auge.dog Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I'm thinking about taking my two children to KI one day this weekend. It will be our first visit this year. My spouse is working, so it will be just the 3 of us. Anyway, my daughter is now over 54" and has expressed interest in riding Firehawk and Flight of Fear. (Yes, I would like to go on these as well.) She's not too sure about Diamondback, yet, and while I will encourage her, I won't push her. My son is over 48", so there is plenty there for him to ride. However, if my daughter and I want to ride, say Flight of Fear, is there an option for what we can do with my son? Would the ride ops keep an eye on him? He does not mind waiting with us and then not being able to ride - so long as we only do this a couple times. He's a good sport and understands. Anyway, if there is not a good option, it's not a big deal, as there is still plenty for all of us to ride. I just thought I would ask those with more knowledge and experience with the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violakat03 Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 The first thing I thought of when I saw the title of this thread was 'sell it on eBay'... In all seriousness now. No the ride ops will not and should not watch him. They are there to ensure the ride operates safely and correctly, not to babysit. If you feel his is old enough and responsible enough, you could plop him on a certain bench or tell him to wait at the exit while the 2 of you ride. Some rides have a specific place for young non riders to wait, but I think that's just Flight Deck and Racer used to but I don't think it does any more. On Flight of Fear he can exit through the handicap entrance gate and there are benches in the exit area. Everything else he should be able to just walk across to the other side of the train and wait at the exit. It's very common, I see it done every time i'm there. Posted from my BlackBerry mobile device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Hmmm those were my same thoughts as well, sell it on eBay or the black market.... Seriously though you can have him just cross through the train and wait at the exit for you. I would also recomend making him aware of the lost parents/ baby care facility in NU. Just incase something were to happen and he got lost waiting for you guys. Also make sure he understands to ask any KI associate for help if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dare-to-fly Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Some rides have a specific place for young non riders to wait, but I think that's just Flight Deck and Racer used to but I don't think it does any more. I don't have a clue about those two, but I know that Beast and Vortex have "Kiddie Corrals" in the station, and they are still used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketingExpress Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Some rides have a specific place for young non riders to wait, but I think that's just Flight Deck and Racer used to but I don't think it does any more. I don't have a clue about those two, but I know that Beast and Vortex have "Kiddie Corrals" in the station, and they are still used. AE also has a kiddie corral. SOB used to, not sure if it's still there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auge.dog Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Thanks everyone for your replies - some of you made me laugh. He is tall enough to ride and has ridden The Beast and AE. We may be able to convince him to give Vortex a go as he is tall enough. He loves Flight Deck and The Racer, so there is no problem with those rides either. He's only 5, so I'm not sure I feel comfortable just having him wait for us. I'm not sure he would like it either - he may get a bit apprehensive, and I do not want to unnecessarily upset him. As I said, I thought I would just ask, and it really is no big deal. We have plenty of rides (The Beast, Flight Deck, AE, The Racer, perhaps Vortex, BLSC, all the flats, except Delirium and the Crypt. all Nickelodean Universe rides, all water rides) that will keep us plenty entertained. As much as we anticipate riding new rides (for us, anyway), we can be patient and wait until we make the trip with my spouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrstacy98 Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 He's only 5, so I'm not sure I feel comfortable just having him wait for us. Last Friday while waiting for(ever) Firehawk, the family in front of me did something I thought was very wrong, Mother Dad and older Sis were in line with a younger boy and girl, I'm thinking preschool - one may have been younger than that, maybe kindergarten age for the older. When they got to the front the 3 big people rode and they sent the little kids to the exit and said wait down there or out there for us. Okay, soap box time, that is terrible, these people acted and sounded like they were well educated, yet you can't teach common sense? These kids were young enough, what if one decided they wanted mommy and ran back with all the moving equipment, very unsafe, the rideops should not have to worry about things like that. Then, kids get snatched in this country all the time, the parents were more concerned about riding together than keeping their youngest kids safe, geez. I gotta think any amusement park / fair / etc. are prime locations for bad guys who'd do stuff like that. Heck, I don't even like going in the bathroom at the same time as my 10 year old daughter in public places, it gives bad people a chance to be bad. I use what I call the evening news test, imagine what might happen and what it sounds like on the evening news and if you'd think that parent was an idiot or if it was just one of those things. In my Firehawk example, "Young Boy and Girl abducted as parents ride roller coaster" doesn't sound too good. Allright, (steps off soap box), KI does give you a great option, as does Cedar Point, a Parent Swap pass. Go to guest relations after you get in the park, it's immediately to the right. Then you and your daughter can take turns riding it, one of you staying with your son, when one rider is done the other can walk up the exit and get in line right away. This way the person waiting with your son can take him on other rides so he isn't bored either. Hope that