BeeastFarmer

I don't mind the spiels in moderation. I do get tired of hearing how much Diamonback and Banshee cost when riding the train. In all the parks I went to in PA last week, they had recorded spiels and I found it boring. The only word from the ride operators was "Dispatch." In a like manner, I like traveling on Southwest Air and the stewards/stewardesses will crack jokes and spiel.

I rode Coal Cracker at Hersheypark last week and even though it's not the exact same model, it did bring back great memories if KCKC. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

I went to Conneut Lake on Saturday. I was blown away. Upon first glance, you see a run down park and wonder "Is it is even safe to be here?" I'm not a spinny flat ride kinda guy, so I skipped those. But Blue Streak and Devils Den were a real treat. I have never seen ride ops work so hard, and they have to given the tech on the rides! The water park was packed and the dry park was crowded. Good food and great staff all around.

I haven't been to KI as much this season as in past years because I concentrated on the NJ/PA circuit, but for those who have and who frequent Soak City: What amenities other than Island Smokehouse were added? IIRC, SC was supposed to get more chairs and shade structures? Did this pan out?

I applaud these actions taken by KK! Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

Well darn! I really wanted to ride T3! Not really, but actually had a decent ride last week. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

There is a morning show video that features Ed Hart and other KK managers that is posted on their website. Finally got an answer as to why the waterpark is ringed with drypark attractions: Ed Hart is from New York and he took inspiration from Coney Island (New York) with coasters near the beach. Makes sense in theory, but I have never been to NY CI, so I will have to take his word.

My sympathies, Mr. Underhill. It seems that sometimes people forget that there are real people behind these legends and real people were involved. Another thread discussed this young man at length and there was a great deal of respect given, as I think should be.

I think they ALWAYS run one train on Invertigo!

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