Kings Island & Soak City PTR - July 11, 2013

[VortexBFForever]

First off, I’d like to say that this is officially my 600^th post and that I am now a KIC Expert! Yayyyy

Now, on to the report…

Part 1 of 2:

On Thursday, July 11, I went with a friend to both Kings Island Amusement Park and Soak City Waterpark. We arrived at the park at about 4:30 p.m.

We started off in Action Zone, since we were in the mood to ride Drop Tower.

Its short line (compared to Delirium's line - which was pretty long!) made us even more exciting so we hopped into line and had to wait only 2 cycles. When it was time for us to ride, I was assigned to Seat 27.

Needless to say, a ride on this Intamin Gyro-Drop Tower never disappoints. I mean, who doesn't like the rush of free-falling at 67 mph?

After a great ride to start the trip off, we headed to Flight Deck. Turns out, the 20-year old Arrow would be our first coaster of the day!

I was pleasantly surprised at how short the line was. A few rows were empty, including 1-2. We walked into line for 1-2 just as Train #2 was arriving at the station. Once the gates opened, I crossed the train with my drawstring backpack in my hand. The storage bin was a bit wet on the bottom so I put my backpack right beside it and then I boarded the train and sat down. This was also my friend's very first Flight Deck ride; I hoped she would have fun – and she did! Like always, I loved the turns (obviously because of the swinging!). When we were back in the station, I picked up my backpack and continued out the exit, and then we headed back to Action Zone.

We ultimately decided not to ride Delirium because of its long line, so we chose to move on and ride something else. Walking up into Oktoberfest, we figured “Why not pay a visit to Kings Island’s only hybrid coaster?” So we joined Adventure Express’s fast moving line.

After waiting about 10 minutes, we stepped into the very back row of Train #1, sat down, buckled our seat belts and pulled down our lap bars (after I set my backpack on the brown shelf, of course). Finally we were off for a ride through the trees, bushes and tunnels. As much as I like to ride AE in row 1-3 (because there’s usually a shorter line for that row), the back seat offers a great ride as well, especially when departing the station, and cresting the lift hills!

After a fun-filled adventure on this wonderful Arrow Mine Train, we walked up past the Coca-Cola Marketplace and into Coney Mall.

Since we were only going to ride only a few rides before we went to Soak City, we passed Racer despite its short line, along with Scrambler, Monster, and Dodgem. We decided to wait until after Soak City to ride WindSeeker, so the one ride that we rode after walking all the way through Coney Mall was…..Vortex!!! (Ding! Ding! Ding!) Before joining the line I decided to spin the adjacent Prize Wheel for $2. I won a voucher for 25% off one item at either the Snoopy Boutique or Spotlight Souvenirs – a pretty good deal if you ask me!

Vortex’s line was just short of being right below the sign. I predicted a wait time of 10 minutes, then began timing the wait on my wristwatch (in the handy “Stopwatch” mode) once I reached the back of the line – which officially began the wait for our first ride of the day on my favorite roller coaster. And who could resist taking some pictures? (I didn’t take very much because my camera’s battery was nearly depleted from the last trip)

My friend and I got in line for 2-1. When it was our turn to board, I stopped the watch, which showed a time of 9:45.34; it was just 15 seconds shy of my guess (granted, I always guess to the nearest 5 minutes)! As I went to the storage bin, I noticed we were riding Train #2. We had gotten hot during the walk to Vortex, so the nice 55 mph breeze we got during the ride helped quite a bit. It felt really nice, and we had a great ride!

After I grabbed my backpack and headed out the exit, we soon began the walk to Rivertown to catch the train to Soak City.

On the way, I took more pictures of Vortex:

When we got to the station, we had missed the train by SECONDS – they were already doing their final loading procedures when we walked through the turnstiles.

So as Blue left the station, I once again had the opportunity to snap some more pictures as we waited for the next train, Green, to arrive.

Finally, I heard a train’s whistle echo through the woods. Green was almost here! A minute later, I heard the familiar bell ringing as it pulled into the train station, carrying guests who were coming back from Soak City.

There weren’t many other people aboard the train, as anyone can tell from the above picture.

The ride was quite pleasant (like a train ride should be, of course) and it’s relaxing, especially when there’s woods all around you.

Before I knew it, the train was pulling into the Soak City station, and it was time to begin our Soak City excursion.

Once we got off the train, we changed in the changing rooms and then headed straight to Tidal Wave Bay where we had no trouble finding a chair to put our stuff. When we were finally ready, we entered the Bay and got soaked!

