OldieButGoodie

Agree with previous post on Afterburn, also hit Vortex and Intimidator plus the woodies. Caroline Goldrusher (their mine ride) is a hoot as well. When we were there Dads got souvenir glasses as well (for beer). 9.99 to buy, 5.99 to fill. Can't say there was a 'don't', we stayed a week and had an awesome time.

Mine (042 of 250) was on the stoop yesterday after they called as well. I'm in Beavercreek, so not far (Dayton area).

Well, I'm unsure whether this is on-topic or not but here goes... Hot Blooded was sexy as hell this year and the vocalists were better (IMHO) than they have been in the past. The choreography and setlist could use updating, but this one's always worth a look. Graveyard shift was super as well - the vocalists were amazing and the dancers were quite good. Blood Drums grew on me, but I think the experience totally depended on where in the crowd you were. Up close and it was pretty cool, in the back it just wasn't the same at all. Best show for the haunts this year that I saw though, was Skeleton Crew at CP. There are youtubes of some of the shows, but it was simply amazing. Would love to see a show like that come to KI.

Who's looking forward to Gatekeeper at CP? Anybody (else) hoping for a Stratocoaster at KI?

Wouldn't it be something though, if from the ashes of SoB a new Stratocoaster emerged?!!!! Bring it!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! lol

I think the program was worthwhile. It got me to try things I otherwise might not have, and I definitely spent more in the park. I didn't like the confusion over which 'tenant vendors' accepted the card and which didn't, and I would have liked that adult beverages counted in food sles since the price is so high. The other thing that was odd was that some 2-star rewards looked like they really were 1-star. I also thought it was pretty neat that it tracked my activity ie visits and such. I'd like to see it continue and expand!

Mine is different - love all the above of course, but I truly miss the Wurlitzer 157 Band Organ that used to actually BE in the Grand Carousel.

Definitely better with Cedar Fair! Employees are far more enthusiastic, and professional - especially watchful of children in the kids' area - and that's huge. Paramount tried to 'theme' each ride, which really didn't work since you can't separate the ride from the rest of the environment nor can you hide all of the 'magic'. I loved the area theming that used to be, and hope they gradually get back to that. I miss the vine-covered walkway (oldsters will know where it was).

I used to make the drive from Centerville (south of Dayton) in about 20 minutes, down 741. Three, count 'em three stop signs. Now it's all built up, with a multitude of traffic signals, so I just go down I75 to Lebanon, then cut over to 741. Takes just about 40 minutes.

^^^ that drive is similar to mine to CP, but it's the two-lane roads that make me crazy, not the actual drive. Same here. 3.5 hours to CP from my house, but the length isn't the issue for me. It's the two-lane roads and navigating through town after town on Route 4 that get to me. FINALLY. Someone understands. I will always and forever passionately loathe Route 4. You're never going fast enough for the other drivers, and you will see absolutely nothing for the entire 3 hours you're on it. (Most exciting thing: passing the Magnetic Springs, OH sign when they're advertising the Spring Water Festival.) It feels two hours longer than the 4 hours it takes to drive to Holiday World just because it sucks so much. I must confess, I could be one of the other drivers. It's 55 most of the way, so I like round numbers ie 60. Can't stand 50, the Mach1 just doesn't like to go that slow unless it's night. Deer just don't pay attention! lol

Farms and 2-lane roads are less boring than interstate, but such routes do take significantly more time. Boredom isn't the issue. It's just that I'm more comfortable on the interstate than I am on country roads. After an hour or so on country roads with little to no traffic, I tend to get distracted and have to consciously force myself to concentrate on the road ahead. On interstates, the constantly changing traffic situation around me keeps me alert and properly focused on my driving the whole way. Amen - that and you don't have to worry about someone coming head-on into you. I swerved to avoid a large pickup that was at least a foot on my side, in the rain and slick roads - worked out ok but I didn't see him because there was an SUV in front of me, until he was just 'there'. Also, it's far easier to get assistance on the interstate and get out of the way if you have a problem.

^^^ that drive is similar to mine to CP, but it's the two-lane roads that make me crazy, not the actual drive.

Servatii's operates out of the same hole in the wall as the 'German' pretzel shop on International Street but we didn't see 'deli' items, only 'pastry' items. We didn't sample the wares last Friday, but have had several of the pretzels and they're a vast improvement over the old 'Super Pretzel'.

