BeeastFarmer

I went for my first visit this season yesterday. Thoughts: 1. Overall, park looks really nice. Landscaping is nicely maintained. Signs and buildings are upkept well. I wish they would reroof the buildings at the front entrance. I think the entire entry plaza needs a facelift. Looks very blah. 2. Thunder Run: The drink station in the moonshine shack is a great addition. The new PTC train-meh, although the stadium-style seating is nice. The retracking included new ledgers. This part of the ride was butter smooth. Let's hope this is a multi-year project. The airtime is still insane--for those of you whom have met me, youo know I am not a tiny man, and I bet I was 4" off my seat. Ride operations were horrible--I'd estimate about ten minutes per dispatch. The operators really had no sense or urgency. 3. Storm Chaser: Still a great ride. The wildflowers have filled in nicely. Louie's Fresh Market was still closed! Operations were good and quick, but they were only running one train. They need to build this area out more, which I think they will because over towards Eye of the Storm, they have the "fun under construction" signs on the fence. I was surprised they did not have a marquee sign for EotS. 4. T3: Actually had a great ride. Did not make me nauseous and my legs weren't squeezed to the point of falling off. Longest coaster wait at the park, but the dispatches were fairly quick. 5. Lightning Run: Great ride. Once the protein spill was handled (why should it take 30 minutes to clean this up, not counting the two empty train cycles--it sucks cleaning vomitus, but like everything else, it happens.),operations were speedy. 6. Food: Great food at great prices. Free drinks! Great flatbread pizza. The souvenir bottle (who would want that, but I guess people still do!) is only like $5.50 with a season pass with $1 refills. 7. Service: I had two employees strike up conversation while I was walking on midways. Although ride ops were at times slow (TR, I am looking at you!), they were all very friendly.

I think what they are doing this year, while subtle, is a great tribute to the past. I'd really like to see KI do something like KD did for their 40th--general sprucing up, bring back some old favorites and some interviews with people like Mr. Spiegel. I'm not holding my breath for the return of Les Taxis/Ohio Overland Livery to the spot which the Junkyard coaster occupies.

Interesting...I wore my Coasterstock t-shirt today and several people asked about MT. (The shirt doesn't have any KI logos.). The biggest question was about #WhatsInTheShed. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I used mine last year and the only issue was at Johnny Rockets. They tried to charge me .25 for a refill! Was easily resolved. I have the disposable plan this year and had no issues with it at CP last week. I'd assume the refillable cup would be the same.

From what I could tell on The Beast walk back last Saturday, most of that wood was 4x4 (posts?) 6x1 (railing?) and those boards that are on the sides of the lift hill with the small braces on them. Sorry, I'm not an engineer. Bents, ledgers and laminated track are about all the terms I know. Haha

I think my visit was in July. On my second day, I really wanted to get repeat rides, so as soon as ERT was over, I went to the location near the front of the park. I asked (jokingly) if I could get a discount since I was a KI pass holder. She said, "Do you have platinum?" I responded that I did and she said I could get the FLP for the FL price. I said, sure that's awesome! Wish KI did that! She said something to the effect of "Yeah we wish KI would do lots of things the CP way, too!" I thought it was quite funny.

Hmmm, I got the discounted FLP when I visited later in the season last year.

The restrooms in Oktoberfest were remodeled for the 2016 season. Mr. Scheid tweeted about it during the off season. (I'm assuming these are the same restrooms across from Hank's, near the entrance to the area Formerly Known As Coney Mall.) Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

On my back from CP today, I saw a KK billboard in Cincy, on I-75 north of downtown. A few minutes later, as I was listening to WHAS (a Louisville radio station), Ed Hart was interviewed. The host was making jokes about him being the king of the Kingdom and Mr. Hart repeatedly said that the praise goes to the 1400 team members. I thought that was pretty nice of him to say that.

