jcgoble3

Today's update is... interesting, to say the least: Plus a drawing of a barrel. Any ideas here?

Nice report! One request: In the future, if you're going to post this many photos with each trip report, could you please create a new thread for each one? When you bump a thread after more than a few days, browser caches of the photos have expired, which means that anyone attempting to load the thread to read the latest report must re-download every single image from every previous report on that page. That is a massive data drain for anyone on a mobile device that doesn't use Tapatalk and isn't on Wi-Fi. Even on desktop, I had to wait a full minute today for everything to load before I could get the page to stay still so I could read the report. New threads each time would be appreciated.

Today is the last day for Music In The Parks. The awards ceremony for that is held in Timberwolf.

^ So it's any weekday, but not valid on Saturday or Sunday? Just want to clarify.

Great advice, GYK. However, I need to make a couple of corrections to this paragraph: First, the cheapest of the on-site hotels (the one you called "moderately priced") does NOT include any front-of-the-line pass. Only the three expensive ones include that. Second, the unlimited pass IS available for purchase by the public at the parks, or at least it was when I was there at the end of August 2012. I know this because I inquired at Guest Services about upgrading the one-time-per-attraction pass that I purchased online to the unlimited version (I ended up not needing it because both parks were dead both days). However, at my last check, the unlimited pass was not available online, so you may have to purchase it in person at the park.

How was it?

Only because I was the first KICer to register. If it were possible to transfer captaincy and I knew how, I would do it. But I don't think it's possible. There's still a good chance that I will be there on the 8th to observe and cheer you guys on, but it would be as a regular park guest.

FUN may be headquartered in Sandusky, but Santa Claus does a better job of it. And yes, the water slides are massive, and some are just as good as the water coasters. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the good rides in the waterpark stop with Wildebeest and Mammoth. There are plenty of other incredible slides at the waterpark.

It's not a false memory. In past years, KI has announced on the day after Memorial Day that Gold Pass availability was extended to the end of May. I would hazard that it is likely that they will do the same again this year, but it's not guaranteed, so I wouldn't count on it. Because May is the last month with special pass processing hours when the park is closed. Now that the park is open daily, pass processing is simply open with the park and therefore there is no need to maintain a separate calendar for it.

Actually, it was an upcharge when it debuted in 2011, then became free to everyone in 2012, then returned to the same upcharge as before in 2013. They couldn't make up their minds.

And usually with little or no warning. Don't expect to know about a tweetup the night before. On Banshee announcement day last year, we learned about the tweetup around 3:30 or 3:45 pm and were winners by 4:15.

Speaking of which, I will not be participating this year. I did register when it first opened, but I never got started on fundraising, and eventually I decided that I need a year off from this event. Chances are that I will be back participating next year. As for those of you that are participating, have fun and remember what an awesome cause you're supporting!

I have no clue on regular discounted tickets. All of my visits have been done on a HoliWood Nights ticket, a season pass, or the free ticket last week. However, if you're a member of an approved partner enthusiast club then you can get a one-day ticket for $32 at the gate, which is the best price you will find anywhere. Next Day tickets can be purchased at Guest Services before you leave the park the previous day, and are $27 IIRC (don't quote me on that price). Together, that would be $59 + $30 for the festival = $89 total, a savings of three bucks. And by "delays", I meant on the order of 10 to 20 minutes, not hours. There shouldn't be a problem with leaving Saturday morning, as long as you're aware that it may take you slightly longer than you planned.

Yes! Discovery Cove is a very cool experience that is well worth the money. The dolphin interaction is amazing, but it's only part of the experience. From the moment you arrive, you truly feel as if you are on a tropical island; there is no sign of any kind that you are in Orlando, Florida. The lazy river varies from three to eight feet deep and requires you to swim through it (life jackets are available for those who cannot swim), and has some cool underwater photo ops. You can also experience swimming in a saltwater pool with stingrays and ocean fish (for which I HIGHLY recommend bringing a good waterproof camera), or just relax on one of several beaches. All food and beverages are included in the price of admission, even alcohol if the adults in your party are interested in that. I cannot recommend Discovery Cove enough. Do it; you'll be glad you did.

Given that it's 1) a summer Saturday, 2) a Saturday with a special event, and 3) your first time there, I would recommend two days to ensure that you not only have time to ride everything, but also to re-ride your favorites (because you'll be kicking yourself if you don't get the chance to do so; they're that good). The waterpark is far more than just Wildebeest and Mammoth; the other slides are well worth riding as well, so don't miss them. I prefer all three woodies in the back seat, but the front is worth trying also on all three. Don't miss Mayflower; the back row on each side gives a pretty good pop of airtime at the top of the swing. FOFreak above has the best advice on avoiding lines: Thanksgiving at rope drop, waterpark as soon as it opens, everything else in the heat of the afternoon. As for drive time, don't forget that there is some massive construction going on at Spaghetti Junction (Interstates 64, 65, and 71) in Louisville. AFAIK this is a long-term project that will still be underway in August. Assuming that it is, be prepared for delays and the possibility of ramp closures, no matter the day or time of day.

Yay! (I'm the guy in the blue and gray jacket on the right edge of the third image, holding a camera in front of my face.)

^ What happened?

malem replied here: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/29493-some-food-questions/#entry618195

Huh? What are you talking about?

This is driving me crazy trying to figure out what it means, or if it's just a diversion.

There's your answer.

Yeah, well, I haven't had the chance to do that yet. I've only eaten there twice, once on the second day of public operation last year by myself, and once last July with my mother. I have yet to eat there with a KIC group.

I didn't quite mean THAT many paragraph breaks, but it works. Nice report! Glad I got the chance to hook up with you!

For a full rack? Yes, it is. But I'm not paying for a full when I can only eat a half (and even then just barely).

It's not. What you get at KI is a poor excuse for an impostor. At least Cedar Point carbonates their Fanta (as of last year).