Tr0y

Ricochet would be a good name too, but it’s taken. I like this idea tho. The Cartridge factory is very unique to the Kings Mills area. It would fit in at Rivertown with some minor adjustments to The Beast sign, exit and fast pass. I can picture it now: "Warning: Do not enter. Mandatory and ongoing lockdown is in effect for the Miami River Cartridge Company. Repeat, do not enter."

1. The Beast 2. Mystic Timbers 3. Diamondback 4. Banshee 5. The Bat 6. Orion 7. The Racer 8. Flight of Fear 9. Adventure Express 10. Woodstock Express 11. Backlot Stunt Coaster 12. Invertigo 13. Flying Ace Aerial Chase 14. The Great Pumpkin Coaster

When I visited Carowinds I got ID checked at the gate. It was after 5pm, I didn’t realize I looked 15 years young, being 30 but I’ll take it as a compliment. However there was a sign at KI before the metal detectors yesterday that says: “Under the age of 35, have ID ready.” But I wasn’t carded at all. Not sure what the under the age of 35 is all about but ok.

It’s hit or miss. Sometimes I get charged sometimes I don’t. I’m not sure if the park has clear guidelines for employees on the matter. I’m convinced KI has the largest base of meal plans within the CF chain, and the park is doing stuff to make up for it. Like charge additional for sauce, having cheap meats as the only entree options, and or the portions end up on the smaller side. My experiences were all vastly different between Carowinds, CP, and KD. With CP, and KD having the best food, and Carowinds being the worst.

So far no from what I’ve seen this season.

I’m starting to think that maybe Kings Island GP are the biggest users and abusers of the Season long dining plans. That would explain the small portions and portion control cups. Another thing I’ve noticed is neither of our BBQ restaurants serve brisket. They only have the cheap meats available. ( Chicken and pork. ) Carowinds, CP, and KD all had brisket. Heck Carowinds even had ribs.

Man after riding Intimidator 305 and Fury325 this past weekend. I’ve grown more dissatisfied with Orion.. I know we’re stuck with it for the next 30 years but maybe CF can make up to us by building the worlds first Giga RMC at KI?? We have the land behind Banshee to do it, there is even a station not in use there.

If Phantom Theater ever returns, tho I think it’s doubtful based on the fact it’s in Planet Snoopy. They should gut the entire ride and replace it with something like Darkoaster at BGW. The Coaster would be themed after Peanuts characters for obvious reasons. They can extend the queue line by giving the haunted castle a courtyard, much like BGW’s Darkoaster the centerpiece of the court yard can be a kite eating tree, which plays part of the peanuts theming as well as providing shade to those in line. Call it, Snoopy’s Ghoster Coaster

To finish the trip I stopped at Kings Dominion. And I can attest to those that have spoken positively about the food at KD are 100% right. The portions are plentiful, and the food is very tasty. You will eat every bite on your plate, and you’ll know you shouldn’t because you have rides to ride but the food is just that good. For lunch I stopped at the new Firehouse BBQ ended up getting the brisket with side of street corn and corn bread. (I know corny.) All I can say is that it was excellent, this was my favorite meal for the trip. For dinner I had to see what the buzz was about comparing KI’s G&G vs KD’s G&G and yes, KD’s G&G is so much better. Sirloin pulled out from the warmer and freshly sliced. What a great way to keep a protein moist, tender all while retaining its freshness. It’s a small detail that goes a long way. For the side I got the 3 cheese scalloped potatoes with bread. All in all well done KD!

Busch Gardens Williamsburg had their annual Food and Wine Festival event taking place, so naturally being that I attended last year. I purchased a sampler. The food was great as usual. The only disappointment I had was they brought back almost all of the previous menu options from last season which although was tasty, I was hoping to try some different things. The food portions are what you would expect for a sample, the real kicker is using the sampler for adult beverages, which they pour to the brim. I’m ranking BGW second out of the 3 parks I visited. Only because it is a Food Festival and not daily food ops.

