jbeast

Geez! And I feel bad leaving my food tray and paper cup on the table after eating at the Brewhouse. If they had trash cans in there, I'd clean my table off. I ate at Rivertown Potato Works last week and they had 2 people cleaning the tables there. They actually cleaned ours right before we sat down. And we always throw our trash away after...my parents and grandparents taught me that simple task and I have passed it to my sons. Just common decency.

I agree, the empty space that the former Bat and Vortex previously occupied is worthy of another iconic landmark and worthy coaster. The original Bat wasn't the fastest coaster around, but it was blast to ride while it lasted. Vortex was a stunning looking coaster and fit that spot perfectly, and a solid ride. My hope is that the powers that be install something in that spot worthy of its predecessors.

It is unfortunately a sign of these times I suppose that this has to be implemented. I cherish the days as a preteen and teenager enjoying the park so many summer days by myself or with some friends. So many fantastic memories! Like I have said before, as a young kid, I never thought once of causing any problems at the park. It is my Zen place and always has been, so I treat it with the respect it is due. Line jumping and stupid behavior has always been a thing by few, but it seems more prevalent now at times. My parents and grandparents would have made my life miserable if I behaved badly at the park. But they never had to worry about that because KI is so special to me.

I just got back from a two day visit to Holiday World with my youngest son a couple weeks ago. The Voyage absolutely rocks! Not as smooth as it once was, but very re-ridable for me anyway. Just truly, one of the best coaster experiences out there! Got 22 rides that day! I cannot get enough of that ride! Legend was running pretty good too...definitely rougher but still a wild fun ride. Raven on the other hand...not so much. First, as I have gotten bigger with age, those trains feel so small to fit into. And it was way rougher than I remembered from a few years ago when I last visited. The bonfire, a couple brews and comfy bed at the house we stayed at close to the park was much needed! Spent the first day enjoying the waterpark. Trying to keep up with my 18 year old walking up all those stairs was fun! Ha! Those water coasters are so much fun though! Wildebeast is my favorite there and such a blast! Cheetah Chase was awesome too! Hopefully the new addition to KI's waterpark will be close to those.

Well with the posts today by the park, hoping for a Cheetah Chase type of racing water coaster! Just went to Holiday a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed the water coasters. And the tons of Voyage rides!

This is truly a sad event. I just cannot wrap my head around thinking it's ok to climb over fencing with obvious warning signs and a coaster train traveling almost 70mph, to find your keys that were lost while riding. I always have worn zip pocket pants/shorts when I go to any amusement park since lost my wallet once at KI (very luckily I found it in the following train). Learned a lesson that day a long time ago. Secure everything in a zipper pocket when riding and check that everything is zipped up right before getting on a ride. I have seen a couple of horrible accidents, and I witnessed a truly tragic loss of a very young life when I was a teenager in my neighborhood when a little girl got hit by a car. It is an indescribable event and truly horrific. The lady that hit the girl was beyond grief, shock and heartbreaking emotions you rarely see. There was no time for her to react since the girl ran right out in front of her. Me and my friends were in complete shock. Even the first responders were hit hard by what happened. It is a rough story to read I know. But, my point is, once you witness something like that, it will always be there in your mind. So, I feel for the employees, riders, first responders or anyone there having to live through something of that magnitude. It stays with you forever. I truly hope the man who is fighting for his life survives and recovers as best he can. One lapse of judgement, so hopefully he pulls through. Those warning signs are there for a reason, but like the employee in the interview said...if someone wants to really get back there, there is no stopping them. People seem to think sometimes they can break rules, oblivious to the danger to themselves for things that just can wait and not worth being critically injured or killed over.

And that's why, even as a big tough guy, I don't mess with anyone cutting in line anymore. People seem to have extremely short fuses, less morals and are prone to fight or worse these days. Even when they are obviously in the wrong. I was taught respect and rules from my family, especially in a public place. I love my home park and never think about breaking rules or being a general jerk in respect to the place that has been my second home my whole life. I just do not get people that think they are so special the rules do not apply to them and potentially are violent like this instance.

