disco2000

It seems like they should have made the new entrance/tolls at the old south entrance - the south entrance was used every operating day and every hour park was open whereas the north entrance was only used on peak days and/or peak hours. If you arrived in afternoon or evening you would rarely see the north entrance open. So almost everybody is aware and used the south entrance. Now that south entrance is gone, people will mistakenly use the south exit as an entrance - some by mistake and some as a way to avoid paying parking - that happened in the past as well but not to the extent seen so far because in the past the entrance was in close proximity. A claim made is the entrance was moved to the north to avoid backups onto I-71 - guess what - that is going to be dictated by the light at Western Row - unless that light stays continuous green heading towards Kings Island, traffic will back up to the interstate regardless of where entrance is located. There are also several lights between Western Row and the new entrance, all playing their part in stopping traffic that will still back up to the interstate. Yesterday, the lights at the south exit would switch as soon as someone came to the exit - I watched 5 cars get through the short green cycle on Kings Island Drive because a car came up to exit just as the light changed back to green on Kings Island drive. This didn't happen last year as the entrance was south of the exit - another opportunity to stop traffic on Kings Island Drive that didn't exist last year. Speaking of backing up to interstate - why in the world was Kings Island Drive backed up from new north entrance all the way to the Western Row light (and partly onto "off" ramp from interstate) at 10:20 at night - that's right at 10:20pm it looked like cars were lined up to go to Kings Island. Maybe a lot of these were parents coming to pick up kids and now to get to the north entrance, they have to fight and compete now against the exits with lights on Kings Island Drive that they didn't have to compete with previously because the south entrance was south of the south exit? Light at Soak City exit was flashing - there is an accident waiting to happen as the traffic heading north was at standstill so someone trying to turn left (south) out of that exit risked driving into moving southbound traffic. Regarding south exit, I mentioned it earlier but may be able to sum it up better and probably more understandable now after dealing with it twice this year. In the past, KI set up cones at the south exit to allow unrestricted flow to allow two lanes from different directions to enter into exit continuously (only having to stop at light), meaning cars didn't have to stop for traffic from another direction to enter exit. Now, because of new traffic patterns, KI needs two security guards at the "entrance" to the south exit (roughly 100 feet from light) to stop traffic to allow those to enter the exit from the other direction - this was not a problem in the past and it worked. Also, the south exit went from 3 lanes out (one dedicated left turn, one dedicated right turn, and one in middle to go either way) and now is one lane left and other lane right out. As Terp points out, with time some of these will work its way out, but I think some just can't because of the new configuration.

Skyline backed out past Starbucks and Chicken Shack line out yo Drop Tower - been in line since 2pm and haven't moved. Will update 2:32 and just entered Skyline entrance -32 min after getting in line - 48 minutes in line still not able to place order - meal plan on screen shows a 3 coney and fries combo - it was 2 coney's last year - typo? 3:14 - just utilized my dining plan - 1 hour and 14 minutes in Skyline line!

My observations (and trying not to repeat with others have mentioned in this topic): I posted in another thread but for those that do not look at the preview thread - If you pass was "processed" at a different park for whatever reason, that becomes your home park and you cannot add any pass benefits (meal, drink, pics) unless you are at that park. For example, if your Platinum pass says Carowinds on the back, you can only add meal, pic, drink to your pass unless at Carowinds. The Fischer Home Baby Care Center is extremely nice, but no water fountains inside I have reservations about the new entrance - only one entrance into the park and the whole design coordination with the road improvement by Mason just doesn't seem to fit, but I guess we will see when they are actually done with the road. I so hope the entrance speeds things, but I doubt it. Exiting the park at close is a nightmare (and it wasn't that crowded). Those that visit the park a lot like me will probably know what I am referring to regarding the south exit (not the Soak City exit). About an hour before close, they would set up cones at the exit lane such that those that were parked in a row and headed towards Kings Island Drive to turn left when into the travel lane to proceed to south exit had an unrestricted lane and then the set up of cones allowed those that headed from the parking row to the lane between employee parking and guest parking could then proceed to the exit unrestricted. Well they took away the cones and now have two security staffers blocking and directing traffic, so now lanes are being stopped right before you proceed to the exit light because of this - hard to explain in text and hopefully you can follow what I was trying to say. But the old way you only stopped because of the light because they had the exit lane be fed from two different directions with continuous motion, but now they have staff their to stop and direct traffic. Skyline did not have ketchup lol. Food lines appear will continue to be a problem this year unfortunately.

