Kings Island: Friday, August 10

[TheCrypt]

Today, I went to Cedar Point. Nah, I went to Kings Dominion. Wait, that's not right. I think I went to Carowinds? Nah, musta been Geauga Lake! Wait.... Kings Island!

I arrived at the park just moments before rope drop. We were walking at the base of the Eiffel Tower to get near the rope near Coney Mall, and that's when we heard "God Bless America", sung by one of the fantastic singers in one of the park's multiple fantastic shows.

Here comes rope drop... "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Kings Island is now open!" With that, we briskly walk towards X-Base. On the way past Zephyr, I spotted a familiar employee. En route to X-Base, I stop at the merchandise shop by Zephyr to exchange my $10 for a $5 and 5 $1's. We continue our journey where I make the wise move to start at Firehawk, since the wait will be minimal. Lucky us, we walked right on to the 3 train of the day! As always Firehawk is a fantastic ride, no matter where you sit. I sat in the back, and it offered us an amazing ride. The hang time in the loop was insane!

I then suggested we do Flight of Fear because it, too, will build up a sluggish line throughout the day, plus it is located adjacent to Firehawk. We walk past empty turnstiles, into the hangar, where we become encompassed in the immersive setting of Hangar 18. The moniters were not playing the preshow video, but that was OK because we walked straight up into the first room of the UFO, and stopped in the 2 room. We had an approximated 2 train wait until we got on. I did not hear the "Please secure all loose articles, loose articles are not permitted..." spiel, nor the "We thank you for welcoming us into your world, now it's time for you to see ours..." spiel. The "charging up" sounds of our train preparing to launch were turned on, so I knew once our ghostly train returned to the UFO station, we would hear both spiels. Sure enough, we did.

I was riding alone and in the back, and I must say, the back of the train of Flight of Fear is wonderful. You get pulled through the cobra roll, sidewinder, and other elements so fast, you get incredible positive G's that you can't get anywhere else on the train. Definately ride in the back some point. We also glided through the MCBR, therefore it did not affect us, and I sure hope that's a permenant change, because the second half feels crazy without stopping!

After Flight of Fear, my 2 friends started walking towards the main Coney Mall midway, that is, until I said "Guys! Our stuff is all in lockers!" They came back to retrieve them.

My friend went to the drinks location by the helicopter MCBR to get a refill of his souvenier cup he brought. He ended up buying a drink wristband (which he really only used twice--would have been cheaper to pay the money for individual refills). After that, we walked over to Zephyr, which was just starting its cycle. At the end of the cycle, the employee aforementioned stated "Have a wonderful day here at Kings Island. It's not just an amusement park, it's an amazement park!" After no response or laughter or anything (I did laugh!), he just kind of said "Yeah.", somewhat dissappointed. Oh well, I thought it was funny! We talked a few minutes after that.

After such events, we meandered through Coney Mall, and I decided to do a flat that I have avoided like the plague the past couple seasons, due to slow loading procedures (but they aren't really too slow at all!). But, I have recently re-discovered an amazing flat ride, built by Everly Aircraft Company, transported to Kings Island from Coney Island. It's black, it's fierce, it's... THE MONSTER! I seriously think that the Monster is very under-rated. It offers some pretty good laterals, nice pops of airtime, and it's triple-spinning power is something that cannot be replicated! Just like a snowflake, no 2 rides are the same.

After the Monster, we trekked over to the oldest, only dueling, and most iconic ride in the park: The Racer! Since it was only about 10:30 at this point, they didn't have blue running, so we were all shuffeled over to the red side. I took my usual seat, 5-1, and had an airtime-filled voyage on a legendary wooden coaster, and I'm pretty sure everyone was raven about this ride when we finished. It was a relatively smooth ride, what with being over a wheel in the last car and all, but I did notice some jackhammering on the small bunnyhop before the turnaround. I also noticed the '70's music in the station. That is a great touch, and I feel like it added a much needed atmosphere to the station. Why can't they loop this throughout the entirety of Coney Mall? I'd sure love that!

With The Racer, we ended our stay at Coney Mall for the day. After the 40 year old legend, we made our way to the best mine train on Earth, Adventure Express. I love this ride a lot. I ran into another employee here, and we briefly chatted before taking my seat in the second car, third row. The trim brake was not engaged before the first tunnel. The first tunnel was dark as always, but at least we still had the flickering lantern and the howling wind. Here comes the second tunnel! Wait, the lights are off? Oh well, at least we still have the howling of whatever it is. Up comes the first lift! Oh yay, we still have half a creaking lift hill... Oh well. Still strong laterals and sudden pops of airtime in the ruins. The third tunnel was dark, but they had the creaking soundtrack on. Here comes the 4 tunnel, and I must say, I love when you hear the music before the "You have disturbed the forbidden temple. Now YOU. WILL. PAY!", then you see every single tiki-man arming the sides of the chamber lift up his left/right arm, perfectly synchronized. Great ride, great theming (when working).

