jcgoble3

^ Hence why I allowed five days for my first trip to CP. Back on topic: HW just posted this on Twitter: So both sides of the park are getting something. Nice!

From what I believe it is the beginning and end of certain sections. So there are 3 or 4 sections which are all checked. If someone is unable to have their restraint secured properly, in the White section for example, the operator will then know to release that section of seats. Which then must be rechecked. Correct. While waiting in line for WS a few weeks ago, I saw a ride op trying to push a lap bar down on a larger rider without success. The ride op then signaled to the drive booth to release the lap bar, and the driver announced "Up bar green". After the rider took the walk of shame, the ride ops then had to recheck the 16 lap bars between the two pieces of green tape.

I did in fact get in at least one ride in every row and found a new favorite seat out of it (3-1 gave me some very nice and unexpected airtime on the bunny hill right before the turnaround). I ended up with 106 rides total. They resumed operation at about 5:45, and KI was actually nice enough to extend the event to 7:00. I think there were a grand total of 7 riders who rode after the rain delay. This cannot be said enough. The Racer crew was AWESOME Sunday. Thanks to each and every one of them, and to KI as well for putting the event on; I know I'll be back next year!

A couple of stories from Cincinnati TV stations: FOX 19: "Coaster marathon raises more than $7,500" — this one features a brief interview with our own Avatar: http://www.fox19.com/story/15137574/coaster-marathon-raises-more-than-7500 On the other hand, WCPO totally screwed it up, misinterpreting one person's fundraising total as the entire event's total: http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/mason/coasting-for-a-good-cause Don Helbig said that WLWT and WKRC came out as well, but I couldn't find the story on either of their websites.

Match 1 The Beast(2) vs. Wicked Twister(3) Match 2 Firehawk(4) vs. Adventure Express(2) Match 3 Invertigo(0) vs. Top Thrill Dragster(5) Match 4 Flying Ace Aerial Chase(0) vs. Maverick(5) Match 5 Son of Beast(1) vs. Diamondback(5) Match 6 Wildcat(2) vs. Iron Dragon(3) Match 7 Mantis(2) vs. Vortex(3) Match 8 Surf Dog(1) vs. Blue Streak(4) Match 9 Woodstock Express CP(0) vs. Flight Deck(6) Match 10 Woodstock Express KI(3) vs. Mean Streak(2) Match 11 The Racer(4) vs. Corkscrew(1) Match 12 Flight of Fear(6) vs. Great Pumpkin Coaster(0) Match 13 Millennium Force(5) vs. Backlot Stunt Coaster(0) Match 14 Gemini(5) vs. Junior Gemini(0) Match 15 Magnum XL-200(4) vs. Disaster Transport(1) Match 16 Cedar Creek Mine Ride(0) vs. Raptor(5)

I stayed in the Bon Air section of Breakers for four nights in June. It's not too bad; I just wish it had an elevator (my room was on the third floor). Like others have said, if you're primarily going to be using your room just to sleep, shower, etc., it'll be sufficient for your needs.

It's sometimes hard to believe the wait time signs. I've often seen guests go up and change the wait time. I don't ever trust the wait time signs for that reason. If I want to know how long the wait is for a ride, I walk up the queue, look at the line, and estimate the wait myself.

I had a blast! I wish I had been able to raise more money, but I couldn't register until last week because I didn't know whether I'd be able to make it until then. Next year, I intend to register earlier so I have a better opportunity to raise money. I got 106 rides in, and I was very sore this morning. The Racer crew was excellent all day, and KI was nice enough to extend the event to 7:00 pm after we got shut down for 2 1/2 hours by thunderstorms. After bouncing around from row to row, I even found a new favorite seat. All in all, a very successful event, and I can't wait for next year.

Got it - the trusty non-wheel seats. How about Racer - is there any air in the front or back? Guilty secret, I'm looking forward to Flight Deck. Not too many suspended coasters left. I hope there's more to it than Draggin Iron. For the most part, seat choice on The Racer is a tradeoff between roughness and airtime. The back row of each car (preferably the front car or back car) will give the most airtime, but will also be the roughest. However, I got some nice airtime in the front row of the third car yesterday, especially on the bunny hill right before the turnaround. The front seat is also worth a try. Flight Deck is IMO better than Iron Dragon (at least that's what I assume you're referring to), but it is shorter, as in "you'll spend more time on the lift hill than you will on the actual ride" short. The front seat is by far the best seat on Flight Deck.

For the record, that's the same ride cycle that was (still) in place last night. I know because I rode it last night after Coasting for Kids was over.

