August 25, 2013: A Lovely Sunday at Kings Island!

[VortexBFForever]

Photos taken: 95

Part 1:

We arrived at the park right when they opened for the ERT.

While walking toward the ERT entrance I was pleasantly surprised to see KingsIslandPR a.k.a. Don himself at the park as well! He was talking to another gentleman. When he was finished talking, I walked up to Don and told him I was a KIC member. We then had a nice short conversation involving what my KIC name is (just so he knew exactly who VortexBFForever is) and me being a Platinum Pass holder; I mentioned that I would be going to CP next month, and Don said he would be going this week when KI was closed, since 8/25 was the last day of daily operation. We then shook hands and introduced ourselves. After that, our brief conversation ended and my mom and I continued through the ERT entrance and on our way to Diamondback.

Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was when Vortex already started its daily testing and it was barely 9:40. On a typical day it starts testing at 9:45 (if park opens at 10).

Many times, I've been wanting to ride in the front seat. The problem is, the longer line for that row always deterred me from riding there and instead I picked a different row. This time, however, I finally decided to go for it. So I hopped into the front seat line and waited about 10 minutes; it was a 5 train wait. It was just after 9:50 by the time I boarded the Green Train and got ready for my very first front seat ride on Diamondback!

On the first hill, I liked hanging over and seeing that big drop before me. I LOVED the 80 mph breeze I got in my face! I also enjoyed the floater airtime I got when going up the hills (on a side note, I'm used to riding in the back seat, which has airtime while going down the hills) which was very nice. On the way up the final helix into the splashdown, I was like "This is the best B&M ever!!" (true story; DB is my favorite B&M coaster along with Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist). What an amazing ride.

I scooted to Coney Mall and barely reached the rope drop by the time the national anthem was finished. I now had a choice between WindSeeker and Vortex. I chose to go to WindSeeker first again, hoping for a ride like on August 14 when I had WS all to myself for a cycle.

Alas, a solo ride wouldn't happen this time. The poor thing was having a technical delay, as I was told after waiting at its entrance for a few minutes.

So, I headed next door to Vortex, planning to ride WS later.

Unlike other morning trips where I start out riding Vortex in the front seat, I decided to ride in the BACK seat this time. I got in line for 7-2 just as Train #3 was departing, which meant the first of the two marathons I did on this trip would be on Train #1.

So my 2nd ride (and my first Vortex ride) of the morning was started off with an awesome airtime-filled drop (after ascending the lift hill, of course.). It was the same for all the other Vortex rides on this trip, because I only rode in the 6th and 7th cars. I guess it was just my day to ride in the back! It was fun!

The 6-ride marathon was done in these seats, in order: 7-2, 7-2, 7-2, 7-1, 6-2, 6-1.

At the end of the 6th ride, WindSeeker had opened, and guess what soundtrack I heard? "Romantic Flight," my favorite soundtrack! When Train #1 was back home in the station, I exited, (promising to come back to the ride later) and went back across the midway to WindSeeker!

My first WS ride of the morning was in Seat 59. "Test Drive" played on this cycle, and to me it was a great way to start on my first non-coaster ride of the day! Like always, it sure was great feeling that cool 30 mph breeze while flying 301 feet above ground!

Next I rode in Seat 54. "See You Tomorrow" was supposed to play on this cycle, but somehow "Test Drive" started to play again! (a "repeat cycle"? That's a first...). Don't get me wrong, I love listening to Test Drive on such a good ride like WindSeeker, but I was expecting "See You Tomorrow." But it was just as fun.

I missed the true "See You Tomorrow" cycle, but at least I would be on the cycle where "This Is Berk", which is yet aonther How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack, would play. That was nice, since I hadn't been on a "This Is Berk" cycle AT ALL! My very first cycle with "This Is Berk" playing was in Seat 64. It was great, once again! Did I mention I love watching Vortex and the other rides while going around up-top? It's pretty cool!

I got in line yet again and made it onto the next cycle which had what I call "Unknown Soundtrack" playing on it. I call it "Unknown Soundtrack" because as much as I want to know its real name, I do not know its real name!! I really, REALLY want to know what Unknown Soundtrack's real name is, a whole lot!

I rode in Seat 18 on this "Unknown Soundtrack" cycle. The main reason I really want to know what Unknown Soundtrack's name is is because I think it sounds really cool! It would really help if someone on here knew what the name of the song was, because I want to listen to it on my computer!

