KI Last Day PTR

[XGatorHead 8904]

I figured everyone else is posting one, why not me! I hadn't seen any that included the last weekend of Howl-O-Fest, or the joys of visiting with a 3 year old (actually she'll be 4 this Saturday).

We arrived at the park at 11:45. No one checking passes at the Gold Pass parking lot, but those were pretty much the only cars in the entire lot anyway. We made a mad dash over to Nick U so we could line up for the Howl-O-Fest parade. GatorGirl was wearing her Elmo costume that Grandma Gator made for her. This time they were giving away green ribbons to the kids for participating, something they didn’t do the last time we went.

GatorGirl posed very nicely on stage with the entire Scooby gang... Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, and the two who weren’t there last time, Fred and Daphne. We completely forgot to stop by Keyhole to get the picture, it would have been a nice one. We suspect the announcer wasn’t quite sure what she was supposed to be, because he made some comment about her being a bug, which Mrs. Gator corrected him on. Once again she didn’t win one of the cool prize bags, but that didn’t matter, we were ready to have fun!

Next we went over to the free popcorn and games, and this time they were giving away prizes just for participating. She got a recorder, trumpet, star sunglasses (with a Paramount Parks price tag still affixed), a spider ring and a little pirate figure thing. They were also selling Nick merch for real cheap. We got a Backyardigans bat and baseball set, and a set of 3 different Backyardigans balls for a total of $2. Does the bell toll for thee, Nick U?

Watching the HB characters, I realize I wouldn't mind at all seeing them replace Nick. Especially if they kept the face characters like Wilma, Bam Bam, Pebbles, Shaggy and the rest of the Scooby gang, all of whom we saw that day. How this would go over with the kiddies who watch Nick I'm not sure, but for this old Gator who grew up on HB, I'd love it. Nostalgia 2010!? Before we know it, we'll see which path CF chooses in regards to Nick U.

Next we did the mazes, the candy stops, picked out our pumpkins (even me this time!) and decorated them. Then GatorGirl saw another girl decorating a mask, and she wanted to do that too. Around this time I was getting a little antsy, because we had a lot to get in before the end of the season, and only a few hours in which to do it.

We asked GatorGirl what she wanted her first ride to be, and as always she picked Scooby. About a 5-10 minute wait. Our Mini Mystery Machine stopped very early in the the ride for a few minutes, so we sat there and shot at the targets to rack up points. I ended up with over 3000, and GatorGirl got a little over 300, her highest score ever! We were highly disappointed though that NONE of the animatronics worked. None at all. None of the target activated ones, not Shaggy being chased by the monster (which didn't work at the end of last year either), not even the shelves that tip towards you. I seem to remember the same thing happening last year at this time. I even thought “What’s the point of even opening it then?”

Next was Backyardigans Swing Along, then off to Festhaus to catch the 3:00 Ghouls Gone Wild and some pizza. Along the way on Int. St., I see a group of people there, and among them is one I recognize from many pictures in a multi-part WDW trip report…Avatar. So I stop to chat for a little bit with Avatar, Ryan, and the rest of the crew.

We get a whole cheese pizza (because as GatorGirl loves to tell people “I like pizza with nothing on it”) and a table. Katie (the witch) talks to her before the show and knows immediately that she is Elmo. Katie was the first person to get that right all day. And we figured out that it was because the eyes on the costume are far apart (Grandma Gator didn’t realize that Elmo’s eyes are right next to each other when she made the costume). But it was cute anyway. The show was well done again, and afterwards GatorGirl had to talk to all the girls in the show. She wanted nothing to do with Mummy, Wolfman or Frankenstein.

We go out the back, and there’s no line for Delirium. Mrs. Gator goes first (1 cycle wait). GatorGirl and I talk about the ride, how it’s one of Mommy and Daddy’s favorites and how it’s like a big swing that she says “goes way up in the sky”. We watch for Mommy, who waves to us. GatorGirl says she wants to ride it when she gets big, “Maybe I’ll ride it when I’m 10!” and I said “Or maybe when your 7!” She has the thrill seeking gene…

I ride next (walk-on), and as I’m walking up the queue line I see Avatar’s family, Lisa and Miss Rae, walking towards me. By the time I realized who they were they were already gone. They were exiting the queue and I thought I heard Miss Rae say something about being too short to ride. She didn’t seem too happy. But Delirium for me was a good ride as always, and I waved to GatorGirl as I was swinging.

We went out to SP Processing to get our passes 2009 done. I had purchased online, we had to wait 15 minutes because they only had three stations open. I thought Wow, when I worked here we had all the stations upstairs and in the basement open on the last weekend. 3 stations would have been suicide, and the line would have been all the way down Kings Island Dr. The line was not too long, but long enough for GatorGirl to get impatient. And then we all 3 had to get our pictures taken over again because for some reason they couldn’t transfer them over like they did last year. GatorGirl didn’t want her's taken, but we got it while Mommy was holding her and we said that Mommy was having her picture taken (which of course she did too).

Back into the park and back to Nick U. for ALL the rides. We didn’t want to miss any, and we did get them all in! For all the reports I had seen about Nick U being the busiest place in the park these last few weeks, it sure wasn't on Sunday. Everything was either a walk-on or 1 cycle wait, just like the rest of the park. Mrs. Gator and I even got to ride Avatar as a walk-on (separately of course).

