Beast1979's Opening Day Photo Trip Report

[Beast1979]

Hey everyone!

Yesterday I went to Kings Island for Opening Day, as did many others here. Here's the trip report of it. *Note: My point and shoot is currently my 5mp Phone, so pictures aren't too spectacular.

We left the house at 8:30 am, which isn't bad seeing that some others got there at 3:30!

Kings Island sits waiting.

Walking up from the Drop Off area, I saw that Kings Island has gone Green by placing these recycle bins near the normal trash cans! Thumbs Up KI!

The Entry Plaza.

Get your Gold Pass! Come to Planet Snoopy! Eat with Snoopy and the Gang!

I found all the KIC'ers standing up front by the Security Gates (Which were not on this morning)

Roller Coasterz

At about 10 till 9 am, the employees came out and started playing with the crowd, getting everyone excited. They let us through and the Running of the Bulls began. KICers Charged through the front gates, past the Gold Pass ERT gates, took a hard left through Planet Snoopy, sprinted through to Diamondback's entrance, and whaddya know, Me and a few others got the first train of the year on Diamondback!

Gotta say, it felt really great to be riding again! The ride was running well, either the 5th hill trim was off or I didn't feel it! To tell you the truth, I really didn't care!

You know you're a KI enthusiast when you know all the spiels for Diamondback and can recite them on demand. I found myself saying them along with the ride op's while standing in line!

*clicks heels* There's no place like home.

I got on the ride, no wait. Got off, the Single Rider Line was halfway down the stairs. I got on the ride for the second time, the normal line was in the second queues, and the SRL was down the stairs.

So, having started the season with 2 rides on Diamondback (Row 15 and row 10), I finished up for ERT.

However, there was still half an hour left of ERT, so I spent it checking out the all new Planet Snoopy!

The first thing you see when entering Planet Snoopy from Rivertown is Race for Your Life Charlie Brown.

The part of the ride you can see from the midway looks pretty good, I wouldn't say a downgrade or an upgrade, but the elephant is gone. However, behind that billboard with the Characters sits a figurine of Snoopy and Woodstock, laying on a crate. When you ride by, spray! Not as bad as the elephant, but still there.

Overall, nice job on RFYLCB, all things considered.

Why do I seem to like these life size models?

Rugrats Runaway Reptar is now Flying Ace Aerial Chase.

The new paint job looks very spiffy, the yellow is much brighter and goes well with orange, surprisingly.

Unfortunately, the previously awesome Reptar sign was replaced with this somewhat smallish sign.

However, considering the new paint job and the fact that they play Peanuts on the Queue TV's, I think it's worth it.

The Krusty Krab is now Snoopy's Snack Shack, and doesn't look half bad!

I think the only thing that was "Downgraded" was Snoopy's Splash Dance.

The old theming was taken out, just like all other rides, but it wasn't replaced. Sadly.

These signs used to have all the Nick Characters, and now Snoopy is several different poses and it says "Planet Snoopy....Celebrate Peanuts, 60 years"

Previously La Aventura De Azul, now Snoopy's Junction. The trains are yellow and Green, Red, Blue, and have little Woodstock on the front in an engineer's hat. Adorable.

Snoopy Surf Dog, where the train has no top and it looks like either a tugboat or a surfboard.

I heard quite a few happy screams and laughs coming from the train.

Peanuts 500, where there were plenty of "Wees!" and "Yahoos!" around.

Kite Eating Tree in the distance.

Apparently they kept the plane cars from Dix Dasterdly, because Snoopy vs. The Red Baron has some pretty fitting and pleasing theming.

I decided that after walking around photographing, I might as well take a ride. On what? Why, Woodstock's Express, a surprisingly fun ride.

Sorry guys, the tunnel is not there.

However, the ride looks better then it has in a LONG time.

I took a ride by myself in the front seat (Walk on), with PhantomTheatre sitting in the back and lots of kiddies in the train. I'm pretty sure the ride got some rail work too, because it was running fast and smooth. While getting off, I saw that I wasn't the only one with a smile on my face. Looks like the 'Tots loved the ride too!

Joe Cool's Dodgem School looks very cool this year.

Each car is a different color with a different pose of Snoopy on the front. This little girl, despite going in simple circles, screamed "This is FUN, mommy!"

Boo Blasters looks no different on the exterior, excluding the sign.

The ex-Mystery Machine is now a Hight Check station. Thankfully, it got quite a lot of use.

I love this plaza.

Oh, and this bench. I love this bench.

I tried to get all of the sign, but instead I got the coaster and "The Great Umpkin Oaster"

Love the backdrop!

Kiddies look like they're having fun!