I like the line "A lot of opportunities to take in cash from guests" - I have a great couple stories to that: My friend decided to add dining plan to pass. Renewed at Kings Island but visited Carowinds a couple weeks back and had issues with pass, so they reissued pass there. Kings Island couldn't add it as the platinum pass was "issued" at Carowinds so that now became the home park and was told by supervisors that dining plan has to be added at "home park". I watched and they showed me the screen that clearly does not allow them to override or even get to a point to be able to add it. While waiting in one of the longest nights of the night (Banshee Twist line), customer in front of me tried to purchase 6 season long drink cups. Guess what, same situation. Could not add drink plan to cup since his platinum pass had another park as his "home park". That was a good 15 minute delay as supervisors kept trying and instead of moving guest over to another register or open another temporarily, the line stalled. And a display of inefficiency, during such time the customer also purchased 2 Banshee Twist cones. It was amusing watching the worker go up and down the register row holding two cones trying to figure out whose they were - they were not special order, probably could have gone to any register and had someone that was buying one. Instead worker paced the register row for 5 minutes trying to find who they belonged to (and thus eliminating said worker from producing more cones). Said customer was getting irate with register attendant over trying to buy 6 cups that they were not paying attention to the cone situation. I imagine that the photo plan will suffer such fate of "home park" issues - especially since that is not a platinum offer yet. I guess that they could re-issue a new pass with Kings Island on it to make it the "home park"? I know of a few on this forum that will not be surprised by this, but it really is amazing that their system is that quirky that they cannot accept your money to add stuff to a platinum pass regardless of the "home park". And I agree the food line speeds were horrible - and will only be worse on Saturday. So many suggestions on this site that would improve efficiency and many I know have passed on concerns to park, yet no improvement.

Thinking about it, I guess that is why at the end of last season, my gold pass was inactivated and my platinum pass became the valid pass (because I renewed with an upgrade), whereas my friend still had to use their gold pass at the end of last year and couldn't get in with their platinum pass (because they actually bought a new platinum for this year instead of the upgrade). Hopefully someone answers the phone during processing tonight. I mean I think they met the intent of the promotion (actually exceeded it by going to platinum) and actually costs themselves a little money as I believe the renew/upgrade was cheaper than purchasing a new (but I may be wrong on that).

So my friend had a gold pass last year and bought a platinum pass for this year back in October (well before the deadline). In pulling up the receipt and having ready in case of a problem, such friend found out they mistakenly purchased a platinum pass instead of renew with upgrade The intent is the same as it was intended to be an upgraded renewal and I think the park actually got like $10 more bucks because of said friends mistake, but said friend has tried calling to no avail to find out if their pass is good for Friday. Anyone have experience with this type of situation on this forum and can share on this forum (and I know the past may not be indicative of current) (and tried to Terpy proof lol)?

Not speaking the language or not actually paying attention to signs isn't a license to be stupid. Look at fine print on a pass or daily ticket - by purchase and entry you agree to abide by the rules. When in doubt, ask. Or better yet, actually read the rules - something most people don't do unfortunately. Rules are posted on a sign in front of I believe every ride, yet I suspect you could count on one hand those in a day that actually read them. The announcement on the ride comes long after said violator had a chance to know the rules. I may agree that more signage is necessary, but we all know that still will not eliminate the problem. That is the same argument people try to make when they get tossed out of a high school graduation for screaming when their coddled little Johnnie's name is called - and then they go to the media and say, "well yea I signed the form, but I didn't read it." The media makes the school district out to be the bad person, when in reality, it was the stupidity of someone not reading what they signed. Wait until they experience a dropped phone on a ride causing injury to someone, and the park, the ride op, every employee working the ride at such time get named in such suit, and I am sure a minor will be glad to enforce the rule... Problem with society is most feel entitled and the rules don't apply to them, and simply fail to even take the 30 seconds to read the rules and guidelines. How many realize these rules are indeed printed on the park guides, which are readily available at entry to park and by almost any employee walking around, including security. And it states "For safety reasons, taking pictures, videotaping and filming on rides are strictly prohibited." One for amusement is someone with a cigarette in their mouth looking at a park map - um if you read the whole thing you will see you are in a smoke-free area. I used to say something like "Oh I see you can read, did you notice this" and point to the smoking area or the non-smoking print depending on how they were looking at the map, but most cussed me out, again because they are entitled and the rules don't apply to them.