I'm old school when it comes to having a physical pass always. I was in line at the Brewhouse last year with my son when a girl in front of me of had her phone die in line and had no physical pass to use her meal plan. She was freaking out a bit. I let her know her that she can get a physical pass. She kinda acted surprised you could get an actual pass. What would we do without our phones now...ha! Saw her later that day and she thanked me for pointing that out to her.

Fearfest was definitely less tame than now days. Who could forget actual Midget Wrestling matches during Fearfest in the middle of the Festhaus! Who thought of that? There seemed to be generally more scares along the midways, alot more fog and if I remember right, real bugs in one of the mazes that was close to The Racer back then. I think it was a Mummy themed walk through and they had real bugs enclosed in glass as part of it. Yep, those were the early days of the event. There was so much fog, that riding Drop Zone, you could not see the ground below you after a certain point. It was freaky fun!

I finally got a ride on Drop Tower this past Sunday. Absolutely love that ride. Only problem now as I have grown since it first opened, they had to squish me in my seat. My shoulders and torso just don't fit easy anymore. Only time being 6' 4" is a bad thing...ha! So, got the ride in but it was a bit uncomfortable going up. That is the only ride at KI I have trouble fitting into for my size.

Cannot agree more and to add, the sound of snapping the Eagles back on that path is missed by me just as much. Vortex was an icon at the park and fit that spot perfect after the original Bat. So, whatever goes there has to pay tribute to the legendary coasters before it.

I cannot remember ever seeing that particular refill station open it seems. Seems there is always a lot of people any given day through that area of the park. I think I got a drink there once...ha! But, very true, two people manning the beer bar next to Larosa's last night.

Got my first ride on it yesterday afternoon. Not much of a line but it still took a bit to load. It's a snappy little coaster for it's size. I sat in the back seat and it was a bit taller than it looks from up there too. I really enjoyed it although as I get older, going backwards on any coaster is tough on the equilibrium. Funny cause I used to love the backwards Racer. I am curious to see how Good Gravy stacks up to it when I go to Holiday World in July between me marathoning Voyage. Absolutely love that coaster.

I have only rode Mystic once this year. Got an early ride before the school crowds arrived. So the line was not long at all. Last year I witnessed the worst line jumping I have seen in Mystic's line. Groups of people just climbing over railings and getting in front of people on multiple occasions. I called the security number once but did not see the line jumpers get caught. It is so prevalent in that line any given day for some reason. In the past, since I am a big guy, I have told line jumpers to get lost. Now, no one really says anything since these days so many are just prone to fight first or worse if called out. It's a different world these days.

Awesome news! It has become one of my favorite beers ever! I know it's not for everyone, but I think it's one of the tastiest summer brews out there. Making a stop after work next week to pick some up!

Although it is sad to see the park's demise, the ownership did themselves no favors removing the rides. The rides were just enough to get my family to buy season passes each year. Not an overly big selection, but quite a few fun rides (bumper cars were great there!). We actually did not go to the pool much at all. We saved that for KI. It was super close and a really nice way to spend an afternoon walking around under the trees, getting a bite to eat and riding. Once the rides were removed, we ceased to buy passes. It hurt because we have had such amazing, memory filled days there. If we wanted a water park, then off to KI we go for a much more robust selection of slides. So, I blame management for not understanding just how much the park meant to locals and beyond. Not keeping the rides and not thinking ahead and adding more rides to the mix was what killed Coney for us.

That spot behind the Brewhouse is a treasure of relaxation. That is my go to when I need a way overpriced beer and a comfy chair to take in the sounds and sights of the park and maybe get to know other people enjoying the park that day. I sure hope that would never become VIP spot.