Having spent the last 20 pictures establishing the fact that nearly every kid I saw had a smile or was laughing or enjoying themselves, I think we can officially debunk the "Kids will hate it" myth.

The Character Carousel, which lacks Characters.

Snoopy Boutique!

Selling everything from Plush to T-Shirt to Candy!

[Beast1979]

I still like the look of the area.

It doesn't matter if it's Fred Flintstone, or Spongebob Squarepants, or Snoopy. Kids love big, fluffy, cute characters.

I took a ride on Boo Blasters on Boo Hill next.

Unfortunately, the queue did not change. However, the ride itself did. The targets are easier to hit, and the theming is pretty good. The Blacklights give it a good spooky factor, and the haunted trees and all are great. The special element at the end caught me off guard and really made the ride! Despite averaging about 300, I found myself re-riding because of it's epic-ness.

After riding BBoBH, I found myself waiting outside Flight Deck for it to open with Adam (pkiboy), Aaron (PKIVortex), Kevin (kikevin), and Josh (TheCryptRaider). Interestingly, the Son of Beast crate is still there!

I think I'm quite possibly the only one who likes Flight Deck's logo.

Josh was observant enough to identify the blank spot on the map!

I feel like I'm in St. Louis.

After taking a refreshingly fun ride on Flight Deck, we met up with Alyssa, Rachel (StalkerChick), Jared (rotag1299), Chris (DiamondbackCMH), and a few others, and we all bought our $5 tickets for Skyflyer

Kevin and I rode, and we decided we weren't gonna wait for everyone to get cycled through (Despite them running both sides), so me, Kevin, Josh, and Keith (KIFan1980) to ride Flight Deck again.

Keith and others decided to ride Drop Tower, while I went with Josh and Kevin to the other side of the park to see what to ride. We noticed this difference in Action Blast!

Great to be back after 5 months without it!

We took a ride on the always relaxing, full of potential train.

In my eyes, the train serves two purposes. 1: To relax on a crowded day (Like it was yesterday), and 2: Drool over Diamondback.

I LOVE this picture! :wub:

Diamondback "Flies" into the woods (Seriously, I hate the clear-cutting)

Love it Love it LOVE IT!

While riding the train I got a call from Adam who had left the park. We met up with him when we got off, and walked over past Backlot. The bad news: The trains are in fact, just like Kings Dominion's. They SUCK. Seriously, couldn't they at least keep a red, blue, and white car in each train? Ugh. We wondered over to Coney Mall, and what did we see?

Eurobungee has been replaced by EuroBubble! At $8 a pop, you can roll around in these airtight bubbles on top of a layer of water. It looks like a whole lotta fun!

Kevin left for food, so we (Adam, Aaron, Josh and Me) got in line for Vortex. At about 20 minute wait, it actually wasn't that bad all things considered. That line moves pretty well!

After getting off Vortex, we strolled down Coney Mall. We found this on a Photo booth. Oops Cedar Fair!

Adam and Aaron went to lunch, so Josh and I rode Blue Racer, which was the only side open. Thankfully, only a 10 minute wait even though the line reached the midway.

Racer got a lot of work this offseason, the track is smoother, the trim was off and the tunnel was removed of all it's gum!

We walked through Coney Concessions, and saw that Snoopy has taken over the candy too!

We decided to do the Tower.

Sigh.

Josh's thumb of disapproval.

Up at top, the view never get's old!

I'm somewhat surprised at all the trees and their color. Last year on opening day all the trees were bare and now they're all full of leaves. Like!

The colorful, inviting and lovely Planet Snoopy!

Jackson Approves.

Still my favorite entry plaza after nearly 10 different parks.

Josh had still not ridden Diamondback yet, so we had to get him on.

It was relatively crowded, but as usual, the line moved! About a 20 minute wait to boot.

This picture makes it look almost angelic, doesn't it?

I can give you 3 reasons why Diamondback is better then Intimidator. 1: It's in Ohio. 2: It's got a splashdown. 3: It has FANGS!

We sat in row two and loved it. While returning to the station (Stacking, ugh), we saw these water dummies! And what does it say on them? "Property of B&M". Coolio.

Josh and I got off, and headed over to Coney Mall where we got Skyline and M&M's for lunch (Despite it being 3 in the afternoon). We headed to Adventure Express and met up with among others, Tom (Tom76257), Angie (gigacoaster2k), and Rachel. We rode and then Tom and Angie Split.

We all tried out the Dodgems, and agreed they were all slightly faster then last year. Thank god!

Rachel spent $30 trying to get a giant blue fish from a game, I decided the Zephyr is more fun.

