First time to KI this weekend 8/23-8/25

[TrinDawg41]

So, I live in northwest ohio, around sandusky area, and am an avid Cedar Point goer, and have a platinum pass and am coming down to KI this weekend to enjoy the benefits of having this pass. So, do you all think the park is gonna be really packed this weekend? Also, do I get free parking with my platinum pass as i do at Cedar Point? What is your recommendation for rides to go on first? I'm really excited about my first visit here! I was thinking about purchasing the meal deal that was advertised on the KI website. BBQ in the park, i think its called. Any suggestions would be helpful. Are there live entertainment this weekend as well? I love watching live shows.

[CP&LERR Fan]

Enjoy your visit, I know I enjoyed mine ride the rides you want to ride but for suggestion here are some

1 Diamondback

2. Beast

3. Vortex

4. Racer

5 flight deck

6. Adventure Express

Ride the train to

[TrinDawg41]

Enjoy your visit, I know I enjoyed mine ride the rides you want to ride but for suggestion here are some

1 Diamondback

2. Beast

3. Vortex

4. Racer

5 flight deck

6. Adventure Express

They won't have any shows as it ends August 11

Ride the train to

The KI website says the shows are still going but only on Saturday and Sunday. I'm confused.

[CP&LERR Fan]

Enjoy your visit, I know I enjoyed mine ride the rides you want to ride but for suggestion here are some

1 Diamondback

2. Beast

3. Vortex

4. Racer

5 flight deck

6. Adventure Express

They won't have any shows as it ends August 11

Ride the train to

The KI website says the shows are still going but only on Saturday and Sunday. I'm confused.

Wired my schedule says diffrent

[TrinDawg41]

Enjoy your visit, I know I enjoyed mine ride the rides you want to ride but for suggestion here are some

1 Diamondback

2. Beast

3. Vortex

4. Racer

5 flight deck

6. Adventure Express

They won't have any shows as it ends August 11

Ride the train to

The KI website says the shows are still going but only on Saturday and Sunday. I'm confused.

Wired my schedule says diffrent

Did you look on the website? That's where I looked, under "What to do" live entertainment. Also, does KI have a video game arcade?

[CP&LERR Fan]

Enjoy your visit, I know I enjoyed mine ride the rides you want to ride but for suggestion here are some

1 Diamondback

2. Beast

3. Vortex

4. Racer

5 flight deck

6. Adventure Express

They won't have any shows as it ends August 11

Ride the train to

The KI website says the shows are still going but only on Saturday and Sunday. I'm confused.

Wired my schedule says diffrent

Did you look on the website? That's where I looked, under "What to do" live entertainment. Also, does KI have a video game arcade?

Trust the site, I think they do

[coasterfanatic83]

Yes, you get free parking with your Platinum Pass.

And yes, the shows should still be going on. Just listen to the park loudspeakers and they will announce a half hour and 15 minutes before the shows start.

As for what I recommend riding, find things that are exclusive to Kings Island as opposed to Cedar Point. Also, The Beast is a must if you like roller coasters because of how unique it truly is. In terms of what to do first, I recommend the Eiffel Tower so that you can scope everything out.

In terms of food, if you have never tried a Skyline chili cheese dog, do it. It is a local thing, and it is something worth doing. They aren't too expensive compared to other foods within the park. Also check out the blue ice cream.

Have fun while at the park! Make sure you check out the Banshee construction site while there!

[jcgoble3]

Crowds: Could be dead, could be packed. There's really no way to tell until you get there. Saturday will be busier than Friday or Sunday; I can say that.

Parking: Yes, a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass includes free parking at all Cedar Fair parks, including Kings Island.

First rides: Your Platinum Pass also includes early entry at 9:30 am to ride Diamondback, The Beast, and Backlot Stunt Coaster. Take advantage of that as all three will be among the longest lines in the park on a busy day (DB and Beast due to popularity, BLSC due to low capacity). When 10:00 approaches, wait at the rope next to BLSC (unlike CP, only certain sections of the park are open during early entry), and when the rope is dropped, make a beeline for Firehawk and Flight of Fear to get them out of the way before they get long lines. Note that Firehawk, like Millie and Dragster, has a "no loose articles in line" policy; only flip-flops and prescription glasses can be left in the station. Lockers are nearby if you need them. After FOF and Firehawk, only Invertigo, Drop Tower, and Delirium remain in the "rides that get long lines" category, so start picking what looks interesting to you. Some rides have shorter lines than it looks. A line spilling out onto the midway for Vortex is only about 20 minutes. The same on Adventure Express is about 15 minutes.

Food: I'd wait on the Backyard BBQ and see what else looks interesting. The Snake Pit next to Diamondback sells excellent made-to-order cheesesteaks. I have committed a sin by not having one of those this year. Hank's in Oktoberfest near the Coney Mall entrance is possibly the best deal in the park; you get a huge burrito or taco salad for $7.59. The trick is to catch them when they're open; they typically close early and sometimes exceedingly so. Since you're not from the Cincy area, you need to give Skyline Chili a try. It's a local favorite (even though I prefer Gold Star Chili).

