L Day Weekend

[Stewart32]

Hey Everbody!

Well, I have made arrangements to take the wife and boy to KI for Labor Day Weekend. Although our first trip to KI this year, it will make for a nice season closer to other summer activites. This will be a first for us in that we plan to stay Saturday night and make it a two day event. We plan to devote one day to the park proper and the other to Boomerang Bay. We have visited BB only once briefly since it was revamped from Waterworks.

The boy in now better than 48" so many rides are now available to him which were not during the '06 season, likewise with BB.

I also sprung for the Backyard Barbecue for at least one "good" meal. Is this worth the cost? I like the fact that it is all you care to eat.

We always take a camera and I will snap off a few pics and put together a TR after the fact.

[Stewart32]

A great 2 day trip! Here is a ride summary.

CF: 2

DZ:2

SOB:1

TG:1

AE:1

VF:2

SD,HC:4

Monster:1

FX Theater, Sponge Bob:1

SR&R:2

IJ,ST:2

Racer, backward:1

Zephyr:1

Beast:3

Avatar:3

FOC:1

P Flyers:3

Reptar:1

WTRA:1

and from Bomerang Bay...

AA Twister: 1

C Racer:2

C Run:1

Down Under THunder:1

GBR:1

Sydney Sidewinder:1

Tasmanian Typhoon:1

Comments to follow.

[Stewart32]

We drove up from Ky and arrived on Main Street at about 10:30. Our basic plan was to navigate the park in a clockwise direction. The majority of rides were firsts for the boy and a few for myself as well. Of course he was measured with aluminum "triangle" proof and consequently banded at 48" (thick soled sneakers). Not overly crowded and short queues, as they all seemed to be on Saturday. I would guesstimate delays at less than 30 minutes per ride for the whole day with an average at about 22 minutes per each.

Off to DZ. this would be a first for both the boy and I. The wife rides only the gentlest rides because of an existing spinal condition. But that didn't stop the boy from boldly entering the DZ queue. His bravery impresses me still. "Look down Dad." Heck No! After an eternity for the release, then negative G's followed by a soft landing, both were happily thrilled.

Next up, SOB. I explained to the boy that this ride at one time had a loop. I usually settle for first car, second row, most of the thrill, less wait. It was rough the first time (in 2005) and I hoped that some of that had been "improved" upon. Nope still rough. However, the drops were incredible and the speed undeniable.

On to TG. I always liked the theme on this one, but it seems like much of it has disappeared. Also, this ride is about as wild as one can get for steel coaster without loops. The boy has a real aversion to loops at this age. I suspect that too will disappear. Always fun but short.

Next, AE. The boy was taking a break So I went alone. I’ve have enjoyed AE since it opened. I noticed that the "fog" has disappeared. Didn’t the final hill have light effects as well?

The Racer, a must do classic. First car, second row backward and again another first for the boy. He was not disappointed, rather thrilled with unanticipated "air time".

The Monster. He seemed excited to ride this and one’s got to admit, its a cool looking ride. But the payoff after waiting for the loading is a bit short. Throughput suffers. Like Mt Everest I would suggest everybody ride it at least once since "It is there".

We skipped FOF and Firehawk. After all, the day was intended for the Boy. I plan for maiden rides only when he is tall enough to do so, probably next season.

We mentioned Sponge Bob at the FX Theater, and that was all the convincing necessary. Also, this was the first opportunity for all to enjoy a ride. I knew what to expect … was it "Days of Thunder"?. Also, we all had had the 3D experience at "Mouse Ears" The ride was good for giggles, snorts and laughs by all.

I tried to convince the boy the virtues of riding The Vortex, but there was no changing his mind. The loops and inversions can wait for another day.

Lucky for us, the Scrambler was just around the corner. I was pleasantly surprised as it had been 20 years since I last rode it. The boy liked it so much that we did it again. Mistake on my behalf though as the inner ear betrays me, but at least I didn’t "blow chunks". The boy liked how Scrambler appears to approach the tree tops. Short line and great ride which I would recommend over the Monster.

Now IJST for a father/son first. Mouse maze queue nearly empty, shaded and moved fast (I see yellow people). The Cooper trivia was fun to read. I liked the theme, but really liked the linear induction launch followed by the helix climb. Lost my hat somewhere near the top. I will ride this again for the acceleration if not the theatrics.

Journey onward to The Beast. Short line and no maze, not even at the gates. I took a moment to tell the boy how the entire station at one time was situated over a pond long since drained. Also there was an interesting water feature that was cool to watch but now dry, although the coins remain. But something new to me were the lighting and sound effects in the station. I don’t recall these. Anyway, it was mid afternoon when we boarded the first car, second row. It’s always a wild ride into the woods and this trip was no different. Alas the boy is just over 48 inches so his best views, from any seat other than first, are to the sides. But he liked it! Hey Mikie! A classic (and award winning) woody with two, count’em, 2 lifts.