"Fly away on my Zephyr, we're gonna live forever!"

We all rode the Train again, and Allysa was working and gave us epic spiels! We planned on riding DB, but considering I had to leave at 6 and the line was at least an hour long, we decided to skip it.

Because nothing reminds me more of a mining town then big LED Monitors.

*escapes to memories of 2009*

Rachel ended up winning that Giant Blue Fish!

We rode BBoBH (Final Score: 330) and then did the Tower. Some of us *cough*rachel and danielle*cough* were too scared to see the epic view.

Can't wait for Memorial Day when this clock is floral!

We rode the Carousel, which really made me want to have an Organ in there. That's all the ride is missing!

I smell Starlight Experience!

It was 6:00 and my day was finally complete. What a day! I had an awesome time with some great friends and look forward to doing it again!

End Ride Count:

Diamondback: 3

Boo Blasters on Boo Hill: 3

Woodstock's Express: 1

Flight Deck: 2

Kings Island Miami Valley Railroad: 2

Vortex: 1

Blue Racer: 1

Adventure Express: 1

Dodgems: 1

Zephyr: 1

Eiffel Tower: 2

Carousel: 1

Xtreme Skyflyer: 1

Total: 20

Thanks for reading!

[IslandAddict]

Woodstock Express is still somehow fun to me. I guess it just brings back memories.

[coaster_junky]

great pictures jackson, even if some were blurry!!

i did find it funny that you managed to almost completely eliminate pictures of Son of Beast, with it only in a far, far away distance shot, and the Action Zone picture.

[KI Kevin]

Great PTR Jackson....I should have thought to take my camera to get so many pictures.

Gotta love the Eurobobble!

[kjkjkj]

Nice PTR Jackson! Looks like you had a blast!

However, you'd be wrong in saying that nothing changed on the outside of BBoBH. If you look at the picture of the facade when it was Scooby Doo, http://www.kiextreme.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1825 Do you see all the little things on the front that say "GM" like on the gate, the logo on the window, the plaque above the entry door and stuff? Those were all changed to "BH" for Boo Hill. And in the stained glass window, there is now an evil looking ghost peering out that kind of blends in with the stained glass. It wasn't present when it was Scooby.

I forgot to take a picture of the ghost in the stained glass window, and of the GH on the gate, but my sister might have so I'll have to look through her pictures in a little bit and see if I can find one!

EDIT: Well I found this picture from when Boddah went to the media day. You can see all the "BH"s I mentioned, that used to say "GM" and if you zoom in on the photo, you can see the ghost in the stained glass window. It's in the main window above the door, in the bottom right corner of the window.

http://www.KICentral.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_9846_copy.jpg

you can see the changes in this photo as well http://www.KICentral.com/photos/albums/dane/kipreview/KIPreview-1.jpg

[Pillsberry123]

Amazing trip report! I think we can officially say that Planet Snoopy looks better than Nickelodeon Universe, at least in my opinion. Everything's so colorful, bright, and vibrant. Plus, all the kids seemed to love it. Kids don't care which company owns what, as long as there are furry characters they have a good time. Woodstock Express looks better than it has for years.

[TheCryptRaider]

Great PTR as always. You did a good job of summing up every little thought and sight that we came across. I had a great day!

[Beast1979]

great pictures jackson, even if some were blurry!!

i did find it funny that you managed to almost completely eliminate pictures of Son of Beast, with it only in a far, far away distance shot, and the Action Zone picture.

Awww shucks, I didn't do it on purpose! It's just nothing was happening over there, so why take pictures of it?

Great PTR Jackson....I should have thought to take my camera to get so many pictures.

Gotta love the Eurobobble!

Eurobobble > Eurobungee. So much more fun to watch them fail in those bubbles.

Nice PTR Jackson! Looks like you had a blast!

However, you'd be wrong in saying that nothing changed on the outside of BBoBH. If you look at the picture of the facade when it was Scooby Doo, http://www.kiextreme.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1825 Do you see all the little things on the front that say "GM" like on the gate, the logo on the window, the plaque above the entry door and stuff? Those were all changed to "BH" for Boo Hill. And in the stained glass window, there is now an evil looking ghost peering out that kind of blends in with the stained glass. It wasn't present when it was Scooby.

I forgot to take a picture of the ghost in the stained glass window, and of the GH on the gate, but my sister might have so I'll have to look through her pictures in a little bit and see if I can find one!

EDIT: Well I found this picture from when Boddah went to the media day. You can see all the "BH"s I mentioned, that used to say "GM" and if you zoom in on the photo, you can see the ghost in the stained glass window. It's in the main window above the door, in the bottom right corner of the window.

http://www.KICentral.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_9846_copy.jpg

you can see the changes in this photo as well http://www.KICentral.com/photos/albums/dane/kipreview/KIPreview-1.jpg

I noticed that, I was just being generic. No real dramatic differences, you know?