The waves were still going for a few more minutes when we entered. Once they ended we stayed in for 10 more minutes (including the next round of waves). Afterward, we walked to Splash River. It had literally no line and there were a lot of empty tubes floating in the river, although there were a few riders. We just walked right in, hopped on a tube each, and we were off. I love Splash River not only because of all the interactive features, but also because it’s one of the places in Kings Island where you get to just kick back and relax. For me, it’s a moment where everything is perfect – I’m at Kings Island, having fun and enjoying everything, and I’m also taking a break from all the action and relaxing. It’s awesome in itself, and I’m just floating down the river past trees, other slides, and the countless water features - and enjoying it all. Isn’t Kings Island such a wonderful place?

Splash River is actually one of my favorite rides at Soak City, just because of the fact that not only are there fun water features, it’s also very relaxing (I love WindSeeker for the same reason – it’s thrilling, but also relaxing as well).

After the River, we headed to Thunder Falls. Speaking of its short line, every ride we did at SC had a really short line. The longest we ever had to wait was at Paradise Plunge, which had a wait of only 3 minutes.

This was my very first ride on Thunder Falls – one of Soak City’s tube slides. I rode on the blue slide. Halfway through the ride there was one turn which ended up turning my tube around so I went backwards. It was fun. We then rode it again on the green slide. This time, the lifeguard sent me out backwards so I was backwards for the whole ride!

After Falls we went to Tropical Twister. I rode on the dark blue side since I had been on the light blue side last time (August 4, 2012). I felt out of control as I twisted faster and faster and faster and then – SPLASH! – it was just as I had remembered it. What a good ride it is, to say the least!

Next we headed to Paradise Plunge. We heard that the red and orange slides were the fastest with the green and blue slides being the slowest. I rode on the orange slide while my friend rode on the red slide. Like Thunder Falls, I enjoyed my very first Paradise Plunge ride.

Now it was only about 20-25 minutes until Soak City would close for the evening. My friend decided to head back to Tidal Wave Bay while I rode Rendezvous Run. In fact, I had time for two rides on the Run because of – you guessed it – its super short line! The first ride was in Slide #3 and when the slides came together, I and another rider were tied for “first out.” The second ride was on Slide #1, and this time I was the very first one out at the slides’ “rendezvous point.”

After RR I headed back to Tidal Wave Bay and spent another ten minutes in there, then I headed to the changing rooms and changed back into my regular clothes – right when they announced that Soak City was closed.

Afterward we rushed to the train station only to find that we had missed the train by seconds AGAIN! So instead of taking the train, we walked back to Kings Island, just like on August 4, 2012.

Part 2 continued in next post

[VortexBFForever]

Part 2 of 2:

When we walked into Planet Snoopy, I heard a familiar song intro and realized it was an Alvin and the Chipmunks song that was playing! I was pleasantly surprised, for I had never heard an Alvin and the Chipmunks song play at any park I’ve ever been to.

As we were walking up to Rivertown, I suddenly heard a rumble from above – it was the empty Flying ACE Aerial Chase train circling overhead. I suspected the ride was having a technical delay because in addition to the train running with no riders, the entrance was blocked off as well.

We proceeded to the “World’s Greatest Funnel Cakes” and got an Elephant Ear for $6.59. I got my souvenir cup filled with ice-cold Coke, in addition. Oh and did you know that this was my very first Elephant Ear? (we usually don’t get food at the park, especially if it’s just my mom and I)

My first Elephant Ear was quite delicious! I love how the sugar adds a little crunch to the flavor. The flavor and texture of it was perfect – and I had sugar all over my fingers afterwards After I licked the sugar off my fingers and wiped my hands on a napkin, we threw our trash away and I made sure I had everything. We were set to go to Coney Mall, for the sole purpose of riding WindSeeker and getting another ride on Vortex. We planned to start heading for The Beast at 9:45, (per my friend’s request) so we could be in line for a night ride. Right now it was about 8:30.

We decided to head to X-Base first to see how long Firehawk’s line was. On the way there, I admired the sunset. By this time, it was 8:46.

We reached X-Base and looked at the line for Firehawk. We made a last-minute decision not to ride because we still had yet to ride WindSeeker and Vortex again and it was almost 9. So we headed back onto the main midway, bound for WindSeeker.

