KI TR on 8/17/12

[IndyGuy4KI]

On Friday 8/17/12 I took a solo trip to KI for the day. I have had a very busy summer and have not taken the occasional day off to get away and have fun at the park all by myself.

I got up early enough to get to KI for ERT. The weather man was predicting rain, but clearing up in the morning. I could not seem to find a channel that would give any close time of what they meant by morning. I figured I needed a day away and early morning rain might keep the crowds away for a while. When I left Indy it was sunny, but getting closer to the Ohio state line was not looking good. Just a few miles in, it started to rain. By the time I got to 275 it was pouring. Once I got to the park it was almost done raining, but very overcast.

Still very damp and drizzly I put on my Cedar Fair wind jacket and headed for ERT. By the time I got to DB, the rain was pretty much gone. About 1/2 hr later the clouds were starting to break up and the sun was starting to come through at times. By 11 is was turning into a sunny day. I got in 11 DB rides during ERT, not having to leave the same train once. A great way to start the morning!

At park open I headed towards Beast. Had a great ride on it. I then headed towards WS and Vortex. By this point the sun was shinning and starting to warm up a bit. I was heading to FH, but it was not running so I hit up FOF. I then rode Racer and AE.While on the lift hill I was saying by good-byes to that first drop of SOB. That part of the ride will be missed by me.

I then headed towards FD for 2 rides on it. The first ride was in the first car. (Best car on the train IMO.) It was getting warm and while in AZ I decided to hit up Congo Falls. I was in the second row and on the outside of the boat. I wanted a little wet, but not soaked and it worked out pretty good. I was getting hungry and wanted a burrito from Hanks. Wow that thing was good!

I then hit up DB and Beast again, for what ride warrior does not want to ride DB and Beast right after lunch. This ride warrior does! I then headed towards the Fun perks booth and used my level 1 perk to ride Thunder Alley. I have never been on those before. They were fun, but I would never pay to ride them. Plus, I can pay to ride go carts on a similar track a few miles from my house. I go to KI to do the thinks I can't do at home. While in AZ I hit up FD one more time.

I was getting a little warm again, so this time I headed toward RFYLCB. That was a fun ride and got about the same amount of water on me as I did at CF. I then talked to KingsIslandPR (Don) for several minutes over by DB. I had a nice conversation with him and after that hit up DB again since you know, I was just so close to it!

I meet up with Tom76257 after leaving DB for he was just 2 cycles ahead of me and we headed towards WS. Always a fun ride and we noticed the SOB trains in the graveyard behind FH. We went to FH expecting a big line, but it was about 10 minutes so we got in line and had a good ride on it. We then hit up Racer and got a re ride. We then hit up DT.

We then meet up with Windshawne by DB and rode it with her. We then went to The Beast and had good conversation in the queue. Windshawne was not feeling the best and sat out The Beast ride. When we got back to the final brake run, Tom and I both agreed it was running awesome. I I would be willing to beet we were going about 5mph quicker than when I had rode it earlier in the day in the same seat. Great ride!

At that point it was about was 8:40 and I had a 2 hour drive ahead of me. Tom walked me to the gate. On the way out I got a cool evening shot of DB with a train on the lift hill and another in the splashdown. (Below) All in all a great day. I stopped at Guest Services and told them what a great day I had. (I just wanted them to hear some positive feedback since they most likely never get that,)

DB - 15

Racer - 2

FD - 3

Beast - 3

Vortex - 1

FH - 1

FOF - 1

WS - 2

DT - 1

RFYLCB - 1

TA - 1

CF - 1

Total: 32

[The Interpreter]

Definitely the best week to visit for short lines with good operations.

Wish I could have been there! It's been that kind of summer for me, too. I've had one day off, and went to SFOG, to find it swamped. I stayed a bit less than an hour!

[IndyGuy4KI]

Hoping or more of the same today!

[ohiocolts]

Great trip report Brad! Glad the crowds went your way. Sounds like you had a great day!