KI 07/17/2024

[KIBeast]

Spent a good portion of the day at Kings Island, one day after my 53rd birthday. I went with my 15 year old kid and his best friend. Interestingly enough, his friend had never been to an amusement park before. I started off my day riding Mystic Timbers, which really got the adrenaline pumping. I won't get into what rides I rode in great detail. I will just reveal a few details along the way. Every ride was practically a walk on, which made for a great day. Again, I'll just cover the highlights of my day.

To start with, I did get a lap on Snoopy's Soapbox Racers. I was seated with 3 other people including their kid. As it turns out, these people were a lot of fun. I think KI knocked it out of the park with this addition to their good lineup of kids' coasters. I also found it funny that when we were going up the front spike, the kid though for sure we were going to go off the track, but that's coming from someone who looked to be no older than 8. 

I was pleasantly surprised that I managed 2 spins on Delirium as it was a one gondola wait. I don't ever recall seeing lines as they were yesterday. 

I managed to ride Banshee twice and I must say I was a little disappointed this year. I'm guessing I caught that coaster on a bad day because the vibration was unreal. Quite possibly could be that the wheels were worn thin, but had not been replaced yet. I have found that to be the case most any time I receive a bad ride on any coaster.

Also, at 3:30pm, I began an Orion marathon for 1 hour. I managed to get 10 laps on it in that amount of time. I just love that coaster! On a personal note, any place on there that I know there is airtime, I put my legs straight out and I'm literally levitating above my seat for at least 3 full seconds. 

At 5:30, I decided to eat dinner. Anyone who has ever read any of my trip reports know that since I drive 3 hours away, I'm hitting up LaRosa's since I don't get there but once a year, if that. However, this year I was bound and determined to eat somewhere different. I chose the Cantina as it always just smells so delicious as you walk by there on your way to Adventure Express, Sol Spin, etc. Let me say, I really enjoyed eating a carnitas bowl for dinner. The food reminded me of being very similar to Chipoltle. I was actually full with about 1/3 of the bowl left, but I finished it off anyway. 

We wound up talking about meeting up at Diamondback for the last ride of the evening, since we were leaving at 8pm. His friend was really exhausted by the whole experience. I also don't see how he stood being in the 95 degree weather in jeans and a hoodie. We met up at the Diamondback plaza and it was closed at that moment, so we decided to take our customary last ride on The Beast. I mean, what is truly left to say about this legendary ride, other than to say that I've now been riding this coaster for 35 years.

As we were driving home, I asked his friend what his favorite ride was. I was imagining he would say something like Diamondback, Orion, Flight of Fear or something along those lines. He revealed that his favorite was actually The Racer. I also came to the realization yesterday that I have been riding The Racer for the last 43 years. Hard to believe I am as old as Kings Island and that my mother brought me there in a stroller the year it opened.

Overall, a great day was enjoyed by all.

[johnjniehaus]

On 7/18/2024 at 12:42 PM, KIBeast said:

As we were driving home, I asked his friend what his favorite ride was. I was imagining he would say something like Diamondback, Orion, Flight of Fear or something along those lines. He revealed that his favorite was actually The Racer. I also came to the realization yesterday that I have been riding The Racer for the last 43 years. Hard to believe I am as old as Kings Island and that my mother brought me there in a stroller the year it opened.

The Racer is my 10 year old sister's favorite too! She has ridden everything except Invertigo. She does like Banshee alot too but she always wants to ride The Racer (blue side). She's always super disappointed if only the red side is running. As a kid my big two were always The Beast and Vortex. Then one day I got on Diamondback and everything changed!