I missed the "Apollo 13: The Launch" cycle, (the one after "Unknown Soundtrack") so I was on the next cycle, the one with the soundtrack that reminds me of a news channel intro. That flight was spent in Seat 28.

After the 5 rides I filled my souvenir cup with root beer and ice at the Juke Box Diner.

Part 2 in next post

[VortexBFForever]

Part 2:

Then I headed back to Vortex and got a good triple ride on Train #2. Ride order: 6-1, 6-1, 7-1.

At the end of the ride in 7-1 I found the trains had stacked and they remained that way for a few minutes. As I wondered what was going on, I looked into the station and saw a couple attendants hosing down Train #3’s last car. Apparently someone had had a protein spill; if it was me, I’d be pretty embarrassed, but chances are that I won’t have a protein spill anytime soon because I have a very strong stomach.

Soon they sent Train #3 out empty. Train #1 proceeded into the station, and Train #2 (where I was riding) went to the second brake run. I actually didn’t mind the extended wait – it gave me more than enough time to look all around while the train was sitting on the first brake run! Although it was pretty warm, I didn’t get terribly hot because right before the ride I had another quick drink of ice-cold root beer from my souvenir cup, so I was perfectly comfortable.

After exiting and picking up my cup and waist pack from the bin, I decided to ride some other rides and then come back to Vortex later, as I normally do.

As I headed down the Mall midway, I decided to hop into Zephyr’s line, because like nearly all the other rides this line was super short. After waiting only a couple minutes (the cycle was just finishing), I went to the ride and rode in one of the aqua green seats, on the very outside. I had an enjoyable flight on Kings Island’s classic swing ride!

Next we decided to ride Dodgem together. We joined its short line and only had to wait a couple minutes. I drove Car #35 for my 3^rd ever ride on Dodgem. It was fun!

I love rides like these where everyone is having just as much fun as you are no matter who you bump into. What a classic experience!

Our next ride was Scrambler. We rode together in Seat 7 (because 7 is my favorite number ). Like Dodgem, this ride was quite fun like always!

On the way to Racer we saw KingsIslandPR (Don) again and had another brief conversation with him. He asked me what my favorite ride was. I said it is Vortex, and I also mentioned that I was at 184 total rides (at the moment)! After that nice (and unexpected/unplanned) “meetup” with KingsIslandPR, Mom and I continued to Racer.

Like all the other coasters, Racer had a station wait. Both sides were running. I got in line for Red and rode in Row 1-2 on Train #1. I had a great ride! While coming out of the turnaround, I looked at Vortex’s station and noticed that the line was once again non-existent! I was thinking, “Oh my goodness! Vortex has no line RIGHT NOW!” as Red once again raced ahead of Blue to the finish on KI’s classic racing coaster.

I headed back to Vortex. The station had been virtually empty ever since opening, which told me we had chosen a GREAT day to come out to the park.

I got in line for 7-1. The train I ended up on was Train #3. I had a great 185^th ever ride on Vortex!

While walking out of Vortex’s exit I noticed the “Harry Potter Hedwigs Theme” playing on a just-beginning WindSeeker cycle. Knowing my favorite soundtrack, “Romantic Flight,” would play on the next cycle, I hopped into the queue for my last ride of the trip before ending my 10^th KI trip of the season (yes, 8/25 was the day of my 10^th trip of the season!).

A few minutes after I had sat down in Seat 59, the “All Clear!” came. “Romantic Flight” started to play as the ‘Seeker began another journey to the skies 301’ above all of Kings Island and the surrounding area. It was amazing looking down at the other rides, trees, and buildings, and it made me very thankful for the fact that I live only 60 minutes from such a great park! I <3 Kings Island!

The exhilarating ride had the honor of officially ending yet another KI trip (in other words, WS was the last ride I rode before leaving the park, as it was already 1:30). Until next time…

Labor Day and Dollar Days, here I come!!

Mom’s photos of the day:

I’m in the back row

A groundhog! Taken while I was riding Vortex.

A young starling on top of a building (the restrooms by WindSeeker?)

+Diamondback: 1

YTD: 6

Overall: 77

+Vortex: 10

YTD: 50

Overall: 185

+WindSeeker: 6

YTD: 26

Overall: 44

+Zephyr: 1

YTD: 4

Overall: 13

+Dodgem: 1

YTD: 3

Total: 3

+Scrambler: 1

YTD: 4

Overall: 8

+Red Racer: 1

YTD: 4

Overall: 8

Notes:

-staff was very friendly! I liked it!