We continued our voyage across the park in a counter-clockwise fashion, heading to Action Zone. Since Delirium hasn't been operating for months, we decided to give it a go. It was something like a 6-7 cycle wait. That's not a big deal for me. Anyways, I got assigned seat 9, and had a great ride that only a Giant Frisbee can offer. No matter what your stance on HUSS rides is, you can't deny that the machinery in itself is very impressive. I have often found my self in awe looking at The Crypt's arms used to raise the gondola, looking at how mighty, tall, and proud Drop Tower stands above the Action Zone midways, and others. Especially when year ago, people thought these kinds of achievements would be impossible. To me, this is mindblowing. (Wow! I digressed immensly!)

After Delirium, I headed to Drop Tower, but my friends didn't want to do that, so I compensated with Flight Deck. It had a line forming at the base of the steps underneath the exit walkway. I waited 3 cycles for my front row, and it was a great ride as always. Now that I look back, I want to put a brick in my hand and facepalm myself with it, because I was not looking for tree removals! Stupid stupid stupid! But it was a great ride with some strong forces and swinging action. Something I Noticed: At the base of the steps that lead you up to the station, there seems to always be a puddle. I think a drain of some sorts needs to be placed there during the offseason, because rainwater always accumulates ther and cannot drain. Maybe redirect a possible drain to the creek below the ride via gutter-system-like?

After Flight Deck, I said I really wanted to do Drop Tower, but my 2 friends didn't. They wanted to do Invertigo, so I suggested we split up. So they went to Invertigo, and I went to Drop Tower. I ended up waiting about 30 minutes, and I got on a cycle early because the ride ops needed a single rider. I won't pass up that offer! I got a huge adrenaline rush this time, and I guess I know what it feels like to ride Top Thrill Dragster! To pass time, I stood at the center of Congo Falls' bridge to stay dry and view the splashes. There were a lot of riders for a cool morning.

I spotted my friends exiting Invertigo, so I met back up with them, and one friend wanted ice cream, so we headed over to Ice Scream Zone, where he got a vanilla cone. I asked something helpful, like "Why would you want a vanilla cone? Don't you want ice cream?"

At this point, it was about 1:30, and my friends were getting bored (how do you get bored..at Kings Island?!). They only wanted to do a couple more rides before calling it quits. Being the Adventure Express lover that I am, we headed to the Arrow mine train masterpiece. We waited about 10 minutes, before I got situated in the back row. My experiences were the same as before.

At this point, we sat outside the exit for about 15 minutes, before I got peer-pressured into doing the ladder game adjacent from the Coca-Cola Marketplace. I was really close, too! But of course, I had to fail right at the red bar. So no giant Jamaican penguin for me, today.

After this, we just meandered throughout the park until deciding to get a final ride on The Beast, so we headed to Rivertown. We never ended up riding The Beast, but we did something better! We talked to our merchandise friend. We talked to her for about 30-40 minutes, and she is probably my favorite employee at Kings Island, hands down. We had sword fights with bracelets and stuff. It was great!

Upon leaving around 3:30, I noticed the far left vent on the former ride chamber from The Crypt was open. I snapped a shot of it, I just need to upload it. I also should note that Backlot Stunt Coaster and PEANUTS 500 were down today.

I realize that was long and probably captivated nobody, and doubt people actually read through it, but if you did, thanks for reading!

[jcgoble3]

I read all the way through it. Great report! Also see my post on ohiocolts's report for today.

[kblanken]

But, I have recently re-discovered an amazing flat ride, built by Eli Bridge Company, ... THE MONSTER!

The MONSTER! was manufactured by Everly Aircraft Co.

[ohiocolts]

I also read the whole thing . And, great trip report! And I also noticed that puddle on the base of the Flight Deck stairs. I had to get around on the sides of the stairs to avoid getting my shoes wet. I also really like the music in The Racer station. And, well, Great trip report! Sorry I didn't run into you.

[CoasterOhio]

Wow, few people went to Kings Island today, Hoepfully I know someone coming tomorrow! Least you had a great day!

[TheCrypt]

But, I have recently re-discovered an amazing flat ride, built by Eli Bridge Company, ... THE MONSTER!

The MONSTER! was manufactured by Everly Aircraft Co.

Embarrassing... Hath since been fixed!

[TheCrypt]

EDIT: I accidentally quoted my post! What is up with mah brain today, man?

[Original]

Who knows....

[Original]

I read all the way through it. Great report! Also see my post on ohiocolts's report for today.

I also read the whole thing . And, great trip report! And I also noticed that puddle on the base of the Flight Deck stairs. I had to get around on the sides of the stairs to avoid getting my shoes wet. I also really like the music in The Racer station. And, well, Great trip report! Sorry I didn't run into you.

So many things to quote! I could quote a bunch more things!!!! AAnd yes I read all the way through... I love how enthusiastic you are in them!

[LongliveKingsCobra]

I realize that was long and probably captivated nobody, and doubt people actually read through it, but if you did, thanks for reading!

Not gonna lie, this was my favorite line of the entire thing! hahaha I enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!

[Vortex]

The Backlot Stunt Coaster was open. Very nice report.

[TheCrypt]

I realize that was long and probably captivated nobody, and doubt people actually read through it, but if you did, thanks for reading!

Not gonna lie, this was my favorite line of the entire thing! hahaha I enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!

I'm a bad writer, what can I say? :/

But thank you all for your compliments.

[Mr. Christopher]

Upon leaving around 3:30, I noticed the far left vent on the former ride chamber from The Crypt was open.

Maybe Durga was hot and needed to open some windows.