Shows: There will not be any shows on Friday. Rock 'n Roll Never Forgets, Remember When: The 70's [sic]!, and Playlist, Live! will have shows on Saturday and Sunday per the schedule on the website.

Arcade: Yes, there are two arcades, one in Coney Mall and one in Rivertown near The Beast.

They won't have any shows as it ends August 11

The KI website says the shows are still going but only on Saturday and Sunday. I'm confused.

Wired my schedule says diffrent

Schedules picked up in-park prior to the 11th say that the schedule is valid through the 11th. This is just because the schedule changes after that date. The shows I mentioned above are still running.

[KI FANATIC 37]

I'll be there the 25th. Hope you have a good time and I may see you there!

[TrinDawg41]

Crowds: Could be dead, could be packed. There's really no way to tell until you get there. Saturday will be busier than Friday or Sunday; I can say that.

Parking: Yes, a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass includes free parking at all Cedar Fair parks, including Kings Island.

First rides: Your Platinum Pass also includes early entry at 9:30 am to ride Diamondback, The Beast, and Backlot Stunt Coaster. Take advantage of that as all three will be among the longest lines in the park on a busy day (DB and Beast due to popularity, BLSC due to low capacity). When 10:00 approaches, wait at the rope next to BLSC (unlike CP, only certain sections of the park are open during early entry), and when the rope is dropped, make a beeline for Firehawk and Flight of Fear to get them out of the way before they get long lines. Note that Firehawk, like Millie and Dragster, has a "no loose articles in line" policy; only flip-flops and prescription glasses can be left in the station. Lockers are nearby if you need them. After FOF and Firehawk, only Invertigo, Drop Tower, and Delirium remain in the "rides that get long lines" category, so start picking what looks interesting to you. Some rides have shorter lines than it looks. A line spilling out onto the midway for Vortex is only about 20 minutes. The same on Adventure Express is about 15 minutes.

Food: I'd wait on the Backyard BBQ and see what else looks interesting. The Snake Pit next to Diamondback sells excellent made-to-order cheesesteaks. I have committed a sin by not having one of those this year. Hank's in Oktoberfest near the Coney Mall entrance is possibly the best deal in the park; you get a huge burrito or taco salad for $7.59. The trick is to catch them when they're open; they typically close early and sometimes exceedingly so. Since you're not from the Cincy area, you need to give Skyline Chili a try. It's a local favorite (even though I prefer Gold Star Chili).

Shows: There will not be any shows on Friday. Rock 'n Roll Never Forgets, Remember When: The 70's [sic]!, and Playlist, Live! will have shows on Saturday and Sunday per the schedule on the website.

Arcade: Yes, there are two arcades, one in Coney Mall and one in Rivertown near The Beast.

They won't have any shows as it ends August 11

The KI website says the shows are still going but only on Saturday and Sunday. I'm confused.

Wired my schedule says diffrent

Schedules picked up in-park prior to the 11th say that the schedule is valid through the 11th. This is just because the schedule changes after that date. The shows I mentioned above are still running.

Thanks for all the awesome info! I am making this a 3 day visit because you can't truly get the whole experience of an amusement park in just one day! Hopefully, Sunday I will be able to get on more rides because generally, Sunday's are slow at most amusement parks, well, at CP anyways. I am going to be trying different food each day I'm at the park. I am planning on the backyard BBQ for dinner saturday. Maybe I'll do the cheesesteak thing for lunch though. that sounds good! Oh yeah, you were talking about loose articles. Well, I wear presc. glasses, but I have those straps that connect the glasses so that they don't fall off, will they let me ride with those on? hope so, cuz i'm blind as a bat without my glasses!

[jcgoble3]

Yes, your glasses will be fine on all rides. KI actually does not even require a safety strap on any ride. The Firehawk rule is for those who don't have a strap and don't want to risk losing their glasses.

[TrinDawg41]

Wow!! You all are super awesome for helping me along here! Very friendly peeps in here I tell ya! Very helpful to me, and very fast response times!! I'm even more excited to go now than I was before!!

[jcgoble3]

Wow!! You all are super awesome for helping me along here! Very friendly peeps in here I tell ya! Very helpful to me, and very fast response times!! I'm even more excited to go now than I was before!!

Oh, and since no one has done it yet:

Welcome to KIC!

[TrinDawg41]

Yes, you get free parking with your Platinum Pass.

And yes, the shows should still be going on. Just listen to the park loudspeakers and they will announce a half hour and 15 minutes before the shows start.

As for what I recommend riding, find things that are exclusive to Kings Island as opposed to Cedar Point. Also, The Beast is a must if you like roller coasters because of how unique it truly is. In terms of what to do first, I recommend the Eiffel Tower so that you can scope everything out.

In terms of food, if you have never tried a Skyline chili cheese dog, do it. It is a local thing, and it is something worth doing. They aren't too expensive compared to other foods within the park. Also check out the blue ice cream.

Have fun while at the park! Make sure you check out the Banshee construction site while there!

