Kirk Sheppard

I'm here and it's hot as snot! Watch the trip report forum for more detailed info thru the day!

It will be in the AM. At least it was last Friday. I rode BLSC twice in a row with no wait and walked right on Flightdeck and could have walked right back on it and that was at 11. Other than that I really have no desire to ride much but maybe Boo Blasters and the train. I'll sit in the shade and watch people and report back to you guys on here... if I go. Will decide when I awaken in the morning. :-)

I'm 25 minutes away, door to door. I might just go up in the AM, ride BLSC and Flight Deck a couple times, have lunch, watch a show, and then go do laundry. Or I might just sleep in. If I do go, though, look for Twitter updates as well as a live trip report on the board like I did last week . . .that was fun! :-)

I was thinking about going up tomorrow for a bit, but given the heat advisory that has just been issued, I don't know. I guess I could always just hang out by Congo Falls and let it splash me a bunch or stay in the Festhaus and watch every one of the Way Too Much TV shows . . . or I could just stay home and do laundry! Opinions? :-)

(btw, I was referring to the cams that take your picture while on a ride. I would not suggest it for any other cameras.) So....... by "Family Park" you mean sell Alcohol to parents in the park to support Child Abuse? Alcohol + Parents = Child Abuse but.... by societies terms, Alcohol is a family thing. We shouldn't argue our views, I was just making a point! Words such as "Obscene, Offending, and Indecent" are "Control Words". Words used to mean whatever the user of the words want them to mean at any given time when they want to suppress people according to their own personal feelings and views. Much like the Nazi Police of Germany or the Thought Police from the book "1984". The people and businesses spreading these kind of laws do so in chain reaction out of fear and hate while they help to create more hate and fear by placing laws against love and freedom, usually putting profit before people and making the people think and act like robots. Why is it America has Freedom of Religion which is based on ones right to personal beliefs, but then the second someone does not conform or fit in with the mold of society they are judged, tormented, and crucified for having feelings, being able to think, and doing something out side the norm to help break the mold of this endless chain reaction of fear and hate that everyone is trapped in? So the question is "What is really considered Family and would you choose which groups of people deserve to be in the park more than others?" If a stranger came up to you and wanted to give you a hug, would you let them? Most of us are so unaware of our mental defenses until we are caught off guard to give a spontaneous emotional response. Once you learn to see the truth in all things, your fear and hate will vanish. Then you will no longer reflect the fear and hate of others, but stand honest and true so they may know the way. Besides.... A first kiss in an amusement park is very common. Most dating sites rate amusement parks as one of the top ten places to take a date. I even heard someone later this year was going to be married at Kings Island. Wow. I'm not sure where to begin with this . . . but I'm gonna try anyway. :-) First, I hate alcohol. I've never had a drop in my life and it makes me nervous to be around drunk people. But to make the leap that a mother or father who enjoys a beer on their vacation is going to suddenly begin beating their child is a bit extreme. Secondly, obscene is obscene. If you are exposing parts of your body that should be covered by your underwear then you are violating the general public's view of what is decent. Whether someone feels that their "freedom" is restricted because the owners and guests of Kings Island have decided that seeing their willy hanging out in a dark ride (or anywhere else apart from the urinal) is doesn't matter because a) its private property and its common sense. Sometimes our individual freedom IS restricted by what is good for the rest of society, hence the reason we have laws and police departments and governments. The whole bit about hugging strangers is bizarre. Why would I hug a stranger in Kings Island? If a stranger tried to give me a hug, shouldn't I be resistant? Isn't that a natural boundary that I should have for self-preservation? Because I don't want some sweaty person I don't know touching me, I'm full of hate and fear? Weird. Thirdly, to say "we shouldn't argue our views" on a discussion board makes as much as sense as indoor plumbing in an outhouse. Finally, I don't think anyone on this board is opposed to people enjoying a romantic moment at Kings Island. What we do not wish to see is people making out in front of us. A short, quiet embrace in front of the Eiffel Tower during the fireworks is sweet. Two people's tongues down their throat trying to get their money's worth from the $12 slice of LaRosa's they shared earlier is not OK - not on I-Street, not on Boo Blasters, not on The Beast, not in your car in the parking lot, and not anywhere where people could possibly see you. Go home, get a room, or take a cold shower. Kirk, who can't believe he woke up at 6:00 AM and decided to respond to this instead of going back to sleep for a few minutes. (Sorry, Terpy, for stealing your gimmick, here, but "I just had to." ) :-)

