electricsun

When the hardest decision of the day was which character to ride. Well...that and to ride either the car or motorcycle.

Dino! I remember loving riding the two carousels as a child. Seeing my youngest niece and nephew as happy now to ride them as I was then...that is a great feeling. This was taken in 1983.

Thinking of my budget, depending on the line item, 1.04% could be $5 or $2000. For CP, their budget is far greater than my non-profit budget. At the beginning of a fiscal year, there is time to fix and adjust. As the fiscal year closes, you can't go back and make up that lost revenue for previous operating days. You have to adjust and make up that difference somehow.

I'm curious as to how the ever changing school calender in Ohio will adjust CP and KI operating schedule, especially with the M&S Days/Education Days. Quite a few Ohio school districts are ending at or before Memorial Day.

Oh Mean Streak. Last time I rode it last season with a friend, we both got off with headaches that lasted for most of the day. Rode it once this season and ignored it for my second visit. I want to like it...but eh. Some rides are worth having to ride a certain way to enjoy it. This one is not one of them for me. I think it is fascinating that this ride (and others) gives such a wide range of experiences and strong feelings.

They can also be found at some of the state park stores - either the lodge or camping store. I bought mine at Lake Hope for $1.50.

For the rides with the over the shoulder harnesses, you may have to readjust your upper body to fit. I have to do that with Drop Tower and Wicked Twister at CP - otherwise I wouldn't be able to ride. I hope that makes sense...I'm trying to be delicate.

So...what would be the likelihood of being able to enter the park during Haunt and see Skeleton Crew without having contact with any of the actors? Also, any word on the children friendly daytime activities? I can't seem to find anything online about it. My youngest nephew is already looking forward to his "birthday visit" in October.

Haha. Oh that is funny. Thanks! Can I blame it on being a spaz and thinking of this (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2736835/Finally-I-photobomb-Benedict-Cumberbatch-puts-final-touches-Madame-Tussauds-waxwork.html) and the wax figures in the maze? And yeah, I figured. I just spend way more time in hotels than any normal person should.

Lights-on are the only way I will go through Haunt! I went through the two tours last year and enjoyed it. The gentleman running the Wolf Pack tour was great and answered questions and pointed out cool tricks. For Madame Toussand's (I think that is the name?), we were rushed through quickly but still neat to see. I would totally recommend it. And jcgoble3 - they'll let you reserve under one card and charge with another. We've had to do it for work and they don't ever care. Just be clear at check-in which card to charge. Also, if you use a debit card for payment, hotels can and do freeze funds that can be released up to 2 weeks later.

Ahh, okay. That's good. They must make kids braver now, as I would have been a wreck. Hello scaredy-cat, party of one.

The poor kid doesn't seem to want anything to do with him. I feel bad for the kid. I'm sure that is the last thing he expected to see.

Sadly, not likely a troll. I've had to turn people away at work on our closed days. People make assumptions about business hours based on previous experience with that place or similar places. They don't think to double check. I don't get it. Before I drive across town for errands or hours away for vacation, you better believe I'm checking their website for hours, admission and parking situation. How do people manage to drive such a length of time without any sort of planning?

I was at KI yesterday with my sister and her kids. This is the third Dollar Days I've been to. The park didn't seem busier than any other Saturday. There were some long lines - like 10 plus in each line - for hot dogs, ice cream and pizza. I was impressed with how quickly and efficiently everything moved. All the team I came in contact with related to dollar day deals were friendly. Not sure if my smile, please, and thank you helped that along. My niece and younger nephew really enjoyed the frozen lemonade and watermelon. I appreciated the increase in offerings! Here's the way I look at this weekend. The lines may be a bit longer and the park may have more people than I'm used to from my normal Sunday/weekday visits. However, being on a tight budget, this weekend allows my sister the ability to treat her kids to something that she can't do - as much pizza/hot dogs as they want, instead of a lunchable and chips from the car. They get ice cream and lemonade and can try a few games. They don't have to share a meal or ice cream. She can come with $25 and have money left over. We had a moment of panic when I realized that she lost the wallet with her cash in it. Thankfully, I had the case with our passes and my credit card but she must have left it behind when she bought something while I was getting my meal plan lunch. After a long wait at the season pass/lost & found window with one person manning both windows, we found someone had turned it in - with all the money ($18 and change) inside. Talk about saving the day! Thank you to the guest or team member that turned it in! By the time we left around 7, we were a bit wet from the rain. The kids had a great time, she had fun, and it was great to see their excitement. The kids don't care about lines and it teaches them much needed patience. On the drive to their home, I asked what their favorite part was and they said everything. How can I complain about that response? Thank you to Kings Island for providing this opportunity for your guests! It is greatly appreciated by this family! Edited for a spelling mistake; I think I got them all...