We got in line not long after they had finished loading. We knew we would be in line for the next cycle. When the “all clear” came, the Superman Theme started playing as the cycle began. That meant the cycle my friend and I would be on would have the Harry Potter soundtrack (I found out it was the Harry Potter Hedwigs Theme) playing. When the time came, we were assigned to Seats 17 and 18. I rode in Seat 18. This was the first time since 2012 that I was on a cycle that had the Harry Potter Hedwigs Theme soundtrack playing on it. It was very nice for this twilight ride on WindSeeker!

After a great ride I headed to the Juke Box Diner to get my cup refilled. This time I refilled it with my favorite soda – root beer. Then I met my friend and my mom back at Vortex’s entrance, got in line, and waited another 9 minutes (9:19-9:28).

We once again were on Train #2, but now we were riding in 7-1 instead of 2-1 (and right before we got on, when Train #1 was in the station, I was once again in “relaxation mode”; I was pleasantly sipping my root beer while watching the action in the station.) When Train #2 arrived and the air gates opened, I stepped across the train to where the little white shelf is and put my things there. Believe it or not, it was the very first time I ever used that shelf – every time before I had just put it in the storage bin.

This ride in 7-1 was one of the best ever (and I think the sugar from the root beer I drank moments ago played a part in this)! As we were going down the first drop, the airtime once again caught me off guard – and like always, it’s awesome! – and I was also laughing pretty hard as a result! I couldn’t stop laughing until we had gone through the loops and up to the MCBR! I always love it when I laugh on a coaster… <3 The corkscrews and the batwing were quite awesome as well, which made for an incredibly awesome ride in 7-1 that night. The special part was that it was on my favorite roller coaster: Vortex.

We arrived back at the station. The op said “How was your ride?” and I responded with a loud scream (my best way of saying “I loved it!”). I jumped off the train, grabbed my things off the little white shelf, and walked out the exit gate with a smile on my face.

My friend was a bit hungry again, and I now craved a night ride on WindSeeker. So while my mom went with her to the Juke Box Diner to get some ice cream, I joined WindSeeker’s line for the second time. (sorry, Mom’s Canon Powershot SD1200 IS does not have a Super Vivid setting…)

While I was waiting, a cycle began with “This is Berk” (from How to Train Your Dragon) playing, which meant the cycle I would be on (which was the one after “This is Berk”) would have that soundtrack that I think is cool (but I STILL have yet to know the name of it) playing. For now, I’ll just call it “Unknown Soundtrack”.

Anyway, I was assigned to Seat 3 for my WindSeeker night ride. This time it didn’t take as long to dispatch as before. Last time it took about 5 minutes; this time it only took 2 minutes. “All Clear!” Unknown Soundtrack (the one after Test Drive) began to play, and…Liftoff! A night ride on the ‘Seeker was now underway as the park got smaller and smaller beneath my feet. The lights kept flashing, and one minute later we were at the top. Like with any night ride on WindSeeker, I thought it was totally amazingly awesome (like my earlier Vortex ride in 7-1)! After three minutes of vibrant colored lights, a remarkably cool 30mph summer breeze in my face and a good soundtrack to narrate it all, I was back on the ground and walking out the exit gate…right when my friend and my mom were walking back from the Juke Box Diner (perfect timing!). At this time it was just after 9:45, so it was time to head to The Beast.

Meanwhile, Vortex’s line had shortened a lot. Since I was so used to ending every night on Vortex, it was difficult to walk by its short line with no planned intent to join it. On the other hand, I had my very first Beast night ride (it was also my friend’s first, too) to look forward to…

We arrived at The Beast by 9:55. By then, its operations had been temporarily suspended in preparation for the fireworks. I felt anxious inside every time I heard a Vortex train fly by nearby, for it never closes for the fireworks. At 10:00 the fireworks started. I was able to see the fireworks, but I had a very limited view, unlike the unobstructed open views from aboard Vortex while going up the lift hill (sorry, I just had to…). Oh well, a limited view is better than no view. We enjoyed the fireworks!

After the fireworks ended everyone clapped, including us. Then our 30-minute wait (it turned out to be 30-40 minutes) began. WindSeeker and Vortex were already “asleep,” just like most, if not all of the other rides, except for Diamondback and Beast. They would be busy for a while longer.

About 25 minutes into the wait, I looked back at Diamondback and saw an empty train parked on its MCBR. Surely The Beast would be the only ride “awake” at this moment, since even Diamondback was now “asleep.”

