OldieButGoodie

Consistency is good.

I understand the posts that said, "did you stop at Guest Relations", but really - seems like everybody you talk to knows this is an issue. Heck, ask the lines in SC. I don't know what the latest methods are in fast food, but when I did my stint they did 'ringer-runner'. One person (the ringer) always handled money, never food (apart from drinks if needed). The runner person put orders together, starting with the cold stuff. It absolutely frosts me when they go get a hot order of fries and put it on a tray, while they pour cold drinks. Nothing like having it ALL cold. Anyway - that method worked. We had a 3-minute service level from the time the order was placed to the customer leaving the counter, and *everything* was made to order, so it certainly can be done. We also had 'mystery shoppers', so you never knew whether that person on the other side of the counter was testing, or a customer. That could help improve things at KI too... Of all the things I like/disklike at KI, this is the ONE that really could stand some improvement.

Wow, I knew about Chick-fil-A, but not PE - the one at King's Dominion filled our cup with the wristband - that's weird.

+1 for the vine-covered walkway (still have them at Carowinds and King's Dominion!) and the CLOWN BAND - loved those guys, knew a few folks who had the opportunity to play with them. They were *great*.

Each time I've been in the waterpark this year, the new wave pool has seemed (at least to me) to be noticeably warmer compared to Coconut Cove or Splash River. That's a sign of the water being heated. If it was just because it was hot outside, the water in all of the attractions would be warm. Agree - at the old wave pool the water coming out of the bottom outlets was noticeably warmer than the pool many times, no reason the new pool couldn't have the same system. Would not surprise me at all if the pool itself was used to cool the wave-making machinery. That would account for the 'heating' and explain why it's not 'turned off' when it's dreadfully hot outside.

Agree! My oldest son and I rode it back to back Saturday evening. Loved the ride in the dark, forgot how many bugs can be out there with no lights! (gag.... cough.... yuck!) I do think they could put something back there... having just returned from a week at Kings Dominion, I submit a Boardwalk Fries stand (even better if they have frosty adult beverages to go with them). BW fries, made to order, several seasonings to sprinkle on - they're *great*!

Here's an idea - read this http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/The-Rattler-will-close-Aug-5-3694324.php -- perhaps SOB could go there and get new life if it's not going back into ops at KI.

How about those squid hats from the Guess your Age/Weight booth?

Firehawk...? LOL, Firehawk turns me green, so I've only ridden once.

I have friends who 'fix' their bag to the chair too, to make it more difficult to walk off with. I imagine these jerks 'case' the park and watch for folks sticking stuff back into a bag that they want. Just a word on the zipper locks though - I doubt that's even much of a deterrent, if they see you put something they want in there. A pen is all that is needed to part the zipper. In fact, it can be opened with the pen and then zipped back with the zipper! Try it on an old bag... you won't believe how simple it is to do, and it looks like nobody touched it. I agree with Terp in principle, supply equals demand when the lockers *just* sell out every day, but they're still hideously expensensive considering the options. However, a trip to the car or the lockers are pretty much the only options for anything you can't afford to lose. It's just a shame that people think that if you don't have your valuables on your person, that they're there for the taking. Maybe a 'lite' version of a *taser bag* would do it!

I don't know the URL to the 'original' on the PKI site, but maybe this will do... http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Jokers_Jinx

Thinking a bit more - there was an incident at the LaRosa's near Vortex some years back (after the metal detectors). There was a long line of folks waiting in line for pizza, out the door for a dozen or more. A gaggle of tweens/teens came up (4 or 5) and thought they'd join the line at the door. Since I was on the steps and had been there for several minutes, I mentioned that the line began at, well, the end (back thattaway). They threatened me, but made no physical effort of it, and joined at the appropriate place in line. I like to believe the answer is always 'No' unless you *ask*, but I think people now believe it's 'No' if you don't try to *take*. We're creating an entire generation of cheaters, and they don't like it when somebody calls them out on it. Especially if it's public. But I don't see an increase really, I feel safe in KI, and they have a strong security presence (never far away).

If I choose the 50% off Fast Lane reward, how long is the 'voucher' good for? Entire season? Also - is the voucher good at the other CF parks, or only KI?