How do you know all 10 people waiting in line is in line for pizza, some could be for a drink only and entered the food/drink line in the proper place? The only time I have seen the behavior "enforced" is if someone asks the cashier can they just go to the drink dispenser and the cashier says no they have to go in line. Ironic that in your signature line is "You don't butt in line" When someone bypasses the food queue line and goes through the exit (or underneath the queue bar) that is butting in line in my book! I can almost guarantee you this problem will be brought up in posts on this forum next year if we have the unlimited free refill drink cups in 2016. They should really make a drink only line or the whole food line wait problems will only get worse. Maybe if the food stands were like fast food places where you place your order and pay and move down the line instead of paying at the end, it would eliminate that, and may possibly speed up the lines? Probably not, who am I kidding!

CP is offering an unlimited free refill cup for 2016 for $22.99 - but you have to carry around the cup. I think many would probably purchase the BoddaH1994 idea of put $30 on season pass and debit off .99 cent drinks in cup to avoid having to carry around a cup. Regarding cutting in line to bypass the food and get to drink station - several places have a queue line - Chicken Shack, Skyline and LaRosa's on IS, FestHaus, etc., and informal lines form at many of the others (pretzel place, etc.) and I see EVERY time I get food someone (usually more than one), come through exit and form another line just for drinks. Last I checked, you can't skip people in line at a drive-through cause you are just getting a drink, or go inside a fastfood place and jump past the line in there just cause you want a drink only, yet it is an everyday occurrence at KI. Watch at FestHaus and you will see groups simply walk in between the two sets of cash registers on either side and form a line of just people getting drinks, yet their is a queue line with people coming through - if this isn't line cutting, then who gets priority at the drink station when someone with food and someone that entered through the exit reach the drink station at the same time? My solution is to simply quit getting a drink and when the cashier asks me if I would like to buy a souvenir cup, I point to the long line of people that just walked past him/her through the exit and said until that problem is fixed I will not be getting a drink. I waited long enough for the food, not going to wait double to get a drink on top of it.

I think the price is a good value and the timing is about right to help offset potential abuse - would be willing to pay a little more if that meant more consistent food quality and faster lines. I would also like to see more healthier options - not that they have to add to the places, but if a place serves a salad meal, allow that to be the meal. Last year you could get the bigger salad at LaRosa's instead of the two slices of pizza and this year you can't. I would also like to see the option to replace a meal with a snack - there are times when you just don't want another full meal and I don't really like to get a meal and not finish it either. If the unlimited drink option being offered for 2016 at CP is available at KI, I think the lines will get even incredibly longer as the drink station will become yet another bottleneck in the chain of getting food, especially with all the line cutters that you frequently see jump the food line and go to the drink station and thus delaying people actually getting food from then moving to the drink station. I have seen times where the line cutter line is longer than the people getting food - I was once in the chicken shack and was the only one at the food line and while my food was being handed to me, a group of 8 came in and jumped ahead of me to the drink station and then a group came in to get food and it log-jammed the entire line. KI will never do this as they seem to have trouble enforcing policies already in place, but with an unlimited free refill option, they really need to consider having stand-alone drink stations in the park and not allow folks to fill drinks in the food stands unless they are getting food also.

Looks like someone that was banned from this site last year for actions regarding the show is now trying to get banned from the park (if they decide to do anything about it). In Terpy fashion, this is my cryptic message and folks familiar with the situation can probably figure out what the issue is...

