April 26 PKI

[CoasterKrazy]

Our day at Paramount's Kings Island began with a $9 parking fee at 2:00 PM. We received are notice that the park was now equipped with metal detectors, and a coupon for $5 off our next visit. My friend and I both have Gold Season Passes, so I'll just give my coupons to other friends. We found a parking spot in the Drop Zone section, and walked to the entrance. The metal detectors were no trouble at all, but it took about 15 minutes to enter the park. We waited in line once, only for them to tell us that Season Pass holders were to enter through the other line. A sign would have been nice, bt it wasn't a big deal. Hopefully though, a sign will be posted soon, because I see that becoming a problem later on in the season when it is very busy.

Delirium was our first ride of the day. The line was about 3/4 full, but it moved very quickly. The way they have riders move into position before the previous ride ends really helps move guests along. Once all the bugs are worked out with the arm and floor this ride will be a real people-eater. Delerium is one INCREDIBLE ride! The ride starts out with a feeling similar to a Scrambler, but then kicks up the intensity. The feelings of falling and weightlessness are AWESOME and the G forces at the bottom of the swing are extremely strong. One of the best rides in the park, without a doubt.

Top Gun was next. While in line, I noticed that some of the scenery looked like it had been painted. Also, some of the scenery in the line that is closed off was visible, as the mini "garage doors" that usually hide the themeing were open. Top Gun is back to two trains, and the new tubs are easily noticed. I love this ride, and it is my favorite suspened coaster. I love the airtime you get on the frist drop and the intense ending. Too short, but a very good ride. Hopefully, its original themeing will return in the next few years.

After Top Gun we headed to another Arrow ride, Adventure Express. I couldn't tell if they were running two or three trains, but the line moved very fast as usual. The music and spiels in the station were playing at full blast. I had NEVER, EVER heard the Adventure Express "soundtrack" before, and I'm glad PKI decided to bring it back. The music is pretty cool and the failed expeditions, closed tracks, and travel announcements are very amusing. The only themeing working was in the last tunnel, but I noticed that the first tunnel had been cleaned. Hopefully, a lot more work will be done, and Kings Island will keep the themeing working %100. This ride is wicked in the back seat! Airtime everywhere and it is very intense, but the roughness may be too much for little ones. Try riding up front for an easier ride. Another great Arrow at PKI.

By this time we were getting hungry, so we headed over to Mandarin Cuisine. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with smiling faces and several "Hellos." The man dishing the food was hard to understand, but eventually we got what we wanted and paid for the food, which is cheeper than other food in the park. Our meals were nice and hot and tasted very good. I recommend Mandarin to anyone who goes to Kings Island. The food is expensive ( Not as bad as the rest of the park, thats for sure. ) but definately worth it.

We headed over to Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle. The line was past the exit, but only lasted about 20 minutes. PKI did a GREAT job with this ride. There are already signs of General Public destruction, which is sad considering this ride has been open only a few days. I'll never understand why a few people feel the need to tear everything up. Anyway, I thought that the themeing in the queue could have been more elaborate, but the ride makes up for it. Shaggy and Scooby need to be louder because it is hard to hear them giving instructions. The ride itself is VERY cool and fun. I thought I would just sit back to take everything in for my first ride, but I couldn't help but grab one of those guns and start shooting. For my first score I got 1530 points, and later on the day when we went on SDATHC a second time I got 960 points. This is a great ride for everyone, and is a perfect replacement for Phantom Theater. I don't know which one I like better, because they are such different rides, but Scooby is a must-do on every PKI trip.

We decided on Vortex for our next ride. The line moved quickly like usual, and we were on in just a few minutes. Vortex is still a really good ride in my opinion. Plus, the new paint job looks great/ I understand why some people think it is rough, but I always enjoy it. Very intese in the loops and the final helix. One thing I noticed is that the brakes are very noisy, like metal against metal. I wonder if they will be replaced any time soon....

By this time, Tomb Raider: The Ride had opened up, so we took a quick spin. The flames outside the tomb weren't on, but the jewel at the beginning of the queue is back in its place. I think the queue had been cleaned, because it wasn't nearly as dirty as it was on our last trip. Only a few of the fake flames were on full blast once inside the tomb, and the lights that "unlock" the tomb didn't line up like they used to. I always think its funny when the tomb opens up with the dynamic music to see a ride op standing there to usher you in. Just something I find amusing. The pre-show worked fine, and we got on the ride. A few of the effects still aren't working like they used to but other than that TR:TR is the same as it was last season. I like this ride, but a new program every two or three rides would be nice.

