KIfan1980 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 As I was on vacation last week and am booked all this week with non coaster riding family in town - I decided to brave the July Saturday crowds and take the boys to the park for a couple of hours this afternoon. To make a long story short, the park was insanely packed so we skipped the normal rides (FOC, Scooby), but had fun with other activities: Shows, Eiffel Tower, RR, Viking Fury. The pleasant surprise came, however, with our normal height check when my 5 year old was fitted with his Purple wristband - for those of you without kids, this is the one that says 48" on it! So after heading home for dinner and leaving the 3 year old with the wife, my coaster buddy and I braved the crowds again and returned to the park, although he wasn't entirely sure what the purple wristband meant, he was excited. Our first stop was Action Zone (he has never been in this part of the park before) for a Flight Deck ride. We waited for front seat and had an amazing ride which he loved - FD immediately moved to number 0 on his list (in a 5 year olds mind, this is better than number 1!) We followed this up with a ride on AE which was just ok - he rode Thunderation at SDC and Big Thunder Mountain at WDW earlier this year which I'd say are better mine trains. Then we went to Red Racer which was running great today and tied FD for number 0 on his list - the best part of this though was waiting on the brake run where he looked at me and said that he loved riding roller coasters with me (I can admit to having a tear in my eye for that). Finally we ended the night with a ride in front seat of BLSC. Ok for me, but he thought it was the best of the night - he is a car nut so riding in the blue Mini Cooper probably pushed it over the top. All in all, despite the crowds a great day at KI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Now, that's cool! Congratulations to you both! What a great father-son trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goofywdw Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 That is awesome that you had such an awesome day even though it was packed. I am disappointed to hear that Red Racer is tied with the almighty Flight Deck! lol It should be first place in IMO. I just got my 90th ride this year on Flight Deck on Friday! The purple wrist band can do glorious things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandAddict Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Now that I know that five-year-olds have a number "zero," it will be much easier to organize my favorites, considering I'm technically three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 I also forgot to mention that despite the crowds, I thought the KI associates on duty yesterday were doing a great job. - Parking was efficient both times I enterred thanks to a watched Gold Pass lot and fast moving, friendly folks at tolls - Metal detectors and gates were also faster than normal (have they adjusted the process at the metal detectors?) - I saw several shirt and tie types confronting smokers and helping out in general - Ride ops were excited (except at AE, although he may have been trying to be funny and I just didn't get it) and kept the lines moving as much as possible. Flight Deck in particular had a crew that was interacting well with guests. BLSC crew was getting the trains loaded and out fast. - Show performers were both entertaining and talented Thumbs Up, thumbs up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goofywdw Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I also noticed the metal detection process becoming a lot faster. I think they did change the strength of the detection or something. The AE crew really was disappointing on Friday night. They were very slow and used words they shouldn't be using in front of guests and just didn't seem to be in a very good mood overall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBEW_Sparky Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 What is making the metal detector process seem faster is the fact the Security Officers are no longer checking bags of any sort after an individual goes through the detector. The last two trips I have made, I have seen men and women go through with fanny packs, purses, backpacks etc and not one has been even looked at, let alone opened. I have a camera case that carries ont only my cmera, but my keys, cell phone, extra camera batteries, and 3 SD storage cards and not once has it been examined. Rather unnerving considering there are many other items that could be stowed in it if someone unscrupulous in character chose to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 Since I'm not normally carrying a bag I missed this, but am not too concerned - I wouldn't mind if they decide to take out the detectors entirely, so long as they redistributed the security to the park to enforce park rules. Although my cynical side says they are probably reducing the # of security to save nickels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violakat03 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 None of the Cedar Fair 'legacy' parks (Cedar Point, Worlds of Fun, Knott's, etc) have metal detectors. They are a leftover from Paramount. They haven't had security issues without them and probably see no need to continue to pay personnel to run them. Security is paid significantly higher than the other entry-level positions such as merch and rides. The detectors were off the past two times I was there, and they had one security guard for each three waving people through and doing occasional random bag checks (which they do at Cedar Point on occasion). You can tell when they are off because there are no lights at all on the entrance side. If they are on, everyone will light it up, but the amount you light it up is what sets it off. I think they were set to beep at 7 or 8. Things like keys, belt buckles, jewelry, etc will register as a 2 or 3. You can see the numbers across the top, and the sides will light up increasingly higher with each increased number. They will beep when they reach whatever 'critical' number has been set. Interestingly, my keys and BlackBerry have never set of KI's detectors. My old Razr did about every 3rd time. My camera sets it off every single time. However, at Six Flags America, my keys set it off and my camera didn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPGUN1993 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I tried to hand the guard my camera and he said "Just hold it we turned down the detectors" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI Kevin Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 They should really make a company- wide policy about metal detectors. This would be much easier. I know that this is a long shot, but think about what a lawyer would say if somebody was violently injured with a metal weapon in a park without detectors. They could easily say "well if you have them in some of your other parks, why not here?