-I felt like I absolutely HAD to ride Racer mainly because on the previous Tuesday (8/20) I had this weird dream that SFNO had reopened and I was riding Mega Zeph!

-lines were constantly short

-I rode on all three of Vortex’s trains

-AND 8/25 was the last day of daily operation!

-Despite the short lines at nearly all rides (including Diamondback!), Flight of Fear’s line still went into at least half of its outdoor switchbacks! (and once again Firehawk’s line was shorter in comparison, which I am greatly appreciating!)

[jcgoble3]

Great report and photos!

What is the sequence of soundtracks on WindSeeker? I can't figure it out because I don't recognize most of them.

[Jr for Birdy]

That would be Greg Scheid, whom I find to be a very nice gentleman.

[CP&LERR Fan]

Great trip report!

[fanofFirehawk]

Great Report thanks for sharing, sounds like you had quite a lot of fun, and ten rides on Vortex, nice...

And cool that you met Don, I have a feeling that if introduced myself to him, and said...

Me: Hi, I am a member KIC.

Don: Cool, what is your screen name?

Me: fanofFirehawk.

Don: Oh, I see….

[VortexBFForever]

What is the sequence of soundtracks on WindSeeker? I can't figure it out because I don't recognize most of them.

I've figured at least about half the soundtracks out, thanks to a playlist on YouTube that has a few of them.

The part of WindSeeker's 18-soundtrack sequence I know is:

(from Superman: The Movie)

(the Harry Potter movie theme)

(from How to Train Your Dragon)

(also from HTTYD)

(from HTTYD)

(from HTTYD; the part that plays on WS starts at 0:59-1:00)

(from Peter Pan(2003))

(from Apollo 13)

Another Unknown Soundtrack (once again, I do not know the name, but I recognize what it sounds like)

Another Unknown Soundtrack (same as above, I only recognize it from when it played on WS's first cycle of the day on July 23, 2013)

(a.k.a. 2001: Space Odyssey theme)

EDIT: I finally know what Unknown Soundtrack (the one after This Is Berk) really is!

Edited October 13, 2013 by VortexBFForever

[thedevariouseffect]

Ah James Horners Apollo 13 score, such a beautiful piece of music...

It can make anything inspiring or epic..it was playing once while getting my uniform on in the morning after getting out of the shower.

Best getting dressed ever haha

[jcgoble3]

What is the sequence of soundtracks on WindSeeker? I can't figure it out because I don't recognize most of them.

I've figured at least about half the soundtrack out, thanks to a playlist on YouTube that has a few of them.

The part of WindSeeker's 18-soundtrack sequence I know is:

(from Superman: The Movie)

(the Harry Potter movie theme)

(from How to Train Your Dragon)

(also from HTTYD)

(from HTTYD)

(from HTTYD; the part that plays on WS starts at 0:59-1:00)

Unknown Soundtrack (it sounds really cool! But I don't know the name of it! ARRGH!!!)

(from Apollo 13)

Another Unknown Soundtrack (once again, I do not know the name, but I recognize what it sounds like)

Another Unknown Soundtrack (same as above, I only recognize it from when it played on WS's first cycle of the day on July 23, 2013)

(a.k.a. 2001: Space Odyssey theme)

Thanks. I know at least one Star Trek soundtrack plays on WindSeeker as well.

[VortexBFForever]

What is the sequence of soundtracks on WindSeeker? I can't figure it out because I don't recognize most of them.

I've figured at least about half the soundtrack out, thanks to a playlist on YouTube that has a few of them.

The part of WindSeeker's 18-soundtrack sequence I know is:

(from Superman: The Movie)

(the Harry Potter movie theme)

(from How to Train Your Dragon)

(also from HTTYD)

(from HTTYD)

(from HTTYD; the part that plays on WS starts at 0:59-1:00)

Unknown Soundtrack (it sounds really cool! But I don't know the name of it! ARRGH!!!)

(from Apollo 13)

Another Unknown Soundtrack (once again, I do not know the name, but I recognize what it sounds like)

Another Unknown Soundtrack (same as above, I only recognize it from when it played on WS's first cycle of the day on July 23, 2013)

(a.k.a. 2001: Space Odyssey theme)

Thanks. I know at least one Star Trek soundtrack plays on WindSeeker as well.

Update: I FINALLY figured out what that cool-sounding soundtrack after "This Is Berk" was when I rode WS on 9/22. I have edited the list!

I also have all the soundtracks I know in a YouTube playlist here:

Edited October 13, 2013 by VortexBFForever