Drop Zone. The new permanent queues are nice, and will hopefully keep that huge line from forming out in front of the ride. While in we were waiting in line, a large group of people cut through about 3 rows of the line. A man stood up on the rails and yelled to the ride-ops that those people were smoking and cut in line. After a few curse words and gestures, the ride ops had the people step out of the queue and onto the "loading station." People in the queue began yelling as the line-cutters tried to get on the ride. One of them went over to a ride-op and offered her money to let them ride. After 10 minutes of more cursing and attemted bribes, the group was sent on its way. Later, I saw the ride ops describing the group to security. Hopefully, they were thrown out of the park. Drop Zone was a lot of fun, with a lot of airtime. My friend and I noticed that the ring didn't go up as high as it usually does. Anyone know why?

We've finally figured out how to get a good ride on Son of Beast. Don't ride above the wheels! If you get a seat that ISN'T above the wheels, you'll get a great ride on this monster. By the way, SOB is back to two train operation! And you know what that means! ...Oh wait...no...there weren't new restraints. Don't know what happened, but they aren't there. Well, as long as I got a good ride, I didn't care.

Anyway, our day at Paramount's Kings Island was perfect. We got in all the rides we wanted to, and waits were short. The park was clean and the food was great. This season looks like its going to be very good. If the rumored improvements come this season, it will be even better.

[Inraider]

Yeah, for those who work at the park, make a note to tell the people at the park that the triangle that is illuminated on the door doesn't move and it comes on much too late (the door is already moving). I agree too, when that door opens and you see a park employee standing there, it totally ruins the effect. I think you should get two or three employees to go through the antechamber and preshow room with a specific groups and then operate things as they move from room to room, that would be much better, it wouldn't cheapen the effect, and give a more adventurous feel to it.

[CoasterKrazy]

The fact that a ride-op is always standing there doesn't really bother me, and I actually think it is funny. I DO hope, however, that all the themeing will soon return, and will be kept up for as long as Tomb Raider: The Ride is operating.

[Dino2003]

We headed over to Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle. The line was past the exit, but only lasted about 20 minutes. PKI did a GREAT job with this ride. There are already signs of General Public destruction, which is sad considering this ride has been open only a few days. I'll never understand why a few people feel the need to tear everything up. Anyway, I thought that the themeing in the queue could have been more elaborate, but the ride makes up for it. Shaggy and Scooby need to be louder because it is hard to hear them giving instructions. The ride itself is VERY cool and fun. I thought I would just sit back to take everything in for my first ride, but I couldn't help but grab one of those guns and start shooting. For my first score I got 1530 points, and later on the day when we went on SDATHC a second time I got 960 points. This is a great ride for everyone, and is a perfect replacement for Phantom Theater. I don't know which one I like better, because they are such different rides, but Scooby is a must-do on every PKI trip.

Yeah i noticed the public destruction too. it made me VERY ****ED! i just wanna say if i catch anyone messin with anyride i will ''RAT'' you out...PKI works very hard to make nice rides and this is how you repay the park by screwin with the props etc.......

[StXBomber]

I didn't see any sign of destruction on Scooby, what has happened on the ride?

(and yes, its a pain in the ass. there were holes in the walls at the exit of FoF that have all been patched up, but still makes the exit look bad.)

[Scooby_Doo]

Oh i know what your talkin bout...ok right when you get in the ( near the stairs)building you see wallpaper someone has ripped some of the wallpaper off i just gotta agree with Dino if i see anyone messin up a Ride will tell on you!its WRONG people...It makes the ride look tacky...and plus PKI puts in lotta money to make a ride look nice!FOF yeah i did see FOF's HOLES it looks awful...if there is one thing in this world i hate its people who mess with stuff that isnt theres!!!!

[matt3224]

Thanks for actually caring guys!!! There is a lot of things that people have done to our ride... There is wall paper torn off at spots, gum all over the floor and some walls, holes in a few spots of the walls, and delibrate spills of who knows what on the floor and walls (i think it was ice cream but who knows). But i am glad to hear that some of you will "RAT" out those they see, we are trying hard to keep it clean and nice but we need help from all of you by not messing it up anymore! Not that anyone reading this did anything, i am talking generally...