I highly recommend "Way Too Much TV" and "Down Home Country." The ice skating show is really good, and much better when you sit up close.

Thanks for the report! Ronny was wonderful at BLSC and I saw him at The Beast the other day . . . he remembers me each time he sees me and is very friendly and polite. Please pass along my congratulations to him as well!

Oh, one thing I forgot... I bought a pink duck for $5 and got to spin the wheel. I didn't get the free t-shirt and don't know what I'd have done with it if I had anyway. Maybe I'll win a car ?! But if I don't, I'm glad to donate to a great cause. Kudos to KI for doing this.

I'm home now. Saw Snoopy Rocks on Ice and loved it more this time than the first. I sat closer, which helped, plus it was so hot and humid out that the reprieve in the A/C was an extra bonus treat. These skaters really are quite good, though, and we're lucky to have this kind of talent at KI. After that I picked up a 20 oz. Coke, which cost $3.75 . . . .ridiculous . . . and drank it while watching the carousel go round. It didn't feel that crowded today, but by this afternoon I wasn't waiting in any lines or anything. I got in my steaming hot car and made it home in about 25 minutes. Life is good. Thanks for spending the day with me live! :-)

Ok what's the deal... Someone else just asked me where the bathrooms are... Is this some sort of practical joke I went in one the shops by the entrance and the very friendly worker helped me find a new pouch for my lanyard since the Disney one I had broke today. I asked him if I looked like I worked here and he said it was because my shirt was tucked in. REALLY?! what have we come to as a society that a tucked in shirt makes you look official?

Just watched the always great Way Too Much TV... I mean I really can't stress enough how difficult this show has to be to perform with 25 minutes of nonstop singing and dancing and memorizing 3 parts... I mean it's nuts! And they never miss a beat. I will probably head to Snoopy Rocks on Ice at 2 and will spend the next hour people watching. I did get an overpriced milkshake at Graeters and I see that they've not improved their staffing situation much. If you remember last time they had zombies working there. Well these people were alive but extremely slow and quiet. It's so weird. Stay tuned!

I'm currently in the Festhaus letting my Larosas settle before I go back out in the heat and decide what to do next... I could just stay right here and wait for the 1230 showing of Way Too Much TV. So far I had an ERT on The Beast that just about bruised both my knees. Then I took two relatively gentle spins on the BLSC. I went up in the Eiffel Tower and spotted Flight Deck, which I remembered I wanted to finally try. So I walked over there and walked through the worlds longest que line. I enjoyed this and fit fine which was my bigger concern. After that I headed over here to get some pizza and sit in the shade. It's hot out there today already. For some reason I must look like I work here today even though I'm in Jean shorts and a black shirt. I am wearing a lanyard with my gold pass and some money in it so I wouldn't need my wallet but surely that's not weird? People keep staring like they want to ask a question and one guy did ask me if I worked here. I told him no but he asked where the Diamondback was anyway. Happy to help. Also I saw that nice ride op Ronnie from BLSC at The Beast. He was dressed nicer so I wonder if he got a promotion. If so he deserved it I'm sure. He's super great with guests. More later!

I didn't know the Spongebob 3D show was open! I'll have to try that next time I'm there...

I'm going to give it another chance but I sincerely hope they have figured out the sound mix and can make these performers sound as good as they should. It seemed to me as I was leaving the theater that the sound person was chilling in her chair leaning back looking disinterested. Contrasted with the shows in the Festhaus where the sound guys are on it and the mix is perfect.

BWHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHA.....

Well???? :-)

Are they just down because of the power outage last night?

I think that's a hot chocolate? I have no idea why they would ring that up, though... (or it might be a cookie? I think?) She had sherbert in a waffle cone, I believe. It was super weird.

You know whats funny - I see managers out all the time at rides and walking through the park but I have yet to see anyone who looks managerial anywhere near a food area. Perhaps they stay incognito, but perhaps the employees don't a) feel supported by their direct supervisors and have no fear of getting in trouble since they don't have anyone to hold them accountable. Just a thought.

I arrived about 5:15 and headed to the Festhaus because I was starving. I caught the last few minutes of Way Too Much TV and had a couple slices of pizza. It was pretty crowded. As I went to check out, the cashier named Tiana looked like she would have rather been anywhere else in the world. She never once spoke to me, even when I was extra friendly in an attempt to get her to interact. I finally wouldn't leave her counter until she looked at me when I said "Have a great night!" She muttered, "You too," under her breath and wouldn't look in my direction. So weird, but I didn't get all bent out of shape and feel like I'd been treated poorly. She is obviously a miserable person and she wasn't rude, just pathetic. I finished my dinner and walked over to the International Showplace Theater to get ready for my first viewing of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." It must be a real trick to mix the sound properly at this outdoor venue because I felt like the voices were not mixed well considering how well both the country and TV shows are in the Festhaus (which was my same thought about Rock Band Live). I also was mildly amused by the lack of soul in the cast. It came across a little karaoke, too vanilla for Motown, and the dancing was not great. Motown songs are difficult to sing because they are so stylized so I get that its not going to be Dreamgirls or anything. I do admire the ability to perform this outside in the heat and sing and dance this well, but I don't think the show is as good as "Way Too Much TV." I'd watch it again, but its not something I could see over and over again. The girls did seem better than the guys in general but there was one male cast member in particular (I think named Ian) who was very enthusiastic. Brensley, I think was her name, also gets props for being a standout in this show on the female side. I walked around by the BLSC but the line was too long for me so I headed over towards the Diamondback. I watched the trains come in and I laughed when I saw a train full of people looking out of sorts and happy while my friend and record holder Gary Coleman just sat in his seat, sunglasses on, chillin' like he'd just been on the carousel or something. He saw me and told me what number of rides he was at now but I forget what he said. Somewhere between 2500 and 2600. I then headed over and waited for a couple minutes in line to board Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. It was fun, but I miss that fog screen! I went into Graeters and here's where I encountered another strange food servicer. I asked the girl working the counter if I was correct in thinking that the toppings available for milkshakes included Hot Fudge. You would have thought I was speaking some sort of Alien language as she just stared at me confused with a blank look, not even talking back. I said it again and she looked at the other girl working who I had to ask two different ways. Finally I said, "Can I get a Hot Fudge Milkshake?" She said yes. While I was paying the couple in front of me came back in and said, "I don't think we paid for our ice cream." They had to ask FOUR employees to verify and none of them knew. This couple were good people because as honest as I am, I wouldn't have lasted past the second girl before losing it. They paid their $2.38, which made no sense to me because NOTHING on the menu board cost anything remotely that price. I don't know what it is with the food service people but someone needs to do something because I fear they are losing money hand over fist. Milkshake was good, though! I then went back to the Festhaus because I wanted to see the whole "Way Too Much TV" show. I think the most impressive part of this show is that the cast doesn't always sing the same parts; they rotate through various solos and such, which means they have to know more than "character" in the 25 minute script. Yet, they NEVER miss a beat. I've never seen anyone look the least bit lost in a dance move or song lyric. Akeem did the Trivia game before the show and he was hysterical and sarcastic. It was an extra treat. I thanked part of the cast on the way out of the theater and they were gracious. I hope they don't think I'm some sort of strange stalker if they've noticed me watching it often; I just enjoy the live shows and its my favorite! :-) After the show, I walked over to the Adventure Express and waited briefly in line. The employees were arguing as the girl in the load position didn't want to be there and the other employees were having a nice time at her expense telling her she was staying there another hour. Most guests had no idea they were having issues I'm sure, but I observe a lot and found some humor in this. She wasn't happy, though, and threatened to call "Sarah," who I assume was in charge. I hope the poor girl got a break. On the way out of the park I ran into some old friends and then I headed home. I was going to try to go tomorrow and then remembered its a holiday so I think I'll stay away this weekend.