Great PTR as always. You did a good job of summing up every little thought and sight that we came across. I had a great day!

Me too! I'm already missing Kings Island, and it hasn't even been a day. Argh!

[kjkjkj]

I noticed that, I was just being generic. No real dramatic differences, you know?

I thought you might have noticed it but I figured that it was a good opportunity to bring it up. Just incase other people didn't notice it, since it's pretty easy to miss since like you said there were no dramatic differences.

[Jasper]

Nice PTR Jackson. I don't know if you noticed or not but when you were in line for Skyflyer I was two groups behind you in front of Justin_M's group. I was wearing the red hoody, probably with the hood up because I was freezing.

[Ki Man]

Not smart to post pics you took while on Diamondback! Just saying...

[Dbfan]

Great Trip Report!

On the gumless Racer tunnel picture, It looks like the lady in the pink is addind the first gum of the season...

[Justin_M17]

Nice TR Jackson! I had a great time hanging out with you and everyone else And by the way it was Danielle and Kristen that were scared on the tower, not Rachel

[KIfan1980]

Not smart to post pics you took while on Diamondback! Just saying...

But pics taken while on Racer are ok?

[Tom76257]

Very nice trip report, Jackson. I'm amazed at some of the shots you took.

It was nice hanging out with you as always. Hope to see you at Kings Island some more this season.

[Creed Bratton]

Great PTR Jackson!!! Good to meet you!

[Ki Man]

^^^Didn't see that!

[Dan]

*Oh hai there Brad*

[KI Kevin]

^What?

Great PTR Jackson....I should have thought to take my camera to get so many pictures.

Gotta love the Eurobobble!

Eurobobble > Eurobungee. So much more fun to watch them fail in those bubbles.

Haha when we were there at least someone could acutally stand up and run in the thing. When my friend and I went back everyone was laying down, not even TRYING to get up becfause they knew they couldn't.

[Avatar]

Jackson a very nice through report. You seemed to have covered just about everything one could imagine, Although i did not see any of the show. I think it is funny how the gardens sign says it's a relaxing place, but in all your pictures I do not see any benches to sit. I don't like smoking and have good reasons to hate them but I do respect those who wish to exercise there right to smoke, so lets get some benches in there. Great Job again Jackson and thanks for taking the time to do this one.

[DropZone99]

^^^ LMAO!

[kjkjkj]

Jackson a very nice through report. You seemed to have covered just about everything one could imagine, Although i did not see any of the show. I think it is funny how the gardens sign says it's a relaxing place, but in all your pictures I do not see any benches to sit. I don't like smoking and have good reasons to hate them but I do respect those who wish to exercise there right to smoke, so lets get some benches in there. Great Job again Jackson and thanks for taking the time to do this one.

There are benches there. Not tons on every path in Tower Gardens, but there are some in there!

[gigacoaster2k]

I can give you 3 reasons why Diamondback is better then Intimidator. 1: It's in Ohio. 2: It's got a splashdown. 3: It has FANGS!

Jackson, you REALLY need to stop judging coasters before you ride them. With all due respect, and as much as I enjoy your PTRs, you have not ridden Intimidator yet, so until you do, please do not judge.

I have ridden Intimidator and I have my own reasons as to why I like it slightly better than DB, but that's for another time.

[KI Kevin]

...and I have my reasons as to why I enjoy Diamondback moreso than Goliath, but that's my opinion.

While I agree with your argument, he was sorta saying it jokingly. Though he does have a point. The fangs do give it an edge

[Jasper]

*Oh hai there Brad*

I must say this one made me laugh out loud.

[IndyGuy4KI]

Just now got to see your PTR Jackson. Nice Job!

[UncleHenry]

*Oh hai there Brad*

I must say this one made me laugh out loud.

Was wondering when someone would point out my photobomb.

[CoastersRZ]

Hello Brad. How has DAAP been treating you? Are you almost done? Its hard to believe that I`ve been done almost a full year now with DAAP!

[count_of_tuscany]

*Oh hai there Brad*

I may completely off base, but does expression this have anything to do with the movie The Room? If not, you should watch it, as it may take on a completely different meaning afterwards! Leah and my friend Mark and I (who will be at KI this weekend!) will be saying "Oh hi..." to many different people and things. Again, before you start thinking I'm crazy, watch The Room! It's one of the worst movies ever made, but it has managed to accumulate a massive cult following due to its terribleness!