Kings Island TR - RIGHT BEFORE THE MEMORIAL DAY MAN!

[Existential]

Decided last weekend with the GF to head to KI this week before Memorial Day unleashed the army of crowds across the nation's amusement parks. Judging from the webcams the last two weeks we figured Tuesday...but I had a conflict with work and had to settle for Yesterday.

We left Columbus around 8:10 and headed down 71 under overcast skies with light traffic and minimal construction [are they ever going to finish that darn bridge before Mason? Its been over 2 years now]. We passed quite a few buses filled with kids, and at one point 3 back to back from Granville, so we figured they were heading to the same destination. Arrived at the park at 9:36 and forgot to look at the new sign...I just realized that. We settled down in Row 46, Invertigo and I looked toward Banshee to watch her in action with ERT travelers. A lot of buses in the lot, which I expected. 12 dollars to parkwhat a treat!

We entered the Main gates with no wait and secured those superb 12 DOLLAR lockers straight to the left. There are millions of people that have to work for two hours to afford such luxury as this small metal box. At least it was at eye level. Phones, spare glasses, and purse were nestled in their suite and we headed towards the Kings Island Theatre to stand with the other patron cattle. A lot of kids and teenagers yelling and hopped up on all kinds of goofballs. We had about 10 LONG minutes of waiting. The banter grew louder because the kid noise was getting louder and of course, if things are loud, one must be even louder to get their point overheard. Finally the security officer in long sleeved white allowed the trampling processional to occur. Score 1 for humanity. His constant whistle-blowing was VERY effective for those that were pushed to the grass and over the curbs. Even saw a guy clearing a path by effectively pushing a wheelchair bound individual hurriedly through the masses. You see, thats thinking. We followed him towards Banshee like one follows an ambulance in trafficmy first coaster of the year and what a way to start.

Exceptwe had to wait about 2 minutes just to get past the entrance. EVERY SINGLE PERSON already had too much crap on them to be allowed entrance and the arguments began. Just let me pass while you argue people. Please? Thats all I ask. I think one guy was trying to get his suitcase on the coaster. Why?

Up the stairs finally to the station. We waited about 4 trains. And that would be the longest wait of the day for Banshee. The attendant told us to hit up the last seats and we were fine with that. So my first ride of Banshee was in the back, and boy was it a doozy. Banshee does not let up from that initial wail over the first hill. Its head over heels non-stop throughout with little else involved. Ground then sky. Ground then sky. I have to admit I like more involved coasters than simple loops. I prefer Raptor to this coaster because the transitions are more apparent and the design is a little less intense but with more elements. If Raptor was a little smoother and had the trains of Banshee it would be perfect. But Banshee is definitely the more intense coaster. Its a great, smooth one at that. A perfect addition to Kings Island. [Let it be known that we love Diamondback over Millennium Forceless however]

We hurried through the gift shop past the wall of people who just have to block the aisle to see their selfies. Dont they already have thousands on their phones?? We got back in line for Banshee to get a middle seat on the purple train. darn. This would be the train we would get throughout the day unfortunately. Rattle, rattle. Being almost 40 I felt a little nauseated after these back to backs. But who has time for that nonsense? Onward

The Bat looks great and really pops out now. You actually notice it. More importantly, patrons notice it now. We hiked the trail to the station and grabbed a front row spot and waited one train. Love this little coaster.

Next, we headed to that secret, experimental area to grab rides on Firehawk and FOF before the crowds got going. We got barked at from the game barkers [as if I look like a basketball player]. No I dont want a LeBron jersey man or a giant smiley ear of corn bro. It wouldnt even fit in my 12 dollar locker. Headed into the Arcade to check out the claw games and to see what arcade machines we would try out later. They had two KI employees at the ticket exchange area behind the glass which I thought was strange [they didnt even have two people at any of the food stands all day that I saw]. We saw a pirate shooting game that looked pretty good and would return later to. We also saw an indie game that involved a doodle jumping up on clouds. Who the hell published that? The GF definitely wanted to play that one later and I scratched my head. Dont get me wrong, I love indie games and original games at that, but I couldnt figure out who would make an arcade machine out of one.