We passed Tomb Raider which was down both Saturday and Sunday on our way to Nick Universe, and by doing so passed into familiar territory for the boy. Phantom Flyers beckoned and the obliged, two times in a row!

It was nearing 3:30 and that meant Backyard BBQ for the Stewarts. We waited about 5 minutes for entry. I have mixed feelings about this experience. First, BBQ is both a noun and a verb and I expected both. However, there was no BBQ to be found, pulled pork or otherwise. The food (potato salad, bread, hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixin’s) was plentiful but bland and the drinks refreshing. It was a great place to enjoy ice cream and relax as well. We spent about an hour here and I would say the value is better than most of the other park eateries. And don’t mind the bees they are fixated on the soda fountains.

The boy stayed in Bikini Bottom Bash for about 30 minutes. This has always been a winner with him. What ever happened to the oil derrick where SpongeBob now stands?

Smurfs where are you now? Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle turned out to be a boon for me and a bust them. We always ride this one together. The wife usually dominates with a keen eye for the targets but for some reason her gun was not working properly.

Me:2000+

Her:<700

the boy:<600

This completed the first of two "circuits" through the park. The wife headed off in search of Starbucks while the boy and I made our way to Oktoberfest.

Viking Fury: 1 cycle delay. Been there done that last season and always well worth the wait for a smooth ride. Our favorite place to sit on the boat is at the "ends". for the greatest variance in G’s. It didn’t seem to be swinging as high today as in the past, but it was good for a 2X. Also provides good view of the pond at apogee.

Congo Falls love it or hate it, a convenient place to get wet this side of the park. Of course, wet is a relative term here depending upon weather one rides or observes. Ironically, both activities provide about the same thrill. I was satisfied with one ride and the water jets. The boy went for another two and the three more cycle of inundating wave action.

Back to DZ. Somehow I missed the second ride with the boy. But that’s ok; my heart raced enough during the morning free fall.

Proceeded to AE so that the boy could have the experience. He had skipped it during the morning hours and was glad to get another opportunity. So was I. One of the ride ops measured the boy with the stick and tape and declared him to short. (We had removed the band earlier in the day before lunch.) I requested proof with the triangle device and long story short, we had a good ride. Just what is the "official" standard for measurement?

Zephyr. No bumping! The ride op was a big Bengals fan! "Who dey?"

Always a pleasant glide but somehow seems more exciting after night fall, like most other rides.

IJST second time. The wait was a bit longer now. I appreciated it more the second time around just because of features I missed the first time, such as the hot flames and dark tunnel.

I believe we rode The Beast again on the way to Nickelodeon Universe. Was another braking system added back in the woods? Has it always been there? I don’t recall this from earlier years. Also, I think the boy hit Phantom flyers again.

Next, at dusk we entered Wild Thornberry’s River Adventure. No line but the Dad ahead of us was having a time convincing his young daughter to board. Which got me to thinking; I’m not sure I ever rode this before the boy was conceived. We usually ride this during the afternoon for a cool down courtesy the “peeing†gourds and elephant.

Runaway Reptar. Got to talking to another Dad while waiting and we compared notes on past KI vists. He was a local fellow and I trusted his recollections better than my own. I don’t recall real people along the RR but apparently there were actors along the route at one time. His boy and mine hit it off immediately. We let them ride in the first seats while we took those behind them. Big fun.

Sometime thereafter we rode Avatar 2 times. Like VF this ride is best enjoyed by us when sitting at any of the four "corners" and it’s also very smooth.

We returned to The Beast for the "compulsory" night ride where there was a guy adorned with those magnetic LEDs in line for the first seat. He must have had hundreds of flashing lights on his shoes, clothes, glasses, rings, teeth and earphones. Anyway, The Beast and dark woods are two greats that go together. Always a thrill.

Then back to Avatar for the third time.

We skipped most of the other stuff in Nick U. whereas previously we rarely had reason to leave this area. In fact this marked the first trip where we spent most our time in other parts of KI on the "big" rides.

For the final ride of the night the boy selected Scooby Doo. We thought we could get in one last ride and then catch the tail end of the "Fireworks Extravaganza". However, the show was over by the time we emerged from the mansion. Gosh, must be an awfully short show?

We headed over to Super 8 at about 10:20.

More to follow.

[flightoffear1996]

Nice trip report man but more to follow how much more could you possibly type. The fireworks show is very short and boring if you ask me. They could have put on a much much better show ifyou ask me.

[Stewart32]

Super 8 was packed for the weekend. I suspect that occupancy runs high anyhow with KI being just across I-71. Luckily we were situated on the “quiet” side opposite the Interstate. An outdoor pool and continental breakfast are included in the fare, but we took advantage of neither. We ended up in a room with a faulty AC unit which kept us awake half the night.

On Sunday morning we took breakfast at Frisch’s Big Boy. All you can eat and plenty of variability too for less than $25. Em’s good eats.

