jbt

Sunday was packed. I rode Adventure Express and The Racer a few times before deciding to bail. Also, you can't choose Red or Blue Racer at the entrance now. Was it like that Friday? I didn't notice it then. Staff divides up guests at the trains now, which probably explains what happened to the fence.

The Galaga arcade has already consumed my quarters, with more on the way. The hi-score was glitched. Wouldn't mind if the whole store was filled with 80s games.

Ha! Guess I should have seen that one coming...

Does anyone know why Diamondback support beams are two different colors? The first few are yellow and the rest are kind of tan. Did they change paint suppliers or something halfway through? Just curious.

Yikes, no kidding!

I panicked a bit when I felt like I wasn't fitting into FoF. Nobody wants to wait an hour for a ride to not fit... and I definitely fit last season, ha! When I finally got in and closed the lapbar, I told the ride op it was smashing my foot. He said it was due to the wheel. I guess I just never happened to sit in a seat with the wheel hump before. Also, my friend had told me how ridiculous the audio loop is during unload. I finally paid attention and got a good laugh from the "re-branding effort".

Mom of Son of Beast? Wife of Beast? Formerly Employed Beast Family Member?

Someone knows, right?

As I get deeper into researching new parks to visit, I'm curious where everyone else has been. What were your favorite rides? Here's where I've been, including my favorite rides: Busch Gardens Tampa - Montu Coney Island - Paddle Boats or the Trabant Disney World (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM/Hollywood Studios) - Space Mountain, Horizons (does that still count?), The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Dollywood - Mystery Mine Kemah Boardwalk - Boardwalk Bullet Kings Island - Adventure Express Six Flags Over Texas - The New Texas Giant and Titan were both top notch Stricker's Grove - Tornado Universal Studios Florida - Back to the Future (it's been a while since I've been there, obviously) Looking forward to a trip to Cedar Point at, uh... some point.

3D movies don't usually do much for me, primarily because the 3D glasses rarely fit properly over my actual glasses. The ones used for this movie came pretty close, at least. There's a plastic overhang on the top of the 3D glasses that helps keep them from falling off other eyewear. Can't say I was blown away by the movie, but I appreciated the focus on dinosaurs that aren't as commonly discussed. Everyone knows T-Rex; who knew he had a cousin??

And a great opening day it was. Enjoyed the new British Invasion show.

Yep, first rider of the season on Adventure Express... and in the front row.

I have mixed feelings on opening day bad weather. On the one hand, it would probably mean fewer visitors and shorter lines. On the other hand, I'd rather see Kings Island have a successful opening day for the 40th anniversary. It's great that it was 80 in February and opening day is cold. Thanks, Cincinnati, for your completely unpredictable weather. I'll be there, either way.

Not to bring an ancient thread back to life, but... I recently had a ride on the New Texas Giant and my immediate thought was, "Why can't they at least do this to Son of Beast?" Looks like I'm not alone. It was a totally different experience from any other coaster I've encountered. Apparently, they're giving a similar treatment to the Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

As great as The Beast is, I prefer Thunderhead's relatively smooth ride. Ever been on Boardwalk Bullet at Kemah Boardwalk? It feels kind of like a cross between The Beast and Thunderhead.

I'm close to the park, so I'll be there either way. I'm wondering how hard it will be to fight the crowds to get the first ride on Adventure Express... ha! My last two or three trips, I didn't get to ride Flight of Fear. Either it was closed or the lines were huge. I'm expecting long lines for that one Saturday.

This is the first season I'll have a chance to go on opening day. What's the crowd like? Is it completely packed? Or is it smaller crowds, mainly enthusiasts? I've never taken advantage of ERT. I was a bit surprised about the list of ERT attractions this season (Planet Snoopy, really?). I'm not sure if it's better to show up during ERT and go wait at a ride like The Beast or if the crowds will be small enough throughout the day to still ride all the coasters. -jb

As a glasses wearer, I'm curious to know how many people risk losing them by leaving them on during a ride. I used to always take mine off, but got a little more daring with some rides. I didn't realize what a difference it would make being able to see the surroundings! I almost lost them last time I was on the Tornado at Stricker's Grove, though, so I might be back to always-off. Anyone wear contacts on the rides? Do you lose them easily?

Thanks for the feedback. Part of me wants to go on a Sunday, but I'm curious enough to check out the Haunt - so, Friday it is. Too bad the season pass doesn't come with two trips!

It sounds like The Spook may have been similar to haunted house rides at state fairs. Would still love to see the inside of the ride! Thanks, jb

This season was my first (and second) visit to Kings Island. I am impressed enough to buy a season pass for next year, especially with the price break through October. I've been reading through the forums to get info, but just want to clarify a few things (there's great info here, but it's a lot to process as a newcomer). - When is the best time to visit KI before the end of the year for short ride wait times? Sundays? - Can someone point me in the right direction to a site that explains the Haunt, with no assumed knowledge? I don't think I quite understand what it is. - I've had a season pass for Coney Island before. Is the process of getting your pass card very similar at KI? My first trip to KI was a Friday evening and every ride had long wait times. My second trip was a Thursday, with little-to-no wait times and it was a much better trip. I was hoping to luck out like that again next time! Thanks, jb

I'm reading the Cincinnati's Coney Island book. Is The Spook the same thing as Spook House (which, apparently, later became Bat Cave)? The Rotor ride looked fun!

Throwing in my two cents as a newbie... This is the first season I've ever been to Kings Island. When I tell people that I went, they say it's not as fun as the "glory days of Paramount". I don't really see what the problem is. I read the original names of the rides and they weren't movies I liked. Plus, they're all essentially the same rides, right (with the apparent exception of The Crypt)? I had a great time at Kings Island. I'm not really a Snoopy fan, but I'll take that over Sponge Bob any day (though, I'm kind of bummed I missed out on Avatar). The only ride that really disappointed me was Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. I've read up on the Phantom Theater incarnation of the ride and am thoroughly disappointed by Boo Blasters. Even the Smurfs ride seemed cool. Oddly enough, my favorite ride at Disney was Delta Dreamflight which was replaced by a boring Buzz Lightyear ride very similar to Boo Blasters. Oh, well...

Adding dark rides would be cool. Phantom Theater fit that bill pretty well. Adventure Express, Flight of Fear, and The Crypt have some of these elements.

Thanks for the pics. Is this all there is of The Spook? Any idea what it was like inside the ride?