For those of you who are card carrying members of coaster enthusiast groups, you are probably aware of the traditional Ruth Voss Memorial Walkback every morning. The walkback will be changing in 2009, as stated in the other thread. Now card carrying members of accredited enthusiast groups who do NOT have a Kings Island Gold or Platinum Pass can join the Gold and Platinum Pass holders in the daily morning ERT on Diamondback and one other ride.

This will be an exciting opportunity for enthusiasts from out of town to be able to skip the lines and get a few rides in on Diamondback before the gates are open to the general public.

2008 = Stellar Special Events

2009 = Diamondback and Perks

2008 = Stellar Special Events

2009 = Diamondback and Perks

2009 = Dimaondback, perks, stellar special events

Just wait...

^^Yes!!! The FOURTH!!!! j/k...

Btw, is KI's goal for 5 million D-back rides in 09?! They're treating her like a cheap rental car at this point with all the ERT!!

How exactly did the walkback work in '08? I feel so clueless right now.

How exactly did the walkback work in '08? I feel so clueless right now.

Card carrying members of accredited enthusiast groups used to be able to meet near the park's entrance and were escorted by a member of the marketing team to the entrance to The Beast to be able to catch the first ride of the day. That of course has changed to accommodate the far more exciting DB early rides.

That of course has changed to accommodate the far more exciting DB early rides.

That remains to be seen...

...don't count your rattlesnakes before they're hatched! Spoken as someone partial to wood and who couldn't resist.

How exactly did the walkback work in '08? I feel so clueless right now.

Card carrying members of accredited enthusiast groups used to be able to meet near the park's entrance and were escorted by a member of the marketing team to the entrance to The Beast to be able to catch the first ride of the day. That of course has changed to accommodate the far more exciting DB early rides.

So The Beast will no longer have a walkback.... or just on selected days?

200th Post

...daily morning ERT on Diamondback and one other ride.

I'm assuming the second ride would be rotated but remain in the same Rivertown area. Saying this is true, I would assume that our daily selection will include Diamondback and The Beast, The Crypt, White Water Canyon, or Backlot Stunt Coaster. This should be an exciting year

^^I disagree

^So what's your opinion?

...daily morning ERT on Diamondback and one other ride.

I'm assuming the second ride would be rotated but remain in the same Rivertown area. Saying this is true, I would assume that our daily selection will include Diamondback and The Beast, The Crypt, White Water Canyon, or Backlot Stunt Coaster. This should be an exciting year

Doesn't WWC open at noon on most days?

I seem to recall that it is that way, at least on the weekdays. Its not like there is a mad rush right at park opening to ride White Water Canyon.

Card carrying members of accredited enthusiast groups used to be able to meet near the park's entrance and were escorted by a member of the marketing team to the entrance to The Beast to be able to catch the first ride of the day. That of course has changed to accommodate the far more exciting DB early rides.

Which ones exactly. Only ACE or also will Great Ohio Coaster Club be included as well?

Other ones that might be of note? Florida Coaster Club? WYNCC? MACC?

I would like to know please, if you have the info on that. So I know if I need to bring credentials and what not.

Thanks in advance.

~Sora

Last year, each of the coaster clubs you mentioned were considered by Kings Island to be accredited coaster clubs. You must have your membership card.

If I remember correctly, and this is several years ago, its any coaster club that you must pay dues for and have a membership card.

Other ones that might be of note? Florida Coaster Club? WYNCC? MACC?

If I'm understanding this accurately - being a Platinum Pass Holder will get you in early every day for the ERT so belonging to a club becomes a moot point for most KI enthusiasts (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I joined Coaster Buzz last year, mainly selfishly for Boo Buzz which gave us an ERT hour on Maverick (I got 9 rides within an hour - my daughter got 11), however it's an affordable club and the membership appears to work for things like this, Coastermania and benefits like at Holiday World.

I saw that Coaster Fanatics also has a club you can join.

Someone official will need to judge on what counts for KI or not.

Well I'm a Premium Member on Coaster Fanatics, and I got into Coaster Mania 2008. So it should work for KI too. Also, I totally recommend joining Coaster Fanatic's Premium Membership Club, it only coaster 12$ a year and it can pay it's self off very easily. For example: During Coaster Mania I got a free hoodie that would coast about $30.00, Free Unlimited Pepsi all day, Free Nachos during night ERT, a Free Meal, hours of ERT, and of course the best day of my life!

Other ones that might be of note? Florida Coaster Club? WYNCC? MACC?

If I'm understanding this accurately - being a Platinum Pass Holder will get you in early every day for the ERT so belonging to a club becomes a moot point for most KI enthusiasts (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I joined Coaster Buzz last year, mainly selfishly for Boo Buzz which gave us an ERT hour on Maverick (I got 9 rides within an hour - my daughter got 11), however it's an affordable club and the membership appears to work for things like this, Coastermania and benefits like at Holiday World.

I saw that Coaster Fanatics also has a club you can join.

Someone official will need to judge on what counts for KI or not.

