BeeastFarmer

If metal detectors are in place, are there medical exceptions? For instance, I use a Dexcom CGM (continuous glucose monitor). The sensor is metal and attached to my skin. The receiver is an app on my phone. If the sensor is more than 20' out of the range (Bluetooth), the reset period can be long. My phone is always in a zippered pocket.

I'm not expecting world class food at an amusement park. Yesterday was the first time I have had any semblance of a problem. The bright lining was that the service was excellent. The employees were all engaged and didn't have the "I don't want to be here" look or attitude. At the Rivertown Freestyle location, I was there around 4:05 and the cashier had exactly that issue. He kept talking to himself saying "I can't do this, where is my supervisor. I'm supposed to be done at 4." There was no one behind me and he went behind the wall as I was using the Freestyle machine.

First "bad" meal at Coney BBQ. It wasn't bad, the quality has just declined since my last visit last month. Service was excellent and I do recommend the baked sweet potato. It was really good! Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I had a great time at Dorney Park and Kings Dominion. Dorney has a great but small coaster collection. Staff was OK. Park was clean and pretty. It's also quick to get in and get out of. Kings Dominion was truly a stellar park for me. Beautiful park. Operations were great. Staff was one of the best I have ever seen. A couple of times that I couldn't find things, staff members literally stopped what they were doing and walked me to the attraction I was looking for. I can't wait to go back.

Because that is the business model that the park uses.

Egads! You are probably talking about me! And I see people who are lots older than me and I hope I still spry enough at their age to still ride roller coasters!

A celebrity? LOL

WWK's is being relocated to Camelbeach waterpark in the Poconos.

I loved Winterfest! I spent more $ during those four visits than I probably did in the past two seasons. Probably won't spend as much this year unless they have new long sleeve T-shirts and ornaments. But I will spend money on food and drink! Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Well, it is the Courier Journal, so... Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I got some golf shorts with bilateral zippered pockets at Sam's Club and they are great! They also had Columbia ****s with a zippered pocket. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I was going to suggest the name "Kings Quarters" before I saw your suggested name! KQ was the name of a buffet we used to go to when I was a child. The idea of a steakhouse doesn't appeal so much to me, because I am pretty picky about meat. But I could get behind it if they had a selection of signature chicken and burgers. It would be nice to have a traditional sit down service food option. I really would like to see KI get a retail section similar to that of KBF and what is upcoming at CGA.

