medford

and for the record, this auto correct on the names of rides at the park that may be similar to phrases or words used outside of Cedar Point is annoying. Obviously I was using the phrase "The Beast" not trying to implicate the worlds longest roller coaster; he's claimed enough victim's already

I get where your coming from, and I think we both agree that its horrific no matter where his place of employment is, but it doesn't shock me that he works at Disney. its a huge company that hires a lot of people, probably a ton of transplants and the nature of The Beast of any large corporation is that your going to hire a few bad apples along the way, even with the best background checks available. WD likely has checks in place to minimize illegal activities like this at its actual park, but its impossible to police all of your employees when they are "off the clock". I would imagine you'd find similar tails at GM, P & G, Kroger or any other large company that hires thousands of people, and likely has a decent size turnover w/n their personal. That is my problem with the way this was presented, this sting operation happened in Orlando. Its probably safe to say that b/w Disney, Universal and Sea World a large chunk of Orlando's population works in some capacity for one of those three companies. They have caught 32 people over the time span associated w/ those companies, how many have they caught that have no association with those companies. How does that compare statistically with the average company in America, the average large company? It spends the first 95% of the article associating these companies with these horrific crimes, then only in the last couple of paragraphs after many have stopped reading do they mention that Disney is probably leading the way on trying to get crimes like this minimized. That is my problem, there is a lot of information missing that could expand the story. Is Disney really a target for potential pedophiles or is Disney just happen to be a huge employee in that market and likely to have its fair share of miscreants similar to any company anywhere in the world? On a side note, it amazes me how stupid people continue to be. You would think people would be wise to the fact that if you're 40 and a 14 year old that you've never meet wants to be romantically involved with you that there is a good chance there is a member of the police force on the other end of the internet. I don't buy the alleged perps claims for a second. You were going to call the authorities once you got there you were so concerned. Uh huh, got a bridge you want to sell me?

I get that part, but I would think DW would be a terrible place take employement at with the desire to do something illicit to a young child. Most are there with their family and constantly around their families, the opportunities would be minimal I would think. But that isn't my point because its certainly cause for concern and should be instant termination from the park. My point was, that the guy was caught doing something illegal. There was no evidence that he used his employment as part of what he was involved in, and added that he worked at DW only sensationalized the story.

I think the park could definently use another "transition coaster" i.e. a coaster with a height restriction somewhere from 40" (Woodstock Express) and 46". I believe the new one at Dollywood is 42" if IRRC and looks awesome. Ohio restrictions may change the height requirement a little, but something along those lines would be a fantastic addition. There is a lot to do in Planet Snoopy once a kid hits 36" and even more once they hit 40" but it takes some time to get to 48" for most kids (2-3 years I'd imagine) and not many additional things to do. FAAC is great, Surf Dog is great as well for families, however not everyone wants to get wet (Congo Falls & WWC at 46"). Shake Rattle & Roll and Linus Launcher are the other two attractions that are added to the lineup once a kid grows to 42". One more "major" attraction for the height differential would go a long ways in my opinion.

I've been on The Beast when it hit a hawk that had landed on the track. Thankfully the Hawk didn't come of the front of the train and hit anyone; I'm 99.9% sure that I wouldn't have sued anyone had it actually come over the first row and hit my son or I. It was definitely quite a sight, something my son still talks about every time we get on The Beast.

If only it were that easy. For some it is, and for some its a daily struggle no matter how much parenting and teaching goes on.

That is the nice thing about bracelets, it clearly marks that your kid has been measured and is good to go for that height requirement. I wish the measuring station wasn't so hidden when you enter the park, the ones in Planet Snoopy are not always stationed by a worker. Of course on that note, we've had him measured up front to see him fail to hit a mark that he's meet (at that same station) on a prior trip, gone to the one in Planet Snoopy, get him re-measured and have had him hit the mark once before. I think that was the 44" mark when he turned 4 so that he could get on FAAC and Surf Dog that day.

thanks, that is similar to the comment my wife that they'll know he's 54" by the color of the wrist band he'll get when we enter the park. Of course on that note, I think he came to the realazation last night that the Peanuts Off Road Rally isn't all that much fun anymore, but he still enjoys the Peanuts 500, Linus' Beetle Bugs and the Snoopy Plane ride (can't remember the name) which I think all have the 54" height restrictions on them, perhaps the bumper cars as well. Guess we'll cross that bridge sometime next season, he may be completely uninterested in all of those rides before he hits 7 next season anyways, so it may not be much of an issue other than the photo ops that will be missed of having the two of them enjoy some of those things together.