Edited January 1, 1970 by matt3224

[Scooby_Doo]

yeah matt i care DEEPLY for Pki iam a FAN of PKI its the only place where i can get away and have fun!Yeah i will ''RAT'' anyone who messes withany ride at PKI...BUT if i see someone messin w/ SDATHC i will get out of line and get you in some DEEPCRAP I DONT CARE YA AINT GOT NO RIGHT TO MESS W/ THE RIDES!SDATHC MEANS ALOT TO ME AS SCOOBY FAN..SO YOU BETTER HOPE I DONT SEE YA MESSIN W/ ANYRIDE!

[matt3224]

yeah matt i care DEEPLY for Pki iam a FAN of PKI its the only place where i can get away and have fun!Yeah i will ''RAT'' anyone who messes withany ride at PKI...BUT if i see someone messin w/ SDATHC i will get out of line and get you in some DEEPCRAP I DONT CARE YA AINT GOT NO RIGHT TO MESS W/ THE RIDES!SDATHC MEANS ALOT TO ME AS SCOOBY FAN..SO YOU BETTER HOPE I DONT SEE YA MESSIN W/ ANYRIDE!

WOW! Thanks. If only every guest could be like that, then maybe the rides wouldn't have to be worked on so often.

[mars1825]

Yeah i noticed the public destruction too. it made me VERY ****ED! i just wanna say if i catch anyone messin with anyride i will ''RAT'' you out...PKI works very hard to make nice rides and this is how you repay the park by screwin with the props etc.......

Instead of ratting them out, why don't you just try to stop them in the act? If you exclude them from everyone else I'm sure they will get embarressed and they will probably stop what they are doing. It won't do you any good if you just rat them out after the commit the act. If you stop them then nothing will be done to mess up the ride.

[StXBomber]

Yeah, I saw that, it made me kinda mad. We need a lookout list or something, rides that have a habit of being defaced. So far I see FoF and Scooby. If you see anyone defacing any ride, I sugest you isolate them, make them embarrased, then tell a ride op and hopefully solve the problem (if this means ejection from park, so be it).

[AZ Kinda Guy]

Delerium is one INCREDIBLE ride! The ride starts out with a feeling similar to a Scrambler, but then kicks up the intensity. The feelings of falling and weightlessness are AWESOME and the G forces at the bottom of the swing are extremely strong. One of the best rides in the park, without a doubt.

My friend and I noticed that the ring didn't go up as high as it usually does. Anyone know why?

We've finally figured out how to get a good ride on Son of Beast. Don't ride above the wheels! If you get a seat that ISN'T above the wheels, you'll get a great ride on this monster. By the way, SOB is back to two train operation! And you know what that means! ...Oh wait...no...there weren't new restraints. Don't know what happened, but they aren't there. Well, as long as I got a good ride, I didn't care.

Anyway, our day at Paramount's Kings Island was perfect. We got in all the rides we wanted to, and waits were short. The park was clean and the food was great. This season looks like its going to be very good. If the rumored improvements come this season, it will be even better.

Glad you liked the ride! It's definately a crowd pleaser.

As for DZ, it hasn't changed. Still drops from the same height it always has.

[CoasterKrazy]

Is it? I must have never really paid that much attention to it, but when we were on the ride, we noticed that as we reachd the top, the lift slowed down to a literal crawl for about 10 or 15 seconds. In the many times that I've ridden it, its never done that before. Also, later on in the day I used a view finder located at the front of the fountain and looked up at Drop Zone noticed a good amount of space from the top of the tower ( well, obvisously not the top, just where the lift mechanism stops ) and the lift mechanism. You probably know more about the ride than I do, but I'd never notice it move so slow or seem "so" low before.

[Dino2003]

Yeah i noticed the public destruction too. it made me VERY ****ED! i just wanna say if i catch anyone messin with anyride i will ''RAT'' you out...PKI works very hard to make nice rides and this is how you repay the park by screwin with the props etc.......

Instead of ratting them out, why don't you just try to stop them in the act? If you exclude them from everyone else I'm sure they will get embarressed and they will probably stop what they are doing. It won't do you any good if you just rat them out after the commit the act. If you stop them then nothing will be done to mess up the ride.

i could do that or we...but iam scared of a fight brakeing out...i get mad very easy..iam i guess you could say a HOT head...yeah i Noticed that before you board SDATHC theres a sign stateing if your caught disturbing any of the props etc...you can get ejected from the park

[Shman]

Hey guys.....just to let you know that I will mention the problem with TR:TR tri-light to the tech services personel. Hopefully they will be able to re-aim the light the next time they go out there.