There is Skeeball in the arcade next to The Beast - no tickets are given there. If you want tickets for prizes, head to the bigger arcade on Coney Mall. I discovered this a few weeks ago with friends. They have 4-6 regular lanes of Skeeball and 2 with a different aiming zone/point structure.

So I probably shouldn't mention that I spent the day at CP and my longest wait was Raptor and Gatekeeper (waited for front row) and that was only 20 mins? In 10 mins of ERT and by 11:30a I had in 2 rides each for Maverick, MF and TTD. Which really just goes to show that no one can really pick. I haven't had too bad of an experience with the Labor Day crowds. I've seen really light crowds and also what I consider normal summer crowds. But I also go in expecting that there may be longer lines than normal. I have to remind myself that the day is what we make of it.

As can Russia and Lima. Try pronouncing the first around locals...good luck!

It depends on the company that manages their recycling. The main recycler in Columbus isn't able to process any plastic that doesn't have a neck - regardless of what the number says on the item. Other recyclers can and do take any plastic. I would go with what the container says.

Depending in the item and the recycling company it may be okay to recycle one item in one city and not okay in another. One option is compostable plates, cups, and silverware. Products have come a long way in their quality. The company that manages the food service at work has done that. We have signs with pictures of what is and isn't compostable. I don't know how it has helped our waste stream as I don't get that info but it is a positive step in reducing landfill waste.

There wasn't an all park dining option available this year. You had to buy each park individually if you wanted it. I'm happy about this option as I know I will be visiting at least three CF parks next year for multiple days each; I hoping for four. Edited to add: yes, it is a new option for the 2015 season.

I've only been a few times but if I'm looking at this right, and remembering it right, that is the entrance way after you enter the park. This looks like a great addition to the park. My friend already asked how many times I will come visit her next summer. Maybe we can convince her teenage son to get on something bigger than the Flying Eagles.

If you are looking for quirky small festivals, this is the best Ohio resource: http://www.ofea.org/festivals-and-events/full-event-list.html

I'm torn with this. I'm glad that a disease that is so devastating is getting attention and money that I hope will be put to good use. For most people, unless it is in their day to day reality, such diseases and cancers won't be on their radar. However, once it is on their radar, they have choices. Do they financially support related and proven organizations that support research and patients/caregivers? Do they do a one or multiple time donation/walk? Do they research or advocate or spread awareness? I don't believe there is a perfect answer. What I do know from my own experience is that once I lived in one reality, even though that isn't my current reality, it changed my awareness. I did and still support, raise money, and advocate for certain organizations with the hope that others don't have that reality. I know that viral campaigns like this won't create long lasting change in people. But it will for a particular group of people. I'm sure, for them, this campaign is everything and gives them hope.

I have a strange question. I'm not sure if I'm imagining it or if this is real. I've been on The Beast multiple times this season. However, this past week was the shortest time between trips. The speed of the ride on Thursday compared to yesterday seems noticeably different with yesterday seeming faster. Has anyone else noticed a drastic speed change? Or am I just imagining things?

That wouldn't surprise me. Working with many county fair board members, I learned very quickly not to underestimate them or the power they wield in their community. Thankfully, this was not learned the hard way.