Trip Report Aug 3 2007

[DeMoN]

My wife, 2 kids, and I made the trip to Kings Island on Friday August 3rd 2007. Leaving from Indianapolis it was to be a 2 hour trip to the park that holds so many of my childhood memories. We made excellent time on the drive there since I-74 in Indiana is now 70 mph until you hit Ohio. We did run into a construction slow down on I-275 around the I-75 exit, but the express lane to I-71 was nice and helped get through traffic a little easier. Once we got off at I-71 the traffic for the first exit was terrible (Morning Rush Hour I assume), but once we got around that exit it was smooth sailing. We made such good timing that we arrived at the park earlier than I had anticipated pulling up before the gates to the parking lot opened. After the gates opened we payed for our Premier Parking and headed off to park our vehicle. A small comment, the parking lot is in dire need of repaving! After we parked the vehicle we got out and all stretched our legs a little and headed up to the metal detectors. We waited in line for the metal detectors for about 30 minutes waiting for the front gates to open up. I wish they would have gone ahead and let people through the metal detectors and get in line at the turnstiles (a lot of people had to use the restroom but had to wait).

We finally entered the park and went to put our belongings in a locker before we headed out to look around ($12.00 for a locker with getting $6.00 back when you turn in your key was a tad steep if you ask me). After putting things in our locker we went and had our pictures taken in front of the Royal Fountain by the picture monsters as my kids call them (only because everytime we went to our locker we were attacked by them). We proceeded to look around at the shops while waiting for the rides to open up. Eventually we stumbled our way over to the Octoberfest section of the park as the rides opened up. We took my 8 year old son and 7 year old daughter to Adventure Express for the first ride of the day (mind you they are terrified of the last tunnel on this ride). We got right on the ride and the kids had a blast other than the last tunnel. Next we headed over to The Racer, this would be my daughters first ride on a Roller Coaster other than the Fairy Odd Coaster. She was a bit scared, but she took it like a champ. One thing I noticed was the loose article policy change. On back to back rides my wife tried to put the backpack she had with us in the bins provided. The ride ops brought it back to her and told her to take it on the ride. This happened on almost all the rides throughout the day and was a little disappointing. I know they are not responsible for lost or stolen items, and putting things in the bins is a risk. I decided to take that risk, but now you can't even take that risk. Some of the ride ops were a little rude in tossing the backpack back at us, but the majority were rather nice. We had to bring a backpack due to my wife's medication and daughters inhaler among other needed items, and there was absolutely no money in the backpack.

After a pleasant ride on The Racer we took the kids to play a couple of games. During that time my son and I went on the Scrambler, the Monster, and Shake Rattle & Roll because my wife and daughter don't like those rides. We then headed over to the Italian Job Stunt track and all got in line for it. My daughter chickened out and decided she didn't want to ride it. I told my wife I would get out of line with her but she insisted that she would sit out with her. So my son and I rode and it was a pleasant but far too short ride. The fire effects were not working when we rode it. I am still not happy with the removal of the Antique Cars and Flying eagles for this mediocre ride, they could have at least made IJST a little more exciting. After getting of this ride we headed over to The Beast as a family and it would be my daughters first ride on The Beast. She was very scared getting in line, and as we got into the seat she went into panic mode. I was very close to taking her off of the ride, but I really wanted her to experience The Beast 1 time at least. I kept telling her it was a lot like The Racer except a little longer and with tunnels. She decided to stay on the ride and the ride ops could tell she was scared and teary eyed. They continued to tell her she would be okay and it wasn't that scary just like I was telling her. Then the ride op asked if it was her first ride on The Beast and I told him yes. He asked for her name and I gave it to him. Before the ride left the station they announced "Keep your hands arms and legs inside the ride at all times, and have a great first ride Desteni" which I thought was awesome and I truly commend The Beast Ride Ops for this. When we pulled back into the station they asked "How was your ride Desteni". Again very commendable thing by The Beast ride ops, she was scared but she did enjoy the ride and yelled when we pulled in.

After getting off The Beast we headed over to Potato Works to get the kids some fries with cheese sauce dip and us some bacon cheese fries. the lady at the counter was rather rude and unpleasing although I attributed it to her being alone at the time (we had some issues with rudeness at a couple of the food and beverage stalls which was disappointing considering the already high prices). After eating our fries we headed to Nick Universe to let the kids have a ball since my daughter took the big rides like a champ. We went as a family on Avatar (a great ride), Wild Thornberry's log ride, and Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Mansion, all were terrific rides. The kids rode every ride in Nick Universe while we were in that section and even had their swimsuits on and went into the spongebob water section to play. During that time my wife told me to go ride Delirium because her nor my kids wanted to ride it. So I headed off to make the trek over to Delerium, unfortunately Delirium had just went down for repairs and they didn't know how long it would be down. I was disappointed but I went and got in line for Firehawk knowing my wife and kids wouldn't ride it. I was in line and it was "Hot" the fans helped a little but it was still very hot. I was in line for Firehawk for about 15 minutes when the ride op asked if anyone was riding by themselves. I yelled that I was and the ride op moved me to the next train to ride with a group of 3. I rode on the yellow train, and it was a very fun ride although nothing spectacular.