[AZ Kinda Guy]

You think they don't know? Trust me, they do. They have alot more important things to do then one little effect on TR that is not at FULL potential.

[FOF]

Also that light isnt the responsibility of Technical Services.

[fyrfyter]

Instead of ratting them out, why don't you just try to stop them in the act? If you exclude them from everyone else I'm sure they will get embarressed and they will probably stop what they are doing. It won't do you any good if you just rat them out after the commit the act. If you stop them then nothing will be done to mess up the ride.

I would not recommend this to anyone, as it can lead to bad situations. It is one thing if by law you ahve the ability to stop someone from doing something whether you are on duty or off, but if all you are is a park employee, I don't think there is a whole lot you can do as far as stopping them yourself. Maybe as security or Park Police you might be able to help, but someone getting hurt over defending theming just isn't worth it. Know what you can and cannot do, and stick to it. If you can't do something with the support of the law, then don't do it at all. All it will cause is for you to be in worse trouble and a more problematic situation.

[Tek]

Yeah anyone that is going to deface property can't be in their right mind. I'm 22 and I wouldn't do that. Basically its best to avoid conflict in tight crowded spaces. It can just turn into a big mess. Find a Ride Op or a Security Guard and let them handle it.

Besides tearing up things, I dislike line jumpers the most. There is nothing worse than waiting in the hot sun for a long time and see a group of punks just cut in front.

By the way I'm glad to be back on this forum. I doubt anyone remembers me as I posted around the same time last year and posted quite a few pictures on the board. I see alot of the same crew is still around and that teenageninja has been made a mod which he does a great job of keeping things in check.

Overall the site looks great so props to Aaron...

I will be making a TWO Day trip June 12th and June 13th..It was going to be during the weekends, but I like to avoid the crowds. When it becomes closer to trip time I have to get some of your names that are on Ride Op Crews or whatnot and say hi!

[StXBomber]

yeah, we had a line jumping incident on FoF when I was working backside. It was my first line-jumping incident while working, and it happened right behind my back (I was checking restraints when it happened)! We got them, I'm not sure what happened to them though.

And when you visit the park, come by FoF! If you see a "Brad", say hi! (just so you know, 3 "Brad"s work at FoF. I am the one that looks like Harry Potter, lol)

Edited January 1, 1970 by StXBomber

[CoasterKrazy]

So has any cleaning been done in the FOF queue? I wasn't there on the 26th, so I don't know how it is.

[DragonLord]

Actually, a person that defaces park property can be ejected from the park for the rest of that day to forever and could be charged with vandalism. It depends on witnesses, and type of destruction.

I try to walk through FoF when I am around it...I even go into space ship to check things out (if the line is that long). I always try to keep my eyes opened at FoF and everywhere else in the park.

[StXBomber]

We don't have much defacing in the hanger, its mostly in the UFO and exit. I remember last year people drew on the alien hyroglyphics in the UFO and I was soooooooo ****ed.

[Shman]

Does anyone know if the Light in TR:TR has been fixed. I mentioned it to the guys who take care of it....but I don't know if they have gotten out there to work on it or not.

[Inraider]

Which light?

[shedevilonsob]

Are you talking about the one in the first room?

the answer is no not yet!!!!

[SOB_TOM]

Theres other things that are just a little big more important to fix around the park than the light. Gatta keep that in mind.

[CoasterKrazy]

::cough:: Flight of Fear ::cough::

[StXBomber]

wait.... whats wrong with FoF? I haven't seen anything not working there, and I work on the ride!

[CoasterKrazy]

The queue in the hanger is extremely dirty. I noticed that when I went to Paramount's Kings Island on May 4, the UFO had the trash taken off of it, but it hadn't been dusted. None of the other scenery had been cleaned either. Plus, the video wasn't running at all, and I noticed how incredibly dusty the air inside the hanger is as well. There is gum all over the floor, and that vibrating inside the UFO is very annoying.

This isn't bashing against you or anyone else who works on Flight of Fear, but I think PKI needs to put some major work into cleaning it. The rest of the park is great, but Flight of Fear is way below average.