MDMC01

I went for a few hours again tonight and had a blast! I rode Flight of Cheer twice (the last ride ended up being a lights on ride on the last train on the night- thanks to @harmony29 and her husband who encouraged me to wait as it was worth it!), saw 4 Drummers Drumming, Mr. and Mrs. T, and even ran into Chef Major and Woodstock! I also rode the train and Mystic Timbers. My next trip will be Friday.

Though I mostly eat one meal in the park, that’s not always the case. There have been one or two visits where I’ve packed a lunch and went out to my car to eat. Also, Saturday night, I didn’t even eat at the park! It doesn’t make you any less of a patron if you choose to eat outside the park; just being there is enough (though buying food and merch does help the park’s bottom line, so...)

Thunderbird is the best Wing coaster I've been on, it actually feels like you are flying, unlike Wild Eagle and GateKeeper, where the car just happens to be on the side of the track. Not saying they are not fun (GateKeeper was fun when I rode in July), but I like T-Bird more). One reason I'm excited for Holiwood Nights next year is I plan on getting more ERT on T-Bird than I did this past year (being my first one, the focus was on Voyage and Legend). Plus, I'll get to feel like Porco Rosso* in his seaplane during that launch out of the shed! *Porco Rosso is a movie I recently saw that I'm sort of obessessed with at the moment lol. You can see my review in the movie thread, but basically it's about a seaplane pilot bounty hunter who had his face turned into a pig.

Millennium Force (5) vs. Adventure Express (3)Top Thrill Dragster (5) vs. Blue Streak (3)Steel Vengeance (7) vs. Flight of Fear (1)Diamondback (5) vs. The Racer (3)The Beast (4) vs. Mystic Timbers (4)Magnum XL-200 (5) vs. Rougarou (3)Banshee (8) vs. Raptor (0)Vortex (2) vs. Maverick (6)

Personally, I would consider Mystic Timbers to be a “family thrill coaster”. The height requirement allows it to be accessible to most, and the ejector air is also pretty awesome. All in all, it’s a good ride; but at the same time, I’ve ridden Flight of Cheer more than Mystic (6 vs. 1) this Winterfest season, so there’s that...

They look ok, it's just that I don't know that (or how) I can consider them coasters.

After the Giga, I vote for a floorless, Dive coaster, or a ground up RMC. Other than this, another launched coaster could be cool, but I'm just excited to see what coaster KI would put in next.* *As long as it's not one of those SBF Visa Spinning Coasters....

Millennium Force (8) vs. Great Pumpkin Coaster (3)Top Thrill Dragster (10) vs. Wilderness Run (1)Steel Vengeance (9) vs. Flying Ace Aerial Chase (2)Diamondback (10) vs. Woodstock Express CP (1)The Beast (8) vs. Woodstock Express KI (3)Magnum XL-200 (9) vs. Backlot Stunt Coaster (2)Banshee (8) vs. Cedar Creek Mine Ride (2)Valravn (5) vs. Adventure Express (6)GateKeeper (4) vs. Blue Streak (7)Vortex (8) vs. Iron Dragon (3)Maverick (9) vs. The Bat (2)Raptor (7) vs. Invertigo (4)Rougarou (7) vs. Corkscrew (4)Gemini (5) vs. Flight of Fear (6)Wicked Twister (4) vs. The Racer (7)Firehawk (4) vs. Mystic Timbers (7)

In a word, yes. Winterfest Way is indeed less flashy this year. However, if you are looking for flashy lights, c'mon down to X-Base

Re: Security, Sat. I beeped and therefore I got wanded, but Sunday I didn't; not sure what the difference was lol. Not complaing (thanks to those guys and gals for keeping us safe), but something interesting I thought I'd share. EDIT: I just remembered I had a zipper pocket on my sweatpants that I wore Sat and maybe that set it off.

Between Saturday and Sunday, I rode 6 times, some of which were in the Single Rider Line (where I was the only Single Rider). That wait was probably around 7-10 minutes, mostly waiting for an associate to assign me a seat. In fact, they actully closed the SRL at times as the line was short (only into the saucer). So in summery, it was probably around a 10 minute wait all around (SRL and regular queue).

A few items: 1st: @IndyGuy4KI; great Interview! I still say it is impossible to do everything in one night. I've been yesterday and today (more on that in a bit) and there are still a few things I'd like to check out (ex: I haven't yet ridden Boo Blasters or the Carousel during WF and there's still probably like 3ish shows I haven't seen this year). 2nd @upstop: So, the queue line(s) for Flight of Cheer contains some robot/holiday themed posters that go great with the ride 3rd: @ki95- I know two of the songs are Ariana Grande's "Santa Tell Me" and "Celtic Carol" by Lindsey Stirling. 4th: I had a blast tonight: got 3 laps on Flight of Cheer (as well as rode Mystic and Shake, Rattle and Roll once), got to meet Marley and talk to Scrooge, saw Holly Holiday (aka Tana Matz) sing on the Back Patio, pet the sheep again as well as listened to the Sounds of the Nativity. I also saw Jingle Jazz, had some fun with Mr. Tannenbaum and did some Pokémon-related things. Finally, re: Carolyn's challenge... I was the second person to see her, but I got the M&M's as the 1st person refused them. I ended up giving them to a guy I recognized from Cirque after successfully trying to pawn them off while in line for Mystic Timbers lol. EDIT: Also ran into @Rallyomalley as well as other KICers that were in the park.