On The Beast, the middle row of each individual CAR (not the middle row of the train) will be the smoothest. The back row of each car will be the roughest. Front seat is worth a try, as is (IMO) the second to last row. On Diamondback, seats may be assigned depending on how long the line is (if it's anything more than a station wait, they will almost certainly assign seats). If you have the opportunity to choose your seat, I recommend trying both the front and back seats. If a ride op is assigning seats, he/she MAY be willing to take requests for specific seats, but there are no guarantees.

When I upgraded my Gold Pass to Platinum back in May, they simply transferred my info and photo over to the new pass. I didn't have to get my photo taken again or anything like that; I just handed the ticket to the processing clerk, and he scanned it, scanned the new pass, had me sign the back, and I was good to go.

Thanks!

I come in from the north. OK, thanks for the info.

I just got my confirmation email from the park for Coasting for Kids tomorrow. The email says, "Please enter the park through the Service Entrance Road located off Western Row and park in the VIP parking area." First, where is the Service Entrance Road? Is it what this Google Map calls Columbia Road, or is it somewhere else? Second, where is the VIP parking area, and how do I get to it once I turn off of Western Row? I didn't even know the park had a "VIP parking area" until just now, so I'm completely in the dark here. Finally, the email says that registration is at "Post 3 by Human Resources". Where is this? Having never worked for KI, I have no clue. Thanks in advance for the help. (P.S. If anyone wants to make a last-minute donation, my page is here.)

I doubt it would "ruin" everybody's ride. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy it when someone near me screams their head off throughout an entire ride (on any ride). I don't know why, though.

Bah! I punched "Mason High School" into Google. Never thought to make sure I got the Ohio school. Thanks for the correction.

Welcome to KIC! As a general rule, if KI is closing at 8 pm, that means they expect VERY light crowds. Last year, when I visited on the same week, I got a one-train wait for Firehawk in the middle of the afternoon with only one train running; on a normal summer afternoon, Firehawk often produces waits of 45–60 minutes or even longer with both trains running, so that should give you some idea of how short waits can get that time of year. The 21st and 22nd may be a bit early to get that, as few schools have started yet, but a quick series of Google searches show that quite a few start on the 23rd and others later that week, so the park should be pretty empty for you as I would guess many parents have put an end to KI trips and the like to focus on getting their kids ready to start school. The Fast Lane pass would almost certainly be a waste of money on those days, so I would recommend not bothering with it. Have fun! EDIT: removed incorrect statement about Mason schools

The chain of posts saying "Vortex was still down (yesterday/today)" is going to sound like a broken record before long and might make me snap. Perhaps this post can break that chain before it gets started? jcgoble3, who will be here all week (sorry, guys, I couldn't resist)

I say to go for SFGAm simply because that's the one none of you have ever been to. That's the same reason I would pick it if I were in your position; I've been to HW and CP, but never SFGAm.

I've gotten this one multiple times: "If you ride in the back [on Diamondback], do you get soaked by the splashdown?"

1) Avatar/Jesse 2) Coaster Kid/Ryan 3) standbyme/J.D. (Signed up under Stan Byme) 4) TylerRider/Tyler 5) Fire-Beast-OF FEAR/Duncan 6) m2raptor/Matt 7) Backlash325/Austin 8) Indyguy4KI/Brad 9) jcgoble3/Jonathan My fundraising page is at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jonathangoble/coastingforkids-kingsisland-2011 . I just signed up, so I still need the full $35. Any donations would be appreciated. Now I have a question. I have searched all over the place, and I cannot find an itinerary anywhere. Does anyone know (shut up Terpy ) what the schedule is for the day and, in particular, what time I need to be there? Thanks. EDIT: Never mind, I found the itinerary. Donations are still appreciated, though.

Well, I got my car back this afternoon, two days earlier than I expected. I'm now registered, and my fundraising page is at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/jonathangoble/coastingforkids-kingsisland-2011 . Donations would be appreciated.

I have never seen them check pockets on Firehawk. Your flip flops can be left in the station on Firehawk; however, those plus souvenir cups and prescription glasses are the only things that can be left in the station. Everything else must go with you on the ride or be left in a locker or with a non-rider. Bags (backpacks, purses, etc.) are not allowed in line at all. Fanny packs are allowed on the ride, but you will be asked to move the pack over the the side of your body, as it would interfere with the restraints if left in front.

To answer the question about the other two rides named in the OP: —Diamondback: Seats are assigned here, so you get what they give you. Some (but not all) of the seat-assigners will make a reasonable effort to accommodate seat requests, but even if they will take requests, there are no guarantees. If you do get a ride op willing to take requests, ask for the front row (best view plus 80 mph wind in your face) or the back (which is where the best airtime is IMO). —Firehawk: Again, you will be assigned a seat. Just take what you get here; you get the same view and IMO the same experience here no matter where you sit (lay?). The only case that could be made (IMO) for a particular seat being better than the others is the end rows, which let you see the riders on the opposite end of the train in the loop.