Our very first night ride on The Beast was on Train #1 in row 5-2 – not too far from the back. We boarded at about 10:30 p.m. On the way up the lift hill, I looked back at the sleeping Vortex and the other rides. We reached the brightly lit summit of the first hill, and then we suddenly PLUNGED INTO THE DARKNESS!! Rocketing through pitch-black tunnels and through the dark woods, we could hardly see a thing. The small lights of the fireflies whizzed by like small streaks of bright yellow! I could literally see NOTHING BUT DARKNESS in the tunnels!! Going up the second lift hill, we only had the bright lights at the top to light the way. At the summit, we were now heading to my favorite part: the double helix! I once again said “Good night, sweet dreams, I’m now being taken away into the woods by The Beast!” to WindSeeker, Vortex and the other sleeping rides (including Diamondback). Going down the steady incline, the train went faster and faster and faster and faster and then the tunnel swallowed us up! Once again we had plunged straight into total darkness! That and the racket in the tunnels made it an epic ride! We went around and did it AGAIN!!!! Then the ride finally had to end (dang it…). Turns out, we were actually on the third to last Beast train of the night. When we were arriving back in the station, all of the riders (and me) were chanting, “One more ride! One more ride!” but the op said “Unfortunately we can’t give you another ride, but I’ll give you a free high five when you exit!” I got off, got my things out of the bin, and gave the op a high five on the way out. While doing that, I mentioned, “A high five is better than nothing.” The op agreed.

I really liked my very first Beast night ride. It was scary in a good way! And I gotta admit it was a bit fun whizzing past those trees in near total darkness (in the tunnels, it’s pitch-black in 100% total darkness!!).

+Drop Tower: 1

YTD: 3

Overall: 18

+Flight Deck: 1

YTD: 16

Overall: 33

+Adventure Express: 1

YTD: 6

Overall: 22

+Vortex: 2

YTD: 21

Overall: 156

+Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad: 1

Overall: 3

+WindSeeker: 2

YTD: 12

Overall: 30! My 30^th ever WS ride was at night…just like my 25^th WS ride!

+The Beast: 1

Overall: 11

+Tidal Wave Bay: 2

Overall: 4

+Splash River: 1

Overall: 2

+Thunder Falls: 2

+Tropical Twister: 1

Overall: 2

+Paradise Plunge: 1

+Rendezvous Run: 2

Overall: 3

Notes:

-did not see any technically delayed rides other than Flying ACE

-lines at Soak City were really short compared to some lines at KI

-locks on some ride storage bins (did not see those on my last visit)

-rows in Vortex’s queue are numbered (did not see those on my last visit either)

[stashua123]

Nice PTR! YOu should've rode Delirium because I rode it yesterday and it was higher up and longer than usual.

[TheCrypt]

^I doubt the ride cycle was different.

Great PTR! Glad you and your friend had fun yesterday.

[The Interpreter]

A report so nice

I liked it twice!

[jcgoble3]

You've NEVER had a Beast night ride before?!? Wow. Glad you finally got to experience it at night.

A report so nice
I liked it twice!

So did I!

[Avatar]

Nicely done trip report. I know reports with this many photos and reviews takes a lot of time. Thanks for sharing your day with us.

[Creed Bratton]

Great PTR!!! Thanks for sharing! Love your enthusiasm!

[PKIVortex]

Great Report! Glad you had fun, and I got seat 7-1 on Vortex the sweet spot, I love that seat, I usually always ride in that seat, unless it's the few times I ride the Front!

[flightoffear1996]

That is one of the better trip reports I have seen in awhile.

[coasterfanatic83]

I was there that day as well. I looked for myself in your pictures, but didn't see myself until I spotted myself on the train video! I was in the train you passed! Glad you had as good a day as I did. I wonder if I saw you in The Beast line (we were on the second-to-last train that night).

[Ki Man]

Seriously...cameras still put the date stamp on there? That's ugly as hell. Get that outa there!

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

Nice report, and woohoo for root beer!

[Hoeter]

Thank you for sharing! I haven't been over to the water park since it was rebranded as Soak City, have to go back over there sometime.

[YoungStud]

Great PTR! Try to get some more and better scenery in Soak City next time

[YoungStud]

Seriously...cameras still put the date stamp on there? That's ugly as hell. Get that outa there!

come on zachary, don't be hatin bro.

[Ki Man]

This was a quality PTR. Sorry my pale ale and the stamp distracted me. Still ended up getting the comment in though