Yep, I upgraded from the regular 3G. But the features on the 4 are really amazing. Onboard video capture/editing?!! WOWSA I'll upload some KI trip report clips FROM THE PARK at some point. That in itself is just unbelievable. :-) I really don't go to the park for the rides as much as I do for the atmosphere, exercise, and people watching. I like rides, but its not my priority. I've learned last March at Disney that I have a much better time at theme parks if I spend time wandering around and not just going commando-style.

I was going to head up and try for an ERT ride on The Beast this morning, but I decided to go to the Apple store just in case they might have any iPhone 4's in stock. Well . . . THEY DID! And there was no wait! I couldn't believe it. So, I got my phone and headed to the park. I got there about 9:45 and by the time I got back to The Beast, I decided I didn't want to chance a ride on it with my phone in my pocket because of how tight the lap bar is on my legs, etc. So, I went for two rides on the Backlot Stunt Coaster as soon as we were reminded that we are the home of the brave... Ronnie, the ride supervisor, was there again and was as friendly as always. I rode in the front seat on both rides; the first time I was the only person in the train. Apparently every seatbelt is a different length and I got two shorter ones this morning. The ride op confirmed this. Or else he was trying to make me feel better for being so big. :-) After this, I walked around the park and it seemed less crowded than last time I was here at 10. I went for a ride on the Adventure Express and it seemed faster than I remembered. I liked it. The ride op here was funny. He was standing by me waiting to begin his safety check but was staring at me so I said "hello" and he started talking and forgot his mic was on. It was humorous as he fumbled to pull it away from his mouth. By this time, it was starting to feel more crowded and I really wanted to go home and synch my phone so I decided to head out. I love these short little trips and am glad I can go so often and not feel guilty about leaving after a few rides! The park was filling up and the line to get into the parking lot was crazy! I gotta get up there soon to see Signed, Sealed, Delivered . . . .maybe next week if I don't have any new toys to play with!

I happened to be about 10 minutes from the park around 8:30 PM so I thought I'd swing by to see the Starlight Spectacle and the fireworks. I enjoyed the lights very much but wish there was more options for seating in that area. I realize most people wouldn't sit and watch for long, but I sure would. As it was, I sat underneath the Eiffel Tower (and am pretty sure I got spit on) and therefore was unable to see the tower real well. I did enjoy it. The fireworks, though, were boring. I guess I'm spoiled having seen Disney's Wishes so many times, but I thought there might be music and stuff that the fireworks would be choreographed with. From my seat next to the stage facing the Tower (literally next to the stage for Don't Stop the Music), I couldn't even see them so I headed towards the park exit and heard music playing there but couldn't see that the fireworks were timed to correspond. Did I miss something? Or are my expectations to high, given my unabashed Disney Fanboy status? Thinking about going back in the AM but not sure . . .

Gary is a super guy (I fill in for him sometimes on the keyboards at our church) and its fun to see him have some "celebrity status" here. He told me about his habit of pointing at the rider next to him for the photo and its fun to see him doing it here. Thanks for sharing!

Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention in my report... The ride op (maybe supervisor) of BLSC who's name I THINK is Ronny is super great. He always remembers me and today said "Nice to see you again, sir," which made me feel nice yet old all at the same time. But kudos to him and others like him that I've encountered so far at KI - the employees have been great!