Fun Fact: All 3 launch coasters are in the same area!

@standbyme: I think the train improved as it seemed to go faster than last year (the slowness of the train scared me as I thought something in the woods was going to attack the train).

So, last night was amazing! I did 3 laps on Flight of Cheer (FOF with a Winterfest re-theme) and I can say that Project Flight of Cheer is a smashing successes! The first time I rode was in the Single Rider Line and since I was the first Single Rider of the day, it felt like I was doing a sneak preview or something (also, the fact that the trains were being gradually loaded- one train only loaded the first car, the second train loaded the first 2 cars, etc- added to that feeling), so that was a really neat experience. I also saw 4 Drummer Drumming, Tinkers (I cried a tiny bit during Tinker's "Believe" song), The Peanuts Guide to Christmas (this was the first time I saw it and it was not bad), and What the Dickens (I got to be Scrooge and it was great; @BoddaH1994, if you'd like to post the pictures, you have my permission ). I also wandered over to the Petting Farm to see and pet the adorable sheep, who really wanted food but were still ok with being pet. In addition, I rode the train and it wasn't as bad as last year- it was really nice (Fun Fact: I rode on the Green Train's final lap). I also did see some characters including Mr. Tannenbaum and the ghosts. Speaking of ghosts, I still need to say hi to Marley and Scrooge; the former of which looks like he'd fit right in at Haunt with all those chains and whatnot. Finally, I did two Pokémon Raids with @Magenta Lizard and that was fun; I also hatched a ton of eggs thanks to Adventure Sync!

I grew up with Hanna Barbara and Nickelodeon areas at KI, but I'm cool with Snoopy and his friends residing at KI and other Cedar Fair parks. I do appreciate how (barring the short-lived Nickelodeon Universe) Planet Snoopy unified the kids area as it used to be split between Hanna Barbara and Nickelodeon. It also helped that all the rides were rethemed, not just the former HB ones (for example, during the Nick Universe makeover, Runaway Reptar stayed as it was, but The Beastie became Fairly Odd Coaster). Finally, speaking of the Peanuts gang, it was cool to see Schroader at Cedar Point last July.

Personally, I like Valravn (the only Dive coaster I've been on thus far) as it has personality, such as the way it "shuffles" and shakes towards the lift like its waking up, or how it stops before dropping as if it's hesitant/scared to fall. I've heard Sheikra and Griffon are way better, but I'll find out eventually. Also, upon looking at these pictures on my desktop, I noticed that the Dive Loop is already done; impressive! Finally, from afar, Leviathan looks like a cross between Millennium Force and Lightning Run (Kentucky Kingdom).

That is correct; I do remember seeing a coaster on a really old zoo map. And yeah, re: Dive coaster at Six Flags... I remember SFMM being rumored to get one some time ago.

I was recently thinking that the Cincinnati Zoo could pull a Kolmarden and install a Dive Coaster away from all the animal exhibits (near the Picnic Grove). But then again, while it would be great for coaster enthusiasts like myself, it could take away from the zoo experience. Thoughts? EDIT: Yukon Striker looks great! I'm amazed that the drop is already done; that Prospector will be diving for gold in no time!

Good catch lol! Also, it's interesting that they rate their Haunt mazes. That being said, what does everyone think KI's should be rated? I'll start based what I'd rate last year's mazes: Slaughterhouse, Madame Fatale's and Blackout would be a 5 Field of Screams and Killmart would be a 4 The rest (Backwoods Bayou, Chaos, Urgent Scare and Wolf Pack) would probably be a 3 I'm curious to hear other's opinions on maze ratings.

You are correct that Night Hunter/Cat Canyon is separate; my apologies. I always kinda thought it was one thing myself but I guess I didn't pay close enough attention lol. Looking at that map, I realized that was a smart decision on the zoo's part as the old Cat House and Cat Canyon were close in proximity to each other; guess it was natural that they made it into one giant exhibit (imo). EDIT: Just want to say that the White Lions are in fact out today. The path to Wildlife Canyon, however, is closed.

I believe that area (now known as Night Hunters) ws formally known as (just) Cat Canyon. Big Cat Canyon used to have tigers (I think?) and are where the White Lions are currently (Well, technically not currently right now, as they are off exhibit ). Link to an older map: http://www.cincinnativiews.net/images-3/Zoo in 1993.jpg EDIT: The zoo has changed a lot since that map was printed (1993); I remember using that map to get around as a kid.

I wonder what will be replacing the (now) current Elephant exhibit- I think I heard the giraffes were moving there, but I'm not quite sure. Also, if they are in fact removing the White Lion Exhibit (formally known as Big Cat Canyon), that explains why sections of the path were closed off last time I went.

That GCI coaster looks awesome! Any idea where it's going? Personally, it looks like that rumored Gwazi re-do that is rumored to happen soon...

Good stuff, @KIghostguy! I like that you got pictures of the exit as I never took many pictures of the queue as of late (as when I did ride, my stuff was in a locker).