BeeastFarmer

This governor certainly is tearing things up from the root--of long established party politics. It will be interesting to see when/how/if this plays out at Kentucky Kingdom. I still don't think he would do something that would cause the closure, but stranger things have happened!

Drunk posting again? Or is Rovertown going to the dogs? Terp -- kiddin'. Tapatalk--such a great invention. Maybe he should go to the hospiral! jtro223, crossthreading.

KI FANATIC 37, check your inbox. I'd like to have a private conversation about diabetes management and park visits.

Thanks, shark6495!

From what I have seen, and I admit that I am not even remotely an expert, the person in the control booth is responsible for dispatching the trains. This is after the ride operators have checked the restraints and riders. The ops check, scan and then clear. The one of the operators gives the spiel as the train is being dispatched. If you do the same job over and over, even being rotated positions, the spiel doesn't take away from your thought train. I can administer medications after performing all my checks while talking to the patient about her sunflowers.

Tamaytoe-tahmahtoe...if everyone had the same thoughts and opinions, the world would be a very boring place.

I find pre-recorded spiels boring, with no personality. I think the ops on The Beast do their spiels the best.

I am hoping that the train gets a new lease on life. The ride itself is fun, but the experience is but a shadow of the former self it had.

Has anyone seen the sweep (litter gitter) who dances as he sweeps? I haven't seen him perform at the park this year.

Be that as it may, Cedar Fair would be wise not to ignore competition, no matter the size. I would conjecture that the bean counters have noticed some lost revenue from HW, KK and probably even DW. On another note, specifically RMC--I had read an interview with Mr. Ouimet where he stated he would be open to working with this company. Regardless, I am looking forward to Project 2017, whatever it ends up being.

Hmmm...interesting to note that several folks have mentioned Kentucky Kingdom on this thread, yet on that park's thread, it was suggested that Kings Island barely recognizes the park exists...

I'm glad there were level headed folks to help this child. I hope the child got excellent care at the hospiral!

I wonder if this is a version of Jeff Gramke's wooden coaster that was originally slated for the Diamondback area back in the Paramount era? Wait, he said those plans would never see the light of day, if memory serves me well.

The only part that I didn't like was when my nine year old niece asked me if the slack rope performer was a boy or a girl. I replied that I didn't know. After the show, she told me he was a boy. I asked how she knew and she replied she could see his (insert nine year old term for male anatomy) in his tight pants. I never noticed it, but I have noticed that the costumes are quite tight!

Coasterbob62 did a great job as usual. Check out 12:10 on this video. I did not hear this at the time! source: youtube.com

The enthusiast world is so funny! I actually liked T3--in a "I'll ride this once per visit" kind of way. Most people don't. Meanwhile, people rave over Banshee. Banshee is a once per visit ride for me as well. Kind of a "meh" coaster. It would be better for me without the helix finale. That almost always gives me some nausea. Edit: this is not to say that T3 is a better coaster than Banshee. It's not, obviously. But what some people hate in mass others like and vice versa.

This may seem far fetched, but... I was at the park yesterday and watched Cirque: Origins. I remember hearing at Coasterstock that it was specifically written for Kings Island. I could relate portions of the show to Coney Mall, Oktoberfest, International Street and Action Zone. Missing were Soak City, Rivertown and Planet Snoopy. (Unless Rivertown was represented by the set decor itself.) I left with the impression that something BIG is coming--that may be a return to the roots of what made KI so special, or a hint at what is coming in the future. But I had a feeling that some things are going to change. I for one am very happy with the nods towards the past: the renovations of the clock, calendar, the tower topiary, and the return of the wisteria tunnels (the wisteria has been planted about a week and it has already grown several inches and started to coil around the wire base!). My thoughts could be there because I want to see them, or they could be legitimate. Who knows?