helps. --J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittenpooh Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I have to be honest. I have sent my younger ones to wait at the exit. But there at the exit were kiddie corrals. A gate around a bench basically. It wasnt that my son was not tall enough he just got to scared to ride it. ( not any more he is addicted to them now!!) But at that time the ride ops told me that they were perfectly safe. I know it is not there job to 'watch' my kiddos. But I did have the peace and mind that my son is smart and knows right from wrong and all about strangers. Mind you this was 6/7 years ago. Problems with kiddos getting snatched up has grown. I wouldnt leave them now. If I am at the park and I have my husband with me we use the parent swap. If I dont have my hubby, kiddie rides all day. LOL my daughters are only 2,3 and 5. There is enough for them to stay busy on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye Brad Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Another thing to think about...you may get stuck on the ride. It seems every year I am riding a coaster and the train stops on a block break for 5-15 minutes (station cleanup, loading delay, etc.) It's not inconceivable that you could be stuck longer than that. If your child is on a bench or in a "corral" an expects you back in 3 minutes, what will go through his mind when 30 minutes pass and you're still not back? I would rather let my older child ride alone than let my younger one wait alone. These kinds of decisions are one of the hardest parts of parenting. 4 years old = no way 10 years old = sure But where is the "cutoff"? It depends on the maturity of the child and the circumstances. For me, my kids will never leave my sight at KI until I am ABSOLUTELY sure they can protect themselves, even though KI has a great track record for child safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auge.dog Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Good points, everyone. The parent swap idea probably will not work either, as my daughter is only 7. She'll be 8 over the summer, but still, I would not feel comfortable leaving them both while I rode. Since sometimes some of the ride ops appear to not have much responsibility, I thought that might be an option. Since it is not, no problem. We'll be there other days. Perhaps I'll see Jesse or someone else who I recognize from pictures here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bufnstuf Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 I have a similar situation (one son over 54, one son under 48). The taller one doesn't want to ride the kiddie rides and the shorter one gets mad that he can't ride the bigger rides. I would NEVER leave my 5 year old where I couldn't see him at all times. My advice would be to take them on seperate days. Have the one who doesn't go stay at a friends house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auge.dog Posted April 30, 2009 Author Share Posted April 30, 2009 Well, fortunately my son is over 48", and there is plenty we can all ride. My daughter will not mind if we cannot ride FOF, Firehawk and others this time around. She loves Vortex, The Beast, BLSC, Flight Deck and many others - and we can all go on those. (Well, maybe not Vortex, as we still have to persuade my son to ride that one.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianBeatle Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Virtually every ride has a procedure. All of the 48 inch rides have childrens waiting areas. I always threaten to put my kids "in the cage" if they act up in the que lines.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markr Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Its nice that KI now has the parent swap( Which has always been at CP. ) so that two riding parents with a small child too small to ride can each ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaterboy22101 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Sell them on Ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fear the Four Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Just have them go across the train and walk to the exit duh! But you can't do that on Flight of Fear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markr Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I'm thinking about taking my two children to KI one day this weekend. It will be our first visit this year. My spouse is working, so it will be just the 3 of us. Anyway, my daughter is now over 54" and has expressed interest in riding Firehawk and Flight of Fear. (Yes, I would like to go on these as well.) She's not too sure about Diamondback, yet, and while I will encourage her, I won't push her. My son is over 48", so there is plenty there for him to ride. However, if my daughter and I want to ride, say Flight of Fear, is there an option for what we can do with my son? Would the ride ops keep an eye on him? He does not mind waiting with us and then not being able to ride - so long as we only do this a couple times. He's a good sport and understands. Anyway, if there is not a good option, it's not a big deal, as there is still plenty for all of us to ride. I just thought I would ask those with more knowledge and experience with the park. One possible solution since your spouse is working. Go with another friend and use the parent swap program. One adult can watch the non -riding child while the other adult rides with the riding child. Then the adult who watched the child can ride with the riding child. ( The riding child gets to ride twice.) CP has had this program for years and KI just adopted it since Cedar Fair bought the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auge.dog Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 Well, I ended up taking the kids on Saturday. We went to the park once in 2007 and twice in 2008, and this Saturday was by far the most crowded we've seen the park. However, it was still not bad at all. We had no problems convincing my 5-year old to ride The Vortex, and we ended up riding it twice. Longest wait we had was about 30 minutes - once for Flight Deck (first time I had ever seen this ride with a line), and 2x for The Beast. We did not ride FOF, Firehawk or Diamondback, as my son is not yet tall enough. We still had a great time though - I may post a TR with more details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.