BB1

I’ll be back down in Orlando in a week-two weeks depending on how I schedule things out but ultimately will probably wait to revisit epic till November! I would definitely say the SDR hype is back and people are going crazy to get back on it.

I have now 28 recorded rides on each side of Stardust Racers, it still slaps. Rode front row green as usual and it was still a religious experience.

Stardust is open and is in normal operations! Currently in line, no augmentations or changes made

Update: the coaster is still testing and has yet to open.

I’m at the park today and I’m planning on being there on ride within the first few cars!

Went through the Order of the Dragon, way too dark even for my standards. As you enter there’s a piece of plywood in the ballroom scene that was really sharp and proceeded to cut my arm/elbow while walking in. Mind you, it’s so dark that I didn’t even know I was about to brush up against the wall but it hurts. Yes I spoke to mgt, yes I made them aware of where it’s at and finally I did get first aid. IMO it’s a fun concept, love the parts you can actually see but where you can’t it just feels lacking.

Alright a few thoughts from my trip last weekend 1. HHN is SOLID in terms of houses and scare zones, but seriously is lacking with the Tribute Store. The Mummy/Tribute Store integration just doesn't work and becomes a pain to get around the store and actually buy product. I'll post my rankings a little later as I'm still figuring it out (I'm tied between 3 houses being my #1 which is honestly telling of how good this year is!) 2. Epic still is pretty Epic, lines were long DK was down all day for me but nevertheless operations tried to keep cadence. 3. HHN Merch seriously needs some limits, half of the Fallout merch was sold out when I arrived on Thursday and even then what I actually wanted just wasn't in stock. I'll be back on the 3rd, then probably another visit the weekend of the 17th!

9 years later and 5 out of the 7 wishes got granted. Funnily enough we technically did get a partial retheme of Soak City for the children’s space.

Finally, can say I have 10 rides on RR for the season. Definitely not the biggest or baddest water coaster out there, far from it. I've said time and time again that we needed a water coaster. Sure, I wish it was longer, but it actually is a fun slide that gets the job done. Lugging up the tubes, not an issue for me or my groups that I've been up with. The drop was pretty enjoyable, the open curve around was a nice addition. Overall, both sides are pretty comparable to each other with no major differences. I would rank it pretty high in the overall line up of the more "intense" slides at the water park. I would still say Tropical Plunge's long drop tube slide (the green one) is still my favorite, with close second being center Pineapple and third being RR. I'm probably one of the fewer people who would consider themselves as an enthusiast of the waterpark side at the park; with that being said I would say it finally rounds out a glaring hole in our lineup. Would love to see some new speed slides or some bowl slides (cough cough bring over the slide complex from Six Flags America) come to the waterpark next whenever we get a new expansion.

As many know, people are gobbling up the new pass deals for Kings Island. I guess someone somewhere began a rumor about Prestige getting everyone into the VIP section if one person in your party has it (That is a myth, you get two VIP passes per year for non prestige guests), coupled with the passes dropping with the benefits it basically created an influx of new passholders. This, combined with preferred parking purchases, has created a literal nightmare for the past several weeks at the park in terms of using Preferred Parking. Last weekend had a corporate outing sure, but I had to basically go around the lot several times to get a spot. Today, I circled the lot like a shark for 15 minutes trying to find a spot; it was full and there was no way I was finding a spot. This created headaches for me, but I had to park at the end of the parking lot next to the exit and walk back to the front to get in. While walking back in, I witnessed not one but two altercations in the parking lot. One was a car was sitting waiting for another to get out, then one car sped down to get the parking spot the other car was waiting on, which led to the original waiting vehicle to speed into the spot which almost created a crash. Well, the individual who sped down to almost snatch the spot got out and walked straight to the other car's driver door and started a verbal argument over a parking spot. Yes, you read that right, an argument over a parking spot. I was watching the whole thing, as to be honest I was worried that it would lead to a physical attack. The individual, noticing I'm standing there watching, walked back to their car and drove off, but not even before she got back in her car another argument erupted in the next lane over for parking. At this point, they were yelling so loud and getting heated I went to security to report the matter as it was escalating. My main point is that Preferred Parking has become a serious thorn in my side and an issue for guest experience. They do not cap entry, they let people go in and circle and better yet, regular individuals who are not Prestige using the Preferred Parking benefits are using the lot with purchases. I'm at the point where I would rather see it become a Prestige exclusive to give some benefits, or for them to expand the preferred lot in one way or another as it is unattainable at this point to where people are literally getting into fights over it. Would love to hear some feedback/thoughts from others here as I know a few are Prestige passholders, others not but have certain views on the situation with the Preferred lot.

^Current plans are for the 11th-14th of Sept then the 3-5th of Oct and probably another on the 17th-19th of Oct at this point. Every Friday in October has been approved way in advance so I’ll have plenty of time. I’m going to shoot for a day at epic each time just to get some time in but I’m hoping they have something special for Halloween in Darkmoor.

Ironically enough non FL residency is only $10.00 more for the 2 park no volcano bay per month. I’ve been estimating that it would probably knock my monthly price up by 30 bucks minimum which to be honest is still not terrible. Disney, however, in all of their magnificence requires non FL residents to fork out the money upfront. Renewal this year at least was somewhat cheaper! (By 300 bucks after taxes) At this point I would just rather see UOR put something in writing that hey you’re getting this in 2026 which I expected for them to make that announcement for AP appreciation.

^I’m down there enough to be a local, once every month-2 months and spending 120-170 for an epic ticket each time has not been the best experience. I’m hoping they drop an ap for USO IOA EPIC for 2026 soon!

Haunt merch has dropped at KI! The skyline hoodie looks great, the 25 years design? Not so much.

I’m calling the park today to figure out how to even do my pass for 2026 as I’m confused on how to go about my pass upgrades. Which is sad because in years past I knew how to do my pass, not anymore. 20+ years of being a passholder, 10 of which I’ve been buying out of my own pocket and this is by far the craziest year for it.