My first '09 trip to KI

[clbehymer]

Since I wasn't able to go to the park last weekend for opening day, my son and I decided to head east on Friday. We had yet to get our passes processed, so we left with enough time to get them processed and take advantage of the ERT at 4:30.

We made it to the park around 3 greeted by closed gates. We waited an hour at the gate, and this would prove to be our longest wait of the night. Just an FYI for thoses that haven't processed their passes... you will have to pay the $10 and then get a refund from the sales window after processing your pass.

Fortunately, we made it to the season pass line before there was one. By the time that we got to the metal detector lines, the season pass line was way out. I then told my son that is why we got here so early.

Finally we were through the gates and on our way to experience Diamondback for the first time. I think that we waited 5-10 minutes once in line because they were finishing the testing. We were assigned row 4 and waited 1 cycle before boarding our train. I love the seating and the restraints. We made our acent up the lift hill and I was wowed with the angle and speed. All I can say about this coaster is AIRTIME!!! I have read the numerous reports on this ride and I was still surprised. I don't remember feeling any trims, and were barely slowed down on the MCBR. Unfortunately, our on-ride photo did not show up on the screen. I did see Don on the way to the gift shop and told him how pleased I was with the ride.

We decided to get another ride on DB while there wasn't a line. This time we were assigned row 15. I did ask for 16, but didn't get it. The only thing that I didn't like about this was that Gabe (I believe from here at KIC) was the seat assigner. I know that seat requests are not guaranteed, but he let the 2 guys behind me and my son go to 16 (I think that there were from here too). That wasn't very nice. I have to say that I think there was more airtime this turn than the first. We did turn around to watch the spashdown and that was amazing. The wall of water that just encloses you. Very cool element.

After this, we decided to go to The Beast to celebrate its 30th. No one was in the station. We went to the backseat (my favorite) and we were not dissapointed. You can definately tell where the retracking was completed. Once we returned to the station, there was still no one in the line for the back seat so we went for another trip. Fantastic as usual.

We then headed over to Vortex, another walk on... new orange paint, same rough transitions. At one point, my neck slammed into the OTSR. Not comfortable.

We went on to FOF, walk on... seemed to be faster than last time I rode it, but it could just be my rust from the offseason. Firehawk was not running, I think for most of the day.

Headed over to Racer, waited 1 cycle for the front seat on Red side. The blue side wasn't open. My son made a good point... "How can the call it Racer and it only has one side open and doesn't race?" I understand the reasoning from a business standpoint, but still a good argument.

It was then time for another DB fix. This time, I requested row 16 and got it. YEAH!! Great ride, again. I was able to see my ORP and we looked mighty silly. I didn't get it. I did see Cory Butcher working, but he was very busy and I didn't know if he would recognize me, so I didn't say anything.

We headed over to Nick U and rode Avatar and SBATHC. I must say that my son beats my score everytime but this time, I schooled him. 1320 to 510. He, of course, said it was due to a malfunctioning flashlight, but I told him it was operator error and he just got beat by his mom. HA HA!

We were both hungry by this point and went to Skyline in Coney Mall. Too much money, but the food was good. There isn't a Skyline where we live and he loves the 3 way, so its worth the money to make him happy.

After this we went back to... guess... I bet you can't... Diamondback. We went for another ride on The Beast and then decided to visit his son. Kyle wasn't too excited to ride, but I told him it was a little smoother in the front, so we went to the front and it was more enjoyable. The best part of the front seat is the view down when hanging over the first drop. The worst part... bugs smashing into our arms and face. Yuck.

We hit up the rest of Action Zone except Invertigo. I can't ride it, it gives me a huge headache.

After this it was pretty dark and we decided to take two last rides for the night. The Beast and Diamondback. We decided to get front row seats for the best night ride in the park and it was great. Never a dissapointment.

I thought that DB would rival the legendary Beast ride at night, so we decided to get a front row seat for that too. While we were waiting, a train got stuck on the lift and we had to wait around 15 minutes for our ride. No big deal to me... I couldn't believe the lines were so short. Finally we made our way up the lift... this was pretty cool. Then we were dangled over the top of the hill looking straight down, basically. Once we started over the hill we never stopped. Airtime, airtime, and more airtime. I have been a Beast fan since '88 and have loved the night rides. I have to say that front row at night on DB is at least equal if not slightly better. You are flying over hills and can't see a d*mn thing. Now, Kyle, literally couldn't see a d*amn thing... his contacts blew right out of his eyes after the second hill! He still loved every second of it.

After this we decided to head out. We went to the front entrance to watch the fireworks and then found the car. We have friends that live in Clifton and we were staying with them... so I had an overnight bag packed for us and luckily, I had more contacts for Kyle in the bag.

This was a perfect day... short waits, perfect weather, an amazing new coaster, and all of our favorites ready for all to enjoy.

We were going to come back to the park today but when we woke up we were both pretty beat and spent some time with our friends at Eastgate Adventures. We played some mini golf and raced go karts. We had lunch at the Skyline in Clifton and then said goodbye to our friends and headed home to Indiana.

Sorry there aren't any pictures or videos like other TR, but I'm not a big picture taker. I did get a couple of videos on my phone of the fireworks, but don't know how to get them on here.

Thanks for reading... I look forward to many more trips to KI this year and to reading all of your TR.

Corey

[Avatar]

Corey So good to hear from you and I am glad you were able to get to Kings Island so early in the year. Wow no wait time at most the rides that must have been a real treat for you and your son to experience together. It's one thing for a young man to get beat by his mother at the SDATHC and it's a whole different story having her tell the whole world about it, I hope he still talks to you after this. Well thank you for the report I enjoyed reading it and hope there are more trips for you guys in the near future.

[Brandon]

so your assigned a seat on Diamondback? i hate when you get assigned seats on roller coasters, as long as your willing to wait then it should be okay.

[The Interpreter]

Nice trip report. And yes, Brandon, so far at least, seats are assigned on Diamondback. Some assigners will let you ride your desired seat if you ask nicely and if there are not too many people already waiting for it. Others will not.

[TopThrill]

Nice Trip Report, yeah I couldn't believe only waiting five to ten mins for DB all night. Think I got the 3rd train of day, and the 3rd train of the night. Plus I though it was pretty warm to Friday night.

[BavarianBeatle]

I thought I saw you on The Racer. You were leaving while we were waiting to get on.

Friday was an absolutely wonderful evening at the park. My first "shorts and sandals" night of the season!!

[clbehymer]

Thanks guys.

Beatle- I was wearing a bright green shirt and my son was wearing a red Ohio state shirt. He is about 6" taller than me, too.

[clbehymer]

I would like to publicly say that I meant no offense to Gabe and the other DB ride ops. I thought that they did a fantastic job. I was more or less giving him a hard time. Again, my apologies to Gabe.

[Cory Butcher]

Corey, you should have said hi! Even if I was busy I would have definitely known who you were! Next time you are at the park, be sure to say hey!

Glad you enjoyed Diamondback!