Kings Island 2016 Discussion Thread

[CoasterOhio]

^ You mean the thing you see in parking garages? Yeah those are new.

[upstop]

Maybe those raising arms will only operate when the gate is being used as a scan only gate... Assuming the scan only gates can be randomly changed...And that the other gates will remain up during regular hours. I don't believe I've been to any other amusement park with a raising arm gate system. To me they could slow down the processIng of guests. Also gates malfunction. That could be a mess in the making.

[CoasterOhio]

^ That's what I thought when I first looked at those. I was like "Oh if those don't work..." But I believe there is probably the option to raise them and keep them raised, and if they don't work an associate can lift it up. Anyone know how hard it is to lift one of those?

[teenageninja]

^ That's what I thought when I first looked at those. I was like "Oh if those don't work..." But I believe there is probably the option to raise them and keep them raised, and if they don't work an associate can lift it up. Anyone know how hard it is to lift one of those?

 

Not very.  I'm not going to incriminate myself, but I know quite a few people down at UC who would lift the gate up for others to drive under.

[dragsterguy21]

How should somebody approach the park if they are coming from the south? The road isnt wide and I feel like it will get backed up a lot. I am visiting my old friends in West Chester and I forget the area.

[CoasterOhio]

How should somebody approach the park if they are coming from the south? The road isnt wide and I feel like it will get backed up a lot. I am visiting my old friends in West Chester and I forget the area.

 

Since it's a 13 lane toll, I highly doubt there would be issues unless they're like Walmart and only have 2 lanes open.

[Kenban]

^ That's what I thought when I first looked at those. I was like "Oh if those don't work..." But I believe there is probably the option to raise them and keep them raised, and if they don't work an associate can lift it up. Anyone know how hard it is to lift one of those?

 

 

They put a counter weight on the arm so that the motor has to do less work to lift the arm.  Which also makes it easy to manually lift the arm when needed.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

I go by the park every day. It looks like it's going to be easy to find your way there. If you're used to coming from Western Row, just go about another 4,000' and make a right-hand turn at the beautifully-aesthetic intersection that leads right to the entrance plaza (be sure the park is open, and follow all posted traffic signs and drive safely).

[CoasterOhio]

I go by the park every day. It looks like it's going to be easy to find your way there. If you're used to coming from Western Row, just go about another 4,000' and make a right-hand turn at the beautifully-aesthetic intersection that leads right to the entrance plaza (be sure the park is open, and follow all posted traffic signs and drive safely).

 

On top of this. Stay in the right lane. This lane turns into the entrance on it's own.

[upstop]

How should somebody approach the park if they are coming from the south? The road isnt wide and I feel like it will get backed up a lot. I am visiting my old friends in West Chester and I forget the area.

 

Since it's a 13 lane toll, I highly doubt there would be issues unless they're like Walmart and only have 2 lanes open.

Had to chuckle. I was picturing some senior in a blue vest leaning on a grocery cart saying "Welcome to Kings Island" every time a gate raises... TB, got a Photoshop for that? Lol!

[dragsterguy21]

I meant the actual road that Kings Island sits on isnt wide. I recall it only being 2-3 lanes.

[CoasterOhio]

I meant the actual road that Kings Island sits on isnt wide. I recall it only being 2-3 lanes.

 

Oh I see what you mean

 

Due to construction there is only 1 lane. But as It stands, and looks from the nearmap satelite images. There will be four lanes up to the right hand bend in the road (This is if you're going north bound) and the right most lane will end, turning it into three lanes.

 

The Entrance to the park will have two lanes. The right most lane must turn right into the entrance, while the second lane has the option of turning right or continuing straight.

 

After that it is two lanes down KI-Drive until it ends.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

Taken about 15 minutes ago (thanks to Rivers Crossing for giving me permission to take pictures from their property).  I love this new entrance/exit that leads to the new plaza, which is out-of-view (the entrance road  (which is on the right side of the sign shown here)  appears to curve to the right/south, appears to go behind the old cemetery and meet the plaza at the edge of the parking lot).

 

Here's a closer look:

 

It appears that there has been some road-widening, and crews appear to be working diligently to prepare for Saturday:

[flightoffear1996]

I am kind of bummed that the south entrance is gone.  Going to be strange going to the North entrance.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

Here's a video from today. Best viewed in 720p. 

 

 

Personal observation; not a news item.

(Verbal permission obtained from Rivers Crossing to film from their property)

[Imperial79]

I'm just wondering,  so us coming from the north,  we won't really get to see the front of the new entrance sign since we are coming from that way will we?  We'll see it but only from the back side, right?

[KI Fan75]

From what I understand, the new entrance sign is between the left turn lanes at the light for those coming in from the north and the direct right turn lanes for those coming in from the south.  That way everyone will pass it as they enter the park.

[KingsIslandJunkie]

Where is the entrane is it in the norths entrance old spot

[KI Fan75]

It is now at the light in front of Great Wolf Lodge where the north exit is.

[KingsIslandJunkie]

so where you exited the by great wolf lodge

[KingsIslandJunkie]

*the park by great wolf lodge 

[KI Fan75]

Yep.  directly across from the entrance of the church.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

On my way back by, the signage was being installed:

 

[Infinity]

^thanks for providing us pictures for all of us!

 

I hope Kings Island is going to focus on landscaping like Kings Dominion this year. It makes the whole park experience so much better!

[SOBwasaSOB]

I apologize because I'm sure this has been asked but I can't find it, but what time does ert start Saturday and what rides will be open for it? Thanks in advance!

[malem]

It starts at 9:30am, and the lineup is available here: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/item/Season-Pass-Benefits-7-10-14-23/Early-Ride-Time-7-10-14-30

In April/May, it's Diamondback, Woodstock Gliders, Snoopy's Space Buggies, Woodstock Express.

[rlentless]

Story today of all the road changes and information.

 

http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/local/how-construction-entrance-changes-may-affect-your-/nq5DL/

[jcgoble3]

Self-scan also seems like a surefire way of avoiding situations in those hours later in the day when there are no parking attendants at the booths, and people are driving straight through without paying for parking...

TRFTW, observing.

 

My understanding was that the park had an unwritten rule that after a certain hour, parking was free, hence why they turned all the lights green without staffing any lanes. Late in the evening, the vast majority of people entering the park are going to be season pass holders anyway, so at some point, they lose money with the cost of paying employees to staff the tolls not being offset by revenues.

[MysticsTimber]

How can this be? We're only 2 days away from the greatest day of the year: Opening Day at Kings Island!! Finally! We can all enjoy the rides that we have been missing since November 1st in 2015!

(Edit made by me. Original picture: https://instagram.com/p/BEEkaG0OOI6/)

[SOBwasaSOB]

Thanks Malem! IAmABanshee you have some serious photography/editing skills!