I have not been to Dollywood since 2016. My sister’s family are all pass holders, and she had a free ticket, so her, my 11 year old niece (who is a budding coaster enthusiast) and myself went. Wow, Dollywood is a different place in the warm season than it is during the cold season! Our day started on the tram after parking in Cotton Candy. The tram director was terse and actually mean. Her tone was one of indifference and she really sounded angry and not wanting to be there. The driver—when we got to section A, he actually slammed on the brake abruptly to yell at someone who was not parked in a space. Stopping the tram for a full five minutes of yelling at this family over the microphone, the person finally came over and told them they had a flat tire and were waiting on AAA. We went to Lightning Rod first. My niece has ridden it several times, me never. She wanted to go towards the back of the train. We sat in row 11. The ride was incredible, but the back of the train was very rough in the first half of the ride. The quad down was not rough. I enjoyed the ride, but it did not live up to the hype. While we were in the line for LR, several folks got an emergency alert. It was a blue alert (which I had never had before) that listed a man’s name and said “Armed, dangerous and at large.” My sister was very panicked, I can’t lie, I was nervous, but what can you do? If there was an active shooter at Dollywood, all you can do is try to run and hide. So, I googled the alert and the individual was not even in Sevier County, but in Dickson County, which is west of Nashville. Glad the situation is far away. We then went to eat at Front Porch Café, to get inside because it was hot and humid. My niece got BBQ nachos, my sister got a BBQ platter with chicken, pulled pork, baked beans and cole slaw. I got meatloaf. It was on a piece of bread and served in between mashed potatoes. There was so much food—none of us were able to finish even half of our meals. Service was excellent and very friendly. After lunch, we were all stuffed, so we walked around and watched a couple of the outdoor shows. I was not ready to ride coasters, so we did the water flume which was fun. Someone threw a backpack to the side as they loaded. The ride operator yelled, saying “Can’t you read? Take it with you!” And then he picked it up and tossed it back to the rider as the flume was almost out of the station. My niece wanted to ride Tennessee Tornado. My sister does not ride coasters and I was not ready to ride after the lunch. So she rode by herself. I suggested she ride the coasters at the top of the hill; but she wanted to do the rapids ride so back down the hill we went. My sister and niece rode it, I did not want wet shoes. While they rode, I got some ice water and sat in the shade which was a nice break. We then rode the train. Always a lot of fun. The only negative was that with sunscreen on, the coal cinders were quite annoying. The land clearing continues and it looks bigger than the 5-10 acres I have been told it is. I really like how the train conductor encouraged the riders to interact with the crowds as we passed. I always love the "HOWDY" call! We saw a showed called “Mountain Faith Music” at the Showplace theatre, which was excellent. After this show, it was 545 and the park closed at 7pm. So my niece and I climbed back up the hill. We had walk-ons on Thunderhead, Drop Tower, Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. All were fun! The Drop Tower ride was a blast. No issue fitting it or having to be a contortionist like at KI! And no seat belt! Wow! We decided to end our day on Lightning Rod. We got down to the station, and even though the wait time was 25 minutes, we had a station wait, with one train ahead of us, on 2nd row. They dispatched the train, and before it got back to the station (they were back to one train operation), they announced the ride was down for technical difficulty. The train arrived back in the station and the riders dispatched. They waited ten minutes for a maintenance person to show up. The drive operator kept repeating, “Lightning Rod is down for maintenance. You have ** minutes left to enjoy Dollywood. You can wait here or you can go somewhere else.” Being the somewhat seasoned coaster enthusiast (LR was #129 for me), I understand technical delays. But I can’t understand the tone of the driver. I’ll end this trip report with this: Food and shows were outstanding as usual. Park was beautiful. We were sorely disappointed with the attitudes of the employees in operations. I can understand that working in the heat and humidity can be challenging. But it was almost to the point of being ridiculous. My niece was very upset about not getting to ride LR, but I tried to make it a teaching moment and tell her that she has gotten to ride is 6 times and many people have not got to ride it yet. I guess it is just a matter of perspective. I am hoping yesterday was a fluke with the attitudes of operations. It is such a night and day difference to my previous experiences during cooler months.

With a retheme of Action Zone, I could really get into this theme. No so much the name Centurion, but the castle. After all, it is Kings Island. We need a castle, LOL.

That is something that has impressed me about Kentucky Kingdom. Most times I have been (much less than KI), they have employees posted at the entrances/exits of the water park/dry park that enforce the dress code.

I interpreted your wording as if you had a source. If I recall correctly, Mr. Schied still works in an office at KI, so being on site would not be a surprise. And my first response could not be edited on mobile but the intent was to say something to the effect of "unless Mr Schied prefers to be called by just his last name." In the same vane of when someone calls the President by just their last name instead of President **** vs ****. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Source? Who "reported" it? And, unless Mr. Schied prefers to be called Mr. Schied or Greg Schied? Your post sounds slightly disrespectful. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Did Vortex get two new footers this year? As I was exiting The Beast the other day I saw what looks like new concrete with some excavation.

From Friday to Sunday last week my expectations were exceeded and I was very glad for the meal plan. Skyline to Reds, quality and service was great. Still have to utilize Festhaus and the Juke Box Diner.

I think they would more likely put it as "GiGa" if they put spoilers in the shed. LOL

I think KI gets plenty of love from corporate: Two major coasters in three years and an extended Winterfest season. I'm pretty happy with that kind of love.

Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica. There is your show.

Sidebar question: Why are towns in Ohio called townships? I've lived in several states and this seems to be unique to Ohio.

I have KI/CF platinum and Kentucky Kingdom. Last year, add SIX on to that, but since they make it really difficult to renew your pass (you have to visit a park to process it, even with a renewal), I chose not to since I did not know when I could make that trip. Before that, I had a Dollywood pass.

From my farm, it is 147.2 miles to the toll plaza, entering the plaza from Western Row Road. (side note, I still say Western Row Road in a Scooby Doo voice.) Its 4 lane highway all the way except from the farm to U.S. 127. It always seems longer to drive there than it does to drive home.