They must have a special place in their hearts for you Terp. We used our Platinum Pass (issued at KI) at KD this week, just to see if it would open the season pass parking (which is actually close to the gate, similar to Carowinds). It did (! - sorry KD).

Teenagers have always been knuckleheads, that hasn't changed, but what's with all the spitting now (almost always NOT in the greenery)? I saw a teen spit ON A BENCH at KD this week. I supressed the urge to ask why he was being a knucklehead, but sheesh, that was disgusting.

I can't stomach the price either, so I either walk to the car or somebody watches our stuff. Still, KI has never done what CP did at Shoot the Rapids. They will not allow you to carry your gear, and there is noplace to leave it at the station. You're pretty much forced to use their $2 (per use) lockers or not ride with the kids. When the darned locker took my dollar coins and didn't open, well - you can imagine. Karma smiled though, and a blue-shirt was nearby. I asked if they maintained the lockers and got the affirmative. I explained the problem, told them which locker, and they immediately opened the coin box, fixed the problem, and gave me back my two $1 coins. There was no sign for who to call though, if that person hadn't been there, and it's a MIGHTY long walk to Guest Services from that point in CP!

Or the emergency stop triggers some kind of braking system that must be manually reset/re-armed. Either way it sounds like it was handled professionally.

I agree completely. If it's not yours, leave it alone, or do the next best thing, which actually happened to us at Carowinds! My son removed his fannypack to use the restroom, and inadvertanly left it in the restroom. It didn't have much in it, but what was there was important to him. The cleaners had taken it to Lost & Found, where we found it on a last-ditch, nothing-to-lose stop on the way out. He was one happy boy, and so was I. It would not have been easy to replace the Castaway Bay pack either! Last year though, I asked one of our group to keep an eye on my towel while we hit the slides. He rolled his eyes and dozed off. There was no towel when I returned. It won't be replaced either - got it at Myrtle Beach and haven't seen one like it since. But... my sons bought me a reasonable replacement. Gotta love those boys!

Kinda like a 'Bad Moon Rising'...

They're still using the UV ink at King's Dominion, but it washes off in the hotel pool! We went back and only one of the group had a bit of stamp. They asked whether we had passes or receipts from earlier which of course we did. No hassle, but I think I prefer the difficult-to-remove stuff over the UV. At least you *know* whether you have a stamp!

The little guy with blond hair is Matthew, he does not have an avatar/login here. The taller one behind is his Brother Cameron (aka Venom here). Behind them is their cousin Corey. I'm behind the camera obviously, and was heavily invested in Team KIC and CFK, but alas cannot ride Racer that much. I certainly had a great time watching you guys though, and Mr Helbig was very gracious in letting me stay with the boys as well as document the event for them and y'all.

I received this note from a personal friend, that I thought I should share with you all. What you and King's Island and their great staff did Sunday really makes a difference! Thank you very much for coasting today! My son M. has a terminal illness called Mitochondrial disease. Because of this he was granted a wish to Disney and Give Kids The World! We had an amazing time and appreciate all the support they are given by people like you! Thanks again and don't forget to have ice cream for breakfast! ;-)

It's more than a squirtgun - more like a brief super-soaker. I was sitting there with a smartphone and a fairly expensive DLSR, which don't take too much water to ruin, so I'd have been pretty unhappy to receive the water. The Ice show always told you that the first 5 rows were the 'spray zone', but I missed any warning that there was any sort of squirt. I would not have objected to ME getting wet, but I sure would have if the gear got it. I *think* Ed made an effort to avoid folks with gear if he could see it though. That said, just sit in the back half of the theater and all is well - that's where I'll be when I go back to see the show next!

Interesting stories all. The Dad on the train would have become defensive and attacked (at least verbally) for calling him out on utter stupidity. After all, why not just say something to the ride ops, who could have retrieved it for your return 2 trains later. On the DB story, not to defend what the parents did, but it's the only coaster I've been on at KI that doesn't have a 'kid corral' at the station. They used to allow parents to wait at the exit and 'swap' so parents can ride big-people rides too, but I haven't seen that advertised. Me, I just enjoy the park and people-watch - call it the price of being a parent for a few years.

I uploaded many, but not all to photobucket. Hopefully those of you who rode will find one of yourself in there someplace. Whole album: http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l86/gooberwiper/CoastingForKidsKI2012/