through it with my oldest, I knew what they were getting at. KI might get a few extra bucks out of policing this policy as hard as they are this year. But it's costing them good will. For this story to hit the media is a major mis-step. Hopefully they will reconsider how they handle this. Whatever extra money they made off of upgrading passes wasn't worth this bad press or the negative feelings it created in who knows how many loyal customers who haven't spoken up. It's a shame because on the whole I feel like Cedar Fair gets customer service. But this policy is positively wrong-headed. I expect better of Kings Island.

The biggest problem is pinch injuries from guests who can't keep their hands inside the boats. Monster Mansion Six Flags Over Georgia Thank goodness for Melinda Ashcraft, who saved this ride (and Mindbender) from a corporate who had other ideas. Am I to understand that KI nearly lost its only dark ride? Shudder.

As a kid, I loved The Enchanted Voyage. Loved everything about it. I miss the boats. I miss the smell. I remember being so excited to get on the rotating loading area and make my way to a boat. And then you had the snail who greeted you on your way in to a ride that felt like a different world. I have seen old movies and yes, it was cheesy, but as a kid you just couldn't beat it. When the Smurfs came along, I didn't care for it. I was too old for the Smurfs. But my younger siblings really liked it. I still enjoyed the experience of riding the boats. A lot of things I loved about The Enchanted Voyage were still there. But I still missed MY ride. Also, I remember thinking that blue ice cream (which I believe was new for the Smurfs) was unnatural and would never last. Ooops. By the time Phantom Theater came around, I was a young adult. I didn't really care any more. I didn't go to Kings Island unless someone was able to get me in for free. I had fun when I went, but I wasn't a fan. I rode Phantom Theater once and thought it was kind of lame. So did my friend who accompanied me. Of course, we were comparing it to Enchanted Voyage and Disney's Haunted Mansion. It couldn't live up to HM, obviously. And it couldn't measure up to our nostalgia for the old ride. Part of the problem with Phantom Theater is that its ambition exceeded its reach. In retrospect, I appreciate that it tried to be something greater than what you typically find in a season amusement park. Unfortunately, those animatronics weren't very impressive and that was about all the ride had going for it. Boo Blasters is fine for what it is. No one is going to accuse it of being overly ambitious. It's a fun ride on a hot day. My youngest won't get near it, but I can finally ride with my oldest. And even if I'm there by myself, I will usually check it out if there's not a long line. I would like a more family-friendly dark ride. You could easily fill that space with Peanuts. But I don't think that would result in a big boost in attendance. So CF probably won't want to spend the money on such a thing. Ideally, I'd like to see a family-friendly dark ride in addition to what we already have. Fix up Boo Blasters AND give us a dark ride in the tradition of Enchanted Voyage (with boats please!) I know, I'm dreaming.

I feel bad even sharing this one. It didn't happen to me but to a friend of mine and I was very embarassed for him. I don't think he's been to an amusement park again ever since. This was several years ago. Late 90s I would guess. He was a big guy who was going through some hard times. Unemployed. Living with his parents. Deep in student debt. Just a long line of bad luck (which has since turned around). I came in town to cheer him up and we decided to go to Kings Island for the day. Neither of us had been in a long time. We had a great time up until we tried to ride The Beast. Like I said, my friend was a big guy. The Beast wasn't really build with guys his size in mind. The ride operator couldn't lower the restraint over his stomach. So he called for help. Another ride operator came to help and they both tried to push the restraint down. When they couldn't get it to click, they both started hopping up and down on the restraint until it clicked into place. In the end, we were able to ride. We acted like nothing happened and kept on having fun. But for the rest of the day we avoided anything that might have a restraint. Pretty sure that was the last time he ever rode a roller coaster.

That figures. Could have saved some money on Face Paint and Glitter Tattooes last trip. Funny how they thought to upsell my kids without mentioning the GP discount.

What is it? Can't check Twitter from work. Thanks.

Agreed on the music. If we get back the theme-appropriate music, they can paint the fountains any color they want.

Disco yeti wasn't a big enough change for you? I am just excited to see something - anything - coming. I have been pleased with the small upgrades the park has been receiving for the last several years. But it's time Kings Island got something a little "sexier". I like coasters as much as the next guy (actually, that's probably not true here), but I don't have my heart set on a coaster. I would love a dark ride. The more family-friendly, the better. Having said that, a coaster would be great too. Whatever they build, I would like to see a good strong theme. A "scary" theme doesn't excite me as much as some others might. The one dark ride we have is already too scary for a lot of kids. With two little girls, I'd love to see something that appeals to them more. But that's just me. Whatever theme the new attraction has, I hope they do it up to the extent such a thing is possible at a seasonal amusement park. My guess? At this point I have no guess. Fairly confident KI will never again invoke SoB, but beyond that I have no idea. The wait to find out is killing me - but in a good way. I'll have fun watching and waiting for new info and all of your theories - except those related to SoB No matter what gets built, I doubt I will be disappointed. It will either be something I enjoy with my kids next year or several years from now.

I had a pocket full of Fast Passes. Next time, maybe I'll try to use one. I wonder if a Star Tours FP will get me to the front of the line on FoF...

Long overdue. Thank goodness!

The girls and I kick off the season on Opening Day. Even with the long lines and a few snafus, a good time was had by all. http://lebeauleblog.com/2013/04/27/kings-island-opening-day-2013-trip-report/

Chance of rain is up to 30%. This looks a lot like last year.