After exiting Firehawk I got in line for Flight of Fear and rode it. Still a nice ride and I only had to wait about 10 minutes in line. On my way over to Nick Universe to meet my wife and kids I stopped off to ride The Vortex (walk on ride). I still love Vortex but man does it throw you around anymore. I then met up with my wife and kids and told them what rides I went on while I was away. We then went out to our vehicle for lunch and sat down and rested for a little while. Upon re-entry into the park I felt bad for the Security at the Metal Detectors. They should be allowed to wear shorts on extremely hot days. I took the kids for a good view up in the Eiffel Tower (my wife wouldn't go with us).

We then headed over to Delirium which had just re-opened and I got right on the first ride. This is still my favorite ride in the park, I wish I could get my wife and kids to try this ride at least 1 time. While I was on Delirium my wife took the kids to play some games. After I got off we went to Top Gun, and both the kids although scared at first really like the ride. We rode Congo falls while over there and decided to head back over to The Racer next. I took my son on his first ride of the backwards train on The Racer while my wife took my daughter on the frontwards train. We rode The Racer about 3 times in a row due to short lines. We then headed off to Spongebob Squarepants 3D which was actually Spongebob in 2D. It was okay to my wife and I, but my kids absolutely loved it. Afterwards we headed on over for our second ride on The Beast, and my daughter was a lot less scared this time around.

We enjoyed many more rides, but I am stopping here because I am a tad bit busy. It was disappointing because the park had a sign that said Tomb Raider and Son of Beast would be closed all day. SoB opened later in the day but we didn't get to ride it with the new trains. Tomb raider stayed closed all day which did not surprise nor disappoint me one bit. If any ride was a complete waste of time, space, or money Tomb Raider would be that ride. I can't believe they took out a great historic log ride to put this in and ruin the Rivertown section of the park. I did like the new lighting for the Eiffel Tower and it made for a beautiful night time visual. The food was a little on the expensive side but I did expect that. My only wish is that we had a little friendlier service at a couple of spots where we got food (specifically Potato Works and the Ice Cream stand in Nick Universe). I also miss the fried mushrooms that I always use to get. They may still be there and I just didn't know where to get them from but I certainly miss them. Overall it was a great trip for our family and we look forward to visiting next year. The park was very clean as opposed to the Paramount days and I hope they keep up the good work.

[PKIVortex]

Great trip report. I agree the food workers are not very pleasant. Most look to be unhappy about being there, and sometimes seem to take there frustrations out on the Guests which is wrong.

[welchce]

Wow, it sounded like you and your family had an incredible time. I'm sure everyone on here loves hearing about kids being turned on to the joy of ride coasters and other amusement rides. Great report. Too bad all the workers don't have as much fun or are as enjoyable as The Beast ride ops.

I don't really understand the new loose article policy unless somehow they found out that not letting articles on the platform helps get people on and off the rides faster.

[TH13TEEN]

Awesome trip report your kids had a blast i sounds like

[KIfan73]

Nice TR. Sounds like what most people have to say about KI: Great rides, bad food service...lol.

[DeMoN]

Thank you all,

My kids did have a wonderful time, we even had to fight with them to leave. It was just one more ride on this and just 1 more ride on that. The funnest thing is to watch their eyes on the big roller coasters, you wouldn't believe how big their eyes get when they are scared. As for some of the employees, I was bound determined not to let the small amount of them influence our trip. The large vast majority of employees were kind and corteous and there was no reason to get upset over the select few. I do have to say though The Beast Ride Ops stood out to me the most and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. They eased my childs first experience in taming The Beast big time.

My kids also got to sleep the whole way home while I had to drive. Little rascals now I know how my father felt when he use to do that with us as kids

[Gordon Bombay]

Great Trip Report!! Gotta love that Beast crew!

[welchce]

I do have to say though The Beast Ride Ops stood out to me the most and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. They eased my childs first experience in taming The Beast big time.

Did you think about or actually tell Guest Relations about this? I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

[The Interpreter]

Great report.

By the way, if you ask nicely, the security people WILL let you go through the detectors to the rest room and back before the gates open. I've done it several times. And they are always very nice about it, too. At least that has been my experience.

I completely agree with your comments about the foods workers. I haven't met even one this year I'd call even remotely pleasant. And I've heard far too many stories about cold pizza in the Fest Haus. At those prices, it should never be cold.

[CrazyKay07]

I know what you mean with the rude workers. I personally think they are mad because they didn't get to work on a ride. But I have had my share of rudeness, and attitudes galore.

[DeMoN]

I do have to say though The Beast Ride Ops stood out to me the most and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. They eased my childs first experience in taming The Beast big time.

Did you think about or actually tell Guest Relations about this? I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

welchce,

Actually I did send Guest Relations an e-mail stating all the good things about The Beast ride-ops. I didn't stop and say something that day because we were having too much fun, but I have sent an e-mail to let them know our appreciation.

The Interpreter,

I was not aware that the security would let you through during that time. I guess since I didn't see anyone doing it I was unaware that you could, but it is something I definitely will keep in mind. After a 2 hour trek sometimes you certainly could use the restroom right away.

[The Interpreter]

Yep...they always have for me. The key is asking nicely. The park was not originally built to have metal detectors, and the restroom location isn't the best. At least there IS one outside the gates. At many parks, there isn't.

[standbyme]

My kids also got to sleep the whole way home while I had to drive. Little rascals now I know how my father felt when he use to do that with us as kids

Ain't it the truth! I have thought about that myself several times now that I am the one driving...once you start "having" to do the same things that your parents did for you when you were little makes you appreciate what they did for you even more.

VERY nice trip report. There is nothing like seeing the park through a kids eyes. Thanks to a very good Beast crew your daughter will remember her first Beast ride forever.