I love the Ohio State analogy, but yes (fortunately or unfortunately) I know folks that would gladly volunteer their time to paint the end zone the right shade of red if the current condition was deemed unacceptable! I also know folks that donate money yearly to the Ohio State athletic program, and we know that their program makes enough revenue to not necessarily need the donation. I am sure I spend my discretionary time on stuff that others would think is stupid and/or a waste of time. Each of us make a decision on how to spend our discretionary time/money - personally as long as it is rule and/or law abiding, I am learning/working on acceptance/recognition of things that I might not necessarily do myself. If each of us were the same, I think life would be boring.

I like the change as well and certainly makes more sense to do it right before guests are admitted through the gate. This also brings up what we all know about how anyone can post something negative, whether accurate or not, and the internet community runs with it. I remember seeing posts on the Kings Island Facebook page from folks complaining that the National Anthem isn't sung anymore and the negative posts about KI being unpatriotic, etc. Even though KI itself replied to the post that it is sung at 9:30 everyday, trolls never read any of the comments and continued to bash for KI not performing the National Anthem. I am certainly glad my job isn't in the media relations business because dealing with trolls and inaccurate information would make that job difficult - when to reply, when not to, how much do you engage in the discussion, etc.

To each their own. Almost everybody does something that someone else doesn't understand - whether it be spending too much time commenting on a fan site forum, Facebook, etc., or playing a sport way too much, volunteering, visiting Kings Island too many times, collecting stamps or coins, riding a particular ride 10,000 times, etc. I would bet he spent less time on that organ than some members have spent commenting on this forum - and guess what - many of the comments on this forum talk up how great the park is and someone could be doing a search of Kings Island and find a post talking about how great Kings Island is and decide to visit the park when they may not have otherwise done so. So, in a way, posting positive things about Kings Island is volunteering your time indirectly to benefit a company that "profits millions of dollars" as you say... I guess you also don't understand why people volunteer to work the Kings Island Kicks Cancer (a lot of those folks "harassing" guests to kick a soccer ball are volunteers). I mean after all, Kings Island and all the partners (Great Clips, Q102, etc.) are all companies that make money and could donate way more to the cause than will be generated by selling the soccer balls. A few members on this forum are probably a salaried employee and essentially "donate" time in excess of 40 hours/week to their respective employer, of which many employers probably are making enough money and could compensate. I guess you don't understand that either? Fact of the matter is, at the end of the day, many volunteer opportunities benefit a multi-million dollar organization, whether it be profit or non-profit really is not relevant. Even at non-profit organizations, they do have staff on payroll. This kid's goodwill will go a long way - on the resume and in life and may turn into a job with Cedar Fair, etc. and for that I applaud him. Many people appreciate the sound of the organ and the feelings and emotions it invokes. When people show an appreciation to the park, who knows, it may be the start of the park tending to the little things that could all be traced back to this simple volunteer gesture.

The reason most guests don't realize the magnitude of their actions is because we have gotten to soft in our country - enforce these rules with dire consequences and you will see such actions stop. When people on the Racer hear the spiel about putting away camera and such offender does not and riders witnesses zero consequence for such action, you are now encouraging a rider to pull out camera on their next ride... I think ejecting a patron for violating a rule that puts others at risk of severe injury/death is appropriate. Especially if it is stated in writing on the sign and said in spiel. As for as what the park can do - ban loose items all-together and confirm empty pockets. My last visit to Dollywood this summer, they had "temporary signs" indicating that a rider should not ride with any loose items and they indicated coins, keys, cell phones, as loose items. These signs could be one of two things - either this was a soft implementation and they will start enforcing a loose item policy OR legal told them placing signs would limit their liability in the event of the flying cell phone. I did witness where a ride-op saw someone with a cell phone out in the line and made such person put cell phone in bin before riding.

Regarding food service, I cannot get into specifics, but it comes down to training, or lack thereof. Speaking of food service today - I saw a teenage girl denied being served at the pretzel place for attire the employee said was "offensive". She was in a "U Mad Bro" t-shirt and shorts.