Yeah that is the name. Our 2 year old absolutely loves it, and that is what got me thinking they need a bigger version for adults. IIRC, there are not many of them in operation and theme parks, mostly traveling fairs and such. Also came to a sad conclusion yesterday. Our 2 year old is about an inch or so from reaching 36" Our 6 year old is about an inch from reaching 52", which is great b/c he's really excited to get on Banshee. However, many of the rids in Planet Snoopy have a maximum height of 54". While he'll ride any coaster in the park, so finding rides for him won't be a problem, he still young enough to enjoy doing even the little things that kids under 36" can do and enjoys doing them with his sister. If the 54" maximum height is enforced, there may not be much they can do together next season as she won't be tall enough to get on the 40" rides and he'll be too tall to get on the 36" rides. Anyone have experience with this, do they strictly enforce that policy? I figure as long as they fit there is not much that would impede their safety on most of those rides being 55" or 56" tall (swings could be a problem w/ dragging feet, can't think of anything else off hand), but I'm sure the policy is in place for a reason, so it may be pretty strict.

Seems like they sensationalized the story by mentioned his place of employment, when the place of employment had nothing do to with the crime he (allegedly) committed.

Last night (from about 6-close) the longest wait (actually the only wait) we had was to place our food at the Reds HOF Grill. Boo Blaster was my family of 4 and two teenagers who entered the same time as us, when we got off, there was nobody set to take our place, I've never seen that before except for the very end of the evening when most families have either left or are getting set to watch fireworks. It was still pretty hot at the time, I was surprised to see no line. No line for the kids bumper cars, no line for FAAC, no line for the Turnpike ride or whip it (forget the name, but if they every install a series of classic flats, a grown up version of that would be terrific.) No line for back to back rides on Race For Your Life Charlie Brown, then the storms came, so we hit up the Reds HOF Grill, got seated fairly quickly, then it took an extremely long time to actually place an order (I'm sure they were slammed beyond their expected capacity b/c of the rain, but you should still be able to place an order in a timely manner), but once the order was in, the food came out quickly and was as good as ever. After the rain cleared, the already light crowds predictably cleared out even more. Got 1 ride on The Beast w/ our 6 year old, then switched out w/ the wife to ride with him, no lines in either case. Most enjoyable Beast ride in quite some time, perhaps ever with the cooler conditions, little bit of fog, wet track, and riding buddy. Then we moved over Stunt Coaster and did the same with no line in either case. Most enjoyable Beast ride in quite some time, perhaps ever with the cooler conditions, little bit of fog, wet track, and riding buddy. The 2 year old wanted to get on Monster at the end of the night, but we decided to head for the front, catch fireworks, then off to DQ for dessert before heading home.

I looked on a map after posting, I see the Red Roof Inn is on Byers Road, in Miamisburg? Unless I'm missing another one in the area, it may be quicker to take 75S down to route 63, head East on 63 (left off the highway), take that a couple of miles and turn south on 741. With the 25th being a friday morning, its hard to predict what traffic will be like in either area at that time. If that is the location, its right by the mall, so while there are a lot of decent dining options, its all mostly chain type places that you find around your typical Mall. If you want a bit to eat before heading south, I'd recommend First Watch, which sits out in front of the Mall by Bonefish Grille. May be a bit of a wait to get in, depending on where you live, you may think of it as a chain or you may have never heard of it, started out in Sarasota or around there IIRC, then was brought to the Centerville area by one of many locals who travel to that part of Florida each year and has since spread out to several other areas. The Original Pancake House is just down the road as well, again its a chain, but not nearly as main restaurants as your typical large chain. Both have great breakfast fair. For something that may be a little quicker (hard to know on a friday morning, saturday and sunday mornings definently fill up quick) there is a Waffle House close to The Red Roof Inn, a Perkins almost "right next door", Panera is down the street and a bunch of other options. Good luck.

Depending on where you are at in Centerville (not sure where that hotel is located at) taking route 741 or route 48 down to KI won't take you too long, maybe half an hour unless you get stuck behind a tractor. At that time of the morning, you should be able to cruise pretty easily. Congrats and good luck.