After that marathon, I'm taking a breather. 2 on Maverick, 2 on MF and 2 on Valrven. I didn't bother going to TTD, I'm about coasted out. Going to eat nd then hit Magnum on the way back the car. I might even skip KI on the way back home. It's been a great 5 days, but I'm tired, lol. Also, sorry board for steering this towards CP. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I have to give credit where credit is due! From Thursday through Sunday, each food service encounter was quick and efficient. And portion sizes don't appear smaller to me. At the Chicken Shack, I asked for a small amount of fries and still got way more than I can eat! Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Yes, the entrance is under Magnum XL 200.

Others are much more proficient at CP then I am, but here is what works for me: For ERT, park in the Shores parking lot. Hit Maverick up first, then MF. Hopefully by then, TTD will be up and running. Do it, then Gemini ,Magnum and Corkscrew. By this time, you can get the perch sandwich at Lakeside (I had it today, it was good). From there, go to Iron Dragon and Rougarou, then Blue Streak/Valrvn/Gatekeeper. On your way out, hit Magnum up. They weren't allowing rerides today, but it was a walk-on and was giving excellent rides. (Note--I didn't figure in Wicked Twister or the mine train ride, or flats.)

Today is a much different story. Long lines and no rerides. I'll be leaving early afternoon after morning ERT. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

At CP yesterday, the park was dead. Ride ops we're not only allowing, but we're encouraging rerides. It was a wonderful day! Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

This is my second visit this season. Am I seeing things, or is there a new marquee sign for The Beast? Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

This was my first visit since season pass preview, glad to see they have added "Miami River Lumber Co" on the shed! Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I love Facebook memories! This is a post from three years ago that started my "enthusiast" journey. I had enjoyed parks and coasters before this, but getting to ride The Beast multiple times was such a rush. And to think that the employees that day made all the difference. This day changed my life! May 16, 2014 · Florence, KY · I had a great time at Kings Island. It was cold and miserable and the employees had to wear shorts, but they all smiled, were cheerful and seemed genuinely happy. That goes a long way. It was great going on a "slow" day when you can walk right up to any ride. I was able to ride The Beast probably twelve times. I don't think my stomach can handle the new ride, Banshee, but Jenny braved it and Delerium without me. It's so great to be blessed with friends like Jenny who you can just be stupid and weird with.

@chugh43, You're welcome! I did look up current info and parking is still $8.00. I also have to correct a previous post--my preferred entrance is on Crittenden Dr, not Phillips Ln. Gate #2.

I haven't had to pay for parking with my season pass, but I think it is $8.00. It is not controlled by KK, the fair board controls the parking lot. There is no preferred parking. Other than that, it is pretty much the same as any other park. Just be advised that the park will direct you to the fair board if there is a parking issue.

My guess is whatever happened at the Miami Valley Lumber Co-the entity that caused it to be suddenly vacated-is upset with all the crowds and is carrying out a plot to cause the crowds to vacate KI.

I usually stop by GS for compliments and concerns and they have a form to fill out for a response. I've checked yes, I would like a response, a few times. Never a response from the park. CWinds, KD, KK and even SFOG have responded, but KI hasn't. Not that it would validate my existence, but when you would like a response to know that an employee's outstanding efforts have been recognized, it would be nice knowing it was. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I've had that "texture burger" at Carowinds and Knott's, too. Each time I'm lured in by the grilling smell, only to regret my choice. It looks like raw hamburger texture formed into a patty. Does not have a good taste at all. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Louie's Fresh Market by Storm Chaser has great sandwiches. Taco Tequila by T3 has great food and a bar if you indulge. Try Kearns Derby pie, I think you can get that at Swamp Water Jack's My main advice is to not expect a KI or CP experience. Have fun and enjoy it for what it is. Also, if you don't like road construction, use 264 south and enter off Phillips Lane. I usually park near the cemetery. Take advantage of the out of state admission price. There is also a nice shop that is associated with ACE that has some cool stuff. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I just saw my first commercial for Mystic Timbers on my local station. Well done overall, but they did take quite a bit of artistic license. What I thought was very funny was that I used the DVR to rewatch and following the commercial for Kings Island was a commercial for Kings Gardens--a local plant nursery!