Really? Really?? Wait a minute. That was your take-away? In a discussion where we're simply advocating for taking some simple, relatively harmless precautions in the off-chance something goes wrong, that's your take-away? You do know that amusement parks are full of safety features put in place in the off chance something goes wrong, right? Roller coaster control systems are so redundant that it's almost impossible to have a collision without a human override. Rider restraints are redundant, both in terms of a combo of seat belts and shoulder/lap bars, and redundant mechanisms behind at least the bars. Security systems are throughout the park. Cameras on the rides, cameras all over the buildings (especially at KI). Security guards walking all around the park in a way that is very non-Disney Magic™. There already is a certain amount of safety and precaution built into the modern amusement park. And you think that it's a ludicrous idea to separate children from adults unknown to them while on a ride? You think it's a ludicrous idea to want a little bit of personal space on a roller coaster rather than being shoved up against someone's sweaty body? And to suggest that I should have to waste a ticket so that I am not made feel uncomfortable at the park? What's this, Personal Space Plus wristbands? Is that when you want more than two inches of personal space? Really?? Wow. Let me put this another way: You don't always have to wait for a specific incident to occur in order to take preventative measures. Sometimes it's best to prevent that which is predictable. Something will always go wrong. It's like a universal law. That doesn't mean that nothing is predictable. If I'm driving down the road and someone is headed right at me, should I do nothing? No, thanks. I'll surely maneuver my vehicle in a way to avoid a crash. I know more about amusement parks and rides than most (and will just leave it at that). I was making a point that almost everything can be taken to an extreme. As was quickly researched by someone (but not confirmed), it appears more people have been killed while riding a ride than being molested on a ride. Someone can probably do the research and find out if more people died on rides than being molested on a ride. I also think it is predictable that more people will claim about being injured on rides than will those that claim they were molested on a ride. Adding more harnesses to secure a rider in a roller coaster is a harmless precaution in the off-chance someone's physical dimensions do not fit the design of the intended safety devices. Will it happen - not until someone that didn't fit the intended design is ejected from such ride. I am in no way trying to downplay molestation as I think it is horrible and personally have friends that were victims of such an event, I just think it is more than likely to happen in a restroom or by a step-parent/lover at the moment or a relative than it is to happen on a roller coaster. Sometimes a parent needs to take responsibility/precautions. The park cannot be held responsible for everything. I know that on more than one occasion, I have had my child on one side of me on the Kite Eating Tree and the ride op asked me if it was ok if another child sat next to me because the child's responsible adult couldn't ride (either pregnant, watching a smaller sibling, etc.). So I guess you would be a kill-joy and ruin the kids day? I know in every instance the child had a blast and the responsible adult thanked me as it prevented a meltdown of their child. In most instances, the adult took a video of their child enjoying the ride, providing video evidence their child was not touched, in addition to everyone watching...

Let's all act like nothing could ever go wrong. Then, when something does go wrong, let's all be outraged that no preventative measures were ever taken. Seems legit. Under this type of thinking (playing the what if game), we should just shut down amusement parks - someone may die while on a ride or get ejected. Someone may slip on the steps walking up to a ride. Someone may choke and die on a corndog. Someone may drown at Soak City. Someone may step in a pothole and fall out into driving lane and get hit by a car. Someone may....you get the point. You may get killed on the roads leading to an amusement park, so you should probably just not go. Let's play the "what if" about someone getting ejected from a roller coaster. Here is the solution: how about a 5-point harness, Hans device, helmet, fully enclose the train so that someone cannot put their hands up, etc. and if someone would still get out of all the safety devices, the enclosure would keep them within the ride. How many of you would ride it then? Or better yet, let's just not have a roller coaster for the "what if"... Life it full of risks. The point I have tried to make, as well as Browntggrr, is that there are other risks in the park as well that are more likely to happen than being molested on a coaster. Again, if it happens, the violator is strapped in and can be dealt with a lot easier than if it happens elsewhere... If you are that concerned about being a solo rider and getting paired up with a kid that makes a false accusation - it is MUCH MORE likely to happen in a restroom than a coaster full of people/witnesses. I guess you hold it all day? And if you have to go, you drive home to use your own toilet? I am not saying we shouldn't be doing "What if" analysis, but like almost everything, it can be taken to paranoia levels. If you are that concerned, rent the park out all to yourself.