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KI Kevin Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I almost forgot. Back on topic. I'm 13 and I can remember back when I was finally tall enough for the coasters. I rode The Racer before Top Gun (that's what it was called, of course), and this was when I was about 6-7. Your son is sure to be a future Ride Warrior. Ride On. Ha you've gotta take him to CP when he is 52 or 54 inches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigacoaster2k Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 I noticed the change in the metal detectors too. My phone and camera always make the detectors go crazy. The last couple times, it hasn't made a sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 They should really make a company- wide policy about metal detectors. This would be much easier. I know that this is a long shot, but think about what a lawyer would say if somebody was violently injured with a metal weapon in a park without detectors. They could easily say "well if you have them in some of your other parks, why not here?" What if the park did have metal detectors, they were supposedly in use, but were set so that they did not go off and "somebody was violently injured with a metal weapon in a park" WITH detectors that that park had apparently knowingly, willfully and determinedly somewhat disabled? Why do I suspect this is a test of some sort and that next year the detectors may well be gone and the security staff at the front of the park greatly reduced? With all the security issues we have seen written about here this year (and assuming this is a representative sample), is this really a smart thing to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStroem Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 As a father with a coaster loving child I know exactly what you are talking about when you mentioned the break run on Racer. This is the coolest thing ever. Even better then a night ride on Diamondback. Congratulations to both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron88stang Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 - Ride ops were excited (except at AE, although he may have been trying to be funny and I just didn't get it) and kept the lines moving as much as possible. My last ride on AE the ride op looked like he was about to fall asleep and was spitting out stats like "Adventure Express has a top speed of 13.5 miles per hour." Nobody else in my party noticed. I thought he was playing around but another guest said something to him about not making the ride sound very fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BavarianBeatle Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 That brings back a lot of memories for me! I remember the first evening my yougest reached 48 inches. I still have the on ride photo of his first Beast ride and the one at the end of the season with his hands in the air! Enjoy the time with your kids.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auge.dog Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Very cool story. My son went over 48" at the end of last year. We visited KI 2x with the purcahse one - go any 2 days deal. He was also 5 at the time, and his favorite was Flight Deck. He rode all the coasters he was tall enough for except for Beast, Vortex and SOB. This year my daughter went over 54", and since my son is now well over 48", we got season passes. My son has expanded the rides he now goes on to include Vortex and The Beast - and these are now his 2 favorites. With my daughter going over 54", I have been able to ride Diamondback as well as Firehawk and FOF for the first times. You have much to look forward to, but enjoy each moment as they happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 I am hoping my almost 4 year old seen in my avatar will enjoy them as much as well. He is 42" now, got a little ways to go, but he loves FOC and says "let's do it again" when we get off! Glad you had a good time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 All - thanks for the support, I am definitely going to enjoy this next phase of riding. My son went over 48" at the end of last year. ... He was also 5 at the time, and his favorite was Flight Deck. He rode all the coasters he was tall enough for except for Beast, Vortex and SOB. Auge.dog - I avoided Vortex and Beast with my son as well (both because the lines were ridiculous and because, even though they are 48" rides, I am a little concerned that they may be too jarring for my 5 year old and don't want him to have a bad experience ruin his fun. We'll have to see if I change my mind later this season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auge.dog Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 KIfan, I misspoke earlier, and now recall that my son did ride The Beast one time last year. He had just turned 5 a month ago and was barely 48". It shook him up a bit. This year he is able to handle it much better. I was also surprised this year when we went the first time, and he did not hesitate about going on Vortex. Now, he wants to ride Diamondback badly. Unforunately, he is at least one season away, and probably 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketingExpress Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 My last ride on AE the ride op looked like he was about to fall asleep and was spitting out stats like "Adventure Express has a top speed of 13.5 miles per hour." Nobody else in my party noticed. I thought he was playing around but another guest said something to him about not making the ride sound very fun. I don't care what ride they are working, that's just sad. The ride ops should be selling their ride to the people in line and make them think that they are about to get on the greatest ride in the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 KIfan1980 - I never get tired of reading trip reports like yours. I was at work Monday when I read your report and I must say it brought tears of joy to my eyes knowing what you experienced with your boy. I had to even wait a minute before greeting my next customer as I did not want them to think something was wrong and I knew they my not understand the whole ridding coasters with our children the way we do. Thanks and enjoy those many first rides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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