Absolutely love Drop Tower...even though as a big guy it is not the most comfortable to fit into those restraints. Sounds kind of silly, but I love riding bumper cars. Maybe because I have a long commute to work 3 days a week! Have to get that frustration out! Ha! Plus, like my long-lost Eagles, every ride is different no matter how many times you ride. Just wish our version of bumper cars didn't take three years to load and get going and don't go as fast as others out there at other parks. As I get older, it gets harder for me to ride Delirium. Shake Rattle and Roll is still good though. Love that ride! My equilibrium was never good with anything that spins even as a kid. Learned that on a cold night in Texas on a carnival Tilt -A-Whirl when I was about ten. It was not a pretty site. I was so embarrassed.

After visiting both Disneyworld's and Busch Gardens Williamsburg Festhaus in the recent past and how much fun they both were with the German fare as well as great entertainment, my wish is to have something similar at KI. Both places at those two other parks have a variety of food for those not wanting German food. But, the focus is on the German and/or overall world heritage, food and fun side of that. Right now, for me, our version is just a nice shortcut that has some air conditioning to another part of the park. I like some Panda Express at times, and maybe a way overpriced beer at times but all the building is now is a glorified food court. Such an iconic building in the park could be something so much more.

As a Graphic Designer and site designer too, I know the hard work and decisions that went into all this. Great job and I'm so happy to be part of this group that enjoys this site on a daily basis and loves King's Island like a second home.

Officially mid-way into my 50's now and my love for KI, coasters and amusement parks in general has not faded one bit since I was a young kid. But my tolerance level sure has! Multiple rides on The Beast, Mystic, Diamondback, and Orion don't really bother me too much...but I pace myself now and try to hit the bumper cars or some other kind to the head and stomach rides in between. Even though I am in good shape for my age, coasters with inversions such as Banshee, I am one and done for awhile depending how long I plan staying at a park any one day. My equilibrium just isn't what it used to be unfortunately. Loops didn't used to bother me, but in the last few years, even with trying anti-nausea pills, I just cannot ride coasters with loops near as much as I want. But, saying that, I love to ride RMC's and the inversions in them don't affect me as bad. Strange! Of course, when I was a kid, the Rotor about killed me as far as that goes. I was so sick after riding that! I was so embarrassed! I never could really handle any ride that spins. Even as a kid. Build a 500ft rollercoaster though, and I'd be first in line.

I remember well the announcement and hype that SOB got. I took a ton of photos with me and my family in front of that huge crate when it was announced. Once I saw the layout, I was hoping it would be a great ride. And, other than the long loud lift hill, an epic first drop and the fun of the loop, it was an extremely rough, jackhammering and somewhat boring coaster to my disappointment. I was really wanting to love the ride watching rise above the KI skyline. It was truly a massive structure. But after my first few rides, I only rode it again if a friend from out of town came in and really wanted to ride it, or when my oldest got big enough to ride it. Other than that, I'd skip it, ride The Beast and my body thanked me for it.

I remember riding the original Enchanted Voyage as a very young kid and being in awe of all the lights, scenes and above all, a nice cool indoor boat ride in the heat of the summer. As a kid, it was one of my favorite rides next to my first coaster ever, The Scooby Doo! I was a huge Scooby Doo fan as a kid. I remember being so excited to ride both every time with my family. As the coaster fanatic I am, I can't believe I was actually scared to ride The Racer back then! My dad tried so many unsuccessful times to coax me to ride it. Ended up riding The Revolution at Magic Mountain as my first 'big. coaster. I realized then what I was missing! I was actually disappointed when the Smurfs came along, but I got used to it. Of course, once Phantom Theater came along, I absolutely loved that ride and am still sad it's not there anymore as is so many others. So many past rides that I loved growing up with the park.

Ha! that brings back some great memories as a kid. My grandparents lived in Woodlawn when I was growing up and there are some great road hills there. I'd be like faster, faster from the back seat and my grandma would gun it a bit over the hills for that classic dropping stomach feel!

Went to Entertrainment Junction for the first time. And loved it. The Coney Island recreation is just amazing! And I spend entirely too much time playing Planet Coaster on my ps4 in the mancave during the cold winter days.