Using the logic of Banshee is newer and therefore will not be dropped from the plus list and replaced with Diamondback, then why isn't their newest ride Woodstock Gliders on the plus? BTW - Diamondback crew last night around 7pm was pumping out the trains like I hadn't seen in a long time. Many trains were dispatched before the previous train hit MCBR. One ride I had we didn't stop until we came back into the station. "Normal" operation seems to be to sit out on the track near the transfer station and we slowed but didn't stop.

Wow - I continue to be, not quite sure of the right word, at some of the comments in this thread. Do those that prefer to ride alone never ride a bus, subway, go to a theater, sporting event, etc. For those afraid of being accused of something, do you not use the restroom at Kings Island? All these places are more likely for something to happen than on a ride. Come on, you are on a ride for usually around 2 minutes with a person strapped in. If they do something, make a scene as the ride enters the station yelling to keep the restraints locked and call for security. The violator isn't going anywhere - same can't be said if it happens in a restroom, bus, sporting event, etc - the violator is long gone before security could arrive. What is ironic - many that are complaining about riding solo and the "risks" associated with it take part in KIC "meet-ups", both at the park and overnight stays elsewhere?! Personally I would be more concerned about that than someone sitting next to me for a two minute ride. Many of you spill your life on this forum, making you an easy target for a pedophile to select and "friend" and take advantage of. If you are that concerned about riding solo, then don't ride solo and always come with a friend. If said friend wants to sit a ride, you sit too. Plain and simple. There are much bigger risks in the park than riding solo. An empty seat decreases capacity - on some rides even more so than such seat being occupied by a FastLane user.

Wow - sorry to hear so many have a negative experience about being paired up with someone on a ride! I personally never had a problem with it. I have had some great experiences and discussions being paired up - even as recently as last week - I got paired up on Diamondback with someone there celebrating her 50th birthday (she had the birthday pin on). On the lift hill, she told me she had never rode Diamondback and was doing it for her 50th birthday. The people in front of us heard it (they were not with her) and started singing Happy Birthday to her - next thing you know, the entire train sang Happy Birthday to her - it was pretty cool. We got off the ride and she said that was the best ride ever. Do those that not like being paired up not ride Drop Tower, Viking, Congo, etc.? The way I look at it is that if I got paired with a nut that was truly off their rocker or did something illegal, you just make a lot of noise and tell an associate on the way in to lock the train and call security. Isn't like the perp could get far in a locked train! I have seen that happen once.

This brings up a great point that is often overlooked and folks believe the frenzy FB has created - I can't believe how many folks I hear at KI that said they are "friends" with the Cirque Imagine performers because they are friends on FB. Umm, they are performers and will either "friend" everyone because of their chosen profession or keep their page private (and some may actually have a public and private FB page for that very reason). Just because you are friends with someone on FB doesn't mean that you are really friends. Many people are "friends" with celebrities on FB, but it isn't like you have their phone number and can call them and have lunch...

^^so true! Look around almost any table and you will see groups of "friends" sitting at a table, each with their phone in their hand having conversations, etc. with the phone and not actual person-to-person interaction with those around them. Same thing in line for rides! Sad times. Social media is actually making most anti-social... Interesting when you meet someone for the first time and within 1 minute I hear "Lets become friends on FB" - Umm, I prefer real friends, not the opportunity to up a friend count on social media...If someone wants to talk to me, it isn't going to be through social media...

My friend had a picture of the pass on their phone and they were able to scan it at the gate. Such pass was in their mom's purse at home, so she sent a picture to their phone. So provided they could get a picture taken clearly showing the barcode, they might have that option, provided gramps has a smartphone

Looks like bring-a-friend Sundays are becoming commonplace - another one this Sunday (7/12) - let's hope KI is better prepared to handle than on 6/28!