He did betray them..... He wanted and made his little own show for national tv to make his choice! Who does that? He knew he was picking the Heat. No reason to rub it in a cities face. And yes he is the one who went to ESPN about it. They didn't go to him. He is a stuck up guy who actually doesn't do a lot for the community. Look things up there is a lot of things that he is done that will change your mind about him.. He's not a professional at all.. Hate him and if Cedar Point names a coaster after him they should probably name it "The Flop King" I'm done here. Haha I can't say I know how much he does/did for the city of Akron, but my take on LeBron goes back a bit further than most. LeBron was a rising legend in the city, while I grew up in SW Ohio, my Father grew up as the oldest of 10 kids in Akron, attended St Vincent's (where LeBron would end up for HS) so I was pretty familiar with his name even as a frosh in HS. My cousin was 1 year behind him in school. Fast forward a season to LeBron's sophomore season, by this time he was obviously a huge name in Akron, and pretty highly regarded amongst the AAU/basketball recruiting scene. They had won state as freshman and were in all of the big showcase events. My cousin was on the freshman team during LeBron's sophomore season. My grandparents would attend most if not all of his freshman games, often times my grandmother would be sitting in the first row by herself while my grandfather was catching up with people around the school. As my Aunt has told me, as a young 16 year old kid, LeBron would take it upon himself to go sit down next to my grandmother during the frosh games and talk with her for a few minutes, just give her company. I know he still gives back to St Vincent's and is a huge reason why they still attract a ton of top end talent from NE Ohio. By all accounts he's a good person, and his heart is still in Akron. As far as stabbing Cleveland in the back, he gave that team his all for what 7 seasons? Look how quickly they fell off the map once he departed. It was a team built upon him and nothing else. I find it hard to fault him for trying to put himself in a situation where he increased his chances of playing for a ring. He owed the team nothing more than an honest effort, which I believe he gave despite Dan Gilbert's comments about the Boston series. If he comes back great, if he moves elsewhere that is his right, I'm a Bulls fan so it doesn't matter much to me since he's not going to make his way to Chicago.

^^^ is there such a thing as a junior gold pass? I thought all gold passes were just gold passes. Perhaps that is in the fall when renewing, I thought I looked when we got our son his first season pass a few years ago when he hit 3.

interesting. While different people have different budgets and for some buying passes in the fall the season before doesn't work into their budget as well as buying them later (even though the cost goes up), I believe the gold pass when they are first issued in August are lower or perhaps equivalent to the lowest prices offered for a season pass. While a 40" tall kid won't take advantage of the free parking (unless going with another family who doesn't have gold passes) like an adult can, that gold pass will be good for the fall portion of their operating calender. I believe the jr passes stop working when the summer season ends (labor day weekend???) anyhoo, something to consider for people that know they'll have kids in the 48" and under crowd heading into next season.

^^^ yes, incentives was probably the better term. I don't remember the details that came out in the paper last summer about this project and the negotiations with the state, IIRC a part of it was to be used for a hotel on site (and perhaps that is where the financing part came in thru the use of TIFFs or some other government incentive plan to help lower Cedar Fair's cost burden for the development.) Anyhoo, that is minutia to the average park goer that doesn't really care how the development was/is paid for, just cares about what is being installed and how it affects their experience at the park.

Probably much easier "said than done". The limbs are likely "easy" and monitored at the start of every season, and periodically thru the season (like morning warm up) for a place like KI. At a full season park, its probably part of the routine maintenance to check for clearances. There is not much that can be done when Mother nature decides that its time for tree to fall over. They could cut down any tree that grew to a height tall enough to fall onto the track, but imagine if they cut down all the trees capable of doing that around The Beast? How many complaints would we hear? How many calls for the significant change in environment that would create. Unfortunate incident for sure, and I hope everyone involved is ok.

Many signs point to Carowinds getting a 300+ foot tall coaster (perhaps 325 feet). Obviously nothing official, but lots of rumors and even some reports in the local paper about a Giga being installed as part of the plan to secure Financing from the state.

that is because that is what your most likely used to using on a daily basis (which would apply to a great majority of the population) however while I don't deal with them directly, sit in enough construction meetings where they talk about the placement of Dumpsters, how many Dumpsters they need, what kind of Dumpsters they need and you'll hear a lot of different names that I listed above, and then some; never heard to them referred to as a garbage can though.

collection bin, waste bin, collection container garbage container, garbage receptacle, etc...

I agree, but you made it sound like people in KI's footprint, which is many on this site, live in a similar region where platinum would be useful to split time b/w CP & KI

^^^ According to Googlemaps, Kings Island to Cedar Point is a shorter trip than Carrowinds to Kings Dominion, by more than an hour; don't know where exactly you live, but I'm guessing a majority of KI gold pass holders live in a "region like that"

If an elevator got stuck in a building for 4 hours, would it be news? Hardly; at least these people got water/snacks while they had to wait around though I'm guessing bathrooms are not an option. Inconvenience for sure, but nothing close to being stuck on WindSeeker for multiple hours.

I wouldn't stress out about it too much. FOF is fun and if you miss it, it will be a shame, but there is still plenty to keep you occupied. I'm not a huge fans of flats, mainly because I can't take too much spinning, but Viking Fury is easily my favorite, however with that said riding it will neither make nor break your day. I've never been on Shake, Rattle and Roll, but a similar tale I am assuming. If you like flats that spin around, there is a solid selection outside of Shake, Rattle & Roll. Most rides are operational during the season, and while no one can garuntee what Monday will look like, there is no reason to assume that a large number of additional rides will be closed, and perhaps 1 or 2 of those 3 will be open by then as well. KI is a big park, with lots to do, you won't find yourself bored by any means b/c those 3 rides are not operational that day. Take your time, and have FUN.