From my 3 park trip this past weekend: Out of the 3 parks I visited, Carowinds by far was the worst food out of them all. Edible but definitely had a “People gotta eat.” Vibe going on. Portions were small and the food seemed old. First night I ate at Harmony Hall Markeplace. The Ribs were tough, but the Mac n cheese was decent. On the second day, I had lunch at Chickie’s & Pete’s got the Philly cheesesteak with crab fries. Carowind’s does not include dipping sauce with the meal unlike CP. Last meal I ate was at Blue Ridge Country Kitchen, got the half chicken (pigeon) and Mac n cheese which was not even close to what was served at Harmony Hall the previous night. The Mac n Cheese seemed like picked off the shelf, GFS brand. All I can say about that meal is wow, that was baddd. I did splurge a bit and treated myself to a Fury Freeze, it was good but I’ll probably stick with picking more traditional flavored dip n dots after trying it. The best meal out of the three meals I ate there was the Philly Cheesesteak with crab fries.

They have horrible capacity. At least for the ones I have ridden that are under Cedar Fair. (Steel Vengeance, Twisted Timbers) Not sure who thought it was a good idea to design a coaster that requires each rider to go through a TSA check before riding. Nothing like waiting for a locker computer that works, having to get everything out of my pockets and put into a locker only to be patted down and be caught with a small item that I forgot just so I have to go back to said locker and go through the whole motion again. Oh and don’t ever let go of the locked door while emptying your pockets. The doors automatically close and lock themselves therefor you have to start from the beginning getting a computer and such.. If they do happen to go with another RMC, Hopefully they take a hard look at Iron Gwazi which has no TSA check, and to me personally, is better than Steel Vengeance and Twister Timbers.

Honestly I think the park needs a good off-season for general maintenance to work out the kinks for some rides. I wouldn’t mind seeing theming enhancements like what the Adventure Express received be done to other rides / coasters such as The Beast. If they do go an addition route ride wise if anything the water park has been neglected.

Standing on the back of #17’s Caboose as “Der Hochbeinige” approaches Caribou station. IMG_1257.mov

Got to tour the BGW railroad today. The locomotive I got to tour up close and personal is the #17 “Alpen Express”. The Locomotive Engineer who gave me the tour, name is Scott. What I found incredible was when I got into the cab was how it was hot. At Busch Gardens, maintenance fires up a reserve engine in the morning in case the engine of the day goes down. The “Alpen Express” is also one of the rare crowns which coaches came with a caboose. I asked Scott about the snow plow and he told me it was added when the park acquired the Engine and is not functional. I did not get to tour any of #661 “Balmoral Castle” due to it being in the maintenance bay. From what I was told there is a strict line between maintenance and the Engineers at BGW. I got to stand next to #238 “Der Hochbeininge” and ride her around the park with Scott. He gave me a lesson on train signaling and what their whistle lingo was. There is no bells on any engine at BGW. I didn’t spend much time with this engine due to her working the main line. Overall the tour was fantastic! Scott showed me so much, He was very passionate about steam locomotives and Crown Engines in particular. He is definitely an expert in his craft. I learned a ton and had an awesome time! I definitely recommend anyone visiting Busch Gardens to sign up for the Railroad Steam Engine Tour.

They should include sunscreen lotion at the VIP lounge in Soak City.

Till our paths cross again.. I’m not crying, someone dropped a bunch of onions on the path.

Not 100 percent certain, but I’m pretty sure the Blue Ridge Country Kitchen at Carowinds served me pigeon, with GFS mac n cheese. Kings Island has much better food.

Carowinds is not subjected to drinking just tap water.

Same, I had to ride a couple times to get back in the snapping groove with them.

Hello, old friend.

Not all theming has to be seen by everyone. The plumbing and electrical components are already in place, but to mitigate trash and mosquito control they can just make it a gravel fountain, with appropriate foliage around it, it would be nice. Example:

Just to piggyback off my post with the enhanced theming they could add claw marks inside the station on the walls, floor and ceiling. They can add broken chains to each side of the track at the front of the station. They can add red or orange led lighting that lights up the ceiling like in the Banshee station. They can re route the exit and fast pass to the front entrance area, and bring use to The Beast Canyon Drinks building by turning it into a Photo Booth / gift shop much like Diamondback. Also re routing would clear up a good amount of space for any potential expansion in The Vortex plot.

If I’m not mistaken nothing has taken the place of the Subway restaurant in Soak City. They could gut it and theme it into a train station. My take on redoing the path would keeping Pineapple Pipeline and removing Tropical Twister. As well as re doing the straw centerpiece.

Yeah that’s another thing that leads me to believe that things were rushed to get it opened . Adjustments won’t be made till the park gets some downtime when the regular season ends. I’m a little less critical now that this is an industry problem and not specifically KI related. I’m sure going forward in the seasons to come Cedar Fair will adjust its strategy to mitigate these delays.