Writing the previous article prompted me to go back and read some of my previous trip reports. Seeing the pictures from years past got me feeling nostalgic. So before the new season starts, I thought I’d take a trip down memory lane. http://lebeauleblog.com/2013/04/17/kings-island-a-dad-looks-back/

Last year we got there early and it was okay. A bit cold. It started raining after a couple of hours, but we were ready to go by then. Apparently it cleared up in the afternoon.

Dude, no one on this thread has been more repetitive than you!

What? No. That's not true. US Patent #6173209. http://www.google.com/patents/US6173209 I do not think that means what you think it means. There are tons of patents out there for virtual queuing systems. Disney is constantly obtaining patents for tech they may never use. But that doesn't prevent other companies from developing their own patents. They don't have to pay Disney royalties. It's true that patents usually start with claims so broad that they're unenforceable on their own. The claim of having some customers enter through a second queue would be a good example. As far as I know, Disney is the only company with a virtual queuing system featuring assigned return times, one of the key claims in the patent I mentioned. This would seem to indicate that other players in the industry view that claim as valid. The only true test of a patent's enforceability is in court, but few companies want to be on the receiving end of patent litigation. What? No. That's not true. US Patent #6173209. http://www.google.com/patents/US6173209 I do not think that means what you think it means. There are tons of patents out there for virtual queuing systems. Disney is constantly obtaining patents for tech they may never use. But that doesn't prevent other companies from developing their own patents. They don't have to pay Disney royalties. It's true that patents usually start with claims so broad that they're unenforceable on their own. The claim of having some customers enter through a second queue would be a good example. As far as I know, Disney is the only company with a virtual queuing system featuring assigned return times, one of the key claims in the patent I mentioned. This would seem to indicate that other players in the industry view that claim as valid. The only true test of a patent's enforceability is in court, but few companies want to be on the receiving end of patent litigation. I don't think the patent is the issue. Other parks don't want to install and operate an expensive system with no revenues. They have chosen less expensive systems that generate revenues instead. Even Disney has been trying to monetize their system for years.

What? No. That's not true. US Patent #6173209. http://www.google.com/patents/US6173209 I do not think that means what you think it means. There are tons of patents out there for virtual queuing systems. Disney is constantly obtaining patents for tech they may never use. But that doesn't prevent other companies from developing their own patents. They don't have to pay Disney royalties.

My least favorite job interview question is "Tell me about your biggest short-coming as an employee." I always prepare for that one and it still takes me by surprise when they ask it. Speak confidently. Smile. Give the impression you will show up for your shift and not steal. That ought to do the trick. Oh and good luck!

Someone is going to be really unhappy next time they go to Disney World...

What? No. That's not true.

I Apologize for my post about the WhinePass but thats just how I feel about it. I know Cedar Fair is just a Corporation and the #1 Priority is Making Money, No Matter what they may say. It just infuriates me. I Always Use Disney as a Perfect example of How a system like this should have been Implemented. Use your park Ticket/Season Pass, swipe it, and return at the time printed on your ticket. No Extra Charge and a big service to its Guests. All FastLane does is Reward people for having the ability to pay extra Money to Cut in front of everyone and spit on the ones who couldnt afford it. And dont spout the whole, "If ya cant afford one, dont buy it" garbage. This does nothing more than Increase the wait times for the ones who are already in line. I will NEVER Buy one of these things... Once again, Sorry for the Rant, Just voicing my opinion. Im generally a Go with the flow kinda person, but this just gets me.. The purpose of Disney's FastPass has always been to make Disney money. It does not, as you say, benefit all guests. In fact, many guests are harmed by FastPass because it inflates all the standby lines. FastPass benefits those who know how to use it. Those who know how to use it efficiently benefit the most. Disney's original idea was that if guests weren't required to stand in lines, they would spent more time shopping and dining. Of course it didn't turn out that way. Instead, while the virtual queue held a guest's place in line, most guests queued up for something else. Somehow, Disney had not considered that likely outcome. They have been looking for a way to monetize FastPass ever since. They have done an amazing job of marketing FastPass as a free benefit to guests. But it's not free at all. The operating costs are included in your park ticket - passed on to everyone whether they utilize the system or not. Now, Disney is rolling out FastPass+. Rumors are that it will be monetized in some way as a way to entice guests to stay on property. My point is, FastPass should not be held up as the perfect system. It has a lot of flaws. It's just that the flaws probably don't bother you. Odds are, you're reaping the benefits of a flawed system and that's why you like it so much.

Off to an auspicious start I see! <slaps forehead> Link is corrected. Thanks for the heads-up! I am questioning Punxsutawney Phil's credentials this year. Thanks for providing the correct link to the article. I'll cut the little critter a little slack. I just keep telling myself that warm weather and Kings Island are right around the corner!

Every year, I write a few Kings Island trip reports on my blog. But this year, I am setting out to do more regular coverage of some of the smaller aspects of the park that give it personality. Rather than post a new link every time I post an article, I am just going to post updates to this one thread in case anyone is interested in reading along. To start things off, I posted a little piece today about my usual winter-time blues. As always, that got me looking at pictures of KI here and on-line. And then I realized I had a few unposted pictures saved on my phone. What better way to beat the back a dreary winter day than reliving a little family fun in the sun at Kings Island. Kings Island and the Wintertime Blues Enjoy!

That's the first time I have ever heard Bench referred to as a sweetie. I have heard a lot of horror stories. Can't really repeat the things I have heard him called.

Probably because the restaurant will be located within the area of the park designated as "Rivertown" per the . I'm speaking in terms of theme, not location. The stadium is down by the river?