It was 6:15, and Mrs. Gator wanted to ride something else herself since I was planning to be on the last Beast train of the season. So it was off to Adventure Express for her last coaster ride of the year. While waiting, GatorGirl wanted a drink, so we went to the vending machines right there where we promptly lost $3.50 because the machine is completely empty. (We later get it back from GR at the end of the night).

Mrs. Gator gets back and we head to Skyline for that drink. I wanted one last ride on Monster with them, but it was getting close to the time for me to go to Beast. So I leave them (they end up riding Monster twice in a row without getting off, and they were the last two cycles of the year!).

After a stop to admire the beauty that is Diamondback, I go to The Beast. The trees! I’m reminded of The Lorax “I speak for the trees! Let them grow! Let them grow!” Oh well, I’m sure I’ll be happy with that nice steel helix there!

There’s a lot more people there this year then there were last year for the last Beast train of the season (which was on Halloween, on a chilly Bare Bones night). I see the KIC crew there and wait with them until it’s time to go up to the station. And StalkerChick, did I really hear you say that was your first night ride on Beast? How could that be? I’ll let it slide that it was your first park visit of the year that you weren’t working, but your first Beast night ride ever? Please tell me you didn’t say that!

I end up sitting with Dane, who I finally saw for the first time without his Haunt makeup on (sorry I never got a chance to talk to you in the theater the nights we had Haunt. I met Uncle Henry, KIMan and StalkerChick but not you). I got in first like I always do. I prefer that side because I love to lean into the turns between the 2nd tunnel and the 2nd lift hill. And of course my hands are up the whole way.

I really didn’t expect to ride a second time, but who am I to say no? After discussing the aspects of hammerhead turns vs. tickle giggle turns on the way up the lift, we’re zooming again. And I LMAO when Dane grabbed StalkerChick’s shoulders in the tunnel. The ride is over too soon as we pull back into the station again.

I leave the exit, and Mrs. Gator and GatorGirl are waiting for me. GatorGirl has gotten a frozen strawberry bar from the vending machine there, and is happily munching on that.

We walk through a darkened Rivertown, and through a darkened Nick U. It’s hard to say goodbye to another season, all the things that we had done there this year (ok, ok, the nostalgia mostly rocked, sorry I was a little cynical earlier in the season), and thinking about the 5 ½ months until we can go again. We tell GatorGirl that all the rides are in bed for a long time, and she asks why. I tell her that it will be too cold to ride anything soon. She tells me she doesn’t want them to be cold in the snow, but I assure her that they’ll be alright, and we’ll be back here when it gets warm enough to ride again.

Now for some pictures. The only camera we had that day was my phone.

Here’s Elmo on Nick Jr. Drivers

Getting ready to plunge

Elmo and a new friend

While they were on Timmy’s Air Tours, I just had to get this picture!

Here’s looking forward to a quick 5 ½ months, another 16 (or more) KI visits next year, and Diamondback!

[Kawana]

Great TR. I'm glad you had fun with your family. That's really what it's all about. Awesome.

[StalkerChick]

And StalkerChick, did I really hear you say that was your first night ride on Beast? How could that be? I’ll let it slide that it was your first park visit of the year that you weren’t working, but your first Beast night ride ever? Please tell me you didn’t say that!

I really didn’t expect to ride a second time, but who am I to say no? After discussing the aspects of hammerhead turns vs. tickle giggle turns on the way up the lift, we’re zooming again. And I LMAO when Dane grabbed StalkerChick’s shoulders in the tunnel. The ride is over too soon as we pull back into the station again.

ugh yes I know I'm pathetic but it really was my first night ride ever on there. So feel special LOVED the 2nd ride in a row.... HATED Dane scaring the crap out of me. I'm glad you at least enjoyed it lol Sounded like you had a great time as well!!

Here's to next year!!

[Avatar]

Nice trip report XGatorHead 8904

I see this nice long detailed report.

And here I thought you did not do your vacation report because of what reason?

I was so glad you stopped and introduced yourself Sunday it’s always good to meet everyone face to face to know who we are talking to, to be honest you come across as a very nice sincere and knowledgeable member. Meeting you in person just confirmed that fact and more. GatorGirl was and is adorable, nothing like those homemade costumes.

Yes Miss Rae attempted to ride Delirium and was too short but she was on a thrill seeking mission. She is 8 and that would hopefully explain why she thinks if she acts mad then the rules can be changed for her.

I am sorry I missed you on Media night, somehow I just walked right by. My first Haunt experience what can I say.

Just for the record I did not give any walk-on rides to XGatorHead, his wife or anyone else for that matter. But for you guys I probably would have.

Again great trip report I enjoyed the read and look forward to seeing you around.

[XGatorHead 8904]

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone. I know I tend to get a bit wordy when typing, so thanks for getting through it!

Nice trip report XGatorHead 8904

I see this nice long detailed report.

And here I thought you did not do your vacation report because of what reason?

Hahaha... Good one! I finally sorted the pictures yesterday, and sat down to seriously type it out after that. I like the way you did yours, breaking it into different sections, so I'm following your model. I want to have Part 1 up Monday at the latest. And of course, that will be the most wordy one because we took the least pictures that day, and I've found that Day 2 is more picture captions than anything else.