Went to KK today. Crazy busy. Observations: 1. Entry: Season pass line busy, backed up to near the parking lot cemetery. Daily ticket lines had a good length, too. 2. Casual glance: lots of TN and IN plates. 3. Because it was so hot, the park's water sponsor was handing out water to people waiting in line to get in. 4. Storm Chaser-WOW. The only thing I didn't like about this coaster is it seems as if it is over way too quick.The pathway back to it was nice. 5. On ride photos of Storm Chaser and Thunder Run look great. 6. Souvenir cups-$5, season pass price $4. I renewed with free drinks, and had no problem getting drinks. I only wish CF would do the same, and not require us carry around cups if we want cheaper drinks while in the park. 7. Water-my friend got water and it was free, and given in large cups vs. Kinzel cups. 8. I rode Storm Chaser, Thunder Run, Tin Lizzies and the swing ride (which gave me motion sickness and ended my day). I was only there for a couple of hours. No more swing rides for me. Ride ops were very efficient, professional and gave quick dispatches. Two trains were on each coaster except TR, which only has one. 9. Speaking of TR--How can it be so awesome and the CW Hurler is terrible? 10. Food lines were long but went fairly quick. 11. Most food places did not open until noon. Don't know why they don't open until an hour after park opening. 12. Love the landscaping. It really is a beautiful park. The plant ID tags/QR codes are great, too. The hardscape needs some attention. 13. On Tin Lizzies, it actually looks like they poured new concrete and moved the iron track to go around trees and shrubs so they could be left in place rather than removed. I could be totally off base, but that's what it looks like. 14. Other than being hotter than blazes, the only irritating thing was when I was waiting in the BBQ joint while my friends rode LR, some teenage girls were critiquing passers by and being rude. 15. It is nice to have indoor places have AC--restrooms and food places offered a respite from the heat.

On the webcam this morning, it almost looks like there is a plywood building behind the falling trees fence. It's probably just the way the sun is reflecting the ground, but if anyone is there today, can you let me know my eyes deceived me?

I plan on going to KK on Monday5/30 for the first time this season. I know it's a holiday weekend, but any idea what to expect crowd wise?

I wonder why the park only added two refill stations in the main park and one in the waterpark. Is it a test? I really think they should add more refill stations and keep them open all day. And reconfigure the Freestyle stations for single serve self service machines as well as the Freestyle machines. Eliminate the Freestyle machines from food service locations. (At the Jukebox diner, there was no line for food, but four guests in front of me took 10 minutes to perfect their drinks!)

Anybody else notice that the park is apparently attempting to bring back some nostalgia? According to the social media accounts from the park, at the end of last season, the entrance to the que of The Racer was painted to the original 1972 motif. The KI clock looks great and has the 1970's font, as does the KI calendar. The new WWC entrance, by Diamondack appears to be framework for a wysteria tunnel. (I would love this!) Maybe there is no coaster and the train will get some love and attention, like it deserves. Or heck, maybe they are going to move BLSC and retheme it to a mining theme, and restore the current area to Les Taxis! And maybe bring back the Coney Mall arch! (I'm really stretching it, but I can wish. And I really appreciate the clock and calendar and the (hopefully) wysteria tunnel.)

I enjoyed my Coasterstock experience. Although I didn't take part in all events, the ones I did participate in were outstanding. The only negatives I took away were not really related to the event--the crowds were insane on Saturday. Lots of school kids. Food lines were terrible. I even enjoyed my first night ride on The Racer (blue) in the pouring rain. The ride operators on each attraction were outstanding. They didn't seem annoyed to be working late and were enthusiastic. (Especially the guy on Diamondback and his expectation of Fury 325!)

Always ever vigilant Magenta Lizard! I really think he was in costume either as a clue dropper or as a diversion. Either way, it was a classic. Such a great speaker. Could listen to him "tell this story" for hours.

My all season refill cup worked fine at Cedar Point last week. The only issue was at Johnny Rockets--they tried to charge me .25 for a free refill. They had to have a long discussion and decided since was from an "associated park" the .25 was an internal accounting procedure.