Magenta Lizard

Actually, you can see in the Snapchat that the lead car just isn't on yet

Do the chains usually have that much slack in them? I was surprised to see how low it was hanging underneath

Invertigo adds a lot to the auditory excitement when approaching the park, too. I've sat out in the parking lot talking on the phone to my husband, and he could hear it over the phone even. It's a very distinctive clank followed by thrilled screams and whooshing of the coaster along the track, that I very much associate with approaching the park and thinking of all the things I will ride. Even though I rarely ride Invertigo, I would be sad to lose it simply because I would miss its sound.

I have a wallet case that I can put my phone into while it is also "wearing" its normal protective case. In addition to keeping my cards and money, the wallet offers extra screen protection, plus I put it in my pocket with the screen facing my leg. I wear men's cargo pants or shorts, so I have enough room in my (buttoned) pockets to slide the whole thing.

That would be And

You're not the only one. I enjoyed that much more than any of the other musical revues. I'm surprised it didn't last longer.

Probably not in the shops, since they moved them into the arcade as prizes (to be purchased with tickets) the last few weekends the park was open. I assume this was to get rid of them because #WhatsInTheShed will no longer be a pertinent question in approximately a month. Chances are there will be something similar in the shops though, and probably a plethora of new shirts to choose from.

I believe the windows will be open for awhile, as well.

^yes, you totally can. At check-in, you'll receive a schedule of what is happening when and where, and you may show up with your credentials to as many or as few as you like. While groups tend to meet up, hang out and ride together, regroup, etc in between the scheduled events, nothing is required. If I could have easily left for a nap, I very well might have in past years. This year's event is a little shorter so it shouldn't be as grueling.

And welcome to KIC! I'm a cirque nut. I go to every show on the days I go to the park.

I think for a lot of us, it's satisfying just to know they're on site, because that means testing won't be delayed. I think showing us without showing us was the perfect way to satisfy our anxiety without (yet) satisfying our curiosity. For me, it was much more important to know they're there than to get a clear look.

Yay! Trains are in! (Heh, we're all pretty excited)

I posted this in the general discussion but it belongs here too:

I think you might be right about them being on site Also, if you're having trouble keeping track of how long it is until opening day, follow me, @maglizrd and @MDMC01 and @jimflugel on twitter, we're each doing a daily countdown.

Yep, both years have been the cup that is typically $1/refill after the day of purchase, but extended to give free refills through all days of Coasterstock (then $1 the rest of the season). I have a feeling we'll be getting drink wristbands rather than cups this year but we'll see. I haven't heard anything, that's purely my speculation. I want one of those Mystic Timbers wood offcut prizes, SO BAD, like a completely unreasonable amount

It's certainly not for me to tell his whole story, but The Interpreter wasn't banned, and did not leave for health reasons, so don't let's go all conspiracy theory. I still hope to see him back. I also think he probably still at least reads the boards, so Hi! Still miss you every day you aren't here posting! Hope things change to let you come back soon!

I've had Don Helbig tell me it was a management decision, so there is the possibility they will make a different decision in the future (although there are no plans to). And that the reason why the change was made was people voting with their feet: in the years prior to the turn forward, forward Racer got more ridership. In my personal memory, recaR was always longer lines, but there were several years before the change where I was living in another state, so I'll have to take his word that it changed. I know they keep detailed notes of those things.

I am fairly sure you can check in at Guest Services any time that they don't have the check-in windows going. I know those who got them are understandably a little freaked out about emails concerning problems with matching registrations to orders, but I'm really happy they're being so proactive about it. It will make check-in a lot less stressful for everyone involved this year.

What I found interesting in the FAQ is that stolen bottles can now be deactivated and replaced (for $3), which makes them a lot less attractive to steal in the first place. Also, if one doesn't want to be bound to the bottle all season but would still like one for their collection, for the same $3 fee, one can have their bottle deactivated and switch to the season pass plan instead. It really sounds like Cedar Fair has been listening to guests' suggestions on this.

I saw something somewhere (sorry my memory for details surrounding trivia is crap) that the Ginko trees lived their normal lifespans, and died at some point after they were transferred. Different trees live different lengths of time, and time was just up for these guys I guess. I think it would be cool if they planted new ones, but at the same time, very few people going to KI remember the originals (I sure don't and I'm 40), and the topiary cylinders weren't very shady from what I can see.

If they do, I'm going to have to try them out at least once even if they aren't on dining!

Tom + Chee (if it comes back, and I'm definitely not counting on that since nothing has been said) may or may not be on the meal plan (when it showed up it was supposed to be added to dining "soon" which turned to "maybe next season" after a few weeks), and it replaced a location that used to be on the meal plan. So it's pretty much an even trade if it comes back and is on the plan, and possibly another location loss if it either has been removed or decides not to implement the plan. I agree that having unique offerings does make it a more worthwhile addition to the plan, if it is added.

I'd be extremely surprised if our favorite PR guy didn't post to Twitter, Instagram, maybe Facebook and Snapchat too, once they arrive. I'm so excited to see them and soon to ride in them!

Welcome to KIC! If you would like to hit all the coasters (except maybe the new one), this would be my plan of attack: When the gates open, head back to Flight of Fear and Firehawk. Those have bad capacity and/or slow loading so lines tend to get long as time goes on. After that, swing to the back of the park and hit Backlot Stunt Coaster (same issue with capacity). Then continue around and hit Beast and then Diamondback. Head to the front of the park again, and ride Banshee and Bat. I would skip Invertigo, but if you really want to ride it, it's nearby. Then continue back to Adventure Express, then Racer. Follow it with Vortex (ride toward the back of the train, row 13 is ideal). If you want the four kiddie coasters (Woodstock Express, Flying Ace Aerial Chase, Great Pumpkin-you'll need a child to ride with, and Surf Dog), come back to the front of the park to Planet Snoopy and collect them. If you meant Boo Blasters on Boo Hill as "the dark ride" it is also here, but I think you would be disappointed. It's not very exciting, or in good shape. Since Kings Island has a policy of letting anyone in line before closing time ride, now would be the time to get in line for Mystic Timbers. It will likely be quite a wait. I think it will be worth it. Kings Island is pretty easy to get around in, it is basically a big circle with spokes leading back toward the Eiffel Tower in the center.

It mostly affects people who share the bottle among family members. Discouraging sharing of the bottles/plans is exactly, I assume, why they have widened the window.