Out the door and towards that bathroom-less corner [there are bathrooms in Action Zone within a toilet paper roll throw away from one another]. But we know as much already. Firehawks station was practically emptybut that doesnt keep the KI monitor in the aisle from holding you back from reaching it. The coaster on the course had 6 empty rows and there were maybe 16 people in the station. So of course it made sense for us to wait in the aisle. Hey guess what? You can wait out here longer now because someone is coming out to relieve me. Petty complaintI wasnt really mad or anything just annoyed now thinking about it. 3 minutes later we are in the completely empty station and we get in the front line and on to the coaster immediately. One can actually have a nice view of the Brontosaurus in Dinosaurs Alive on the way up the lift hillas well as the bright sun at 10:45 in the morning. That feels good on the eyes man! Clank. Clank. CLANK! As always, a fun ride although I find myself having to brace myself uncomfortably while in those rather strange restraints. I get a lot of blood to my head on that ride as well. We returned to the brake run facing the sun again and got a nice tan while waiting, waiting, waiting, for that people eater to unload and for us to return homeward.

Next we walked through the UFO and waited for about 5 or 6 trains and took a plain ol middle seat. Launch would begin in 5, 4, 3 BOOOM! I always loved that little fake out, especially when they do a real count on the launch before yours and then catch you unawares. We launched out of the tunnel into the cobra roll and what is this...The building is almost entirely black? I counted perhaps three small lights on in the whole place to my dismay. To my dismay, because even knowing the layout, I couldnt brace myself for those deceivingly quick bends. It was impossible to even know which direction you were facing even making you forget just where you were in the course of the layout. I was getting tossed around like a chump and it hurt! It was freakin incredible. I personally loved it. My body afterwardnotsomuch.

Feeling slightly nauseas as well as feeling like we just got jumped and robbed, I decided to catch my breath byhaving a cigarette in the center of Coney Mall in the circle of trees. During this little break I looked up and saw a train about to crest the hill on Banshee, except the train wasnt moving. Oh noes! Lets stay clear of that area for minute.

Alright stop. What does airbrushing have to do with Octoberfest? I mean...in all honesty? Who buys this crap outside of Southerners and White Trash in Ohio? [not that there is anything wrong with that...uh...I got nothing else here]. Not to slight the Southerners because I love Dollywood and New Orleans, and Atlanta, and Kentucky, and...uh? But I dont even think Dollywood has this crap. And why is it in Octoberfest? I mean, its cool to get your girlfriends name above an eagle and American flag...but isnt this tradition a little outdated by about 20 years? This isnt the local fair man. Alas, I bought an airbrushed shirt that had a middle finger that said: AIRBRUSH SHIRTS SUCK! Worth every penny. The dude working there was very happy to airbrush that one. Though I think he was being escorted to the parking lot when we were leaving...sorry dude. Nice work though.

Moving forward, we headed to the ass of the park where our beautiful antique car course use to be to take a dip on Gangsta Car Rider Express. Or, I mean, Mobster Mayhem, or... crap, whatever lame name it has now. 5 car wait. This was the first time I noticed the flowover queue behind the billboard ejection. I wondered who the hell would wait when that queue was necessary. Despite this revelation of queues ...I rather enjoy this ride...but not above my 'tiques.

Twas almost Noon at this point...

I will finish tomorrow. Not that one should care. It just feels good to type...and Alas, I am leaving early for this incredible weekend. This was work today fellow KIC'ers. Off and on anyway.

[Magenta Lizard]

When you were talking about how much the rides beat up your old body in the other thread yesterday I thought you were significantly older than me, not nearly exactly the same age

I do feel FoF on my neck today, and something else (probably Beast, it was really beating on me the half-dozen or more times I rode yesterday) in my lower back, though. So I guess pushing 40 is when these things start hurting.

[Existential]

Ha...my lower back hurts all the time anymore. The Beast...strangely enough...makes my back feel good. I don't know if its my love for that coaster or what...but I never feel nauseas or beat up. I love it. I will discuss later in my TR. To do it justice.

[Existential]

Eh..I will finish come a work day after tomorrow. Not that anyone cares...but its addicting. Wait for Tuesday.