Is The Beast one of those "back breaker" rides? Is it rough on the back? I'm a little older than you all (41), but still LOVE to ride coasters, but my back ain't what it used to be like 20 years ago!

[jcgoble3]

Is The Beast one of those "back breaker" rides? Is it rough on the back? I'm a little older than you all (41), but still LOVE to ride coasters, but my back ain't what it used to be like 20 years ago!

Three years ago, I would have said yes. Since then, they've retracked almost the entire ride, and it is MUCH smoother. I find even wheel seats to be comfortable now. I'm 26, so YMMV.

On the other hand, the two sides of The Racer are NOT the same. Blue is significantly rougher than Red, and both are rougher than The Beast. Make sure to avoid wheel seats on The Racer.

[TrinDawg41]

Ok, so I have another question. What's the parking like at KI? I know at CP, i like to park at the Soak City/Challenge Park parking lots. It's away from the main parking lot, and I just prefer it this way. I don't like going in the main entrance at the park, it gets crowded when trying to get out at closing time. I know at CP, there is an entrance into the park from the Soak City/Challeng Park. Is KI setup this way?

[fanofFirehawk]

You can take the train over to Soak City, get off there, but Kings Island isn't arranged like Cedar Point, they pretty much have the one big parking lot in the front.

No separate Entrances either other than the Soak City connection. So I would say just follow the signs to the Soak City Parking lot, take the train to Kings Island, do your stuff, take it back leave through Soak City, and have a wonderful day at Kings Island.

Hope you have fun the advice given above is truly what you should try and do, we really know what we are talking about, even if that didn't make the sigh test bit sense to you.

[TrinDawg41]

I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions! It's been a great help. I'm looking forward to visitng CP's sister park, and it's part of the Cedar Fair family, so I feel good about that. But i really want to know what the big deal is on the BLUE ICE CREAM?

[thedevariouseffect]

Blue ice cream is a big deal

With a funnel cake

[TrinDawg41]

Blue ice cream is a big deal

With a funnel cake

What is the flavor? Blueberry or something?

[medford]

Also keep in mind, Soak City closes before the rest of the park, so if you stay past 8, you won't be able to take the train over to Soak City and walk to your car, you'll have to exist the main gates, then walk over to your car thru the main parking lot. That may or may not influence where you park, I don't believe that was mentioned above.

[medford]

As far as what to eat, since you're going to be there 3 days, mix it up a bit.

I've never tried the backyard BBQ, can't comment on it.

The Reds Hall of Fame Grille is great. Its a sit down restaurant, but for being in the park, the prices are pretty resonable, very similar to most sit down casual joints in any strip mall across the county.

The smoked turkey leg, if that is your thing, is great, but be sure to get it "fresh" light crowds could lead to one perhaps sitting around a while, which could dry it out. The lady who ofter works the booth over by Adventure Express is one of the happiest park employees I've ever meet. Don't know if she'll still be working, she's told me she has like 3 or 4 different jobs depending on the time of the year.

I think LaRosa's pizza in general is ok, not great (though I love the sauce), I think LaRosa's at KI is basically edible, but definently nothing special, though some on here seem to love; worth a try if you're there 3 days.

I've heard good things about the cheese steaks; never had one.

If you like Ice Cream, get some Graeters on International Street. Black Rasberry Chip is their best sellar, but they sell many great flavors (but not the blue ice cream soft serve), its been featured on Food Wars and other shows. They have stores as far north as Columbus, don't know if they go north of that or not, so you may not have had it before, definently worth it.

[loginmike]

If you stay late enough that the waterpark closes you may have a long walk because I do not think they will let you exit there after a certain time.

Edit: You gotta be quick around here

[Oldiesmann]

Blue ice cream is a big deal

 

With a funnel cake

What is the flavor? Blueberry or something?

I believe it is blueberry.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 4

[MantisMan]

What is the flavor? Blueberry or something?

Nobody really knows the flavor or if it's even ice cream.

That's what makes it good.

[TrinDawg41]

What is the flavor? Blueberry or something?

Nobody really knows the flavor or if it's even ice cream.

That's what makes it good.

Could it be smurfs?

[medford]

smurfberry.

[MantisMan]

Mmmmm, Smurfette....oh so sweet

[PhantomTheaterKiss]

Blue ice cream is most certainly blueberry in flavor... I know this because I despise blueberry and my mom would never let me get blue ice cream as a kid with insistence I wouldn't like it. As an adult my husband purchased some of his beloved blue ice cream, I took a lick and added another check mark next to "my mom was right all these years".

All in all just have a great trip and enjoy the unique fun that is KI. Come back and let us know how your trip goes.

[TrinDawg41]

Blue ice cream is most certainly blueberry in flavor... I know this because I despise blueberry and my mom would never let me get blue ice cream as a kid with insistence I wouldn't like it. As an adult my husband purchased some of his beloved blue ice cream, I took a lick and added another check mark next to "my mom was right all these years".

All in all just have a great trip and enjoy the unique fun that is KI. Come back and let us know how your trip goes.

I will definitely do that. Thanks for the heads up on the ice cream. I still want to try it. See what all the hype is. I don't have a problem with blueberry, though.