We sent Friday night, no crowds, had a great time. Saw the new hamburger cart/stand near slaughterhouse but did not sample - will have to do that next time. Also saw the LaRosa's stand in the Coney Mall, suspect that place will get packed if the 'za is fresh and hot, when the crowds come up to usual Haunt sizes. Agree with previous post that the Michael Jackson actor was awesome. Made my younger son laugh and put him at ease (he got rattled when we came thru the lines at opening time with all the scareactors there. Makeup was very good again this year. The 'statues' on International Street creep me out - they're doing a *great* job. The Easter Bunny was there for holiday horror, as were Presidents Obama and Clinton, but alas we did not see TrickyDick. The new fog juice isn't nearly as irritating to my sinuses, but it wasn't pleasant on contact lenses. They show no lasting effects though, after a good cleaning and soak. Just not comfy while there. We'll be back soon!

Mmmmmmm.... ^^^^^ Reuben - I'm up for that!

Spot-on Terp, as usual. Most folks don't know how much stuff rides in the bellies of airliners besides luggage. 9/11 had a huge impact on our economy.

Cool... headed to CP the weekend of 10/5 - can't wait!

Interesting thread, but the personal attacks are not customary to KIC. I've certainly done my time in fast food, and I've seen it done well and not-so-well same as most of you. The customer should reasonably expect to have their order hot, correct, and quick (3-5 minutes) after they place it - it's 'fast food'. They should also be polite, and bring any issues to the attention of the management. I love KI, but the food is premium-priced, and it seems as though slow is the rule. End of season is tough - folks are tired, and many/most are heading back to school. The fun-raising groups have no exprience at all in many cases, so service might be slower but should still be acceptable. There is so very much opportunity for improvement in this area, but it has to start with the management. They have to be attentive to the business, set the example, and get involved when necessary Gasp! the horror! YES - you have to help the staff by actually working with them, when necessary. KI is definitely not unique in this. I asked the 'supervisor' at Hanks at King's Dominion to please top off my draft (it had ~2" head), and she said to me, "I thought that's why you drink draft beer". Um, no. I want the full portion for the price paid. If service is the same across the CF parks, then the change either has to start at the top so that the operating model can be changed, or food service management at the parks have to have some autonomy in the area so leaders can make a difference.

I agree that Bat overreacted a bit, but the point that was seemingly lost was that 5-minute things ought to take 5-minutes. I don't agree that there is a linear relationship between wages and performance either though... When I did my fast food stint (working for minimum wage), we had a 3-minute timeline that we tried hard to meet. The franchise sent 'mystery shoppers' to assess our ability to meet it, and the managers were on the hook for making it happen. And we made all the food to order. A very few things on the menu took exactly 3 minutes to prepare, and extremely large orders were a challenge, but it CAN be done. The other fine point they made us learn was to assemble the cold items on the order first, then the hot. Heat lamps? We only had the one over the fry area, and fries had to be 'wasted' after 7 minutes, 5 if they were salted, and of course the waste bucket was weighed at the end of the day.

Last year Carowinds actually had two different size souvenir cups. The one we know and love from KI is $15 as stated at Carowinds, but they have/had a $10 version that was slightly smaller. We actually bought one of those for my 8-yr-old, he likes not having to lug the larger one around, and it doesn't get warm before it's finished. Carowinds also has a souvenir pilsner for adult beverages. It was $10 to purchase (filled), and $5.99 to refill. Still high enough price to discourage over-imbibing, but far more reasonable than the $8+ currently charged on frosty adult beverages. A couple of years ago I purchased a flashing-blinky tall mug at Great Wolf during that tow show they do, filled. I carried it with me at KI and I got absolutely *grilled* about 'where can you get one of those'. I'd buy a KI version, if they offered one!

They sell them at the souvenir kiosk near LaRosa's (DB splashdown area)... but I don't know if they sell them in the DB store.

Agree! They even sell fairly reasonably-priced ones at the DB store.

Don't worry TTD - I won't laugh. The Beast was my first coaster too! I wanted to ride the Shooting Star at Coney, but was too short. When I was finally tall enough, Coney closed and KI was born. The Beast is still my absolute favorite!

Your neck flies now?