Perhaps for some people, but actually it's not a moot point for me at least. Since I am touring many different places all over the US to ride coasters between this year and next year. (I wish I hadn't missed so many at Cedar Point...) At any rate, Kings Island is my home park and I enjoyed the coasters at Cedar Point as well. So I figured the Great Ohio Coaster Club was appropriate since I'm such a fan of KI.

And yes, I too want the ERT time for opening day. I don't care about the rest of the year... I won't be up early enough every time for it to make a difference.

However, it would be nice to meet some other people whom are into coasters. There isn't really a group in my area that I know of... so Ohio is the closest.

I have been an ACE member for MANY years and we have used the ACE (or other club) walkback for years. Last year was really great many times as my sons and I (and an occasional friend of the kids) were the only ones there for the walkback. We once got 3 laps on Beast before the park even opened. I am not sure what the mention of Gold/Platinum passes has to do with anything. It was only for coaster club members before so what does a Gold/Platinum pass help out? My question for this year and it appears so, is can we choose Diamondback over Beast or do we now get one on both? If the later one then this is especially sweet.

Ruth Voss. What a class act and sweet lady.

MikeJenkins1, this year, if you have a Gold or Platinum pass and are a member of a card issuing coaster club, you will be allowed to participate in the pass holder early ride time. If you are not a pass holder (like mentioned above), then you will be able to show your membership cards to participate in the early ride time. The early ride time will be on Diamondback, but could also feature another ride. The exact details of the times and what other rides, if any, that will be offered has not been released yet. The old way of being escorted and the first to line up for The Beast or other rides is essentially now gone. You will be participating with the pass holders` early ride time. Which is better than just standing in a line waiting for the ride to start at 10, right?

...daily morning ERT on Diamondback and one other ride.

I'm assuming the second ride would be rotated but remain in the same Rivertown area. Saying this is true, I would assume that our daily selection will include Diamondback and The Beast, The Crypt, White Water Canyon, or Backlot Stunt Coaster. This should be an exciting year

Doesn't WWC open at noon on most days?

Yeah, I wasn't thinking that post through all the way. My apologies

MikeJenkins1, this year, if you have a Gold or Platinum pass and are a member of a card issuing coaster club, you will be allowed to participate in the pass holder early ride time. If you are not a pass holder (like mentioned above), then you will be able to show your membership cards to participate in the early ride time. The early ride time will be on Diamondback, but could also feature another ride. The exact details of the times and what other rides, if any, that will be offered has not been released yet. The old way of being escorted and the first to line up for The Beast or other rides is essentially now gone. You will be participating with the pass holders` early ride time. Which is better than just standing in a line waiting for the ride to start at 10, right?

So the exclusive walk back days (ACE card carrying member) are gone?

There will not be a Coaster Geek ride time prior to Gold/Platinum ride time? Just wonder since that means it would

essentially be packed now instead of just a few.

ACE did not have an exclusive walk back even last year. The walkback was open to all members of all credentialed coaster clubs...

So the exclusive walk back days (ACE card carrying member) are gone?

There will not be a Coaster Geek ride time prior to Gold/Platinum ride time? Just wonder since that means it would

essentially be packed now instead of just a few.

Think about it, instead of getting in a few minutes early you get a whole hour, AND, most people will be heading for Diamondback, it's new, it's exciting - and if anything like Behemoth - tons of air time! - so traffic on The Beast (or that day's designated co-ride) will presumably be light.

With CP hour early ERT a huge line forms on Maverick pretty quickly (thus the running of the bulls), on some of the other rides - not so much.

How exactly did the walkback work in '08? I feel so clueless right now.

You aren't alone. I just joined ACE maybe 2 months ago. I had no idea KI did such things until this topic was posted.

With CP hour early ERT a huge line on Maverick pretty quickly (thus the running of the bulls), on some of the other rides - not so much.

I wish they would have Magnum in CP's ERT lineup.. but no, they choose Iron Dragon instead.. blah. I understand that they are trying to cater to everyone for ERT.. but I sure don't mind waiting for the early morning, trimless rides on Magnum.

^^But Maggie's lines are usually always short (especially until noon and at close), and trimless rides are easy on Maggie as well...so the ERT isn't as needed to begin with. (plus those darn kiddies love the Dragon! )

In 2008, from both being a part of the ACE walkback as well as working at The Beast over the summer; If you were a coaster club card carrying member you would meet infront of the old Paramount Theater, around 9ish, at which point a individual from guest relations would meet everyone at this location, take down their names and coaster club organization, as well as each individual having to present the card. an aside, I know in the past, not sure about last year the walkback allowed for a card carrying member and a guest. But after the meeting, those individuals would be escorted back to The Beast, and once the ride was ready for the day after the morning tests etc. those would be able to take the first ride(s) on The Beast before the GP arrivied. Depending on the time it was possible for those individuals to have multiple rides before the GP arrivied.

I hope this cleared things up

The official answer from the official man in an email to me:

There will not be a walk back to The Beast this season for members of an accredited roller coaster club/organization. Gold and Platinum pass holders will have early access on Diamondback every public operating day, as well as another major roller coaster. Coaster club members that do not have a Gold or Platinum pass will be able to participate in the early rides on Diamondback and second coaster by showing their valid membership card.

Sincerely,

Don Helbig

Area Manager, Public Relations

Kings Island