Pre and Post Road Trip Ki Days!

[whengodsaysgo]

I spent June 17-25 in Tennessee.  I was driving solo, and I knew I would be stiff and bored on the ride down, so I began my day at KI!

This was the first time I had arrived at the park before the parking structure opened.  I waited in line, and then pulled up to a lovely parking spot.  So refreshing as opposed to hunting for one. (I usually hit the park in the evenings after work.)  I went through security and then found myself second in line at the main gates, with a little time left before the park opened.  Right before 9:30, a gentleman made his way to the front of the line where the ropes were and got the crowd pumped up.  The National Anthem was played, something I didn't even think about -  and then the crowds were unleashed!  It felt like a full on feeding frenzy as people ran here and there.

I headed straight for Mysti.  This seems to be my habit.  I always visit her first.  I got in line pretty quickly, and then again right away.  As I approached the top of the steps to the station, I looked down and now the turn arounds were full an the line was at least an hour.  I left my girl Mysti and headed straight to The Beast. Twice on The Beast is a good way to start the morning!  By this time the sun was beating down at full force.  I grabbed a water and headed for BLSC.

After a double on BLSC, I headed to AE.  This was a nice chill way to end the trip.  It was approaching 11, and I needed to get on the road.  I stopped at Starbucks on my way out, grabbed a few shots of espresso, and then away I went!

I lingered in TN on Sunday the 25th, with the hopes of a night ride on The Beast or Mysti on the way home.  But, I took advantage of every second with my friends and ended up getting home late.  Then I remembered my cousin had text me while I was away wanting to go to KI - so I decided to see if she wanted to go Monday 06/26.  She wanted to go, so I met her in the parking lot after work around 6pm.  This was our first time going together, and I know everyone has different tastes in rides and being that I tend to go solo, this was a nice change.  We enjoyed spending time with each other and just chatting the entire evening.  This made lines seem shorter.  I had a blast!

Aren't we cute?  (She has her eyes closed in lots of pics! LOL) She needed dinner, so we grabbed her a slice of pizza on the way to Mysti.  She had yet to ride it, and it's my habit, so we did that first.  It was great as usual.  She loved the shed, and is excited to see the other endings.  She has a drink plan on her pass, so we grabbed a drink and headed toward BLSC.  After BLSC, we headed toward Coney Mall.  I got my first Racer ride of the year!  I had been a little worried about the restraints - this season I'm re-acclimating myself to the park, and as a chunky girl I wasn't sure which things would work.  I found success on both The Racer and SRR!  Both were so much fun, and I'm glad I had the courage to try them!

We headed from Coney over to Action Zone, where we rode Invertigo.  It had also been a while since I rode this - and let me tell you - it was as awesome if not more so than I remembered!  The restraints fit perfectly and the airtime was fantastic.  I recently found a picture of my mom (who passed almost nine years go) and I on it back in the Face Off days.  Riding this made me think of her and brought a huge smile to my face.  Roxy (my cousin) decided after a bathroom break that it may be a good idea to ride something a bit more laid back.  So, we hit Boo Blasters.  Has anyone else had any issues with blasters not working so well?  I've ridden it enough to know if I have hit a target, and for some reason lots of targets that I'm 90% sure that I hit weren't registering points.  I scored a sad 330, and I usually always score above 1000.

Blue ice cream was already on the agenda, so we decided to go ahead and take advantage of being in Planet Snoopy and grab this delicious, one of a kind delicacy.  I opted for a dish with oreos, while she got a cone with oreos.  I had been behaving so nicely eating wise, even in The South that this was an amazing treat! (I stayed with my friends who are Japanese and Kenyan, and we ate so many veggies and rice!)

After we finished up, we decided we were going to go for a front row night ride of The Beast.  On the way, Roxy suggested we do Diamondback instead.  This is the only ride that legitimately scares me in the park.  I get butterflies every time that train approaches the station and the gates open.  We opted for front row, which was a first for me.  This was one of the very best night rides I have every experienced at KI!  The air was cool, the views were amazing!  The sky was clear and you could see the stars (and not much else!).  I wailed like a baby but it was an amazing experience.  This is now a ride I prefer front row on - even if it requires a longer wait.  So. Much. Fun. See below for our selfie as we loaded.  I was so scared!

If you're still reading, thanks for listening!   I love this forum, and the enthusiasm that it carries for those of us who love all things KI.  

I plan to take a photo of the Face Off photo of my mom and me when I get home.  I'll post in the replies. <3 

[BeeastFarmer]

Great trip report!

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[MaestroJr]

8 hours ago, whengodsaysgo said:

 Has anyone else had any issues with blasters not working so well?  I've ridden it enough to know if I have hit a target, and for some reason lots of targets that I'm 90% sure that I hit weren't registering points.  I scored a sad 330, and I usually always score above 1000.

Nice trip report, unfortunately since its opening in 2010 and even before in the Scooby days, its always for me at least been inconsistent. The ride looks fantastic this year, but last week while riding Boo Blasters with my brother and sister, he scored 2200, while I scored 750. Its a problem that has always been there with the ride and probably will continue throughout Boo Blasters life at Kings Island. And thats always why many people hope for its demise ASAP in order to get a more quality dark ride, but I always have fun on Boo Blasters, and hope it sticks around for a while!

[IndyGuy4KI]

Sounds like you had a great time at the park. Thanks for sharing with us.

[whengodsaysgo]

14 hours ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

Sounds like you had a great time at the park. Thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks! and you're welcome!

14 hours ago, MaestroJr said:

Nice trip report, unfortunately since its opening in 2010 and even before in the Scooby days, its always for me at least been inconsistent. The ride looks fantastic this year, but last week while riding Boo Blasters with my brother and sister, he scored 2200, while I scored 750. Its a problem that has always been there with the ride and probably will continue throughout Boo Blasters life at Kings Island. And thats always why many people hope for its demise ASAP in order to get a more quality dark ride, but I always have fun on Boo Blasters, and hope it sticks around for a while!

I totally love Boo Blasters!  I would rather see an upgrade or fix rather than having it removed.  I'm all for dark rides also. Another boat ride would be fantastic, but I love the interactive factor of Boo Blasters. I'm a total history nardo so I think something that illustrates the history of KI would be cool - or perhaps a more detailed story line of Mysti (the logging co and shed) or The Beast.

[Creed Bratton]

Great trip report!!!! I love the details you put into it. 

I'm so incredibly glad you enjoyed Diamondback in the front row at night. It's one of my favorite night rides and especially in the front. I remember when I worked at Diamondback, at the end of the night we'd do a test ride or two....I'd always fight my coworkers for a front row ride. However, the only time I hated front row was a Haunt several years back when it rained so much and it was so cold that a front row ride (well really any row) was so uncomfortable.

 

Again, thanks for sharing!