Timing put us in the KI parking lot at about 9:45 AM. The wife and I had discussed the night before about when to arrive for day two. She wanted to go to the dedicated BB entrance at 11:00 whereas I was all for 10:00 at the main gate. This would give us opportunity for a few morning rides. Besides I wasn’t sure the e-tickets I had purchased online would admit us directly to BB.

We waited patiently on International Street for the ribbon to withdraw where upon we headed to Scooby Doo.

Next we rode the purple beastie… err Fairly Odd Coaster. I believe last season was the first time the boy rode this one and I know it was the first for me. I always had known this coaster was back here, but twenty years ago I never entered the “kiddie” sector of the park. Big fun for such a small coaster.

Hindsight is always 20/20. While we should have taken train, instead we waited at the locked gate on the pathway leading to BB for about 10 minutes. This was opened at precisely 11:00 by a uniformed security guard. The crowd walked only a short distance when everybody was stopped by yet another gate near the picnic area. Two young blue- shirt employees had just entered this one and closed it behind them. We shouted to open the gate, but they only smirked and said “Not allowed”. It was after 11:00 by now so we just opened it ourselves and proceeded on the BB. Civil disobedience… sue me.

Seemed to me like there were more people at KI today and already there were a bunch of folks inside. I think the pumps had just been turned on. We reconnoitered the seating and more importantly the shade situation and settled on chairs under a huge umbrella near the GBR. After “marking” our territory with shoes, towels and hats we headed back toward the RR entrance. I figured we could get in all the major slides at least once before the lines got long.

Coolangatta Racer. This slide has it all, water, darkness and speed. I rode this once alone before the boy caught up with me. We proceeded to ride it two more time before giving up the mats to other waiting patrons. The boy was impressed with the speed.

Last time and the only other time I was in this area it was called Waterworks. It was about 1/3 the size and this particular attraction had three parallel body slides with two from a lower platform and one, a steep parabola, for the high platform. I thought it was called the bonsai pipeline then? The slide always resulted in a major wedgie. Anyway, must have been revamped when it went to BB?

Next we went to Crocodile Run which was a fun tube slide.

At Tasmanian Typhoon I was concerned that the boy would be rejected. He is just under 48 without shoes and they did check him up top but allowed him to go. The staff seems a bit more relaxed inside BB, cool beans. Anyway… this attraction is much more thrilling than it appears what with the dark tunnel steep slide and awesome funnel at the end. Even the wife rode this one with us. I only wish we had gone 2X while the lines were still short.

By mid-afternoon, the place was packed. It was hotter Sunday than on Saturday plus I think many folks were taking advantage of the half-off price.

At some point the Awesome Aussie Twister opened up so we rode that. The Bondi Pipeline and Snowy River Rampage remained closed all day. We also waited several minutes to float about Crocodile Run. This is another amusement not worth the wait for me. But that is only because one can make only on a single circuit before getting out. Heck, I float around a lazy river all day.

The wife and I spent a good portion of the afternoon slacking while the boy played in the GBR. We took time to eat a pizza which was better than I thought it would be. I also like that a bar is available in BB where we enjoyed a beer.

I like BB overall, but wish more shade were available as well as real sand. Sure, it would be hard to keep it out of the attractions but there are ways to accomplish this. It just seemed to me like we were in a concrete frying pan all afternoon.

We exited BB to a crowded Nick U. at about 7:00. We took time to ride The Beast, Avatar and Scooby Doo for the last time this season. Also stopped for a tattoo where the boy choose the grim reaper.

After two days, everybody was tired and ready to leave by 9:00 so we did.

Most thrilling ride this trip (for me anyway): DZ the height absolutely terrifies me and free fall aint bad either. TT over at BB.

Rides I wish we would have ridden this trip: WWC & MVRR just out of tradition.

Rides I wish we would NOT have ridden this trip: Monster, its just not worth the wait to load and unload.

Newest ride experience this trip:

for the boy, just about everything outside Nick U. and all of BB…

for me IJST and much of BB

[BoddaH1994]

You were right about the eTicket. The entrance at Booermang Bay is for season pass only.

[flightoffear1996]

I am glad you guys had a good time at the park.

[Stewart32]

ok, How can I post images?

[Gordon Bombay]

Check out www.imageshack.com and upload an image. When its completed uploading it will take you to a new page with a bunch of info on it. Scroll down to the "Hotlink for forums" section and copy and paste the link it provides into your forum post. The add your post and the image should appear. If your image is larger than 800X600 pixels though I reccomeded posting a thumbnail from the "Thumbnail for forums" section instead or you can use imageshack to re-size it from their main page.

[Stewart32]

The boy rides DZ.

The boy is practicing for the inevitable.

Goofing off on Zephyr.

Congo Falls

Veni Vidi Vici: the boy strikes a pose following DZ, SOB, TG and The Racer

SR&R: What a great ride!

Phantom Flyers

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